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

**la coupe est pleine** · June 24, 2010, 12:24 PM

Karnage

I still have my reservation on Phillipe, he is turning more evil then originally perceived. "marrying the gorgon to gain nobility, I can live with that, hitting the gorgon in front of troops, cant say that I consider this move virtuous."

Eh eh...

Yeah, the poor Philippe can't be an Angel if he want to survive and revenge the death of his father.
Imagine the poor young man. Even his family want him to be dead.

His troops are the only guys loyal to him.
If they consider he is a coward (being insulted by Clara without doing nothing), he takes the risk to lose everything.
So, let him a chance to prove that he is not as bad as he seems...

Sivilombudsmannen

What about a de-tour into Genoa/Milan? Just to teach them a french lesson. Then, use their attack as a reason to your loyal troops to invade tthe Papal State! Mwhaha, then retire in Levant, your birth place and kick the evil Crusader State's ass out of there.

Ah ah

You are a master plotter aren't you?
It is why I like your ideas. I would love to attack simultaneously the bastards Milaneses

and the Pope. The only problem is that as you have noticed, all the Kingdom is in revolution...
Therefore, I am just not able to send other troops without loyal general (they will rebel in 1 turn). I have no more general (Louis is locked in Paris to keep the last of his authority, and Charles is in the dungeon).
It is quite a difficult position but so interesting to play.
Philippe is the only chracter I can move without too much risk (rebel city, rebel troops, area in war....) and I want to use that opportunity to say a little "bonjour" to the Pope...

For the Jerusalem Kingdom, I think it is one of Philippe deep thought and plans...

Thanks a lot for your interesting comments. It helps a lot to stay motivated.

**Karnage** · June 24, 2010, 12:32 PM

Will be keeping an eye on good Phillipe, medieval time are hard, and the political situation of France in your AAR is quite chaotic. I admit some sacrifices are needed to survive, but how far can someone fall before true justice is brought?

Keep up the good work my friend, always fun to read your story, very immersive I must say.

**la coupe est pleine** · June 25, 2010, 05:08 PM

Italian Campaign (Part I)
Chapter XVII : Lies and persuasion

An de Grâce 1203 AC.
Mediterranean Sea.
On the admiral cog.

Current world...

Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Hello mates.
I’m Philippe.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Louis the Merciless.
KING of the Kingdom.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Michel.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles.
"Nephew"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Clara.
"Wife"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles de Bouillon.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Norbert.
"Michel spy"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous.
DEAD in battle.
"Father"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The crossing of the Mediterranean Sea took us 4 weeks.
We stopped in Corsica. Some of my generals would like to launch an attack there and make profit of our powerful army but I preferred to keep my strengths in great shape.
Before that moment, nobody apart for me knew that we would disembark in the Papal state. I was aware that it was maybe the most difficult part of the plan: to convince the Crusaders to fight against their spiritual father.
Maybe most difficult than killing the swine Alexander himself…

During the first part of our shipping, I constantly feared the Milanese’s fleet, but I also took the time to observe the behavior of my generals. All of them had fought with me in Pamplona, and the major part near Zaragoza.
I was conscious that they were confident in my command knowledge and should be loyal. But it was hard to expect their reaction when I would tell them the truth.

One of them, Olivier de Bézier, a small nobility warrior from the South of France, was 24 years old, like me. He seemed to be the smartest of them in my opinion. He was the man who commanded the unit of Crusaders who went round the Basque General Mendo in Pamplona. He fought brilliantly and seemed to share high values of honor. He was well respected by his peers.
I knew that if I succeeded to convince him, it would be easier to make the other generals my allies. But the question was: How to go round his chivalric code of honor, and persuade him that the Pope is the real devil in this Earth?

Few days before arriving in Corsica, I asked him to join me during my dinner. We started talking about common things. How was the moral of the soldiers? Does the war steeds were still in good health? What were the weather forecasts?
However, after a while, I asked him:
- “Olivier, I’m sure you are conscious that we are not making the usual way to go to the Holy Land, isn’t it?”

