Imposing Order - Teutonic Order SS 6.4 VH/VH

[Lament]

Death comes. She comes under the name of war, but we know it is She. For only death could so indiscriminately wipe out generations of innoncents and the fruit of their lives. Only She could put down thousands uncaringly for unknown crimes.

No, it is not only She who could do that, for others, great monarchs and chieftains, are certainly capable of unleashing the former, but it is only She who would do it happily at the beckoning of hand, the nod of head, the frown upon face.

Others say She is cruel, but fair. I am possessed by no such illusion. She is an accomplice to any man, though it is not every man's ability to make her his mistress. Death may be coming, but for now, we ride alongside Her.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I think of what is to come, and am content She will ride with us for a while longer.



1220 AD
Prussia

War has never left my life, nor will it. Not because of a cursed existence, or a generous opportunity to redeem myself in the eyes of God, though I deserve the former and welcome the latter, but because of my position of power and unwillingness to permit evil to survive. Anger, determination, and stubborness have kept me in conflict, first serving my father on our fiefdom, then the Reich's armies, and later, now, the order. At present, the Duchy of Lithuania opposses us.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The pagans in Lithuania are an insult to the true faith by the very act of living, each one of them a heretic. In my homeland, they would be executed as a whole, and that is what we are here to do now. Here, we are the Reich. A home away from home for the people of God. We impose the law where the magistrates dare not venture, and execute sentences through steel. Here, all are found, invariably, guilty.

However, before expunging the Lithuanians, we must first secure our own territories.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

There are many rebel armies, incited no doubt by the Lithuanians, and they endanger our holdings and the people we protect. Swift action will be required to liquidate the threat they pose, however meagre, before the Lithuanians arrive. After all, it is vital to have all foes arrayed on as few fronts as possible, and certainly invaluable that they do not look as you.

Commencing with the punitive raids on these rebels, is Grandmaster Herrmann, the regaled champion.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[IMG][/IMG]

He leads a great army, strong in all regards, and will crush the nearest group of rebels before they can react. First, however, additionnal reconnaissance would be advantageous. Though these rebels may look like us, we also look like them.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Heidenrich infiltrates the rebel's camp and provides a detailed overview on most of their forces. Now, assured that these are no more than peasants, the Grandmaster moves in.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

If any doubt remained on the mettle of our opponents, it is all now erased. The cowards flee before us! It is of no matter though, the distance a disciplined army can make well outreaches that of a rabble. Despite their best efforts, the two armies close in a short time.


First battle of Prussia

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Grandmaster arrays his army on a gentle hill with the arches occupying the summit. The infantry form a line further down the slope, allowing the archers better angles, while the cavalry wait on the wings. Strong as our cavalry may be, they are impetuous and eager to claim the heads of our ennemies. They must be checked and stopped should they attempt to grapple with the entirety of the enemy alone. Not for fear that they would lose, for there exists no force on God's earth that can match our best, but we are surrounded by ennemies, and must win each battle with a minimal number of casualties, especially among the hard to replace knights.



The enemy are a sorry sight, their undisciplined masses start running directly towards us. Remembering the words of Machiavelli, Good order and discipline in any army are to be depended upon more than courage alone, our men sit back confidently to wait, the keenest eyes amongst the archers watching for when the rebels enter into range.



Finally, they do. While the rebels cower behind their shields, our cavalry circle to the flanks of the enemy, and the prussian auxilia ride in close to throw spears.



They advance further, it seems the fools plan to charge directly up the hill. Laughable, and doubtless the result of poor breeding. Any army expected to face combat ought to be commanded by a noble, or at least someone of distinguished lineage, but if the vagabonds wish to facilitate their own demise, we will not stop them.

A group of rebels splits from the main group. Whether to attempt a flank, or more likely run, the Knecten charge right into them.


The rest of the cavalry charges into other isolated squads in the back, wiping out entire units at once.


As for the infantry, two dozen rebels make it to the our infantry line, but they stay for less than a score of heartbeats before fleeing.


