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Thread: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (COMPLETED 7/24: EPILOGUE)

  1. #81
    Halbard's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/17: Chapter 14)

    question: how do you enlarge the characters profile page?
    What makes a real American? A cowboy hat? Enjoying a fine T-bone
    steak? Going to a baseball game? Shooting a gun? Maybe it’s the freedom to go
    into a poor country and tell them how to do things?! Heh! Those are all great
    qualities! But one thing that makes a true patriot is the ability to choose
    an American car! When you buy an import you take a hot meal off a hard
    working American’s table. There, there! This poor girl is going
    to starve to death, just because you bought a cheaper, more efficient
    Maibazu. Without gross symbols of excess, what will Americans have to look up
    to? Our great industries is a threaten! Cars, pornography, armaments! And
    they need your help! So the next time you buy a car, a piece of adult
    literature or a missile defense system! Make sure you do the American thing!

  2. #82

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/17: Chapter 14)

    Quote Originally Posted by Halbard View Post
    question: how do you enlarge the characters profile page?
    If you mean how do I get all the traits and ancillaries all into one picture, I take a picture (with Fraps) of the top, then scroll down a little, take a picture of that, scroll down a little more, take a picture of that, etc. all the way to the bottom of the scroll. Then I open all of them in GIMP and copy and paste the lower sections from one picture onto the first one. Rinse and repeat until I've got it all in one. You can tell where I cut them from the arrow/scrollbar on the right. I do the same for family tree. I usually try to get it to line up perfectly (the ancillary pictures help with that), but I don't think anyone except for me really cares.

    If you want to expand a picture because it is too small (or make a large picture fewer pixels), use GIMP or Photoshop to "scale image" up or down. Hope that helps!

    Edit: I don't know how it works in Photoshop, but in GIMP (which is open source and free), you may need to first do "Canvas Size" under "Image" tab to make the canvas bigger, then "Flatten Image" after you've got everything pasted in on the bottom. Then you can fit the image to the selection and scale it as need be. It's a steep learning curve with GIMP (and I assume PhotoShop) but it is totally worth it.

  3. #83
    Concrete's Avatar Semisalis
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    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/17: Chapter 14)

    Great updates.


  4. #84
    Halbard's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/17: Chapter 14)

    i was under the impression that there was a submod that expanded the character profiles. was i wrong?
    What makes a real American? A cowboy hat? Enjoying a fine T-bone
    steak? Going to a baseball game? Shooting a gun? Maybe it’s the freedom to go
    into a poor country and tell them how to do things?! Heh! Those are all great
    qualities! But one thing that makes a true patriot is the ability to choose
    an American car! When you buy an import you take a hot meal off a hard
    working American’s table. There, there! This poor girl is going
    to starve to death, just because you bought a cheaper, more efficient
    Maibazu. Without gross symbols of excess, what will Americans have to look up
    to? Our great industries is a threaten! Cars, pornography, armaments! And
    they need your help! So the next time you buy a car, a piece of adult
    literature or a missile defense system! Make sure you do the American thing!

  5. #85

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/17: Chapter 14)

    Quote Originally Posted by Halbard View Post
    i was under the impression that there was a submod that expanded the character profiles. was i wrong?
    Oh, I don't know. Maybe there is one. It would definitely save me some time! I've had to do it manually though, and I've not seen a submod that helps. If you know of one, I'd be interested.

  6. #86

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/17: Chapter 14)

    Chapter 15: A Kingdom United

    The late Marcio’s brother, Estevao, takes a large army of troops from Seville and heads east toward Leonese territory.


    Over the next few years, rumors begin to trickle in, from seafaring merchants, about a strange new tribe of peoples in the far east called the Mongols. King Guilherme pays the rumors no mind, having more than enough to distract him in Portugal.

    Completely cowed in Africa by Guilherme, and fearing further retaliation for their assistance to León, the Aragonese offer a ceasefire. The King has no interest in long-term peace with Aragon, and he despises them for their continued aggression both in the north and south of his Kingdom. However, he grants the ceasefire for the time being, hoping to peel off support for his mortal enemies, the Leonese. Shortly thereafter, Aragon’s reasons for negotiation become clear, as their territories north of the Pyrenees are attacked by Genoa.

    Portuguese diplomats give thousands of florins to the Pope every few years in the hopes of staving off excommunication for the continued war with León.

    With the ceasefire, Aragon chooses to head away from Valencia, leaving León with too few troops to attack the walled castle.

