The Restoration of the Comnenoi (Vanilla M2TW) Season II, Chapter IΙII, 8/11/14 PAUSED

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

The Restoration of the Comnenoi
My last AAR didn't end well,if it even started,no Mongols, no 3rd Crusade, NOTHING!
But I decided to try again as the Byzantines,due to my historical information about them, the challenge to restore the Romans as they were before the decay started...
Anyway,
Game:Medieval II
Mod(s):no modifications except for some characters becoming younger due to BIG historical inaccuracy
Battle Difficulty:Medium
Campaign Difficulty:Medium
Primary Objective:Restore the Eastern Roman Empire
Secondary Objectives:
Destroy the Turks DONE
Destroy Venice DONE
Destroy the Papal States
Restore the Roman Empire
Normally 1 update per week. I will inform you if my natural schedule is interrupted by important events in real life.
The story and it's content so far (the first updates are too small to be considered full updates, but they are displayed) Also my writing is bad(so bad I even admit it myself) in the first updates, but it gets improved from the end of the first page and on, so if you have been disapointed by the first updates, don't lose heart, and continue reading!
Season I, Summer 1080 AD- Winter 1100 AD
A dream for Constantinople ,page 1
Preparations, page 1
Before the Battle ,page 1
Battle for Iconium ,page 1
Smyrna ,page 1
A Kinslayer? ,page 1
Worrying about a relative, page 1
Revenge ,page 1
War for the Lost ,page 2
Royal Wedding ,page 2
For Rome, page 2
Bucharest ,page 2
Battles everywhere ,page 2
For the Empire ,page 2
A strategos has fallen ,page 2
Restoring a Patriarchate ,page 2
Royal Marriage ,page 3
Battles for Budapest ,page 3
A sign from God ,page 3
In the end, sons bury fathers, page 3
The New Roman Empire ,page 3
Dreams for the future ,page 3
An Island Restored ,page 3
The riches of Venice ,page 3
Organised Invasion ,page 3
Reclaiming Syria, page 3
A new Century, page 3
HISTORIA AUGUSTA, Entry I, The Rising Phoenix , page 3
Season II, Summer 1101 AD- Winter 1120 AD, soon...
Expansion in (almost) every direction, page 3
To Italia, page 3
What a sword can't do, a plague can, page 4
The Rightful Heir, page 4
A Legend is born (?), page 4 PART 1 , PART 2
A Game of Thrones, coming soon...

First Update:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Battle for Iconium

Dramatis Personae
Beware of the spoilers, unless you are fully caught up with the story, DO NOT read the information about the characters put by me below, unless you want to spoil yourself(I'm fine with that). Once you read all the story you can read it as characters' reviews.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Alexius Comnenus:

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Born: 1045, Iconium Died: 1094, Venice
Cause of Death: A greatsword through the back by a Venitian noble
Reign as Basileus: 1080-1094
Also known as: Basileus, Emperor, New Justinian
The Emperor of a crumbling Empire, he started a campaign against the Turks, which was very succesful, and is hoping to also begin one against the Venetians and the Hungarians. His young brother Nikolaos was abducted by Sultan Jalal during Alexius' early adulthood. He is a perfect plotter, and a good commander. He has four children:three boys and a girl. He conquers and sacks Zagreb in the Summer of 1091, in the Winter of the same year he leaves the town and heads west, near Venice. He begins the siege of Venice in Winter 1093. A Venitian relief force arrives and a huge battle takes place in a nearby bridge, where Alexius fell from the greatsword of one of his enemies. The battle was a decisive Roman victory, which saw Venice(the nation) destroyed.

John Comnenus:

