A Land Divided- An Italian AAR

[Long lost Caesar]

Since the dawn of time the people of Italia have guarded her. Fearless and strong, our men have always been willing to lay down their lives for her, even though the kingdoms of our great land are so separate. That is what makes Italia great, and that is what all countries envy of us. To the North the men of Milan and Venice occupy the mountains and marshes, ancient homes to the Etruscan tribes. The Holy Father himself resides in the Eternal City, choosing our sacred land over all others as his own, and to the South the Sicilians live on their island and the 'boot' of Italia. But it is time for a leader to step forward and unite all of our kinsmen. From the sandiest beach in the South to the hight peak up North, it is time. Forza Italia!

Coming Soon

[Stuperman]

is this going to be a M2TW AAR? and if so who are you playing as? hot seat the italian factions?

[Long lost Caesar]

Details

This will be a Venician campaign played on VH/M on the mod Stainless Steel. Armies MUST be commanded by a general, unless they're simply a few units of men moving around ie-to another settlement or to rejoin an army after training. I won't break any alliances and ill do as little extermination as possible, putting it down to sacking or occupying instead. Well, time to get going, updates will be coming every now and then!

[Ferret]

looking forward to them :)

[Long lost Caesar]

We are a strong people. We are a proud people. Our leader, Doge Domenico, knows that Venice needs more land. More lands to give our people the living space they need. More lands for more riches for our glorious people. And so Doge Domenico envisaged something amazing, something beautiful: a united Italy. Even more he wishes for us to expand beyond our tiny country. He can see a new Rome, brought back from the ashes of its former glory. But Doge Domenico knows that it will take time. He knows he will not see it in his lifetime, although... when has that ever stopped a great ambition?

1-Due East

Venetian settlements in and around Italia. Alessandro Selvo can be seen advancing on the rebel town of Zagreb, reinforcements trailing behind.

The first order of the Doge was for the nearby general, Alessandro Selvo, to take his small army and conquer the nearby town of Zagreb. Not only did Domenico want this town as his own, the council offered a reward of 2500 florins if it was taken soon enough for them to profit from the trade caravans which had temporarily stopped in the town. Whilst Selvo's army marched by foot Doge Domenico had troops from Venice itself sent to them across the Adriatic, exploiting our navy to its best extent.

Whilst Selvo marched onto the town Domenico ordered our diplomat to head south and open negotiations with the other factions that held land on the Italian peninsula, particularly the Holy Roman Empire: Domenico admired the determination of the German Princes, and was more than eager to assure them of his good intentions. We managed to secure trade rights with them, and the other Italian factions quickly offered to trade with us in the following months.



Selvo's reinforced army besieges the town of Zagreb. Hungarian forces edge closer into the region.

Whilst the town of Zagreb was besieged the money collected from the trade rights was used to construct ports, roads and markets, all in order to increase economy and thereby support our growing army. Later negotiations with the Sicilians were frosty at best, and the Castle of Ancona on the East coast of Italy was reinforced with archers and Sergeant Spearmen. But the attention of our Doge was further North, on the plains surrounding Zagreb: the rebels inside had had enough of being starved, and what was left of their army was sallying at our own army.


The rebels had 4 units in the attack: 2 groups of peasant archers and 2 croatian axemen. Selvo had 2 peasant archers with him and 3 italian spear militia. The axemen charged out first, unorganized and spread thin. A unit of our spear militia met them head on, whilst the other two passed by them and smashed into their flanks. They quickly fled, leaving the weaker peasant archers to be cut down by the enraged militias, who made short work of them: before long the rebels were in full flight, and we had taken the town of Zagreb.


The aftermath of the rebel charge at Zagreb

2-The Sicilian Problem


A Sicilian army besieges the castle of Ancona

Just as Doge Domenico had feared, the Sicilians declared war with us by surrounding the castle of Ancona. The small, underdeveloped settlement was surrounded by a force of roughly the same size, but our soldiers were of better quality. Hoping that the skill of our men and the strength of their training would pay off we decided not to send help: were spread too thinly in the Balkans, and it wouldn't pay off to help the isolated castle and then lose the newly conquered Zagreb, or even the much-relied-on castle on the Illyrian coast of Ragusa.

