[SS AAR] Sicily - An Imperial Isle

**Anglo-Pole** · July 07, 2008, 01:02 PM

DISASTER!
All of my save files have corrupted I can't get into the campaign or the prior versions of the campaign that I'd saved. I'll have to start a new fresh campaign although now it probably won't be a Sicilian one.

Hello everybody and welcome to An Imperial Isle. This is my first AAR and I hope it goes well. I am doing one for my own enjoyment and don't expect anything fabulous from it but I hope it will be enjoyable for you to read

I have chosen Sicily for this AAR due to it's location. I love the fact that Sicily can expand in pretty much any direction it so chooses. I don't know about the history of the time and so this is purely fictional in a fictional Europe.

I am playing the Late Campaign on SS6.1 and I have changed it to 6 months per turn so that characters age appropriately and and I have increased the movement points for all characters and factions. I am playing it on H/H with a few house rules: All alliances will be honoured unless it is fitting for the story-line for this to change, no Alliances with non-Catholic factions and that all non-Catholic settlements taken must be exterminated. I will also be allowed to use one cheat toggle_fow.

I made the decision that I wanted to start the AAR with King Ruggero's son and so I waited until Ruggero died to begin the actual AAR. Therefore I have already played 20 years (40 turns) and I have provided a very brief history if this in the next post before the AAR begins.

So to sum up:

Faction: Sicily
Histoical?: No
Version: SS6.1
Campaign: Late
Difficulty: H/H
Modifications:

Movement points increased
6 months per turn.

House rules:

All alliances honoured unless it befits the story line to change this
No Alliances with non-Catholic factions
All non-Catholic settlements taken must be exterminated.

Cheats: toggle_fow for screenshots.

**Anglo-Pole** · July 07, 2008, 01:14 PM

A Brief History of the last 20 years

For many years, under the rule of King Ruggero, Sicily had been an Island of peace and prosperity. Its people walked the streets and markets able to sense the sweet aromas of exotic fruits and spices being sold by Venetian and Genoese merchants after travels to the Christian-held Holy Lands of the East. Trade agreements were set up with the Moors and the King played host to the Moorish leader many a time in the richly decorated banquet hall of Palermo. Sicily also enjoyed a grand relationship with the Pope and often received gracious gifts from his holiness. The Venetians to the north, who much respected the Sicilians holding Italian lands to the South allied with Sicily in the Treaty of Naples 1221.

When the island of Crete fell to a rebellious Venetian Lord in the winter of 1232 King Ruggero’s son, Prince Simone, took his army across the sea and reclaimed Iraklion. An envoy was sent to Venice offering the territory back to the Venetians as a gift to show the world the Allied power. Venice however turned down the gift. The envoy returned to the King in Palermo who was holding court announcing that Venice had refused. The King was saddened to hear that the Doge was wary that Sicily would try to use their gift as leverage over the state and from that point relations with Venice began to decline.

In his anger King Ruggero sent to the governors of Sicily’s provinces decreeing that Venetian merchants were to no longer be taxed less than those of the Genoese and Moorish within all markets and that any land held by wealthy Venetians within Sicily or its provinces was to be taken and to be distributed evenly between hard-working Sicilians and the Church. The Pope was glad to hear of this move and offered 1000 florins to Kingdom’s treasury. The Doge of Venice was outraged by this turn of events but due to Sicily’s standing with the Pope and Venice’s war with the Holy Roman Empire, Venice decided it would not cancel its alliance with Sicily. Venice was attempting, by pretending to continue its friendship with Sicily, to stop the Pope threatening them with excommunication if they continued their war with the Imperial forces to the North. Their plan however did not work and they were excommunicated by the Pope in 1234 after a large Venetian force massacred an Imperial village in the Italian Alps. (The Imperial Germans followed suit being excommunicated a month later due to their torching of churches throughout the Venetian countryside.) The alliance between Sicily and Venice now only operates out of formality and King Ruggero was awaiting the Pope’s wish for the alliance to be dissolved for an excuse to do so.

The Kingdom of Sicily, its provinces in Southern Italy and the Isle of Crete enjoyed more prosperous years under the rule of their now elderly King who celebrated his 65th birthday on the 21st June 1237. The people however knew that the ruler of their Golden Age was nearing his death and so did the King. He made some amendments to his wishes for when he died and finalised the plans for his funeral which was to take place in Palermo Chapel and he was to be buried on a hill by the coast facing the rolling waves of the sea.