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Born: 1063, Iconium
Died: 1103, Alexandria Cause of death: Plague
Reign: 1094-1103
Also known as: Turksbane, Kingslayer,Defender of Christendom, Prince, The Orthodox Knight, the Honourable, Holder of the Holy Grail, Emperor, Basileus, Imperator, Dominus, Augustus Ioannes Comnenus Turkicus Maximus, The Living Saint
Being the first child of the current Emperor Alexius, he is the heir to the Roman Empire should harm befall his father. Unlike Alexius, he is an honorable, truthful and chivalrous man. He was sent by his father on a campaign to reclaim the Roman lands in Asia Minor, in which he has partially succeded. He proved to be a military genius in the battle of Iconium, where he defeated Sultan Jalal and most of the turkish horde. Unknown to him until it was too late, he fought and killed Sultan Mustafa, who was his uncle, Nikolaos. After that, he married and came to love Matilda, a Sicilian princess. She has given him a daughter so far, Malha. After the marriage, he was sent by his father to conquer Adana, a task which he accomplices in Summer 1087 and gets reunited with his wife for a short period of time, during which she gives him a son, Vlasios. His army started the siege of Antioch in the Winter of 1089 and finished it in the Summer of the following year. He takes Aleppo in Summer 1093 and finds the Holy Grail under a mosque. In 1094, he becomes Emperor after his father's death in battle. He starts the siege of Damascus in Winter 1094, 6 months after his second daughter, Kale, is born. He conquers Damascus in Summer 1095, when he is crowned Augustus Ioannes Comnenus Turkicus Maximus. His army, the Legio I Arabica, conquers Jerusalem, and next met with his brothers south of Jerusalem. Later he conquered Gaza, and after dispatching a token garrison, headed to Alexandria with the rest of the Arabica. In 1101, he conquered Alexandria, and decided to stay there for the rest of his days. His replacement as Strategos of the Arabica was his brother, Andronicus. After his brothers conquered Cairo, news of a plague spread to Alexandria. It infected John, and killed him in the early summer of 1103. During his reign, which lasted barely 9 years, the last Muslim Sultanate, Egypt, was defeated, and expansion in Italia begun. Also, Crete and Rhodes were reclaimed. Unfortunately, after his death, the Holy Grail was lost.

Anna Comnenus:

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Born: 1064, Iconium
Also known as: Abalantes, Princess
The second child of Emperor Alexius, she is a beauty formerly engaged unknown to her in an incestual relationship with her bastard half-brother and bodyguard, Georgios. She has been sent by her father on a mission in the west to convince the Kings and Princes to aid the one true Roman Empire. She was the one that convinced Matilda of Sicily to marry her brother, John. She latter maried a general of the Empire herself, Nikeforos Abalantes, who rose up to become Prince after Alexius' death in Venice. She gave birth to a son, Mavros.

Evangelos Exotrochos:

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Born: 1046,Nicaea Died: 1089, in Hungary
Cause of Death: In battle, unknown by who
One of the Dynatoi and the Lord of Nicaea, he wasn't well liked by Emperor Alexius. His father is Stavros, who was exiled by the Domestic of the Schools John, father of Alexius. He is sent to reclaim Smyrna for the Empire, and after that, he was the Leader of the Hungarian Invasion. He hadn't been the best siege leader. He conquered Sofia and Bucharest in two years. In Winter 1087 he destroyed a Hungarian army and he conquered the castle of Bran in the summer of 1088.After that, he left a garisson and continued west, towards a Hungarian noble and the Hungarian capital. Unfortunately he died in the Battle for Budapest under suspicious circumstances and his second in command Nikeforos took his position as Strategos of the Northern Army.

Basileios:

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He is the childhood friend of John Comnenus and the son of Constantinople's best blacksmith. He accompanies him during his eastern campaign and he is also the godfather of his daughter Malha.During battle he carries his friend's sword. When in a city or castle, he spends his days whoring. In 1101, after Alexandria's fall, he was assigned by John to guard Malha, who had just came of age. But he was then ordered by John to stay with him, until 1103, when the Augustus died of a plague.He then headed to the Balkans, along with a group of riders, and saved Malha from certain death, and pledged his loyalty to her and Vlasios, her younger brother.

Stavros Exotrochos:

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The former Lord of Nicaea, exiled by John Comnenus, father of Alexius A', he returned during the reign of Alexius to be the Mentor and Tutor of his son, Prince John. He is also the father of Evangelos Exotrochos, former Leader of the Hungarian Invasion. When Antioch was taken by Prince John, he swore an oath of vengeance on the man who killed Evangelos when his duty with John would be over. John let him leave his retinue, and live the rest of his days in Constantinople.He communicated with John with letters every fortnight until John's death. Then he got in the Guard of Princess Malha.

Jalal:

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Also known as: Sultan, the Dread of Mantzikert
During his early reign the Turks decisively won the Romans in Mantzikert and expanded almost to Nicaea. His capital was Iconium, where he found the Roman child Nikolaos Comnenus, son of Domestic of the Schools John and brother of later Basileus Alexius. He took him as his ward, converted his religion, taught him the Turkish language and made him his heir. He named him, Mustafa. Several years later, though, Mustafa's nephew, Prince John, started a campaign in the east. He killed Jalal in personal combat and took Iconium with a heroic victory.

