[DM AAR] La Gloria di Sicilia

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Hai, all! This is my first text-based AAR, and only my second AAR overall. Hopefully I don't bore you too bad with it.

Ground rules: I use cheats. Yes, come on, hit me with whatever you've got. "Loser! You can't even play the game right." Whatever. I only use add_money, process_cq, and character_reset.

I'm changing Naples to be my capitol city. If I lose it, game over.

I only marry the direct Line of Kings. I.E., only King Roger gets to be married, then Prince Simon, then the next faction heir, so on and so forth. And I do not adopt.

I play on VH/E. Whatever.

I use only the 1.2 Patch, plus DarthMod 3.something.

First update after the first five turns!

Oh, and because I cheat for money, I keep 10,000 F. per settlement.

Kthxbai!

--Dagoth

[Dagoth Nerevar]

1080 AD, Naples

It is the year 1080 of the second age of this great earth, otherwise know as the Year of Our Lord, Anno Domini. I am King Roger of the Sicilians, soon to be the mightiest empire since the great ancient Romans. My son, Prince Simon, and his trusted friend and my general Alberto, share rule of Palermo, while I govern Naples, the capital of our great land.

Simon, however, is not content with merely governing the Isle, and he desires to bring the greatness of our empire to others. Thus, I have given him orders to disembark for Cagliari with the army of Palermo, and to let Alberto take over governing the city. He has done so eagerly, and has set sail for Sardinia. I shall miss him, and I suspect that it shall be years before he returns.

1082 AD, Naples

My daughter, Matilda, has made her country and father proud by securing an alliance with the Papacy. This has solidified our friendship with Pope Gregory, who has always been my good friend. This will mean that any nations that should desire to war with us will most likely face the wrath of the leader of Christendom.

My son, Simon, has now landed upon the Isle of Sardinia, and lays siege to the castle of Cagliari. His reports to me indicate that the King of Cagliari's forces are weak, and should not put up too much of a fight when he finally decides to assault the city. Hopefully, he shall not lose too many of his men to the Sardinians.

My most loyal informant, Papero Archibugi, has entered the city of Florence to the north under the guise of a merchant. He reports that they do not seem to suspect him, but he must still be careful. He has also informed me that the Duke of Florence commands a small force of about 280 men, which are very loyal to him and will not be easily bought. This information is invaluable to us in the case that we should decide to wrest control of Florence away from him.

1084 AD, Naples

All praise be to God! He has granted us a great victory at Cagliari! Simon has taken the city, which had a garrison of 196 men to match his 528 veteran soldiers. He suffered minimal casualties, losing only seventy-three of his soldiers. This city will be a great addition to the Christian Realm of Sicily. Its wealth shall add to ours, and we shall become all the better for it.

Here in Naples, I have appointed a local priest from the countryside, Ubaldo de Calama, to be instated as the Head Priest of Naples. He is now in charge of the affairs of the Church in Naples, and is the religious leader of the region around Naples. He has already proved a very effective religious leader, converting many former Muslims and Pagans, as well as a small percentage of heretic Cathars.

1086 AD, Naples

My son Simon has wisely followed my lead, and appointed a High Priest of Cagliari, who has already, in his short two years of religious rule, greatly increased the influence of Catholicism in Sardinia, which was once rife with heretical beliefs, Islam, and paganism. He has showed them the path to true enlightenment, and I rejoice for them, for I would not have my subjects damned to eternal hellfire.

Matilda, quite the specimen of beautiful royalty now, has secured an alliance with the great Heiliges Römisches Reich, known in our tongue as the Holy Roman Empire. I hope that our two peoples can be friends for many years to come, and that our alliance becomes a stabilizing force in an often insecure, material world.

1090 AD, Naples

Thanks to God, for he has blessed me with a daughter, which my wife and I have named Serena, or Serenity, because she did not cry after being born. My wife and I are proud to have a third daughter to propagate our royal line, and to secure alliances with other great nations. However, secretly, I am somewhat disappointed that I have no sons other than my beloved Simon. I know that these are un-Christian thoughts, and so I have forced myself to fast for a week for penance.

I have received a letter from Alberto, Governor of Palermo, informing me that he has initiated construction to expand Palermo into a great Fortress, for the population has grown so as to make this necessary. This new construction will add to the glory of the great Christian Realm of Sicily!

I have also been delivered a letter from Prince Simon in Cagliari, and it contains as follows:

"My Dearest Father and Holy King,

my scouts report that a Milanese army has landed to the east of Cagliari, and make fortifications there. I am worried that they may attack, and that my forces may take heavy casualties if they do. The Milanese have long been neutral to us, and I see no reason that they would attack. However, I am still quite worried. Please, advise me on a course of action, father.

Your Loyal and Loving Son
Prince Simon of Palermo"

I have advised Simon that the best course for him to take right now would be to wait and observe the Milanese forces.

This is all that I can write at this time, as I must now depart for the western port near Naples. My loyal army and I are setting sail for the coast near Florence, and from there shall we attack and take the city from the King of Florence. If God is willing, we shall be victorious. With His blessing, none can possibly stand in our way!

