VIII. AAR Competition - Nominations

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

Here you can nominate AARs for the next contest.
The nominated AAR must have at least 2 updates in February.

Give the following info:
Title (as link)
Faction:
Difficulty:
Description (short):
Teaser: (optional; a short excerpt in a spoiler with max. 3 big pictures)

[Saint_jimmyz]

Title: Imperium Britanniorum
Mod: Barbarian Invasion
Faction: Romano-British
Difficulty: Medium/Medium

This AAR follows the rise of a Romano-British Empire carved out of Western Europe, leaving themselves ripe for plunder by raiders from Ireland and mainland Europe. Starting a full generation after Honorius pulled the British legions out of Britannia, this AAR works under the presumption that the Romano-British pulled themselves together into a united nation, rather than forming constantly warring splinter kingdoms that left Britannia open to plunder by raiders from Ireland and mainland Europe.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

"I have seen a land shining with goodness where each man protects his brother's dignity as readily as his own, where war and want have ceased and all races live under the same law of love and honour."

" I have seen a land bright with truth, where a man's word is his pledge, and falsehood is banished, where children sleep safe in their mother's arms and never know fear or pain."

"I have seen a land where kings extend their hands in justice rather than reach for the sword, where mercy, kindness and compassion flow like deep water over the land, and men revere truth, revere beauty, above comfort, pleasure or selfish gain."

"A land where peace reigns in the hearts of men, where faith blazes like a beacon from every hill, and love like a fire from every hearth, where the True God is worshipped and his ways acclaimed by all."

"Brothers, I have seen this land. I have seen the prophesy of Taliesin fulfilled. And it will be glorious in its magnificence! But the coming of this kingdom is far less pure, far less noble, and yet is no less awe-inspiring. For how can men's hearts be filled with tales of this land, without first being inspiring by its creation...?"

[Musthavename]

The Legend of Cakmak
Revenge of the Non-Rabbit

Mod: THERA - A New Beginning
Faction: The League of Privateers
Difficulty: VH/VH

Description: A spin-off to the Cuman Cake Confederacy, feauturing Cakmak and his exploits in his quest to destroy the Non-Rabbit... whatever that is. Thrown into a new world and suddenly finding himself Lord Marshall of a Pirate Nation, he sets about... well... doing random stuff. This is the tale, of the Legend of Cakmak. [Believe it or not, this is actually an AAR! - I highly reccommend at least skim reading the last few updates of Cuman Cake Confederacy beforehand though if you haven't, just to get an idea of who Cakmak actually is]

Teaser:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Prologue

Munir: Where the hell are we...
Cakmak: CAKMAK'S POWAHS ARE GONE!
Munir: Wait, Cakmak's alive?!?!?
Hakki: Yes, it appears I am aswell... which is good for me. Wheres Nail & Ragib though?
Munir: Seems they're not here... and we've... aged back..
Hakki: How the heck is Cakmak here though...

Narrator: At this moment, Cakmak's vision blurred, as he was drawn out of their timezone. He could feel himself being dragged back through space and time itself... and then suddenly... a being appeared...

G-Man: Rise and s-s-s-shine.... Mr... Cakmak...

G-Man: Thanks to you, the H-h-holy cake has been imprisoned once ag-g-gain... for the time being. Nice handiwork by the way. I took the liberty of reccommending you to my.... employers. They have agreed with me and offered you a c-c-contract, because of your limitlesssss.... potential.
Cakmak: Errr... hai I cakmak???
G-Man: I'll take that... as a yes...
Cakmak: I can has cake yes????
G-Man: Goodbye... Mr... Cakmak... i'll give you your first assignment.... and i'll think you'll find most of your powers are back... for the moment...

Narrator: And with that, the man disappeared, but the spiral of time and space surrounding him remained. Soon enough, a newspaper cutting appeared infront of him, he grabbed it.

Narrator: As soon as he finished reading... or at least, seemingly, as who knows if Cakmak can even read at all. Regardless, the paper soon dissipated into the air, and a room materialised around him, with the being from the newspaper infront of him.

