The Beacon in the Dark (KoJ AAR)

[Capt. Penfold]

Hi there. Only after I'd started playing my KoJ campaign on H/H and making notes for the AAR, did I realise there are already a bunch on here already, but I hope you'll bear with me as I attempt my first.

The narrative is based on diary excerpts starting at the beginning of the campaign and ending who knows where. Pictures will follow as I get myself organised. For now, I hope you enjoy part 1.

Part 1. Days of Darkness



July 1180


Excerpts from the personal diary of King Baldwin

What is Jerusalem but a fragile idea? One that burns brightly in the mind; it is a beacon to one and to all. I am told it is mine to rule, but I say it is only mine to protect. But how do we protect an idea? With our principles: Honour, strength and righteousness. May God guide my hand, and failing that, give me the strength to guide those I serve.

These are dark times and I fear for Jerusalem’s safety in the future. To the north, our friends of Antioch block the Turks from our lands, a noble barrier to protect us from destruction. To the south, all is darkness. Our position is precarious; one wrong step and have no doubt, Jerusalem will fall. The bravery of a few is all that stands in the way of death and ruin for all. We must be strong, but most of all, we must be decisive!

Guy is eager to help me; but I fear his eagerness to do battle will only antagonise the Saracens. I have ordered him south, to the desert beyond Ascalon. I have ordered the construction of a line of watchtowers. When the attack comes, it will be from here and I must be able to see what comes against us. In the meantime, my spy, Walter, has moved to our western border with Dumyat. I fear the Saracen garrison there will be the first to move against us, so he will serve to warn us for now.

I will need more soldiers in the coming years, but the gears that are grinding into action will not move without the grease of a robust economy. The lands here are rich and bountiful but have been poorly exploited. The economic campaign we must wage will be hard, but must come before military might. A storm unlike any that has ever been witnessed marches on our lands and our roots must be strong if we are to weather it. I have ordered construction of Merchant Wharves at Jerusalem and Tripoli; I hope that this will pave the way for trade with our European cousins.

Sybilla, my dearest sister, is my greatest ally. She has taken to the sea to procure trade agreements. These will clear the way for economic growth. Already word reaches us that she has agreements from the Byzantines. She is a wonder; she knows my mind like no other, to the extent I need not worry about her actions. All that she does is for the good of the people of Jerusalem. I pray that she will find happiness along her road.

[Capt. Penfold]

Part 2. Storm clouds gather

November 1180


Walter sends word of armies massing on our border with Dumyat. It is as I feared; they are coming. I fear for Guy, he is in the region with four units of knights, and this is just the sort of thing to bait him into rash action. Jerusalem needs men like him; fearless and strong, but death and chance have no time for such traits. I have sent word to Guy to return to Ascalon with haste. He must prepare the garrison against the coming threat.

Raymond sends word from the north. A diplomat of the Papal States visits the region, yet I have heard no requests for an audience. I am ever more convinced we are riddled with spies. Europe watches always, waiting to exploit any weakness. I barely dare write this, but of late I have found myself wondering if the Church does not pose as grave a threat as the Saracens?

No word from Sybilla. I wish that she were here now.

December 1180

I am beset by fools. The council are lobbying me to take on the rebels to the south. Do they not see the danger of over-extending ourselves? We are on the brink of war, and they squabble over lands that are not even ours. Overconfidence in our city walls will be our undoing. We must meet the threat from the west first.

Guy has ignored my orders, moving east to build another watchtower. His council is his own to keep. In truth I am not angry. He did not lead a hasty attack towards the enemy, and we have better warning now of incoming threats. However, Ascalon is exposed and leaderless in a time of great jeopardy. I have drafted orders for training of new units there and I have decided to await news from Walter; if the Saracen General crosses our border I will know about it in time to lead an expeditionary force to bolster Ascalon myself.

I pray every day that my actions will save the lives of my people. I will know soon enough if God has heard me.

[Capt. Penfold]

Part 3. Waves of destruction

June 1182 AD

Alas! Guy is dead! Walter sends word that upon finishing the watchtowers to the south of Jerusalem, Guy doubled back and took his knights and a small force of mercenaries against the Saracens on our western borders. They have been utterly destroyed and my borther lies dead in the desert. He has bought us time with his sacrifice but I do not hold out hope that we will last long.

The only good news is that Sybilla has returned, married to a young nobleman from Milan. We will need men like him in the days to come. All I see is darkness...

October 1182 AD

I am in Ascalon. Here is where the fate of our times will be decided. Walter sent word of two armies marching on Jerusalem and then he went silent. I fear we will not hear from him again. Rest in peace my faithful servant. The Garrison is bolstered to its maximum and Raymond has moved south to care for Jerusalem. We can see the clouds of dust rising behind the marching invaders from the walls. There is no way out now and of that I am glad. The decision is no longer mine. I will do what I can and hope for Victory.

[Magefsx]

Tis a good story so far. Do continue!

[Capt. Penfold]

Part 4. Desperate Times

Pages missing from the journal....

October 1183 AD

...and what am I supposed to do with no men? I am beset by problems and despair has a vice-like grip upon my soul. I do not think God hears me. The Saracens have had our position surrounded for months. I am sick to my stomach when I stand on the walls and watch them. They have siege engines; rams, towers, ladders, catapults. All they need to wage war on our walls. I have barely a few hundred sergeants and some crossbowmen to stop the horde.

No news reaches us. I pray Raymond knows of our plight and will do something to break the stalemate. I do not doubt the bravery of my men, but what can we do by ourselves against Saladin's hell-hounds.

Excerpt from Captain Titus' Journal

11th November 1183 AD

The King is dead and all is lost. They came in the night, burning the air itself with their fiery arrows. Our walls held for the night, but with the first light of dawn, my lord rode out against the enemy. King Baldwin was a mighty figure to behold. I saw him slay scores of Saracens and I believe he could have turned the tides of battle in our favour had he not fallen. My men tell me it was a spear in his side that did it. Spurred on by our leader's death, the Saracens took the walls and killed everyone. Such destruction! I myself was knocked unconscious in the melee, and dragged to safety by my loyal servant. I write this but a day's ride from Jerusalem. I do not know what kind of man our King Raymond is. I hope he will forgive the men for not holding Ascalon. For myself, I hold no hope.

Damn this accursed place. We may fight for the Kingdom of Heaven, but we live firmly in the Province of Hell.

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Dammit! This campaign is not going to plan! The Egyptians are pounding the KoJ!