Nikolaos Comnenus:

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Also known as: Sultan, Crown Prince, Mustafa
As a child, he lived in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire when the Disaster of Mantzikert occured. When Jalal, the Dread of Mantzikert assaulted the city of Iconium, he found young Nikolaos and adopted him in his family. He grew up raiding and pillaging, until his nephew, John, came to Caesarea. They fought and John killed him in personal combat not knowing his identity.

Matilda:

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A daughter of Roger, the King of Sicily, she was raised to be a proper diplomatic princess. She was sent to missions by her father outside their lands, where she encountered Anna Comnenus, daughter of Basileus Alexius. After they made deals about their people, Anna offered for her brother to marry Matilda, a thing to which she accepted due to his reputation of chivalry. After their wedding, they came to love each other. They have a daughter, Malha and they moved in Adana, after her husband conquered the place.In Adana she gives birth to John's son, Vlasios. After the Siege of Antioch, she is reunited with her husband until he leaves for Aleppo. She later leaves with her children for Constantinople, where she raises them with their grandmother, Eirene. She is devestated by the death of her husband, John, and as a result has the looks of an old lady while she is barely 45.

Malha Comnenus :

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She is the daughter of Prince John Comnenus and Princess Matilda of Sicily, born in the Winter of 1085. She has spent all of her life so far near her mother. She came of age in 1101, and is heading west from Constantinople. In 1103, her party got under attack by bandits from the new Augustus, Nikeforos Abalantes.

Vlasios Comnenus :

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He is the son of Prince John Comnenus and Princess Matilda of Sicily, born in the Summer of 1088. He has spent all of his short life near his mother. Currently in Constantinople. He was supposed to become Prince when his father became Emperor after his 16th birthday, but that did not happen. In 1104 he comes of age, and leaves the capital to claim what is rightfully his.

Nikeforos Abalantes :

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Also known as: Prince, Caesar, the Merciless, Emperor, Augustus
He is the founder and Head of House Abalantes and Strategos of the Northern Army after Evangelos Exotrochos died. Prior to the battle for Budapest, he was the second in command to Evangelos, and some consider he had something to do with the murder. He won important battles in the years 1090 and 1091 that led to the Siege of Budapest in Winter 1091. In the same year he married Anna Comnenus, daughter of the Emperor. After Budapest was conquered, he fought the only remaining Hungarian army some miles north of Budapest and annihilated it. Currently he is waiting for reinforcements in Budapest, where he learned in 1094 that he is the first in line to inherit the Empire after Alexius' death against Venice and John's rise to power. In Summer 1095 he leaves Budapest and is halfway to Zagreb. His campaigns with Legio II Italica begun well, adding Venetia and Milano to the Empire, but the former rebelled, and he was busy defeating army after army of the German Empire. In the winter of 1101 he begun the fourth Roman siege of Bologna, which he is busy with until 1103, the year he became Augustus after his brother in law, John, died from a plague.

Andronicus Comnenus:

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The second son of Alexius Comnenus, he came of age a week after his father's death at the hands of the Venitians. He married the woman he loved as a boy and would be a Prince, had he came of age two weeks before his father's death. He has a daughter, Kyriakia, by Velkania, his wife. In Winter 1095, he was in the sea between Euboia and Athens with his brother, Isaac. He led the assault on Acre, after which they reunited with their brother, the Augustus, with whom they conquered Gaza and Alexandria. In 1101 he was given command of Legio I Arabica, and he immediately started the siege of Cairo the same year. After he took Cairo, he headed north, where a Roman navy waited to escort him and the Arabica to Italia, to assist the then-Caesar Nikeforos.

Irene Doukaina:

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Born: 1046
She is the daughter of the head of House Doukas, a powerful noble in the Empire, married to Emperor Alexius for political reasons. It eventually became a marriage of love, and after her husband's death, she had been depressed for one and a half year. After that, she decided she would do anything for things to go like she wanted, including sleeping with men in the court of the Empire. She is beautiful for her age, with brown hair and blue eyes, which she passed to Andronicus and John, with long legs and big breasts. She tricked a courtier named Aristeidis, to kill Nikeforos Abalantes for her, after having a brief sexual engagement. She is in the capital in the celebrations of the coming of age of her grandson, Vlasios Comnenus.