On the 10th of November 1240, at the age of 68 King Ruggero died leaving behind the crown to his son Simone.

-------

This was just an outline for the last 20 years. The AAR will now begin and I will upload the first update soon as it has already been played.

Oh and I'll lend you a hint

King Simone has a certain distaste for Moors.

**Guard_Commander** · July 07, 2008, 02:03 PM

Its great! I hope you continue, I like the brief little history.

**Anglo-Pole** · July 07, 2008, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Guard_Commander

Its great! I hope you continue, I like the brief little history.

Thank you

I thought it best to fill everyone in about the last 20 years which could directly impact the campaign.

**Anglo-Pole** · July 08, 2008, 06:15 AM

3rd April 1241

King Simone and his advisor, Phillip of Syracuse, walked down the corridor. The sun had risen early that day and has cast blissful rays across Palermo for the majority of the morning. A few birds swam through the air, their graceful flight awed the children playing ball games at the southern side of market square. The air was filled with the ring of church bells as Simone and Phillip made their way across the corridor, down a set of steps and across the castle courtyard. A tall, rather handsome stable hand had been readying his masters’ steeds for their journey to inspect the newly constructed Swordsmith’s Guild just outside the castle.

“Have a good day my liege,” the stable hand spoke to the King bowing his head and offering him the reigns.
Simone didn’t answer the stable hand but gave instead a nod of approval before swinging his legs over the saddle and trotting around the courtyard waiting for Phillip to join him. Phillip was second to be handed his horse and he quickly joined the King on their journey to the guild.

This new guild was allowed to be constructed and funded by the crown in the benefit for Sicily’s army. They would provide better swords for the army.

7th June 1243

Two years had passed since King Simone had ordered that an invasion force was to be created. The quartermaster had quickly set to work and Simone had stalled state building work within Sicily and the funds were instead turned over to create the army. For the first year men had signed up to the army from all over the Island and from Southern Italy ready to fight the Muslims and be rewarded with riches. For the second year the men had been put through intensive training of which many didn’t survive.

Two years and many thousands of Florins ready the force was ready and stationed within the castle. Such a large garrison had boosted trade within the castle’s market and the blacksmiths had enjoyed quite the boom in their trade also.

Now all they awaited was the order to cross the sea and lay siege to Al-Mahdiya. The plans were to be finalised at the beginning of the new year and they would be ready to leave in the Summer of 1244.

6th October 1243

The Church at Naples was not a huge or richly elaborate Cathedral but it was beautiful in its own right and it was where the wedding between Prince Uberto and his bride took place. Her name was Agnese and she was the beautiful daughter of a rich silk merchant from Naples. The King approved of his choice of bride and they were wed.

Romano was furious. He had tried his hardest to stop this wedding happen. He had even attempted to sleep with Uberto’s bride and get caught. That may have been a small sacrifice for him but he was determined that Uberto should not marry for he was scared that an heir would be produced taking the crown down the wrong family line. Alas he had failed and the wedding took place on the 6th October 1243, a beautiful autumnal day.

21st January 1244

The plans for the invasion of Africa were finalised. They would leave by ship on the 1st April and land around fifty miles North of Al-Mahdiya. The town would fall after a quick siege.

17th July 1244

A stormy spring and early summer meant that the ships could not leave until 17th July. They were behind schedule and Simone predicted the town would now not fall until the early summer of the following year.

4th September 1244

The invasion force landed three days ago north of Al-Mahdiya. They marched through the days and besieged the settlement. War had broken out.

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

Next update - the siege of Al-Mahdiya.

**Anglo-Pole** · July 07, 2008, 03:38 PM

1st December 1240

The rain hammered against the walls of the chapel in Palermo castle. King Simone was knelt on the floor, his hands clasped together and his head bowed. His voice was but a whisper as he prayed, barely audible over the harsh howling of the storm outside. The storm had come upon them suddenly, only this morning Simone had taken a ride through the meadows outside of the castle parameter soaking up the candescent rays of the sun welcoming him to his reign over Sicily and its provinces. Now however the wind howled through the corridors, as if searching for its lost love and rain fired like arrows at the civilians running through the streets around the castle walls. A slight cough echoed around the chapel and Simone rose from his praying position. His long time friend, battle companion and now advisor to the crown Phillip of Syracuse stood by the door. As the culprit for the cough Phillip bowed to Simone as he passed.

