[SS6.4 Hotseat] Caela Obscurior by Niccolo de Venezia

**Ejs_the_Just** · May 14, 2012, 01:31 PM

Aragons finally disagrees, stating "If your terms are not negotiable, then sir you'r people are doomed."

England's response to Poland's advice

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To the filthy Grand Duke of Poland,

You accusations and insults earned all our disgust. We certainly knew Norwegian armies were coming.
Which were called by the Aragonese King. But there's a big difference between you and me (and only comparing yourself to my noble person provoke my full loathe ) : I was never allied to the French King.
I have a NAP which I'm honoring nonetheless. I have not other duty on the French king than not attacking him.
On the contrary, you knew very well too that Norwegian armies were going to attack France. Yet you didn't warn him, and even the less you defended him like a true ally would have done.
Even worse you let Norwegian armies through your lands..
You call as an excuse the recent insults from the French king to your person (which i might add are very well deserved), but obviously is a very false excuse, since you knew already what happened and approved the move from Norway, and you never had a doubt about selling your French ally.
Alliance, honor and trust has no meaning in your Polish dictionary.
You propose alliance to everyone (including my Kingdom, which you proposed an alliance to destroy the kingdom of Norway, but you got our firm refusal), so that in case you need, you might ask their help. But when your allies need your help, you do not only bail out on them but even collaborate with their enemies (like you collaborated with Aragon and Norway).
And I want to warn every King: the same way the Polish Duke is selling is French ally, tomorrow he'll have no problem to sell you all if that's convenient to him, because his monstrous filthy face his not just a mask..it's really his true face!
Not that this should come as any news to you, esteemed kings. We all know what bad reputation is surrounding the Polish Duke since he rose to power..
So everyone can witness with his own eyes how much value has an alliance with the Duke of Poland would sell his own mother if that could gain him any filthy piece of lands..

Signed and sealed
King James Plantagenet

Poland's reply based on the letter in the message

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Norway's stance on the eminent and evolving war

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Genoas stance on the terms and war

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Later in the year England sent diplomatic letters to the other kingdoms

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**Ejs_the_Just** · May 31, 2012, 12:38 AM

Aragons assessment

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Genoas assessment, generally showing what would be called neutrality, although it seems that he does favor one side over another.

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England's last offer to avoid war

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About the Anglo-Norwegian war..

What King James believe to be the most important treasure is honor.
As King James stated already, he was very well informed about the arrival of the Norwegian army
into northern France. The arrival of the army was finalized to force the King of France to peace.
The Aragonese King called for this help, as also I, king James, urged later the King of Norway to not waste time and act quickly as only a quick action would have convinced the King of France to accept peace, before the war between Aragon-France degenerated any further.
But when we were expecting one army, we discovered pretty soon the King of Norway intentions were not actually to force France to peace, while rather a large-scale invasion with 3 armies.
This damaged a bit the trust we had on the Norwegian King, but still decided to not break the alliance based upon this "incident".
Above all, we requested the King of Norway to not sack the region of the Flanders, and we committed ourselves to buy the region from the King. The king promised more than once he won't sack and bring destruction to the region and we believed. Even after he conquered, he sent us letters in which he swore he didn't sack the region..
We believed him.
That until this season, when our observer came back from the region, bringing us proves that the region has been sacked and many people killed.
Other than the fact that what was initially intended as a mission to bring peace into the region, now the King of Norway transformed into a bloodshed, sacking the poor population like only a thief would do, what's worse are the lies he kept repeating us all along. We clearly could not forgive that, and condone his actions.
Also we received previously rumors that the King was actually double-crossing us. Despite we usually do not believe those kind of rumors, particularly looking at the untrusted source and a potential enemy, we wonders now if all that was actually true.
Eventually we will reveal everything in when the right time will come.
Only if the King of Norway will show true will of repentance and pay for his sins, we will stop the war.

Signed and sealed
King James Platangenet.

Poland reply to England...along with a declaration of war.

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**Ejs_the_Just** · June 08, 2012, 01:35 PM

Now with an eminent war among Poland and England, diplomatic talks are nothing more then kings name calling kings, as their swords are being sharpened.

Englands respond to war

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Polands reply, which to me looks like a continuation of a dead argument, since the spilling of blood is unavoidable. I do not doubt the 'facts' in the argument, I just am noticing that it seems very unreasonable to continue.

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Ahh King Invicta.. you have already made these points in your last public message!
Im sad to see you do not have the courage to answer my accusation of you contacting Norway and telling them to invade France! While you had a non attack pact with France! Now thats a shameless betrayal, and does not belong to a honourable man (as you like to see yourself)..

About the Norwegian attack on France, we can only say "Wir haben es nicht gewusst". If thats reason for the Kingdom of France to break the alliance with Poland then that is fine.. In public I made a statement saying I wanted more respect from France.. but behind the scenes I was working on convincing Norway to make peace with France..

But then something else happened! The Polish secret service discovered a plot against our beautiful Kingdom! Organized by (who else) then King James the Mad of England!! We investigated the matter for quite some time and came to the conclusion that the English King had utterly failed at attempting to get Polands allies to betray him!

You really believe Norway would betray me? He might told you he would but he has always been my loyal ally and he would rather die then betray me and my Kingdom.

And the Teutonic Order? he isnt really my ally.. and his cities close to my lands are very low garrisoned.. they are fighting a war in the east on the Russian steppes.. I dont have to fear that they will attack me.. Nor will I invade them.. for I am a honourable man.. unlike you.. King Invicta..

The Roman Empire is another of my neighbouring allies.. would they attack me? I dont think so, even though we havent been allied very long.. I think we are good and decent allies, I fear not that they will betray me..

You believe the Kingdom of Genoa would betray Poland? After years and years of being allies? No kind sir.. If I would call upon the Genoeese King right now.. he would declare war on you and join me in this war. But I however.. am a much more honourable man.. King Invicta.. I would not want to drag other factions into war.. So I do not call for Genoa to declare war on you..

And my other allies, France, Turks.. they are far away from me and I dont see a reason why they would declare war on me

You call yourself a honourable man.. but yet you attempt to create the biggest war Europe has ever seen!! The damages it would do to Europe if multiple factions would be foolish enough to attack Poland.. Thousands and thousands of people would die.. great cities put into ruins... You are an evil man... and therefor you will be punished.. The King of Poland will personally come to London with his army.. and he will slay you.. and occupy your precious London.. and he will sit on the throne.. and he will have your queen as his wife...

Englands reply

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Meanwhile the other nations of Western Europe begin weighing in on the eminent war, and try to settle their own strifes. France accepts Aragons terms, much to the content of Genoa. However, Aragon, seeing all the termoil, is ashamed of Europe and writes reluctantly,

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Meanwhlle in eastern Europe, the Byzantines finish their conquest of the Balkans and Russia weighs in on the Anglo-Polish war

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As we can see the Tsar is on Poland's side.

**Ejs_the_Just** · June 15, 2012, 01:31 PM

Although Poland already declared war, it seems as if they are still working out a treaty. this is their dialogue at a meeting.

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This was all I could retrieve in Italy, they seemed to close their talks to the public after this.

Now that the Franco-Aragonese war has ended, The Kingdom of Aragon begins to focus on issues more closer to home, such as the Moors.

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With the singing of peace with France Sige of Pampalona was stoped, and King Eusebio didn't met Tristan again. Why??
War on the North, against France, ended. Which King Eusebio accepted verry happily. But the Aragon is still not out of danger.

Last seson Moorish passed our borders and blocked the way to one of our ports. And started with ravageing accros country land.

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King Eusebio just waited for a move like this; he immediately ordered all units to set sail towards Africa. But this time he has a different plan with infidels. This time he will use the weak ruleing tribe/family of Moors to bring collusion among several others big tribes. Divide and conquer.
With his high authoroty it was no problem to rais spirtis of his man for one more fight. Maybe Montesa chapter and the Pope helped in this as well, cuz every time he was fighting infidels.
But, it would be a perfect world, utopia, if everything would go as planed.

Tristan, Eusebios only son, has other plans.
When he came back from the first-line of battle. He was most praised by both people and units that where under his comand. So he could carry on with his plan on uniteing Iberia under one Crown. And it's not the Castila one.

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Still loyal to his father, without a question. He is moveing towards Africa, well that is what he sent through his courier to his father, but he used a bit odd rout.
It's time to finish what he started with Kingdom of Leon. Toledo was a great success, so he hopes that Leon would be no problem at all. He showed his intelligence in diplomacy as well- Tristan entered diplomacy with our long allys Kingdom of Portugal, and he promised them Oporto if they join in war against Kingdom Leon, to distract their armys from our borders. Ofcourse, that war is part of his great plan as well.
With this conquest he hopes to become much more then just Lord High Chancellor.

Now, we can see diversity among the high nobles in Crown of Aragon. While the older family members still seek the path that Pope wants, new and young members of Crown have different plans. We have the Pope and both middle-class and some nobles loyal to King Eusebio, while low-class, includeing Montesa Knights, and some nobles loyal to Princ Tristan.
_____________________________________________________________

In other relations, Tristan has started to open negotiations with near Kingdoms, even if they are excommunicated from the Holy Church, what King Eusebio didn't do.
So he opend new trade lines with England and Sicily. He also wants to sing a long term NAP with Kingdom of Genoa. And he entered new diplomacy with Poland.

He is preparing the ground for when he becomes The King.

I have found some Genoese documents concerning Poland and Norway, apparently there is still war between Norway and Poland although Poland is working for peace with Norway's ally,England.

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Soon after Norway sieges Hamburg, the leader of Genoa weighs in on the war.

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Meanwhile in Eastern Europe

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I've found a book containing information about the King of England's response to the attack on Poland. I am amazed at how realistic the portraits look, however thy could be biased, but then again..

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The fool and the idiot..

The once ally norwegian King, betrayed already once our trust. Lying all around about his true intentions,
about the invasion of France and his dirty long terms plan. The English King, once those plan came to his
knowledge stopped the invasion (which he accepted and agreed initially, after France refused the first peace-proposal)
entering on the scene and smashing one of the invading Norwegian armies.

Although King James,

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didn't like at all the dirty game the Norwegian King was conducting between England and Poland,
nonetheless as a king he had to put the well-being of his kingdom ahead of his desire to punish the felon king.
Since it was not in the interest of the kingdom's politic to destroy the Viking kingdom, he offered a chance to the
Norwegian king to redeem his sins and prove that he can actually be trusted..

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What a mistake!
The offer the English king elaborated had precise condition which needed to be met if accepted, to prove that the Norwegian
king wasn't actually double-crossing him again. The greedy Polish King

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had just declared war on our kingdom (which anyway it was clear
already to King James that this was going to happen from many months already). The Polish king, not satisfied with his already
huge empire, stretched even further his conquests by conquering the strategical region of Hamburg making clear to everybody his ambitions
of dominating the North Sea and dictating his politic to the surrounding kingdoms.
King James, made clear the terms of the deal with the Norwegian king. This wasn't an espansionistic war for England. Indeed the terms
provided that Norway would gain 2 regions (Hamburg and Stettin) ,while the English Kingdoms would have remained as it was even though
we would have put as much effort in this war as the Norwegians.. They were indeed extremely generous terms.
Only goal for King James was to cut off from the North Sea the Polish Empire and reduce the threat he was posing to us (who also
threatened to burn our capital London..).