Time passed and all was well, apart from the minor conflict with the Sicilians. The money the council had granted us after the capture of Zagreb was useful and helped filled our coffers with coin. That, added with the amount of trade flooding in from Italy and the Alps, ensured we were financially safe. But then a fleet of Sicilian ships was spotted just off the coast of Ikralion.


Sicilian ships near Ikralion

Our ships that happened to be in port there heroically fought off the invading fleet, and the sailors were greeted by a grateful governor: it turned out that the Sicilian fleet had an army on it, headed for the poorly defended island town.

Following the disgrace of their beaten fleet the Sicilians attempted to regain their military prestige by attacking Ancona. The professional spearmen were planted on the inside of the gate, ready to fight off the enemy once they broke in. A single spear militia unit was placed on the walls in anticipation of a ladder assault, and two peasant archers and a unit of peasant crossbowmen mounted the walls in solid defiance. The fighting was brutal.


The Sicilians reached the gate with their ram, whilst the ladders were scaled by eager troops.

What followed can only be described as a bloodbath: any ground painfully gained by the enemy was instantly taken back by our determined men. Arrows whistled down from the ramparts, showering the Sicilians with death. Eventually it became too much for them and, one by one, their units fled the battle, until it was a Venetian victory.


Our men earned this victory

With the Sicilians beaten back and our lands secure, our Doge gave a modest sigh and then sat back, ready for the years to come.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

[irish king]

good start looking forward for the next update.

[Long lost Caesar]

3-Storm at Sea


Councillor Bartolomeo, the previous governor of Ragusa, sets off with a small but strong army to capture the rebel town of Durazzo. Our finances at the moment are disgraceful: we are in debt! But the council promises that a victory at Durazzo will reward us with 2500 florins, and so Bartolomeo hastens to reach his obective on the coast of Greece.


The march to Durazzo

Meanwhile our fleet, previously ported up in Venice, sails down the Adriatic and manages to beat a small Sicilian fleet, just off the coast of Italy. We soon became the major power with the Mediterranean: we scattered the Sicilian fleet, winning two major sea battles, and claiming dominance over the sea. But even our prowess was not enough to stop the crafty Sicilians from slipping behind our navies and landing an army on Ikralion.


Despite the effort of our navies, the Sicilians manage to off-load an army

Back in Greece, Bartolomeo assaults and takes Durazzo, and not only do we gain land and money from this trophy: the council keeps true to their word and gifts us with 2500 florins, helping us stay afloat. Not satisfied with his military glory, Bartolomeo takes most of his army and sails across the Adriatic to the Italian coast and lays siege to the castle of Bari.

Back on Ikralion the Sicilians assault the city, but are defeated. The captured soldiers, including the attacking General, are ransomed back to their King and released. Once again Venice has established itself as a powerful nation, but even that could not stop the coming storm...

4-Crashing waves

1102- For the first time in military history our people suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of the Sicilians: a fleet of ours that has chased a Sicilian fleet past Sicily and up the West Coast of Italy is surrounded and sunk. The task of keeping our waters safe falls to our final, damaged fleet, which is currently in port at Ikralion. But at least some good came of this defeat: the Pope had previously warned us to cease hostilities against Sicily and had threatened us with excommunication. Clearly he had given the Sicilians the same warning, but they hadn't heeded it, and now they were alone against all of Christendom.


Our drowned sailors must have cheered from their resting places when the news reached them

Closer to home, the starved rebels inside Bari sally out and try to beat off Bartolomeo, but are surrounded and defeated. It seems evident by now that Bartolomeo has military skill, and the people of our Republic cheer him as a kind man of the people. The ransomed army on Ikralion, thought to be only a minor threat, now besieges the town again, with force: mercenaries on the isle are hired into the host of enemies before us, and they prepare to assault the city. Also, Egyptian forces land on the southern coast, making us suspicious.


Mercenaries under Sicilian command attack Ikralion; Egyptians land on the island.

