[SS AAR] Your Choise !! [The Rise Of Venice?]

It looks like Venice is going to take the poll. I'll get working on the intro today.



RULES:

Mod: Stainless Steel 6.1 (RR And SSTC 1.2) + Crimson Tide 4.2
Difficulty: Very Hard / Very Hard
Faction: Venice.
Unit Scale: Large. For some nice dramatic effect
Cheating?: Only FOW to show the development when posting an update.
Objective: The rising of a great empire!... Through the eyes of a Prince and Heir to the throne.
Time Limit: None.
Campaign Type: Long
Reloading: Never… A defeat can be glorious to.
Battles: Will play most, but will not post all of them. Just the important ones.
Starting Conditions: Late Campaign.
Turn Length In Years: 1.5 Year / Turn -- Starting year 1220


Intro: The Rise Of Venice

Spoiler for Intro: 

Intro: The Rise Of Venice?
It was the year of our Lord 1220, and after years of peace that Venice had know, my father the Doge said to me that he wanted to create an empire out of Venice once more. I was not sure about this as my father was not the military genius he thought he was

Actually nobody in our family was a great commander like the Kings of old, For we had know many years of peace, in which we had concentrated on the political side of our titles.



The Holy Roman Empire was right at our doorstep, Sicily on the other side of our borders and of course Hungary should also be reckoned with. My father managed to gain some land on the north side of the Black Sea trough diplomacy. With a foothold there and our excellent economics and access to well trained military units, this could be the a new beginning for Venice or the end of us all on a far away battlefield.. Only time will tell..

Chapter 1

Spoiler for Chapter 1: 

Unskilled Warriors!
I should have know that we were not like the King's of old.. We had hardly reached out for victory and it was already slipping away.
When my brother Alessandro heard of my father's dream, he too saw himself as a glorious victor! Eager to make the Doge happy, he left for the closest rebel settlement he could find "Florence".
He rode out with an army only 600 heads strong, even though reports had come back that Florence had an army at least 1400 heads strong. Confident that no simple rebels could stop him he besieged the settlement and he did not have to wait long before the enemy sallied forth

Even now as the battle folded out and his chances seemed close to nothing, he was outnumbered with more than 2 to 1, my brother still believed in victory..
He fought hard and brave besides his soldier, slaughtered the enemy general. It looked good..for an instance. The dead of their general enraged the rebel army and they threw their full force against the Venetians lines.
Seeing his men getting slaughtered he blew the retreat, hardly escaping himself, if it wasn't for his last loyal bodyguard who escorted him of the battlefield.

Even though they lost, Alessandro and his men fought bravely and took down a good chunk of the rebel army.

This wasn't a good start to my father's dream. Even rebels could defeat us at this point and The Holy Roman Empire was breathing down our necks... We were indeed... Unskilled Warriors!

Chapter 2

Spoiler for Chapter 2: 

Together we stand strong.
After the defeat at Florence my father decided we needed more allies and more trade routes opened.

Further trade agreements were made with: The Byzantine Empire, Hungary, Sicily, Papal States and Kievan Rus.

Also 2 Alliances were made uniting Italy!

So now with the entire Italian Isle united, our place in this world was a little more sure.
Our southern borders save and an enemy to the north we could focus on after taking the rebel settlements my father's plans began to unfold.
But for them to succeed we must deal with those dreadful rebels for once and for all !

Chapter 3

Spoiler for Chapter 3: 

Unfortunate tidings.
Now that our southern borders were save and money was flowing in the treasure chest rapidly, I myself would pick up the sword and succeed were my brother had failed.
Indeed I was a smarter man than my brother and didn't underestimate those rebels. Spies came back with the message that their army was at least 500 men strong, so I rallied my troops for inspections.

After all preparations were made it was clear they would not stand a chance against us, as our army counted over 1200 heads.
So we left our homes in Ragusa and set out to meet the rebels of Zagreb in battle. Eagerly we marched forward to wards or foes, but when the city came in our line of sight we saw a terrible spectacle.

At the gates of Zagreb stood an army of the HRE...
My men turned to me and asked what we should do, attack the HRE and then take the city or should we face defeat and head home?
I looked upon their faces and saw determination in their eyes. They would face any army for me... For their country.
But we couldn't risk open war just yet, but neither did I feel like returning home with another failed attempt to expand Venice.
"We will make camp and wait for the outcome of their battle" I said to the men.
This could go either way for now, if the HRE failed in taking the city the rebels army would be weakened.
But if they succeeded... I could not finish the thought... It couldn't happen !!!

