The Assault from Galata, Night of April 13, 1204

[Ganbarenippon]

Orsini and his men bounded over the walls, only to hear the shouts in the distance. "So it looks as though the Greeks know we are here. Men! Form up. Spears to the front, pilgrims to the rear. Support Sir Phillipe's forces." With that Orsini's ragtag bunch of fighters barrelled after the Frenchmen toward the Greek lines. The plunder was tempting, and would be had in plenty once the enemy was dealt with. Jacopo had other things on his mind however.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Thomas wrapped his black cloak around himself, to protect from the morning chill. He was not alone, several clergymen stood by his side. He was not the most inspirational of men of the cloth, but he was one of the eldest. The others seemed to look to him, as if he was the most senior, the most experienced. he felt nohting but shame, and perhaps apprehension. he had never witnessed a battle before, never a battle proper. The others had been proper christian battles, the survivors of which had been humanely dragged from the field and treated to. A good many died in the monastery, but others yet lived. Many of the survivors were on this field now, and Thomas felt no uncertain loyalty to them as they finally risked their lived for a noble purpose - to kill the infidel. Although christian, Malet was not so uneducated to understand the differences betwixt the orthodox faith and his own. He regarded the Greeks with pity. They would not be seen in paradise.

He looked on with apprehension as the battle began. "May the almighty bless the pious forces of the west...the eastern heretics must be given no quarter..."

[Dirty Chai]

It's actually about an hour past sundown, Ponti.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Crusader Forces

Philippe d'Alençon: 1,100 400 Frankish Men-at-Arms 200 Frankish Crossbowmen 200 Armoured Sergeants 300 Mounted Frankish Knights Cristoforo Soranzo: 600 450 'Venetian' Crossbowmen 150 Venetian Men-at-Arms Father Jacopo Orsini: 600 400 'Papal' Sergeant Spearmen 200 Armed Pilgrims

Byzantine Forces

Forces Defending: 400 100 Toxotae 50 Peltasts 50 Koursores 100 Scoutatoi Spearmen 100 Scoutatoi Swordsmen

Battle Phase:
Wall Assault:
(with modifiers added in)
Roman Roll = 4 (20%)
Crusader Roll = 15 (75%)

2,300 Crusaders
575 lost
1725 left

400 Romans
320 lost
80 left

Due to the sudden great loss of soldiers, roll for Greek surrender (5 and above, they surrender, 4 or below and they retreat)
Result: 8 (Greeks surrender)

The Greeks surrender the assault zone to Philip, the remainder throw down their arms and beg for mercy to the Western forces

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

Summary

Crusader Victory;
80 Greeks remain at the expense of 575 Crusaders, the harbors are captured and the Imperial District is open to the Latin invaders.

Crusaders

Philippe d'Alençon: 900 350 Frankish Men-at-Arms 150 Frankish Crossbowmen 150 Armoured Sergeants 250 Mounted Frankish Knights Cristoforo Soranzo: 400 300 'Venetian' Crossbowmen 100 Venetian Men-at-Arms Father Jacopo Orsini: 425 325 'Papal' Sergeant Spearmen 100 Armed Pilgrims

[Dirty Chai]

Slaughter at sundown.
The Franks charged in, howling and slashing, lit by torches and sounded by thumping metal chausses.
Many beside and around Philip fell in their lack of discipline, taking bites of steel and graves of bloody grass.

As the Franks cut on through, running to the Palace, Philip was brought a captured horse, and rode to find Father Orsini and the Venetians.
Pointing at the Church of St. Sophia, standing defenseless in front of the Palace Compound, Philip called out to Orsini:
"There! Your prize lays before your feet!"
He turns his head to Soranzo, and points to the west, towards the old Venetian, Genoese, and Pisan merchant districts.
"Reclaim the wealth of your people, Seigneur Soranzo! There lies the merchant districts!"

He then turned his horse and galloped off after the Franks.

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

He turned down the cobbled street of Mese, and then into the Milion and the Augustaion Square, his sword drawn and bloody.
Rearing his horse as he stopped, d'Alencon looked up to the soldiers looking out the windows and slits of the Chalke, the gate of the Emperor's Palace.
"Prohibere! Saluare vos! Civitatis cecidit! Da Imperator!" He declares in Latin, not knowing any legitimate amount of Greek.
Franks surged forward behind him and in front his horse, their shields up, waiting to be let go and allowed to attack.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Roll for voluntary surrender
(Modifiers)
Belief in Greek Reinforcements: 15
Belief in Latin Reinforcements: 16
Result: Neutral to Philip's response

The Greeks look at each other. Many believed that their comrades would come to their aid soon, but others were certain that more Latins were arriving as well. Though Frankish soldiers stood before them, they were not sure if they could hold out long enough for their comrades to return and aid them. Or if there were Latins coming right around the corner and that their fate would sealed in moments. Philip could notice their unsure attitude.