To be sure the Norwegian King wasn't double crossing us again, we requested that he shouldn't talk with the Polish King as long as the war
was going on. We know for a fact that the Norwegian King broke this clause the same day..
We also made clear that the offer had to be accepted immediately, or else it wouldn't be valid: the same reason and nature of the offer was
based on principles and not on the fact that he could bargain between the 2 parties involved into the war to who offered the better deal.
Again, this condition too wasn't. Indeed with a lie, the King told us that he was busy (indeed he was commuicating the Polish King) and he would
have replied to us very soon.. He didn't. He was just trying to buy some time to receive communications from his armies (aka= waiting to
see his turn) to see if he could strike back to us and recapture Antwerp. Our guess is that their spies sighted our armies, and realized
they only thing left to them was retreating.
So, only then they contacted us..stating they would accept our offer.
Among our terms, there was one particularly important as we underlined: within one year (2 turns) they should have attacked and sacked
Hamburg (and possibly Stettin too) to prove their loyalty to our coalition. Again they failed to meet this condition if they could have easily
met it. Also the Norwegian King started to send strange letters to us, asking to reconsider the war with Poland and rather making peace
and attack instead Novgorod. Obviously King James didn't let the fool Norwegian king manipulating himself into attacking the far Russian lands.
What's happened in the last months, has one only explanation. Indeed the Norwegian armies splitted the siege weapons from their main
armies (which was a bad move, as those would have moved faster by remaining in the army). What was even more interesting to us, was that the
expert Polish king didn't get advantage of this bad mistake to destroy the siege weapons and delay of at least one turn the march of the Norwegian
armies and the fall of Hamburg (as they knew already Norwegian were enemies). Even more interesting was the fact that the Polish armies left
Hamburg to sail to the North-West in direction of Bergen. The Norwegian fleet could have had easily sunk this fleet, but they didn't...
But what made definitely clear that Norwegians were lying to us and never switched side, was the fact that they laid siege on Hamburg
but didn't conquer it even if they had siege weapong in the range and broke so the principal clause to our agreement.
We also request them to offer us alliance and military access (using the diplomatic scroll we opened to them) ,and again they didn't..

There was no doubt to King James the foolish Norwegian King was trying to preparing an ambush to our armies and had lied to us all the way.
The idiot Polish King, must had prepared this idiot plan greatly underestimating the strategical skills of King James. Now the Polish
King and his fool friend are going to see what happens to idiots like them..

King James had prepared for the worst from the start, as he never completely trusted the Norwegian King. And since he had very good reasons
from the start to doubt the sincerity and loyalty of the Norwegian King, he prepared a counter-plan to use at his own advantage the Norwegian's
betrayal..
So while 2 armies were following the Norwegian armies sailing safely along the flemish coasts, another army had sailed from Scotland headed
to the Norwegian shores to deal with the possible betrayal. Dominating the sea was the key to win this war, and King James so ordered to
use most of the royal treasury to increase the number of fleets.
Now that the betrayal of the Norwegian king became too evident, he ordered the attack. The fortress of Bergen has been captured and Groningen
too (which will be given back to the King of France). The Polish fleet carrying on the small armies sunk, and now we're on the range to attack
the Norwegian main armies.
It's a check mate!

Now as repeated many times, we have no interest into destroying those kingdoms or neither expand at their expanses. But since the 2 Kings
showed once more they can't be trusted at all, and insist with their hostility towards us
harsher terms will have to be met to get the peace to secure us that they're not simply accepting it to buy time and strike back as soon as they get the chance of doing it.

Peace terms proposal:
To Poland the terms are almost the same:
-He'll have to hand over stetting to us. Leave Hamburg weakly guarded. We'll conquer it next turns and then offer it the same turn to Norway. We'll hand those settlements to Norway
in exchange for a small tribute. Since he tried to trick us once more, the tribute has been increased from 20k to 22k (10k as lump sum and
a tribute of 6k per 2 turns).
-Norway will get Hamburg and Stettin from our hands (your armies have to retreat to Copenaghen this turn without capturing Hamburg). You'll
loose Bergen and the city near Bergen. A tribute of 3k per 3 turns has to be paid to us.
-NAP of 15 seasons (turns).
-Norway and Poland must disband this season all their siege weapons in the region of Copenaghen/Cologne/Hamburg.

To ensure the peace, Polish fleets can't go western than Stettin, and its armies eastern than Magdeburg without notifying that to the English
King. The same appllies to the Norwegian armies which can't go western than Oslo/Hamburg/Copenaghen and its fleet eastern than Hamburg
without notifying.
We on the other hand, we won't go with our armies/fleets eastern than our norwegian settlements without notifying.
Spies (without infiltrating) from both sides must be welcomed to increase the trust between us.

Almost nothing changed for Poland compared to the last offer which he said ready to accept. For Norway, in light of his betrayal he'll lose
the 2 Norwegian western settlements so taht we can easily defend ourself against future attacks. Despite the loss though, Hamburg+Stettin
are richer than the 2 settlement lost, so Norwegian kingdom will come out a bit stronger nontheless.
If this peace proposal is refused, will simply continue the war until their destruction. If new terms of peace will be requested to us,
even worse terms will be offered since the continue of this war it would be only your choice and you'll eventually pay for this.
So only worse terms you can get from us in the future if you decide to continue the war, and we'll be obliged to call new Kingdoms in action
against you.

@To the King of France: Groningen will be offered next turn (recruiting a diplomat just now) unless you request us next season.

finally Russia decides to declare England a unreliable and dangerous nation

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**Ejs_the_Just** · June 15, 2012, 01:41 PM

Aragon on the tension in the north

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'

As does geona

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After much talk, uncertainty, and confusion, a sound treaty comes to Poland, and is signed by the new grand duke.

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**Ejs_the_Just** · June 28, 2012, 05:57 PM

Also, teh Byzantine (Roman) Empire stops war with Venice.

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Although Poland has found peace with England, they may have sacrificed that for war with the Russians.

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Later today i found a letter to the Duke of Nuremburg:

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**Ejs_the_Just** · July 04, 2012, 01:57 PM

England

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Polands leader is ill.

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**Ejs_the_Just** · July 06, 2012, 02:06 PM

Suddenly Geona reveals it's power to Europe

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Meanwhile, Greece tries to put down a revolt.

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**Ejs_the_Just** · July 09, 2012, 04:09 PM

The leader of Geona dies.

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Death of King Umfredo - Diary of Councillor Aginulfo:

6th - March - Fort between Bologna and Pisa:

I am actually sitting in the former sicillian headquarter in the fort between Bologna and Pisa were the sicillian army and King Umfredo hid after their last defeat. Its rainy, but that does not surprise me as God must be crying seeing so many catholics dying in this war, and i mean ofcourse our soldiers. a Few weeks ago i was informed that the pope was on the side of Genoa and expelled sicilly from the catholic church. This inflamed our soldiers fighting fierce and without mercy against the heretic normans. In fact the attack on the sicillian fort a few days ago was done very fast because our troops assaulted with dreadful precision. We started the attack with a bombardement of our siege equipment and fired several bolt and arrow waves into the fort. We did not lose many troops as it seems the sicillian archers were not trained well enough to hit our troops. King Umfredo must have died by the stone walls crushing after our siege equipment hit his headquarters, there is a big hole in the upper right corner from were i sit but its the only housing which is still intact. After a day of ranged attacks we decided to attempt the final assault and we ordered all our men to attack from all directions at once. There was much clinging and nashing of bones but we did not hear much screams, whcih was indeed very surprising. The last sicillians fought us until death, we would have taken them into custody but they were niot willing to surrender. I must say i admire this norman people for the bravery, though it was stupid not to surrender.

Rumors tell me that our king is planning and assault on rome. I dont know if that is a good idea because i dont think we have enough troops for such an assault but maybe i underestimate what we are capable of.

Assault on Rome - Diary of Councillor Aginulfo:

30th - April - A Camp south of Pisa

I am in fear. Our King has ordered Virgilio Ugurgieri to gathe rall available troops and attack the sicillians near rome. Surprisingly he made it. He gathered troops from Ancona which blocked the roman garrison to interfere in the battle against the new crowned sicillian king. Virgilio gathered all available troops from Pisa and Genoa for this attack and he succeded. The whole sicillian army was slain and rome is now under siege by our troops. Hopefully sicilly is not able to strike back before I arrive at rome. i was ordered to assist the assault and we are now moving towards rome. I am eager to see what this war will cost and who will benefit from it. It seems we are now in a better position but the tide can turn quickly and then we should try to negotiate. If Rome falls into our hands without a sicillian counter attack this war should be won, if not it will last for several years i suppose as our king is focusing on revenging the italians which died by norman hands. I think it is more about the loss of Tunis and Cagliari but who am i to judge our king?
Tomorrow we will head on south to meet Virgilios troops near rome in the next months. I hope the warm weather will not exhaust us too much as we travel south and fight for our kingdom sicne we left Inssbruck about a year ago.

Thinking about that i start to think about my family in Milan. If I die and this diary is ever found and brought to them the following lines are dedicated to them:

To my lovely wife and children,

If this diary reaches you, I am already dead. But dont be sad about that because i died a death in honor serving our great nation. Be happy about the fact that we will see each other in heaven in hopefully a few decades. I will watch you all from heaven and protect you until we meet again.
My dear wife, Emilia. Do not fall into depression and search for a new husband. Our children need a father and should not grow up without one. I love you more then i love anything else and i will never stop loving you. As our love is not jsut physical but our love is the strongest force emitted by our hearts. I will await you in heaven until then care for our children as if there is ntohing more important than that.

in love
Roberto.

Meanwhile, Poland's renowned Duke is crowned Senior Duke.

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Norway's message to the Teutons, "As for the Teutonic Order, if you wish to have peace I want to receive Turku and Palanga. Then we can agree on a 10 - 15 turn NAP. You will decide if you want only peace or an NAP."

Sicily counter attacks Genoa's invasion

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Legendary Deeds

The Battle for Rome
The Norman kingdom fell into the chaos after the death of his King.
The nobles were not able to find a worth successor. To deal with the imminent crisis, the chose
to momentarily lend the command of the military operations to a Condottiero.
And they chose the best one: Rainaldo also called Invicta.
His first concern, was to break the siege of Rome. Genoeses assembled most of their armies around the eternal city. Rainaldo so called all the available reinforcements from Naples and Palermo.
Many bloody battles were fought, but Rainaldo proved to very well deserve his nickname "Invicta".
Genoese were finally forced to retreat on their fleets, and the Eternal city was safe..for now..

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The Battle on the Sea
Although they retreated on their ships, the Genoses represented still a great menace. New reinforcements were indeed coming from the north. If they were left the chance to reunite, the menace would have become even bigger. So although hesitant on challenging the Genoese on their favorite ground, Rainaldo ordered the naval attack relying on the experience of the Amalfitan sailors. Those sailors proved to deserve such consideration destroying completely the Genoese fleet in 2 battles. The Genoese Doge died in the battle too.
Those were absolutely decisive and heroic victories!

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The Counter-Attack
Rainaldo, encouraged by those amazing victories, decided it was the time to counter-attack. The target was the island of Corsica, which he deemed to be crucial to furthering take control of the sea.
Weakly garrisoned it easily fell under Sicilian control..

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The Hidden Enemy
And when the worst seemed to on their backs, rumors telling of a imminent attack coming from France , reached Rainaldo. France recently allied with Genoa. So when the new of a powerful fleet led by the French King himself had sailed from Marseille, it was clear that their intentions were not peaceful.
The Norman ships were ordered to sail and attack them while on the sea.
The superior experience of the Normans on the sea, made the difference and the French army got destroyed. The French King died too..

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genoa appeals to the Pope, asking him to Call a reconquest of Rome.

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In Georgia the people of Kutais-Mstislavl-Batumi are suffering from heavy depression as their city government is being switched every season between two rival factions.

**Ejs_the_Just** · July 21, 2012, 08:44 PM

The Byzantines cancel their good relationship with Poland

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Meanwhile the Russians plan a ceasefire with the Turks

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The Way Back...

Evfrosina was the most beautifaul of Mstislav's daughters. Someone can probably disagree, but it is true. Somebody

says that she was the most beautiful woman in whole Europe. Duke Bernard knew it and he wanted to get her by all costs.

But why? Someone says that polish women are as ugly as pigs. Even pigs sometimes better. But we are almost sure

that it is a very difficult task for Bernard to keep his little friend in his pants. Near every whore in Warsaw knows Duke

Bernard. Unfortunately Evfrosina wasn't a polish whore, she was russian. And russian girls do not turn up their skirts

in front of the first counter. She was already married. And her husband was Boleslaw Piast, Bernard's relative.

Beranard could not forgive this. He decided to kill Boleslaw. He waited for a comfortable moment. Polish assasins

attacked Boleslaw near Adrinopole. Noone could even imagine that Bernard had enough nerve to kill russian residents on

the territory of Roman Empire. Bernard and his bodyguards detained poles. They all were killed, but Evfrosinia and

Boleslaw's little son reached Constantinopole.

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What will Vasilefs do in this situation? Our 67-year Tsar was so angry that he quartered prisoners himself. But who

could lead russian forces? Mstislav in Minor Asia, his brother Radoneg on the Caucusus. Radoneg's 3 sons are too

young. May be Borrivoi Novgorodskii? For sure! he is a perfect young general without pity.