Chapter 4

Spoiler for Chapter 4: 

Cruel fate.
It's been 3 weeks now and my men were becoming restless, this was taking too long. It seemed the HRE would wait for the rebels to sally forth so they could use their talented horseman, if that happened their victory was sure.
So I decided this was hopeless and ordered my men to pack up camp. We were going home without a victory...

We had marched calmly for 4 days when suddenly 3 horses came closing in at the horizon, it were the men I left behind to bring reports about the battle . So I ordered me man to halt and start preparing camp since it was late already, and waited for them to arrive.
After talking with them I felt excitement, the HRE had saw us leaving and decided to attack Zagreb, they had suffered a crushing defeat!
I held a speech to my men telling them that we had to hurry now, FOR VENICE'S HONOR! And so we left immediately as there was no time to waste, with great speed and determination we marched back.
The morning of the Th day the rebel settlement came in sight again, what we saw then crushed us...

This was fate laughing with us... now Zagreb laid under siege by Hungary.
I saw the looks on my men's faces, this had left them hopeless. I was not sure what to do now for our food was running out fast, at most it was enough to last 2 weeks. So me and my bodyguard went to the Hungarians general's tent and demanded a meeting.
He told me that they would attack at nightfall, and after taking the settlement he would attack us if we were still here.

While riding back to our camp me and my most trusted bodyguards discussed what we should do next, we decided to set up camp in a nearby forest and wait for the outcome of battle.
I knew my army was restless because of this cruel fate, there were rumors going around that God himself did not wish us to succeed. Even my heart was unsure of Gods plan for us.. It could not be that I should fail.. NOT AGAIN !

Chapter 5

Spoiler for Chapter 5: 

A twist of luck.
Finally things were working out my way. Me and a trusted sergeant of mine stood on a hill near the forest where we were camped.
We were looking down at the Hungarian assault on Zagreb, and things did not look good for the besiegers.
Although they were stronger in numbers their battering ram caught fire and they had trouble getting up on the walls, some men even started routing already while the battle was far from lost.
Almost an hour later they still didn't have a foothold on the walls and even after losing more than half his army the general did not blow the retreat.
It was awful to see a general with so little respect for his man's life's, they were never going to capture this town.

After almost 3 hours of trying to get up on the walls and failing, losing almost every man in his army the general rode of leaving his own men behind.
This must be a cruel man indeed.. The only unit left with almost full numbers was a crossbow unit and they were routing our way.
I ordered the sergeant to take a horse and take them to our camp, if their general wouldn't take care of them I will.
After they had eaten and rested I had a talk with them. They were all young men, the oldest being no older than 20.

They told me the general who had left them behind was the Hungarian crown prince, an unpleasant person, and that for my kindness and to honor their fallen brothers they would help me take Zagreb.

Now with no army standing in our way we could finally attack those rebels. They had proven to be brave fighters, but after fending off two attacks they would not stand a chance against us.

After positioning my men for the attack, the battering ram pushed by the surviving Hungarians crossbowmen was send forth.
Some of the rebels had placed them self as a human shield in front of the gate.
Those fools.. did they really think they could stop us?
I ordered to keep on going and flatten them between their gate and the ram. I could not help myself from laughing.
How did such foolish warriors fought of 2 armies?

Seeing their men being crushed between gate and ram they open the gate and made a charge with their cavalry. But they were no match for my spearman.

This was going to easy... After some small skirmishing on the walls and in the town center the battle was over.

It seemed their battles against the HRE and Hungary had left them tired and weak.

And now it seemed the tide was turning for Venice, we finally claimed ruler ship over a new region with minimal losses.
This was indeed a nice... twist of fate.

Chapter 6

Spoiler for Chapter 6: 

Letter from the Doge.
After my victory at Zagreb I sent a messenger to my father the Doge, knowing this would please him greatly. When the messenger returned he had a letter from my for me, what would my father have to say?
Letter from the doge:
"My son, It pleases me great that you were victorious. It seems God smiles upon us, as also I was able to expand the borders of our soon to be empire. After a long siege the rebels who held out at Milan attacked us, for their food supplies were running low.

In the open field they wouldn't have a chance of surviving as we outnumbered them greatly. In their first attack they showed their weakness, as they charged without holding formation. We could isolate them and finish them off. After losing about 100 men their General finally got control of his army, so the second wave was more organized.. but they did not stand a chance against our professional army.

While our soldiers were busy fighting their infantry they tried to flank us, I off course counter-flanked them, leading in to a big cavalry skirmish.

Our cavalry was more powerful and just 1 horseman escaped, the enemy general who saw that all was lost. Now that we had the only cavalry on the field we could flank them and finish them of easily.
So after some small skirmishes on the field in front of the city, it was over and the settlement was ours. We could enter the city victorious.


