[SS AAR] Sicily - The Norman Legacy

[Gobmech]

So, been readin' a few AARs, and I thought that I would try to start one myself.

Faction: Sicily
Game: SS6.1, H/H
Cheats: toggle_fow for display purposes. add_money because I'm horrible with economy. I don't hope this takes from the quality, as I reckon that you will find pictures, conflict and storytelling more exciting than the economical state of my virtual, imaginary empire.

First update will come later today, probably.

EDIT: Update 1

Prologue - Year 1218

Prince Simone looked at the magnificent walls of Naples. It was a proud, rich and beautiful city. It was a shame that he had to commit killings in it.
Since a few changes to the political system of Sicily, the nobility had been very unhappy. Epsecially since their right to participate in the vote on future kings had been taken from them. When the nobles united to rebel against Sicily, they were put to the sword and their private armies were disbanded. A few noblemen escaped their fate, when the evidence against them was destroyed. They quickly recruited mercenary armies, and have now declared that they will get back their rights to vote, or burn the city of Naples to the ground.

Of course, the Sicilian state was not threatened by this, and soon they dispatched an army to put an end to this uprising. The nobles were soon forced to hide in the very city they threatened to burn down, and the final hour for this silly uprising had come.

The cannons were ordered to fire, and within a short time, a barrage of deadly metal balls banged against the wooden gate of Naples.


Some of the soldiers became nervous at the sound of the cannons, but held their ground. They would never betray their king. As simple peasants drafted into the army, they did not understand this conflict. Why were the nobility so mad about not getting to vote? The peasants never got to vote, so they could not see the why it was such a big deal.


For every shot pounding against the walls, the soldiers got more and more used to the sound as they readied themselves to charge the gates.



When the gate could barely sustain more damage, Prince Simone ordered the infantry to position themselves around the flanks of the gates, out of the firing line of the cannons. If the noblesmen's armies would charge out when the gates broke down, they'd be surrounded and forced back in through the gates.

The gate was destroyed, and the Sicilian troops streamed through. From the streets ahead of them, the mercenary troops charged at them. Several of the Sicilian soldiers recognized the banners. Of course the noblemen's mercenary armies were made up of Venetians. Those bastards were always more than happy to make life a pain for the Sicilians.



The fight raged on for almost an hour. By meeting the attacking force head-on, the nobles had robbed Prince Simone of a considerable advantage. Had they fortified themselves in the city square, the Sicilian army would have been able to attack them from the flanks and rear simultaneously.

Several times, the noblemen tried to lay pressure on one flank of the Sicilians, hoping to break through and surround them. To do this, however required that they moved troops from one flank, which meant that they gave the Sicilians the same advantage that they were trying to gain themselves. In a last desperate charge, the mercenary soldiers managed to break the flank of the Sicilian army, but at the time there were so few of their soldiers left, that they were soon forced to retreat.


Only the brave and battle-hardened noblemen and their personal bodyguards remained to fight off the Sicilians, but they were hopelessly outnumbered.
For every second that passed, the nobles were pushed further and further back towards the city square. A few 50 metres from the square, the noblemen retreated and regrouped with the last of the mercenaries to make their last stand. They fought bravely and effectively, despite what you'd expect from mercenaries - especially Venetian.

Soon, the leader of the nobles laid dead, slain at the hand of a simple draftee of the Sicilian army. After this, the rest of the mercenaries were slain within a few minutes.



It would be long before anyone from within the Sicilian borders would again question the sovereignity of the Sicilian royal family.

(I created this prologue-battle using the Custom Battle feature).

[Nole4694]

Bravo not to many sicilian AARs around, though with the add money 'feature' how much will you add?

[Gobmech]

Bravo not to many sicilian AARs around, though with the add money 'feature' how much will you add?

I think I added about 2 million (I said I was bad with economics). It may seem a lot (), but I plan to live off of it for the rest of the game. If it seems insanely too much, I'll remove some of it (there is a command that removes money from you, isn't there? I think I saw it somewhere).

EDIT: I might also add that this is the first time I play all the way through a campaign on anything above M/M, and that it is the first time I play SS 6.1. This is mainly to test Stainless Metal'n'Stuff.

[Nole4694]

'whistles' 2 million. that is quite alot for you even on SS. dro it down to about 200,000 because ounce you get your economy going you wont need that. (just focus on economy buildings in your cities for the most part and convert castles to cities so there is about a 3:1 ratios for cities) btw nice update.

[Gobmech]

Ugh. I'll see what I can do. It's just that, every single time I try to make it without cheats, it just goes "BAM" within twenty turns or so, and I'm in the minus, no matter what I do. Okay, not no matter what I do, that'd be stupid, but you get the idea.