Volkanos Murtzuphlus:

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Also known as: Prince, Caesar
The head of house Murtzuphlus, he was adopted by Caesar Nikeforos Abalantes in 1097. In Winter 1098 he is out of the walls of Iasi. After he conquers the castle, he waits for reinforcements, and leaves in 1100, heading to the capital of the new Hungarian Kingdom, Kiev. He started the siege of Kiev in 1101. He broke it in 1103, since Iasi needed assistance against Poland. The same year he became Caesar, since John died. In 1104, he was chasing a Polish army, and he had a son, Komanos, the third to join Rossos and Tryfillios.

Henry:

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A german soldier, who survived a battle against the Caesar's war machine. Now in a company of Frankish mercenary knights, in service to the Caesar.

Michael Heracleides:

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A Roman soldier, descendant of Emperor Flavius Heraclius Augustus. He is a Centurio in the Legio II Italica, under Caesar Nikeforos Abalantes.

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

A DREAM FOR CONSTANTINOPLE
I saw a dream last night. A city was on flames. I also listened the weapons clashing.
The city was Constantinople, and the besiegers were the Turks. They had a weapon that could unleash a ball of light at a very fast speed.
I saw the garrison killing many of the barbaric Turks that claimed the Roman capital, I saw the Basileus’ attempts to rally the men to send the infidel, for that’s what they are, back to the desert.
The Basileus had not the banners of the Comnenoi, but the ones of a dynasty called: the Palaiologoi.
The Roman emperor was called Constantine Dragases Palaiologos.
He was surrounded by the barbarians and hacked down…
The city fell…the women were raped…the children thrown of the walls…the Basilevousa* was on fires…
The date of the siege was: 29^th of May, 1453
I do not wish for this to happen…
The Turks will be running in the desert…
For I am Prince John Comnenus, son of Basileus Alexius I Comnenus


*a Greek name for Constantinople

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

PREPARATIONS
The Basileus was stunned by the Prince’s dream.
‘’My son, I want you to leave the army that will conquer Smyrna. You are going to avenge Mantzikert.’’
John, surprised by his first campaign target, asked
‘’Who will lead them then?’’
‘’Evangelos’’

‘’But he only serves the Dynatoi*, if we give him a single chance, he will overthrow our dynasty.’’
‘’I have arranged for it...’’ responded Alexius
‘’What about my sister, Anna?’’ the young prince asked
‘’She will visit Hungary, Milan, France, the Germans and maybe even find you a wife and the Empire money and allies.’’

‘’You ?’’
‘’I will reclaim the West with the help of God, the governor of the Thema* of Thessalonika and our spy’’



‘’Good, it seems it will just be a bad nightmare…’’
were John’s last words before leaving the Basilevousa and his father in search of his destiny.

Dynatoi*= Greek nobles with independency dreams
Thema*=Province

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

The images will be put a little bit after the text

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

BEFORE THE BATTLE
Constantinople, Summer, 1080 AD, The Royal Palace
‘’Is everyone in position?’’
‘’Yes, Basileus’’
‘’Has the priest been sent east to the thema of Iconium?

‘’Yes, my liege’’
‘’The roads?’’
‘’Construction of dirt roads has begun in the Themata of Nicaea, Nicosia, Corinth and Thessalonica.’’



‘’My daughter?’’

‘’Safe with her guard moving north to the Hungarians.’’
‘’Good, time to continue what Justinian started…’’
‘’We are but a small force lord, will the Basilevousa be left unprotected?’’

‘’Nobody will invade Constantinople, they are too stupid. We will merge with the Thematic army of Thessalonica and a group of archers from Corinth, and then… Durazzo will be Roman again!’’
‘’Won’t this anger the Venicians?’’
‘’That’s what I seek to achieve, Tacticius’’

Asia Minor, Summer, 1080 AD, The General’s Tent
‘’My Prince, my Prince’’
‘’Tell me, good soldier, what brings you here?’’
‘’His Highness Basileus Alexius A’ Comnenus sent a letter’’
‘’Thank you, my friend, guards, exit the tent, leave me alone’’
‘’But…’’
‘’There is no but, do as I ordered you’’
Letter from Basileus Alexius to Prince John
My dear son, I hope you are approaching Iconium, because there you will be able to avenge the Disaster of Mantzikert.
There is a force equal to yours out of the Thema’s capital, and the Seljuk Sultan himself with some more men inside the settlement.
I hope you prove yourself there, because Anna will tire in order to find you a proper wife.


We are now considered the most advanced faction, and the Council of the Dynatoi ordered us to get Smyrna, so I ordered one of them to approach the castle, Evangelos.
The Themata of Nicaea, Corinth and Thessalonica are building ports, while the Thema of Nicosia is building a Land Clearance.
May God bring you victories,
Basileus Alexius A Comnenus, your father

‘’Time for Constantine to be proud once more’’ said the Prince and left the room.