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Meanwhile we started to act. Poles have made the biggest mistake in this game.

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Be afraid. Russians never forgive and never forget. Poles will pay for that. Your cities will be burnt, your children will

work for our Army. Your women will be in our brothels and serve smelly,sweaty and bearded russian soldiers. Future

revenge is closer then you expect.

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The Black Sea War pt.III

Turk War goes good for us. In minor Asia everything is quiet while in the Caucasus pouring rivers of blood. 3rd

retaken of Mstislavl was successful. Poor city...

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In a narrow gorge of the Caucasian met 2 armies. Turks and other pork haters on one side. Alans, Russians and

Armenians on the other. Near 1300 Allah followers left their bodies here, but price for victory was high...

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We offer Turks to cease hostilities. We want to sign NAP with you. There is no point in the war over.

Poland prepares for the Byzantines

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From Aragon

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1292. The civil war in Aragon passed the point of escalation, for some, and others think it's only the start. Seconed year of fight over Crown of Aragon. Or Crown of Iberia, depending on whos side you are.

Tristan is sure that he have won this "figt" over his father now just lawful king, by most people of Iberia legitimate king is and should be Prince Tristan. What was proven amog some of Eusebio armys. A part of his forward units left him and joined their Princ. What left Eusebio closed and not so guareded in city of Fes.
He seems to know that, and is starting to act like a king, he has to repair his kingdom from the inside out. Starting with his nations people, on what he based his entire life.
First step is to give them prosperety and safty. And his plans is to take down 3 flys with one swing.

All over the kingdom there are still followers and people loyal to his father, Crown of Aragon is excommunicated right now what makes his ppl a bit concerned for their futur.

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Solution: is hidden in the one who cursed this nation in the first place.

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By charging, thoes who opose him and ppl of Aragon, as heretics or enemys of faith Tristan hopes that he will show a good example to the Pope, that he will satisfy his appetite for inquisition. To prove that his nation is not corupted, that there are only individuals that are trying to do wrong to the people, to corrupt them.

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He was swift in tracking down his enemys, even if he had to send his prists in far lands, and he was swift in judgeing them.

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Doing Popes will, "putting away" his enemys, and bringing hope and welth to the people. 3 things with one act.
But he can't charge a whole army of heresy, so he has to fight them. Althought he is good at it, he is disgusted by it.

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Cleaning away what's left of the oposition and removeing people on the high places that are loyal to the "king" opens him the way to the Kingdom of Iberia. And with the final destruction of the Moorish tribes everything is clear.

Trist, he might look like a madman or rebeled son, but remember he is doing what he was thought by his own father: take care of your nation, take care of their fatih, and keep the crown in Aragon. Tristan only improved this few points and wrote them down to a paper. Remember that he is still a son, and he has that in his mind, so he is not planing to kill or jail his father. He just thinks that his rule is not good for his own ppl. Crown to the Aragon, and Aragon is nation/people, not a king or emperor.
__________________________________________________________

With the civil war about to be done. Tristan enters foreign diplomacy.
His first act is in war of Genoa- Sicily, as Genoa supported a peacefull respolution to Aragon-France war, now Crown is doing the same. He calls both nations on peacefull resolution in this war.
]

Genoas:
Pisa reconquered, a new peace proposal sent to sicilly

England finds a man behind the curtain

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Russia

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Genoa excepts Englands terms

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Teutons will prevail!
Visby were retaken, and some norse fleets were destroyed.
Buuut... It's not important. Important is that...
Norse prince have been caught in our forest. Soo... Be angry now, or smth...
Norway up.

----------
Genoa up, peace is fully established within the italian peninsula
Hmm just realized i could have done a role play here Ill do it later

England to France

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France:Okay. You are the betrayer here now invicta. You broke the NAP, not me.

Russia

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Poland

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1294 AD - Várad

Advisor Baldor

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: Duke Bernard, Ktenas Kallergis is staying in the Inn near the maingate.. I could sent an assassin to take care of this bringer of bad news.. They say he has a great influence on the Basileus of the Romans.. Livanios I Laskaris.. he who is known to have a great lack of authority and intelligence.. This man could be responsible for this declaration of war on our great great Dukedom...

Duke Bernard

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: What are you talking about Baldor? I have met the Basileus myself on multiple occassions, he is a great and chivalrous man.. who sadly also makes mistakes.. just like we all make mistakes in life.. I do not want you to do any harm to Ktenas Kallergis, he is a diplomat and as far as I can see, he is a decent man. So I forbid you to do any harm to this man!

However.. I do want you to assemble the army and sent them to Targoviste, according to Ktenas Kallergis, the Roman diplomat the war is about Waclaw Bedkowic, the general and former captain of the Hussars in Hungary. They will attempt to take the city of Targoviste and exectute Waclaw. I will not allow this, sent the army to Targoviste.. and protect the region! I expect a big battle in which you will defeat the Roman Invaders!. Remember one thing though.. Do not attack any Roman settlement or village! Kill no innocent people! I will sent a diplomat to Constantinople at once to discus peace.

Advisor Baldor: But my Duke!! The Romans will attempt to invade all of our regions! This is just an invasion based on GREED! It has nothing to do with General Waclaw! We must sent all our armies into Roman territories! We should punish this foolish basileus for their crimes!! We should burn Consta...

Duke Bernard: ENOUGH! No more of these talks of war! This Dukedom has had its share of pain and war... We will defend Targoviste and will not invade Roman Territories.. Baldor, I gave you the orders.. now do as I say!

Advisor Baldor: Yes my Duke..

**Ejs_the_Just** · July 21, 2012, 09:27 PM

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

][post was written before recent events and to be continued]

7 years of war between Seljuk Sultanate and Russian Kingdom and yet no signs of peace to come. Turks eventually lost access to the Black sea. The peaceful population suffers the most, as always. Especially the infamous Kutais, which had been exchanged multiple times between two sides in the conflict. With destroyed infrastructure and less then half of its populace alive, it is now merely a base for Russian troops and a grim monument of the current war.

Surprisingly enough the rest of Sultanate is thriving! The wise old leader, Sultan Isa, has built up a strong economy based on free trading, private enterprise and professional army. Above all that, absence of corruption due to death penalty and wise resource management have let the country wage wars on two fronts without serious economical consequences. Constant border conflicts with Khwarezm and raiding Mongol battalions, although, can not be compared with bloodshed on the North, but still require significant material and human resources.

But Sultan Isa era has come to an end. The old wise ruler has passed away at the age of 81.

He was a superb administrator and a deeply religious person. He wished only peace and prosperity to his people, but was forced to make tough decisions amidst aggression from his neighbors. And that he did elaborately! Seljuks are stronger than ever against all odds!

Today is the start of a new era for the Turkish people. Sultan Eyup is now in control of the realm.

His personality is nothing like one of his predecessor - he is a legendary supreme commander of the Seljuk army and war is all he knows. In fact, the news caught him in the heart of Russia - vast wilderness of Ryazanshina - on the forced march towards major Russian settlement which thought to be disaster free zones.

Eyup's rage drove him on this mission which thought to be pure madness and was condemned by the elders as well as Sultan Isa himself. Now though, Eyup's hands are free and his word is the law of the land. No regrets or second thoughts no more - strike fast, strike hard, and give it all you got!

This is a rare find, it is from Turkey.

**Ejs_the_Just** · August 02, 2012, 04:21 PM

Norwat

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Aragon

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1294. The year of official end of Civil war among nobles of Aragon. Tristan taken the crown at least two years earlier, but it was not official. Well nobles no more, with the accepting, by King Eusebio, of Crown of Iberia as a legal trone Tristans program for "Nation of Iberia" represented by the Crown of Iberia. He had to call every man as equal as a noble.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Nation is set as part of ruleing system. Every region has a council and a council representative, that makes demands, votes and makes a part of Great Council.
Of course, high demands are set by rules, no man can easily become a councile member. It includes high education, and as King Eusebio was great towards Pope it effected the people as well, so a councile man must be a devoted man to both ppl and God. To satisfy ppl and his rules Tristan appointed big number of Knights of Santiago, and Montesa Knights as members of councils all accros Iberia.

But all is not so perfect, to prevent any future rebelions, Tristan allowed his father to keep the Kings trait to himself, and left the great nobles with small countrys. "Until they die... What!? they're old!" said Tristan to the member of Great Councile.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

With everything done in Home Affairs, it's time to finish what Eusebio and Pope stoped Tristan 10y ago. To contact his long forgoten enemys, French. Tristan still has to free two long forgoten regions, Pampalona and Burgos.
But one thing he didn't foreseen, his ally have killed the old Pope and take a strategically important place for Iberia, but that should not stop the actions against France. As Tristan hopes this problem will be resolved swiftly.
_______________________________________________________

In one other and important news, new, Great Council will lead a discussion about reliability of current allies and the necessity of opening new diplomatic pacts.

Do I need to post screenes for merchant stuff over???

Turkey allies with the "mighty vikings of the North"

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Poland must re counter the Byzantines

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England

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The Pawn

The Kingdom of France, once the most powerful in Europe is since many years now on his downward trend.
One after the other, the new Kings who followed in recent times have not been able to imprint their mark on the politic's scene. Instead they became the perfect toy for the war-games of England, Aragon, Genoa ,Norway and lately the Kingdom of Sicily too..
Confused and moved like a puppet.mistake after mistake the French crown brought to ruin their kingdom.
The last mistake proved to be fatal. The new French King after having tried to unsuccessfully meddle in the war between Sicily and Genoa, now with even more arrogance tried to meddle into the Genoese-English war.
Despite the generous offers coming from our Crown, the arrogant French King thought he could play the role of the major player..forgetting he was just a puppet and failing at securing his position before acting.
Didn't think to increase the size of his armies before acting, as neither thought of securing its diplomatic relations before breaking relations with England, thus repeating the same mistake it did when invaded from the Norwegian Vikings.. it seems French never learn.

The Politic's Game

Exhausted by the war with Sicily, Genoa could not withstand the attack coming from north. By calling France to play an active role into the war, Genoa certainly saved itself from further damages.
Indeed King James had to momentarily move all his attentions to its dangerous neighbor.
Although unprepared to this, King James wasted no time, calling to fight all the available men in the kingdom and hiring as much mercenaries as the English's Royal treasury could afford.
Paris, Rheims, Angers fell.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The army which invaded Genoese's lands has been called back to attack the French army in Metz. And the King himself, came from Norway to deal with this emergency.

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Now France is also enduring the counter-offensive of the Sicilian armies coming from south.

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And new threats come from the south-west: the powerful kingdom of Aragon, after having defeated the Moors and the others Spanish Kingdoms, is now claiming the Iberian regions controlled by the French Crown.
France seems a lost cause..
what Genoa will do?
Waste his force into the attempt of saving French from what it seems a certain defeat, or spare his forces for better causes?

Byzantine's view

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on their wars

Poland: Aragonese are a bunch of sellouts.. They gifted a region in Portugal to the English... I wonder...

what england says to that

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Russia:

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Nord-Nord-West

Yurii Orvin, commander of the russian military group "Nord", was fully satisfied by his done work. Killing Norwegian

Prince near Talinn wasn't an easy task. He lost hundreds of his man in this battle. To tell the truth, teutons could do

it and without our help, but it was our Tsar's mission. Who are we to ignore His orders. But now our swords are

blunt and our men are tired. They need food. Yurii asked crossed Finnish Bay and captured Turku with some norwegian

archers inside.

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But Yurii could not rest long. Bad news from south forced him to act...

Piast Heritage

Now russians can clearly understand that War has come. Poles burnt Kiev! Slavic Kiev... Orthodox Kiev. 10 000 russians

died here. And what for? For just one Polish general? But russians took it back.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Some Poles we caught near Dnepr. All of them were killed. Soon the murderer-general Warcislaw will be killed.

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Waclaw z Bedlowich already tasted the medcine of KGB. Now he is in a russian prison waiting for judgement. And

the same will happen to everybody who is in this list.

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But first Baia paid for Kiev and its citizens. Thousands of poles died here...

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The taste of revenge is closer and closer. If the Poles do not make an offer on which I can not refuse.

The Black Sea War pt.IV

Good news from North pleased Ruusian old TsaR in Sinop. Yurii acted himself like true Novgorodskii. But Tsar got and bad

news fron East. His brother Radoneg stopped Turkish army led by ~~enemy number one~~ sultan Eyup. By Radoneg did it

by high price. Lots of russians died between Don and Volga, but our Homeland was saved. Just Serdobinskaya was lost.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Tsar had to act. And he was as always perfect on the battlefield. This time Suat al-Din met his brother. And Tsar is

searching for the 3rd one.