I might have the second update up tomorrow morning (GMT+1).

[Gobmech]

Guys, I have no idea what the heck is going on. It seems that as soon as I started writing this AAR, all my literary skills suddenly disappeared. Hopefully I'll get in shape for the next update

Update 2

Sicily AAR - Year 1220
I write this in the year 1220. The Monkly Order of the Church of Syracuse have been tasked with recording the events regarding the state of Sicily from this day on. At an age of 49 years, King Ruggero has succeeded in finally putting down the unrest caused by the nobles of our land. He is in an ill state, and his son, Prince Simone of 22 years, is expected to take over the rule soon.

To the south lies the pagan lands of the Middle East. An unruly band of barbarians control these areas, and King Ruggero has officially begun the preparations for a small crusade to establish Sicily on the coasts to the south. Even now, soldiers are being drafted and trained, and ships are being built. Within few years, the Sicilian armies will sail for the Middle East.



Prince Simone who is responsible for the governance on the Italian mainland is too preparing for war. For many years, the Venetians in northern Italy have had a threatening prescence close to the Sicilian borders. It is simply a matter of who will launch the first attack.


While all these preparations for war are going strong, Princess Matilda d'Altavilla travels to Rome, and succesfully establishes an alliance with the Papal States, which will surely come in handy in case of war with the Venetians.

Years 1221 - 1223
As the fair princess Matilda d'Altavilla travels further north to win the favour of Genoa in the upcoming wars, interesting news reaches King Ruggero. A "horde" of invaders has appeared in the Middle East, and within days the Kwarezmian capital fell. The king decides that the settling on the north coast of Africa must be postponed no further, as ships and men prepare for taking off soon.

Meanwhile, spies report that Venetian soldiers are leaving the castle of Ancona, perhaps to take care of wars elsewhere. This is a perfect opportunity, and Prince Simone starts gathering his soldiers. He is encountered by a Venetian diplomat offering a trade agreement. Prince Simone judges that it is worth it to accept, as a few more years will pass before he is ready for the attack. The Venetians will be funding their doom.

Year 1224
Matilda d'Altavilla has made has made contact with the Geonese, and they have agreed on an alliance. Soon the Venetians will see the Sicilian soldiers at their gates.

King Ruggero has sailed to the north coast of Africa, and within a month he had laid siege to the pagan fortress of Tunis. After three months of siege, the king ordered the assault to begin.

The catapults were rollen into place, and soon began throwing tonne-heavy rocks at the enemy gates. The unbelieving dogs trembled with fear as their mighty gates and walls shook from the power of the Sicilian might, knocking on their door.




As the Moorish gate fell, the brave Sicilian warriors stormed against the fortress, lusting for power and glory. Only too late did they notice the hot oil pouring down in front of the gate. More than fifity men were caught in the inferno. As the Sicilian soldiers realized the danger, they put pressure on the Moorish soldiers on the other side of the gatehouse, so that they could get away from the gate.

The Sicilians cut a swathe through the Moorish forces, dividing them in two groups, which rendered them massively vulnerable. Only a few minutes later, the last pitiful Moorish soldiers realized that they could not win, and fled. Most of them were cut down by the Sicilian soldiers lusting for blood.
A glorious victory for the followers of the righteous god. The war on the unbelievers had begun.

Year 1225
Once again, Matilda d'Altavilla forges an alliance with a foreign nation, this time the Holy Roman Empire. King Ruggero has been reluctant to do this, but it has robbed the Venetians of any allies in the area.

A month later, and Prince Simone has laid siege to Ancona! The war with the Venetians is now open. Only a week later, Prince Simone assaulted the castle. The catapults made short work of the gates, and the infantry rushed through. They were almost startled to see how poorly defended the fortress was. A single regiment and the Gorvenor with his personal bodyguard. Prince Simone had needed to bring but half of the army he had amassed!

Within an hour, Ancona belonged to the Sicilians and the Venetians have been clearly warned that their infringement upon Sicilian territories did not go unnoticed.

The Diary of Prince Simone, Year 1226
The Pope has ordered that any hostilities between the Sicilians and Venetians stop, for 12 years! This is a serious dent in our plans, and it has rendered our armies without a task. The Council of Nobles have been so bold to demand that we seize the city of Florence. I may look into it, now that my armies are without a task.

I recieved a message that my father's army will soon be moving south to claim another settlement from the barbaric Moors. May God be with him on his Holy task.

