(Pro Deo Et Rege) The Chronicles of Georgia: Strength Is In Unity

[Socal_infidel]

The Chronicles of Georgia:
Strength Is In Unity

Part I: Prologue

Fate has not been kind to our proud Georgian peoples in recent years. Ten years ago, our brave men fought arm-in-arm with the Greeks and Armenians against a new threat - the Seljuqs. The battle that occured at Manzikert proved disastrous not only for our people, but for our neighbors as well .

This defeat opened all of Anatolia to wave after wave of Turkish hordes. Now all of Armenia, Anatolia, Mesopotamia, Syria and most of the other countries in our area have been devasted by this "didi turkoba" (Great Turkish Onslaught).

In Georgia, only our mountainous regions of Abkhazia, Svanetia, Racha and Khevi-Khevsureti remain out of Seljuq control. These areas serve as a safe haven for numerous refugees and remain so only through the valiant efforts of our finest warriors. The rest of our lands are dominated by the barbaric Turkish nomads.

They have destroyed our cities and fortresses...

They have looted our villages...

They have eradicated our aristocracy...

They have wiped out our peasant farmers...

We are in danger of being irreversibly outnumbered in our own lands by these barbaric newcomers...

We are in danger of dying out...

We are in danger...

[Tadzreuli]

interesting ....

[Nevada]

nice, but why don't you post it on the AAR board^^

[Socal_infidel]

Part II: Before The Dawn Breaks

Introduction

We are nestled here in the foothills of the mighty Caucasus mountains. We have been here for time immemorial. This is our home. This is our land.



On our throne sits George Bagrationi, son of Bagrat and and his second wife Borena of Ossetia. He comes from the noble Bagrationi line of rulers who have ruled Georgia for hundreds of years. And who may yet rule it for hundreds of years more...



Our King and his lovely wife, Elena, have one child, a son, David. This boy of nine-years of age will one-day make a fine ruler. This is certain.

There are tales of how this boy, not yet ten years of age, amuses the Khevsur warriors in his father's court with his martial skills. Hardened men trained in the military arts since childhood, these Khevsurs marvel at young David's skills with the sword.

There is one tale of how young David challenged Avtandil, a man who had seen combat against the mighty Seljuqs, to a duel. Avtandil tells his fellow brothers in arms that he lost on purpose - to bolster young David's confidence. Others are not so certain it was intentional...



Despite our King's illustrious lineage, there is talk amongst certain nobles that he is not the man to lead our people through our troubles. A competent administrator to be certain. Well-liked, yes. But a man who has not proven himself in battle. Where it matters most these days. Some even see young David as the man who will restore Georgia to its rightful glory...

There is increasing pressure on George to bring a resolution to our conflict with the Seljuqs through swift and decisive military action. Not by currying favor with these barbarians as our Easternmost Georgian neighbors would do. They would rather pay their tribute to the Seljuqs than stand united with us in our struggles. To think they call themselves Georgians.

And yet there is talk that our King of Kings contemplates this very thing. To bow our heads and send our money to placate the Seljuqs. So that we might live another day. But can it truly be called living if we are not free?

Opening Moves

Despite staunch calls to the contrary, King George sets upon a series of agrarian reforms that he insists are necessary to restore our once fertile lands and to give us the base to wage our war.



King George also sends his trusted advisor Abel Abashidze, a man he has known since childhood, to seek out trade treaties with the Romans and our neighbors to the far south, the Armenians. Abel is also instructed to enter into alliances with these peoples if possible. For, there is an old saying in Georgia - "strength is in unity."



Meanwhile, our King's trusted man for all things that must remain secret, Baadur Dadiani, is instructed to check out the defenses of our Georgian neighbors to the East, as well as our Seljuq foes. We must not be ignorant of the threats our enemies pose.

His first stop is Tbilisi. These Georgians would rather throw their lot in with the Seljuqs than come under Bagriationi rule. Here Georgians would fight and die alongside Turks than stand united with us. When the time comes, and it will, this will be our first step in reuniting Georgia under one rule.



Meanwhile, Abel reaches Trapezus, the old Roman settlement along the Black Sea. It is now the easternmost holdout of the once mighty Roman Empire. Now it sits alone surrounded by enemies.



To our delight, Abel is able to secure not only trade rights, but an alliance with the Romans.



His next stop is Sis, the capital of the old Roman theme of Cilicia. It is to where our some of our Armenian neighbors have fled in the wake of the Turkish onslaught. Here a man named Ruben, who some say is of Bagrationi blood, has in direct challenge to the Romans declared himself the ruler of this land.




