The successful repulse of the French attack at Skantarium has revived the spirits in the capitol and offered hopes for ultimate victory. Even better news comes from Africa. When news of the French defeat in the Alps reaches the besieging forces at Tunis, they decide to break off the siege! Despite overwhelming odds, the Spanish commander has abandoned his fortifications and is preparing to depart.
To the south, our spies have been successful in infiltrating Al-Mahdiya and in fermenting rebellion against the Spanish garrison.
Spoiler for Infiltration of Al-Mahdiya:
Not only have numerous Spanish soldiers been killed, but we have detailed knowledge of the size and strength of the garrison.
Of course, none of this will do us any good until we can get more forces into the area and bring the fight to the Spanish. Isidoros has spent the past two seasons gathering troops from Italy and Sicily and has (finally!) departed for North Africa. He is back to the scene of his stunning success just a few years before. He also returns to clean up the mess that his "stunning success" made for the Empire.
The events that caused the Spanish to pause their attack in Africa were set in motion by the surprising success that Diadohos Efthymios had in the Alps. Rallying the Imperial Army and pulling troops from the surrounding garrisons, he enticed the French to attack him on favorable ground and, in two successive battles, crushed the invaders.
Although the siege was lifted, there are still two more minor forces in the area that will have to be dealt with in order to secure our northwestern border.
Our heir has gained some needed experience and confidence and is poised to continue his attack before the French have time to regroup. It is from him that the first reports of battle for the year are sent.
Consolidated Battle Reports of Diadohos Efthymios from the Alps - 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Consolidated Battle Reports of Diadohos Efthymios:
The successful winter defense against the invading French armies has electrified our new recruits and given heart to the greater Army. For the veterans of the Imperial Army, though, I can detect no change. It seems that no news, good or bad, can change their mood. Despite their losses and the victories bought by the sacrifice of their comrades, they remain as focused, confident, and deadly as ever. This may be common for them but, for me, I am overjoyed at our success. Even the grisly execution of the 1500+ prisoners taken last year cannot sway me from the course.
The French have been shown to be overrated and I know that we can press on and secure the north and perhaps push clean through the Alps.
First, though, I must deal with the remaining forces around Skantarium. By and large, this should be a relatively easy task but we must do so without depleting our already strained force strength.
I spent the winter reorganizing our forces and sending those companies in need of reinforcement back to Innsbruck or Italy to flesh out their ranks. We now have ample troops in the area and I will lead a full complement to smash the remaining French forces.
The first battle will be with the small force north of Skantarium which my scouts tell me is lead by a young French noble.
Third Battle of Skantarium - April, 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Third Battle of Skantarium:
From Battle Report Filed by Diadohos Efthymios Laskaris to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives - 1544 AD.
My initial attack on the French was aborted when the cowards retreated on our approach. Not to be denied, I put the men back in marching order and had my fleet horse archers run them to ground. They finally gave up the retreat and have turned to meet us in battle.
The French army was rather small and made up almost entirely of infantry.
They were anti-cavalry specialists with three companies of Voulgier militia and one of conscript pikemen. It would seem that the French are finally out of cavalry here after having so many killed over the winter.
This force was led by a French teenager who only assumed the role of manhood last year.
I am told that Michel was to be appointed as the governor of Skantarium once the French had conquered it. Events, however, have conspired against him. He was now hopelessly outnumbered and outclassed and had nowhere to run.
My army had taken losses during the winter but I have augmented their ranks with new recruits and a contingent of Serbs who had once been so vital to Uncle Skantarios's army.
For horse archers, we had five companies of Cavalarii and two of freshly recruited Magyars. For cavalry, we had one company of veteran Scholarii, one of Stratiotae, two of Serbian knights, and one of Serbian Hussars. The infantry consisted of one company of Roman heavy spearmen, one of Swiss pikemen, and one of German pikemen. My elephants had taken some losses in the battles in the mountains but still fielded a formidable contingent.
The battle, if such it can be called, was entirely one-sided. I had greatly desired to close with these Frenchmen myself but was urged to caution by Captain Maggiados. His counsel, as valuable as always, was to let the horse archers do what they do best. They had played only a minor role in the battles in the Alps and I was eager to see if they were as deadly as the histories held.
The French were tired from their retreat and had formed a dense square on mutual defense.
They bristled with pikes but had not a single archer or crossbowmen to fend off our missile attack.