Thema of Thessalonica, Summer 1081, out of the city in an army camp
‘’Basileus’’
‘’Yes, Tacitus’’
‘’I have news for you. First of all, the garrison of Thessalonica is coming with the archer company from Corinth and secondly, Prince John has fought out of Iconium against the Sultan of Iconium.’’
‘’Do you have a report?’’
‘’Yes, here it is, he…

TO BE CONTINUED…

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

BATTLE FOR ICONIUM
‘’I would prefer to read it, alone’’
‘’Yes, Basileus’’
Report from Prince John Comnenus to Basileus Alexius A’ Comnenus
The 1^st Battle for Iconium, the 1^st Battle of the Imperial Reconquest
The Thematic Army of Nicaea, led by me , was outnumbered by the Turkish barbaric hordes by 240 men.

I had two companies of Trebizond Archers, my Guard and two spear companies.

The army led by captain Qilich, had 371 men, while Iconium’s garrison led by Sultan Jalal himself, had 167 Turks.





The battle field gave us an advantage. While we and the captain led army would fight up a mountain, Jalal’s men would exhaust themselves in the attempt to reach us.

I put my infantry and archers in Iconium’s direction. My guard was used to destroy the captain’s army with repeated charges at the flanks and rear.









The Barbarians managed to reach our infantry lines, but I charged their rear and sent them running.



Then, it was Jalal’s turn…We softened him with arrows, but that wasn’t enough.
He charged uphill but still got many kills.


We routed his men however, and managed to capture him.

When the battle was over, it was a heroic victory for the Romans, even though I could do it with a smaller amount of dead Romans…



We sent an embassy to Crown Prince Mustafa, in order to pay for his father. He rejected however, and they were executed after they cleaned up the newly conquered Thema of Iconium. I, of course, occupied Iconium since they were content enough.





Your son, Prince John Comnenus

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

SMYRNA
Winter 1081, Iconium, Governor’s villa
‘’My Prince’’ shouted a soldier, seeking to inform John of the Empire’s affairs
‘’Yes, soldier, tell me, what news you bring, are they good or bad, about Smyrna or Constantinople?’’
‘’I bring news nor from Smyrna, neither the Basilevousa my prince’’
‘’Then from where have you been sent to inform me about a subject unknown to me?’’
‘’Your father, Basileus Alexius A’ Comnenus, sent me here with a report that will inform you about the Empire you will once inherit.’’
‘’Thank you, soldier, you may leave now’’
‘’Yes, Prince John’’
After the messenger exited the room, the Prince opened the letter, impatient about his sister, his father and the situation in the Roman Empire.
Report from Basileus Alexius A’ Comnenus to Prince John Comnenus
I am very proud of your victory, son. Providing you continue your victories against the Turks, they will be but a mere shadow, and your dream, just a bad, frightening nightmare sent by Devil himself.
I am sure you are wondering about Anna and me.

I, have approached the border of the Thema of Thessalonica, accompanied by the only loyal of the Dynatoi, Theotokios Olaskos.

Anna, has now entered the Carpathian mountains, and has approached the Hungarian castle of Bran, where she will seek a trade agreement and an alliance to secure the northern front.

We are considered the Largest faction, a great honour for the Romans.

We also have the biggest production and population. This will help with the supplies and the amount of soldiers we have available.

Also, Bishop Gavriel managed to locate the new Sultan of the Turks, Mustafa. He is hiding behind the walls of Caesarea.

Lastly, a new round of buildings has started at the Themata.





The Themata of Nicaea, Thessalonica and Corinth are now constructing Land Clearances.

The Thema of Nicosia, is upgrading its castle.

I hope you soon leave Iconium and march to Caesarea so the Turks can be destroyed once and for all… until a new horde emerges.
Your father,
Basileus Alexius A’ Comnenus

Happy that everyone is safe, the Prince ordered for the Orthodox chapel of Iconium to be made bigger, an Orthodox Church. He also said:
‘’When the Church is complete, I will march to Caesarea and finish off the Turks myself!’’


Summer, 1082, Army Camp next to the village of Durazzo
A man entered the tent, he was one of Anna’s bodyguards. The Basileus recognized him, he was his bastard son with a courtier, his name was Georgios.
He immediately asked the man:
‘’Where is my daughter? Is she safe?’’
‘’Worry not, my Basileus, your daughter is safe, as she always was, but I do not think our northern borders will be safe soon.’’
‘’Do not speak with riddles, courtier, tell me everything.’’