He didn’t reply instantly. He fixed me calmly, but seriously. He took a deep breath and said:
- “Well, I and my men are aware that it should be easier to sail toward Sicilia. The Royaume de Sicile is an old friend and should be happy to provide shelter for our Crusader fleet.
Men are thinking that you would enjoy capturing Ajaccio before, and they are quite glad about that, because they are fighter before to be Crusaders. Moreover…”

I stopped him.
- “Olivier, what do you think? What are your deep thoughts? Let’s drop out the official talks. I want to know your own feelings, not your men’s…”

He glazed at me, once again, but that time, I could see in his eyes some sparkles. He knew that I was ready to explain him some secrets, and he was wondering how to behave. He was wondering which side to choose.
It made me pleased because I could deduce that he feared me a little, and that nobody knew my secret plan.
- “D’accord,” he replied softly,
“I personally don’t think you want to capture Ajaccio. There is no need for that and it would be a bad strategy. We would lose men in battles, and also to maintain the area French. It would easily divide by two our strength. And it would mean the end of our hopes of victories against the infidels.”

I was puzzled by his maturity. He had thought about things I hadn’t. I was a little angry against me. However, I encouraged him to continue.

- “Eh bien,” he said,
“if we sum up, it would be a madness to capture Ajaccio, and everything should urged you to sail toward Sicily. But you are not.
I fought with you my lord, and I also saw your leading and managing competences. It’s why I consider you are not mad at all.”
Olivier stopped, fixing me, and finally whispered:
“It’s why I consider you have another plan for this Crusade army.”

Well done Olivier. He was really as clever as I expected, maybe more. I asked him:
- “Very good analyze mon ami, and what are you expecting me to do? What are you expecting me to do?”

Olivier seemed suddenly embarrassed. He could understand that I had some secret plan, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
- “I really have difficulties to forecast anything”, he confessed.
“Maybe there is the opportunity to fight against those bastards of Milanese’s. But the problem is that we could reach their harbors and coastal cities, but never make a threat for them. They are known to be powerful, and their heart is in Milan, far away from the Sea. We couldn’t expect any surprise effect.
And I really doubt you want to try anything against the Royaume de Sicile. It would be completely insane.”
He stopped there, waiting for me enlighten the darkness.

- “Très bien, excellent”, I congratulated him.
“I am going to tell you some little story, and it will help you to understand better.
Since my youth in Paris, I remember my dad: Philippe the Chivalrous. He was the perfect king each Kingdom would have loved to be ruled by. He tried to help the poor. He built hospitals in lots of French cities. Philippe tried to maintain the peace in the Kingdom. He succeeded until the evil Flanders attacked us.
He was faithful and raised cathedrals in the Kingdom. He helped the Templar’s order to expand and increase.
To sum up, he was a living Saint. And he was slain by the Flanders soldiers, when he was trying to defend his land, his capital, his people…”

I stared at Olivier. He was listening, and seemed to agree with my speech. It was time to be more persuasive now.
I took a breath and shouted, my voice filled with anger:
- “Has anyone in the Christendom tried to raise one finger to condemn this monstrous crime? Nobody!
Has any cardinal tried to denounce the Flanders attacks against a peaceful kingdom?
No-one!
Has the Pope himself tried to help our Kingdom, or to honor the memory of Philippe?
No!
Has he simply had a single talk about it?
No, no and never.”

I was furious now, and Olivier kept his calm but he was drinking my words. I decided to launch the last attack.
- “Our Kingdom of France had still been the rightful son of the Papacy. Since Clovis, and Charlemagne, we have walked and fight together with the Christendom. Our ancestors had sent their lives to honor this alliance.
And what happened now?
What is the Joke?
The best King France has been blessed since Charlemagne can be slaughtered, and even quartered, without a single word of the Pope!!!
Who is this Alexander?
Who is this beggar?
Who is this criminal who let the Evil Dutch rule the law of cruelty in Europe?”

Olivier stood up suddenly when I pronounced the name of Alexander. It was like a sting woke him up.
- “Alexander, our Pope?
Sir, are you assuming that we are sailing to Rome? Is it your plan?”

He was like a wild boar in desperate. Definitely, he shared my views about Philippe. However, the awareness of fighting against the Pope, his spiritual father, was like doing incest. A natural law seemed to lock his mind and his movement.
It was time to kill the boar.

