[M2TW AAR] The Rise of Novgorod

**BEAST978** · May 09, 2009, 02:07 PM

This is my first AAR, so please excuse me if it's terrible, I just want to try it out. At least this explains the cheesy title

**Commander5xl** · May 09, 2009, 02:10 PM

ooh goodluck! My AAR (check link in signature) is my first one and im please with how it turned out

I also took examples of how to do it through completed AARs in the Finished AAR index, but it should be your own unique style of writing

cant wait!

**BEAST978** · May 09, 2009, 02:48 PM

Hey I can't seem to figure out how to get a picture in here how do I do it?

**BEAST978** · May 09, 2009, 02:50 PM

When Alexander Nevsky became Grand Duke of the kingdom of Novgorod, he had no intention of having a quiet reign. In the first two years of his reign, troops spilled out of Novgorod, Smolensk and Zubstov, soon to form a group of significant power.
The Grand Duke made other bold moves, spiking the taxes in all his cities, though some more than others. This lowered his initial popularity quite a bit, but many worries were quickly put to rest when he used his newly raised money to build state-owned farms across the countryside. He sent a few sponsored merchants into valuable resource areas, on the condition that they would pay him a small tax.

Things began to slowly improve for the peasants of the Novgorodian State, as the farms began to enter their final stages and construction on new roads began. An emissary was sent to the Danish castle Narva, where an alliance was orchestrated. The once-quiet Kingdom of Novgorod had began its path to greatness.
Meanwhile, the armies of Novgorod and Zubstov met up, briefly camping together until further orders. It did not take long for Alexander to turn his eyes on the small, quiet kingdom of Tosno. The area was little more than countryside with a small town in the center. It was a perfect target for Alexander to flex his military muscles.

Six Years had passed since Alexander's rise to the throne of Novgorod. His troops marched ever-nearer to Tosno, and troops were positioned in Kholmo. Mongolian troops were seen in a neighboring kingdom, a grim reminder of their subordinate past. An assassination attempt was made on a Mongolian emissary, but it failed.

**Commander5xl** · May 09, 2009, 02:59 PM

you have to host them on a web hosting
might i suggest http://imageshack.us/ and you can upload them there, and copy the forum url beside the picture to get them to appear

**BEAST978** · May 09, 2009, 08:50 PM

By the seventh year of Alexander's reign, the forces of Novgorod descended upon Tosno. The town was unable to repel the aggressive forces until they had reached the center of the settlement. A bloody battle of attrition followed, and though the Tosnos fought like they were possessed, they were simply overwhelmed by Alexander's men.
By the time the sun set that day, Tosno was under Novgorod's control.

**BEAST978** · May 09, 2009, 08:51 PM

Sorry, no pics for this battle, they turned out very low quality. I will try to have some for the next battle though

**BEAST978** · May 09, 2009, 09:37 PM

Alexander was not through yet, however. A small rebel army of little more than 400 men had amassed near Novgorod's southern border. Forces marched from the border towns, confronting the enemy army on two fronts.
Initially the battle went poorly, with an aggressive attack by the rebels routing much of the initial wave. Two hundred good Russians lost their lives in that fight, but just when all seemed lost, reinforcements arrived. The Captain of that army, Iosif, managed to defeat the rebels and put an end to their threat.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**BEAST978** · May 10, 2009, 01:29 PM

As Alexander won victory after victory, the standard of life in Novgorod began to increase. More farms began to appear on the countryside with the new taxes coming out of Tosno.

Shortly after his victories against the rebels, Alexander was faced with his first challenge. While diplomatic meetings with the Mongolians were underway, a force of Teutonic Knights assaulted the town of Pskov. Alexander reacted quickly and efficiently, and within days of the siege a force of cavalry rode from the gates of Novgorod.

Despite the turmoil that had run through Novgorod at the news of the Teutonic attack, there was great joy and celebration at Alexander's adoption of a son. At the welcoming party for the young man, a prayer was offered for the men that, at this very moment, were going into battle....