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Now there was no place in Cappadocia without turkish body. Rivers seem to be red, but russians are moving forward.

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After all this battles Tsar relaxed on the coast of the Black Sea. And 2 more persons were crossed out here.

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Mstislav by his actions explains his name, which means "glorious revenge".

**Ejs_the_Just** · August 02, 2012, 04:33 PM

Genoa continues to change Italy

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France in reply to various attacks

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More Russian stuff.

A dialogue form a Sicilian court

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After the new advisor (you may remember him from our last show) was granted position as the kings right hand, he set to work right away whipping the army into shape, turning around the italian war and fighting to a standstill with the Geonse.
A peace deal was then negoiated with the Geonese and both leaders will work together in future for the good of italy.
The disagreement however continued with the french,

King David the Great: The french havent responded to our offer if peace and they rejected the english kings offer.
Advisor Stephen: What do you wish to do sire?
King David the Great: We should leave well enough alone, the french king is powerfull and the war with our italian cousins has drained our resources terribly, lets recover and use our massive naval superiority to stop them reaching sicily, fight a defensive war to recover our economy.
Advisor Stephen: Hesitates "Yes sir"
King David the Great: Wait if you have a suggestion speak your mind, your advice has proved valuble in the past.
Advisor Stephen: Ok, thank you, your majesty, we should launch an attack, we still have armies left from the italian war, our coffers may be low, but our army is strong, led by vetern generals and ready for war. Sending them home would be a mistake, lets use our navy power to land troops in france, to invade france!
King David the Great: You may have proved right in the past Stephen, but this... this is insanity, the french are in a much stronger position they are strong economicly and have had few wars. We could launch a raid? Strike marsille and toulouse sack them and return a warning shot?
Advisor Stephen: No do no harm or destroy them, destroyed enimies cannot take revenge, we must show we are strong not a weak nation on the tail end of italy!!
King David the Great: Fine to france it is, but first we must deal with the pope...

The Sicilian King had a long standing disagreement with the pope, he had turned catholic nations against the sicilians and had even risked that a crusade be called upon his great kingdom. When the aragonese refused to abide by the popes wishes he was also excomunicated, King David decided he couldnt let this offence stand, The pope was hunted down by the sicilian army, his armys were brought to their knees and the pope executed for offences against the sicilian king.
The sicilian armies then continued to france, where on arriving they captured the city of marsille and their armies massed for the assult on toulouse. To war they screamed and the sicilian people rejoiced that their nation again would command history, instead of being a footnote at the end of an empire.
The great advisor was once again proved right when he landed on French shores with his armies, exclaiming "I will leave this beach a hero, or a corpse" They say it where the great general paton got the quote.
His boldness proved well founded, intelligence was later gathered that both the Aragon king and the english king would also launch invasions on france. It was a garuntted success and the sicilian people would gain land in the process. Stephen was hailed as a genius throughout the empire.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

England's plan for France

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Past, present and the future of the Kingdom: leading to a new Era

The Past: the conquest of the lost inerithance
several decades ago, our ancestor John Lackland brought shame upon our lineage by losing all our lands in France

to the royal dynasty of France and our archenemies : the Capetian.

Too long this shame has lasted for, and today it was time to wash with blood our vengeance:

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The King of France died under the blows of our soldiers.
Al the lands our family lost almost a century ago, are now recaptured,
and the newly elected French King is under siege in Clermont.

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The present: scavengers bring new tension..

While our soldiers were bravely fighting the French armies, the Normans coming from Sicily acted like the perfect scavenger: taking advantage of this war, they conquered the regions of Lyon and Marseille which were practically unguarded..
And they would have captured even Dijon and Clermont if our armies didn't anticipate their moves.
But like cowards, they avoided to engage the French army in Tolouse..

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Such behavior is quite condemnable and King James is meditating on which proper action to take about it...

The future: new marriage with an important dowry to bring peace

As Bordeaux and Cologne fell too this season,

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it appeared clearly as anew balance has to be found in France, and the King is discussing already with other interested powers about how to solve this matter.

All this bloody war, brought our crown into conflict with the Pope. To keep the Vatican quiet, large sums have been gifted, in order to regain the Pope's favor making bleed our treasury and that's something that can't go on forever..:

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So in order to strengthen the links with the surrounding Kingdoms, King James has thought of marrying his, beyond any imagination, beautiful cousin to some worthy chivalrous noble from surrounding kingdoms.

The candidate, needs to be
1-less than 30 years old
2-With more than 3 chivalry (the more the better)
3-Among the candidates, ancillaries and traits will lead to the best choice.

The 3 realm that can present the offer are : Crown of Aragon, Kingdom of Sicily and Italian Republic.
As dowry, King James will offer :
A-The region of Dijon , if the candidate comes from Kingdom of Sicily or Italian Republic (so one of the 2 will gain one region )or
B-Clermont if the candidate is from the Crown of Aragon (in this case Clermont will be gifted to Aragon).

Once one of the 2 regions is assigned, the other ones will be assigned through a bid (and all the 3 realms cited above might participate to the bid):
The bid has to be composed of :
-a tribute to be paid in 6 turns
-2 single resources to be exploited exclusively (which means that other merchants gets around it, the host faction will get rid of those merchants) for 30 years by our merchants.
Best offer will get the region.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Poland

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Turkey

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Seljuk military field camp. Somewhere in western Cuman steppes, north of Sarkel.
A messenger from south arrives at dawn and makes his way to Sultan's tent straight away.
- Sultan! Urgent dispatch from Taj Amir Ragib!

Sultan Eyup takes the paper and studies it carefully. His face becomes grey and he struggles to remain calm among his generals.
- What is it, my Sultan? Bad news?
- The worst... Russian armies have annihilated Caesarean army and forced Kızılırmak river successfully. Russians also managed to cut all the retreat routes and have slayed each and every Turkish soldier. Those few lucky ones who made it were unable to organize any sort of resistance in Caesarea and it was taken the same day...
Terrible shock prevented generals from spelling anything. Not even a sound came out of their frozen mouths. After a few moments general Ferhad broke this grim silence.
- But this is impossible! We had our best equipped soldiers in that army. It was even supported by the whole garrison of Ceasarea - best garrison of our strongest and most advanced fortress! I don't believe it! It just can not be true!
- And yet it is...
Sultan raises his eyes from the paper and looks over the generals surrounding him.
- Apparently the commanding staff made some fatal mistakes while organizing the defense. The chief commander, Suat al-Din, payed with his life for those mistakes. Anyway, what makes the situation even worse, is that now Russians have an open road to Iconium as well... Taj Amir sent his eldest son, Atilla, there in order to organize defense on-site, but that plan did not assume a total devastation of Caesarean army, thus, he cannot possibly resist against Russian front army. Adana's garrison, led by one of our wisest elders - Bekir Okcu-Zade - have left for Iconium immediately after they heard the terrible news. But I'm afraid he is not going to make it in time. Now we can only pray Allah that Atilla will hold Russians off long enough so Bekir's squads try their best on enemies at Iconium walls. Almost 20 thousands Muslim souls in that city. Only Allah knows what a massacre can those barbarians commit there!
Several generals could not stand anymore and collapsed on the seats at the table.
- Do not let despair get the best of you! There are no bad news without good ones. Our noble ally might save the day - Egyptian armies are already near Caesarea! And even if Allah will not protect citizens of Iconium, they will be avenged! Egyptian troops are heading there too. And even though Russians brought their ally - the Teutonic Order - close to Caesarea as well, I am very confident in our Muslim brothers. There sure will be some epic battles in Cappadocia this year!

**Ejs_the_Just** · August 02, 2012, 04:44 PM

From Russia

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France:Clermont lost. Odds 1:5. England lost 1 man.
Meanwhile in Toulouse: Sicily got they're ass handed to them.

England

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Mercy and Vengeance : the 2 faces of King James

The merciful side..

The perfidious Sicilian King and his soldiers, was accused of cowardice as he was merely taking advantage of the successes of the English armies to gain lands at a cheap price in France.
The Sicilian King, tried then to plot against us and attempt to form a coalition with other kingdoms.
The attempt eventually failed. We could had this season strike against the Sicilian armies:
easily capturing Lyon as also sink the fleet carrying the soldiers who survived to the defeat in Toulouse

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

But King James is not the kind of king who ,like a scavenger, would profit from his enemy's misfortunes.
Instead appreciated the attempt to face the French, and decide for this time, to forgive his enemy..

The bloody vengeance

But no one should commit the mistake of seeing King James as the good Samaritan.
When events require it, he can be the most vengeful of your adversary.
In all the courts is widely known how King James was painfully forced to kill his brother , who betrayed his kingdom and his brother bewitched by a Russian whore sent by the Grand Duke of Novgorod into the attempt to manipulate the politics of our realm:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Many years have passed since then, but King James didn't forget the pain this incident caused as his promise of taking bloody vengeance against the one who was the cause of that. Due to the prolonged war in the Baltic, King James decided to respond to the request of help received from the Grand Duke of Poland.

Now the Russian are getting back our vengeance.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Since a big fleet from the Teutonic Order was in the area, the Admiral of the fleet decided to attack this one to, to avoid to be attacked on the back by the combined Novgorodian-TO fleets.

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Our operations in the Baltic will end here if the Grand Duke of Novgorod will make public amend for his sins and misconduct.

Turkey:

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Over two years passed since Eyup al-Din left his country to seek revenge behind the enemy lines. Skilled and brave elite of Seljuk army accompanied him on this adventure over the wilderness of Russia. They realized how risky it was, and not only in military sense. This campaign was not authorized by the Sultan, and was a solo initiative of general Eyup al-Din, Lord High Marshall of Seljuk army at the time, who was about to put at stake his life, as well as those of his troops. But they followed him question-less, as hardly there was any commander in Seljuk's history as prominent as Eyup al-Din.
And even though that mission was only part successful, soldiers felt like they served their country well, as they were closing up to the borders of their motherland.

- Left home as marshall, returning as Sultan.
Sultan Eyup smiled tiredly to his old friend, general Ferhad, as they crossed the border.

Alarming news of past events kept them worried and anxious when they finally reached first Turkish outpost up here on the north.

Border patrol was overwhelmed with joy when they saluted their new Sultan for the first time.
- Quick! Tell me all the news!
Eyup al-Din jumped from his horse.
- Great news, my Sultan! There was a citizen rebellion in Adjara! They managed to overthrow Russian garrison and Kutaisi is under our total control. The army from Tbilisi, with the help of locals, reinforced the city. According to the report, they are ready to repel even major enemy assault.
- Great news indeed! You see, Ferhad, even Turkish peasants can beat Russian soldiers! Who is in charge of Kutaisi defense?
He turned back to the patrol officer.
- Lord High Marshall himself!
- Good, very good. Yavuz is a famous victor, I trust him completely. Now, how is situation in Cappadocia?
- More good news, my Sultan. Caliph Urwah's armies have liberated Caesarea! Russians have suffered heavy losses and are now trying to hold up in forts scattered throughout Cappadocia, Pamphylia and even Cilicia!
- Praise the Allah! This promises to be a great year for warriors of Islam!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

from poland

England on Aragon

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From ARAGON

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Most Noble King James Plantagenet.

If this message reaches your high court, I am wary that your mind is becomeing slack and your body just a burden to it and there is a chance of your death, pleas reconsider your move.

I, legal wearer of Crown of Iberia King Tristan, am maybe young in your eyes maybe even inexperienced leader but I am no fool. As a King I know what is the shape of my state. I'll start from the basic, just look what are the merchants of our two nations saying; my border citys are with low garrison such is Leon, Burgos, Pampalona. While on the other hand your bordering regions are full of units, in the new taken French regions we can even see a profesional units not just militia. Now why would I enter a open war against a nation if I have open borders.
Dear king, you can as well see that my citys are developing infrastructure, public buildings while leaving behind plans of military build. There is no reson to go into a war if you are not training your citizens for combat, but giveing them books to educate them. They can't fight with books, well they can, but it would be realy dumb.
Last but not least; why would a nation with much smaller military power enter a war against a stronger nation. You, King of England, say that I was ploting.
There is no evidence, put in front of me, what would indicate that I aggred on some kind of a backstabing. That is just a assumptio from your awarenes that I contacted my ally, Kingdom of Sicily, on some matter.