    King Guilherme and his army besiege the last remaining Leonese castle at Toledo, but are forced back when enemy reinforcements arrive. Estevao and a huge army approaches from the west, while Diogo approaches from the north, and Miguel approaches from the east. Each army consists of nearly 1000 men, as the noose begins to close around León.

    The King has his first child in 1216, but he is disappointed that it is a girl, soon named Filipa. The lack of a male heir concerns the King greatly; his brother Bartolomeu is inexperienced and ill-suited for the throne.

    The remaining Leonese armies are all meeting up east of Toledo, threatening Miguel. The King leaves the siege of Toledo, heading east, and he arrives in 1216 in time to attack two of the Leonese armies.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The Portuguese army is charged by enemy feudal knights, but they hold at the behest of their great King. Guilherme flies all around the battlefield, charging enemy knights and archers again and again. Eventually, the enemy are broken. Unlike his previous wars with León, the king orders all prisoners executed. Released or ransomed prisoners are sure to flee to Toledo, making the last battle even more difficult.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Emboldened at the news of their king’s heroic victory in coming to their aid, Miguel’s army is itching to fight as well. Only a week after the king’s victory, Miguel’s army goes to war as well, attacking the enemy attempting to surround them.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    As usual, the enemy sets up on a small hill overlooking a valley. Miguel’s army slowly marches uphill as Portuguese archers fire hundreds of arrows. Miguel’s disciplined army is made up of the newly recruited feudal foot knights and mounted Knights of Santiago from Valencia. Mostly lower nobles and professional soldiers, Miguel’s army is undaunted by fighting uphill.
    The infantry easily push back the enemy, and Portugal’s cavalry begin to outflank them. Eventually, the enemy general, Esteban de Briones, is killed by Knights of Santiago. With that, seeing their kingdom slowly disappear, the Leonese soldiers turn and run.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    As all four Portuguese armies close upon Toledo, news comes of a devastating flood in Lisbon. Prone to massive flooding, the coastal city is, nevertheless, panicked. Nearly 1000 citizens are killed, and 4 crucial buildings are badly damaged. The bishops and cardinals continue to protest that it is a warning from God for the continued transgressions against fellow Christians. Guilherme is concerned, but he has his own communion with God. He sees it as his duty to remove the Leonese from Portugal for their unchristian aggression. Having served God’s will by expunging the Moors, the Portuguese are, presumably, justified in doing the same to León, who took advantage of the First and Second Moorish Wars to send troops throughout Portugal. King Guilherme will cleanse Portugal of the enemy leaders, leaving the people unharmed, so long as they swear fealty to him.

    The King’s diplomats are doing all they can to keep the Pope from excommunicating Guilherme. Thousands of florins pour into the Papal treasury every year. Still, the Pope continues to favor León and Aragon.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    As a result, despite newly acquired trading rights with the Moors, the Portuguese treasury is essentially bankrupt. To that end, Guilherme begrudgingly accepts trading rights from Aragon.

    As Miguel, Diogo, Estevao, and the King all converge on Toledo, Miguel suddenly falls ill. His army pauses east of the enemy city, while the other three armies continue on. After a few days in bed, Miguel takes a turn for the worse, and he dies at the old age of 65. Diogo receives the news and is distraught. His brother had been his idol for years. Never quite the talent that Diogo was, Miguel was still a great general. Miguel took Murcia under difficult odds, personally fighting Prince Celestino. He also captured the city of Valencia. The Leonese have hated him for years, and no doubt cheer his death, even as their kingdom falls apart.

    Some of Miguel’s troops join up with the King, while the rest are ordered back to Valencia.

    Gil’s daughter Madalena is born and Estevao’s son Gaspar de Portugal is born, leaving hope that the royal family will again expand.

    The Pope demands an end to aggression against León, but Guilherme ignores him, determined to end the threat once and for all.

    In 1218, Guilherme, Estevao, and the still grieving Diogo all assault the final Leonese castle of Toledo. Altogether, they have nearly 3000 troops. They’ll need every last one of them against a garrison of 1000, 300 reinforcements, and a three-walled citadel.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    As the Portuguese infantry head forward with rams, trebuchets fire balls of pitch at the towers.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    One of the King’s siege towers is burned with flaming arrows, as is one of Diogo’s. The enemy reinforcements charge headlong into the King’s infantry, distracting them from the gate. The King sends all his cavalry into them, hoping to break them quickly. Instead, they all become bogged down near the walls.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Portuguese troops reach the top of the walls, as Portuguese archers rain down fire arrows.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The general leading the reinforcements, Dominico de Aranda is killed, causing the few remaining reinforcements to flee. Still, Portugal must go through three rings of walls.