‘’If you so wish to. Anna, entered Bran the previous month and negotiated an alliance and trade rights with the Prince of Hungary.’’
‘’Continue’’ ordered Alexius

‘’She managed to obtain trade rights, but even her lovely face could not convince Prince Kalman to agree with her alliance offer.’’
‘’Thank you, Georgios, now go, and tell her to try again during the winter.’’
‘’As you wish my lord’’ said Georgios to the Basileus and left the tent.

An hour later, a soldier in full armor appeared in the tent, holding a report. Alexius was sure it was from Evangelos.
He ordered everyone to leave the tent except for Theotokios, a personal friend of the Basileus.

‘’Let’s see what he did’’

Battle Report from Evangelos Exotrochos to Basileus Alexius A’ Comnenus about the 1^st Battle of Smyrna

I had 21 Guards of mine, 225 Byzantine Spearmen and 120 Trebizond Archers.
They had 72 Spear Militiamen, 117 Town Militiamen and 116 Peasant Archers.



Due to our lack of military, I charged myself at the inhabitants with covering fire from the Trebizond Archers.

They reached our archers and infantry and managed to kill some men, but, other than that, the battle was a clear victory and a Roman Castle was restored to its owners.

As I mentioned above, the population was mostly Greek Orthodox and there was no need to commit barbaric actions to the innocent inhabitants, so I occupied the castle.

Your loyal subject,
General Evangelos Exotrochos


‘’My plan has failed it seems, my friend’’ said Alexius
‘’ We will try again’’ replied Theotokios
‘’You have a plan?’’ asked the Basileus
‘’Of course. If diplomacy fails us with Hungary, we can invade them with Evangelos and then….’’
‘’…we can have him killed by locals. Theotokios, you’re a genius!’’ continued the sovereign of Rhomania.
‘’Exactly, Alexius’’


Winter 1082, Army Camp, Eastern Border of Iconium

Most of the garrison has left Iconium, led by Prince John, in order to conquer Caesarea for the Roman Empire.
The Prince has issued an edict for a port to be built, and to sent reports to the Basileus for everything that happens.
‘’Why hasn’t the six month report arrived yet?’’ John asked his closer companion, his sword bearer, a young man named Basileios, after the famous Basileus that died in 1025.
‘’They may not know we left Iconium, my prince. I am sure they are now coming here’’
As he told the last words, a man entered the tent. He carried two letters, the latter one being the most disturbing. John started reading the first letter.
Letter from Basileus Alexius to Prince John
Greetings, my son and heir. I have important news for you.

First of all, the Dynatoi rewarded us for taking Smyrna by giving us 4 companies of Vardariotai in Constantinople. They will assist Evangelos’ upcoming campaign of Hungary.



Secondly, the Thema of Thessalonica is now building mines, Corinth Stables and Nicaea Grain Exchange.

About me, I conquered Durazzo. A full report is not needed, so I will just tell you the army compositions and how many we lost.

We had 32 of my Guard, 21 of Theotokios’,120 Trebizond Archers, 75 Spear Militiamen, 75 Byzantine Spearmen and 60 Town Militiamen. We faced 120 Town Militiamen and 61 Peasant Archers. I ordered the cavalry to charge. It turned to be a success. We only lost 2 out of 100 men. Durazzo was occupied, ordered to begin construction of a Land Clearance and now Italy is a step closer.
Your father,
Basileus Alexius A’ Comnenus

The prince opened the second letter. It was from his sister, princess Anna Comnenus.
My lovely brother,
I want to inform you about something. The true schemers are father and Theotokios, Evangelos is a loyal subject of the Empire.Do not ask me how, but I know it.
Also, in Hungary, I have found my true love, but keep it secret from father, please.
I love one of my bodyguards, named Georgios.
Your sister,
Anna Comnenus

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

Next update:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Revenge

[Scottish King]

Hey there stavrosole! Good to see your making progress with your AAR. Some tips:

For screenshots you may want to take a look at a software called Fraps. It free to download online and it allows you to take screenshots of the game while in-game with the press of a button or you can set it up to take pictures at intervals. This way you'll get better quality screenshots

Also you may want to lower you picture to text ratio, though this is personal preference. I think it would be better for you AAR if used few pictures and more words to tell your story.