Not only is Abel successful in obtaining an alliance with the Armenians, he is also able to broker a ceasefire between the Romans and Armenians.



His mission over, Abel embarks on his journey home, eager to tell King George of his successes. But along the way he collects some information on our neighbors' defenses that may prove useful...

First, Melitene, under the rule of an Armenian by the name of Gavriel...


Then Sivas, the seat of Danishmandid power. The Danishmandids rule over this part of the land, as the Rum Turks do to the West. They are a power in their own right.



Then Karin, home to the Saltuqids. Yet another Turkish power.



And then home to Kutatisi...

Meanwhile, Baduur is also collecting information on our neighbors. But his is a more dangerous mission. For he is not only collecting information, but trying to gather support for the Georgians amongst our fellow Georgians not content to live a life in prison to these Turkish barbarians.

Kabala, the easternmost settlement in Georgian lands, remains under the thumb of the Seljuq overlords.



Ani, to the south, the former capital of the Armenian Kingdom here, has been reduced to a province under Shaddadid control. A prize bestowed by the Seljuqs to one of its warlords.



And to the North past the Caucasus lays the Kingdom of Alania. Though on good terms with these peoples, who supply our army with able light horsemen, they must eventually be brought firmly under our control.



And on the banks of the Caspian Sea, Derbent.



Build-Up & Birth

Meanwhile, back at the royal court in Kutatisi, George has been convinced by his trusted Eristavs to build-up the military. His first task is to train a general to lead his army until young David comes of age.

A soldier by the name of Guaram Gurieli is chosen from the ranks of George's elite Monaspa Bodyguard to lead the army.



Guaram's first task is to train an able body of militia, men able to defend Kutatisi while the army is afield. It takes a year, but two units of capable Militia men are trained. They are to serve as the Guardians of Kutatisi while the main army is on maneuvers.

Guaram next decides to recruit Svanians and Kartlians to join the army.



Hardy hunters and pathfinders, Svanians make their home in the mountainous and untamed lands of Western Georgia. Unruly and accustomed to quarreling amongst themselves, these men put aside their differences when faced with an outside threat. Armed with bow and large hunting knives, these men will vigorously defend their lands. It is said that if you bring war to the Svanti, God had better be on your side, because no one else will be!

Comprising the backbone of every Georgian army since time immemorial, Kartlian spearmen are nothing more than peasants, but peasants who will give their lives to see Georgia free from foreign occupation.

Guaram now has under his control in the name of King George, three units of Kartlian Spearmen, a unit of Svanian Archers, two units of Egriseli Horse Archers, a unit of Tadzreuli Cavalry. A fine army. But an untested one.

The good Lord has also blessed King George with another son, Sargis. George envisions the day when David and Sargis live in a united and free Georgia.



A New Mission

Another series of agarian reforms is embarked upon by George. For there is an increasing need to feed the many men, women and children fleeing to Georgian to escape Seljuq oppression. And there is also an army to feed.



Once home in Kutatisi, Abel is given a new mission. To procure trade rights with the Rus who sit in Kiev. It will only be a matter of time before they drive the Kypchaks from their lands and gain access to a port on the Black Sea. Trade rights will open the way for our goods to reach the far north.

On his way there Abel encounters a clan of Kypchaks. Excellent horsemen, these men rival the Seljuqs in proficiency with the bow while mounted. They would make excellent allies...or another dangerous foe.



Abel thinks of returning to Kutatisi to warn George of this rogue band of horsemen. For their desire for loot knows no limit. However, winter is setting in and Tmutrakan is close by.

[hekk]

Great start and interesting background stories.

But beware of the mass migrating horse-archers that roam around the East.

[Socal_infidel]

Part III: Riders from the North

Introduction

The Kypchaks were a tribal confederation that at times stretched from the Aral Sea, across the Volgan and Ukrainian steppes, to as far west as Hungary. Originally composed of the Western-most tribes of the Kimak Kaganate, by the beginning of the 11th century the Kypchaks began migrating westward following the Pechenegs who migrated in the same direction a century earlier. By the middle of the 11th century, the Kypchaks had established a strong presence in the Pontic Steppe region.

Although vast, this territory was never politically united by a strong central power before the coming of the Mongol conquerors in 1241. There existed no Kypchak empire, but different groups under independent rulers, or khans, who acted on their own initiative, meddling in the political life of the surrounding areas such as the Russian principalities, Byzantium in the Balkans, the Caucasus and Khwarezm.