The Sicilians come at us with only one of their three battering rams, something that makes no sense: they have more men, and if they use their other rams they would be able to overwhelm us. but all the same they reached our gate with their ram and begin to smash the barricade to pieces. Whilst they hammer away at our walls our unit of peasant archers decides it's time to show their worth and begins to wither the enemy with volleys of arrows, to little effect: before long the gate shatters into tiny pieces; the way is open.


Mercenaries prepare for the attack

The fighting is harsh, and many men die, but don't lose their ground. Whilst our units are dragged into the fight one by one, the governor's brave son leads his bodyguard out and around the city to try and flank the attackers. It has worked before, why not now?
With our plan taking shape the governor roars for his men to redouble their efforts: the Sicilian army must be contained so that it doesn't break out and run riot in the streets. Any idle units of spearmen are sent into the fight, and for a minute it seems as if the left flank is about to be enveloped, but a brave detachment of men push back and envelopes the attackers!

The arrival of the Sicilian general pushes his men into a wild fervor and, seeing their commander cut a swathe through our men, the other soldiers under his command begin to form a foothold in the shadow of the walls and even push us back. Seeing that only his unit of men can challenge the enemy commander our own general charges into the fight, and at one moment it seems as if the two commanders will face off and fight, but the Sicilian general is cut down by a valiant bodyguard. This time he is no prisoner.


The effect of the Sicilian general's charge

And to finally set in place the full scale rout of the enemy our brave flankers hurtle into the back of the enemy formation, scattering any men they touched or even set eyes on. Every single Sicilian and mercenary runs for his worthless life, either fighting to the end or trying to jostle his way out of the town, but it is useless: the crows do not go hungry, and once again we beat the Sicilians and secure Ikralion.

In the months that followed we hope for peace, and it seems as if our wish is granted: Barbus Selvo marries the beautiful Cristina Pisani and the noble Selvo family is gifted with another son, Benasuto Selvo, who comes of age in the fortress his father took, Bari. But maybe young Benasuto is a curse, or is cursed himself: this very year the Sicilians arrive at and besiege Bari. Our men take to the walls, ready to prepare for an assault, but are amazed by the site they see: an army composed entirely of cavalry, with not a foot soldier in sight.
At first the men are afraid when Councillor Bartolomeo tells his men that they will sally out and attack the enemy, but he assures them that they can win, and the men take comfort in the words of a war veteran such as him. The three units of foot soldiers, with Bartolomeo among them, advance onto the far side of the enemy, knowing that if they engage the centre of the horsemen they will be overrun. Meanwhile the two units of mounted sergeants and the newly come-of-age Benasuto left the city from the right, intending to flank the enemy from the right side once the fighting begins.


Possibly the largest army of horsemen ever seen in Italy

Two of the spearmen charge at the horsemen, leaving one to guard their flank. Meanwhile our cavalry smash, one by one, into any enemies they can. Amazingly the Sicilians scatter within moments. The combined power of shock cavalry and spearmen seems to terrify the Sicilians, who simply can't compete with the ferocity of our brave men. Knight after Knight falls to Venetian steel, and the enemy is soon in full flight. After the battle 69 captured Knights are ransomed back to Sicily for a fortune: the men we have defeated are clearly respected in Sicilian society, and if our brave soldiers have beaten them, why should the rest of Sicily be any different?

Following a minor battle with the Egyptians over Ikralion, we expect there to finally be peace on the small Greek island, but it seems fate has other plans: a large Byzantine army, composed of horsemen and Byzantine infantry, lands on the shores of Ikralion, obviously intending to take the town. Although the governor tries to recruit more men the Byzantines are clearly stronger, even by the time they besiege the town.


Behold the glory that is Greece

Before long the Byzantines assault the town, and the fight is a bloodbath: our men are torn to pieces, and no quarter is given. All over the Republic we mourn the loss of our brave men, both the governors as well as the soldiers there, and we have to face the gaining of another enemy. Sicilians in the West, Byzantines in the East, and to top it all off the Holy Roman Empire blockades ports along the Illyrian coast. But all is not lost: under Alessandro Selvo, the conqueror of Zagreb, another army is trained and being sent to fight the Byzantines, and Benasuto Selvo is heading north to take men from Ancona and bring war to the Reich. Even in trying times our people will not falter, so long as the mighty Doge Domenico and his heirs are alive.