Before long, almost the entirety of the enemy are in full retreat, and the last pocket of resistance is crushed by direct intervention from the Grandmaster.


The rebels flee the field. The survivors fade back into society, hoping their histories are never discovered.

Grandmaster Herrmann continues to Palanga, where he quarters his army for the season. To the east, near Riga, the Grosskomtur, Conrad, leads his army into the city, securing it against any possible movement by the rebels for the season.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The next nearest rebel throng is large, and is even commanded by a man of some noble background! It is also a large army, and our forces will handle it next season as part of a joint operation. Once again, though our forces may be able to beat the rebels, it is paramount to lose the smallest amount of men.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Administration

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Additionnal forces are recruited in Palanga and Riga, as well as the start of construction on stonemason's huts for their increase of tax revenue.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

Hi, Lament! Welcome to TWC, and to the Writers' Study in particular.

This is a great start. I especially like the way you've given your narrator an individual character - his belief that only a noble can be an effective leader of men makes him far more interesting than he would be if he had no views of his own at all. I'll look forward to seeing this develop.

[Alwyn]

As Caillagh said, welcome!

The first battle of Prussia is done well, using words by Machiavelli is a nice touch and I like the element that the Grandmaster does not just need to win, he needs to win with as few casualties as possible. Looking forward to more!

[Lament]

Thank you for your kind words. Please feel free to write any comments, whether on writing, spelling, strategy, or anything at all.
================================================================================

1220 AD
Prussia

The start of the new season brings little change to the Order. Plans previously conceived still stand, and the various rebel groups remain in the same position. We expected them to act upon the news that we had struck the other force down, and had sent groups of riders through the countryside after the battle, hunters searching for any survivors. It is arrogant to assume that we caught all survivors and the other rebels have heard nothing, therefore we must presume that they know, but do not care. Perhaps they think their numbers protect them. Ha!

Furthermore, additionnal investigation reveals that the noble leading the rebels is no such thing! In fact, Heidenrich informs us that he was a guard in the civilian watch of Palanga, no member of the Order, before deserting, and his bodyguard are members of his shift who deserted with him! Such ignoble activities are not befitting any true german, and we will make sure to crucify him upon the battlements he formerly protected, whether or not he is killed in battle. Heidenrich once more proves his worth and reveals the composition of this army.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Grandmaster Herrmann leads the army out of Palanga and approaches the rebels, their encampment being too far away to reach in a single season. We still plan to attack with both armies, but there is no need for the Grosskomturr to lead out his men just yet, they will be able to easily cover the necessary distance in the following season, and like this, Riga remains fortified for longer.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Administrative details

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

We move a priest into Lithuanian territory. We plan to control this region someday soon, and this will make it a more seamless transition.


Johann Murner, a representative of the Order, initiates negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark.

Though they seemed to like our offer at first, they declined! We settle for trade rights.

They agreed to this at least, though it is curious as to why they would refuse to ally themselves with us. Perhaps this is an indication of their future plans...though hopefully not, as it would be advantageous to fight on as few fronts as possible. We must remain vigilant in all directions it seems, not just those occupied by heretics.

1221 AD
Prussia

The faux-noble and his rebel army flee before the Grandmaster! They circle around and claim a watchtower, slaughtering the guard. For what reason they did this is unknown, whether they attempted to sneak around and were caught, or just wanted to delay their inevitable defeat in battle, as most men do, but we have wind of their movements now, and will close as soon as possible.



The downside to this is that the distance is now too far for Conrad to bring his army, but the cavalry elements possess the speed to arrive before we engage. Though we may have planned to attack these rebels with our full strength, the Grandmaster's army must be enough.

The Grosskomtur's detachment

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With the arrival of additionnal troops, Grandmaster Herrmann leads the combined force to the captured watchtower, where the two armies meet.
Second battle of Prussia, the Battle of the Watchtower

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Though outnumbered by more then four hundred men, we benefit through being professional soldiers and wholly dedicated to our cause. Though these are not the odds we wanted, they are still favorable, and we expect to vanquish our opponents easily. The only question lies within how many men we lose, and whether we can afford them...


