Dawn of Faith - A Milan AAR

[Ryoken]

Maybe I am unique in this, but I doubt it. I have dreams about being the people I play in video games. I think about what it would be like to really be doing what I am doing in a video game. This AAR is about living the dream.

This AAR is not about victory. I am not playing to conquer faster than anyone else. I am not playing to impress you all with my magnificent skills. In fact, sometimes you are going to question my skills because I am going to do things that are not optimal. I am not even going for the actual victory conditions really. But this is not a documentary of my game. I am trying to make a good story, which is what AARs really should be about. I am going to be playing a very roleplaying oriented game. I am going to ground my story in realistic and historical descriptions. The point of the story is to show the dynamism of the period; temporal rulers vs the church, Islam vs Christianity, HRE vs free cities, chivalry, etc. I am not going to be making decisions in the game unless I can justify it as a plausible action of a real ruler at the time (given the inaccuracies of the game model, of course). No blitzkriegs, no huge cavalry forces of bodyguard units that overrun whole armies, no massive expansionary pushes in all directions, no large armies led only by captains, etc.

I am also not going to be doing a lot of documenting for the minutia of the game. I am not going to tell you when I build a unit or building, what turn it is, how many men died in the battle, etc. You may find these things out through allusion ("Send a runner to Count Voludrino, tell him to turn out the militia for battle and that I am retreating to him to join our forces!"), but I am not going to go out of my way to tell them to you. The story is going to flow in a mix of theatrical and cinematic style. There will be acts like a play and scenes within those acts, but the story will be laden with description much more heavily than a play would ever contain (No "The count enters stage right waving his arms" or anything like that). I will use images for punctuation, not documentation. They will be picked to bring out the mood of the scene (i.e. not to show you the first phase of my attack strategy).

I am going to be following the below rules strictly to enhance the storyline's realism:

Campaign Rules:
- Hard / Hard difficulty (VH/VH with the below limitations is not fun)
- Genuine attempts made to complete all missions unless judged major waste of resources or impossible
- If the pope calls for a cease-fire, I will make genuine efforts at peace; If these are rebuffed, war will restart after
- All crusades must be joined as soon as possible; Conquered crusade territory can be gifted to other factions if reasonable
- No watchtowers can be built, however forts are allowed and will be used extensively
- Forts can be built to protect merchants on resources, no more than 5 merchants per fort
- Spies cannot be used except as counter-spies in cities
- No exterminations
- No use of assassins
- No retraining of units, only mergers; Not even for better weaponry or armor
- No actions resulting in excommunication can be made
- Only minimal fleet of 1-2 units can be maintained during normal operations
- Large fleets may be raised to protect major crossings, but must be disbanded when finished
- Priest units must remain either within conquered territories or merged with an army at all times

Force Composition Rules:
- No more than one family member per stack except when no open governorships & then only within cities, not field armies
- No armies can leave my territory unless commanded by Faction Leader or Heir and accompanied by at least one priest
- No more than 5 cavalry units per stack, no counting general unit; Cavalry units cannot exceed infantry units in number
- Garrisons replaced by better units when available (no peasant garrisons forever)
- No mercenary units except in armies led by F. Leader or Heir and then only 4 units / stack
- No mobile siege engines (trebuchets, cannons, etc) except in armies led by F. Leader or Heir and then only 3 units / stack

Battle Rules:
- No use of General unit in battles except final defense of town square or fort if forced to that point
- No pursuit of enemy after battle is won
- Captured soldiers always ransomed
- Siege armies must build siege equipment and assault immediately; same turn if mobile siege engines present
- No use of cavalry in city / castle assaults except if all infantry routing

Some historical grounding for the campaign:
The Lombard League was formed in 1167 AD to counter the pressure of the Holy Roman Emperor for sovereignty over the cities of Northern Italy. Since the game starts in 1080 AD, there is no true historical way model what the game asserts; Milan as the center of some form of political/military force. So what I am going to assume is that the Lombard League was formed earlier, the Duke of Milan is the power center of the group, and that the alliance wants independence from the HRE but still acknowledges some form of political affiliation with the HRE. This is a quasi-historical solution which I think is somewhat plausible. The first time the HRE makes a move against me, I will use the actual historical conflict as a frame to describe what is happening in the game and adopt more of the history that actually happened during the wars of the period.