Now I would like to ask you, King of England, did you predicted this acts of my politics and now you use this (my moveing army) as a "reson" for open war, "A easy war"?

On the other hand, my movement was not allowed by any means as our nations don't allowe any kind of army acces in their borders. But my armys passed several times within the same line and You didn't react (at that time you where at war with other nations) at all. Maybe now your nation has to compensate for the trained units.
As you can see that army passed several turns before through the same line even with a Royal general. There was no real threat, only paranoia or maybe something else (land hunger?).

In the end I would like to ask you, what is the real point of building our relations if You will rely on a "hunch" or, in a worst case, paranoia. You made a pact with a King, if you made it with reson then take every part of it with a reson. A none-aggression pact is a none aggresion pact.

PS
As a King of Aragon and only a frendly nation to your noble Kingdom. I don't feel obligated to explain my movements now, as it was not asked before. Same units, besids a general and a catapult unit.

Crown of Ibearia.
King Tristan.

**Ejs_the_Just** · August 02, 2012, 04:46 PM

Englands reply to Aragon's explanation:~~~ To the noble King of Aragon.~~~

Since you publicly expressed no intentions of attacking our nations, despite the incriminating appearances ,
we have no reason to not believe your words. For this reason we are available to fully and generously compensate your losses on condition to sign a new peace-deal.
We invite you so, to meet in neutral ground to discuss the terms of such agreement.

Signed and sealed
King James Plantagenet

**Ejs_the_Just** · August 02, 2012, 04:48 PM

Here is a map of the territories to the time (now turn 80)
T65

T70

T75

T80

**Ejs_the_Just** · September 09, 2012, 11:09 AM

From Aragon to England

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England agrees to Aragon

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Norway's surprise invasion

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From Genoa

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Sicily's counter

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Genoa

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Sicily [SPOILERPresident of italy?
We address you now from the great kingdom of sicily, we do not want war and seek to prevent it, but you must realize that putting your armies on my border is not a defensive, but an offensive action. Keeping your armies in your cities is defensive, putting your armies in range of my cities is not.
As we said we wont accept an alliance, we will extend the NAP if both sides can stick to the NAP without instances like this and can co-operate an alliance may form, but now the situation is to tense.
I moved my armies last time in a great show of faith, offered a peace with no conditions when you were pressed by mighty england. Now it is your turn to show faith and start decommissioning.
Sicily will defend herself if attacked.][/SPOILER]

England

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England provides peace terms

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Genoa

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From Russia

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Minor Asia Dances

With the death of Tsar Mstislav it seems that God has turned away from Russia. Teutons are going to betray us.

Roman Empire broke alliance with our Tsardom, with the only living Orthodox state in the world. Soon you will

taste the power of Muslims. But members of our Royal House don't give up. We will fight till we invent nuclear

bomb. We just need ~700 years. Wait please. On the meeting in Trebizond 3 great Russian generals vowed to

each other that the will fight till they are alive.

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All of them are excellent generals. All of them are native Russians. For 2 years they fought with Muslims. They

defeated 4 armies and killed 2 generals. Especially good was Borivoi Novgorodskii, Tsar's relative and the same

time brother-in-law...

But the most important battle has not yet taken place. But now Radoneg has chance for revenge for his brother

Tsar Mstislav. Sultans army was surroundd in the mountains. They could not leave territory because of snow.

And Radoneg understood that it was his chance. He could not catch him in Serdobinskaya and Ryazan, but he

followed him. And now it was his chance, may be the last glorious moment for Russians.

After Borivoi took bloody Mstislavl the road was open.

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And 2 united Russian armies attacked Turk positions. It was a difficult task to take Sultan Eyup alive. He killed 6

Russians and only after that he was prisoned. He thought that Russians will release him for some money, but

when he saw Tsar with a scar across his face (he got in Bryansk) he understood that it was the end. Tsar didn't

think long. He remembered all the atrocities in Serdobinskaya, he remembered the death of his brother.

Radoneg cut off his head himseld and send the last member of Al-Din House to Edessa with the words "Sultan for

Tsar is not enough for me."

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All the other prisoners were also killed.

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After the battle Radoneg took a small piece of paper, still red from Mstislav's blood, and crossed out Eyup's name.

The most dangerous enemy is dead.

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Now Tsar could relax. But not for long. Russians are alone now. Enemies surround us...

England goes against Genoa

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sicily to england

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aragon to england

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genoas reaction to england

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england's reply

**Ejs_the_Just** · September 09, 2012, 11:47 AM

Sicily tries to help England

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poland

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England to poland

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Aragon

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After the destruction of all enemys of the Crown of Aragon, and later united Crown of Ibera, what ever they where, internal or external. And so years have passed. Institutes of all kind where build, university where math and some new kind of science where developing they said, theology universitys where our people spent time in taking lesons on life, art clubs. Entertainment buildings, arenas for thoes of action, theatres for thoes made of drama. It's all for fun.
But time of fun ended. Said elder people after Princ Tristan didn't presure England for Lisabon and bad marriage with Norways princess. Is title "King of Spain" realy more worth then a man who has it, is the blood that runs through someones Family more worth then the rule they bring. Tristan thought he can remove that kind of opinions in his nation, but abundance of food and fun is what most of them need.

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"Where is our hair you dog, we didn't know your strong father, our old King, made this laughing stock for his son" said on of the pesents in Cordoba on the regular council of communitys accros Iberia. So councile agreed that Princ Tristan needs to explain the problems in his family tree.

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And so, in the winter of 1306, Isibel (the Affectionate) was declared "enemy of King, enemy of state" and sentenced on house arrest.Consequence of this where removeing all Military access to Kingdom of Norway.
But why did Tristan allow this so easily? Was he realy the one who ploted against his own wife?

It has been years since Tristan doubted in his neighbors but the last events in Europe showed him that he is not so much of a King in Europe.
King of Norway, the ally of shifty King of Italy, that had info of his Diplomacy talks with England.

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"I... I... Can't see the whole hole" said Tristan before he "collected a slap" from his ally. It was the King of Sicily that ranted infos to the Norway. Just like years before, the hole was there, but Tristan couldn't see it. It was then that he noticed how small he is, and how big some coalitions are. All alone, sorrunded, Princ Tristan had to remake his plans and start talks all over again. Once again, he had to clean internal and external enemies, he blocked influence of Norway (Isibel) in his Kingdom and brought eyes on his borders.

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Now he knows why some Kingdoms stand bad among reputation of other Kingdoms.

Crown of Iberia stands on a great cross-roads. On one side King needs the Title "King of Spain" to gain influence in the world politics. But it is the strong King James of England that calims Lisabon with one of his sons located there as a mark of full control over that city.

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On the other side there is call for a war in Europe, that is effected by great nations, to choose side means to bleed or to be a winner.

"Ahhh... my son, time of fun ended." Said elder-ones 10 years ago.

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england

Sicily

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Genoa's PA

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England

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Inside the snake's nest
Noli tu quaedam referenti credere semper: exigua est tribuenda fides, qui multa locuntur
(Do not believe to the one who gives you infos: it shouldn't be trusted the ones who speak a lot )

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The last events are changing (for good or worse, it will be seen) the politic scenery in the old Continent..
The King , James Invicta is closed in his private room discussing the strategy the Kingdom will pursue with his closest advisors

Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: my King, the latest reports are indicating that recent events have thrown into turmoil the diplomatic relations among the Catholic Kings.. too many enemies of the crown are leaning out of the windows seeking for a chance to strike us
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : you mean the man who can't be named , the Superb and the forked tongue ? Their pathetic attempt to fool and misguide us didn't work. And their attempt to mislead our attack on them, did nothing but giving us the remaining pieces we needed to complete the puzzle. They would stab each other for a miserable piece of land.
King James Invicta : : Like Sir Knud said, they are not a problem, they are all but men who can wield a sword. They're just kids playing a dangerous game they cannot comprehend. They just didn't realize yet, they are the balls (and not the players..) through which the real players are playing the real game. It's an illusion they're living in, from which they can't get out until it's too late.
Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: : luckily we have been able to cover our only weak point.
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor :: are you talking about the deal made with the Bloody King?
King James Invicta :: yes, our enemies tried to anticipate us, but I made him an offer he could not refuse.
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor :: what about the trinity King??
Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: : our reports, tell us he won't be a problem for now.
King James Invicta :: that's true, but never underestimate an ambitious man. He's sharp, and as dangerous as a double edged blade. One way or the other he'll get his piece of cake. We could have prevented it, but he's protected..
We just need to be patient. Remember that the key lies were the sun rises. The Purple Pimpernel will come to play his decisive role. And when he'll do, the effects will be devastating.
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : but my King, LongBeard is taking action. I do not trust him, we should not expect him to be grateful after..
King James Invicta :: shshsh.. remember that walls have ears..
We know exactly what he's doing: true he's extremely capable and cunning, and he might succeed in fooling the forked tongue . But we'll let him play his role undisturbed for now. There are other concerns we should not neglect: in many are trying to control the white smoke ..Remember that it'll be very hard to fool the man behind the curtains: he's our true and most dangerous enemy. Everything will come at our advantage eventually, don't worry. But it's important that we act fast against the circle of fools, they're just a nuisance in the big picture. We shouldn't indulge with them not even one second more than necessary. So Lord Knud hurry up!, I count on you to command the military operation in the north while I'll conduct the campaign in the North of Italy . Remember: we need to complete victoriously the campaign before the moon rises full in the sky.

Some months later..

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New MAP update (turn 85) in the first page!

Russia

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Three Keeps

Russia is now fighting with 5 enemies. 2 on the south 3 on the west. Lots of people thought that Russia would be

easily destroyed, but they mistaked. They thought that we are weak and we have no men to fight, but Russians

now stand together. Bear cavalry now marching from Siberia to fight with Turkish elephants...

And Russians will never surrender. "NO STEP BACK" this is the order №1.

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With this thoughts Borivoi Novgorodskii left Tsar Radoneg. Where he was going to? Tsar Radoneg appointed him

as a commander of Central Front. On the outskirts of Kiev, he saw a lot of Russian soldiers. He asked one of the

soldiers to show him the tent of commander, Volodar Turena, a 69-old general and the closest friend of Tsar

Mstislav.

-Come in, Borivoi, nice to see you. How is Radoneg? Do you want vodka?

-Yes Volodar, but a little bit later-I'm so tired from road.(Borivoi like a true Russian kept
drinking since he was 14) Tell me what is on around.I'm out of news.

-Well,I'm pretty sure that you know what's happened with a Norwegian army near
Pskov?

-Not really? They took Pskov???

-Sure not, eldest Radoneg's son Dobromysl crushed Norwegians and Killed all of
them.

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-Who? Dobromysl??? I thought he didn't want to take part in battles? I remember him as
a boy that studied Economy in Yaroslavl.

-So do I. But Now he is a commander of the Northern Front

-Wish him good luck. He has our blood and that means something.

-Of course. His general Epanchin destroyed teuton navy with an army on board
and took Uppsala with Reval.

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-Amazing, if we lose this war, all of them will pay a big price for that! Now boot and saddle
my horse. we will fight with Poles.

-But Borivoi...

-Shut up. Take all the men you just can and lets Kill as much as we only can.

After This words Borioi lead Russians and destroyed Poles on the shore of Dnepr. Borivoi saved 1 more year for

Kiev, but hardly more.

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England, they apparently like Latin in this era

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Vengeance

Vi veri veniversum vivus vici
(By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe)

King James , swore vengeance against the terrible crime committed by the Norwegians who brought death in Cologne.
Had he not acted, he would have lost the respect of the council of the nobles, of his subjects as also the respect of the courts of
other kingdoms who would have seen him as a weak man incapable of reacting and making justice when him or is people are wronged
by somebody else. After the attacks launched against the Italian Republic, King Invicta turned his attentions upone the main culprit:
the Kingdom of Norway and his filthy King.
His best general, Knud was in charge of the operations in the north.
After having marched and approached to Hamburg, mostly by sea and having already engaged the enemy in a first battle last season,
it came now the moment to engage main norwegian forces: in teh battle of Hamburg, Norwegian forces led by their Prince greatly outnumbered could do nothing
but kneel on our superiority.