Non-Rabbit: So.. it seems they sent someone to finish me off after all.
Cakmak: Hai I Cakmak!
Non-Rabbit: Eh?
Cakmak: You be Cakmak's friend yes???
Non-Rabbit: What are you kidding? I'm one of the most evil beings in the universe?
Cakmak: Err... Cakmak no like evil...
Non-Rabbit: As I thought... it's been a pleasure Mr... Cakmak... but it seems we have to part.

*The Non-Rabbit Leaps at Cakmaks Head*

Cakmak: Err... what did you just do..
Non-Rabbit: Strange... worked on those damn Knights searching for the Holy Grail, before they used that damn hand-grenade. No matter... I see you have powers far befitting your.... grammar.
Cakmak: CAKMAK WORKING ON DAT!
Non-Rabbit: It appears I have no choice but to do battle in another Universe... i'll see you again Mr.. Cakmak.

[BubbleBoy]

The Kievan Rus Empire
(A very imaginative title )

Faction: Kievan Rus
Mod: Stainless Steel 6.1
Difficulty: Hard/Hard
Discription: A king who starts his reign not knowing how to look after an empire trys to bring the Kievan Rus to victory in europe with the help of his advisor.

[Theodotos I]

"Sword of Albion"

Faction: Clan MacDougall
Difficulty: M/M
Description: A devastating defeat, a king taken prisoner, a young man propelled into the realms of power and intrigue. Life here is no safer than it was in his highland home, indeed it is far more dangerous. For mysteries lurk around every corner, deceit in every word, and it will take more than bravery to survive. . .

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Chapter XIII: The Chieftain’s Son


We encamped there that night on the hillsides of Dunscaith, above a field of death. Fighting continued on into the night, small skirmishes between roving parties of armed men as the moon climbed high into the firmament, bathing the scene in an eerie glow.
I sat across the fire from my chieftain, both of us under close guard by our captors. The flames leapt higher into the darkness of sky, flickering, falling, taking on a magical quality of their own as the cinders wafted ever upward into the heavens. For man is born to trouble, sure as the sparks fly upward, my lips quoting the ancient sage even as the irony of the words struck deep into my heart.
Silence, broken only by the crackling of the fire. For what was there to say. The day had witnessed nothing but the shattering of dreams, the end of life, lives sent out into the dark unknown. Souls taken to the tortures of purgatory. If the priest were right. . .
At length, I looked up, meeting Duncan’s eyes. “I wish to thank you, my son,” he began, a faint smile flickering across his visage. “You are a doughty fighter, in very truth.”
I acknowledged his words with a nod of gratitude. “I could ask for no great honor than to fight in your company, my lord.”
His lips curled into a half-smile, half-sneer. “And as quick of tongue as of sword! The words of a courtier, lad. Bah! I had enough of those sycophantic fools in Dunstaffnage. It is no honor to fight with me—no more than to fight with any one of those that lie dead upon the hills this night. I brought them here. It is for me they died. For my dreams of glory. There is no honor in such a death.”
I knew not how to reply to such words, my lips struck dumb by his frankness. His own words seemingly spent, he fell silent once again, looking around at the guards that stood nearby—a respectable distance away as though honoring his station.
“Your name?” he asked, his words penetrating my reverie. I jerked my gaze away from the flames, my eyes locking with his.
“Ewan, Ewan MacDougall,” I replied honestly, unconscious of the effect my words would have.
“Ewan?” he asked, and I was struck by the change in his countenance.
I nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
“Well, Ewan, I wish you to know this. There cometh a day, a day when all this will be nothing but a foul memory and in that day our service will not go unrewarded, I swear it by the memory of my father, God rest his name.” A cautious glance cast at the nearest guard. “But for the present, it would be best that we should get our rest. It will be needed.”
And with that cryptic comment, he stretched out by the fire, his head pillowed against his torn cloak.
I followed his example, the stars above shining down upon my body, each one of them a flickering pinpoint against a blanket of blue. A tapestry of glory above the fields of death.
Sleep fled me that night. I tossed and turned against the hard sod, visions of Finbar flitting across my mind. I could see him, the look of anguish on his face as he died, his fingers clutching helplessly at the arrow.
He will die, but you will be destroyed. The prophecy of a maiden, as yet but half-fulfilled. Perhaps the summation would arrive with the morning light. I knew not.