I must say that when my horse archers spotted this group, they were positively giddy with anticipation. The veterans yearned to avenge their losses in the Alps and the new recruits were eager to draw their first blood. I gave the signal to attack and the men leapt forward on their swift mounts to encircle the French formation
I almost felt sorry for young Michel and his men. They were completely impotent against this attack. They could not move fast enough to engage my men and had no answer for the barrage of missiles descending on them.
Michel abandoned his men and tried to make a break for it in order to save his own skin. His heavily armored horse and that of his bodyguards had no chance to outrun my swift Cavalarii and they were brought down with a ridiculous ease.
The poor boy never stood a chance.
Spoiler for Michel Killed:
The rest of his army fared no better and my horse archers reaped a bloody harvest this day.
This was not a battle at all. This was an execution.
The only men we lost came from my rookie Magyars who need to be more careful of their aim. It did not seem to bother them and these wild tribesmen merely shrugged off the loss of their brothers.
The one prisoner we took was let go in our only act of charity this day. Perhaps he can serve our purposes by spreading a little panic to the French garrisons to the north when he recounts the slaughter of our action.
- Efthymios.
I could have easily moved against the other French army to the south of Skantarium but I thought it best to leave that to General Kalamodios. He has been trapped for the past two years in the citadel and his men were eager to take the fight to the French.
While I continued north to Staufen with the artillery of Skantarium, Kalamodios led a detachment of his men south to deal with this second army.
Fourth Battle of Skantarium - May, 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Fourth Battle of Skantarium:
From Battle Report Filed by Kalamodios Kymineianos to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives - 1544 AD.
The honor of dispatching the last of the invading French armies has been assigned to me and my garrison forces. We waited two long years under siege for this opportunity and now we get to taste a little French blood as our reward.
The French army was merely a supporting column of the main invading force. They were never meant to take the field alone as their composition and lack of noble commander can attest.
They consisted of three companies of Voulgiers and one company of archers.
My army was a mix of cavalry, artillery, horse archers, and one company of mercenary halberds.
My cavalry was a mixed bunch with veterans of the Imperial army in the one company of light Stratiotae and one of noble Pronarii and some mercenary Germans added to the mix. The Cavalarii horse archers were also once part of Emperor Skantarios's army but had been sent to Skantarium by him as the initial garrison force.
The French were found hiding in the woods on the slopes of the mountains. Most likely, they were trying to escape notice and were making preparations to go north or south now that the invasion had been defeated.
We would not give them that chance.
Our artillery opened up on the huddled ranks of the French as soon as they were in range.
The Mangonels and catapults opened fire and brought fire down on the tree line. If we could not force them out, we could burn them out.
The initial volleys fell short but soon our crews found the range.
Even thought the French were several hundred yards distant, we could still hear the screams of the burning and dying men clearly.
While my artillery was busy pounding away on the French pole arms, my light cavalry had circled wide of the formation and now descending on the backs of the French archers.
They had nowhere to run and fell in great numbers.
The French now had no option but to advance. To stay in place would only lead to their incineration by the Mangonels or being shot to pieces by the horse archers. The French came on at a run and into the teeth of the artillery fire and the arrows of the Cavalarii.
Their courage did not last as the Swiss mercenaries held their ground and turned back the half-hearted advance of what remained of the French army.
Those that did not run were shot to death in a barrage of arrows. The rest were run down. Not a man of the French escaped.
We lost a few from errant artillery or arrow fire but the losses were minimal. They served only to caution us against making the same mistake in the future.
We took a significant number of prisoners.
Spoiler for Prisoners:
I thought of ransoming the lot but the value was very low and the French had shown no inclination to pay in the past.
I let them go and allowed the horse archers to have some practice with them in order to hone their skills for the battle to come. It did not take long before they were out of targets.
I shall return to Skantarium and see about cleaning up after the French siege. We have many troops coming north and they will need a place to rest and refresh before pushing north.
- Kalamodios.
I made good time on my approach march to Staufen. The French had been unable to get reinforcements to the citadel and I did not want to waste this opportunity for securing the stronghold and getting the Empire an unimpeded access through the Alps.
With the cannon I was able to get from Skantarium, there was no need to wait for the construction of siege equipment. I attacked as soon as we arrived.
Assault on Staufen - July, 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Assault on Staufen:
From Battle Report Filed by Diadohos Efthymios to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives - 1544 AD.
The garrison of the citadel was rather small and consisted of only a few companies.