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But something was wrong. Last season our spy in the area, reported that the number of soldier guarding Hamburg was 3 times higher.
Clearly Norwegian forces had something in mind.. Knud sent so scouting units to get a better idea of the situation: since the Norwegian forces
were presumably travelling with siege weapons, they couldn't be that far..

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Surprisingly we found them lead by the Norwegian king himself! Were other would have been scared to face the main Norwegian army, Knud couldn't
be more excited: what better way to avenge the sneaky attack on Cologne?
Norwegian King got defeated and died while retreating and been chased by our forces.

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justice has been made, but the war doesn't stop here: the attack on Cologne was probably a provocation to drag us into a main conflict.
It's clear that the King of Norway and his henchmen, the Grand Duke of Poland and the Italian council were after us from the start.
The Norwegian Capital has been so occupied.

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Main forces guaridng the fortress retreated although ,be for the fortress was taken in a fort in the deep forest growing in the region.
Our victory couldn't be complete, so we reached those forces and sieged their fort. It will be very unlikely for them to escape us..

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And while the Norwegian are now on the verge of collapse, our main focus is turning again upon the Italian Republic and the Dukedom of Poland,
who like fools are still pursuing their crazy plan of destroy our Kingdom.
But the only fate that awaits them, is the same faced by the King of Norway and his armies:

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Sicily

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A pedibus usque ad caput

From sea to sea, the war will engulf the sicilian empire, the sicilians will once and for all wipe the italian republic of the map.

Bartolomeo: Ubertino, where is stephen?
Ubertino: Where do you think?

Bartolomeo swiftly changes direction muttering: Bloody Irish
Ariving at the pub, Bartolomeo finds Stephen sitting at the bar an empty glass in his hand

Bartolomeo: How many have you had to drink?
Stephen: Hmm, to many, have yous nothing but this poxy wine? Its horrible and im still not drunk.

Bartolomeo Wondered what they drunk in that backward god forsaken place of an island, if they all drink like Stephen he wasnt sure how they made enough alcohol.

Bartolomeo: Would you get yourself together, the campiagn begins soon, the King wants you at his side to lead the spearhead against england.
Stephen: Hah the campaign, havent you herd our latest spy reports?
Bartolomeo: The ones on englands finances? They are exactly as you said they would be. Englands money has dropped like a stone, exactly as you said, James pulls money from his treasury like theres no tomorrow, and soon for him there wont be.
Stephen:Ah yes, it would have been brilliant to launch a counter attack on england soon, but no, we have been betrayed Bartolomeo. Our information leak was discovered, it was Aragon.
Bartolomeo:Our ally?? It cant be why would they help england?
Stephen: Ohh yes it gets better, not only did they foil our previous plan to attack, but they are secretly allied to england!! Even if the coalition did start to push england back, aragon could send fresh troops and suplies to england and stop them wining.
Bartolomeo: This is grave news indeed, our armies are ready, but attacking england now is just sucide. Our treaty with genoa runs out this turn however.
Stephen: What are you saying?
Bartolomeo: well we are ready for war and genoa has always been a thorn in our side, lets turn are armies north!

A few months later,

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Our newly defected general leads the attack on the eastern front, while the king himself leads the northern front and Bartelomeo leads the western front.
Attacking on a broad front and putting Pisa, Ajjacio and Ancona undersiege

Mean while the great navies of the italians clash

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In one of the most brutal and celebrated victories in sicilian history the bulk of the genoan navy is destroyed and the sicilian take free reign over the seas, soon every italian republic port will be blockaded and the genoese that dont meet the sword will starve

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The war from sea to sea begins and stephen and his irish brigade lead the charge once again

Faugh a Ballagh!!

England

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A new era of peace
In the perfect chess combination as in a first-rate short story, the whole plot and counter-plot should lead up to a striking finale, the interest not being allayed until the very last moment.

With the destruction of the Norwegian royal family and their kingdom, a peace agreement has been reached with the remaining foes : the Dukedom of Poland and the Italian Republic.
In the throne's room:

Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: my King, Lord Knud is waiting to be received.
King James Invicta : let him be received.
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : My King, I came as soon as you called. I was saddened by your decision to stop the war and call back the attack against the Polish armies. I could have conquered the world in your name, if you hadn't ordered me to stop the attack.
Russian armies were implacably advancing through the Lithuanians forests . The Kingdom of Norway has just been destroyed and the rest would have been done by the incoming long Winter..
Why, my king, why did we had to stop?
Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: lord Knud, you're a military genius, but when it comes to politics you're just a fool..The deal was done to avoid a major conflict with the Italian Republic.
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : but i don't understand. It seems that the situation couldn't be better.. The King said himself he had a plan to take down those paesants himself. And now that the Kingdom of Sicily joined the war against them it couldn't be easier to take them down.
King James Invicta : But here's where you prove your lack of political acumen. The Sicilian King was smart: now that the Italian Republic moved all his best troops in the north, he would have left to us the task of defeating the bulk of the italian armies for a bunch of castles in the mountains, while he could have easily captured the rich cities in the north of the Peninsula with little or no resistance.
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor :But we would have taken down one of our enemies nonetheless.. and a dangerous one. My King we should not forget that he's..
King James Invicta : I know exactly what's going on, lord Knud and I don't need you to remind me of that. It's a question of principle: I'm a King, and I not a servant working for the purpose of serving the interests of the Sicilian King. If he wants the whole Italy for himself, then he'd have to take with his own strength. Not with mine.
Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: so with which part of your masterplan are we proceeding now, my King?
King James Invicta : we need to re-consolidate on our new borders. Our pawns are,while we're speaking , advancing through the chessboard as the moon keep rising in the sky. The enemy thinks it'll be the knight our secret move , but it's a faint: the fatal blow will be inflicted by the bishop. Remember: "The tactician knows what to do when there is something to do; whereas the strategian knows what to do when there is nothing to do". And that's what will make the difference..

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byzantine

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Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam

Stephen and the king sat in his chambers comptemplating the awful news, the romans had attacked. It was grave indeed with the eastern and northern fronts in disary and now the romans opening up a new front, things look dim for the King of Sicily. However the king of sicily is a vetern of many wars, he had fought wars like this before. Attrition wars against much greater powers, He remembered those wars from the age called A New Dawn and the wars he had helped fight in the Crusades - The holy war where the odds had looked grim indeed, but with good allys and a strong arm he had survived each one and made the invaders fight hard for every step, every inch of land. This would be no different another war in which he would emerge triumphant against the odds!

The king arose and walked out to those gathered in the streets of Rome, they were scared, confused and angry. The king had promised them a quick victory against and easy foe now the might of a superpower was being brought down upon them. The king had a plan however, Stephen had already made the arrangements. As stephen walked out to stand with his king in a show of solidarity, the king began his speech telling of his life and his wars, his wins and losses. How this would be a war that would require every man woman and child to do their part. That their combined might would crush the weak hearted invaders. He ended his speech with a simple message "We will triumph my children" the crowd roared there aplause they would fight with their beloved king to the very end. Rome exploded that night with celebrations. They say the laughter was so loud the romans could hear it from their siege camps and the besieged could hear it, lifting their hearts and darkening the romans.

Genoa had pulled a trick from their sleeve, something the sicilians hadn't seen coming, but the sicilians find the need to remind the interfering Romans and the cowardly geonese that sicily is not without allies that can also... Interfere.....

sicily

Genoas reply to sicily's statement above

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Aragon

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"Although, O sons of God, you have promised more firmly than ever to keep the peace among yourselves and to preserve the rights of the Church, there remains still an important work for you to do. Freshly quickened by the divine correction, you must apply the strength of your righteousness to another matter which concerns you as well as God"... Words that Tristan used to start his speech.

A call to war came to his Kingdom a few days ago. Kingdom of Sicily asked for urgent aid in both manpower and equipment. To fight off the Italian Republic.
It was no problem in makeing the plea done. Problem is how to make his people eager to fight against a nation that comes from same root and serves the same God. To push the faight in Ibeara was easy as Muslims where threat to their own life.
Then he remembered.
"Brothers... in time of need, when the French Antipope and their dirty king sent thier armys agaisnt us, burned our croops and raid our towns, it was that so called "Italian Republic" who wanted to join them. Oohhh yes it was a cold knife in the back" ... " And Brothers!!! Do you remember when your grandparents sailed to fight the Muslims to help the eastern brothers. Look at them now, moveing their armys on thier own, and what, we will just stand here and watch this unfairness!!??" Tristan ended the speech: "So will we let them to destroy everything that You built for your children? Don't let our great learning centers such is Salamanca, culture citys like Cordoba, or holy places like el Camino de Santiago in Leon get destoryed by this false nations!"
After the speech, Tristan was sure what will be the outcome of peoples reaction, although there was no united reaction among the masses. Some of the people where eagre, some scared, some just didn't know what to do. But their existence and way of life was showed in danger. The path for Tristan revange campaing was open.

The only message he is waiting now is from the Sicilian King, and while he is waiting for the respons. As a sing of friendship in this hard situation. Crown of Iberia broken all trade agreements with Italian Republic, and stoped all diplomatic talks with Byzantine.

England

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Sicily

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After some time of searching for more letters i finally found some

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poland

Sicily and the new peace

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War with Sicily breaks onto the Byzantines

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The war begins...

With the death of the old Roman Emperor the feelings were mixed in the great land of sicily, he had been a respected foe and honourable enemy, but an enemy none the less. With the asscension of the usurper the sicilian people weeped for they knew war was coming, his untrained spoiled heir had inherited a large empire and would want to throw his weight at the great kingdom of sicily, hoping for a quick victory a surprise attack while the sicilians respected their stupid NAP. However the king of sicily is not stupid and he wont lie down when romans invade sicily!!
However the sicilians had been at war many times for many years and all they wanted was peace, so they sent embassies to the roman empire, but got no reply, we assumed the romans were still debating, we know how those greeks and romans like to talk, why use one word when you can use 1000. However the king was worried, so spies were sent to find out what happened to our honourable diplomats. What the spies reported however was far worse than the king had feared, our diplomats had been executed and their were 3 massive roman armies massing on the borders to cross the narrow sea and to rape pillage and burn the sicilian empire.

So ships were sent to defend the sicilian east coast in case of a roman invasion, which seemed all but inevitible at this point, however was again the sicilians were shocked at the deception and complete disregard for diplomatic code that the roman empire had shown. The sicilian ships encounted a large roman war fleet in sicilian waters, the admiral thought that maybe they were being sent to support genoas war against aragon. The king of sicily had promised to stay out of the war, but with our diplomats gone and no permission to cross sicilian waters requested, the admiral made a decision and the battle of magna classes begun.

The battle was bloody and long the fight brutal, but the admiral was merciless and a tactical genius and the romans poorly trained in badly made ships and so the rex maria won the battle utterly annihilating the roman ships taking only light casulties.

The battle of magna classes was won and the choice of the admiral to defend sicily has plunged his nation once more into war.

When the king of sicily herd reports of the battle he was sad, it was a great victory, but rome is large and powerful. So the sicilian kings sent a public dispatch to rome.
We wish only for peace, we asked you to honour the NAP of the previous empire and we recieved only silience.... now we make our message loud and clear, we will accept peaceon these terms, you will remove your armies from our borders and armies of that size will not enter that shore as long as our NAP remains.
Our allies and friends once before pledged their allegiance when rome before threatened sicily, we hope they will once again march beside their ally if the romans forsake peace, then we will make constantinople burn!

byzantine

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Aragons take in the sicily/roman war.

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some pics of the genoa aragon wars

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Genoa on their war

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King Gisulfo sat in his tent when his advisor stephen ran in carrying the latest dispatches,
Stephen: The latest dispatches are in your majesty
Gisulfo: Drop the formalities when we're in private stephen, what news from the other fronts?
Stephen: The southern army makes its advance, but even at their quickest pace they couldnt reach bari to pin down the armies thier
Gisulfo: Damn it, he should have had them march round the clock rather than give the cowards a chance to escape.
Stephen: Sir...
Gisulfo: Yes i know, fine, we will catch them next season, if they run then we will hunt them down in their own lands, constantinople will burn if it must.
Stephen: Better news from the north african navy, they hid on egypts coast last turn and as you predicted the army from crete has set sail lightly defended
The scouts have sent a report of their strength

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Gisulfo: well what else were they going to do, they were on an island...
Stephen: Yes sir, well good news and bad news on that front, Admiral Giacomo has engaged and defeated the navy with the forces hidden on the north african coast.