Surprise

While Abel made his way to Kiev, the seat of power of the Rurik dynasty who rule the Rus peoples, the people of Kutatisi rejoiced at the surprise birth of a daughter to George and Elena. This most beautiful of all Georgian babies was named Maka.

However, the joy was not long-lived as riders from the north - Kypchaks - came from nowhere and besieged our capital!



We Georgians have typically enjoyed good relations with these people. Indeed, many of them live on our lands and supply our armies with excellent horsemen. However, these people are not united and lack a true ruler - a Khan to rule them all. Instead, they are divided into clans and sub-clans. And many are prone to avarice and greed. Not a settled peoples, they covet what they do not have.

Word from the North tells tales of the ferocity on both sides in the wars between the Rus and the Kypchaks. Tales of warlords drinking from cups made from the skulls of their foe. Of settlements burned to the ground. Of women and children enslaved. Of men cut down.

Guaram, our capable general, advises us that these men are horsemen and lack the means to siege and take our town. That it is best to wait it out. That these men's minds will change with the winds and they will head elsewhere.

However, a year passes and still they remain. Cut off from the outside world, our people grow hungry and frightened. Baduur's attempts to raise a relief force in the West prove futile. We are alone. And isolated.

After a night's debate, King George and Guaram agree that the best course of action is to surprise the Kypchaks at dawn. Young David is present for these meetings and expresses keen interest in the tactics and battle plan. Now thirteen-years of age, he expresses a desire to don armour and ride alongside Guaram as a Monaspa. But he is still too young.

Not much sleep is to be had that night amongst the men. Every soldier knows that he may not live to see another day and that the spectre of death looms over him. But though he may not live, if he carries himself well in battle, like a true Georgian, than the Kingdom of Georgia will live another day.


Attack!

King George and two units of Egriseli horse archers line up outside the Eastern gate. The plan is to sneak out the side and meet the Kypchaks horse archers with horse archers of our own.





At the southern gate, Guaram and the rest of the army brace themselves. The Svanians line the walls. Armed with their powerful composite bows they will rain death upon the Kypchaks and provide cover for Guaram and the Tadzreuli cavalry as they charge out and seek to engage the Kypchaks in hand-to-hand combat.



A horn from one of King George's Monaspas signals to everyone that battle has begun!

The Egriselis break from the side-gate...




The Svanians let loose a hail of arrows on the Kypchaks...



The Kypchaks are surprised and rouse from their slumber and quickly mount their horses.





Under the cover fire provided by the Svanians, Guaram and the Tadzreulis charge forth from the main gate to cut down the Kypchaks in hand-to-hand. For the Kypchaks are lightly armored and not proficient in melee.




Guaram and his Monaspa bodyguard engage in a mad and desperate charge! Losing men one by one to the hail of arrows..



Pushing their horses to their limits, Guaram and the Tadzreulis meet the Kypchaks in bloody hand to hand combat!



With the Kypchaks pinned down by Egriseli arrows and engaged in hand-to-hand, King George makes the call for the Militia and Kartlians to charge forth! It is hoped Guaram and the Tadzreuli can keep them engaged long enough for our spears to take catch up to them. King George himself leads the valiant charge!



With our royal standard flying high, King George and his Monaspa clash shield to shield with the Kypchak Khan's bodyguard! Our spearmen running faster than they ever have soon catch up and begin bringing them down with their spears!




To the east, our Egriseli horse archers fire the last of their arrows and then charge in to engage in melee with the Steppe horsemen




The main body of Kypchaks pinned down by King George and his infantry, the remaining Kypchaks are trapped in the woods where their advantage is negated. They are cut down by our trained and determined militia.




The few Kypchaks remaining flee from the might of our army!



Georgia is victorious

Regroup

The joy of our victory is not long-lived, though. Though proud that he was able to carry himself in battle in a way that few thought possible, King George laments the many brave men who died so that Georgia could live another day.

Half the men from each Egriseli unit were cut down.

The entire Tadzreuli cavalry corp cut down.

Of Guaram's 15 Monaspas, only two returned home to wife and children. Guaram himself was severely wounded. But alive.

The militia proved themselves capable in battle. That year training paid off. But 1/4 of them would never return to their crafts, tend to their shops.

But this sorry would turn to anger in the Bagrationi royal court when it was learned that young David had armed himself with bow and fought alongside the Svanians. Did this child not know the danger he put himself in?

But the anger subsided. And George then realized that future of the Kingdom of Georgia was, indeed, in good hands...young though they may be.