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[Long lost Caesar]

Well it seems not many people are interested in this, so I'll be giving up on it. Too much work and it seems it aint on a lotta peoples radar. Laters

[irish king]

what are you talkin about this AAR is awesome keep it up man!

[Long lost Caesar]

sorry mate but it doesnt seem to be getting much attention, feels unrewarding with no feedback

[Ferret]

well it has had 135 views and not all the readers will reply, you shouldn't give up so fast.

[Long lost Caesar]

hmmm ill keep it going then. specially since right now things are too hard to play xD alright, heres another update.


5- Down but not out
1114-The years following the loss of Ikralion are hard on us: the Holy Roman Empire sinks our fleet that was expelled after the Byzantine take-over of the island, and we are left without a fleet to defend or transport troops, and more importantly, we don't have enough money to raise another fleet.
Not only that but the Byzantines take Durazzo as well, practically pushing out of Greece! But Alessandro Selvo, the conqueror of Zagreb and a noble man of the people, raises men and marches on the town, determined to retake it, as well as our honour.

The Sicilians, persistent as ever, once again lay siege to Bari and assault the fortress. A cowardly spy opens the gates of the city to them, and at first Bartolomeo pulls his troops to the main square, wary of the mailed knights the Sicilians are charging into the city. But then, seeing that the streets can be used to outflank the attackers, brave Bartolomeo orders our infantry to block the main road the enemy are advancing down. Staying behind his troops so as to give them confidence, Bartolomeo grits his teeth as the Sicilian knights charge right as his men, wreaking devastation among the ranks. But even as the Sicilian infantry follows up and engages in melee, Bartolomeo orders for a unit of mounted sergeants and spearmen to flank them from the side and behind. The Sergeants find a road on the side of the Sicilians and begin a continuous process of hammering into the flank of the enemy, pulling back and then fighting again. Meanwhile the other flanking unit treks all the way behind the main fight and follows up behind the enemy, surrounding them.


Bartolomeo and the light infantry let the enemy come at them (far left.) Meanwhile the Sergeants (top) charge at the Sicilians and the other unit of spearmen (right) finishes off the encirclement.

Surrounded, tired and badly injured, the enemy began to rout, and the battle was won, even though the enemy had brought a larger, more disciplined force to the battlefield.
Following the military achievements against Sicily Benasuto Selvo, previously headed north for Bologna, redirects his march south to Naples, convinced that it will be an easy battle, following the destruction of Sicily's major army. What will in fact follow is a gruesome showdown at the gates of the Capital, where many men will lose their lives. But for the time the spot light is in Greece, where Alessandro Selvo lays siege to Durazzo, preparing for a long siege.

1112- Time passes, and many changes occur: Barbus Selvo, who had built watch towers to keep an eye on the Byzantines, is killed in Macedonia, trying to get back to safety by passing behind enemy lines. The entire family mourns his loss, but is rejoiced at the coming of age of Gerardo Selvo, who will have a large part to play in the wars to come.

In Northern Italy, Paul von Wurzburg of the Holy Roman Empire lays siege to Venice. Doge Domenico does not falter, and the people take courage from his valiant defiance of our city.
In the South Benasuto Selvo engages a minor Sicilian force on the outskirts of Naples. Although the initial army is easy enough to defeat, Sicilian reinforcements arrive in the form of knights and a catapult. Once again the Sicilians show their expertise at horsemanship: the Knights nearly break our army apart, and many of our men are killed in the battle. But the way to Naples is clear, and Benasuto can see his prize just over the horizon.


Once again the ground shakes under the hooves of Sicilian cavalry. Luckily our men did not

Alessandro Selvo is attacked by a Byzantine army sent over from Greece, and together the two Greek armies prepare for battle. Selvo fights the battle with artistic vigour: every maneuver is acted out beautifully, every man fights courageously. The end result is the annihilation of the Byzantine forces, and Selvo re-takes the settlement for our glorious republic.