Strategic meeting in Tunis, Year 1227
King Ruggero looked with disgust at the Middle Eastern architecture of the castle. It had been built by unbelievers, and the only reason that he had not torn down the horrible building yet was for convenience purposes.

He looked at the captains by the table before him. "Recite the latest news."

"We have recieved a message from your son in Italy." A captain said. The king nodded for him to continue. "He reports that the castle of Ancona has been taken by Sicilian forces, but only a week later the Pope ordered him to stop all hostility towards Venice."

The king looked disgruntled at the news. "Is there anything else?"

"More bad news, I'm afraid." Another captain said. "General Giovanni de Ferentino reports that he landed on Sardinia a few days ago, close to the rebel settlement of Caglilari. However, the Moors have a small army there, too."
"Order him to take the settlement before they do! We must give them any territory!"
"Are you sure my lord? Rushing an attack will cost many lives, and the soldiers with General de Ferentino are still bloodied and exhausted from the battle of Tunis."
"Taking the settlement quickly will give us a defensive position against the Moorish."
"Very well."

"Was that the last report?"
"No, my lord. I have a short notice to make." The king nodded for him to continue.
The captain continued. "Our expansion into the Moorish lands to the south will be postponed. We simply do not have enough men, especially now that general Ferentino has taken half of our army to Sardinia."

The king bit his lower lip. His small crusade had not been as swift and glorious as he had anticipated. He was old, and dieing. He would probably not live to see the Sicilian expansion into the Moorish lands.

The Diary of Prince Simone, Year 1228
The Venetians have laid siege to Bari! I recieved this news while travelling with my army to assert the situation around Florence. I am turning around immedeatly to counter the Venetian attack. I cannot believe what drove them to defy the wish of the Pope!

In other news, Matilda, my sister has been married.

The records of the Church of Syracuse, Year 1229
The Venetians assaulted Bari, after a year-long siege.

The Sicilians looked wearily out across the plains in front of the castle, as the Venetian siege equipment slowly began rolling towards them. The archers slowly drew the arrows from their quivers, and laid them on the string of the bow.



"Sparare!" Someone shouted above the mutter of the Sicilian soldiers. At this, the archers let go of the strings, and let the laws of physics rain death upon their enemies.

Things started to look grim for the Sicilians. The enemy siege tower had reached the walls, and the battering ram was on it's way smashing down the gate. Meanwhile on the eastern wall, the Sicilian troops were being forced from their positions by the Venetians which had made use of ladders to reach the walls.



The Sicilians were forced to pull soldiers from the defense behind the gate to the east wall to keep off the Venetians. The Sicilians rejoiced as the Venetian soldiers were beaten back from the east wall, and their ladders pushed down with them. However, any hope they had found quickly vanished.



The Venetians destroyed the gate, from where the Sicilians had just pulled a considerable amount of soldiers. The few soldiers that were left to guard the gates rush out to meet the Venetians head-on, running to a certain doom against the outnumbering Venetian forces.

The Venetians clashed with the small Sicilian regiment, crushing them within seconds and then rushed on for the gate. They clashed with the Sicilian soldiers returning from the east wall, and crushed them within seconds too.

The Sicilian general watched the onslaught from a safe distance. It seemed hopeless. He ordered for the first wave of his cavalry to attack, well knowing that they would fall like flies in front of the sun as soon as they clashed with the Venetian spearmen.



As the last Sicilians on the walls were getting crushed, the Sicilian general ordered his last cavalry to charge the enemy. He was out of himself. All was hopeless, and he might as well throw his last men in the death.
He gulped as the last of his forces were mowed down by the Venetians. He raised his head and looked at his bodyguard.

"Attaco!" He shouted as he swung his sword forwards. His bodyguards, loyal to the blood, charged blindly to certain death. Ten bodyguards died on the meet with Venetian spears, and three more only ten seconds
therefrom. As he saw how hopeless it really was, I tried to make a daring escape, and ordered his bodyguard to flee the battle - his men had to take care of themselves, what mattered was that he escaped alive.



He never came far, however before a spear pierced his knee. He fell off his horse with a scream. The pain in his leg was enormous, and it was made much worse when he hit the ground. He had tears in his eyes, and it was almost liberating that his last vision should be a Venetian spear coming close and close to his face.

The diary of Prince Simone, year 1229.
Word reached me today that Bari has fallen. My forces reached Ancona where we restocked and regrouped with general Ferrente de Catania. Despite Venice's aggression, the Pope still forbids us to attack them. I can only hope that by the time I reach Bari, this nonsense stops so that I may reclaim our rightful land.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

Meet the Sicilians

[Gobmech]

Hah! That's awesome!

[KoS]

lol, nice AAR.