"The court is ready for you my grace," spoke Phillip in a servants's tone.
"Thank you Phillip, and just because a crown sits upon my head does not mean that my childhood friend, battle companion and trusted advisor must use such a servants's tone when addressing me." Simone said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Of course my liege. I fear the generals will grow impatient should we leave them any longer..." Phillip began.
"Then let them grow impatient for I intend to take my time in addressing them today. It is the first court since my father's death and my coronation and I would like to enter and exit it with grace."
"Well if them growing impatient does not tempt you to quicken your pace me liege then maybe that all of the wine shall be drunk before you enter the room will." Phillip said with a grin showing his yellow tinged teeth.
Simone laughed, louder than the wind bombarding the chapel walls and walked across the threshold and traversed the corridor to the court.

*

Romano scratched his chin, he was only 18 yet he had acquired the stubble of a 30 year old. His deep blue eyes searched the King, his much older brother, as he spoke about his father's dieing wishes. The funeral had been acted on quickly after his death of course for it is tradition that the King must be buried within a week of his death. Usually there was a period of a month in which no matters of state were formally addressed and the new King was not crowned so that the people could mourn their leader's passing. King Ruggero however had expressed his wish that this was not to happen and that he wished his heir to be crowned within two weeks of his death so that there was as little disruption to the workings of the Kingdom as possible. Apart from the funeral however there was the matter of Simone's heir of which is was tradition that the former King could suggest a suitable heir for the throne. It was usually just a formality and the King usually selected the next male blood-link to the new King (usually the new King's son) but seeing as King Simone only had two daughters (one who had been disgraced when she ran off with a Venetian and another too young to marry) Romano had expected Ruggero's next son to be suggested - himself.

Romano grew restless as Simone crowed on about his father's trivial wishes and ruffled his thick brown hair before flattening it again. The rain continued to fall outside and the clouds made it so as little light as possible could find its way into the room and so the torches were lit. He continued to stare at Simone who caught his gaze and not unerved shot one back. He made a small cough before continuing.

"Now the matter of my heir." Simone's voice echoed throughout the room. Romano's ears pricked up and he began to listen intently hoping he would be named. "As it is known to you all I have a lovely beautiful daughter and another who shall not be named but not a son. My father, as was his right, has nominated someone to take the place of what my non-existant son should have taken. Uberto shall be placed as regent to the throne should I not produce a male heir which is now unlikely."

Romano's face dropped at this announcement. Uberto, Regent?! This could not be. His sister's son over himself? He was a direct blood link to the previous King yet he was not named? Trying to surpress his anger Romano joined in with the other members of the court appluading Uberto. Uberto himself looked completely shocked, a coupleof years younger than Romano he had plenty of time to marry and produce a male heir which would cement his family's rise to the throne. He stood and walked towards Simone when beckened and was name Prince Uberto of Sicily. Romano swore under his breath. He should be the heir he kept telling himself, he not Uberto. Prince Uberto must be dealt with. He would think this over later.

The court went on for another hour in which it was unanimously decided that although Sicily had enjoyed a prosperoud age under the rule of King Ruggero, he had ignored or more correctly assisted the Muslims in Africa. Simone had a strong dislike for Muslims, let alone Moorish Muslims and he longed to remove their blood from his sword. He told the generals of the riches to be held in Africa, of the gems, gold, slaves and of course of the land they could be rewarded with. He carried on that the Pope would reward them for spreading Catholicism across Africa and that if that a healthy sum of money can be obtained by providing a friendly catholic port for crusaders on their way to the Holy Lands. His men had backed him all the way and they began to make plans to besiege the city of Al-Mahdiya and from there move on to take Tunis and Tripoli. The order was sent to the quartermaster that an invasion force was needed and he was to train a specialised force of infantry, archers and artillery to take the city.

7th December 1240

An envoy ran into the court. Simone rolled his eyes. He'd began court early this morning and it was close to midday. He had hoped to hunt in the woods close to the castle this afternoon but with the appearance of petitioner after petitioner, envoy after envoy his hope was gradually fading along with the sunlight. The envoy made a quick bow as he entered and went to the King directly wafting his hand at the guard explaining he'd already been searched and he had an urgent message from a watchtower in the Loritello region. The guard pestered him again and the envoy gave him a mighty stare.

"I have not exhausted two horses en route to Naples and taken a journey by ship with stinking sailors to be further searched and questioned about my being here. I have a sealed document to urgently give to his majesty from the Loritello region!" shouted the envoy.