The French had but one full company of militia pikes, one very reduced company of Voulgier pole arms, and one company of archers. The cavalry contingent was also somewhat small with only reduced companies of Mounted Sergeants, Men-at-Arms, and one of the dreaded Lancers.
The garrison commander was a young noble named Arnolf de Thouars.
He was part of the French royal house and a budding general of enormous promise. I had even met him once before at the wedding of my sister, Efsevia, when she married Prince Evrart in Milan only a few years ago. I made more than one toast with the man to the success of the marriage and the eternal friendship of our two peoples. I wonder if that bastard knew even then of the plans to stab us in the back?
With the troops I brought with me added to the core of veterans of the Imperial Army, I had more than ample forces to deal with this fortification.
The number of mercenaries in the army was unfortunately high but they had shown excellent skill in the past and the promise of loot from Staufen would encourage them to fight well this day. Of the Romans, I had but one company each of my Scholarii, Stratiotae, Pronarii, Cavalarii, and heavy spearmen. For our allied contingents, I had two companies of Magyars and one of Serbian Hussars. For mercenaries, I had two companies of Swiss pikemen, one of German pikes, two of the Italian Free Companies, one of Swiss halberds, and one of the German sword infantry (the "Zweihanders").
The three units of bombards would serve to blast our way into the fortress.
The powerful fortifications looked impressive at a distance.
The high walls and the citadels placement at the foot of the Alps had secured this area for many years. However, those walls were a legacy of a bygone era. Without cannon of their own, they were next to useless against our assault.
When my own cannon were in place, I gave the order to open fire.
Under the concentrated fire of our bombards, the walls fell before the French could even man the gate.
Our Swiss pikemen led the assault through the breach and soon came into contact with their French counterparts.
The fighting was undecided in the close confines of the fortress. The skill of the Swiss was greater but the French had better armor.
The thing about pikes, though, is that they are vulnerable to flank and rear attacks. Given the winding streets inside the walls, I was able to send my German swordsmen around to the rear of the pikes and send them in a furious attack.
The French pikemen were now squeezed between two of my mercenary companies. They had nowhere to run and fell by the score. It was over quickly.
As we advanced to the inner fortifications, my pikes again came in contact with another French company. This time, it was the super-heavy Lancers.
My Germans were ready with pikes planted. The Lancers could not get up much speed with all the twists and turns inside the walls but still were able to push back the Germans with just the weight of their armor and the powerful muscles of their chargers. The Germans pushed back, as well, and the momentum of the Lancers was soon stalled.
Seeing as the flanking attack on the French pikemen worked so well, I ordered the same done to the Lancers.
This time, it was the Swiss halberds that joined with the German pikes (fighting for the Romans) that put the squeeze on the French Lancers. A multinational fight to be sure and one that was also decided in just a few moments.
The only forces now remaining in the citadel were those of Arnolf. He had "bravely" taken refuge inside the inner keep and had played no role in the fighting. He might have thought himself safe inside this last line of defense. If so, he thought wrong.
I had the army continue the advance in a deliberate manner and soon had young Arnolf and his bodyguard surrounded inside the central square.
It was an utterly hopeless position. My pikes had the square surrounded and the cannons were brought into firing positions with loads of grapeshot.
I removed my helmet and called out to Arnolf. I asked if he remembered me and the words we spoke in Milan just a few years before. He said he did and remarked that things were a little more jovial then.
I pointed out the futility of further resistance and offered him the chance to surrender and life in comfortable captivity. But, he was a proud and foolish young man and refused. I said I understood but bade him tell me about the health of Efsevia and if she was well. It was when he remarked that she was doing well in the bed of Evrart and doing "well" every night that I knew what I had to do.
The cannons were ordered to fire.
Loads of grapeshot were sent out from six cannons in rapid succession.
The effects were immediate and devastating.
Arnolf and his insolent tongue were silenced in a moment.
Spoiler for Arnolf Killed:
Nothing remained in the square but the shredded bodies of the horses and men.
Although bits of the men were blown all over the square, for the most part they died where they stood.
My mercenaries took the brunt of the losses but they were still light given the strength of the fortifications and the quality of the defenders.
The captives are busy cleaning the streets and repairing the breaches in the walls. The bodies of the garrison have been buried with the exception of Arnolf. What was left of him has been fed to the dogs.
- Efthymios.
At the suggestion of Maggiados, I allowed the men a day of plunder as a reward. He assured me this was standard procedure for an assault of this type and was virtually required since we had so many mercenaries.
This was the first time I have seen soldiers running rampant through the streets. It was not a pretty sight and one I shall not soon forget. Still, I must agree that it was only just given the treachery shown by the French.