I stood up, raising Durandal out of its scabbard, pointing the sword to the sky, and asserted:
- “News have broken that the Pope Alexander had asked himself for the Dutch to attack our Kingdom. Our best spies are categorical. Alexander didn’t want our Kingdom to expand. He wants our Kingdom to wilt, to be torn apart by Flanders, the Milanese, and those piggy English. Those miserable merchants Kingdoms had made a secret treaty and sent huge amount of money to the Pope. They have bribed him to be assured of behaving with impunity in our holy Kingdom.
They want to steal our lands, rob our goods, rape our wives and children, and erase the word France of the books and memories.

All of that because of a crooked Pope. All of that because of a devil hidden under pontifical clothes.
Time is counted and we have the opportunity to cut off this conspiracy.

We have to choose between a Pope and a Kingdom.
You have to choose between a fat and corrupted puppet and your land and family.

Don’t make a mistake Olivier…
“

I sat in my chair, exhausted, Durandal still in my fist.
Olivier was pale. He seemed totally dazed by what he just had heard. After a couple of seconds, he turned his sight on me. He was weighting my arguments. He was weighting his trust on me.
I knew that his decision could trigger the start of the campaign, or stop any further action. I knew that my fate was played in his mind, in the brain of a little noble.
What irony!

Gathering my last strength of persuasion, I glanced at him, with a sad sight:
- “Do you know why we are the only Kingdom to answer his Crusade to Medina? Do you know why Olivier?
He has ordered me to go there. He knows that Medina is far in the Desert, far in the Muslims lands, far, far away from France. He knows that the last part of France which remained stable, the South, will see its strengths disappear in that folly.
Let’s be serious Olivier, this Crusade is a non-sense. Alexander knows it. He just wants the last strengths of France, the last young warriors and nobles to be mowed by the swords, the diseases and the waves.
We are the last shield of France Olivier. We are the last breath of our Kingdom.”

Olivier suddenly walked toward me, his face now tough. I raised my head. He stopped in front of me, fixing me in the eyes.
He had embers in them.
He put his right hand on my shoulder and proclaimed:
- “Philippe, you are the rightful heir of the Kingdom and I believe you. It’s hard to admit but everything seems to prove that this Pope is no less than the responsible of the mess France is struggling with. This Pope can’t remain in Rome.
We have to replace him as soon as possible. Let’s sail to the eternal city!
“

I smiled, eased and pleased. I strongly thanked Olivier. I said he won’t be forgotten for his trust and courage. I carefully advised him to speak with the other generals, without telling a word to the soldiers. I was confident in the charisma and prestige of Olivier to easily convince his peers, the other Crusader generals of my army.
He was a best warrior than me. He was known to be loyal and chivalric all his life. He was famous. He was the right man I needed to achieve my goal.

Sorry for lying to you Olivier. Sometimes, the real truth should use the way of cheat to remain alive.

My truth was that Alexander was responsible for the death of thousands of innocents…

**Kjertesvein** · June 26, 2010, 03:27 AM

Let’s be serious Olivier, this Crusade is a non-sense. Alexander knows it. He just wants the last strengths of France, the last young warriors and nobles to be mowed by the swords, the diseases and the waves.
We are the last shield of France Olivier. We are the last breath of our Kingdom.”

Olivier suddenly walked toward me, his face now tough. I raised my head. He stopped in front of me, fixing me in the eyes.
He had embers in them.
He put his right hand on my shoulder and proclaimed:
“Philippe, you are the rightful heir of the Kingdom and I believe you. It’s hard to admit but everything seems to prove that this Pope is no less than the responsible of the mess France is struggling with. This Pope can’t remain in Rome.
We have to replace him as soon as possible. Let’s sail to the eternal city!“

Excellent!

I love it!

Best regards,

~Wille the Plotmaker.

**Karnage** · June 28, 2010, 08:56 AM

So the invasion of Rome is at hand, very troubling, I foresee a new and terrible age. France will have its hand full for a while and hopefully a crusade wont be called on you. Good luck and godspeed against Papacy my friend.

**la coupe est pleine** · June 28, 2010, 05:52 PM

Italian Campaign (Part I)
Chapter XVIII : « No way to come back ». Walk or die !

An de Grâce 1203 AC.
Italian Peninsula.
The beach.

Current world...

Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates.
I’m Philippe.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Louis the Merciless.
KING of the Kingdom.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Michel.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles.
"Nephew"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Clara.
"Wife"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles de Bouillon.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Norbert.
"Michel spy"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous.
DEAD in battle.
"Father"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Olivier did his duty perfectly. In no less than four days, even the most faithful of our general was persuaded of the duplicity and hypocrisy of the swine Alexander.
These veteran warriors were aware than the Kingdom stability had disappeared long times ago and admitted that it was the entire fault of the Pope. Fortunately for me, they loved their country and family better than their spiritual leader. The soldiers were kept out of the secret until we reached Corsica.

One day after the landing, I gathered the entire army in the beach. I started a long speech in order to convince them. I used the same arguments than those I told to Olivier. The soldiers were totally puzzled and glancing at their generals. They saw the trust in their eyes. As a horde of sheep, they begun to think I was right and they persuaded each other about the truth of the Pope’s betrayal. Better, they found some new arguments to give support of their opinion.
They were ready.
My army was ready to fight the Pope…

Let’s go to achieve my youth dreams of revenge…

After resupplying in Corsica, we sailed straight to the Papal States.
We reached them in the beginning of May. At that moment, no-one in Europe could have known that this army wasn’t a crusader one anymore.
No-one was expecting our landing in the Italian coast. The landing was a success and it took us just 2 days to disembark all the men, weapons and supplies.

Soldiers were eager to fight, eager to avenge our Kingdom and to restore the equilibrium of the Christendom. The news of our landing spread quickly in the Italian Peninsula. I ordered the start of the walk toward Rome.

We had hardly walked for half an hour when a messenger from the rear guard rushed to see me.
- “My lord”, he said, “Our fleet is attacked, by Egyptian galleys”.

I turned back and saw a huge fleet surrounding ours, blocked in the harbor. We had no catapults or even bowmen to help our Admiral, Aubert, and try to fire their galleys. Those cunning infidels started to launch some flamed missiles, and it seemed to be a complete disaster for our poor French sailors, defenseless.

I was contemplating the scene, powerless. My soldiers were doing so, and every Crusader was filled with anger. Some tried to reach the beach, but they quickly understood that there was no possibility to help our friends, trapped. We were just hopping that these Egyptians bastards would try to disembark after the naval battle.

However they didn’t do it. They tried to sink all our cogs, but fortunately, some of them succeeded to do so. I clearly saw the Admiral vessel fighting to protect the fleet of some French ships, before to turn back and flee toward the South. Fortunately, the wind was strong and the galleys couldn’t chase the remains of our fleet.

It was a crushing defeat.

I shouted.
- “Soldiers, friends, proud French, be sure that we won’t forget this cowardly attack on our defenseless friends. We first have to achieve our goal in Rome and protect our Kingdom. But I can promise you that these Egyptians will soon become our target.
We have no way to come back now.
We have no way to renounce.

We have to walk straight to Rome.
Let’s go my friends, let’s teach the swine Alexander what the right way to love God is.
Let’s go my friends.”

A great roar came instantly from the throats of any of my soldiers. They were eager, they were angry. They were definitely ready.

We started again our walk. I was on my steed, at the head of the column. My spearmen and the Great Cross just behind me.
That moment, I felt totally indestructible.

“Take care Alexander”

**Karnage** · June 29, 2010, 07:01 AM

The infamous saying "nowhere to run, nowhere to hide" became a fact in your campaign, you will succeed in capturing Rome I am sure, either that or die trying, which I hope not since it will end your AAR. Your fleet did survive at least, once Rome is captured, you can bring them back for repair. I think the only advantage that I see in attacking papacy now is the fact that they cant call a crusade on you even if they wanted to since there is already a crusade called. not only that but it will take them time to call another crusade even if this one succeed or fail. Either way, it is some sort of an advantage. But beware though, make sure you make the new pope happy as the consequences could be terrible.

"As far as I know, Papacy cannot be destroyed as a faction as long as there are Catholic nations."

**la coupe est pleine** · June 29, 2010, 04:06 PM

Eh eh

You seems sure I will succeed to capture Rome. I also hope so for Philippe. It is his dream since ages and it would be so bad to loose so close with the target.
But you can expect the pope to react. I don't think he will accept to be slaughtered with pleasure.