Phillip whispered into Simone's ear that his hunting party was ready outside for a swift departure and that this envoy was the last in the line of petitioners. Simone perked up and ordered the guard away and beckoned the enovy to him.

"What is your name?" he asked the envoy.
" Thomas Baker your liege," he replied.
"A curious name and accent for an Italian I must say," he spoke taking the document and breaking the seal.
"I'm of English birth sir, I came here after my father and I had travelled to the Holy Lands. He was a merchant you see. He died on the return journey, here in Sicily and I was stranded..." he spoke.
"Yes yes, that's enough of your life story, you may leave me," Simone said.
"What should I send back sire?"
"I shall handpick my own envoy, you may leave."

With that Thomas Baker bowed and left the room. After he had left the room Simone unravelled the document and anger glowed in his eyes. Venice had brought their war with the Holy Roman Empire into his lands!

Outraged he sent his own envoy to Venice decreeing that if their forces bring Imperial forces into Sicilian territory then he will cut off all trade agreements and that all Venetian merchants will be prohibited from trading within the markets of Sicily.

**Anglo-Pole** · July 08, 2008, 12:16 PM

OOC: I really enjoyed putting together this update

I hope you enjoy reading it too.

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

The siege of Al-Madhya - 4th March 1245

The camps of the Sicilian invasion force had surrounded the city all Winter. The winter had been harsh, the temperature at night dropping to unusually cool temperatures as if the Muslim’s god was punishing Sicily for besieging the settlement. The force had not come prepared for such bitter nights and the men had to huddle together at night in their tents to keep warm. Next time they would be prepared for the cold snaps of a desert winter.

There had been a few skirmishes over the long winter months also. A small force of cavalry had rode into the Sicilian camp in the dead of night and burnt the siege weaponry before hurrying back inside the castle walls. The sentries had been killed, most likely by the knives of assassins and so had not been able to wake the men. The army awoke as the flames tore up the sides of the siege towers, like devils they lapped at the midnight air enticing the souls of weak men to fall. The confusion settled and the men put out the flames. The siege weaponry however was now utterly unusable and more had to be built out of the reserves in the camp. It was obvious that the Muslims had attempted to buy more time, most likely awaiting a larger force to try and throw off the Sicilians.

The morning of the battle was bright. The sun has risen early like the men who prepared themselves for the order to move out. King Simone walked out of his luxurious tent and smelled the fresh air. He was glad that the storm of the previous week had subsided and he could finally take the city. He strolled into the dusty square in front of his tent, his eyes fixed upon the gallows where a Moorish spy had been executed on his orders. The catapult had then fired his head into city. He moved forward, traversed the square and entered Phillip’s tent. A servant bowed to him. Simone ordered him to fetch a bowl of water and the servant left to do his bidding.

“Today we fight again Phillip,” he had spoken in a strong, hardened tone.
“Today we conquer, my lord,” Phillip replied, bowing his head and approaching his king. “The men have been up since dawn preparing themselves for the battle. The catapults were inspected last night and this morning and are in good working order. The men are ready for your command my lord.”
“And yourself Phillip? Are you ready to accompany me into battle again?”
“That I am. I have never been more ready.”
“More ready than the time when we retrieved Iraklion from that slimy rebellious Venetian dog?”
“Far more, for then I was not spilling Muslim blood my lord.”
Simone laughed heartily, “A good answer Phillip. Ready the men, we attack at 10.”
“Of course my lord,” he bowed and exited the tent. It wasn’t long before Simone heard Phillip barking orders.

Simone smiled. Today he would take this city. Today he would bring about the existence of a new empire, and Imperial Isle. The servant returned with a bowl of water and an envoy in tow. The servant placed the bowl on a table where the crumbs from Phillips breakfast still spread over the surface. He bowed and announced the arrival of Thomas Baker who had been sent by his scouts ten miles west of the city.

“My, it is good to see you again,” Thomas spoke.
“Ah yes, the Englishman who poisons my presence with foul stories of his life,” Simone spoke, he didn’t forget names or faces, “What are you doing in my camp?”
“I come bearing news from your scouts my lord.”
“All is clear I presume?” Simone said, splashing the water over his face.
“On the contrary my lord. Your scouts have spotted a Moorish army moving this way.”
Simone glanced up from the water, the look of thought obvious on his lined face, “How many?”
“They counted around 400 men my lord, however they said that they appeared an undisciplined force of light infantry without the leadership of a general.”
“Where do they come from?”
“Behind us my lord.”