[Dirty Chai]

"Non mentior! Quomodo potuit hic esse si esset civitas non nostra? Vidistis fumo! Hoc est inanis!"
He continued, watching the faces for any sign of danger or surrender.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Further Modifiers (Higher than 10: do not surrender, lower than 9: the gates open)
Belief in Philip's words: 4

The hopes of the Greeks are dashed by the words of Philip. Soon curses flow from their mouths.
Κατάρα σας Αλέξιος! (Curse you, Alexios!)
Ο Θεός μας έχει εγκαταλείψει! (God has abandoned us!)
Πρέπει να σώσουμε τα δέρματα μας, ώστε να μπορεί να τα φτύσει κατά Αλέξιος τάφο! (We must save our skins so that we may spit upon Alexios grave)

Soon the gates are flung open as Greeks began to drop their weapons and offer their surrender to Philip and his men.

[Zectorman]

Alexandros, the filth around his tabard coated was dried out by now, ran through the streets, rushing towards the shouts and yells of triumph spoken in Italian and french. He turned to his men, both them and he had taken some loot already, one or two of the smaller heretical Orthodox churches, and a villa too. The houses became grander as you got closer to the Imperial district and they had been there avoiding the bigger groups of soldiers as they had their way with the place. They noticed the worried tones of the Greeks and the fear in their eyes. He was confident and sure now that they had taken the ports and walls from the Galata attack. He smiled as he came into view of Phillip, he rode a horse like a conquering warlord of old, "Hail conquering lord!" Shouted Alexandros as he came closer to the man. Men got out of his way, some thought he was some mad covered Greek, until they saw the sword and half-crazed look on his face. He tossed an ornate Orthodox cross at the man, encrusted with all sorts of jewels. It was his gift to the man who had opened up such opportunities too him. "The Greeks, cowards at the end as predicted!" He bowed in deference to Phillip. "I apologize for my failed venture, but maybe this small trinket or two can have you forgive me. My men and I did cause trouble here and there for a few couriers and squads of reinforcements.

[Ganbarenippon]

The assault went though the Greek resistance like an axe through porridge. Even Orsini had claimed some lives this night, his mace dripping blood. As Phillipe mounted his horse Jacopo smiled his most wolfish smile and turned to his surviving men. "To Hagia Sophia! Once we are inside the loot is yours, we will pool it all and split it between us, equal shares for all. We have done God's work tonight my sons, and we have earned an eartly reward." He smiles tightly. "But first you will find the Patriarch, if he remains, and bring him to me alive. There is to be no fire either. The church is to be kept whole. Now...forward!"

The small group of Italians made there way toward the heart of the Orthodox faith, the great church that still dominated the city, awe-inspiring in its beuaty. Jacopo noticed none of that as his men broke down the doors of the cathedral and boiled into the knave. "Find the patriarch, and remember the loot is to be shared!" Father Jacopo Orsini looked around the cathedral of Emperors. 'My prize. And the first step on the ladder.' He thinks in ultimate satisfaction. He beams.

OOC: Rolls for capturing the patriarch and taking him alive?

[Lucius Malfoy]

Roll for capture: 1 - 5, manages to flee, 6 - 10, is captured
Result: 6

Roll for being captured alive: 1 - 5, kills himself, 6 - 10, alive
Result: 2

The Patriarch of the Orthodox Christians panics at the sight of the soldiers who burst through his quarters. He struggles at first and attempts to escape. However, when he realizes that he cannot escape without being captured and humiliated, the Patriarch thrusts himself against one of the swords drawn against him. He spits out blood and curses the Latin invaders as the elderly man withers and dies in a pool of his own blood.

[Dirty Chai]

Further Modifiers (Higher than 10: do not surrender, lower than 9: the gates open)
Belief in Philip's words: 4

The hopes of the Greeks are dashed by the words of Philip. Soon curses flow from their mouths.
Κατάρα σας Αλέξιος! (Curse you, Alexios!)
Ο Θεός μας έχει εγκαταλείψει! (God has abandoned us!)
Πρέπει να σώσουμε τα δέρματα μας, ώστε να μπορεί να τα φτύσει κατά Αλέξιος τάφο! (We must save our skins so that we may spit upon Alexios grave)

Soon the gates are flung open as Greeks began to drop their weapons and offer their surrender to Philip and his men.