I shall secure the surrounding area and make linkup with the forces coming from Italy.
Now that I have cleared the passes, France lays open to us! I shall await orders from Constantinople on how to proceed.
- Efthymios.
Efthymios is certainly starting to show his increased confidence as a general. Although his victories do not compare to those of last year, he has demonstrated remarkable acumen for one so young.
He is also showing some troubling aspects of a dark side, too. He reports so casually about sacking cities, defiling corpses, and executing prisoners. If these are the kinds of things that not only they are doing but feel proud to report, what kind of men are we raising? If these actions are the mark of pride, I fear for the safety of the common man and the souls of our soldiers and generals.
Now that the north is secure, all eyes can focus on the south. The court has received no news for several months until a packet of dispatches arrives from both Isidoros and Zinonas. Both have seen battle this past year!
Consolidated Reports of Lord Zinonas and General Isidoros from North Africa - 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Reports of Isidoros and Zinonas:
From the Dispatches of General Isidoros Petraliphas to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives.
It has taken me quite a while to raise the necessary forces from Sicily and Italy in order to gather sufficient strength for the counter-attack. With the Romans and mercenaries I was able to hire as well as the forces sent from Greece and Constantinople, I now feel confident to take the offensive. My first target will be the Spanish forces surrounding Tunis. Although they have broken off their siege, they are still the primary threat and must be dealt with lest they renew the assault and threaten our garrison.
They have two fairly powerful armies in the area. However, both are led by inexperienced commanders and so I decide to attack the first one just before dawn and before the other is aware of our presence. With luck, I should be able to fight them piecemeal and prevent them joining forces.
It has been too long since I faced the Spanish in battle; it is now time to see if their skills have improved in the interim.
First Battle of the Relief of Tunis - September, 1544 AD.
Spoiler for First Battle of the Relief of Tunis:
From Battle Report Filed by Isidoros Petraliphas to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives - 1544 AD.
The Spanish army was a powerful mix of veterans and were well balanced with heavy cavalry and infantry.
Of particular note were the companies of Templar cavalry and spearmen. These men must have been Crusaders against the Moors and stayed on with the Spanish after the Muslims were destroyed.
My army was large but mostly raw.
I had a leavening of veterans with my cavalry and some of the mercenaries from Italy but, for the most part, my army were raw recruits and this would be their first battle. For cavalry, I had three companies of Cavalarii horse archers, two of Condetteroti mercenaries, two of Stratiotae, and one of Archontopoulai. For Roman infantry, I had three companies of Scutarii spearmen, one of Scutarii swordsmen, one of Castrophilakae, and one of archers. I had three companies of mercenary infantry with one each of German pikemen, Swiss armored pikemen, and one of Prussian spearmen. The scope of our Empire is attested to by the fact that so many mercenaries of different nationalities now sign on to fight for us.
The Spanish had encamped on excellent ground. On our advance, they formed ranks that covered the high ground with only down sloping terrain around them.
My infantry did not relish that climb and the disadvantage it would put them in to achieve the summit.
I sent the Cavalarii around the flanks to see if we could entice them to move down to engage us. The lack of Spanish missile troops worked in our favor and, though we could not get the infantry to come down, we were able to slay a great number of their cavalry.
The Spanish cavalry attempted to move against our horse archers but my light Stratiotae were ready for that move. When the remains of the Spanish cavalry attempted to engage, my horsemen rode them down.
The Spanish cavalry were completely removed but there was still the great mass of infantry on top of that high hill to deal with - and they were not moving.
We had no choice but to advance in good order and engage them at a disadvantage.
Our men had the advantage of numbers but the Spanish had the better ground and the confidence of veterans. It was a slugging match with great losses on both sides.
With the Spanish infantry fully engaged, I could now make use of my advantage in cavalry and sent the Stratiotae and the Italian mercenaries around to the rear to charge into the exposed backs to their infantry.
The courage of my men and the charge of the cavalry determined the battle for us. In short order, the Spanish line cracked and then broke entirely.
My horsemen rode down the retreating Spanish and took a great deal of prisoners.
Even with the rout of the Spanish, the terrain worked against us and allowed a good deal of the enemy to escape.
We took over 300 casualties but still had a kill ratio of 2.5 to 1. Given the nature of the terrain and the dominant Spanish position, I still consider this a good battle.
A large number of the Spanish were taken prisoner.