(By the way, if Sicily is elected to be my next AAR, you wouldn't mind if I used this as a model, would you? )

[Gobmech]

lol, nice AAR.

(By the way, if Sicily is elected to be my next AAR, you wouldn't mind if I used this as a model, would you? )

(Of course I wouldn't. You just need to pay me royalties of 10 EUR/16 USD p/week (I'm joking)).

[KoS]

(Of course I wouldn't. You just need to pay me royalties of 10 EUR/16 USD p/week (I'm joking)).

Hmmm... four starting provinces? Syracuse and Bari as well as Naples and Palermo? :hmmm:

Based on these pictures, I'm considering downloading SS 6.1 and writing my campaign as Milan or Sicily in Stainless Steel... you know, so it doesn't rust...

Could you do me a sort of a favor and, if you can see the Milan-Genoa region in your campaign (or just use toggle_fow if you can't, ), can you take a screenshot of the area for me? It could affect whether or not I ultimately write my AAR based on vanilla or SS, so of course it is of extreme importance. :

[Gobmech]

omfg its liek ttly genoa/milan!?!!!1121shift+1oneonetwoelevenone




You should get Stainless Steel, it's totally awesomesauce with all the new factions!

[KoS]

omfg its liek ttly genoa/milan!?!!!1121shift+1oneonetwoelevenone




You should get Stainless Steel, it's totally awesomesauce with all the new factions!

:hmmm:

Pardon me for asking, but, is the yellow (including Milan) all owned by Genoa? As in, there's no Milan in SS but only Genoa in its place? Or IS the yellow actually Milan?

'Cause if there's no Milan in SS, then my poll is in a kind of minor trouble...

:hmmm: :hmmm:

[TeutonicKnight]

Excellent AAR. I look forward to reading of further successes.

[Gobmech]

Update 3
The diary of Prince Simone, year 1230
A messenger has reached me, bearing word that my father has fallen truly ill, and that he does not have much time left. I quickly sent the messenger with word to the governor of Palermo. A fleet had to be dispatched to Tunis to carry my father home, no matter the costs. I will not allow him to die in the barbarian lands!

We have seen the banners waving above the walls of Bari in the distance. Hopefully, we will soon take back the city.

Records of the Church of Syracuse, year 1231
The Venetians took advantage of the restrictions put on the Sicilians by the Pope. The Venetian fleets quickly blockaded almost half of the major Sicilian ports, putting a serious dent in the trade income. As King Ruggero had prepared to leave Tunies due to his illness, a fleet of Venice quickly blockaded all traffic going in and out of the port. The Sicilians could break none of these blockades because of the restrictions put on them. However, both the Sicilians and Venetians knew that the Pope would soon realize that the war would not be stopped, simply drawn out. The Sicilian armies stood practically just outside the gates of Bari, ready to lay siege as soon as they were allowed by the Pope.

Meanwhile on Sardinia, Giovanni de Ferentino made quite a bold move as he intercepted the Moorish army on the island. He was outnumbered, and the Moorish troops were fresh and reinforced unlike the Sicilian soldiers. The Sicilians managed to seriously disrupt the organization of the Moorish army, and if they wished to establish themselves on Sardinia, they would require reinforcements from the mainland. The Sicilians however, were slaughtered.


Only general Giovanni and a few troops managed to flee the battle. Afterwards, the Sicilians were given the offer to pay a ransom to have their prisoners released. Reluctantly, Giovanni paid. He knew that he would be funding the wellbeing of the Moorish army, but if he wished to make it back to Tunis, he'd need as many soldiers as possible.



The diary of Prince Simone, year 1232
Finally, the Pope has come to his senses and excommunicated Venice! As I write this, our forces are marching upon Bari. Ferrente de Catania has insisted that he will lead the attack. Since he seemed so eager, I allowed him. But I don't really trust that man, he has been giving me mysterious glares.

I have also recieved message that one of our generals in North Africa has besieged Al-Madiyah, or whatever it is the barbarians call it. I'm glad the war against the Moors is finally progressing.

Records of the Church of Syracuse, The second Battle of Bari, year 1232
The Sicilian soldiers waited anxiously as their catapults worked to bring down the gates of Bari. Some of these Sicilians were Barians themselves, who'd been stationed in Ancona when Bari fell.
Finally it happened. The metal gate splintered as the last rock hit it with an overwhelming momentum. Immedeatly, almost a thousand Sicilian soldiers rushed to the destroyed gate, shouting warcries on their way, eager to become the demise of as many Venetians as possible.

The Venetian soldiers guarding the walls and the gate were hopelessly outnumbered, yet they fought fiercely, but to no avail.