The liberation of Durazzo

Benasuto and Gerardo Selvo join forces and advance down to Naples, but a mercenary army in the pay of the Sicilians blocks their path, and the two armies meet, so close to Naples our men can see the city walls. Invigorated by this sight our men crush the Sicilians, sending them fleeing. And now the Selvo men are free to lay siege to Naples, the greatest target in Southern Italy.

[irish king]

thanks for keeping it alive mate. well you should go by views not replys because the aztec aar gets no replies but lots of views and tristan de casterlereng keeps it up. good choice, and nice update.

[Ramses II CP]

Absolutely go by views to judge your readership. It's a great AAR, but most people just don't leave comments. It's the nature of forums.

Keep up the good work!

[Long lost Caesar]

cheers, i spose most people are just 'lurkers,' since im kinda one as well. land divided is gonna keep going, no matter how hard the going gets! cheers for keeping me on track

[_Tristan_]

Nice to see a fellow AARer (what an awful word...) remain on track...

Absolutely go by the number of views... It is what kept me going... nd the sometimes appreciative comment is definitely a big plus...

[Long lost Caesar]

6- Breath of Life, blow of Death

The Capital of Sicily, Naples, is a great city, one of the largest and most advanced in all of Italia. And now Gerardo and Benasuto Selvo have laid siege to it. Without reinforcements from Sicily we believe it will be an easy take over, but when the Sicilian Prince Simone sallies out and we inspect his army, we are horrified: Hospitalier Knights, both on horseback and foot, make up a lot of his army, and the more disciplined troops are stronger than our own.
But this does not daze the men of Venice, who accept their lot and prepare for battle. At least the prospect of loot keeps them in a good mind, and the two generals will provide the heavy cavalry, along with two weakened units of mounted sergeants.

Gerardo takes command, and orders the battered infantry (6 units, all under 100 men in each) into two lines, ready to support each other. On the left flank he places the stronger of the two mounted sergeants, 42 men, and on the right 27 sergeants and Benasuto and his cavalry. Whilst Italian militia batter away at the main line Hospitalier Knights advance down on either flank, unmounted on the left and on horseback over to the right. Prince Simone himself enters the combat, charging into the centre of our weakened infantry. With both flanks in heavy fighting and the centre of the field heavily contested, Gerardo charges at the dismounted Hospitaliers, confident he can chase them off. What actually happens is that he fights them for most of the battle, running away and then charging back at them to gain momentum.
Prince Simone is killed by what is left of our valiant infantry, and the entire Sicilian army turns into a rout. All of it, that is, except the catapults still inside the city, so Gerardo orders the cavalry and infantry to follow the cowardly enemy and take the plaza. The task is done easily enough: the cavalry capture the gates as they follow the enemy and make their way to the plaza, leaving the infantry to mop up any survivors still inside. Gerardo and the cavalry reach the plaza, and Naples is finally under Venetian control.


The aftermath of the battle. Note the weakened units, most of which lost men in the fight outside the city.

Meanwhile Doge Domenico shows his military prowess, defeating Paul von Wurzburg at Venice, securing our capital and the pride of our people, whilst the German general's army flees into the mountains. Piero Selvo comes of age and prepares to serve our people, whilst Gerardo Selvo leads a strengthened army down to Sicily to defeat our blood enemies once and for all, on their home turf.

Alessandro Selvo fights the Byzantines at Durazzo, who are intent on taking the town from us, but he defeats a numerically superior force. But if there is one thing we have learned, it's that numbers are not everything, and we are gratified to hear of Alessandro's success.
Our good mood is soured when the Byzantines lay siege to and capture Zagreb though, losing a lot of land in Croatia and weakening our positions in Greece.