Our forces are positioned on a hill facing the enemy. The archers and infantry stand ready at the top. We possess ranged superiority, and the enemy will have to come to us for this battle. The light cavalry and skirmisher cavalry hold our left flank, while the knights dominates the right. Today, Grandmaster Herrmann rides with the knights. For all the important duties of the Grandmaster, it is for riding into battle that one becomes a knight.



The rebels are grouped together in the valley, similarly to the last battle we fought against them. It would seem that they share the same strategic prowess and a specialty in dying ignobly.



Before long the soon-to-be dead amble into range. The skirmisher cavalry ride up along the flank. Due to his chosen participation in battle, Grandmaster Herrmann had appointed a lieutenant to command the cavalry on the left wing. This lieutenant, Dietrich, a Reichlander like the best of us, is already a veteran of several skirmishes as well as the first battle of Prussia. He should have no problem commanding the experienced light cavalry, whose main need for an officer is more for synchronization than guidance.

The Prussian auxilia draw off the rebel leader, who almost catches them. Lieutenant Dietrich should hopefully continue to harass the heavy bodyguard, enabling the knights to rampage unimpeded through the rebel army.



As Grandmaster Herrmann leads the heavy cavalry into a first charge, the two battle lines close.



On the left wing, the knecten prepare to charge under the direction of Dietrich.



The cavalry and infantry crush rebels between them by the dozen. This is the end for the rebels, and the lesser men start to flee all on fronts.


The last cohesive enemy unit is crushed by a devestating charge from the Order's finest foot.



The rebels will to fight is a joke, their entire force flees. Somewhere on the field, their leader is dead. Such is how low this man was, none could even tell his supposed position. Their men are ridden down without mercy.



Aftermath

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Casualties, as they always are, were greater than we hoped. The vast majority can be attributed to lieutenant Dietrich. He will not be given command of a force again.



How could he when he and most of his men are dead?

Further to the south, a Lithuanian army was reported moving through the woods. This is all the evidence anyone could need to be convinced that they were connected to the rebellions, not that loyalty to the Order and our God were not sufficient for us. The Grandmaster regroups with a portion of his army and joins Conrad in front of the advancing pagans.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Next season, we will crush them, then move on to the depleted garrison of the town they abandoned to come here. Let all, especially the Danes, know the penalties for crossing the Order.


Holy Mission

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

His Holiness has issued a mission for his loyalest servants, and wishes us to blockade a port to the north. We are honored to serve. Construction of a fleet begins immediately in Palanga.

Third battle of Prussia

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Finally, a group of lesser nobles in Palanga assemble willing guardsmen and attack a rebel army preying on the road southwest of the capital.



Sir Eberhard, a Reichlander, leads our men. Victory is assured, as we face little more than rabble.



Once again, we position ourselves on a hill with the crossbows slightly elevated as to facilitate the arcs their bolts must travel.



The enemy advance and are cut down by our crossbowmen. They charge fruitlessly.



Before long, the lines clash.



Our axemen sweep around and attack the rebel spears from the rear.



The knights charge!



The fighting is over. Once again, armored knights prove to be the greatest force on earth.


Aftermath

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

If the will of God permits, Lithuania will suffer her first defeat before the end of the year.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

I really like the smug satisfaction of

Once again, armored knights prove to be the greatest force on earth.

[Alwyn]

I am enjoying this! Your commentary and images make events on the campaign map and battlefield easy to follow. I particularly like your observations about the "strategic prowess" and the "specialty" of the rebels. I also like the way that we follow the actions of both the commander (the Grandmaster) and a junior officer, Lieutenant Dietrich. I wonder if Lieutenant Dietrich will be able to redeem himself in future. It looks like the Teutonic Order are formidable warriors.

I wonder if you would like to enter the MAARC. (Entering the MAARC can be a good way to attract more readers to your story and those who win earn Writers' Study competition points. Writers who acquire enough points receive Writers' Study competition medals.)