Version Notes:
I am playing Vanilla version 1.1 because every time I download 1.2 it is corrupted. If you know why this happens, let me know. I had 1.2 before, but reformatted my PC and now I am stuck in 1.1.

[Ryoken]

"A principality is created either by the people or by the nobles, accordingly as one or other of them has the opportunity; for the nobles, seeing they cannot withstand the people, begin to cry up the reputation of one of themselves, and they make him a prince, so that under his shadow they can give vent to their ambitions."
- Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

The Year is 1080 A.D. Christendom is absorbed in the petty squablings of feudal lords. While the Christian Lords scramble for scraps, the banner of Islam has unfurled over the cradle of civilization. Unified only loosely around the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church, many have wondered if Christendom will be able to withstand the assault from the East.

In Northern Italy, a loose federation of cities has formed to resist the predations of the Holy Roman Emperor of Germany. While nominally a part of the Holy Roman Empire, these cities have defied direct control and formed a political union to further their individual ambitions. At the center of this union is the Duke of Milan, Giorgio Rossi. From this nucleus, a powerful state is just beginning to form. Under the command of Giorgio's son, Bernardo, a new Italian state will fight from the shadows and into the light of God.....





A cloud passed the moon. For a moment, it was pitch black. Bernardo grasped the reins of his horse tightly. He could hear sounds of the dying crying out for help into the night. The stench of the dead was thick and it would only get worse.

Bernardo has been preparing for this day for many years and he was ready. Or so he thought. But the image of a man with half his left arm desperately trying to pull himself to the side of the road only to be trampled by a horse was seared into his mind as sure as if it had been branded. The glory of battle, they said. Far from it.

The cloud was gone and light returned. Bernardo turned to his sergeant-at-arms, Luca.

"Luca, I dont want to see my men doing anything dishonorable tonight. Order a general withdraw to camp. We can finish this in the morning when the moment of passion has passed."

"As you wish, my lord"

Luca kicked his horse slightly and disappeared. As Bernardo turns his horse, the light of the fires raging in the bailey on the hill above grew stronger. They would rage for hours.

"We must rebuild in stone," Bernardo spoke aloud.

His men were quiet. The battle of the night had exhausted them. But the night would pass. The blood would fade from soil. And this land would have to be governed. These concerns were not on the mind of his men. But they consumed him.

As his horse walked through the shattered gateway, he could see a rider approaching. He recognized the coat of arms as that of his father. He kicked his horse hard, pulling into a strong gallop. The distance was closed in a matter of minutes.

"Do you bring news from my father?", he shouted to the rider as they neared.

"Aye, I do. A sealed letter"

"TORCH!" Bernardo yelled!



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



"For Florence!"

The Florentine soldiers surged forward. Several of the Milanese spearmen broke and ran.

"Hold the line!" bellowed Bernardo.

The battle had been raging for hours. Street by street. House by house. The city was aflame. Chaos reigned. Everywhere lay the dead. Bernardo again felt that twinge of doubt. Why this? Why was he killing these men? For what?

"Sir, these are the last men. My sergeants have scoured the remains of the city and there are no more armed men except these here and they wont last for long. The city is ours."

"Excellent, Mercurio. You have done well."

"One other thing, my lord. My men found this in the city hall. It is the seal of Florence. As the new Count, this is now your property, sir."

And there was the answer. Titles. What titles did these dead men earn?



"FORWARD!"

[~Beren~]

Amazing!

All I can say!

[Ryoken]

An old hunchback scuffles along a corridor deep beneath the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Behind him walks a young Venetian noble, Alessandro Selvo. The hunchback comes to a large oak door and fumbles with the keys.

"How much further is it? This is taking all night!"

"This is the room, my lord."

"Good"

The old door creaks loudly as it swings open. Inside is a simple table with two chairs. In one of the chairs sits an elderly man in simple brown robes.

"It is about time you arrived. I granted this audience out of consideration for the Doge and you are late!"

Alessandro kneels before the man and lowers his head.

"I beg your forgiveness, your Holiness."

"Get up, don't waste my time with ceremony. I am tired and uncomfortable with meeting in this place. What is it that the Doge sent your here to discuss?"

