(Mount&Blade AAR) "The Lion and the Eagle"
Greetings, friends.
To keep things short, I decided to make an AAR about my character and his experiences - which are random (I write the story as my game goes) Any criticism is welcome. Whether it be about the story or grammar. English isn't my first language anyway...
First, some info about my AAR.
Mod: A modded version of the Eagle and the Radiant Cross for 1.011
Lore: I included the original lore of the mod (introduction) with some minor additions of my own.
Cheats: Solely for roleplay purposes.
Photoshop/Aesthetics: Only some minor effects. HDR by Tuls and Urscas.
Vinci: Inspired by the faction of the same name from the Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends game.
And now, without further ado:
Introduction
Calradia - a place torn by the constant struggles for power by the nations that inhabit it. To the North, Queen Imelda Loeher of the Kingdom of Lauria commands a large expeditionary force with the intent of subjugating Calradia, but is met with stern resistance by Kaiser Frederick Wilhem of the Imperial State. To the East, civil war erupts; transforming the Dual Monarchy into the Tsardom of Vaegirs led by Feodor the Great. Massive genocides ensue, but with the threat of the Laurians right at their doorstep, the Vaegirs still manage to raise large armies despite numerous defeats from the advanced might of the Laurian war machine.
Centered at the heartlands of Calradia, lie the oldest civilization - the Holy Swadian Empire. The last true remnant of the old Calradian Empire. After losing much land to the Khergit Horde and the Ellis Empire with nearly no resistance from the Swadians, Emperor Sigismund Augustus finally manages to rally his forces and engages the invaders that sparks what is known as the 30 Years War, which resulted in victory for Swadia. The Khergits were pushed back beyond the mountains and the Ellis lands were conquered, pillaged, and burned. Emperor Nikephoros of the Ellis Empire is burned at the stake with his last words cursing Augustus and his royal family.
Months later, Prince Maximilian Augustus is captured by the armies of the Lion Throne and is later killed. Upon hearing the news of their son's death, Empress Adelheid suffers from a stroke and dies. Madness soon overcomes Sigismund. The loss of his family was simply too much for him to bear; he quickly becomes paranoid, seeing everyone (even those who were deeply loyal to him) as potential enemies. Emperor Sigismund soon orders the deaths of several lords for supposed treason. He even exiled his own brother, Archduke Leopold and several other relatives.
Dark clouds now hover over the skies of Swadia. The Pope and his armies mobilize and quickly seized the lands which originally belonged to the former Ellis Empire. The armies of Swadia, now weak and disoriented, lack the resources and the leadership to effectively repel the Pope's numerous legions. To make matters worse, rumors of large war parties spotted throughout the barren steppes sends despair to all of Swadia - the Khergits have returned.
Chapter 1: The Tower has Touched the Walls
My name is Giacomo Xavier Vinci, of the great House of Vinci. My people have proudly served Swadia for many years, acting as the ironfist of the Emperor. But in spite of the recent events, we are starting to question whether it's wise to give our lives for the sake of a madman. Emperor Sigismund has always treated us well in the past, but after the fair Adelheid and the modest Maximilian passed away, the man has sank into pure madness. He sees conspiracy where there is none. So much so that he has ordered the execution of anyone who disagrees with his views - deranged as they are.
Yet, I must honor the pledge my ancestors made so long ago. Although with reluctance...
April 3, 1495: On the outskirts of Vienna.
The Khergit horde has made their way north from Narra into the Dark Forest along with the help of the Ellisians. Reindi and Senuzgda castle has already repelled several siege attempts, but I fear they won't be able to last long without reinforcements.
Several days have passed. Most of the Khergits seem to have retreated south, possibly attempting to regroup. Those that remained, aided the Ellisians wreak havoc among our trade caravans. Emperor Sigismund, accompanied by several lords, intercept them. A large battle ensues.
I received a letter ordering every available commander to rally their forces near the Dark Forest. The Emperor requires aid. Before I could past the gates, several local merchants came to me saying that their caravan was attacked by raiders just a few miles east of Vienna. I decided that I would help these people first and quickly make my way to Emperor Sigismund.
I have arrived at the sight of the alleged caravan attack. To my surprise, they weren't alone. Battle formations blanketed the land. At first I thought they were an advancing enemy army, but then I saw the banners of Lord Ludwig flying high above the formations. If I had known that someone else had already sent aid to these merchants, I would have made my way straight to Sigismund instead of wasting precious time here. But it was already too late to go back.
As we were nearing the Swadian battle line, Lord Ludwig, accompanied by several of his personal guards, approach me and my men.
[Lord Ludwig] "Lord Giacomo!"
[Giacomo] "Greetings, Lord Ludwig. I see that the Emperor has given you the privilege of commanding an army. Indeed these are dark days when leaders think children can command men."
[Lord Ludwig] "Ha! So you fancy yourself a comedian these days?"