Your thoughts about the long time before a new crusade is called are quite interesting and true. I didn't think about that at all. It was just the fact that the Pope requested Philippe to go to Crusade that forced me to fight him with the Crusader Army.

As for your second idea about the Papal State which can't be destructed. I think Philippe isn't really bothered about a new Pope. He wants just to have the skin of Alexander to avenge his dead father.

A big battle is already forecasted...

**Karnage** · June 30, 2010, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by la coupe est pleine

Eh eh

You seems sure I will succeed to capture Rome. I also hope so for Philippe. It is his dream since ages and it would be so bad to loose so close with the target.
But you can expect the pope to react. I don't think he will accept to be slaughtered with pleasure.

Your thoughts about the long time before a new crusade is called are quite interesting and true. I didn't think about that at all. It was just the fact that the Pope requested Philippe to go to Crusade that forced me to fight him with the Crusader Army.

As for your second idea about the Papal State which can't be destructed. I think Philippe isn't really bothered about a new Pope. He wants just to have the skin of Alexander to avenge his dead father.

A big battle is already forecasted...

I am pretty sure, papacy is strong yes, but not as strong as it would be in lets say 50 turns. If you have to take out Rome, might as well do it now.

I know for a fact that papacy wont just sit there and do nothing while you take Rome, however, due to current political affairs, they cant launch another crusade on you until the on-going one is completed and some time have lapsed. I expect some Kingdom to be angry at you for doing what you did, but if you play your card right and make a hasty peace with the new pope, you may actually be able to get through this with minimal consequences.

Of course, I dont know anything about the mod your using but I am trying to make the best judgement out of Medieval 2 game mechanics.

**Kjertesvein** · June 29, 2010, 08:39 PM

I would not be suprised if you lost the Battle of Alexandrius'-Rome. DLV can do that to most people. As Tokus Bomadil once said "DLV will leave you buckled and bendt, but still with a smile on your face." He he.

I say, let coins fall wherever they may, impulses makes the best storylines.

~Wille

**la coupe est pleine** · July 01, 2010, 03:35 PM

Sivilombudsmannen

"DLV will leave you buckled and bendt, but still with a smile on your face."

What a beautiful citation.

. DLV is amazing and there are so many twist of fate. I've already dealt with a lot of them, as you saw before...

Karnage.
You can be sure that the other Christian factions would be very angry after France. DLV mechanics are made with a very difficult economy to manage, and a total war... It means that if you don't suceed to maintain a little of peace in your borders, there can easily be a vicious circle that lead your kingdom to destruction...

The problem is that I'm not really trying to maintain peace, as you see with the Pope.
But could I make a nice story without spices on it?

I will try to update tonight.

**la coupe est pleine** · July 01, 2010, 04:59 PM

Italian Campaign (Part I)
Chapter XIX : Excommunication

An de Grâce 1203 AC.
Papal State.
Somewhere around Rome.

Current world...

Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates.
I’m Philippe.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Louis the Merciless.
KING of the Kingdom.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Michel.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles.
"Nephew"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Clara.
"Wife"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles de Bouillon.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Norbert.
"Michel spy"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Olivier de Beziers.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous.
DEAD in battle.
"Father"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

After four days, we reached the suburbs of Rome. We hadn’t suffered a single ambush.
As forecasted, the Pope sent some messengers ordering us to go back, menacing to condemn us to Evil if we mucked again the sacral soil of the Papal States.

I laughed, seeing clearly the fear in the messenger.
- “Don’t worry; I’m just here to present my army to the Pope. Why should he fear his own soldiers? And I have also some little advices to send him.”
I said with a visible irony.

The messenger surged back, but it was too late. The Pope couldn’t escape the trap. Some of my units had already blocked the main ways to leave Rome.

The day after, an important Papal army came from the North. They had been warned of our presence and weren’t there to joke. I prepared my army, placing it between Rome and the North Papal Army.

The morning of the following day, a new messenger came. He said proudly:
- ”Heretic French, your Kingdom is now excommunicated, and you can pray your pagan idols because it is your last day.”

I shouted.
- “Evil bastard, go back to join your bribed lazy Pope. And it is useless for you to pray being protected by him. He just can do nothing than lying with whores.
Go back before my sword reach your piggy throat”.

He rushed back.

- “They believe to be saved by their Northern Army” I thought.
“Let’s show them the Crusader strength so”.
I was still confident but I knew that the following day was already the most important day of my life.

