[SS AAR] Templars - In Pax Aut Bellum Nos Vadum Victum

[xayoz306]

This AAR is being played using SS 6.1 Vanilla with three modifications:

1 - Campaign map movement increased by 50%
2 - King's Purse for all factions increased by 50%
3 - 1 turn equals 6 months


The game settings are:

Campaign: Long
Difficulty: H/H
Manage All Cities
Time Limit on Battles

All battle without a General leading the way will be auto-calced. Any combat involving 1000 or more soldiers will have screen shots posted. The screenshots will be added after a bit, as I am writing the AAR text on my laptop while playing on the PC, so I don't miss anything.

The story is being told in the first person, from the POV of the faction leader, in terms of a journal. I am taking some creative license, and also explaining how the Templars are in Tortosa 40 years before their founding.

I hope everyone enjoys, and please, provide feedback. I don't bite, or at least try not too, lol.

[xayoz306]

From the Journal of Hugues de Payns…

It is the year 1079, Anno Domini. Word has come to myself and my family that the Christian community in the settlement of Tortosa have come under Musselman rule. There is only one way to deal with that, and that is to come in to the Holy Land, and purge it of the infidels. We are but a small band, for now, but we shall overcome…

June 1080

We have arrived outside Tortosa, and it is overrun with the heathens. Our first task is to assault the city, and make it under our rule. We know that this place will be great as a way point for other devout Christians making their way to the Holy Land. From here, we can establish ourselves.

July 1080

We are victorious! After holding the siege for 26 days, we finally assaulted this fortress, and made it our own. From here, we shall take back the Holy Land for all Christians. But first, we must ensure that our victory is secure. I shall send word back to the Holy Father, advising him of our victory, and we shall establish a base of trade here, or in Antioch to the north. But it shall all come with time. As it is now, the influx of pilgrims to our city shall help us to create a force to take Antioch. But bide our time we must… We are only a small group of Christians, and the world outside these gates is perilous indeed…
<Writers note: There are unfortunately no screens of this battle. Just picture thousands of peasants rushing the walls, and a large battle of peasant vs. peasant for the city>


August 1080

My son Gottfried has returned from patrolling outside our gate. The situation is indeed grim. After council together, we have decided it is in our best interest to prepare a force large enough to successfully besiege the city of Antioch. From there, we can begin to create a sustainable economy to hold back the tide of the Musselman. My only hope is to survive long enough to make my dreams a reality.

July 1085

After many years of saving our money, and providing a safe harbor for pilgrims, we have finally raised an army large enough to besiege the heathen scum that is occupying Antioch. My son Gottfried will be in charge of the army that will evict them from their ill gotten gains. I only hope that he will have the chance to watch his daughter grow up. Godspeed with him…

August 1086

It has been many months since I have seen my son. Messengers tell me that the siege is going well. I can only hope so. I do not want to see my eldest son buried before my youngest comes of age.

January 1087

Word has come that the Seljuks have lost their capital of Iconium. No doubt to rebels, who wish to throw off the yoke of oppression that those infidels force upon their people. I have word that not all Musselman are evil people, in fact their teachings are very similar to ours. But they refuse to come to a peace with us about the difference in our religions. For that, we shall overcome the rulers of these nations, and impose just, fair, and holy Christian rule in these lands, following the teachings of Christ when we deal with the peasants… Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you…

[stormer]

Good story, keep it up.

[xayoz306]

May 1087

My son Theodoricus has come of age! I am so proud of him, and I am encouraged that he wishes to follow in his son’s footsteps.

3 June 1088

Word comes from my son. After 3 years, the Musselman rulers of Antioch have finally decided to send there men out to fight. They think they can defeat us, but we have Christ on our side.

4 June 1088

Another messenger has arrived bearing word on what is happening in Antioch. We have crushed the men who thought they could defeat us! It shows that it is belief in Christ that shall deliver us! I shall hear a mass this eve in honour of my son’s victory, and call for a Te Deum to ring forth!

October 1088

The son of a noble, Jan de Sandin has asked for my daughter Isabell’s hand. I shall allow him to marry her, as he may be invaluable in helping us out by providing some military insight.

14 November 1089

The Holy Father has called for all men of Christendom to march on the city of Cairo. I am stuck in what I shall do. To leave and join in the glories of collecting the spoils of that city, as well as do the bidding of God himself, I leave my initial mission of making the Holy Lands safe… I shall pray this evening to decide what course of action I shall take…

21 November 1089

After many nights of prayer, I have decided that the Holy Father’s call to capture the city of Cairo may not be the path we need to take. We can only hope that the others who follow Christ’s path can help us by completing the Holy Father’s request.

