[DLV AAR] An Eastern Jewel in a Western World!!! Chronicles of a French Miserable.

[Radzeer]

Ah, this was really dark... and it looks like the worst is still to come. Unless Philippe forgives her, but that seems unlikely...

I missed the two year anniversary, but I have to say that it is an exceptional dedication to write a story for this long - and keep it interesting 'till the very end!

[la coupe est pleine]

Thanks all for the support you still have to this story.
I was away so loooong, but I'm back and as I said multiple times, I clearly want to finish the story. I'm "really" not far from the end, believe me ...

More than 2 years of story. I'm a bit sad of myself, sad to see that a short objective became a long long one, and that I didn't succeed to finish it soon enough.
It was a try, and still is.

I hope (for the little ones that still read this story, or find it) that you still find some enjoyement and fun. It was one of the major purposes.

Merci beaucoup.


Scottish King

I...I...am speechless. Revenge can brng out the worst in people.

Indeed, the story is darker and darker, and it isn't only my fault.


Shankbot

Bloody hell mate, that was intense... and gory... vivid...

What has Philippe become?

The description was first-class and very detailed You've really outdone yourself.

Enjoy your holiday, and the wait will make the finish even more spectacular (and way overdue )

I'm, with as much patience as I can muster, awaiting your return...

EDIT: I was looking, and this started in May 07, 2010!

I'm pleased you liked it my old friend.
The holidays were nice, and I really enjoyed them. So new things to see and learn.
I have to contact you soon...


Radzeer

Ah, this was really dark... and it looks like the worst is still to come. Unless Philippe forgives her, but that seems unlikely...

I missed the two year anniversary, but I have to say that it is an exceptional dedication to write a story for this long - and keep it interesting 'till the very end!

Ah ah ah .
No probs about the two years anniversary. I also missed it...
It doesn't mean as much as the first one, because I was less present...

Thanks for all your comments, inspirations, and courage...



I'm sincerely honored to have you still in the trip, after such a long time

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

And fear not, I have already made contact!

Now I'm preparing myself for the Grand Finale...

Nice to see you mate.

EDIT: GET READING MY AAR! Eustace has been places...

[la coupe est pleine]

Exile (Part V)
Chapter CXXXI : Goodbye my "love"

An de Grâce 1230 AC.

Kingdom of Spain.
The Duchy of Leon.

!!!Medieval Music to listen!!!
Current world...



Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates. I’m Philippe. King of the Kingdom. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Philippe Capet, adoptive son of the French King. However, my real name is Muhammad Sahadeddine. I’ve been adopted because of an amazing coincidence. I hoped to become a hero of Chivalry, and help the poor and the orphans. I know, I’ve read a lot of hero stories, but I was a dreamer… I’m 450 years old. I’ve killed the Pope myself, and destroyed the entire Papal States. Back in France, I became the rightful ruler of the Iberian part of the Kingdom. I raised some loyal troops and assaulted Paris and Louis. We had a battle, I lost my left hand and finally fought him during the Ordalie in Paris and won the crown. I destroyed the flemish Duchy, punishing them for the murder of Philippe Auguste. I suceeded to capture Michel and Charles who rebelled during the Paris Siege. I killed Louis in the Dungeon and after some victories against the English and Germans, I finally officially took the holy Crown After the death of my dear Margit, I went insane but succeeded to continue the fight against the English. Unfortunately, a Crusade had been called against Paris. There was no hope.... I exiled myself, trying to flee that Kingdom that didn't like me anymore. I killed Michel, my brother, after he came back from unknown lands to fight me. Charles. "Nephew" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is the first son of the king Louis the Merciless. He was supposed to be the rightful heir but because of Michel plans, I’ve stolen him the title. He rebelled against Louis and was thrown in the Dungeon. After being reconciled, he met me, and I agreed to let him the lead of Metz. However, that little snake made a deal with Michel and sided with the english hawks to kill me. Unfortunately for him, I captured the bad guy and threw him in the Dungeon, next to his father and uncle, before to sell him as a slave in North Africa. Clara. "Wife" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my official wife. She is the daughter of the Spanish King and thanks to that marriage, I was considered as a real noble. She is definitely ugly and I absolutely didn’t want to sleep with her. Despite the nightmares, I made her pregnant and let her in Zaragoza. She gave birth to Philip, my first son. She is said having ordered the assassination of my dear Margit. Philip. Heir of the Kingdom "First Son" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Philip is my first son, consequence of a horrible night I succeeded to spend with Clara. After being fat, he grew up better and was proclaimed the official Heir of the Kingdom. I ordered him to go to the South and kill his monster mother, when I learned the death of Margit. He finally refused and rebelled against the Kingdom, ready to kill my other sons to take the crown. Raoul. "Second son" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Raoul is my second son, and the first I had with Margit. He was my Jewel, because he seemed much more natural and calm than Philip. However, he explained me that my time was over, since my mental disease, and took the power for him. I still don't know if it was a good or a bad decision. Sibylle. "Daughter" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Sybille is my third child and my only daughter. She is the most beautiful and pretentious woman I've ever seen. She is a devoted girl for the Kingdom. She seduced and married Hensel Kasper, second son of the German Emperor, and helped to divert Hensel and his troops from the Crusade against Paris. She decided not to give me up, and went with me during my exile. Colin. "Third son" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Colin is my third son. He is very young and just began his knight training. He decided to go with me, during my exile. Norbert. "Michel spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He is the messenger who taught me the amazing news of the death of my father, and that I was the new Heir of the Kingdom. He is the personal spy, and old assassin of Michel. He killed my dear friend Charles de Bouillon and Arnoul, he even tried to slay me three times and is still hunting me. I hate him… Olivier de Beziers. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was one of my loyal generals. He is quite as young as me and a very good warrior. Moreover, he is very clever and he helped me to convince the army that the Pope Alexander was an enemy. After some love problems we finally overcome, he is from now on my "compagnon d'arme". He saved my life twice, and was severely wounded by an arrow during the Ordalie. He is in the Holy Lands, in order to be cured by the best doctors. Bertrand du Guesclin "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Bertrand du Guesclin is a local noble from brittany, who became the governor of Pamplona. He believed in my dream to found a new Kingdom and he became one of my close friends. He helped me more than everyone else to build an alternate Kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula. He led my troops at my side, and learned to enjoy the reality of war. As a true hero, he decided to stay in France and to fight the bastard Crusaders.

Dead Heroes...

Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous. DEAD in battle. "Father" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was my adoptive father, but also the French King. He loved the Chivalric Code, and enjoyed good tournaments. He was a wise ruler and French people liked him a lot. He died in battle, against Flanders, trying to defend Paris. Charles de Bouillon. ASSASSINATED. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Charles was the governor of Toulouse citadel and then the governor of Zaragoza. Charles was my only real “friend”. He liked me and I could trust him. He was not a warrior, but he was a clever leader, knowing a lot in the domain of diplomacy, economy and management. He had saved me from Louis’s sword. He had finally been killed by that bastard Norbert when I was away in Italy... Louis the Malevolent. KILLED in the Dungeon. "Brother" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It was my elder “brother”, and the King of France. He was a very skilled and fearful warrior. He could be qualified as a “butcher”. He was my worst enemy since he raped and killed my first love Hélène. He engaged the battle against me near Paris, and lost. However, he suceeded to flee but we faced in Paris and he lost the Ordalie. For some years, he was no more than a destitute king, without hands and bowls, prisoner in the Louvre dungeon. I finnaly took the decision and killed him, in the darkness of his cell. Arnoul de Penthièvre ASSASSINATED. "Personal spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Arnoul was my best personal spy. He was extremely experienced and played a key role in my chess game against Louis and Michel. This guy saved me when I was the prisoner of Baudouin, waiting for my death... After spending years leading my spying network, he had finally been assassinated by my worst enemy : Norbert the Bastard. Jacques d'Orléans DEAD in battle. "Priest" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Jacques was a Templar. After years spent in the Iberian Peninsula, fighting heretics and trying to convert them, he had been promoted leader of the Paris Templar garrison. I met him during the Paris siege and he fought well beside me. He is one of my best friends, helping and advising me during my English Campaign. He had been granted the title of Cardinal, but unfortunately missed to be elected Pope. He died in the battle of Angers, after a brave fight in the middle of the strongest English knights. Margit. ASSASSINATED. "Secret love" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  She was my deep love. Nobody knew that, apart my close friends. She was beautiful and clever. She was a Hungarian princess. I spent wonderful times with her. She had given birth to our children: Raoul, Sibylle and Colin. She finally fell, poisoned in Paris when I was away. The monster Clara is said to be the one who ordered that tragedy. Michel. "Brother" KILLED in battle. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It was my second “brother”. He was one year and a half more than me. We were very good friends during our childhood, but it these happy times were soon definitely over. Michel was for long the unofficial leader of the Kingdom and ordered my death. When I came back in Paris and defeated Louis, he accepted my lead, but didn't lose time to betray me. I captured him and threw him in the Dungeon, and exiled him in Ireland. However, some reports said that he fled to the unknown West. 10 years later, he came back to fight me with some barbarians in Brittany. I killed him in a duel.