[Lament]

That break ended up much longer than expected. I have excuses, but who cares...
Thank you all for your feedback.
=========================================================

1222 AD
Prussia

While our army traveled through the dark forests between our territory and Lithuania, the latter got up to all kinds of trouble.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

They have turned out to be quite the God-fearing people after all.

As soon as news reached the Grandmaster of the Lithuanians' flight, he ordered Heidenrich after them. Once again, he has performed admirably.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A balanced but weak force.

Without wasting any more time, the righteous descend upon the wicked.


Unbelievable! They actually ran again... Fighting more like peasants than the actual military! It is of little importance however, the stamina and discipline of our men is unmatched, and we close the distance once again.


First Encounter of the Lithuanian War

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Truly, it is wrong to even call this a battle. More of a skirmish. Even more of a slaughter. The Lithuanians are outnumbered two to one, while we would still be confident of victory with those odds reversed. Suffice to say, we have men, equipment, experience, discipline, and all other things a proper general should be assured to keep superioty on their side.


The forces of the Order are arrayed in a traditionnal formation, with the archers lined in front the swords and spears, and the cavalry behind and on the wings.


For their part, the Lithuanians are mimicking us, with their horse archers taking up the places where heavy cavalry should be. Horse archers, such a disgusting concept. Horses are for charging towards the enemy at high speed, not running away!


The infernal Lithuanian horse attempt to skirmish with us, but our accurate shot brought down a great number in a instant.


The archers butcher their men as they advance.


One of their companies was caught in the forest, but were found and engaged. So reluctant were the Lithuanians that witnesses were unsure wether they were hiding or attempting to close the distance with our archers through cover.


Not that it matters... They were quickly encircled and brought down.


Aftermath

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Lithuanians are undeservingly lucky to be dead, any soldier worth their blade would slay themselves in shame. A mere 55 of us dead, and almost entirely militia. The pagans didn't even have the decency to die in battle, instead surrendering. Normally, they would be killed, but such men who would surrender would be no trouble to fight, and capture again. Sadly, the Order is not granted the funds necessary to pursue our actions singlemindedly, and must turn to sad alternatives. For these reasons, the Grandmaster puts up the prisoners for ransom.

Holy Mission

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In accordance with our orders issued by the Pope, we begin the blockade of Nykoeping.

When the army has recovered, we will take Hrodna.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

Ah, the sad but familiar story of financial need outweighing the considerations of honour!

The Lithuanians seem to have been defeated without much difficulty there. I wonder if the same will be true of Nykoeping and Hroda?

[Lament]

1223 AD
Near Hrodna


At the start of the new year, the Grandmaster marched the army to Hrodna. Intelligence reports confirmed that below two hundred men garrisonned the city, so this would not be a siege at all. While the army set up camp around the city and scouts searched the forests for suitable wood to make siege weapons, the Grandmaster called Lieutenant Dietrich to the command tent. The latter had been injured at the battle of the watchtower, but was now recovered and battle ready to participate in the coming battle.

"Lieutenant Dietrich, come."

"Sir. Sir?"

"You are aware, without a doubt, that we are preparing to take Hrodna."

The Lieutenant nodded, still looking unclear as to what he was doing in the presence of the Grandmaster so soon after his previous failure.

"Good. Now here's where you come in." The Grandmaster strode beside Dietrich and put an arm around his shoulder. He whispered into his ear. "We're in a bit of a hurry, thanks to men like you actually, and I believe fully in accountability. You need to do something about our mutual problem." The Lieutenant did not like were this was going, but he stood still, back straight, chin high. He may have been a failure, Herrmann conceded, but he was still greater than any Lithuanian, thanks only to the actions of The Order, naturally. The Grandmaster released the man from his grip and walked around to face him. "Now Lieutenant, this is a very important mission. The most important in the history of The Order." He whispered conspiratorially. "In order to speed things up a bit, you need to produce a surrender from the Lithuanian garrison. Quickly now." Herrmann turned away smiling to himself. The world may not be just, but if men cannot shape the world around them, we are truly lost.