[Icefrisco]

Very nice! You write your AAR's in my style, you use a lot of battle pics but still have a great story. Its by far one of the best AAR's I have seen in a while.

[Tadzreuli]

awesome AAR + rep

[Socal_infidel]

awesome AAR + rep

Thanks! Be on the lookout for the next chapter - "Servant of Heaven". David the Builder comes of age! And seriously gets that trait! How awesome is that! perfect! I need to come up with a "Sword of the Messiah" trait to make it even better!

"King of Kings, David, son of George, Sword of the Messiah"

[JayCee]

*cough* AAR subforum *cough*



j/k. 'Tis great reading and there's some brill pics. You're as good at doing this as making mods

[Socal_infidel]

*cough* AAR subforum *cough*



j/k. 'Tis great reading and there's some brill pics. You're as good at doing this as making mods

Oh yeah, I have one of those, huh:hmmm:

I'm planning on doing the next installment - Servant of Heaven - soon. I'll move it then

Now I'm off to read Nevada's latest!

[Nevada]

this is a great thing and a good opposite on my comedy aar on georgia in the aar forum here

[Socal_infidel]

Part IV: Servant of Heaven

Coming of Age

After hearing accounts of how bravely his son fought alongside the Svanians in the Battle of Kutatisi, King George decided that it was finally time for young David to assume a larger role in the Kingdom.

In a formal ceremony, David, now fourteen years of age, was crowned the heir to the Georgian throne. Word soon spread amongst the hard-working and humble people of Georgia, that this young man was truly blessed. That he would lead Georgia safely through these dark troubled times.

Such talk was frowned upon by King George and his wife, but even they could see that this boy was touched by God himself. That he was brave and was an excellent warrior was proven already. But it was more than just that. He was dutifully respectful of his elders and genuinely concerned for the suffering of others. Unlike other boys who were concerned more with having fun, there was a seriousness around David. But he was not aloof or distant. He showed the same amount of respect for the common blacksmith as he did for the nobles in his father's court.

Indeed, he favored the company of the Svanians and Khevsur warriors most. He was at ease with these rough-hewn men, who were more comfortable with their bows and swords than with the manners of polite society.

No. This boy was special. Different. He truly was a "Servant of Heaven"



Under Guaram's charge, young David was given a more active role in the development of Georgia's military. It was, of course, no surpise when David recruited a proper unit of Khevsurs into the army along with more brave Egriseli horse archers.



Khevsurs train from childhood in the ways of war. Their ferocity and courage on the battlefield are well-known amongst their foes. And their loyalty is to the King himself as the representative of the proud Kingdom of Georgia.

However, it did come as a surprise to many of his father's nobles when he convinced Guaram to make use of the Kypchaks in his father's army. David convinced these men that with proper training and teachings in the ways of Christ that these Steppe peoples would make as fine a Georgian soldier as any. And their skills with the bow would prove valuable in the upcoming war with the Seljuqs.

So a few of the lower class Kypchaks, men who could not afford mounts, were given some lands in the West in return for their service as archers in the military.

In addition, another unit of Kartlians was raised.



The Lay of the Land

While preparations were being made, our diplomat Abel was able to procure trade rights and map information from the Kievan Rus.



And after that the Hungarians.



Until he finally found himself at the gates of Konstantinopolis himself, where he was invited to dine with the Varangians themselves. Crude men with little by way of manners, they ended the night by passing out at the table.



Meanwhile, Baduur gathered more information on our Seljuq foe's defenses in Tabriz - the lands of the Azerbaijani.



And Van, not so far from where many of our men died at the Battle of Manzikert



Both garrisons were small, but the strength of the Seljuqs lays in their ability to use their fast mounts to bolster an area's defenses at short notice.

After his brief stay in Konstantinopolis, Abel made his way through the lands of the Rum Turks. Under Suleyman, the Seljuqs captured Nikaeia and Nikomedia and much of western Anatolia from the Romans. However, not yet three years ago, Suleyman declared himself independent from the Great Seljuqs and established his capital at Nikeaia, which the Turks now called Iznik. This fracture amongst the Turks could prove valuable.



On his travels, Abel learned that it appeared the Turks were amassing in Konya...but for what?




Baptism

Back in Kutatisi, King George and his wife, Elena, were blessed with another son, whom they named Otar.



It was after the baptism of this child that George, David and Guaram discussed the situation in Tbilisi. There was talk that the Seljuqs were not content in leaving this important settlement in the hands of an appointed overlord. That they were fearful Tevfik, their semi-independent governour, would strike out on his own as did the Rum Turks and seek to unite the lands of Eastern Georgia and Shirwan and Azerbaijan as one.