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Gisulfo: Good news indeed he is a great admiral
Stephen: Yes indeed he is sir, but there is where the problem lies, in the first battle 2 of the greek ships escaped still carrying their troops, with only his men in good enough shape to pursue Fredrico pursued them alone, he hunted them down and sunk the remaining ships

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Fredrico sat looking out over the sea, the gentle rock of the ship soothing him, he finished writing his message then attached it to the pigeon, then released it to fly home. Home... he would never see home again, the sweet air, the bustle of the ports, his wife...
A marine interputed his thoughts then, even though the ships had already been damaged and the retreat had exausted the romans they had still put up a fight and this man bore the evidence of the fierce battle, a deep gash on his arm hastily bandaged showed that he had been in the thick of the fighting.
Sir, the men are wondering what they should do now?
Fredrico had been wondering that himself, there was no point running they could never out run the romans now, the men were exausted and they were deep in roman waters. but he had a plan, he walked up to the balcony looking down on the deck with the men assembled before him looking up at him. He shouted "Today lads, we sunbathe!!" and a great cheer rang up from the men, Fredrico knew it had been a good plan.
When the message arrived in rome, the capital of sicily all it said was "We who are about to die, salute you"

Gisulfo: Brave men, they sail to their death so deep in roman waters they will be easily sunk or captured, we must ask the roman emperor spare them such brave men our hard to come by and 1000 florins will be payed for their safe return.
Stephen: A generous offer sir, but they deserve as much, let us hope the romans listen... They are building a new navy sir

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Gisulfo: Hahaha again, have they not learnt, we are the Rex maris, they may as well be sending us firewood

Gisulfo: So, what news from the north?
Stephen: Well the aragon kings has won many great victories on land and at sea, but he thinks the war has taken to much of a toil and call our aid.
Gisulfo sat for a while in silence at that, he had, well at least he used to have a deal with genoa a treaty lasting for many more seasons, the mistakes of last season had broken that deal, but no reply had been recieved from the republic, messages had been sent in public and in private apologies and offers of compensation, but no reply had been recieved...
Stephen: Sir there is still no reply from the republic...
Gisulfo: We must assume the worst, they have not answered because they want war, they will expell aragon and then both romans and genoans will turn towards sicily and what shall we do then?
Stephen: You know what we must do sir, we have been ignored and we have been generous and now this threat leans over us and it is to big to ignore, we must go to war.
Gisulfo: I think you are right, fine then to war it is, we will carve out a new kingdom, the kingdom of the south, we are already a kingdom encompassing much more than sicily, it is time we adopted a name to suit our deeds
Stephen: The king in the South, it has a nice ring sir
Gisulfo: We march on Ancona, send a message to the reinforcements on route to rome and tell them to put pisa under siege.
So the northern campaign began and the armies of sicily marched north not for the first time, but maybe the last.

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Aragon

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It was more then 15 years ago when our Princ fought off the aggresion of France, but it was also a long 15 years of waiting for this day to come.

In the first war against Christians that this kingdome fought, it was Genao that wanted to take a bite of our Kingdom as well as some others, such is Crown of Leon both with help of France. It was long time when thoes two nations where brought to their knees. And since then Iberia, even the Leon parts, enjoy great prosperety, education and peace. But there was one more Kingdome to overthrown, Genoa, so called Republic of Italy, where people trade on someones life, attacke other states in name of freedom and plot to gain any possible welth.

Today, our Princ Tristan, after the news on the frontlines, made a declaration to the Iberia and all it's subjects.
"Today my friends, brothers, may loved people witch I don't deserve; today in glorious year 1317 I can happly prononce that the "Idea of Iberia Under One Crown." is so close to the end that I can grasp it's glory with my hands. Today we finished section 10. East Mediterranean has allways been trade routs of Iberia and North Affrica, so it belongs to Crown of Iberia with it's subjects in North Affrica. Last unfriendly nation, that grabed on the North but looked east to us, Genoa has been crushed in every aspect from any angle watched. Althought there is not much more to do with this manuscript it's still work that must be done. So carry on with this great idea on your mind, just like your fathers and your brothers."

Since the rise of Princ Tristan the Crown was getting stronger and bigger, influential and noticed. Now it's influence is spread like roots from a 1000 years old olive, part of markets are under our control as well as sea, military is on modern levle, banking, that even pope can't or wont stop now cuz our best Cardinal become one and took name Ioannes the V. Our Crown has become strong and it's time to expand it into title of
Imperial Crown.

OOC:
Last pic is about small Genoas army that should have been there, I would ask him did you moved them or they where just hidden from me. Thanks.

**Ejs_the_Just** · September 09, 2012, 11:54 AM

Russia

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The Black Sea War: Endless Warfare

Long ago, on the edge of the earth, in the dense wild forests lived good-natured and open people.
And their land was called Kievan Rus. They lived in ~~Siberia~~ Kievan Rus and they didn't touch anybody.
These land was ruled by princes of Novgorod and Kiev.

And everything would be okay, but it can't be found more stubborn people than the Russians and the Ukrainians.
If there is something in their head, it can not be cut by any Teutonic halberd, not with Viking ax or Polish sword.
Lots of people tried to do it. And now lots of bones lie under the walls of Kiev, Pskov and Minsk.In times of terrible
troubles Russians stood united. There were always great heroes who led common people.

Borivoi the Conqueror was sitting in an ordinary house. But people who surrounded him weren't ordinary.
Here they are.

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All together they decided to establish IInd Triumvirate. After signing this pact they moved to differend directions
with their own troops. Dobromysl stayed in Kiev, Mstivoi moved to Novgorod. And Borivoi put his sword and saddled
his horse. He heard bad news-Tmutarakan was burnt. 4000 Russian citizens were killed. Muslims will pay for that.
Thanks God, the Polish War is over. But the Endless Muslim War still goes on...

The 3rd phase of the 15 year war. The first two were "Minor Asia Assault", which ended with the death of Tsar Mstislav
and "Trebizond Defend", which ended with the death of Tsar Radoneg. Borivoi call this phase "Russian Counterstrike".
Now he will fight together with Zhiznomir Novgorodskii, Radoneg's youngest son...

England

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Veritas filia temporis (truth is the daughter of time)

While the English kingdom essentially remained at peace in the last 10 years, the wars in the continent erupted even more violently.

Situation in the north seems to have finally settled: the great partition of the Baltic came to an end.
While the crown of England ceased to expand years ago, the Polish armies and the Russian ones, kept battling until last season, in order to gain more and more lands. The Polish Grand Duke managed to get the bigger slice of the cake. Most of Scandinavia ended in his hands as also most of Lithuanian shores are under his control. On the other hand the Russian armies manage to capture most of the lands previously ruled by the fearsome Teutonic Order

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How long this peace will last?

In the south, the Kingdom and of Sicily, the Republic of Genoa and the Byzantines clashed once again.
This time though, a new participant joined the conflict: the Aragonese King. After years of silence in the political scene, he finally made his move with devastating effects: the Italian Republic is no more.
The Aragonese King with a masterful campaign in the north of Italy bent any resistance. Now the once neighbors of the Italian Republic are contesting what's still left to conquer of it.
Our crown negotiated with the Aragonese King the region of Frankfurt, while the Polish armies rather than helping their italic allies, seemed headed to inflict the final blow in Nuremburg.

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The Sicilian King is probably the one who gained more power : Ancona, Pisa, Bologna, Venice all fell under the blows of his armies and he might keep advancing towards Innsbruck and Salzburg . All this while inflicting humiliating defeats to the mighty Roman Empire . The Basileus seems to be forced now to peace.

But a new unexpected piece came to complicate the puzzle: a call for a Crusade.
Apparently the Pope in Rome decided that it's time for the Christians to unite once more to fight the muslims.

Primary target of the crusade is the capital of the Fatmid's empire: Gaza held by the mamluks

Looking at the internal affairs of the English crown, a new man is gaining more and more influence and consideration in the eye of the King: the Comte of Champagne Philip d'Adelburgh.

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Although not from noble descendants, the Comte of Champagne is a self-made man that thanks to his qualities became the Hand of the King.

And now in the Chamber of Power the Hand , the Military advisor the Chancellor and the King himself are discussing the politics of the King and the next moves.

Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : my King the armies has been positioned according to your wishes. The white front is secure for now. Although with the new peace between the man who can't be named and Longbeard, there's a chance they might unite against us. Wouldn't have been better to accept the proposal of the man who can't be named of extending the NAP and let him destroy the Empire of the Russian Tsar?
King James Invicta : you're being naive here Lord Knud. The Polish Grand Duke is shrewd and merciless. Once the Russian menace would have been wiped out, he would have turned against us.. No. We perfectly manipulated him into making peace with the Russian by denying him the extension of the NAP. As long as the Russian Empire will stay strong, the Polish Duke won't dare to make a move against us. What troubles me instead is this new crusade called by the Pope.
Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: My King, since the loss of the control of Rome the Pope has been trying to regain popularity with initiatives like this one.
Hand of the King Philip: this is utterly ridiculous! The Holy father should have consulted the catholic King before taking such initiative. We were not prepared for such initiative. What do you intend to do, my King?
King James Invicta : it seems we have no choice left. The reputation of our Crown will fall dramatically. And I can't refuse a request coming directly by the holy father: I want my soul to be saved.
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : but are you aware my King that we are likely to be alone in such venture? The Trinity king, is rumored to be a puppet of the Rising Moon.
Hand of the King Philip: and the man who can't be named is certainly not a man of god: he would sell his beliefs ,principles and his own mother if that could serve him to gain more power and lands. The Superb is now down..our remaining hopes remains in the Bloody King. He's close to the Holy father and he rumored to be controlling the white smoke council. Maybe this is part of his strategy...
and he enjoys the fight. But he's now old..

King James Invicta :it's useless to speculate about all this now. We'll proceed our way, and see if we can find allies along the way. The English lions will make sure their roar will be heard in the Holy Land!

Aragon

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Merely a year passed since Prince Tristan sent out his message to the People of Iberia and all it's subjects in Africa about manuscript of One Crown and he was near to his goal.

He knew that he would now live long enough to see the manuscript finished, achieved, material and not just words on paper or idea in the minds of his people. To become Emporar was as well a distant goal, but he reached it.
Althought Pope Ioannes the V is from Aragon, born in Leon, where he as well, become prist and took the theological study from the best scholars in Leoan and Salamanca become Bishop and soon after that a Cardinal becouse of his success in fighting heresy in Africa, he didn't like the idea of makeing Crown of Aragon a Imperial one. "... lots of strong kingdoms, republics and emperors can't be good for Europe and Church..." he often reapeted. But still, Pope is just a man, and Papal stats don't have a real army; against the big picture that Tristan made 10 years ago there's just no oposition...

With the announcement that the Crown might become a Imperial one, politics become a important part of a regular day. After Tristan took the throne from his father, 10 years ago, and reached needed peace with surrounding kingdoms he started with program that he stated. Just now we can see the results of that. All acros kingdom there are young, educated, strong generals and politicians that are "growing" and want to take their piece of cake after Tristan becomes Emporar.
Everything like Tristand wanted...
Pope in his need of raiseing the authoroty called a Crusade against booming Muslim kingdoms; Many young generals and politicians who want to take place in the Tristans palace; desire for Imperial crown all was well placed in Tristans plan...
There are some saying that young generals even took their politcal battles to real battlefields, that there where set ups and backstabing, well everything that politics bring. One this is sure, two of new Generals made it to the top and become noticed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

To become a real figure in the Crown they, probaby under influence of Tristan but that's unknown, set sail for the Holy land in a glorious Crusade. Two rivals fighting under one baner to become a member of Crown. Right after they set sail for Gaza they where ordered to stop in Balearic waters, close to the Papal states "... your great couse will be joined by English knights in a few days so you need to..." so they stoped, and waited and after two days the continued to sail becouse there where no ships in sight. Odd for them but perect decive for Tristan.

Meanwhile Tristan sent a message to Pope: "Father, you heared that my brothers joined your couse, but I have to note to you that there where some problems with our sails, would you mind if we repair them in ports of Palma." Meaning of message was clear. But don't be confused, Crusade for Tristan was a meaning of life and death both on earth - Politics and authoroty - and for afterlife - he learned his pious life from his mother and environment in which he was raised. Mounting of the Crusades was helped by small orders within Iberia that served the crown for long time now. Everything by the plan...