Lieutenant Dietrich spun about on his heel and left the Grandmaster. As he turned a corner in the tent rows, he flicked down his helmet visor. Soon, the tears began to fall.

Later that night, with still no word from Lieutenant Dietrich, the Grandmaster ordered construction to begin on the siege equipment. It would appear the lieutenant has failed his mission. So be it.


The Battle of Hrodna

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Before long, the siege equipment had been completed and the assault began.


As previously affirmed, victory this day will be a most easy task.

Our forces array themselves for battle, brave men waiting with the war machines, ready to take or break the walls.


The Grandmaster sounds the horn of attack, and we move forward to engage. Already the fastest men start to scale the ramparts.


Then, the battering ram begins its heavy work.


Lithuanian cavalry are set upon and slain by axe strokes.


The sword brethren, The Order's finest, leap from a siege tower and cut the archers to pieces.


In the city centre, the knights ride down the last vestige of Lithuanian resistance.


They are soon joined by the wall scaling forces, who crush the pagans between them.



Aftermath

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

We have achieved victory, although at the cost of more lives than necessary.

As The Order is still beleaguered by a defficiency in florins, the Grandmaster opts to loot the town, taking care to smash all pagan relics and statues, as well as burning their places of worship and executing their druids.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Furthermore, a diplomat is recruited to begin negotiations with the Poles to the south, who have been seen moving about the edge of territory. Also, the retraining of the men begins as well.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The army is still strong, and we must strike again while we retain momentum. The Lithuanian's capital, Vilnius, lies next on our route to conquest.



Diplomacy

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

They reject us! Perhaps we are the victims of a northern conspiracy betwixt the Danes and Novgorod?

[Lament]

1224 AD
Hrodna

As the looting of Hrodna came to a close, the Grandmaster summoned the war council to the old mayor’s house, which was being used as the Grandmaster’s base.

“Brothers,” he started, being familiar with all these other men at this stage in their campaign. He noted with bitterness the absence of lieutenant Dietrich. It appeared he had not only declined his mission, but actually deserted the army. Did his oath mean nothing to him?

...And I will be obedient to you, and to your successors, even unto death."

He regretted his thoughts from before the battle of Hrodna. The lieutenant was not better than the best of the Lithuanians, he was worse than their worst. Say what you like about the pagans, but at least they followed orders…

“-Grandmaster?”

Herrmann looked back up. He had drifted into thought, and because he had long since mastered control over his expression, and consequently only modified it when he remembered, he had been staring straight at a map of the region, making his officers uneasy. He was not a man who often brooded, and was disappointed in himself for wasting his time, and the time of the men surrounding him. He realized they were just as busy as him, keeping their men focused and not terrorizing the townspeople any more than necessary, he was a man who valued the bond between master and servant, for it was this bond that made any work the army did possible. Each officer should be a projection of his commander, sharing the duties and the cause that the commander could not possibly cover by himself. He realized he was doing it again…

His officers exchanged glances. They knew their Grandmaster was getting up in his years, and wondered if he was becoming senile, or having memory problems. If he had invited them here, then forgot what he had wanted to talk about, and was too embarrassed to admit it. Luckily for all their fortunes, they were dead wrong.

The Grandmaster finally looked up and smiled wearily. He looked to Conrad, his second. Conrad stood and walked up to the map.



“Reinforcements are already on route from Palanga,” began the Grosskomtur. “Also, as you are surely aware of it, Lithuania will very probably mobilize its entire military might against us. This leaves us with two realistic options.”

The other four men in the council and the Grandmaster made themselves comfortable. Conrad had a reputation of being long-winded.

“Option one: We hold Hrodna against the Lithuanian counterattack, then, once we have defeated them, push forwards with their military forces in full retreat. There are, of course, several downsides to this plan. Among them, it gives the Lithuanians time to assemble their entire army, and strike at us in unison, instead of us launching an attack and hitting them one at a time, or the Lithuanians could ignore our forces here, and attack Riga or Palanga instead. Essentially, it would mean that we fought battle on their terms, beneficial or not.”

