[SS AAR] A New England

[Vor]

Hello, and welcome to my English AAR. This is the first AAR I've done, so I hope it goes well. Sorry if it doesn't.

The story will begin with a young and highly popular general taking the throne by force (this part will all be made up) and will then follow the trials and tribulations of him and his successors as they try and make England the dominant world power.

Below are the rules of my campaign:

Difficulty: H/H

Version: Stainless Steel 5.0 - Late Era Campaign

Any changes made: Increased movement ranges for all units, player and AI alike. I find it daft when it takes two years to cross England.
Cheats: Toggle_fow will be the only cheat used

Other Info: Alliances will be respected and upheld wherever possible, alliances with historic enemies will be avoided, unless it adds to the story.

A 0 will be added to the end of all numbers involved in a battle, for example, if its 900 men in army gamewise, it will be 9000 in the AAR.

---

That's all I can think of for now, but I'll update this first post if I think of anything else.

[Vor]

A New England

The year was 1237, England had bean defeated in Iberia, the combined forces of Spain and Portugal had overrun and destroyed the armies of Prince George and Prince Simon both had died on the field of battle, while Prince Robert, heir to the throne, had been unable to defend the mighty fortress of Pamplona and had been executed after meekly surrendering. The country was the laughing stock of Europe.

Pamplona had been gifted to the English 3 years earlier as a fiefdom by the Crown of Aragon upon the marriage of the English Heir to Lady Maria of Aragon, to mark the new alliance, and to allow the more powerful England to defend Aragon from Spanish and French aggression. A plan that had utterly failed.

With no heirs King William was vulnerable; and the nobles knew this. Some remained loyal, mostly those of French descent, but many (mostly those of English decent) wanted change. The king knew he was in trouble, and quickly acted to purge those who he believed where a danger.

The greatest threat, or so he thought, to his rule was a young Duke. His family where rich, and controlled large amounts of lands in the midlands, his father had been popular with the people and with other nobles alike, and so was the son. Not only was he rich and popular however, but the boy, who was just 22 years old, was considered one of the greatest military minds of his generation. For two 2 years he had commanded a private army, funded by his own wealth but fighting for the glory of England, in Iberia following the death of his father. The boy was the only general to return from the wars with any respect, his army had never tasted defeat, and because of this Prince Robert had sent them away from Pamplona in a fit of jealously shortly before the siege began.

Had his army remained, the battle would surely have been won. And with such a force at his command the King feared him greatly. Within weeks of returning to England following the apparent end of the war the king sent him back to Iberia, ordering him to retake the city of Pamplona and hold it at any cost - with any luck the young general would be killed.

Despite the Kings views, the young man was loyal, and prepared his forces immediately. They would sail to Aragon controlled lands, before marching on the fortress of Pamplona.

The young general leads his troops to war, ready to die for England

[The Sundance Kid]

I like the setting and the storyline behind this one, I will enjoy watching it pan out! Very well done, Vor, your writing flows and reads very well.

[Vor]

It all comes tumbling down

The old year had ended and the new one had dawned just 3 days earlier as young Arthur looked up from the table he was seated behind to see his two most trusted Captains enter the tent. Gregory Dudley and Jasper Conrad. Both where older than the young General, Gregory was 41 years old and had served with Arthur’s father, while Jasper was 33 years old and had been nought but a lowly infantry commander till he had saved Arthur’s life on the battlefield shortly after his fathers death.

For two months now his army had been encamped in the mountains of Northern Spain, waiting for orders from the King on when to launch their attack on Spanish and Portuguese garrisons stationed at Pamplona. January was the coldest time of the year here, the winters where generally cold and very dry, but thankfully much more mild than in most neighbouring European countries. Still, the waiting had been hard on his men, but it could have been worse.

Smiling he stood up and welcomed the two men into the relative warmth of the tent. He couldn’t help but notice something was wrong however, the look on their faces was one of sorrow tinged with anger.

“What’s wrong my friends? The weather not to your liking?” Arthur asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“My Lord,” Gregory began, “we bring word from England.”

“Ah, not more delays I hope? I don’t think the lads could stand much more of this waiting around.”

“There will be no attack on Pamplona Arthur, at least not by this army.” Jasper replied as he slumped down into a char.

Looking back at Gregory the young General raised his eyebrow but remained silent.

“A message has just arrived from England milord, from the Earl of Derby.”

“I see, are we to be recalled?” Arthur asked as he sat back down, indicating for Gregory to take a seat next to Jasper.

“No, infact, by decree of King William, you may never return to England. Your brother has been executed Arthur, your mother and sister fled to Scotland with a handful of guards and as much gold as they could carry but it was only a fraction, but your title, lands and possessions have been stripped and you and your army banished from England on pain of death.”

“What?” Arthur replied, a stunned look spreading across his face.

“Its true milord,” Jasper began, “you where popular in England, and after the destruction of much of the royal army you commanded the greatest force in the land. The king feared you would try and take the throne by force, thus he acted before you could. You are not alone, many nobles have suffered similar fates, their lands and titles given to those still loyal to the crown.”

