Archived: HRE-campaign in Redux v1004 (Hard)

[Stazi]

A.D. 797. The year when things started to change. But the changes weren't totally unexpected. For the last ten years special forces of all factions were extremely active. A least 4-5 assassins were getting caught each year (even the Pope participated in it). Unfortunately, not all of them were stopped early enough. Life of my emissaries and bishops became extremely short. From those times comes the story about brave emissary who was sent on a mission through very dangerous, enemy territory. One day he was ambushed by two assassins. He not only managed to kill both of them with their bare hands but he successfully finished his mission too (Kaiser was so pleased that he thanked him directly in front of the whole court). Evidently, diplomacy and university studies weren't his only interests. The rumour about this incident spread around the world quickly. In the result no other assassin tried to kill him, ever.


But what's really important happened this year? At first, it looked like an unimportant border incident. Saracens easily conquered Sinai but a few units of muslim riders crossed the border of Egypt. Mameluks have taken this personally and that's how the full-scale war started. After about 15 years Saracens lost 90% of their territory and Mameluks became the main power in the Middle-East and the strongest faction in the world.


English has very similar story. Now the Flemish rule the southern England. Normandy is the last English province.


During the war with Mameluks, Saracens lost Sicily. High Command strongly advised to take control over Sicily and argued it will be a perfect base for our future operations in the Mediterranean. It was found that many members of the High Command were strongly "supported" by the Merchants Guild that wanted to have their own port and reduce the maintenance of their ships. After it came out a few members of High Command were changed.

Instead, Cauronia was choose as the first province in the eastern Europe where true Christianization will start.



Hmm... what else? Ooh, yes. Moors conquered Byzantine's colony in Andalusia. At first, it didn't look that bad. Moors attacked but Emperor Michael VIII sent an army commanded but one of the greatest general in history. Moors was forced to retreat but they didn't give up. Khalif gathered nearly all his troops from Portugal, Cordoba, Granada and Marocco and striked back. When the general saw the Moors' army he realized there is no strategy that can help him to defeat such a force. It is believed that his last words in Andalusia were "F*** it. Board the ships! We are leaving!". Byzantines left Andalusia for good. War ended naturally and peace treaty was signed shortly after.

Norse has their own problems too. Rebels from Norway conquered Sweden. Norse didn't get their chance to get it back because Italians were faster.
French conquered all rebel provinces and started to look for new lands.

The year 812 has come. The year when prince Ferdinand matured and became very promising young men. Nobody expected it'll be the last year of golden age, peace and prosperity.