"Doge Domenico is concerned about the growing power of the Lombard League. They have acquired first Corsica and now Tuscany. As they are allied with France and your Holiness and a part of the Holy Roman Empire, that leaves only one direction for their aggression; Venice. The Doge is very concerned about this and comes to beg your Holiness to protect him from the Lombard League."

"It is not my role to become involved in these petty squabbles. My role is as a peacemaker. I am not going to make war on the Lombard League, no matter what fate awaits Venice."

"Forgive me for not being clear, the Doge does not request that you make war. Instead, he has proposed an alternative method of distracting the Lombards. Everyone knows that the Duke of Milan's son and the Count of Florence, Bernardo Risso is a very devout Christian. It has come to the Doge's attention that the Count feels deeply conflicted about the righteousness of fighting his Christian brothers."

"I am afraid I do not follow..."

"If you were to hold a holy council in Parma, the Count would be obligated to attend. If you were to hold a Mass and describe how it is your dream that a Christian army liberate the holy city of Jerusalem from the Muslims, the Count would surely take up the Papal standard and lead his forces in your name. Not only would this strengthen your own position within Christendom as supreme over earthly rulers, but it would strengthen the name of all Christians. Surely the young Count could liberate the city with ease. Then he would be there and we would be here. Venice would remain safe. War could be avoided. Peace and prosperity could reign. We feel that this solution would please everyone."

"That is a most interesting proposal. I shall consider it deeply. However, I must leave now. I need my rest for Mass tommorow."

"Thank you for your time, your Holiness."

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



Deep inside the Doge's Palace, Alessandro Selvo sat in a cold iron chair waiting for the Doge. He heard a scuffling in the hallway and then the door opened and the Doge entered.

"Well?"

"He did not confirm that he would do it. But I believe he will."

"Good. I doubted he would agree immediately. He needed time to think about it. I am sure he will come to the logical conclusion to do as we ask. He has too much to gain."

"I agree. However, even if he holds the council and gives the Mass, there is no guarantee that Bernardo will agree."

"I know. After I sent you to Rome, I sent a letter to the Byzantine emperor asking him if I might purchase the services of his best assassin from the East. My letter returned this morning with an agreement. If Bernardo does not take up the cross, he will take up the grave."

"Excellent. You are most wise, my lord."

"Now, let me show you the mercenary forces I have prepared....."

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



Count Bernardo stood over a large table in his tent. He examined the ledgers for hours. He had enough food. He had enough coin. He had enough soldiers. He had enough horses. He was prepared. And yet, he felt a slight tug of anxiety. Like there was something waiting beneath the waves. Some dastardly plot he couldnt quite see.......

His sergeant-at-arms entered the tent.

"Sir, the galleys from Genoa have arrived. Save for this tent and a few others, we are prepared to cast off. Are you ready to board your flagship, Sir?"

[Ryoken]

Amazing!

All I can say!

Well, I am not as good at manipulating pictures in Photoshop as you, bud. I gotta go for the storyline

Thanks for the praise!

[medivalmatt]

Great

[~Beren~]

Well, I am not as good at manipulating pictures in Photoshop as you, bud. I gotta go for the storyline

Thanks for the praise!

He he,

To me, pictures are just bonus eyecandy.
The storyline is what really matters.

Keep up the good work!

[rawghi]

Good! Very nice!!! keep it up!

[bomberboy]

Berens right the story lines more then the pics and your story line is great is this your first. I'm very immpressed.

[Ryoken]

It is not my first. Unfortunately, I lost the save when I tried to upgrade to Kingdoms. I have gone back to 1.1 now and I am almost done with my major mod. It is a mod that will make a great AAR, so I will start a new AAR to promote it. That will be in a couple weeks.

This thread is dead, unfortunately. No save game anymore....

[bomberboy]

The AAR is dead thats the second one I've seen thats dead. I would have enjoyed this one.

[Ryoken]

Sorry. I made a backup of the file, then reinstalled and tried kingdoms. Then I copied the file back. But then I couldnt get it to work right, so I uninstalled and deleted again, then realized my file was gone. Damn.

[Selifator]

I'll forgive you on one condition: Make your next AAR in the same style and with the same fantastic story line as this one.
Reading this is almost as watching a movie. + rep for the storyline
Great writing, and please hurry with the next AAR.