1137- All over the Republic there is wide spread mourning. Not just for the men lost in the expansion of our Republic, but for the man who strove to make it so, the man who made it his ambition to free us from the Byzantines and to unite our people: Doge Domenico is dead. Our great leader passes away quietly in his sleep, having led a great and fulfilled life. Days pass in the capital, the first beginning with our great Doge being buried, and then the days are filled with musical numbers being devoted to his memory, speeches made in his honour and statues constructed in remembrance of the man who had done so much for his people.
Following the mourning of the Doge's death the Senate name his son, Bartolomeo, the new Doge of Venice, and he accepts the title, although many doubt his skill in his new role: although he is a famed commander he does not have much skill to show for it, and not much authority over his underlings. The only thing that keeps his servants loyal is that they are bound to the city that has given them so much, and so the Republic of Venice moves on, recovering from its loss.

Venice, ungoverned and commanded by captains, is attacked by the honourless Holy Roman Empire, who take no heed of our people's mourning. But the memory of the Doge, and how he strove to defeat the Germans at every turn fuels our men with courage and strength, and the German are beaten off.
Also, a Moorish army lays siege to Naples. Following this declaration of war Councilor Benasuto decides to show the foolish desert dwellers the error of their ways, and rides out and crushes the tiny Moorish army. This is not the last we see of the Moors. Taking advantage of the newly conquered lands merchants begin to make several hundred florins off of wool in Southern Italy, and our finances are beginning to pay for larger armies and widespread construction.

Gerardo Selvo lays siege to Syracuse, the new Capital and residence of the Sicilian King, King Bartolomeo. The Sicilian King is killed and Gerardo sacks the city, sending the money back to Venice. The only territory left in the hands of the Sicilians is the castle of Palermo, a stones throw from Syracuse.


Conquest of Syracuse

Franco Selvo takes up his post in Venice and governor and repels another German assault: even though the gates are opened up by a spy Franco manages to take control of the battle, and our men even sally out after the fleeing Germans.
Benasuto chases off another Moorish army at the gates of Naples, using only his own valiant bodyguards to defeat the hordes of Sudanese skirmishers.
Gerardo Selvo has thus far maneuvered around the large Sicilian army waiting on the main road to intercept, and engages a small Sicilian army by the southern gates of the city. The battle attracts the tiny garrison, who attempt to defeat Selvo's army but are crushed. Gerardo is given a harsh decision: he can free the prisoners he has taken to retain his reputation, but if he does this they will return to Palermo and he will be vulnerable to the main Sicilian army should he lay siege. He goes against his conscious, and reluctantly orders the execution of the prisoners. Following this debacle he goes on to sack the ungarrisoned fortress of Palermo. The Sicilians are defeated, and the ex-Sicilian army on the island simply pledge their allegiance to their Commander, who no longer flies a flag. Merchants from Italy move onto Sicily, where they make a fortune out of the wool, sugar and sulfur on the island. Despite all of this, Gerardo is reputed to have said "how many good men the Sicilians have lost this day, and all to avoid a battle."


The take-over of Palermo. The ex-Sicilian army can be seen to the East, and another Moorish army can be seen laying siege to Naples.

[Bomberboy]

This is a well written AAR, as an AAR writer myself in the Twcenter forums it is good to read one like this.

[Long lost Caesar]

7- United States of South

1168- The Moors, with fleets three times the size and strength of ours, surround and land multiple armies on the island of Sicily, near the fortified castle of Palermo. Two Moorish armies lay siege to the fortress, led by the Saracen general Jahhaf ibm Tannim, and two years later attempt to take the fortress. Gerardo Selvo, who has taken up residence in the fortress, takes to the walls with his army of 1424 men. Jahhaf has two armies, one, under his command, composed of 2204 men and another coming under the guidance of a captain has 881 men. Gerardo is against a force twice his size, and the Saracens mustered at the walls are hardy, well trained troops. But not well trained enough for the might of the Venetians! Gerardo hammers the Saracen army, killing 1,000 men and capturing another 1,000, including Jahhaf himself. Gerardo, eager to make up for his slaughter of Sicilian prisoners and show his good intentions to all enemies of our people, releases the men back to the ships by the coast.
"Your qualities will be known among your enemies before you ever know them." Jahhaf says to Gerardo as his troops leave, and Gerardo feels a surge of pride: he has beaten a stronger army than his own, defended his land and shown his honour to all. Mercantonio Selvo comes of age in Southern Italy.