A member of the council, the Grand Marshall, Nikolaus von Graudenz, an experienced man only a few years the Grandmaster’s junior, nodded appreciatively “This not your favored choice then?” he said.

“Naturally. Further, it has never been the way of the Order to hide behind walls when a good killing on the field would suffice. Horses do need to stretch their legs occasionally, after all.”

“If you would outline the other option Conrad?” The Grandmaster said. He was ready to go to bed.

“Of course sir. Very good.” He cleared his throat. “As our esteemed colleague has deduced, this is my favored option.”



“First, we await the men coming from Palanga, and, between them and our current forces, we assemble a great army to bring the battle to the Lithuanians’ capital. Ideally, we can engage the castle’s garrison outside the walls and get the castle to surrender to us, where we can then use its defenses to drive off the Lithuanian counterattack, which we’ll have hopefully outpaced.” He reached for the table and placed a new map on the table.



“Troop deployment, as obtained by the honourable Heidenrich, however dishonourable his methods may have been. The garrison of Vilnius is mediocre, although their field army is more numerous. The field army has numerous horse archers, and so we should better fight them from the walls of Vilnius. In brief,” The Grosskomtur concluded, “We fight one of their armies on the field while they gather all their forces to take back Hrodna, further surprising them when they find we are at their doorstep, and take Vilnius. Then, we hold Vilnius once they mobilize the rest of their pagan rabble.”

The Grandmaster stood. “I assent.” Really, his say-so was the only thing The Order needed for any action, but he liked to make the other council members agree. They worked harder and complained less that way.

“As do I.”

“And I.”

“And I.”

“And I.”

Conrad grinned. “And I. Even unto death.”

[Alwyn]

I enjoying this, your AAR has a good balance between showing us events on the battlefield and reporting on wider movements such as diplomacy and strategic planning (and the assessment of troop strengths, such as the quality of the garrison at Vilnius). I hope that the plan for responding to the Lithuanian counter-attack will succeed.

[Lament]

1225 AD
Near Hrodna


The new year saw the arrival of our reinforcements to Hrodna, as well as the first steps in executing our campaign plan. It also brought bad news from home.





Although the Poles and the Republic of Novgorod have yet to declare war on us or attack, for what other reason could they approach our lands? The Grandmaster orders a double watch to be set in both locations, as well as enlisting some local men to shadow the armies, and bring news of any dangerous developments.

The garrison of Palanga is weak, but new troops are being trained as fast as possible to ward off any attack. The men stationed in Riga are more in number, though the melee component is almost entirely militia, and the only troops we can train there are more militia. Things do not look good for either position, though they do help us make a choice.

It would be pointless [according to Grandmaster Herrmann] to rush home in defense, as we are being attacked in different places. In fact, if we left, Hrodna will probably come under siege as well. That would leave us on the back foot, hoping to weather the onslaught of three factions all bigger than us, and thus having more available troops and the ability to train them faster, while gaining no territory ourselves. It would be sealing our fate. It would be as bad as surrendering.

So we went along with the original plan, and crossed our fingers that we could crush Lithuania before Novgorod and Poland attacked.

With this in mind, The Grandmaster had Conrad stay in Hrodna and keep an eye on the rest of The Order’s holdings while he was on the warpath.



The intelligence provided by Heidenrich this year showed the placement of several armies of Lithuania, all scattered about. Knowing this, our decision was an easy one. First, we would attacking a small scouting force on the way to Vilnius.




Second Encounter of the Lithuanian War

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

An experienced tactician could already predict the course of this battle, like a miniature replay of the first encounter of the Lithuanian War.

Our men lined the top of a hill. Truly, we possessed an impressive amount of archers and crossbowmen, and we predicted very minimal casualties.



The Lithuanians came charging in their pitiable formation.



The archers begin shooting at the horse archers.