Spoiler for Prisoners:
I had no wish for these men to join their comrades only a few miles away so I ordered their execution.
- Isidoros.
With the defeat of the first army, I can now turn my attention to the second army camped only a few miles away.
Second Battle of the Relief of Tunis - September, 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Second Battle of the Relief of Tunis:
From Battle Report Filed by Isidoros Petraliphas to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives - 1544 AD.
The second Spanish army showed some attrition but we could tell that they were very experienced veterans all.
They had five companies of their standard front-line Sword and Buckler Men, one company of professional halberds, two companies of Chivalric Foot Knights, one of spearmen, and one company of arbalests. What the Spanish were completely lacking in, though, was cavalry. It was a disadvantage I determined to exploit to the fullest.
My men showed the attrition in the first battle but every one of my companies still had enough men to form a viable force.
In a reverse of the previous battle, my men formed on the high ground.
To better our position, we moved to the right almost immediately to gain an even more elevated position.
In order to clear the field for our horse archers, I sent my light cavalry down in a swift charge into the Spanish arbalests.
We caught something of a lucky break in that the Spanish captain was amongst those light troops and fell under the first charge.
Without their crossbows, the Spanish were at the mercy of my missile troops. Since they could not hold their position without being shot to pieces, the Spanish were obliged to advance on us.
It was now the turn of the Spanish to make the long climb up a hill in the blazing sun of Africa. They lost dozens to the bows of my horse and foot archers.
Those few companies that kept their nerve in the advance were easy targets for flanking charges when they became locked up with my infantry.
Those that held back from the initial attack were ridden down with ease by my heavy cavalry. I led the way in this slaughter.
This was a decidedly easier victory than the one just a few days earlier. Not only did we lose barely a tenth of the enemy, we allowed none to escape.
There was certainly coin to be made by selling these men back to the Spanish.
Spoiler for Prisoners:
Unfortunately, it did not seem that the Spanish had it.
At least we won't have to fight these men again.
- Isidoros.
Now that the Spanish forces were destroyed around Tunis, it was an easy march south to Al-Mahdiya. The Spanish have had a difficult time subduing the city and the garrison is isolated.
I have just arrived at the city and begun establishing siege lines when I am approached by a man dressed as a simple peasant. He identifies himself as an agent of the Empire and says that building siege equipment will not be necessary. He assures me that "arrangements" have been made. The gate guards are with us and await only my order to throw open the defenses.
An opportunity like this is not to be missed. I ordered an immediate attack!
Assault on Al-Mahdiya - October, 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Assault on Al-Mahdiya:
From Battle Report Filed by Isidoros Petraliphas to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives - 1544 AD.
The self-professed agent was correct. At our approach, the gates are marked with the correct signs indicating that the guards are with the Empire.
The agent has also provided exact details of the composition of the garrison.
The garrison was strong in infantry but had no missile troops and only a smattering of cavalry. They had four companies of spearmen, three of dismounted Men-at-Arms, two of Sword and Buckler Men, one of dismounted Chivalric Knights, and a few Templar spearmen and javelinmen. The cavalry contingent was only two depleted companies of Chivalric Knights and Jinettes, respectively.
My forces were much the same as the previous battles but I had been joined by some additional troops from Tunis.
The noble Pronarii were most welcome as were the additional infantry.
The main force formed up against the northern gate.
While we kept the attention of the Spanish, I had additional infantry poised at the eastern and western gates. Wherever resistance was lightest, we would make our attack.
I sent my spearmen in first to secure our foothold in the city. When the Spanish governor learned that the gates had been compromised, he bravely rode forth with his company of knights to stem our advance.
The knights fought well to plug the gates but our spearmen had the numbers and the courage of having so many of their comrades advancing hot on their heels.
The captain, and his entire company, were killed after a small struggle.
The mounted Spanish knights had held us up long enough for the dismounted knights to take their place. I did not want to wait for this small company to hold us up like the other and ordered a general attack.
My men came on at a run and flooded the entrance.
Again, the Spanish fought desperately at the gates but we had a local superiority in numbers of at least 10-1.
It was a mini-Thermopylae but the Spanish were no Spartans.
Soon, the Spanish knights were slain and my men poured through the gates.
The remaining Spanish forces now rallied in the main square where my horse archers did what they could to even the odds.
While my horse archers were bombarding the square, I had my infantry form ranks on all sides.
Once my horse archers were out of arrows, I ordered an all out attack by all of my men.
The Spanish fought desperately as though a cornered animal. Which, I suppose, they were.