So my son, our fortune grows as well as our empire. With this new haven of trade in our grasp we will be able to build up our army. Soon my son we will be able to declare war on the HRE. No more must we live in fear for them

Doge Pietro

Chapter 7

Spoiler for Chapter 7: 

Final Preparations.
My father and I had a final talk about the war that was soon to come. We could not risk war if there was danger on our other borders.
So 2 more diplomats were send out to create more alliances.

Now with every border to the south, east and west secure our people would be save as our armies marched north. Soldiers were recruited from every village and our army was growing, the war wasn't going to be easy but things were looking good.

We would build up 3 armies, my father and I would lead 2 of them, but who should we trust to lead the third? So our discussion continued.
Alessandro proved to be to reckless in battle, that much was clear from his defeat in Florence so we would let Cristiano lead the third army.
He had not proven himself yet so he should have a chance to my father thought, I did not agree with this seeing how much depended on this victory. But my father was the Doge so the final decision was up to him and I had but to obey.

And so all matters were sorted out and we parted ways to join our armies. The next time we would see each other again would be after the first strikes of our march into the HRE to see what we should do from there.
My father started to ask me more and more about running the country... It was clear he was preparing me for my future.

Chapter 8

Spoiler for Chapter 8: 

Something special.
I was on my way home from the meeting with my father, still pondering about the decisions made, when I heard a scream in the distance.
I hesitated a moment, I was not a coward but this could be a trap. These lands were know for the crooks and thief's who roamed it.
When a second scream ripped the silence my mind was made up and I drove of to the direction the noise had came from. As i got closer, it became clear to me that the source of these cries of help was a boy. His young voice in complete panic. Spurring my horse to go faster, he was becoming visible in the distance, surrounded by 3 men.

When I arrived one of the men looked upon me, yelling "This is non of your concern! Get out of here". Did this petty crook not know who he was talking too, me the prince of the country he called home. I got of my horse and moved closer to the men, who were now all facing me. I replied "Leave this boy be or I shall send you to God to be judged" while drawing my sword. Fear was dripping of their faces, it was clear they were not accustomed to well-armed warriors. They preyed on weak, scared, honest people, who did not dare resist. We stood there for a moment, as they were thinking if they should dare to fight me. Then they turned tail and ran as the devil himself was chasing them.

After putting my sword away I faced the boy, he was still not over his fear but he gartered his courage and asked me "Are you a knight, sir?". A smile appeared on my face as I replied "Yes, Yes I am. Why are you all alone, where is your mother?". The boy, now completely over his fear, was looking at me with big eyes. As he did not reply I asked him again "Were is your mother? Do you live near here?". The boy, who was now looking at my armour and sword replied "Do you fight for our doge? Have you ever spoken with him or the prince?". Again I could not help myself from smiling. "Do you want to know a secret?" I asked, the boy nodded slowly. "I am prince Bartolomeo, son of the doge." I whispered to him. His eyes widened even more and his face glowed with joy. "Do you live near here?" I asked again. "Yes, my lord. I live in the village a little further down the road." he said quickly. "Well, lets get you home then" I said while lifting him up and putting him on the back of the horse.

While riding on to his home, we started talking. He told me of how bandits roamed this part of the land, and how after the death of his father by the hand of one of those bandits, he dreamed of becoming a knight to protect the village from them. There was something about this boy, which I could not put my finger on, something special...maybe I needed to keep him close to find out...

I say Spain with the goal of the spanish inquision sacking Rome.

havnt seen a venice aar in awhile .

Ireland, I say

Venice would be a nice change of perspective.

Play as an eastern faction.

I don't really like those factions

Updated with a little intro to present the King and his son's

nice update! alesso was abit foolish? but less men to worry about next time?
and mybe you should try top get alliance and trade rights with the pope?
+ rep btw

Well this happend in the first turn.. My diplomat is at the Pope's gates but like 1 step away but needed to wait an other turn
I'm also sending a diplomat to the Hungarians so that's 1 less treath to deal with (If they accept)

Hey I might read this, can anyone guess why?

Hmm.. Maybe .... The nickname?? ...NAAAAAH

I KNOW !!
Because I made it !!

An other little update.

Update about The Battle For Zagreb.!!

I enjoyed it, looking forward to the next update!

lol just cause people dont comment doesnt mean they dont like it! otherwise my AAR only has 2-4 fans

Nice start.

Originally Posted by Commander5xl

lol just cause people dont comment doesnt mean they dont like it! otherwise my AAR only has 2-4 fans

Maybe your right but it's always nice to get some comments to raise moral

Oh how I hate Venice in the game. But I like this AAR. I'm so torn. +rep

Nice one, but, you say a turn is 1 year, a turn is 1.5 years in SS!

(or did u mod it?)


+rep