1092 AD, Italian Coast west of Florence

By the grace of God, my army has safely landed on the Italian coast west of the city of Florence, and we are preparing to assault the city itself. My large army should be more than enough to take the city. However, I am worried about the possibility of a large amount of casualties due to the large size of the force. However, such concerns cannot get in the way of God's plan for our great nation.

Another setback in the securing of Northern Italy has occurred. My informant, Papero Archibugi, operating out of Florence, has been captured and executed for treason against the Kind of Florence after he was caught in the army barracks by a guard. He has been drawn and quartered, and his head put upon a stake outside of the Florencian Gate. The King of Florence must obviously be an impious man to make use of such harsh punishments. This is another reason why we must liberate the people of Florence back to the true Christian empire, that of Sicily!

The Christian Realm of Sicily, 1092 AD

[Dagoth Nerevar]

1094 AD, Outside of Florence

I have received grave tidings from the Council of Nobles in Naples. Venice has blockaded our eastern port, officially and openly declaring war on the Christian Realm of Sicily. This is a dark day, and I shall not idly stand by while Venice seizes my trade vessels manned by Sicilian citizens. They shall feel the wrath of God, see His holy fury come racing towards them in the form of the Sicilian army! Once we conquer Florence to serve as a base, nothing shall protect the treacherous, oath-breaking Venetians from the Divine Wrath.

My army has surrounded Florence, and the siege has begun. We shall attempt to starve out the heretical King of Florence, who openly embraced heresy and gave preferential treatment to heretics during his long reign. We shall re-enlighten the people of Florence. They shall know the salvation of the one true Jesus Christ and Almighty God.

Matilda has succeeded in securing trade with the Milanese. The situation on Sardinia seems to have been defused, as Simon's scouts report that they make ready to leave the island and return to Genoa. My daughter is truly a credit to her country, and I do not give her enough credit for it. She is a strong woman, and makes me very proud to be her father.

1096 AD, Florence

God has granted victory once again to the great nation of Sicily! We have captured Florence! The enemy army was commanded by King Marchio of Florence, and ours, by myself, King Roger of Naples! We fielded an impressively large force of 1,027 men, against the 275 inexperienced soldiers under King Marchio's command. His men knew that they stood no chance of surviving against my men, but they stood fast and fought to the death. My priests now pray for these brave men's souls, so that they may find eternal paradise in the Kingdom of Heaven.

I have received a dispatch from Palermo that the Fortress is complete, and has made a lasting mark on the land. Palermo can now provide protection for up to more than 6000 inhabitants of both the city and the countryside on the Isle of Sicily. Also, Alberto has constructed an Armourer's Workshop, and hired an Armourer to construct a fine suit of armour to ensure his protection on the battlefield.

A new agent has come forth from the shadows of the criminal underworld to offer his services to the Christian Realm of Sicily--a spy named Bieda Viotti. He is currently riding north towards Venice to help gather information to plan for our great assault upon the city.

The Christian Realm of Sicily, 1096 AD

[celtic_warlord422]

I rather like these text based AAR's i always have done. Very good.

[Dagoth Nerevar]

1098 AD, Florence

I have selected a local religious leader, Gherardo Odesalchi, to be the High Priest of Florence. He is a very famous priest in Northern Italy, famous for his fire-and-brimstone sermons. His method of inspiring fear of the divine in the hearts of heretics and infidels has already made a lasting mark on the land, making it more Christianized than it already was.

My beloved son, Prince Simon, has set sail for the island city of Ajaccio on Corsica. I pray that God grants him victory, for this city will greatly add to the glory of the Christian Realm of Sicily. His large force of experienced and well armoured soldiers should have very few complications in taking this rebel, ungodly fortress.

My daughter Matilda has once again proved her great worth to her people, securing a deal with the Holy Roman Empire in which they exchanged the city of Bologna for 20,000 Sicilian florins. This was a large amount to pay, but it has achieved the objective of making our allies leave Italy, therefore reducing the likelihood of strained relations in the future.

1100 AD, Bologna

Treachery! The evil and ungodly Milanese have blockaded the port of Palermo, and we are now at war with these blasphemers. All of Italy is now at war, and this does not bode well for the future. However, most of the fighting shall be done in Northern Italy, well away from the great capital city of Naples.

The Venetians have recently been excommunicated by his Holiness the Pope, which means that his lands can be taken from him by his fellow Christians without fear of reprisal from the Pope.

The Venetians, just last month, besieged Bologna with 325 men. I came to the city's aid to assault the Venetian army. I entered the field of battle with 570 of my most loyal and experienced soldiers. My cavalry immediately charged their front ranks, causing an almost instant rout. I only lost 14 men, compared to the Venetians' high casualties of 131 men killed and 165 captured, including their king, Doge Domenico. The Doge was summarily executed for his crimes against Christianity, including that of attacking the Pope.

Simon has landed on the Isle of Corsica, and besieges Ajaccio with 906 men to the enemy's 255. The king of Ajaccio is a resolute man, and will stand firm even in the face of these overwhelming odds.