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Was Pope scared of death or he was afraid that Tristan, to become Emporar, would bring down a few more kings to prove his worth, we don't know but what we know is that he was there, 1318, in front of thousands of citizens of Leon to Crown Tristan as bearer of Imperial Crown of Aragon. This way he wasn't crown by Pope him sefl but by People, and only people can know take his crown.

Genoa

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King Gisulfo leaned on the wall looking out over the battlements, the rolling hills of northern italy seeming running on forever in front of him. Stephen stood beside him quietly reading the distpatches from the other fronts and countries.
Gisulfo: So, what news my friend?
Stephen: Bari has been retaken, both roman armies destroyed and another fleet sunk with soilders on board, a small skirmish also resulted in our victory. The only Greek presence left is a small group of soilders trapped south of bari.

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Gisulfo: Good, we need good news in this war, announce it to the men and we will have a small party to celebrate our victories.
Stephen: Permission to speak freely Sir?
Gisulfo turned around and lent back on the battlements, taking a long look at Stephen before speaking,
Gisulfo: Stephen, would it matter if i said no?
Stephen: Not really sir. Stephen replied, a smile crossing his face.
I don't believe a party is a good idea so close to enemy lines, being attacked while our soilders are drunk and singing doesnt seem the best way to win a war... Sir?
Gisulfo: A small party wont hurt, limit the drinks per man and make sure the men on watch know the consequences.
Stephen: Ok sir. The king of aragon requests we attack venice this turn and destroy the army there.
Gisulfo: Shouldnt be hard to do, send a reply we will begin marching immeaditly.
Stephen: Pisa has been taken as well, the man of the hour was promoted to lead the troops, they are marching on Bolgana.

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Gisulfo: Good, divert some siege weapons to them so they can end the siege quickly and begin to march towards venice to reinforce us there for the continued campaign.

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Gisulfo then began the march on venice, pinning down the genoese army there and destroying it and capturing the City of Canals

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Gisulfo read the letter in horror, fuming with each worh he read, this was going to ruin all his plans, he could see them now, the great cities of greece and constantinople slipping through his fingers, how he had wanted to be the ruler on constantinople so rich and cultured, such a city would make a capital like no other.
Gisulfo rose throwing the dispatches against the wall of the tent, outraged at the turn of events, stephen had been sitting there in scilence now Gisulfo turned to address him.
Gisulfo: Send a message sueing for peace to the greeks
Stephen: Yes sir. The turn of events is not that bad sir, we could use this peace, the strength reports of genoa were under estimated and a massive army defends innsburke, aragon abandons us to go on some half baked crusade at the word of a mad man who couldnt even manage to defend his own city and now lives on an island by the grace of aragon, the reinforcements from the south will be useful and the greeks seem to have an endless supply of money and troops while ours grows thin, even with our overwhelming victories we still lost too many men to launch a meaningful campaign in greece.
Gisulfo: Yes, ok redirect the reinforcements and land them at pisa and march them towards venice, send word to the commanders of the south and tell them to sail north at haste and land at venice, then we will march on innsbruke and finish whats left of the italian/germans.
Stephen: Yes sir, about the crusade i have a way to help defend our borders and extort some money out of the loyal catholics?
Gisulfo: A way to annoy the pope and make money at the same time? Im listening.
Stephen: Lets close the gap between north italy and africa to stop the crusaders reaching egypt, our ties with the easterner are much tighter than that with the king of england, if he wants to cross our waters he should pay a toll. We can create a great blockade to stop all movement without our permission

Gisulfo: A good idea stephen, these are our waters and crossing them will cost a fee, a sum of 15000 florins to cross the sicilian waters will be required. Aragon has been a good ally to us, we will not charge them to simply cross our waters.

I doubt the english king will be willing to break his word and our NAP by forcing his way through, permission to cross our waters was never asked, but permission can be easily granted.

Begin the march north, i want to finish this war and have a long rest and if the polish take one of my new cities ill have their heads on

ing spikes!

Aragon

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England

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Ché 'l perdonar è bel vincer di guerra
-Dante , Rime XLVII-

In the Chamber of Power the Hand of the King , the Military advisor the Chancellor and the King himself are discussing the politics of the King and the next moves.

Hand of the King Philip:My king, reports from the north are carrying bad omen with them..orthodox preachers are entering our lands,

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

trying to convert our people. This might very well be the first step of an invasion plan. On the other hand, the Polish Grand Duke is asking to extend our nap...Our intellingence is confused: it's very unlikely the Russian could attack without the complicity and support of the Polish.
King James Invicta :I see.. so this might be the consequence of the peace signed between Poland and Russia. Very well, increase the garrison in the north, as also the number of spies, and negotiate the extension of the NAP.
Keep the guard extremely high: at the first sign of Russian armies approaching to our lands engage them!
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : my King,there's also another bad news: the Sicilian fleets are threatening our crusaders armies on the way to the Holy Land. They're demanding a ransom of 15k danari in gold to let the crusaders pass.
King James Invicta : What an outrage! Not only they're not helping the cause, now they're obstructing the way of the crusaders , challenging directly the Holy Father and for what? For a bunch of gold?
Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: Mi King, we fear the ransom is just part of the truth they're presenting us.. After you publicly announced to join the Crusade, the Fatmids will be certainly move now against us.
Likely their best way to defend against us, is to prevent our ships to land in Egypt. Despite the Aragonese support, the lack of logistic and friendly ports where to find shelter is certainly playing against us.
Hand of the King Philip: We can't be sure, as we lack informations, since our only advantage is the surprise this move from the Sicilian might be a move to block us temporarily while allowing the Fatmids
to better prepare their defenses and possibly intercept our ships.The Sicilian grew big, and after all it seems to be a puppet of the Fatmid Caliph. Maybe he's fully backup by other powers and this could be a part of a big scheme against us,
and that would explain how he dared to challenge us directly. Moreover..I don't know how to say it, without offending your majesty..
King James Invicta : Let speak! Right now I'm boiling and I can feel blood pumping in my body..I'm so furious I would kill the Sicilian King with my bare hands if he was in this room right now! So let speak before
I killyou all!
Knud the Conqueror-military advisor : My King, your pacific reign.. your reasonable attitude..your devotion in putting the well-being of your subjects above everything else.. all those are seen as weaknesses
rather than qualities in the other courts. While lately the Polish Grand Duke, the Aragonese King, the Russian semi-legendary-Tsars and the Sicilian King..all of them gained lot of reputation. My King , the truth is that few fear you today..
King James Invicta : Enough! Prepare my armour and and the soldiers. We will march to Italy! I will personally slaughter the damned Sicilian King and whoever will dare to challenge me: it's time for war!

Few weeks later.. after the news that the English armies began marching headed to the Italian peninsula, a Sicilian Ambassador reached the English encampment.

Chancellor Godfrey Giffard: My King, a Sicilian ambassador is requesting an audience. He says his message is extremely important and urgent coming directly from his King.
King James Invicta :I'm not interested in listening words of that damned King. Soon he'll be food for my dogs.
Hand of the King Philip: wouldn't be wise my King at east listening what he has to say? Maybe we could extrapolate precious infos from his words.
King James Invicta : All right, let him come..

The Sicilian ambassador is allowed to enter in the King's tent

Sicilian Ambassador: Noble King of England, I'm here to bring you a message directly from the King of Sicily. King realized he made a tragic mistake to threaten to block the crusaders. Although it might not be enough to justify
his actions, the long war against the Italian Republic has emptied the royal treasury.. this was just a cheap way to make ends meet. Now the King is repentant and showed at the residence of the Holy Father, and for 3 days he stood outside
on his knees under a torrential rain asking the forgiveness of the Pope who touched by such sincere gesture decided to embrace the Sicilian King once more within the wings of the Catholic Church. The Sicilian King wonders if maybe you might find room for forgiveness in your heart too.

After few minutes of silence.. King James appeared genuinely surprised of such news..
King James Invicta : All right. Lets go back home.. for now. But tells your King, that this incident won't be completely forgotten. Another false move like this one, and he can be sure there won't be any forgiveness next time!

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**Ejs_the_Just** · September 09, 2012, 12:08 PM

Genoa

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Dispatch to the King of Sicilly,

We would like the sicillian king to rethink his attitude against the Crown of England. (referencing to former discussion)

To show Sicilly that threatening english fleets in the mediterranian sea is out of the question, the Crown of England decided to take Staufen from Sicilly.
As the king of sicilly stated himself "if i dont like what your doing ill act. Know what i mean?" we thought we could addapt this and act.

We await your reply.

signed and sealed
King James of England

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a camp near the border to the province of Staufen.

King James: Now that we finally agreed to an alliance with Aragon, we don`t have to fear much anymore. But it seems other nations are already plotting against us.
Advisor Stephen: You are right, we received word that the polish king signed an defensive alliance with Russia against us, in case we attack.
King James: Yes, ofcourse they did. Every ruler would do the same, even I would do the same. The thing is that we do not have any reason to attack Poland, do we?
Advisor Stephen: No there is no cassus belli against Poland.
King James: So send them a proposal for a non agression pact, they might sign that as their economy is crippled.
Advisor Stephen: Very well Sire! I will send a dispatch as soon as possible.

Messenger *entering the tent*: Sire, may i ask for a moment fo your time?
King James: Speak without hesitation.
Messenger: I have a dispatch froim the King of Sicilly and it seems to be important.
James *opening the message and reading it*: So! The King of Sicilly thinks he can command uf what to do. IT seems he doesnt know what England is capable of. Stephen do we have enough troops to attack Sicilly and teach them a lesson? I always wanted to have a castle in the alps. Hahaa
Advisor Stephen: Well, we have about 3000 soldiers in the region but do you want to go for a full scale war because of a threat?
King James: No, not a full scale war. At least not if the King of Sicilly takes his threat back.
Advisor Stephen: Well, then we would easily be able to take the castles of Staufen and Bern. I read the intel report of this region a few days ago and it doesnt show any military presence at all. Just a few peasants securing the alpine roads.
King James: That sounds great. We will fortify these positions then. Tell our troops that we will march off in the morning.
Advisor Stephen *goes off nodding*

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Diary of King James of England

Bern, March 26th 1321 anno dommini

Yesterday was the last day of the battle of Bern. We sieged the castle for a week now as we had to bring our siege weapons into position. It was a mere massacer when the walls came finally down after our bombardement. There were only about 350 sicillian soldiers inside the castle facing an army three times their strength. They did not stand a chance, most of them fled in terror into the inner castle. Those who resissted were slain, those who surrenderd are now locked up in the northern tower. I will send them to Paris i guess, have not decided what to to with them yet.

Anyway the reason for our attacks was that the sicillian king threatend our crusade into the holy land, therefore I was forced to act. In the name of god, how was i ment to ignore what the sicillian depeche said? Stephen also agreed that we should gather our men and should take Staufen, we thought it was the best for our kingdom. We did not think that the sicillians would decline our peace proposal so we were forced to advance to Bern and take that castle as well. I hope the sicillian king will now realise that signing peace and letting us Staufen would be the best for his kingdom.

The only thing which worries me now though is that the Crown of Aragon sent us a message demanding to sign peace with sicilly. I cant say i didnt try to but as sicilly murdered all our merchants in Italy and after declining my noble peace offer it just seemed wrong to stop the war and back off. How should I explain that to my people? No I can not stop this war until i gain soemthing from it. I just hope the Crown of Aragon will not declare war on our kingdom, not when our crusading armies are travelling to egypt together.

Ah yes! The crusade.... What a disaster! I nearly forgot about it. Andrew was killed by some muselman but i heard that the survivors of the muslim attack managed to conquer a castle there. I just hope they are save now. And we completely lost word of the other crusading army. A messenger told Stephen that its ships were seen somewhere south of crete. I dont understand why they decided to go on their own apart from Andrews and the aragonesian armies but maybe they have their reasons.

And there is something else to report which I personally find very disgusting. My cousine Linota went to Milan to marry one of the sicillian family members. She left in disguise with one of my agents and managed to get beyond the border. She once told me that she loved a man named Ubaldo de Captianate and that one day she would get to him and bring him as her husband. Well she managed that.... it seems this Ubaldo is no part of our family, which means that my house is related to the house of sicilly in some way. The world is werid sometimes, or lets say woman are weird sometimes.

genoas look at englands crusade

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