Proof of the Kingdom of Jerusalem's Righteousness!
Started playin' my own mod, Kingdoms of Heaven v1.02, as the Kingdom of Jerusalem itself (my buddies all played Antioch, so I wanted something a bit different - plus, I always played Antioch in Crusades). Started kicking ass and taking names. Have to say, these first 23 turns have been some of the most fun I've had since I started playing this game.
So first thing first, with Jerusalem only having two cities in the early era, I was in dire need of strong troops and an equally formidable economy. So I used the starting army to take Kerak. Thankfully, the crusader mercenaries are hard workers, and Kerak was mine. Unfortunately, it wasn't a castle yet. But one thing at a time, I say! Egypt asked for trade, so I gladly accepted, and while my diplomat was off makin' alliances, I prepared an army under Baldwin to siege Damascus.
The Siege of Damascus was a lengthy affair, taking upwards of 6 years or more. In fact, it was taking so long that Lord Baldwin was unsure whose supplies would deplete first - the rebels' or his! But then the rebels sallied forth before the last turn, and they made hasty! I had no time to prepare. Luckily, I had three units of Pilgrims that I had brought from Jerusalem to help flesh out my army. Damascus just had too great a garrison for my spearmen to take alone! Sometimes numbers are necessary to solidify victory. And these Pilgrims made the ultimate sacrifice. As the rebels opened the gates, the Pilgrms rushed forward to make a short, very wide row of bodies before my main army. The rebel cavalry charged the Pilgrims and became entangled in a melee with them, then suffered a charge from my Sergeant Spearmen awaiting just that! Damascus was taken swiftly, with minimal losses to my military personnel. I have to be careful with my crusaders!
With Damascus secured, I focused south again. Egypt failed to take Al Aqaba, so I took the liberty of occupying the region. And then the Jihad was called! Godfrey de Bouillon was worried but for a moment - until the Knights Hospitaller swore their aid! With the Hospitallers bolstering the garrison of Jerusalem, Godfrey stood firm against the great Kwarezmian host that soon arrived. The Kwarezmians stood on one side of Jerusalem, while the Fatimids had their own host gathering on the opposite side. Could even the might of the Hospitallers aid them?
But the Hospitallers, and Lord Baldwin directing them from newly fortified Krak de Moab, were cunning. A host of five units of Hospitallers rode from Krak de Moab and struck the Kwarezmian host in the rear.
Their lack of any real armor would prove to be their downfall. The Hospitallers shredded the Kwarezmians to ribbons even without the aid of Lord Godfrey.
It would appear even a seemingly infinite number of lessors could not match the ferocity of the elite Knights.
Yet, even with the Kwarezmian host defeated, the Fatimids had their own large host waiting their turn. Once the first siege of Jerusalem was relieved, the Fatimids quickly laid siege themselves. They must drive the infidels out! But Godfrey once again stood firm against the Saracen assault, believing wholly in his righteousness.
Apparently he is not the only one.
This act of God pulverized the Fatimid army!
Godfrey de Bouillon knew this was surely a sign from God, and immediately crushed the Fatimid army before they could regroup. Even the infidel Saracens themselves could not ignore the events that resulted in the destruction of their evil armies.
This must truly be the Kingdom of Heaven! With Divine Protection, it is our right to rule the Holy Land, and unite all our Christian brothers! Woe to the foe that denounces the one Lord!
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