The Saracen army, under Jahhf ibm Tannim, lays siege to Palermo

Back in the North of Italy things are going by as usual: the Holy Roman Empire once again lays siege to Venice in a hope to take our capital away from us, and even sends their young Princes, Apolonnia the Gorgon, to demand we become a vassal state. Franco Selvo, to whom she made the demand, is less than courteous to her, and she never again tries to even offer some kind of terms to the enraged soldier. Gregorio Selvio comes of age, another fine Venetian ready to fight for his people, and the Moors once again lay siege to Palermo. Doge Bartolomeo is mourned once news of his death spreads through the Republic, and he is succeeded by Benasuto.

The Holy Father calls a Crusade against the Milanese city of Genoa, which we accept with gladness, despite the war it brings: the heathens must be made to suffer, and if it means we can capture a few territories of theirs, so be it!
The Byzantines lay siege to Durazzo, and Silvestro Sanuto marches out from Ragusa to lift the siege, and en route to Genoa Gerardo the Chivalrous captures the Milanese castle of Ajaccio, and then sets sail for the nearby city of Genoa. The same year he lays siege to the heathen city, the pagans lay siege to Venice with a tiny, weak army.


"God's will be done!"-Gerardo Selvo, 1191, gates of Genoa

The years are mixed in terms of military success: the puny Milanese army at Venice is beaten and driven back into the mountains, and Gerardo takes Genoa, earning the Pope's respect and another great Italian city to our Republic. But Ajjacio is lost to the Saracens, whose power cannot be underestimated: they are not simple desert dwellers, but an organized, efficient fighting force. But the Moorish victory is short lived: leaving his main army in Genoa Gerardo sails back to the island with a small mercenary army and retakes the settlement, before sailing himself back to the mainland.

Back in Greece Silvestro chases the Byzantine army away from Durazzo, and pursues them into Byzantine territory, raiding small armies in the Greek mountains and eastern lowlands with his equally small force. Although he planned to take the advanced fortress of Scopia from the enemy, spies revealed a huge Byzantine army headed his way, and so he pulled back into Venetian territory, winning minor battles on the way. Once again the Germans lay siege to Palermo, and the Moors again besiege Palermo with three full-strength armies, hoping the new governor is less able than his predecessor.

[irish king]

good job awesome AAR. what mod is this again?

[Long lost Caesar]

Stainless Stell v 4.2. I really recommend it if you liked vanilla but felt something was missing: I think this adds 3 or 4 factions, new units and amazing new units skins. well worth getting.

[Ferret]

and if you have Kingdoms version 5 is even more of an impreovement. Keep up the good work LLC!

[Long lost Caesar]

8-Taking on the (Un)Holy (Un)Roman Empire

Following the takeover of Genoa a lot of conflict surrounded the walls of the city, with both a Milanese and German assault sent packing back to their masters.
Gerardo the Chivalrous, having retaken the island of Ajjacio, arrives on the shores of north-western Italy; his target? The major city of Florence, held by the Holy Roman Empire. Although in the first few months Gerardo is forced to rest outside of the city with his men, with the arrival of Summer the assault is engaged: trebuchets hurls rocks at the walls, while Gerardo simply waits. Then news reaches him of another, larger army of reinforcements headed to relieve their comrades inside the city. Using the time to destroy the towers in and around the gate, Gerardo deploys his men to take care of the incoming Germans, and as they try to rout into the city square he chases them down, his peasant archers mowing down any Germans he can't reach. Without any reinforcements, the minuscule army within the city walls is overwhelmed, and the city is sacked.

In a surprise attack Prince Milla'n of The Crown of Aragon arrives on the shores of Ajjacio with a huge militia army, and sets siege to the poorly defended island city. Our fortunes turn, however, when Captain Lother of the Holy Roman Empire attempts to storm the walls of Venice, losing 1,000 men, to our comparably small losses. Proof again that the walls of our great city will never fall, and neither will the determination of our people. Further proof to this is the irritation shown by our enemies when they besiege the newly-taken city of Florence, angered by their military failings.