I ordered my generals to gather and plan to forecast the battle. My strengths were compound of regular French soldiers - mostly crossbowmen and some spearmen – and of a major part of crusaders – mounted knights and spearmen.
I decided to divide my troops in two distinct parts. My strategy was to secure a way to retreat by sending some troops in our back. I chose to keep with me all the Crusaders, spearmen and Knights. I would like to offer a wall of spears to the Pope’s armies.

I asked my generals who wanted to take the responsibility of this second army. Foulques, a chivalric noble from Normandy, offered to be this leader. I was confident on him.
I clearly warned him to stay close to the main army, in case of need. Reinforcements are never useless.

I knew that we were outnumbered. I was relying on my powerful army. My soldiers were experimented, well trained and well protected by heavy amours.

However, the armies which were waiting for our blood were also very strong. They were compound of the best spearmen of the Christendom, the Papal guards. There were also a lot of experimented crossbowmen, halberds militia and some fearful pikemen.
The only thing the Pope was lacking was a solid cavalry. Just the opposite of mine.

The day of the battle came. I arranged my army in the field. Ironically, the priests were walking across the soldiers, blessing them, praying God to help us against the Pope.
“What a joke” I thought.

That moment, some of our scouts rushed near our headquarters. The Pope’s armies were approaching!

I asked my generals to come a last time to plan the battle. Olivier was there, in his bright armor. I ordered them that I would like to make profit of our defensive position. I said that we should rely on our spearmen and protect the cavalry behind.

One of my general, Godefroy, stopped me.
- “My lord” he said, “There is no way for the cavalry to wait. We want to charge. We want the honor of the battle. We don’t want the spearmen saying that they won the battle without us.”

I was annoyed. Always this will to charge for the honor. It wasn’t efficient at all. I knew that but my generals were brilliant nobles, skilled, fearless, and didn’t want to wait behind their men.
Olivier started to speak:
- “Bien, there is one solution, we have to use the opportunity of the little wood near the battlefield to hide ourselves, and launch the charge when the foes will reach the spearmen.”

Godefroy complained:
- “Where is the French honor? Should we hide ourselves like cowards? Couldn’t we charge under the sun, watching the eyes of the Popes better than his ass?”

“No” I shouted “Olivier is right, we should use the benefit of our charge but not in front of the Pikemen. I don’t want to see our fate annihilated by those bastards’ pikes, like my father against the cunning Dutchmen.
Olivier, you are the leader of the cavalry. Go to the wood. I will stay with the spearmen, waiting for Alexander.
Let’s go my friends.”

The battle could begin now…

**Karnage** · July 02, 2010, 07:36 AM

Well, I actually didnt expect papacy to have such a large army, this battle will be of Epic proportion, I cannot wait to see the outcome of this. Great update, I cannot wait to see your next update. +1 rep for your daring maneuver mon ami. Good luck

**la coupe est pleine** · July 09, 2010, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Karnage

Well, I actually didnt expect papacy to have such a large army, this battle will be of Epic proportion, I cannot wait to see the outcome of this. Great update, I cannot wait to see your next update. +1 rep for your daring maneuver mon ami. Good luck

Yes, this won't be a minor battle.
However, it could have been worst because with the DLV options I've chosen, there is one in order to help the AI which is to fill all the empty garrison spaces of the AI city besieged (here Rome) with militia and even strong infantry.
It means that the Pope army could have been filled with more strong units.
Fortunately for me, I've attacked the other army, and by the way, the Pope decided to join the battle, but couldn't be helped by this terrible DLV garrison option.

It is a very interesting option because you can't take advantage of a AI mistake that happens oftenly : when the AI put just one general in an important city.

I will post soon the next update.
I've cut the battle in 2 or 3 parts because it is such a huge one, very important for the AAR story...

Thanks for writing some comments.

**Karnage** · July 09, 2010, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by la coupe est pleine

Yes, this won't be a minor battle.
However, it could have been worst because with the DLV options I've chosen, there is one in order to help the AI which is to fill all the empty garrison spaces of the AI city besieged (here Rome) with militia and even strong infantry.
It means that the Pope army could have been filled with more strong units.
Fortunately for me, I've attacked the other army, and by the way, the Pope decided to join the battle, but couldn't be helped by this terrible DLV garrison option.