The Franks surged through the gate and past the Greeks, killing a great handful, but otherwise rushing for promised reward.
The Eunuchs were killed on sight; Franks didn't trust men who weren't really men.
Philip cut down a man blocking his way through the entrance halls, and made his way down halls and corridors, through the wings, towards the Chrysotriklinos: the Golden Reception Hall, the Throne Room.
He ordered his men as walked, telling some to take what they could from the northern wings of the Palace, and others to go secure the Seaside Palace, the Bucoleon, but not to loot it.
He told a handful to watch the western approaches, and make sure the Venetian arsonists don't come near the Palace district, using force if they needed.

As he entered the Golden Throne Room, the seat of Emperors of old, the seat of Rome stood before him, unattended.
He walked up to it, apprehensively yet casually, sword drawn, and sat his arse down onto it, relaxing.
The crowd of Franks who watched him smiled with evil grins and the Greek household servants grimaced fearfully.
Philip grinned widely, which was quite a distinct emotion on his usually indifferent face. His sword was still drawn, and he rested the tip against the ground.

Alexandros, the filth around his tabard coated was dried out by now, ran through the streets, rushing towards the shouts and yells of triumph spoken in Italian and french. He turned to his men, both them and he had taken some loot already, one or two of the smaller heretical Orthodox churches, and a villa too. The houses became grander as you got closer to the Imperial district and they had been there avoiding the bigger groups of soldiers as they had their way with the place. They noticed the worried tones of the Greeks and the fear in their eyes. He was confident and sure now that they had taken the ports and walls from the Galata attack. He smiled as he came into view of Phillip, he rode a horse like a conquering warlord of old, "Hail conquering lord!" Shouted Alexandros as he came closer to the man. Men got out of his way, some thought he was some mad covered Greek, until they saw the sword and half-crazed look on his face. He tossed an ornate Orthodox cross at the man, encrusted with all sorts of jewels. It was his gift to the man who had opened up such opportunities too him. "The Greeks, cowards at the end as predicted!" He bowed in deference to Phillip. "I apologize for my failed venture, but maybe this small trinket or two can have you forgive me. My men and I did cause trouble here and there for a few couriers and squads of reinforcements.

Philip caught the crucifix, and looked to the Venetian with surprise.
"You are alive, then?" He pointed to the northwest. "Your kin are pillaging the merchant houses."

[Zectorman]

Philip caught the crucifix, and looked to the Venetian with surprise.
"You are alive, then?" He pointed to the northwest. "Your kin are pillaging the merchant houses."

Not exactly the reaction I hoped for but at least it was not complete disdain for my living. Alexandros raised himself and nodded to the conquering lord. He made his way through the imperial district, coming upon the Church of Pantokrator. Truly wondrous was this church....He wondered where he would place his bed.He waved over the the Venetians roaming looting and committing other not very Christian acts. He took a pale of water from a nearby well and poured in over him, washing away most of the filth to reveal the golden city of his tabard. He smiled down at it before raising his head in the direction of his Venetian brothers. Speaking in Italian he yelled out to his kin "BROTHERS, JOIN ME AND TAKE WHAT IS YOURS BY BLOOD! TAKE THIS PALACE WITH ME AND YOU SHALL HAVE THE RICHES OF KINGS AND EMPERORS JOIN WITH ME AND YOU WILL BECOME KINGS YOURSELVES!" This was his real chance at taking his piece of Constantinople, hopefully his high hopes were not dashed like Icarus rising to the sun.

[Dirty Chai]

OOC: Palace of Antiochos is now a church, if not gone.

[Zectorman]

OOC: Edited, hope this works better. Constantinople is filled with tons of churches XD The Pantokrator was used as a palace for the Imperial Family once....

[Adamat]

Cristoforo smiled as he and his men surged through the streets of the merchant district, opening warehouses full of valuable spices and old tomes written in Latin, and breaking into the biggest of the Greek houses. They were full of gold, jewellery and other riches, and perhaps more important to Cristoforo - women. He wanted, needed, a woman to satisfy his needs. The adrenalin and testosterone surging through his veins took away all reluctance to raping the Greek women.