The next thing I remember, the sun was shining over the hills, a rough hand on my shoulder shaking me awake. I rolled upon my back, looking up into the face of a guard.
“Get up,” he ordered gruffly. “We march for the citadel.”
I rose to my feet, my body stiff and sore from the wounds I had received. Duncan stood a short distance off, two spear-armed guards flanking him.
The MacLeods were breaking camp, moving back to Dunscaith as the guard had said, and I realized with a sinking heart that the remnants of our force must have been beaten back to the fleet, that any chances of our rescue or escape were fast slipping away.
Brian MacCreild rode up to our little group, the proud conqueror on his warhorse. His eyes swept over us, I saw pride in their depths.
“Take him with the rest of the prisoners,” he ordered my guards. They nodded in acknowledgement and seized me fast, half-pulling, half-dragging me down the hill to where the main body of prisoners awaited.
“Stop!” Duncan’s stentorian tones rang out across the hillside, the voice of a chieftain, the voice of authority so powerful that my guards halted instantly and even Brian looked bewildered at the sudden challenge.
“What is it?”
“If I may, one boon you must grant to me in my captivity. Pray let this young man stay by my side.”
Brian’s eyebrows shot up in a glance of astonishment not unmixed with contempt. “And what is he to you, Duncan?”
“He,” Duncan replied calmly, “is my son.”
My head jerked around at his words, the memory flickering fast through my mind, realizing with a sudden pang the reason for his look the night before. Ewan MacDougall. The chieftain’s son. . .

[Giovi]

Faction: Venice
Difficulty: H/VH
Description: Italian peninsula was in an uproar.
Italy did not exist as a political entity in the early modern period. Instead, it was divided into smaller city states and territories: this aar will follow the attempt to unify Italy under Venice power..

Teaser:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Venice was the most rich city in this age : a very important crossroads
for the precious oriental spices. The powerful fleet of Venice controlled the whole adriatic and eastern Mediterranean Sea the only rival power was the
republic of Ragusa.
During the early years of XV under the Doge Tommaso Mocenigo and under the Doge Francesco Foscari Venice was slowly becoming powerful in the North-East of the italian peninsula.
After the peace of 1433 the conflict between Venice and Milan restarted because of the sacks made by Milan in the Pope’s land.
This direct action of Milan in the center of Italy contrasted venician interests and then Venice allied with Florence helped the Pope.....

The war was inevitable...

[Theodotos I]

Journey of the Hellenes

Faction: Koinon Hellenon
Author: Chirurgeon
Submitter's comments: This is the latest work of the man who has become legend on the .Org with his fantastic stories of ancient life and warfare. Enjoy!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

II. Distant Disruption
Mastia, Iberia
271 BC
I traveled south to Mastia upon the request of my father. He has grown ill over the course of the year and wishes me to take more control of things. Regardless I am of 20 years and much has changed since I left. I have met a woman of pure Greek blood. Her family hails from Athens and she is the daughter of a ship merchant. When I return it is hoped that we can wed. My father has already gifted the estate to me should he pass. I have had time to think about things greatly. The distant war has caused a mess with trade. The Ptolemai are staunch supporters of the Greeks of Athens. However many of the Macedonian cities are now boycotting trade to independent Greek colonies. Now I must find a way of getting our products back to Emporion and still make a profit.