Even though they put up a stiff resistance, the outcome was not in any doubt. We swamped them and killed all that remained in the square.
It was a tough battle but a victorious one.
It will be some time to clean up all the bodies that litter the square. In this heat, we need to move quickly.
- Isidoros.
We are now, once again, in control of Al-Mahdiya and avenged the loss of the city and the death of my old friend Aleksios.
Given their resistance to the Spanish rule, I have only ordered an occupation of the city and have kept close tabs on the men to forestall any thoughts of looting. This is a Roman province and will be treated as such.
I am obliged to stay sometime in the city to remove the last vestiges of the Spanish but I shall leave soon to move against the other Spanish armies to the west.
While I have been busy at Al-Mahdiya, Lord Zinonas has taken it upon himself to strike out to the West to the small neighboring city of Beleb el Anab. He found little in the way of a garrison there and has attacked!
Assault on Beleb el Anab - October, 1544 AD.
Spoiler for Assault of Beleb el Anab:
From Battle Report Filed by Zinonas Laskaris to Emperor Vasileios and the Imperial Archives - 1544 AD.
I wished to take advantage of General Isidoros's victories earlier this year and also exact some measure of revenge on the Spanish for keeping me penned inside Tunis these past two years. Since the Spanish had not seen fit to leave a proper garrison for Beleb el Anan, I thought this the perfect target.
The only forces inside the city were the bodyguard of the governor.
The old governor was named Bartolo Lopez.
General Lopez was renowned for his exploits fighting the Moors. In fact, he led the push that expelled the Muslims from Iberia and then drove them all the way across Africa. I understand that the city was to be both his place of retirement and his personal fief as a reward for his service to the Spanish crown. It was now time to end that arrangement.
My men were the garrison forces of Tunis that had now been augmented by additional troops from Sicily.
I had two full companies of Scutarii spearmen and another two of swordsmen. Added to that, I had one company of mercenary crossbows and one of Castrophilakae. I also had in attendance with me one company of the Varangian guard and one of Siphonatores that had accompanied me when I came from Constantinople. These companies had suffered attrition these past years while under siege due to hunger and disease and were eager for a fight to avenge their lost brothers.
Given that the city had virtually no garrison, it was an easy matter to blow down the gates with my cannon.
The city guards had fled at our approach and the gate was unmanned but, sadly, locked. If I had possessed a key or even a decent locksmith, the cannon would not have been necessary. Unfortunately, I had neither. Still, it only took a few rounds to break down the doors.
With the gate down, my men marched unopposed through the streets and took up formation around the central square.
Poor old Bartolo was completely surrounded and abandoned by all but his personal guard. They made a brave show of it but the situation was hopeless.
I asked for his surrender but he said he was too old to go switching sides now. He released his guards from their obligation to him but, in a touching display, not a man left his side. Not a man amongst us was not unmoved by this show of duty and loyalty.
I thought about ordering a general attack to give these men the honor of a fighting death but my captains urged me against this. Sentimentality has no place in war and I could not justify killing some of my men for no good reason.
It was with some regret that I gave the signal for the Siphonatores to open fire.
Perhaps if the bodyguard knew the power of our Greek Fire, they would have thought differently about staying with their general?
Fortunately, it was over quickly. Poor old and loyal Bartolo died when both he and his mount caught fire.
It was a grisly scene when the Siphonatores were finished.
Twenty seven men and twenty seven horses burned alive in front of us all. An ad hoc funeral pyre for a brave soldier.
We suffered the loss of not a single man.
You must forgive my sentimentality but I have ordered the erection of a small monument to the memory of Bartolo and his loyal guard. They displayed courage and should be rewarded for it.
I have occupied the town and will remain here to establish a proper administration. I have ordered an Orthodox Church to be started in order to show the Catholics and remaining Muslims the true path and save their souls (as well as bind them to the Empire).
I await your orders as to how to proceed.
- Zinonas.
This year, we have taken back that which was lost to the Spanish and added another city to the Empire. The Spanish invasion of our lands is broken and we are poised to continue the advance through Africa should those be your orders.
It would seem that our success this past year has put the Spanish on their heels and the people of Africa have risen up against them. I am told by our naval officers that the city of Oran to the west has thrown out their garrison and declared their independence.
With the Spanish having trouble in their rear areas and the troops we now have on hand and those moving to us from Greece and Italy, we are now secure here. Please send instructions as to how you wish for us to proceed.
- Isidoros.