Not exactly the reaction I hoped for but at least it was not complete disdain for my living. Alexandros raised himself and nodded to the conquering lord. He made his way through the imperial district, coming upon the Church of Pantokrator. Truly wondrous was this church....He wondered where he would place his bed.He waved over the the Venetians roaming looting and committing other not very Christian acts. He took a pale of water from a nearby well and poured in over him, washing away most of the filth to reveal the golden city of his tabard. He smiled down at it before raising his head in the direction of his Venetian brothers. Speaking in Italian he yelled out to his kin "BROTHERS, JOIN ME AND TAKE WHAT IS YOURS BY BLOOD! TAKE THIS PALACE WITH ME AND YOU SHALL HAVE THE RICHES OF KINGS AND EMPERORS JOIN WITH ME AND YOU WILL BECOME KINGS YOURSELVES!" This was his real chance at taking his piece of Constantinople, hopefully his high hopes were not dashed like Icarus rising to the sun.

The few Venetians that were pillaging a warehouse nearby, laughed. "We are already rich," one of them called out. "You want in, then simply break down the door and get in, not like the Byzantine arny will be waiting in there!"

[Zectorman]

Alexandros merely shouted curses back at them, Bastardos, they lack the vision needed in these chaotic times. Though he did head their advice. He kicked in the door, men of the Orthodox clergy lie praying for salvation from a god that had abandoned them the minute the gates fell. Drawing his sword he advanced upon the nearest layman, skewering him on the spot. While his body lie bleeding on the floor he pointed his sword at the body, then the door. He may not be able to speak Greek very well he mused that they could understand his meaning. As the rest of them fled, he made sure none took advantage of the situation like he. He checked if they stole anything that was now his. Of course, they would not fair better outside the large church, more likely to be killed for their nice clothing by his Venetian brothers. The Blood lust was high, and he reveled in it. He laughed at the golden artifacts that festooned every wall and even the ceiling. He would pay off any other Venetian that might get the same idea, or kill him.

Looking outside from his prize he caught a glance of his brother Venetian, who so generously endorsed his poor attempt at subterfuge. He then turned his head back to find a woman of noble birth or otherwise wealthy background trying to sneak by him to enter deeper into the church. She knew what awaited her on the streets, waited awaited her now that she was found. He pointed his sword at her to halt, and knowing her life depended on it she did. He called out to Cristoforo, "BROTHER CRISTOFORO, COME IN HERE, I HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU MY FRIEND! We have a night of fun ahead of us, let me treat you to the first course!"

[Adamat]

Cristoforo smiled. "Baudarios, so you are alive after all!" He told the man who had traversed the sewers and brought five-hundred men down upon his head. "Who might this be?" He asked, but the question was more directed to the woman. He spoke to her in Latin, "your name, wench." He stepped closer, smelled, and cringed back again. "Baudarios, you smell like !" He exclaimed. "Get yourself cleaned up, for the love of God!"

[Zectorman]

Alexandros cursed, more at himself and not at Cristoforo who spoke only the truth. "Give me some due respect! I give you a gift and you tell me I smell like ! Never mind the fact that its the truth but keep in mind I just spent most of my night avoiding being butchered by fear crazed Greeks! Give me a moment to settle in! I plan on holding this place on my own....though I am not sure I can do that on my own. Once I can have piece of mind and a piece of the loot, then there will be time for bathing! This is a night for blood, gold and of course" Cristoforo points his bloody blade at the wench, "Beautiful girls. I will have my share, I am sure she has friends hidden around this nice manse, I will pleasure myself to find them and take what is mine. This is a gesture of good faith to give you the first! I hope this can cement our future friendship! I hope to bring us Venetians together to enjoy the spoils...but not of tonight, tonight is for all and everything Constantinople has to offer. But in the future of this new empire..I hope to have the Venetians unite to make sure the Franks do not take us for petty merchants...I want us all to get a fair deal you understand...."

[Adamat]

Cristoforo turned a bit more serious. "Alexandros, I do appreciate the gesture, and I understand you do not want to be ignored by the Franks. Do not worry, my Venetian brother, for we are not as weak as we might seem right now in comparison to the Franks. We have about four hundred of our men left, and perhaps some of the marines who assaulted the port will join us. The Frankish forces are heavily bloodied, and losing us will be another blow to their numbers. They will not try to screw us over, not today. We shall claim this district for La Serenissima, and open trade with all ports!"