***
Upon entering Mastia I met an old friend of the family who is quite fond of me. Videllec the merchant from Kart Hadast had just finished making a run from that great city and now is in Mastia preparing to return. I spoke to him and he told me that he also had to deliver some other precious cargo, including a senator's son to Gadiz. Some young aristocrat named Castulo. "Your moving up in the world" I remember telling him. He smiled and I remember asking him where he was going. Apparently he was headed to Baikor with goods and coin to get items. "Whats the word out of Baikor?" I asked. "Trouble" was his only response. When I asked what was going on he told me the Lusitanns were on the warpath. Their leader Tantalos was wreaking havoc and preparing to march to Baikor. "I'm trying to get in one more shipment before all hell breaks loose" He lamented with a frown.
So now, not only our sea trade is threatened but the flow of silver from the mines could be interrupted. Gods this thing can't get any worse. "You should talk to Hadrubal" He told me. I bid him farewell and went to the palace to meet with Hadrubal. Apparently there was alot going on. Generally life in this palace is more than relaxed. I found appropriate quarters for the night and in a few days met with the Governor. My goal was simple. I needed him to put pressure on the Kart-Hadast senate to open up a new trade route that had been lost when Mytilene cut off trade. He greeted me in a non jovial manner which is quite unusual for him.
I asked him what was going on and he grumbled something about the Lusitanns. He had also found out that Senator Gaston's son, Castulo, had gone missing during a diplomatic meeting with the Lusitanns. I wonder what Videllec would think of that. He was rubbing his head complaining of a headache. I left him a bag of convincing metals and had my request written up by a scribe. I would have to check back to see if anything occured. I decided to go ahead and meet with more of the merchants here.
The price of everything was high. I penned a letter to father asking him for advice. Although I knew he would just tell me to do what I thought was best. He really had gifted the business to me. I talked to old seamen that I used to drive crazy with my childish antics. I couldnt tell you how many times i was told not to climb the mast or to get off the deckrail. Although I was considered nobility in Emporion I felt very comfortable with the rough and tumble nature of the ports. The smells, sights, and sounds was something i grew up with. As soon as I was able to walk I remember holding my father's hand and he used to take me down to see the merchants. My mother of course disaproved. As I got older I would come down on my own and watch the endless stream of vessels leaving the harbors. Countless sunsets of my youth were spent watching the port settle in for another night. I knew all the ships and all the captains. I was adored and respected. Most nobility would never soil themselves like I had.
Most of the merchants I ran into were desperately trying to find alternative ports to get their much desired products from. Most of the Aegean wanted nothing to do with us. Even Rhodes was dealing with a naval blockade. It figures that just as I take on a more important role in all this, the peace we had enjoyed for so long began to unravel.
***
As I prepared to sail to Gadiz to try and secure something from that port of use I learned of a terrible thing. Apparently Athens and Sparta had been defeated and the remains of their army and many civilians fled on the high seas. Rumors had it they were heading to Crete or perhaps Cyreniea. No doubt they will ask for the help of the Ptolemai. These are truly desperate times for all.

[Vandal Warlord]

The Kingdom of Heaven
Faction: The Kingdom of Jerusalem
Difficulty: H/M
Description:
King Jean the Honorable is a man of ambition, one ready to found God's kingdom on earth. Althouhg he may not see his dream come true, his son is more than willing to continue his fathers mission. Follow Jerusalem's quest to gain command over the Holy land in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Spioler to come....

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

The Rise of Caesar (58 BC Caesar Imperator AAR)


Author: [user]Octavius Vatco[/user]
Faction: Guess what
Difficulty: N/A

Description: an AAR attempting to recreate the glories of Caesar via Rome Total War 58 BC Caesar Imperator mod

[molls]

Arabian Nights


Author: [user]Xomiak[/user]
Faction: Egypt
Mod: Vanilla M2TW
Difficulty: N/A

Description:

Egypt, year 1084.

Sultan Al-Zahir, the mighty ruler of Egypt has done well. He united all the Egyptian lands and now the whole delta of Nile is his. A pious and chivalrous warrior of Allah, a clever ruler and a just sultan. But there’s one problem. He’s dead.

A funny egyptian story of the struggle to take over the world!

[molls]

Land of the Scots

Mod: SS 6.1 + submods
Author: eternalsteelfan
Faction: Scotland
Difficulty: H/VH

Description: A great AAR has been revived with fresh and stunning new updates in february!

The following is a brief history of medieval Scotland starting with the reign of King Mael Coluim (Malcolm III) as told by historical documents and sources as well as analysis and theories from some of the best historians in the field.

[molls]

Lost Legion

Author: MarcelP
Mod: RS
Difficulty: N/A
Faction: Rome...

Description: An AAR by the famous Picture of the Week Winner, MarcelP.