With a nod Gregory continued. “Arthur, the England we knew is gone. But Derby suggests you return to England, and take the throne by force.”

“I never wanted the throne Gregory. I was loyal.”

“I know that, Derby knows that, and all your allies know that. Your brother did nothing wrong, he was a simple man, no interest in war or politics yet still he died by the rope of King William. Your fathers legacy, destroyed in a matter of hours. Will you let that go unpunished?”

“If I take my troops into England there will be civil war…. the damage done to my family is enough without them being remembered for all time as traitors.”

“William is the traitor Arthur, not you. William is the one who sent thousands to their deaths in this god forsaken war, William is the one who had your allies executed, William is the one who is taxing the country into bankruptcy so he can raise another army. Derby and those nobles who survived will support you with troops. The King wont stand a chance.”

Standing up Jasper began to pace back and forth, before speaking. “Gregory is right my friend, you are England’s only chance. The Scots and the Irish have allied and talk of open war; the Spanish and Portuguese speak of invasion. I beseach you Milord, make peace with the Spanish, and return to England to take the throne by force. The people would back you. Think of it. King Arthur the Saviour, King Arthur the Mighty!”

The young Arthur walks alone through the mountains, considering all that has happened and all that is about to come. Will he risk destroying England to save her?

[Vor]

OOC: I never intended for the character to be called Arthur, but that was just the first general to pop up for adoption while I was prepping the game for the AAR that was under the age of 22.

Still, join us later on today, or early tomorrow, as young Arthur makes his decision and prepares for war.

[The Sundance Kid]

Are you going to be working the general's actual traits into the story, say, if he got the 'cowardly' trait, or the 'cruel leader'? Also like the use of warcraft/guild wars/whatever the hell that game is screenshots

[Vor]

Traits will come into the story, yeah. Arthur will be a kind and fair leader to his people, and thankfully his traits reflect that. But who knows what his heirs will turn out like. Their personalities will be based on their traits, whatever their born with will be built upon. I'll also be trying to keep the bloodline pure, no adoptions from now on etc.

And the picture is from Lord of The Rings: Online

[crucify_ego]

dude, this is quite an excellent start, please keep it up. + rep!!!!!!!

[Vor]

No choice

A month had past since news of the goings on in England had arrived at Arthur’s camp, and since then further distressing news had arrived. William, in his paranoid state, had apparently executed Cardinal Wormsworth on a charge similar to that of Arthur’s. The man had been widely tipped by many in the Catholic Church to be the next pope.

This act of heresy, committed just days after Arthur’s own exile, had infuriated Pope Gregorius, and had prompted him to excommunicate King William from the Catholic Church. In essence giving any Catholic Lord with a itch for war the right to take the lands of England by force. When this news arrived Arthur knew that he had no choice, he had to act, and act soon. But with the loss of his lands and title, he had limited funds and would be unable to pay his army for much longer. Now was the time to act.

Arthur and his army return to England

And so it was, in the dead of night during the second week of February, Arthur and his troops returned to England, landing at port of Portsmouth. Derby had been true to his word, and had sent men ahead to pacify any defenders in the city that may have been loyal to King William. But as Arthur disembarked however he was devastated to learn that Derby had been killed while on route to Portsmouth himself two days prier.

Without Derby he had no way of knowing which nobles would side with him, and no way of contacting any of them. This was a devastating blow indeed, but Arthur was just 65 miles from London, William would know of his arrival before noon the next day, there could be no delay. His troops must arrive at London before William’s allies could answer his call for aid. If possible William wanted this war to end quickly, a drawn out civil war would damage England greatly, perhaps beyond repair.

OOC: First battle will be posted later today

[Vor]

And so it begins


For three days Arthur and his army marched through Southern England, along the way they encountered far greater support than he had ever expected, and soon the ranks of his main force had swelled to over 8600.

Gregory had been sent east with a smaller force numbering around 3500, in the hopes of gathering more men. His orders where eventually to circle London and set up camp 20 miles out on the Great North Road. Hopefully preventing, or at least delaying, any assistance from arriving while Arthur was laying siege to the Capital.

When Arthur awoke the next morning the weather was unseasonably cold, a thick blanket of snow covered the ground, and the sky threatened to unleash even more before the sun began to peak. This was a bad omen. He had little time to dwell on it however as in the distance he saw a group of horsemen heading towards the camp as quickly as their steeds would carry them. As they drew closer Arthur identified them as the scouting party he had sent ahead under Jaspers command.

“Arthur!” The 33-year-old Jasper cried as he finally arrived in the camp. “Arthur!”

“Over here friend, what is it?”

Jumping from his horse and running towards his friend and Lord, Jasper began to speak, caring not who was in earshot. “Arthur my friend, William had been expecting you. An army marches towards us as we speak, it will be upon us by noon.”

“I see.” Arthur replied solemnly. “How many men are in this army Jasper?”

“They out number us sir, 13,000 at least, William has hired mercenaries from all across Europe. The city is defended by even more.”

Arthur sighed, and then fell silent as he gazed around.