It is a very interesting option because you can't take advantage of a AI mistake that happens oftenly : when the AI put just one general in an important city.

I will post soon the next update.
I've cut the battle in 2 or 3 parts because it is such a huge one, very important for the AAR story...

Thanks for writing some comments.

Glad to see your back my friend, will be waiting for your updates

May I also suggest you give another try at the competition, wouldnt be the same without you as my rival

**la coupe est pleine** · July 09, 2010, 06:52 PM

Italian Campaign (Part I)
Chapter XX : Patience

An de Grâce 1203 AC.
Papal State.
Somewhere around Rome.

Current world...

Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates.
I’m Philippe.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Louis the Merciless.
KING of the Kingdom.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Michel.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles.
"Nephew"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Clara.
"Wife"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles de Bouillon.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Norbert.
"Michel spy"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Olivier de Beziers.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous.
DEAD in battle.
"Father"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

I didn’t wasted time to ride on my steed.
I took Durandal and started to talk to my troops.

- “My friends, we have sailed together in the Mediterranean Sea during weeks, we have fought together in Pamplona, we have seen together our navy slaughtered by the Egyptians. My friends, we have not done that for nothing.
We have done that for this battle.

Today, we will fight the devil. We will fight Alexander, the plotter and swindling Pope.
We will kill him.
Believe me, the head of this Flanders’s dog will be in the top of a spear before the evening.

My friends, we have to avenge our beloved King Philippe, we have to protect our Kingdom.
Let’s think about your wives, your sons and daughters. We have the duty to protect them against all the wolves, waiting in the darkness to torn France, to tread upon our memory and glory.

My friends, we have the duty to restore the faith in the Christendom.
Let’s annihilate the swine heretic, claiming to be the Pope.
Pour la France, the day of glory has just arrived.”

The proud Crusaders were listening at me. They were ready and they were sharing my point of view. Thanks to my craftiness, I’ve succeeded to make them the worst enemy of their spiritual leader.

I felt a little guilty about all the lies I’ve done since our sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. However, I remembered the tears of my mother, in Acre, 20 years ago. I remembered all the innocent lives destroyed by the will of a single man. This man wasn’t the master of spy I described him, but he was probably one of the major plague in this world.
He deserved what was happening.
He deserved to feel what the pain was, what the sorrow was, what the fear was.

A soldier cried suddenly. He was pointing at a point at the horizon. I turned back and I saw it. The Northern Army had just reached the battlefield. I could clearly distinguish the halberds sparkling under the sun rays.
They were nearly eighteen hundred foots (600 m ) far from us. They stopped.

- “No way”, I thought,
“I’ve an army to defend, not to be slaughtered attacking those pikes and halberds. I won’t move.”

Anyway, I was between Rome and the Papal Northern Army, so I shouldn’t move. My soldiers were prepared, standing in the field, spears and shields in their hands.

I knew that Olivier was thinking like me, waiting for the best moment to charge the back of the pikemen and Papal guards.

Nothing happened. The foes general seemed to be wise and patient.
One hour passed. We could just hear birds flying from one tree to another.
Two hours passed. My soldiers started to be tired, standing under the heavy sun, with their mails coats. I tried to increase their moral by my speeches.
Three hours passed. I was annoyed, I knew that I shouldn’t attack but my soldiers and I were eager to move, eager to finish what we were there for. I was also worrying a charge from the Crusaders knights from the woods. If they were doing so, the battle might be lost, because they were my main power, and I should use them like a surprise effect.

I was starting to launch the signal of the attack when we heard a loud horn.
From the south.
The Pope!

**la coupe est pleine** · July 09, 2010, 06:58 PM

Karnage

May I also suggest you give another try at the competition, wouldnt be the same without you as my rival

I expected not to participate again for a while after the terrible last place I've received

. Eh eh...

However, I accept to be your so called rival and will try my chance again. Let's see if there would be any change this time.

Then, I invite anybody who want to vote for some AAR to go to the Competition thread and to choose the best AAR they have read....