[Kallum]

Basileia ton Romaion Book 3

Author: Kallum
Mod: Stainless Steel
Difficulty: VH/VH
Faction: The Byzantine Empire

Description: The third book in the Basileia ton Romaion series. Follow the Turks and the Byzantines in their journey in becoming the strongest nation of the east and in their hopes of reclaiming the empire of Zigavinos and Constantine

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The war began when the wretched Anastasia Comnemnus killed her husband in favour of herself. The people loved her, thanks to her old Roman customs as bread giving to the poor were being brought back to live. Constantine wasn’t loved nor respected but his reign was a durable continuation of the reign of Zigavinos with a increase in wealth and power. Thanks to him our great empire defeated our old enemy of Ctesiphon. But every Roman knows this story, let me talk about the Civil War.

[Thermal]

Meh, I'll enter mine with a minute before february finishes

Verge Of Disaster
Game: Shogun
Faction: Hojo
Difficulty: Expert (VH)
Description: The game begins in 1530 when the Clan Hojo has one humble province, watch as my forces esculate and rule over Japan!
Teaser: Introduction

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I am Hojo Ujitsuna, My rule has been uneventful, and my peoples are suppressed in the province of Sagami, my hostile neighbours provinces have done much to weaken from petty rebellion, and my nation is ready to strike, Hojo Ujiyasu, my son will come of age to command soon, and i don't want him to take up the forces of an army that is too weak to expand and prosper, and will inevitably crumble, my son has such prowess with the sword and spear, like a man already, i hope he can bring the Hojo together on my deathbed. To stop our noble legacy from coming to an outright end.



The Takeda, arrogant on there horses, will not be around to threaten our lands any longer, and the "wise" Uesugi know of war all the same, my targets are clear, amongst the disarray and rebellion, It is a fight to kill or be killed, and presently, my future could be either.

[Sunbird Alkibijad]

HANNIBAL AVENGER OF DIDO

Mod : Roma Surrectum 1.5c
Faction : Carthage
Difficulty : Hard/Very Hard

Description.
Hannibal has managed, since having received the letter from his father and being bestowed with great duties, to fulfill the expectations and hopes of his family, countrymen and Gods!
The divine visions continue with visits from Astarte and Dido. Hannibal is a married man now, and while asserting the Carthaginian rule over the newly acquired lands, he eagerly awaits for the elephants to arrive so he can at last have a go at his destiny.
His brother dies, on the other hand, a hero worthy of Barca family name.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

" Cold water, a chilly grave "

[SonOfAlexander]

The Epic of Caelvs Morsvs Lvminivs - 'Rí Inse Ghall'


Mod: (RTW Vanilla &) BI
Faction: N/A
Description:
Caelus is the son of a Gaul who married the daughter of a Roman senator. The time frame is just after the 1st Punic War and stretches on through the 2nd and all Hannibal's exploits. Caelus' family is murdered and he is taken away to Transalpine Gaul by the Gallic tribes there. He is then sold to the Romans as a Hastatus and fights in Macedonia for Scipio, father of Scipio 'Africanus'.

He ends up being the most powerful man in Europe, rivalling the power of Rome and Carthage. This is the story of how Caelus makes the most incredible journey ever undertaken, rivalling the feats of Megos Alexanderos himself.

AAR : www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=220076

[Jingles]

The Man who would be King

Mod: Thera - A new Beginning
Difficulty: M/H
Faction: The Warriors of Kukulcan

Description:
In this tribute to the excellent book of the same name written by Rudyard Kipling, Long time adventurers, ex-soldiers and friends Peachey Carnehan and Daniel Dravot, in their search for fortune and glory manage to open a gateway to another dimension. In this strange new world, they, accompanied by their former comrades in arms and a stack of Henry martini rifles, find their British sensibilities tested to the limit in an attempt to bring the wonders of civilisation, table manners, 5 'o clock tea and Sunday afternoon cricket to the savage people of Kukulcan.

Teaser:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Peachey's head was buzzing, and it ached. Thoughts began to float into his head. He was outside, light was penetrating his closed eyelids. The ground beneath him was hard, and damp, and he confirmed this by fumbling around with his left hand on the floor.