Keep writing and may Rome prosper! + rep

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

Hey there stavrosole! Good to see your making progress with your AAR. Some tips:

For screenshots you may want to take a look at a software called Fraps. It free to download online and it allows you to take screenshots of the game while in-game with the press of a button or you can set it up to take pictures at intervals. This way you'll get better quality screenshots

Also you may want to lower you picture to text ratio, though this is personal preference. I think it would be better for you AAR if used few pictures and more words to tell your story.

Keep writing and may Rome prosper! + rep

Thank you for the advice Scottish King, as you will see in the next update, after spending the week reading famous AAR's, I will change my writing style. This will satisfy your preferences as well as making you see the different angles of the leading men in the Roman Empire, as well as make you see the plots, romance, chivalry and friendship, that exist in the Empire. Even though I have delayed the next update, it will be my best one.

[King William the Conqueror]

The default Print Scrn key works as well.

BTW my personal preference for picture to text is about what you're doing so keep it up.

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

The default Print Scrn key works as well.

BTW my personal preference for picture to text is about what you're doing so keep it up.

I know that... but how to convert it is a thing I do not know yet

[King William the Conqueror]

Ah. Download GIMP (Essentially a free Photoshop) http://www.gimp.org/

Then open your file with GIMP, go to File>Export to>
Then save it with whatever name you want, and end the file name with .png

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

thanks, will be helpful

[Alan Blake]

This is a nice AAR Stavrosole! For pictures just use the standard PrintScreen button (Normally right of F12). The pictures will save into Program Files > Sega > Medieval II Total War > tgas. You can then open them in an Image Sotware Programme (I use Paint.Net, as it's free though not the best) to edit them if you wish, and can upload them as usual (I use Photobucket). Keep it up!

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

thanks Alan, i've been busy lately due to school homework. Friday is my last day before easter holidays, so expect an update after that! (I also need to catch up on Game of Thrones, season 4 ) Super excited for both!!!!!

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

That's surely not the update I promised you, just a little addition to the story
A Kinslayer?
Durazzo
The two men were riding slowly in the castle, if it could be called ''castle''. Both were middle aged Romans, highly ranked in the force of the Basileus, no doubt. Their armour was far too good to be ignored by the peasants.
''So, Alexius, how is your son?'' the man asked his friend
''His letters didn't contain any disturbing news Theotokios. Don't start calling me with my titles now or the peasants will suround us immediately.''
''Alright your Grace, but what about the Venetians? When John frees Caesarea from the Nomadic Turks, the smaller Houses in their eastern possesions will declare themselves independent. You should recall him immediately after Caesarea is reclaimed, for the Venetian greed for money is unmatched.''
''Oh Theotokios, why do you think we are here and Evangelos in Hungary? His first assignment was to attack the Holy Lands, backed by the Catholics in the West, but I sent him north, so he could assist us, should harm befall our army.''
A rider approached them and seeked immediate audience with the Basileus, a request that his Grace granted him.
''Your Grace, I bring a letter regarding the search for your lost younger brother, that disappeared after the disaster at Mantzikert.''
''Good, now leave, and inform your master that the Basileus is most pleased, you are dismissed.'' Allexius replied.
The rider left, and Alexius was reluctant to open the letter, so Theotokios opened it and started reading:
To Basileus Alexius A' Comnenus
My mission has been a success, my liege, and the man has been found. After the disaster at Mantzikert, victorious Sultan Jalal took a Christian highborn boy under his wing. The boy, managed to master the eastern ways of warfare and got converted to Islam. Meanwhile, due to the Turks never staying at one place for too long, his skin got darker, and his beard was shaved and it became a moustache. Jalal named him Mustafa, and adopted him into his family after you killed his trueborn son.
The boy's name before was Nikolaos Comnenus, son of John Comnenus, the Domestic of Schools in the Empire, and brother of Alexius A' Comnenus, Emperor of the Roman Empire.
Your loyal subject.
Mystikios
''Send the fastest rider, John MUST NOT KILL NIKOLAOS'' Alexius screamed
To be continued...