I winked to my little Sibylle, before to look a last time at the boat, alone and quiet in the middle of the lake.
I bent my bow, and shoot at the boat. The same moment, my son Colin did the same.

We, like most of my soldiers, watched the two arrows, twinkling in the dark of the evening.
Both of them reached their goal, the boat.

A scream over-heard came instantly from the target.
Clara.

It was her chatiment. Watching at the flames propagating in the boat, I reminded our last talk:
- “If you had killed Margit, the fire is going to burn you.
If you hadn’t, the water will swallow you up.

Aren’t you lucky, you have the choice to be innocent?”
I said to Clara, with an evil smile.

- “But you have no choice to live…
Sale chienne.”
I added with the finest irony.

I knew she wasn’t able to swim.

When the flames swallowed the little boat, we heard her last cries of agony.
She finally burnt.
I was right…

But it didn’t make me smile. I was sad, thinking about Margit, my love, my young years, the strength of the youth, and my naivety.
That day, I understood why I never died, why I succeeded to stay alive, despite all the people eager to kill me.
I had one last duty.
The duty to erase the name of all the cruel people I met in my life, of all the scourges I undergone.
In other words, the Pope Bonifacius that ordered the Crusade against Paris as the first one of my list.

And then, all was clear in my mind. The real problems came from the Crusader states, where the Pope found its strength, where the religion reached its fanatic heights.
I should destroy that Kingdom, and die…

It was my fate.
I knew it since the beginning.
I needed to die in the sand, after making my people free.

It was vital.
I sweated all the night, that idea coming again and again, each time more powerful in my dreams. Some voices were crying, some other ordering me… I was ready.

More than ever, I felt that I had found a proper end to conclude my old and hectic miserable life.
My fate…




At the end of the winter, I learnt from some of my scouts that a rescue army came from Burgos. It was time to move, and to leave that stinking city.



Before to leave, I ordered to burn the Church of the city. I would like to send a clear message to the Pope. I would like to make him angry. I would like to prepare a warm meeting between us.
I laughed when the great cross broke in the floor, followed by the rest of the building.
My soldiers didn’t say anything. They were used with my behavior and had lost their confidence in God since the Crusade launched against Paris.
Paris.

The capital of the Spanish Kingdom was no more than a giant graveyard, burnt to the roots.



I decided to go South, in order to avoid Burgos and the rescue army.
I didn’t want anymore to battle against those stupid Spanish. I had enough. I had the blood I wanted.

My goal was to join the French territories I loved so much. I knew the risks. I knew that Philip probably turned the people mind against me, nevertheless I was confident. I was leading a powerful army, and the people surely didn’t forget me.
The walk was long, and difficult. The Spanish burnt the villages before we could reach them. We lost some of our supplies, and the winter was tough in the Castellans Mountains.