December 1090

Today, the followers of the Prophet Mohammed rejoice, for the Armies of Islam have captured the Holy City of Jerusalem. I fear that our quest may be over before it has begun…


May 1092

Word has it that the fortress of Aleppo lies to the east of Antioch, with no apparent ties to any of the sultans in the area. This shall be a grand opportunity to strike out, and establish a further base of operations. As well, it shall let me see if my son-in-law is able to handle a baptism under fire…

June 1092

Gottfried has learned of another settlement nearby, a place called Adana. The nobles who are with him in Antioch are urging him to go. He asked my counsel, and I advise that he should take it. It has a natural harbor nearby, so perhaps we can use it to build up a trading fleet.



<Screenshots will be uploaded and added to the post in about 1 hour or so. I do apologize for lack of quality, my PC isn't the greatest>

[xayoz306]

15 March 1093

The infidels who call Aleppo home sallied forth today, in an attempt to crush the siege my son-in-law Jan held. It was a bloody day, Jan tells me, but he won the day. Aleppo is now ours, and I shall send his wife to meet him there, so they may govern that place together.


19 April 1093

I received word from my son Gottfried that the Musselmen soldiers who held the fortress at Adana sallied forth to lift the siege. As I expected of him, he won the day. When I pass on, he shall make a worthy leader for our small band here in the Holy Lands.

23 May 1094

My emissary Lorenz Windeck has met with the representatives of the Byzantine Empire in Nicea. Myself, I have no problems with the Byzantines, as they are no different from us, other than they do not belive that the Bishop of Rome is the Holy Father. I shall encourage him to spend time in their court, and seek an alliance with them. They are our closest companions in Christ, fellow poor soldiers… They may assist us greatly in the years to come.

9 September 1094

Word comes from my scouts that the ancient city of Damascus, where Abraham departed from to the Holy Land, lies to our south, and she is an independent city. We shall venture forth to this great city, so that we too, may use it as a stepping stone to the Promised Land. I, myself, shall lead our army. In pax aut bellum nos vadum victum.

31 May 1095

My emissary Lorenz, while returning to Tortosa, was captured by the Sultan of Seljuk. However, he was wily enough to assure the Sultan that our intent in the area is peaceful; our quarrel is not with him, we are in the are merely to protect the interests of Christendom, by providing security and comfort for pilgrims who are visiting Jerusalem. He explained that we are merely poor soldiers, who are only trying to do God’s bidding. Lorenz was always a man who understood the other beliefs that people held, even if they were wrong. I am so thankful for his counsel. But most importantly, he assures me that the Seljuks will not be attacking us for some time, as they are mostly interested in trade.

3 December 1095

I have received word of what was discussed by His Holy Father at the Council of Clermont. He preached about the oppression being inflicted on the Christians here in the Holy Land by the Musselmen. However, I am witnessing first hand that the people of the area are peaceful, however it is the greedy rulers who are causing the problems. Any conflicts in the area seem to be confined between the Byzantines and the Seljuks, and that is a matter of state, not religion. I do not understand why the Holy Father is calling for a bellum sacrum at this time, but I fear that it may be a folly. I will continue in my quest to claim the city of Jerusalem in the name of Christendom, and make it possible for pilgrims to visit without being harassed by the bandits in the area, but I will not declare war on the Seljuks unless I am provoked. And right now, we are peacefully living side by side.

13 July 1096

I have assembled my great army, and we have set forth to the city of Damascus. However, en route, we have encountered an army that appears to be of the Fatimid Caliphate. I cannot engage them, for it will bring war upon the people I protect, when we are in no way prepared for a large scale conflict. I called over a scout, who went to speak with one of their generals. It appears that they have laid siege to Damascus themselves. I shall return to Tortosa, and bide by time.

9 August 1097

The Fatimids lifted their siege of Damascus, and now I am swooping in for the kill. The city of Damascus shall fall to us, and from here, on to Jerusalem.

13 December 1098

I have fallen ill while besieging Damascus. This cannot be a good omen. Is God punishing me? Or is it Musselman witchcraft, to make me leave. I know that I am doing God’s holy work, so it can only be witchery. We shall prevail. Deus mos servo meus valetudo.

14 October 1099

Elberhard de Lemos has asked for my granddaughter’s hand in marriage. While he may not be the most authoritative man on the battlefield, he has a mind for administration. I think that he would be a good fit to help run either Antioch, or Damascus, once I have completed its conquer. Either way, he has my blessing.

9 March 1100

The rulers of the city of Damascus have handed it over without any blood being shed. Now, I must only repair the souls of the people. This shall be easily done. And on this same day, my youngest daughter is being courted by Wikerus Ritter. I remember his father well, and I see no problem with the two of them getting married. I think he is a suitable man for the role.