“We have the advantage Jasper,” he said eventually. “We are on the high ground and have 12 hundred archers, we will even the odds while they climb the slope. Once they reach the top, our light infantry will engage their forward lines, while our heavy infantry attack their flanks. Then, my friend, the slaughter begins. During the initial engagement you will lead 1000 of our cavalry troops and remain out of sight to the west, the other 500 shall stay behind our lines. When you hear my horn blow lead the cavalry in a charge against the enemies rear.”

“Just like in Spain.” Jasper grinned.

“Except this time Gregory is not here to lead the charge my friend. The success of this plan rests on your shoulders. Over half our light infantry is made of locals we picked up since we arrived in England. I don’t know how long their nerve will hold, if they route then the battle is lost and we are defeated. Your attack must be timed perfectly.”

“I wont fail you milord.”

“I know you wont Jasper.”

Arthur and his troops wait in the freezing snow

[Jack of Clubs]

This AAR is brill, nice work. Cant wait for the next installmant any idea whne that will come?

p.s cant believe this is your 1st AAR

[Vor]

Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully I'll get the next part up later today, or tomorrow morning. I've already played the battle as a custom battle, and got the screenshots. Just need to do a write up to go with them.

[crucify_ego]

Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully I'll get the next part up later today, or tomorrow morning. I've already played the battle as a custom battle, and got the screenshots. Just need to do a write up to go with them.

how exactly did you pull this off though? as I have tried to fight custom battles with the same faction but the game wont allow it :hmmm:

[Vor]

There not the same faction I tried to get it to work like that, but it wouldn't. I used Venice to represent Williams army

[crucify_ego]

oh ok. can't wait for the update

[Vor]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone

"May god forgive me" Arthur mumbled below his breath as he watched the approaching army grow nearer and nearer. William may have been excommunicated, but the men about to die in this battle had not been. They where defending their king, as Arthur himself would have done two months ago.

"ARCHERS AND ARTILLERY STAND READY" he bellowed as he put all thoughts out of his mind. The actions of today would determine the fate of England, defeat for his force would end the invasion and end all hopes of a free and better England.

"500 meters!" one of the spotters yelled, indicating the front ranks of the enemy had passed the first set of markers.

"FIRE!" Arthur bellowed again. Before he had even finished speaking the solitary word his voice was drowned out as arrows and burning lumps of rock tore across the sky.

At this range he expected little in the form of physical casualties. It would require nothing short of a miracle for his artillery or archers to hit their mark, but the mental impact would be worth the wasted ammunition.

Still, he was greatly surprised when the first rounds slammed into the ground just meters away from Williams forward lines. 'Williams forward line' was not exactly accurate. The King was still in London, the man had not fought a single battle personally since he took the Throne some 30 years before, he was a disgrace to his grandfather, and namesake, William the Conqueror.

"400 meters!" the spotter yelled again, indicating the second wave of archers and artillery should begin their bombardment while the first recalibrated.

Success! The artillery hurled burning rocks directly into the center of enemy lines, hundreds where injured or killed by the rocks, while yet more still where injured in the panic that ensued before the Captains could restore order.

Twice more the artillery fired before the front lines of the two armies engaged.

"Remember lads," Arthur yelled to his Captains seconds before the armies clashed. "Hold the lines, if we break then its over. You must hold the lines till the cavalry is in position."

"FOR ENGLAND!" came a chorus of replies from the troops in nearby proximity. "FOR ENGLAND!" they called once more as steel met steel.

Everything was going to plan as moments later the heavy infantry crashed into the left and right flanks. The Royal Army was pinned in from three sides.

The battle lines stretched for a mile in either direction, and for what seemed an eternity the two armies fought, neither giving an inch, but eventually the advantage Williams force had in numbers began to show. The center of Arthur's forward lines began to buckle, they would fail any moment.

Now was the time for Jasper to finish this battle. Removing a large battle horn from his side Arthur took a deep breath before blowing upon it. The signal for the cavalry charge. Seconds later 50 score of riders appeared from the forests, Arthur knew the battle as won. Drawing his sword he looked around, "FOR ENGLAND!" he yelled as charged forwards with his bodyguards to reinforce the center line, it had to hold for just a few more minutes. His guards echoing the call as they followed.

A few of Williams army noticed the Cavalry coming up behind them and tried to flee, but it was no use. 1000 riders trampled them to death as the now unstoppable charge approached its target.

The result of the cavalry charge was nothing short of epic. Within minutes the majority of Williams army was dead or dieing. The rest where in panic and fleeing the flied in any direction they could or had thrown down their arms in surrender.

"Milord!" Jasper yelled as he spotted Arthur. "Should we pursue?"

"No Jasper. Enough men have died this day."

[O'Ciarain]

Awesome AAR. I've read many and this one is one of the best by far.

[Jack of Clubs]

When will the next update be?!?!

Can't wait

[Vor]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I'm currently considering a plot twist, which has delayed posting. However I expect the next update will be tomorrow.

[Zadith]

I am going to sound like an idiot but how are you doing England vs England? Are you doing this AAR in the campaign or are you doing it on custom battles? Just a little curious....I love your AAR. Really really good!!