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

Worrying about a relative
Durazzo
''Your Grace!'' shouted a heavy armoured soldier, surely the bodyguard of a noble.
''I bring a letter from Dynatos John of House Doukas.''
''Taticius, bring me the letter'' ordered Alexius
''Of course, my Basileus.'' replied Taticius, one of the Emperor's most important military advisors
''Let's see what the boy wants...oh, soldier, you are dismissed.''
The Emperor always thought that whenever a Doukas sent him a letter, was for bad news, or stupid orders from the Council of the Dynatoi.
''Let's see...
To the victorious Emperor Alexius A' Comnenus,
As my family is the second most powerful in the Empire, I am the one that sends you the decisions and orders of the Council of the Dynatoi because I am the head of this House. This time it's an order...
We feel that the conquests of the Prince are not done correctly. He needs to stay in Iconium and consolidate his power in the region.
Your humble vassal,
John of House Doukas

After he throws the letter in the fire, he asks Taticius and Theotokios:
''Have they gone mad? If John stops now, the Turks will return, even though that would help Nikolaos survive...''
Another soldier entered the halls some minutes later, much to the Emperor's displeasure.
''Your Grace, I bring a letter from your informant in Italy and another from the one in Hungary''
''Good, hand them over to Lord Theotokios and leave. I am sure you have more tasks to complete''
The soldier left, and several minutes later, Theotokios reported the content of the letters to his liege:
''Both letters say that the Patriarch of Rome and the Despot of Hungary dislike Romans even more.''
''Nothing we didn't know already...''

''It is getting darker. You better leave and go to your chambers''the Emperor said to Taticius and Theotokios
''Before I forget, take this.It is a report about our finances.''Theotokios said
''Thank you, Theotokios.''replied the Basileus

Tacitus and Theotokios exited the room together, leaving the Basileus alone.
''Why is his mood so bad?''Tacitus asked Theotokios
''Worrying about a relative''Theotokios replied

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

That's not the update either! Due to lack of time, that's the first part of it. I am sorry if you expected the Revenge I told I would offer you nearly a month ago.

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

Revenge
Caesarea, Summer, 1083 Anno Domini
''And here we are, in a Roman city, conquered by the Seljuqs some years ago, and now we have to liberate it...'' the Prince thought to himself
''Basileios, order the men to build ladders and a ram. We will wait to see if they reconsider and try to avoid their doom'' he told his best friend, and also his swordbearer in battle.
''Of course, John, but tell me, please, what is bothering you?'' Basileios asked
John turned his body so Basileios could see him. ''Tell me, do you know Nikolaos Comnenus?''
Basileios' suddenly understood his friend's concern.''The youngest child of Isaac Comnenus, resident of Caesarea, a little bit older than you, 3 years I think, the lost prince.''
''You are a clever man, I am sure you understand why I am a little bit... anxious... let's go for a drink, it helps with situations such as these.''
''Fine...but let's not get drunk, for your mentor will be angry.''

'' Stavros, let's go, oh... and what about Anna?''
''She's in a European trip, heading towards the German Empire.''


Meanwhile, north of Smyrna
''Come on soldiers, it is time for Rome to shine once more'' a man fully armoured shouted
''We are going to Hungary, to reclaim what was lost... and who knows! We may even lay our hands on their Queen!!''
''Are you with me men?''
''YES!!!''
The man was Evangelos Exotrochos, one of the last true Romans, willing to restore the Empire.
Walls of Caesarea, Winter 1083 Anno Domini
''Are you ready men? To reclaim the lost? To liberate the peasants? Nobody is to loot or rape tonight! We will first find my uncle, Nikolaos Comnenus, dead or alive! We are the shield of Christendom, and Christendom's Sword when needed! Haven't those infidel savages stayed in our lands long enough? Send them back to the steppes! Begin the assault!''
''Infantry, to the ladders!Archers, with me''


Several minutes later...
''Finally, bodyguards, to me!''

''John, they have killed many!They won't surrender easily!'' Basileios warned his Prince
''So what? I knew they would slay many.They have a good commander!We will enter the place, another division of infantry will attack the walls.''
''They can't!''
An hour later...
''Send the signal to the archers! ''John told to a soldier
''What archers?'' asked a wondering Basileios
''Our archers, we have used their walls against them''

And so, many of the Sultan's Guard fell to the strategic genius of Prince John.The 8 that remained thought of desserting the Sultan, but they never had the time to complete this devious plot.
''CHARGE! Basileios, my sword, fast!''shouted the Prince, and 3 seconds later, he was past a decapicated Turk, heading straight for the Sultan, who was easily recognizable.
He put his sword through his heart, while thinking what to say.The Romans send their regards? No, someone not fitting to his character, a traitor has told that. After a moment of silence, he whispered:'' For Nikolaos''

''The city is ours!Build a small chapel dedicated to the Holy Virgin''
A rider arrived, exhausted. He gave the Prince a letter.After he read it,he looked to the Sultan's corpse, and then he fell unconcious.