My informant Bieda Viotti has been killed in Venice, or so I have come to suspect from his lack of reports recently. This is a major setback, for we needed the information he would have gathered in order to assault the city.

1102 AD, Bologna

I have appointed a priest named Paolo de Trebesaio, who was born in Sicily but moved here as a child, to be the Head Priest of Bologna. He is a very expedient and pious man, and has already cleaned up the cluttered mess of a religious system that was left by the Holy Roman Empire in Bologna, organizing the building of churches and chapels in the countryside villages for the locals to pray.

Praise be to God, Simon has captured Ajaccio. His men suffered only 60 casualties, while the King of Ajaccio and all of his men bravely fell in battle. I pray for their souls now, for I would have such noble and godly foes find eternal paradise.

1106 AD, Bologna

I have received a letter from Simon, and it contains as follows:

"My Dearest Father,

the Venetians have besieged Cagliari! Their army numbers upward of 850 men, and our garrison contains only 695 experienced soldiers. I have given command to the captain of the garrison, a brave, stout man, named Gherardo. He has proven in the past to be a capable commander, and he will not let me down. Do not worry father, we shall be victorious!

Your Loving Son,
Prince Simon of Palermo"

I trust Simon's choice of commanders, for he has never let me down before. I have noticed that Simon has become more and more confident in himself with each battle that he wins. This is a good thing, and Simon will one day make a great ruler of his country.

I have received a notice from the Council of Nobles in Naples. They have taken the liberty to expand and improve the walls of Naples in order to accommodate the quickly rising population. This will make Naples quite a landmark for years to come.

His Holiness the Pope has preached a Crusade to march upon Venice. This is a novel concept, but it has gained much support from the people of many nations. I am making preparations to join this holy war and bring God to the excommunicated people of Venice.

1108 AD, Outside of Venice

Simon has told me that Venice has called off their siege of Cagliari, which can allow us to breath again. I thank God that no lives had to be lost in a battle over the city.

I have received dispatches from my friends in foreign lands that the Crusade against Venice has received much support from the people. The Kingdom of France has created an army to march upon Venice, as have the Holy Roman Empire and Milan. I myself have also joined this holy task, and have created the largest army ever seen in the Christian Realm of Sicily to march upon the ungodly and blasphemous city. Our army has reached the walls of the city, and has cut them off from both land and sea. They have no escape, and shall have to face the wrath of God's greatest army.

I have received a notice from the Council of Nobles in Bologna. They have taken the liberty of expanding and improving the walls of Bologna in order to accommodate the quickly rising population. This will make Bologna quite a landmark for years to come, and provide far more protection to the inhabitants of the city.

A priest named Beca de Marano has been appointed by Simon as High Priest of Ajaccio and Corsica, and has done much to convert the populace of a place once rife with heresy, Islam, and paganism. This has greatly improved our relations with the Pope, who has gifted us with a sum of three thousand florins as a token of his appreciation.

Matilda has, as many times in the past, done her father and country proud by securing an alliance with the Kingdom of France. This ensures that our two people will live in peace and harmony for years to come now.

The Northern Provinces of the Christian Realm of Sicily, 1108 AD


The Southern Provinces of the Christian Realm of Sicily, 1108 AD

[normanknight]

why do you use a cheat?????

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Cause the only games that I've played with no cheats, I've ended up with not enough money to field a military.

Except for Milan. After about 30 turns I had 40,000 florins. But it's about the story, not the gameplay methods.

[bomberboy]

Well who cares if you use cheats keep it up.

Your AAR reminds me of My two AAR's A Generals Diary and A Generals Diary 2.

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Yeah, I really like your AARs, bomberboy.

Thanks for the good comments everyone!

[bomberboy]

Why thankyou for your nice comment Dagoth Nerevar. I've just updated The Struggle for Independence. Check it out.

[asd21593]

i competely agree with your cheating, the army upkeep is seriously messed up, armies of the time were fed,etc. off the land they were on, not but the state itself, but they were supported by forcing locals to feed, clothe, repair arms, etc.

[normanknight]

i competely agree with your cheating, the army upkeep is seriously messed up, armies of the time were fed,etc. off the land they were on, not but the state itself, but they were supported by forcing locals to feed, clothe, repair arms, etc.

Cheating is not needed at any point you just need to work harder at the game instead of giving up

[asd21593]

so i think someone should make a mod, getting rid of upkeep but raising the army units actual cost

[celtic_warlord422]

so i think someone should make a mod, getting rid of upkeep but raising the army units actual cost

Well, you got to pay the miserable buggers. Unfortunatly...

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Sorry guys, the AAR is on an indefinite hold until we get rid of the (multitude of) viruses on my computer.

[celtic_warlord422]

Darn, it was getting good aswell.

[bomberboy]

He's not giving up he's just using cheats, besides I my self used the process_cq and add_money cheats for the generals diary sieries.

[normanknight]

He's not giving up he's just using cheats, besides I my self used the process_cq and add_money cheats for the generals diary sieries.

sounds like you gave up too

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Alright, while this is on hold, I need all of your help. How can I back up my save?

[bomberboy]

Norman Knight I never give up besides I had a reason to cheat bet you cheat too.