The Teutonic warriors were certainly surprised to see a host of cavalry emerging from the horizon.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Novgorodians knew they would not prevail in a combat struggle, and instead lurked at range, firing arrows and javelins into the enemy formation. Even the enemy commander's bodyguards fell to the rain of death that befell them.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Once that the enemy had been reduced to a fragile shell of their former forces, the cavalry charged in, slashing through their depleted lines until none remained.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Forces of Novgorod welcomed a new general to their ranks, the brave victor of the Battle of Pskov, Sbyslav of Porkhov. Given orders from Alexander himself, he marched south to Velikiye Luki, a small village where Mongols and Teutonics had been seen.

Despite his recent victories, Alexander was facing economic problems. The constant state of battle the state had found itself in was rotting the economy, and despite their increase in agriculture it did not balance out the monetary value of war. Alexander began to spend as little as he could, attempting to stockpile whatever money he could for the coming economic crash. Luckily, the deterred Teutonics moved south, turning their eyes on the Lithuanians.

In the next few months, the economy began to slowly regenerate. The difference this time was Alexander's popularity and respect was greatly lessened, for despite his victories the people preferred no war at all. Sbyslav arrived at Velikiye Luki, much to the locals' and Alexander's approval.

Unfortunately, this economic recovery was short lived, as Teutonic forces once more marched into Novgorod's Territory. Lithuanian forces also appeared in even larger numbers, though it was unknown if they were aggressive.

Once more, General Sbyslav marched from Velikiye Luki, challenging the Teutonic army, perhaps for the last time....

**BEAST978** · May 10, 2009, 01:30 PM

Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated, as the work I do is very time-consuming and I'm wondering if there is any way to shorten the time it takes without lessening quality.

**Commander5xl** · May 10, 2009, 02:22 PM

hmm, whats with the random spoilers?

**BEAST978** · May 12, 2009, 02:09 PM

The spoilers are there so that the images don't take up an obnoxious amount of space, it builds up after a while, though I may take those out.

**Commander5xl** · May 12, 2009, 08:57 PM

hmm, okay but no images are showing up, sorry

**BEAST978** · May 13, 2009, 08:04 PM

Hmmm.... well they worked for me. I'll just do it w/o them.

As the Novgorodians lined up for battle, a feeling of unease swept through their ranks- they had heard of the Teutonic Order's bloody reputation against their enemies, and defeat meant certain death.

The battle began bloody, with javelins and arrows streaming through the sky towards the Teutonic ranks. Despite several casualties on the Order's side, the forest and snow prevented the Novgorodians from playing their normal skirmish game. The Order's cavalry closed on the Novgrodians archers frighteningly fast, killing several. Were it not for a last-minute charge by Sbyslav, the entire company would have been slain. Beyond that, the Teutonic Order was unable to truly close with the mobile ranks of Novgorod.

Sbyslav continued to play a key role in the battle, making brave charges into the enemy ranks when an opening appeared. Eventually, the Teutonic commander's will to engage combat proved to be his undoing; Sbyslav lured each unit into isolation, before obliterating them in mass charges. It was not long before the enemy was run down and annihilated.

Sbyslav was bitter towards the Order for the men that they had killed, and all captives were executed. As he and his men celebrated victory at the encampment, he received news that things were in a sorry state back at the town, and he immediately struck course for his land.

Things resumed a steady pace in the Novgorodian Empire- life plowed on, no better or worse than before. Alexander was not a prosperous ruler, but at least he was keeping his lands safe. Sbyslav put down the rebellion in Velikiye Luki with an iron fist, and order resumed throughout the now young empire.

**Jynx** · May 14, 2009, 01:15 PM

Don't do them all next to each other, one below the other if they are that big. Other than that, good start.

**BEAST978** · May 16, 2009, 07:42 PM

I am discontinuing this AAR, I will be starting a new one in the same thread named "The Kingdom of Jerusalem." I know that the title is lame, but I don't want to make an overly thought-of one when this one works just fine.