Should the Seljuqs intervene it would only be a matter of time before they dealth with us. It would not be possible for us to remain here in Kutatisi alongside the Seljuqs without either a war or having to pay tribute to these barbarians.

It was David who first suggested that now was the time to begin the reunification of Georgia.

"Give me the army Father, and I will unite our lands under your rule."

George could not help but know that the time had indeed come. Georgia was to be one again.

[Emperor Basil]

Cool thing.

Question: how do you get multiple screen shots in one sitting?

[Socal_infidel]

Cool thing.

Question: how do you get multiple screen shots in one sitting?

Hitting print screen saves the pics as .tga files in your SEGA\Medieval II Total War\tgas folder.

I then use Irfanview to batch convert them to .jpegs to upload to photobucket or imageshack.

[King Yngvar]

It is much easier to use Fraps, click on the link. Then you can just save it to whatever folder you like and you don't have to convert the files. Just open in paint and edit...

[Icefrisco]

Its great to see all the new features of the mod in this AAR.

[Emperor Basil]

Cheers

[Nevada]

nice thing^^

[Socal_infidel]

Part V: Sword of the Messiah

The Siege of Tbilisi

In 1087 David, Guaram and the army set out for Tbilisi. Their goal was to bring this rebellious region firmly under Bagrationi rule. A Seljuk-appointed governour, Tevfik was in charge of the settlement's defenses and he had under his control two-units each of battle-hardened Seljuq horse archers and foot archers.

There were also Georgians under his control, for Tbilisi aligned themselves with the Seljuqs rather than stand united with their fellow Georgians. It would be difficult to spill the blood of fellow Georgians, but they had made their decision.

David and Guaram had a fine army assembled. It included a number of men who had seen fighting in the Battle of Kutatisi. Such experience would prove useful. In addition, the army included two units of Kypchak foot archers, in addition to our Svanians. These men along with our own Egriselis would begin the siege with a salvo of arrow fire before our proud Kartlians barged in.



The Battle Begins

Though only 16 years of age, David was ready for this moment. He had envisioned it many times. Indeed, he had seen it vividly in his dreams. The reunification of Georgia begins with Tbilisi.

This was not a matter of personal glory for him. Nor was it a matter of Bagrationi pride. No, this was much more than that. This was for Georgia. For her people.

Guaram's plan for battle called for a two-front assault on Tbilisi's walls.

David and Guaram were to lead the frontal assault. The Svanians, Kypchaks and Egriselis softening the enemy up with a torrential hail of arrows. The Khevsurs to be used only once the Kartlians had taken the gate.



On the eastern-side, the other unit Kypchaks and a unit of Egriselis would provide the arrow-fire, while the Kartlians were to take the town square.



With his Monaspas by his side, David says a prayer before signaling the commencement of battle.



The Svanians and Kypchaks let loose their arrows...



On the eastern-front, the Kypchaks and Egriselis do the same...



Under this hail of arrows, the Shubosanis on the walls stand firm. They are Georgians and their bravery unsurpassed even though they fight on the other side today.



The Seljuqs return fire...



With our arrows exhausted, David orders the Kartlians manning the battering rams to bring down the gate



Exposed on the long trek to the gates, they are cut down by enemy arrows that have been lit ablaze.



These arrows take down one of the rams.



As our men scramble to get the other ram in place, they become easy prey to the Seljuqs.



Both the front and side-gates are soon brought down by our brave Kartlians.




And Tevfik himself waits to meet our men at the eastern gate.



With their general spurring them on, the enemy fights savagely at the Eastern-gate. The ground runs red with the blood of Georgian and Seljuq alike.




But they are no match for the strength of our Kartlians, who soon take down Tevfik.



With their general fallen, the rest of the men fall back to the town square to put up a last stand.

However, the Kartlians and Tadzreulis at the front-gate are already headed there.





Their resolve weakened through the hard-day's fighting, the enemy are easily cut-down by our steel.



And we are victorious.

Aftermath

After the battle, David sends word to his father that Tbilisi has fallen. Another messenger is sent east, to Kabala. He is to give word to the Seljuq governour, Abdulaziz, there that should he leave immediately, no harm will fall on him or his men. Should he stay, he and his men will meet a most unmerciful end.

Upon hearing this, Abdulaziz laughs. A sixteen-year old child threatens me? A man who has fought alongside Alp Arslan himself? While he was playing with dolls, I was spilling the blood of Romans.

But little does he realize that the Sword of the Messiah is coming...