He slowly opened his eyes, and found himself staring at a cloudless sky. He blinked fiercely as his pupils adjusted, and then he slowly sat up, wincing at his aching bones. He was, as far as his bleary eyes could tell, upon a rocky outcrop situated in a jungle clearing. He turned, and almost cried out in shock when he was greeted by the snarling face of the statue from the ruins. It was sitting upright patiently, a few feet away from him, with it's empty eye sockets boring into him with an unflinching gaze.

Peachey shook his head and turned away. Where was everybody?. He peered around. There were no visible signs of life. Just the sound of the wind and jungle birdsong from the trees. Out beyond the treeline was a thin curtain of dewy mist. It seemed he was at the shallow summit of a mountain. Ahead, and all around him, the Jungle stretched out in a downwards gradient, and just through the mist, he could make out the sea - or at least what he assumed to be the sea, to what he assumed to be North. (A quick look at his compass helped him not. The needle just sprung about at random, occasionally settling in one location.)



Despite the fact that by all rights Peachey ought to be panicking right now, all he could think of was how peaceful it all was. He sat there for some time admiring the view before standing up, and dusting down his uniform. He turned about. The Statue was still there. He shrugged, stooped and retrieved his helmet. He placed it on his head with care, and looked about once more. It was then he heard voices across the clearing. Small red figures were making their way through the undergrowth in his direction Dravot was at their head, swinging a machete before him. Peachey breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't alone. Some minutes later, the group stood about the empty eyed statue.
"So," began one of the men, Smythe. "As I understand it, without the eyes, the statue is worthless?"
"Much more than that." said Dravot gravely. "That statue was our only way back. Without the eyes, its magic will not work. We're stuck here." He shook his head. Peachey just scratched his. The rest began muttering anxiously among themselves.
"They can't have gone far," said Bourne gruffly. "Let's get looking for them."
"No." Replied Dravot. Old Peachey would've found them already. They didn't just fall out. Something's amiss here..."

The men, despite these words spent the next half hour searching amongst the bushes and rocks for the two gems. Unsurprisingly, their efforts were in vain. Once they were all gathered around the statue again, Peachey was about to ask Dravot for a plan, when there was a rustling in the long grass surrounding them. Everyone jumped, and turned around as a good few dozen figures emerged from the undergrowth. Each man was half naked, and dark skinned, carrying various crude spears, bows and clubs. They had their hair styled in mohawks and braids. Their faces were adorned with menacing war-paint, and many wore bone necklaces. They stood fast, poised to attack.

The British backed into a circle, dropping their packs, and snatching up rifles. Peachey heard a muttered "Bollocks" from Bourne's direction. The leader of the natives, wearing a large feathered headdress, and carrying a knife, unttered guttural commands to his comrades. Peachey was puzzled, the man looked incredibly young compared to his fellows. This tangeant was quickly cleared from his mind however, as they began to advance on the circle.

"I say, you fellows", he shouted. "If you come closer, we will shoot!" The warriors halted momentarily, as if unsure. Their leader however was not, and barked at his men again, and they continued to close in. Dravot bellowed as loud as he could, not because the men were hard of hearing, but because it would help unnerve the enemy. "Company, Ready! Present!" Almost without thinking, the experienced soldiers raised the muzzles of their rifles in unison. At this, the warriors visibly faltered in their movements. Dravot drew in breath, and was about to give the order to fire, when a high pitched voice burst from among the natives, crying out in an umistakable Indian accent. A second later a small man, in the tattered and faded uniform of an Indian Sepoy emerged from the ranks of tribesmen.

"Oh, Goodness Gracious me! You are Englishmen yes!" The little man was blinking and pinching himself in disbelief. The British just gawped at the spectacle. Peachey nodded at the man.
"Well, in all my days, I would never have thought it possible!"
"Neither would I..." mumbled Smythe so he wouldn't hear.
The Indian uttered something to the tribal leader in their tongue, who ordered something to his warriors, and they lowered their weapons.
Dravot stepped forward, eyeing the tribesmen with a haughty disdain.
"I am Captain Dravot of the 24th Foot. These are my men." He gestured towards the British, who had too lowered their rifles. "Who are you, sir?"
The Indian cleared his throat. "My name is Sagat. And I am at your service, Sahib." The little man bowed.

You can read the rest here.