As the Venetian gatekeepers were almost beaten back, the rest of the Venetian troops in Bari came to assistance. Their general was quickly killed, however and the morale of the Venetians broke. Most of them were quickly killed, and the rest retreated to the town square. The Sicilian cavalry chased after them and soon cut them down. Bari was once again in Sicilian hands.

The diary of General Ferrente de Catania, year 1233
The dying King Ruggero has finally reached Palermo. The trip from Tunis had only made his condition worse. It is a shame to see such a fair king in such a state. It is even more a shame to see that a fool such as Prince Simone will sit on the Sicilian throne when Ruggero dies.

Simone has left for Palermo, as he intends to visit his dad. From there he will sail to Tunis and see that the invasion of the Moors progresses. Meanwhile, I and Alberto d'Ottavio have been chosen as governors of the Sicilian territories in Italy. Alberto will govern Syracuse and Palermo, while I will be taking care of the territories on the mainland. Prince Simone has brought a significant share of the army with him, so I hope the Venetians won't launch an invasion right now. Also, my old friend Giovanni de Ferentino has reported that he will be returning to Italy from an unsuccesful invasion of Sardinia.

Records of the Church of Syracuse, the battle of Al-Mahdiya, year 1233
Even though deadly ill and robbed of all physical power, King Ruggero insisted on continuing the battle against the Moors, until he was forced to sail back to Palermo because of his condition. Before he left, he had tasked one of his generals with assembling the Sicilian forces in Tunis and march at Al-Mahdiya to the south.

In 1233 the siege was broken, and the Sicilians assaulted the city. The Sicilian general had laid a plan that was out of the usual for the Sicilians. The Sicilians always relied on their catapults to bring down the gates of a settlement, to then allow the Sicilian forces to stream through. This time, the general employed a tactic that differed from Sicilian traditions and made use of siege towers and siege ladders. While a well known tactic, it was only after the battle of Al-Mahdiya that Sicilian generals adopted it universally.

The siege tower rolled forward steadily as a regiment of infantry ran to the enemy walls with their siege ladders. Not long time had passed before both tools of warfare were in place, and the Sicilians were able to storm the walls. The plan was to quickly cut off the Moorish forces from the gatehouse itself, thus giving Sicilians full control of the gate. This plan succeeded, and as the Sicilian cavalry approached the gate, it swung open for them as a Sicilian soldier grinned sheepishly down at them.



The Moors were mercilessly slaughtered on the walls, and any soldier which tried to escape would soon be run down by the Sicilian cavalry. Soon, only the general and his bodyguard remained at the city square. They fought ferociously, but were eventually put down.

The diary of General Ferrente de Catania, year 1236
I recieved a message from Prince Simone. Apparently, Al-Mahdiya is under siege by an enormous Moorish army attempting a counter attack, and he emphasizes the fact that he urgently needs reinforcements. I'm afraid he will have to stick his urgency up the... A few days ago, a vast Venetian army was spotted outside Ancona. They have not laid siege, and we currently don't know where they are. Giovanni and I have assembled our forces and marched towards Ancona to reinforce the territory. I fear that I have made a mistake. The Venetians could have changed direction be heading for Naples now, which is virtually defenseless.

I will send message to Alberto that it is vital that he sends reinforcements from Palermo.

----
Short one this time, hope you like it. I decided not to write this any longer because of the cliffhanger

[KoS]

My concern is this scenario: Milan wins the poll. (Current vote: Milan 6, Sicily 3.) People turn in... and find Genoa instead. They were expecting the green banner of the vanilla Milan and, consequently, feel ripped off and boycott my AAR. They bring this to the attention to the mods, who hold a trial, during which I am convicted and have no right to appeal.

Me now:

Me, post-trial:


Do you think that's what would happen? :hmmm:

[Gobmech]

Probably not

And I remember a few other people encouraging you to play SS. Just explain to them that Genoa is basically the same as Milan.

Alternatively, you can erase all evidence of the poll and any information you gave before the AAR, and when you start the AAR, just pretend it's a random idea you had.

[Gobmech]

Will not be able to update for a day or two, possibly three as we're preparing a part for my sister.

[Nole4694]

aww, to the other guy Noone willl care that its not milan but genoa because you'll be playing sicily! (people wont care really they just want the AAR)

[KoS]

aww, to the other guy Noone willl care that its not milan but genoa because you'll be playing sicily! (people wont care really they just want the AAR)

Heh, I wish I could play as Sicily. But it's Milan-Genoa, with 8 votes, crushing Sicily with only 3. Look what the new world hath wrought.