Power of the Doge
Just realized today how truly powerful generals are in Medieval 2, especially faction leaders. I started a long campaign VH/VH as Venice. So far it's been fun, with me suffering 3 betrayals (HRE, Milan, Venice) and facing some tough battles since my empire is so overstretched.
I will tell you the story of the war of Corsica, a series of small battles fought by Venice against their enemies on the Island of Corsica....
An expedition to Corsica was led by the Venetian Doge and his small militia army where he triumphantly defeated the rebels in a decisive victory. After barely governing the settlement, the Doge and his small army (2 Italian militia platoons- with not many men left in either + The Venetian Doge and his bodyguard) spotted a traitorous Milanese army in the area, dropped on the island by their powerful fleet. The army was a big one, consisting of the Milanese count and his guard, lots of Italian militia and Italian spears and some dreaded Genoese crossbowmen. The Doge hired a unit of Mercenary crossbowmen and stood by for the attack. The battle was devastating for Venice, with around 180 casualties on both sides and with the Doge losing Corsica to the accursed Milanese. The defeated Doge (with only 1 bodyguard remaining) fled with his 13 remaining crossbowmen to the north, hoping to escape Corsica by ship.
The Count of Milan, desperate to crush the leader of his Venetian rivals sent a big army of 210 soldiers (60 Genoese Crossbow militia troops, 75 Italian militia troops and 75 Italian spear troops) to crush the Doge's small band.
It was 15 vs 210...
The Doge and his army, tired, hungry and thirsty from the long retreat north felt their spirits sink at the sight of the big army approaching across the arid wasteland.
After solemn prayers, the Doge and his last remaining bodyguard charged with 13 crossbow bolts flying over their heads, fired by the last 13 crossbowmen. The Doge slammed the enemy crossbowmen before they had a chance to fire, and killed a good 15 of them. Repeating this with hit and run tactics, the Doge killed a good 30 of the enemy troops. The Doge's last guard however died fighting but the Doge escaped, retreating behind a sand dune. Seeing as they could never catch him, the army turned on the Doge's rabble of mercenaries. The mercenaries promptly fled with the army in hot pursuit, but then out of nowhere, the Doge struck the back of the army, battering the Genoese and simultaneously routing them. Following the retreat of the mercenaries, the large rabble of militia troops turned their attention on the Doge. With around 120 men left the Doge knew he was going to die on this isolated island. He would not go down without a fight though! Alone, the Doge slammed his horse into the militiamen, knocking many out of his way with the charge. The Doge's charge was so fierce, he came out the other side of the army, literally tunneling through the army. The Doge retreated to the safety of the arid dunes again, the army in an angry pursuit. The Doge had killed ten of them. In a legendary guerrilla fight- in which the Doge was convinced that God was on his side- the doge attacked, then retreated, attacked then retreated and proceeded to tunnel through the tired horde which he faced until the general was dead and the army routing. With fanatical zeal and eagerness the Doge captured the 10 routing men.
He'd killed 180 men and captured a further 25 all on his own.
Following his heroic victory the Doge reformed his 6 remaining mercenaries, and his bodyguard replenished with local knights wanting to see the Count of Milan killed. It wasn't long before the Doge had the count under siege. The besieged count was flabbergasted and furious at the same time. How had his men been bested by a mere 15 men?! In his fury the Count along with his 25 bodyguards charged out. The Doge had 31 bodyguards and 6 crossbowmen, however his men were tired after the journey south, and the Count of Milan's bodyguard had fresh armor and weaponry of the best quality on them. Seeing the 26 heavy knights coming, the mercenary crossbowmen took refuge behind the battering ram they had constructed.
With surprising bravery they drew their swords when the Count attacked and fought until they had all been killed. The Doge of Venice and his knights charged the Count of Milan and his guards, and in an epic battle the Count lost all his guards, with the Doge left with only 5 guards.
Seeing that he was going to die if he didn't act quickly, the Count turned to flee, but then felt the Doge's sword stab him. The Milanese count fell to the floor dead. Venice had won back Corsica.
Hoped you enjoyed the story! The bit about the Doge on his own against the massive army was all true BTW. Luck I suppose!
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Originally Posted by Carl Von Döbeln
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