In the last report of battle from this year, I am told that we have assaulted the now-independent fortress of Bryansk. This was the site of Markianos's battle that destroyed the Rus. I have little detail from the battle except that we were victorious and the fortress is now ours.
Spoiler for Assault on Bryansk:
There has also been a significant development in Italy. Pope Victor has died after a long illness. He has been a broken and pathetic man since he was humbled by Skantarios and forced to sign himself and the Catholic Church into vassalage in 1539. In doing so, he lost all authority in the West and was considered something of a joke (albeit a pitiable one) in the Western courts.
He has been replaced by a relatively young man called Eugenius.
Spoiler for Pope Eugenius:
He is said to be on his way to Constantinople now to be confirmed in his title as the leader of the Latin Church (as the terms of vassalage require). Of course, confirmation by the Emperor basically means that we won't kill him but I digress.
I am also informed that Vasileios has had some preliminary discussions with him about a secret proposal. I have not been able to discern what that is but I think we will all find out soon.
This has been a very eventful year for the resurgent Roman Empire. We have now reestablished the status quo in the West. The French invasion has been destroyed and the provinces in North Africa have been reclaimed. Beyond that, we have taken two new cities, one in Africa and one in Europe.
The question now is where do we go from here?
The French are focused on a narrow front and are determined to keep us from breaking out of the Alps. They must now keenly regret selling us Bern/Skantarium as, without it, we would have been years fighting through those narrow passes to reach France proper. With it, we have our window already established and are halfway through the Alps in the process.
The Spanish, despite their powerful armies, are vulnerable by sea. They have the men but not the ships to keep us from invading their shores. If we can keep them bottled up in Iberia and strand their armies in Africa, then our sea power will allow us to invade as we like around the coast.
For all our strength, it will still be an epic fight to take back the western provinces. Is it worth it? On the one hand, it will surely cost us great numbers of lives and untold amounts of treasure to bring these Gauls and Iberians to heel. On the other hand lays the dream that Skantarios fought so long and so hard to make possible – a reunited Roman Empire in all its glory.
There is tension in the Council about how to proceed. Deliberations are being held even as I write this and an announcement from Emperor Vasileios is said to be forthcoming. We all wait with great anxiety as the entire future of the Empire will be shaped by it.
The world as we know it - 1544 AD.
The world as it really is - 1544 AD.
Last edited by Skantarios; October 04, 2010 at 07:43 PM.
Read the review of I am Skantarios! in the Critic's Quill here.
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/1)
You've pretty much wiped out the entire French invading force. You are quite a good player at M2TW, as I noted in I am Skantarios, you somehow manage to win victories against forces twice the size of your own and lose only a few hundred men in the process, and consider your loses significant! You have very high standards for your battles .
Anyway, keep up the good work. It can't be long now until you drive the French back into their own lands.
Originally Posted by Michele Bachmann
They would be incorrect. The only path to happiness is through Christ.
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/1)
Very well written good sir
Just a suggestion, and i'm nowhere near as good a player as you are, but could a raid on spain could slow them down a little?
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/1)
Great updates as always and great progress. Seems that Efthymios is on the way to conquering France, though they have a lot more troops coming. Still, I can't help but think that Vasilios(sp?) is closer to Tiberius than Augustus. I wonder if his interference will lead to a disaster at some point. +rep Just a few corrections:
open field warfare are legend
I think you meant: open field warfare are legendary.
and from and unexpected
I think you meant: and from an unexpected.
tp that prestige fighting the Spanish
Shouldn't that be: to that prestige fighting the Spanish?
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/1)
hey man
sorry, iv'e been out of the loop in so long i've been reading bits and pieces of the updates, but nver got o finish them until today.
and must i say,
oh, my, gawwd
a double victory by 'the young whelp' i liked the advice offered by the old wolf and it's made me want to look up detials of marius at aqua sextum(spelling?)
thanks so much for the entertaining updates so far, very good, and i think it's interesting how a 'budding bureacrat' might react to leading troops to battle
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/1)
A great start to this AAR Skantarios, as we have all come to expect of you by now. Your screenshots also seem to me to be much improved, especially when compared to some of the earlier ones from "I am Skantarios". The ones from "The first Battle of Skantarium" seem particularly impressive to me. Keep it up. +rep
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/1)
well i just finished reading all of this and all i can say is you are awesome!
this has got to be the best aar that i have read and i had to to sign up just to say how awesome it is!
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/4)
Post #61 has now been edited to a full update. Please scroll back up and have a read.