Simone splashed water over his face again. Four-hundred men would attempt to sandwich them against the walls of the city, ha! Simone had created a strong force of heavy infantry, archers, heavy cavalry and artillery. They would have no problem against this so called army. He must however reach Phillip, tell him to continue on towards the walls of the city. They were to bombard the walls but the men and archers were to face away from the walls ready for this new army. Simone told the envoy to leave him and refused to pay him the money owed for delivering the message saying that he should come to him after the battle was won and Simone sat in the throne room of the city. He then fled the tent in search for Phillip.

The Battle

Simone spoke to his men, inspiring them to perform great feats. He knew that they would do their best and he knew they outnumbered the enemy severely. This should be an easy battle, he was unlikely to win huge respect for winning this battle but he could easily lose it if he threw lives away like many generals did in siege battles. The sight of the Moorish army approaching them brought the sound of the battle horn. Simone looked to Phillip who gave him a nod. Simone shouted orders to the captains of each unit and the battle had begun.

King Simone ordered the archers forward and their captains echoed the call. Moving forward in front of the infantry the captains gave the order to fire at will at the enemy as soon as they shouted they were in range. The moors walked through the sparse trees and the captains raised their hands. The archers had already readied their bows and they fired into the midst of the enemy. They didn’t take many casualties in the first volley due to them only just being in range but the fire scared them. The carried on however into the arrow fire which began to cut down the enemy relatively quickly. The Moors quickened their pace.

King Simone ordered his infantry to move forward ready for the archers to fall behind. His heavy infantry would prove greatly in the battle he was sure. The Muslims would be like lambs to the slaughter against his professional army. The Moors charged and the archers feel behind the infantries’ lines. Whilst this was happening the Sicilian’s fired flaming barrels at the gate house which caught the grass alight along with rocks bombarding the gates to try and frighten the enemy inside.

The Moorish infantry charged at the heavily armoured Sicilians and fell beneath their swords quickly. As they were cut down Simone ordered a cavalry charge at the Moorish flanks of the already wavering army. With the impact of the cavalry the lines of the enemy were broken and they fled into the city like morons. Who flees into a city they know will be taken when they could take the open fields? Simone laughed at their stupidity.

The Sicilian captain’s halted the infantry advance because of the flaming barrels colliding with the walls of the city. King Simone stopped laughing however when his own cavalry failed to halt at his command and they continued to cut the enemy down as they ran into the city. They only withdrew after some of their men were killed by their own artillery fire!

The flames tore at the few Moorish soldiers not cut down by the Sicilians and the stench of burning flesh of the men and horses who disobeyed their king’s orders.

The King decided to rest his men before the assault. There were no archers at the towers or walls like his spy had said, there should only be a unit of cavalry and a general inside the city. The army was allowed to rest for an hour whilst the fires outside the gates subsided and then the army advanced.

A unit of infantry was ordered to pick up a battering ram and was sent forth to breach the city gates. They had been inspired by their quick dispatching of the Moorish army from behind and by their King’s valiant leadership. With every step they took, every droplet of sweat that they perspired, every groan and roar as they exerted all of their strength to push the ram they became closer to more Muslim blood on their swords. The bloodlust in their eyes clawed at them, strengthening them into a killing machine. Sixty men acted as one organism, one deadly organism ready for the pounce. They reached the gate and it wasn’t long until they pounded their way through it.

King Simone shouted that the first one to the city plaza would get a jug of his finest wine and that the first to spill Moorish blood would receive a purse of freshly minted coins. That was all it took for the men to charge through the gates, capturing them and charge the General in the city plaza. With the death of their general the battle was over. King Simone had led his army to victory!

He took off his helmet, rose his sword and shouted, shouted for his men and for Sicily before ordering that for opposing them and the Catholic Church that the city should be put to the sword.

**Anglo-Pole** · July 09, 2008, 12:04 PM

DISASTER!
All of my save files have corrupted

I can't get into the campaign or the prior versions of the campaign that I'd saved. I'll have to start a new fresh campaign although now it probably won't be a Sicilian one.

**Stevcho the Serb** · July 09, 2008, 12:28 PM

Great! Is more coming ?

**Anglo-Pole** · July 09, 2008, 12:40 PM

Unfortunately something has happened to my save files, I can't access them. I'm expecting they have corrupted or they can't be read or something. I try and load them campaign, it goes as if it is going to load it, then the loading picture changes, the date goes and it reloads the Main Menu screen. If anyone know what is wrong and if it can be fixed I would be most greatful.