They receive the habitual success, and the Lithuanian mounted men ride for cover of the trees.



It would seem their spearmen are made of tougher stuff, as the men begin the long climb to their deaths.



Though men fall all around them, they continue upwards.



Then, they got far enough, and decided it wasn’t quite worth the effort. They hurried back down and hid in the trees with the horse archers.



The Grandmaster signalled for the archers to stop shooting and led the cavalry down the slope, rushing the recovering Lithuanians.



Aftermath

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

We’ve taken minimal losses and won the day.

Next, the army continued north, bringing the Lithuanians to battle once again.




Third Encounter of the Lithuanian War

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hours before the battle is joined, Heidenrich brings welcome news to the council. The Grand Duke of Lithuania (AKA the Prime Pagan) would be leading native forces in defense of Vilnius. Scouts report numbers are about even, though the Lithuanian’s cavalry outnumber and outclass the light horsemen that comprise most of our mounted force. Despite this, we remain confident of victory.



This battle, same as many others, saw our usual formation deployed opposite the Lithuanians. For their part, they seemed to have the good sense to stay on the high ground and wait for us to come to them.



In their usual pattern of ineffectuality, the horse archers advance and let loose a volley.



We return.



Having gotten that out of the way and feeling liberated, the Lithuanians run across the field, eager to discard every possible advantage. Perhaps the Grand Duke should have left command to one of his tacticians...



A section of their heavy cavalry turns for our mounted contingent, who had taken cover amongst some trees.



The rest of their horsemen and infantry charge our main line.





Back in the trees, seasoned Order knights bring down the Lithuanian occupying force.



Elsewhere, however, the battle grinds away without either side gaining a particular advantage, though many of our men fall to their charging cavalry.



Grandmaster Herrmann rallies our horsemen, and we fall upon the rear of the Lithuanian infantry.



And again.



Truly this has become a most sorrowful battle. Our own cavalry charge mercilessly against the Lithuanians, while the pagans charge us. We are the ones doing all the real killing this day.



The fighting lasted barely an hour, but was more than enough time to cause the loss of hundreds of lives.



The Grandmaster, beneath his visor, felt deeply sad that so many good men had to die. He no longer fought for God, but for his men, determined to lead them well so that the most possible might survive. Much nobler than fighting for God anyway, he thought.



As the knights pursued the last retreating Lithuanian beneath a dark sky, the Grandmaster regretted leaving Conrad behind. Though the knowledge that their lands were in good hands was comforting, the Grosskomtur would benefit from seeing this. The battlefield taught a lesson to all who walked upon it, different though that lesson would be for all. After all, the Order was a new power and its lands were merely a method of sustaining the men and fielding soldiers in armies, nothing like other nations who were based entirely upon their lands. What is the Republic of Venice without Venice? The Romans without Constantinople? The Pope without Rome?

No, the Grandmaster decided, lands are not important to the Order, are not the Order. It is men who believe and fight for that belief, and leaders who lead and believe in their men.


Aftermath

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Alwyn]

Great chapter! AAR writers often use an ominous last line to encourage readers to return; I like the way that you use an ominous first line here.

Grandmaster Herrmann seems to be an effective commander. I enjoyed the contrast between the two battles - one in which the Order had the advantage of numbers and terrain and another in which the numbers were about equal and the Order, not their enemies, were marching uphill. I enjoy a good cavalry charge - I wonder if you would like to tell us a bit more about some of them. (For example: was the charge a surprise or were the defenders braced? How confident did the cavalry or defenders feel? How much difference did they feel the charge would make to the outcome of the battle and how much difference did it make?)

I particularly like the lines about the Grandmaster's emotions, his motivations for fighting and the importance of men, compared to lands. You have got me interested in the character of the Grandmaster and how his experiences are affecting him. Your screenshots are consistently impressive, too.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

Your Grandmaster seems a very philosophical man. I'm intrigued to see where his beliefs will lead him in the future. How much land would he be prepared to sacrifice, and what would he want to gain in return?