I will come back tomorrow to this one to respond to the other posts, spoiler the next episode, and provide other feedback (and probably fix mistakes in the last update).
I would do it now but this update took longer than I had anticipated and the hour is late.
I will just say I really appreciate the interest and, as always, thanks for reading!
Read the review of I am Skantarios! in the Critic's Quill here.
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/4)
How about try to make an alliance with the Portuguese? They can be helpful when it comes the time to invade Iberia and god knows that the Romans have so few friends.
"The challenge of modernity is to live without illusions and without becoming disillusioned. " - Antonio Gramsci
"Those who do not move, do not notice their chains." - Rosa Luxembourg
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/4)
Well I think you can now go on the front foot.
I'd advise an alliance with Portugal if possible. I'd say deal with the Spanish first as they appear to be the stronger of the two now (considering how Efthymios just wiped out around 5000 French troops).
However, how long do you think it'll take you to end the war on the Eastern Front? You have Gennessios (spelling), Ioannis (spelling) and Vitos with three armies fighting the pitiful remains of the Mongols and the Persians.
How long will it take you to redeploy those three stacks to the western front? With them you could surely go on the offensive.
Originally Posted by Michele Bachmann
They would be incorrect. The only path to happiness is through Christ.
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/4)
I know you probably get this a lot Skantarios, but I truly love your AAR. This has helped inspire me to not only join TWCenter, but I'm contemplating starting my own AAR as well.
The only thing I do dislike about your AAR is how good you are at the game. Even on Very Hard, you rarely lose a battle. That said, I understand that Skantarios was one of the best generals that ever lived. But are Genessios and Vitos that good as well? I understand you don't want to lose a battle, but for realism's sake, I can picture them losing at least one battle.
But of course, that's personal opinion. I understand if I'm completely undermining Genessios and Vitos's ability. But again, wonderful AAR Skantarios.
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/4)
Originally Posted by Skantarios
Post #61 has now been edited to a full update. Please scroll back up and have a read.
I will come back tomorrow to this one to respond to the other posts, spoiler the next episode, and provide other feedback (and probably fix mistakes in the last update).
I would do it now but this update took longer than I had anticipated and the hour is late.
I will just say I really appreciate the interest and, as always, thanks for reading!
well done!, the Legacy of Emperor Skantarios, the first of his name, is restored
i always like to put on some epic music (globus) when i settle back and read your posts; it's like a real treat, comparable to reading a great book and watching a good TV show. did you finish the Alexiad?
also, i grimaced at the noble death offered to the spanish veteran, Bartolo Lopez, and i think it's a fine notion for Isidoros to build a fine memorial to the man, enemy or not. seperates the civilized from the barbaric
Last edited by Exarch; September 05, 2010 at 06:05 AM.
There is tension in the Council about how to proceed. Deliberations are being held even as I write this and an announcement from Emperor Vasileios is said to be forthcoming. We all wait with great anxiety as the entire future of the Empire will be shaped by it.
The world as it really is - 1544 AD.
there is certainly tension over here as well; i've been poring over your maps, skantarios, and may i make a deliciously byzantine machiavellian suggestion?
gift the pope lands you'll eventually take from the french-i'm thinking marseilles or so, that'll compel the french to attack the papacy to reclaim their lands back, thus increasing the chances for the french getting excommunicated and having a crusade declared against them. cue catholic civil war, whilst Emperor Skanatarios the First of His Name looks on with grim approval in Valhalla
or if u dont want to do marseilles, i suggest Valencia, take it from the spanish in a lightning raid, and gift it to the pope; when or if the spanish attack you(you could place a unit next to the papal settlement of Valencia) or the pope, you get your catholic civil war
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/4)
Great job in winning against the French and Spanish, although I do not know what is the relative strenght of both the French and the Spaniard, I can tell you right now they have lost a lot fo good men and it will take them time to recover. Great update my friend
Re: [SS AAR] The Legacy of Skantarios - Restoration of the Roman Empire (Updated as of 9/4)
Oi Suzy!
this is probably gonna be the the best Byzantine playthrough in history Starting off on VH/VH 1450 and now Walking in the Steps of Justinian! if only you had 1 province in spain there could be a huge connection to Justinians Conquest.......plus no Plague! the west is screwed! I love being a Greek!
Chapter 7 – Western Counter-Attack
Reply With Quote
.
Originally Posted by Michele Bachmann
i've been reading bits and pieces of the updates, but nver got o finish them until today.