[Giacomo] "Only when you're around, old friend."
[Lord Ludwig] "I'll have you know that I was given the honor of commanding Swadia's army after proving myself during the siege of Marienburg. I led the garrison to victory despite of being hugely outnumbered. But, I'm sure that you're not here just to poke fun at me all day. Tell me, what brings you here?"
[Giacomo] "It is good to hear that, Ludwig. But I am here after some merchants asked me to aid a caravan that was being raided. But seeing as that you're here, I assume the problem has been taken care of?"
[Lord Ludwig] "No, not yet, I'm afraid. The caravan was indeed attacked. But not by simple raiders. Apparently, the caravan bumped into a Khergit warband. They say that they number around 260. They probably exaggerate, as war bands tend to number around 150. In any case, my men and I were on our way to complete a task when we encountered the survivors."
From the distance, a horn followed by several instruments blast across the horizon.
[Lord Ludwig] "Well, well. I'm guessing they're here. Would you mind helping an old friend out? It'll just be like the time when we defeated the Khergit siege of Vienna long ago."
[Giacomo] "No doubt that it'll be as great as old times friend, but... Very well, my men and I shall fight beside you."
[Lord Ludwig] "Excellent! The Emperor's trust in you Vinci folk are well placed it seems."
And so, I prepare my men for battle. Knowing that Khergit warbands are mostly comprised of horsemen, I ordered my men to form squares with halberds pointing out in every direction while my missile troops safely fire their arquebuses from within the formation. The caravan guards shall protect the middle with Ludwig's men guarding the right flanks while I hold the left flank.
There was a brief moment of silence where only the war drums can be heard as the Khergits advance. It wasn't long until the first wave of riders clash with Swadian and Vinci steel.
We under-estimated the strength of the Khergit horses. They managed to make gaps within our battle lines with their ferocious charge.
But despite this minor setback, my men bravely fend off any attacker who would approach.
I was amazed by the caravan guards' vigor and their stalwart stand against against such foes. I honestly didn't expect them to last this long.
After several hours into the battle, our numbers were almost depleted. We have under-estimated the Khergit's strength, and now we paid the price. I sent a runner to call in the reserves.
With our numbers bolstered, and the left flanks secure, we moved towards Lord Ludwig's forces. Our skilled arquebusiers made short work of their horsemen, who were foolish enough to charge into our lines, with disciplined and well-timed volleys.
I had my share of bloodshed of too. I had my eye on a Khergit horseman who cut down two of my men. So I returned the favor.
At last, after long hours of fighting and killing, we emerged victorious! The sun's rays pierced through the dark clouds. I raised my sword into the heavens and thanked God for this victory.
We decided to set up camp here for the night, and to lick our wounds. I had an officer report to me our casualties from the battle. He reports:
Vinci Arquebusiers - 12 killed, 28 wounded.
Vinci Halberdiers - 25 killed, 4 wounded.
Vinci Sword & Buckler Men - 13 killed, 11 wounded.
Swadian Longbowmen - 4 killed, none wounded.
It's a sad loss, but necessary. We Vinci are eager to lay down our lives in service to Swadia. We had the dead buried with all the proper rituals, and drank the night away.
The next day, Lord Ludwig came into my tent:
[Lord Ludwig] "So, my friend, have you been sleeping well?"
[Giacomo] "Well, if you exclude the loud drunken laughter of the men, I slept quite well. Why do you ask?"
[Lord Ludwig] "No reason. It's just that after seeing my men dead in front of me, I couldn't help but feel a little..."
[Giacomo] "Saddened?"
[Lord Ludwig] "No. It feels more like guilt than sadness. Guilt that while my men gave their lives, I sit here with mine."
[Giacomo] "This is war, Ludwig, men die. There's no one to blame."
Ludwig seemed a little uncomfortable. He paused and didn't say a word.
[Giacomo] "Don't worry about it, old friend. You'll soon get used to it."
[Lord Ludwig] "I hope so. With that aside, what is it that you and your men are going to do now?"
[Giacomo] "The Emperor asks all available lords to rally near the Dark Forest. The Ellisians are marching across our lands and needed to be stopped. You should come join me."
[Lord Ludwig] "I wish I could, but I'm under orders from the Marshall to retake Haringoth castle from the Vaegirs."
[Giacomo] "I see..."
Bunduk, one of my most trusted officers and long time friend, enters the tent.
[Bunduk] "Giacomo, forgive the intrusion, but it's time to move out."
[Giacomo] "Right. Well Ludwig, I do hope we see each other soon."
[Lord Ludwig] "Likewise. It was an honor to fight beside you once more, friend."
And with that, Ludwig and I make our separate ways. My men and I march across the marshes and forests in hopes of reaching Emperor Sigismund in time; only stopping whenever we need to restock on food supplies through the local villages.
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Originally Posted by Swagger