However, we kept our morale and crossed the difficulties like a boat in a storm. The only quiet times I could enjoy were with my little family. The night, I used to release all the stress and to enter another word, without any fears and dangers. I enjoyed talking with Colin, as Sibylle spent most of her time with Hensel. Colin was eager to learn, eager to revenge the Kingdom he never had the opportunity to protect.
Eager to meet the Pope…

Colin was 22, young and strong. He was influenced by my cruelty and believed, despite my advices, that being powerful meant to give up any feeling.
What could I say?

All my life, I tried to make people happy and I never succeeded. The only victories against the foes had been won thanks to hatred, not love and friendship…

At least, we crossed the Ebro. The Spanish finally refused to have a fight, understanding we were going to leave their remote and devastated Kingdom. And indeed, they had better to do, as the word spread that the Jihad launched against Medina had been successful, and that the Moors reconquered the Holy city from the German hands.
The Moors would surely expand more and more and benefit from this prestigious victory which would increase the moral of the Arabs.

I wasn’t focused about that new. I was back in France, and it meant so much that I organized some celebrations, on the other side of the Ebro.



We soon learnt that Pamplona was still French. As expected, when we entered the fortress, we discovered that the local French lords allied with those same Spanish that they fought for years, because of some secret agreements Philip did there.
I didn’t succeed to be upset. They were just blind followers.
I stayed in the fortress few days. Enough to feed my troops, hire some more with the Spanish gold, and take a little rest. We could feel that we weren’t very welcome there. The trend had turned.

And there I learnt the terrible news…
Paris had been sacked.

Paris had been conquered by the bloody crusaders, who killed, looted and raped good French people.

I hated them.
I hated them so much.
They were lucky, protected in the North, sided by hundreds of armies, but I knew one man that would have better to be there too, instead of enjoying the fat and warm life of an Italian countryside. I wouldn’t miss that pig.
His tail would be my cherry on the cake.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

You've come back with a bang mate!

Apart from a few errors that I felt obliged to pick out () it was a great update, and what Philippe plans today is very intriguing.

Will he go all the way back to the Crusader Sates? I can't wait to find out.

Speak to you soon,

oh and +rep

[Grouchio]

Nothing's happened since...

Here's a music video that perfectly sets the tune.

[Rex Anglorvm]

Just finished reading this great AAR, its took me a while

Really enjoyed it, hope an update somes soon

Rep+

[Radzeer]

It looks like history is going to repeat itself... at least partly.
Nice update, hopefully we'll see you back here soon. Don't let the man have too much pleasure in Italy!

[Dooz]

Well.... it's been a year since I've last visited. And I know that because I looked up my last post to make sure I picked up reading from somewhere I'd left off and not miss anything. And so it began, from the 2nd French Campaign (Part II), Chapter CXII : L'enfer. I felt as I did the first time reading this AAR from the beginning, like discovering a great treasure. Over the course of the past three or four days I sadly caught up to the latest update.

I never know what to say other than to shower with compliments after one of these sessions. To me, it's an unbelievable achievement. A fundamentally strong story, kept up for two years, building a true epic, really the perfect AAR. I read them at nights before sleeping the past few days, so I went to bed thinking about poor/bastard Philippe and his adventures, the cast of characters around him the world that's been created, and the relation to a game we all know and love and have an intimate connection with. It's just the perfect medium for entertainment executed as well as possible.

Every god damn chapter made me excited as I was reading it, the drama was powerful, the intrigue, war, family, religion, mystery, and the images oh lord. Just the sheer creativity, compelling the story forward, never a dull moment. As always, the writing style itself is a high mark of this AAR. Pure entertainment.

I'm going nuts thinking about all the stuff that's happening in the last few chapters, wooooo boy. That epic battle with the Spanish king and Clara and all the other characters involved beautifully, insanely outnumbered and truly thrilling genius tactical victory. There is weight behind every battle, it's insane. They're all built up to in such a fashion, and presented when they finally happen so perfectly, it just all feels like some crazy history lesson or big HBO show or something.

I hope you're having yourself a wonderful life la coupe. You've certainly created something here that's brought joy to our lives. Thanks for that. Hope to see you soon!

[Tomas.carney]

i just finished reading this story the past night how I loved it and can't wait for more and maybe another aar + rep