**Kjertesvein** · July 09, 2010, 07:27 PM

Since you are playing with DLV, I would definitly advice you to try to lure them with a bait. It seems to draw them in by hitting them where it hurts, like a general or siege equipment. That is, unless you have already fought this battle and my comment is as usual useless

~Wille

**la coupe est pleine** · July 11, 2010, 05:47 AM

Sivilombudsmannen

I would definitly advice you to try to lure them with a bait. It seems to draw them in by hitting them where it hurts, like a general or siege equipment

Yes, it is a really good idea. I try to link the story with real facts. Be sure I will keep it in mind for next battles.

That is, unless you have already fought this battle and my comment is as usual useless

Eh eh

. I've indeed already played the battle and nearly finished to write it, however, I will never let you say that your comments are as usual useless.

You have send me so many good ones, and I remember them perfectly...

Anyway, thanks a lot for your constructive and interesting useless comments.

I will post the next chapter this evening I hope...
Chapter XXI : A Pope Miracle

**la coupe est pleine** · July 11, 2010, 06:12 PM

Italian Campaign (Part I)
Chapter XXI : A Pope Miracle

An de Grâce 1203 AC.
Papal State.
Somewhere around Rome.

Current world...

Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates.
I’m Philippe.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Louis the Merciless.
KING of the Kingdom.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Michel.
"Brother"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles.
"Nephew"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Clara.
"Wife"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Charles de Bouillon.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Norbert.
"Michel spy"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Olivier de Beziers.
"Friend"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous.
DEAD in battle.
"Father"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Alexander was joining the battle with his own strengths. He was in the front of his army, with his sword, in a white steed. I wasn’t expecting that. He was more than 60 years old. I felt respectful of his courage.
Few seconds later, we heard a roar of happiness from the Northern Army. They started to move toward us.

Aie! The two armies were trapping us between them. I had to think quickly about a plan. We would be dead men if I couldn’t find anything. My soldiers seemed also a little worried about that news.

I suddenly ordered.
- “Let’s do a triangle, my friends. Let’s wait for them. Let’s show them the edge of our spears.”
I said to the generals around me how to arrange the army, and the orders were quickly executed.

We placed the great cross I’ve brought from Zaragoza in the middle. It was a way to motivate the holy soldiers. This Cross was supposed having been erected in 100 AC in the Iberia Peninsula. My soldiers would protect it to the end.

I stayed in the middle of the triangle, which was more a “V” than a real triangle.

We were waiting for the clash, when a second horn rang out. The two armies stopped, they were now at 9 hundred foots (300 m) from us, they could almost use their crossbow to destroy us.
However, they did nothing.
And I saw what was happening. The Pope and his bodyguards tried to go round my army in order to reach the Northern Army, maybe to synchronize their attack, I guessed.

It was the key moment of the battle. I suddenly remembered that Olivier was just hidden at this point.
The swine Alexander was riding just there, without more protection than his own bodyguards. I ordered one of my squires to sound the alarm.

Then it happened. We heard a loud noise and we saw a wave of spears, iron and swords rushing toward Alexander. It was a black wave, a wave of death.
Alexander seemed totally surprised.
It was too late for him to go back and he decided to charge, hoping to escape the trap.

I was eased. I knew that he had no chance. They were 6 crusader knights for each bodyguard. And the rest of the Papal armies were too far to reach him quickly enough.
My soldiers roared of pleasure, provoking the poor Papal soldiers, who couldn’t do anything to save their master, watching his death, powerless.

The Crusaders would be merciless. Poor Alexander, I thought, waiting for the impact.

We heard the impact. It was terrifying. Spears were impaling horses and men together. Then the swords were taken out of their scabbard and the fight reached its height.
Crusaders and bodyguards were slaughtered together.
In few seconds, the Papal bodyguards were totally surrounded and the work seemed to be done perfectly.
I was wondering if Alexander was killed during the charge, or if he has succeeded to avoid the spears.

I was still thinking about that when everybody saw a white stallion escaping from the Crusaders melee.
Alexander!

Incroyable! This old swine had succeeded to escape the trap. He was alone; each of his bodyguards had been slain.

This bastard succeeded to flee and to reach a safe place behind his pikemen. The Crusaders rushed back to avoid the deadly pikes.

The hope had suddenly changed of side. The Papal soldiers saw their leader escape as a God sign. God was protecting his Earth messenger. They were delighted.
Just the opposite of me and my soldiers…

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

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