Once again the Germans are sent beyond the Alps

Meanwhile on the isle of Sicily the Moors give up their prolonged siege of Palermo and prepare to board their massive fleets, anchored all around the shores of the island. But one army, under the command of Sawwar Al Jasur, stays behind a moment too long, and the new commander of Palermo, Andechino d'Aquileia, rides out and crushes the Saracen army, slaughtering 800 Moors in the battle and releasing another 350 captured during the conflict. They retreat back to their ships, and Andechino returns to Palermo to refit and retrain.


Andechino charges at the invaders, fearless and determined. Victory follows

A Milanese army is defeated in the Genoa region, and in the East the Greek castle of Arta is captured by Silvestro Sanuto. The next year Niccolo Grissani comes of age within the castle walls, and prepares for a life of war. His first taste of battle is a Byzantine counterattack: the Byzantines arm themselves with a ram, towers and ladders but our brave men charge out of the fortress, slaughtering the terrified Byzantines and securing the new territory.
In a bid to take more land (partly influenced by a foolish assumption of a weakened enemy) Silvestro rides out to Southern Greece, riding past Athens and ending up near Corinth. Seeing the few men protecting the castle, he sends for reinforcements from Arta to help him take the castle. A small mercenary army is sent, the remnants of the force used to help take Arta: a unit of 29 Frankish Knights, 2 units of Balkan archers with 84 men in one unit and 57 unit in the other and 2 units of Slavic Spearmen, 55 in one unit and 75 in the other. The enemy has a unit of Varangian Elite Guard with them, along with Byzantine infantry. The two forces are 300 exhausted Venetian mercenaries against 391 confident Byzantines.
The Balkan archers prove their worth immensely, cutting a swath through the Varangian Guard, most notably. Taking advantage of their loose formation the Frankish Knights charge in and scatter the Elite soldiers, and the tactic is used again and again until the enemy are defeated: a truly heroic victory.


Truly, this was an amazing victory

Taking advantage of the weakened garrison at Arta the Byzantines lay siege to the castle, but Silvestro turns his troops around and relieves the siege, attacking the enemy from behind as Niccolo and his small army valiantly hold out against the horde of Greeks. Both generals are lucky not only to achieve a victory, but to come out of the battle alive.
Volkar Von Eichstatt of the Holy Roman Empire lays siege to, and assaults, Florence. Strengthened with mercenaries Gerardo defeats Volkar, killing 800 of his men and releasing 350, it is not the last we will see of the cunning general.

Back in Greece the Byzantines send a semi-professional force to assault Durazzo, a town defended by poorly trained militias, who manage to achieve a heroic victory and throw the attackers out of the entire province. Volkar Von Eichstatt once again attempts to capture Florence, but is sent packing back to Bologna. For the second time in a row mercenary Arbalasters prove their worth, practically pinning the mercenary Frankish Knights pitted against us to the ground, and seriously reducing the size of the enemy cavalry amassed against us.

[Frodge]

Awesome this, tell me where can i get this mod please, i can't seem to find it anywhere. If you could also put a link i'd be extremely happy. Keep this up though it's rather nice. Even if you are beating my beloved Byzantine Enpire.

[Long lost Caesar]

Here's the link, should work. I pasted it from the thread i started and was answered, giving me this exact link.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=314

Hope you have fun with it, well worth getting mate, happy playing!

[Frodge]

Nice, thanks man

[Long lost Caesar]

no problem, hope you have fun as the byzantines. and since the maps extended theres more castles for you to hide in

anyone else without a modded vanilla should definitely get this i believe, much better than vanilla.

[Galain_Ironhide]

Great AAR LongLost!

I've never really read much from this section of the Guild before now (what was I thinking! )

You've inspired me to give this a try some time soon.

Keep it up!

[Long lost Caesar]

cheers ironhide (transformers!) looking forward to seeing one myself...all the others here are too far into their stories for me to catch up, ill keep my eye open for yours!

[Good Ship Chuckle]

Very well detailed. Down to even your word choice. Keep it comin, man!