Timbuktu

**Viking Prince** · October 22, 2008, 06:59 AM

Started a new long campaign with Spain and I intend to drive to Timbuktu. In the past it has always been held by a residual Moorish force. Assuming it is still rebel held, what military force should head down there for conquest. I am assuming a high loyalty general, a couple of priests, and maybe a couple of jinetes. I think from my past campaign that there were sufficient mercenaries to fill out for an assault. Any thoughts?

**Silent Assassin** · October 22, 2008, 07:29 AM

Bring atleast 6 priests, as when you will conquer that city you will be in yellow or red even if you exterminate population. Bring whatever you want their in your attacking army, but do not bring ones that cost you too much of upkeep. I would bring militia units and crossbows or Jinettes.

A good general with some piety and good loyalty would be good. Don't take mercenaries past the mountains going down to Timbuktu as their are only black slaves and are not too good.

The reason I told you to bring 6 priest is to have them in Timbuktu and then when that region well controled bring 3 of them to the city north east from timbuktu, sorry I don't remember the name. They will start converting them for when you will be ready to take that city also.

Hope this helps

Rebel

**NobleNick** · October 22, 2008, 01:38 PM

I'm on board with what Rebel6666 said, except I would only bring 3 or 4 priests, since I usually max out the priests I can get, because I am converting target territories in my line of conquest. 6 priests (when I can only have, say, 20 maximum) seems like too high a price to pay.

If you are aggressively getting territories, such that you have many more territories than generals; you might want to chance just going down to Timbuktu with a general-less force, and pick one up on-site through the "man-of-the-hour" dynamic.

**mozdol** · October 22, 2008, 02:11 PM

Agreed on both points.

Originally Posted by NobleNick

If you are aggressively getting territories, such that you have many more territories than generals; you might want to chance just going down to Timbuktu with a general-less force, and pick one up on-site through the "man-of-the-hour" dynamic.

The only problem with this is risking a rebelling army.

**Silent Assassin** · October 22, 2008, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by mozdol

Agreed on both points.

The only problem with this is risking a rebelling army.

Exactly you need to bring a good Loyal and Pietious general to avoid any problem

**Viking Prince** · October 22, 2008, 04:59 PM

I had not thought about piety. Good point.

I was not thinking of bringing militia since they move much slower than cav -- I do not know that this is really a problem though.

Well, I have consolidated all but Portugal (I am curious how long my "loyal" ally will remain so).

The Moors are gone. Time to send the priests out(two 3 halo and beginning cardinal. I would send more but I have not completed third level churchs and North Africa still needs their presence. A loyal and pious general with three jinetes will follow and should catch up before long. The side-show adventure begins.

**Tantive** · October 22, 2008, 05:22 PM

Always a good idea to take the isolated settlements with an army, you have equipped with a garrison to stay there permanently, so you can kiss your rape and pillage victims goodbye in the turn after for the next conquest.

**Aonghus G. Friedhold** · October 22, 2008, 05:47 PM

I've never conquered Timbuktu, so I don't know whether or not extermination is necessary. Whenever I've gotten it, it was usually enough to put tax rate on low and build public order buildings.

**mozdol** · October 22, 2008, 06:13 PM

As for getting there, you might consider sailing down the western coast of Africa and disembark your troops near the settlement directly west of Timbuktu. I don't know what the exact distances are, but I'm pretty certain it's faster to do it this way.

You can take that settlement as well, or just move on... (or is that settlement only in Stainless Steel? somebody help me here).

**Double A** · October 22, 2008, 06:53 PM

It's in Vanilla, but you need the highest level boats to do that because there's about a square (I know, it sucks) of deep water.

**Sodbuster** · October 22, 2008, 06:58 PM

Send merchants down as soon as possible. About 10 should do. When I marched on Timbuktu it was with a decent force, and it was not that easy of a siege on VH/VH. There's some good defense there.

**Nebuchadnezzar** · October 22, 2008, 07:31 PM

You need to be mighty quick to beat the Moors. You will need a loyal general and a couple of Jinetes or any other cav. Anything else will just slow you down. Hire local mercs once settlement is besiged. Provided the settlement still has wooden walls it might be possible convert to castle the next move after assaulting. Built small chapel next and only revert back to town/city when enough happiness/law building have been built. Recruit local priests to assist in any conversion.

**Viking Prince** · October 22, 2008, 10:31 PM

The Moors were already a faction for the ages. The story of myth and legand.

I headed down with only two priests though I wanted a third. By the time they had reached the town, the region was already converted to about 60%. I guess two work fine.

My small fast elite force had a problem though -- a full stack of rebels completely blocked the path. Must have been the final attempt of the Moors to continue the dynasty before their last settlement was seized. I needed to pull a new force from Iberia to clear them out. With such a force, it seemed reasonable to continue on to Timbuktu. The cav then proceeded on to the village and that completed the process. I sacked Timbuktu and occupied the village. Seemed to work fine. Left a free upkeep garrision of militia at each and then demobalized the rest -- This meant keeping the General down south forever. Produced merchants and priests as needed at Timbuktu and everything is now profitable. A happy ending.

btw -- the starting cardinal is now Pope.