    Diogo’s troops struggle to fight off Prince Lucas’ troops on the northern walls, while Guilherme’s troops finally break through the first gate on the east.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Guilherme’s troops push forward to the second ring of walls, infantry bringing the ram forward. Meanwhile, Diogo’s troops also break through, following their King.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Estevao’s troops, having had no time to build siege towers or ladders, are forced to run all the way from the west wall to the gate that Diogo’s army broke through in the north.

    Leonese cavalry make a stand in the streets after the Portuguese break through the second ring of walls.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The bulk of the army slowly comes up, with Estevao’s troops arriving just in time to help defeat the enemy cavalry. The entire army forms up on the third and final gate.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The final gate soon falls in, and the entire Portuguese army streams through. Prince Lucas charges forward with his cavalry, meeting the enemy at the inner keep walls. Day is almost over, however, and Portugal’s supply lines are thin. The battle must end soon or the Portuguese will have to call off the attack for the day. [Limited battle timer on; the time is almost out at this point]

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    King Guilherme and his cavalry fight Prince Lucas’ cavalry. Eventually, both groups are depleted until Guilherme is fighting Lucas, each man wholly alone. They stab and slash at each other, each man taking serious hits. Though Guilherme has always been a brave man, he is suddenly overcome with a cold fear. Seeing a vision of himself lying dead, he retreats from the battle, running away for the first time in his life and at a critical moment for his people.

    Prince Lucas gives chase, and seems certain to kill the fleeing King. At this historic moment, a miracle occurs. Diogo de Castelo, the greatest hero since Salvador, grieving brother and son, arrives with an extra guard through a side door. Seeing three knights where there had been just one, Prince Lucas slows his charge. Diogo grabs his king’s arm, looks him straight in the eye, and firmly says, “My Lord. Let’s end this.” The King shakes off his fear and charges forward with Diogo and his knight.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The three men run down the enemy prince, putting an end to the Leonese royal line. Soon, the last Leonese soldier is killed, and Toledo is taken.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    It is a huge victory, though it comes with a price. King Guilherme’s army is almost literally decimated. Estevao’s is cut more than in half. All told, the Portuguese armies went from almost 3000 to only 1400. Plus, the King’s cowardice at a crucial moment will haunt him for the rest of his life. Seeing that cowardice may embolden Diogo to make a play for the throne.

    But as Toledo is occupied, the prisoners released, the Kingdom of León is no more. Finally, after decades of war, Portugal’s most difficult enemy is gone.

    Diogo and his troops return to Burgos, while Estevao and his troops move to Valencia.

    The next year, as Gil has another daughter, Maria, Prince Bartolomeu’s 14-year-old son Marcio de Portugal marries Guiomar. He may very well be the next King of Portugal. Unless Diogo interferes.

    Whoever the next King is, he will rule over a unified Iberia that will forever after be called Portugal.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

  7. #87

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/17: Chapter 14)

    I realize that last update makes it sound as if this AAR is over. It's not. I have finally united (most of) Spain under Portuguese rule, but now I have to hold it. My goal is not to take over the whole world, but I would like to take the Aragonese lands south of the Pyrenees, and possibly in North Africa as well. This was the last of the updates I made this past weekend, so it will be a few days until the next one.

    In the meantime, things are not going according to plan. Just as a teaser, the next chapter (16) will be called "A Kingdom Divided."

  8. #88

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/18: Chapter 15)

    Either aragonese or moors have invaded you by surprise, or you have a "civil war" going on there

  9. #89

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/18: Chapter 15)

    this is a great aar! just wondering i wanted to start an aar but can't find start new thread button so where is it?

  10. #90

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/18: Chapter 15)

    Quote Originally Posted by byzantine empire View Post
    this is a great aar! just wondering i wanted to start an aar but can't find start new thread button so where is it?

    Thanks! I'm glad people find it somewhat interesting. It's a lot of work, but it makes it so much more fun playing the campaign because I have to think about the longer march of history and how to explain things.

    Anyway, you need to be logged in and click "New Topic" in the upper lefthand side in the Medieval II: Total War AARs (which is where this AAR is).

  11. #91

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 10/18: Chapter 15)

    Chapter 16: A Kingdom Divided




    [Sorry it's taken so long to update this. I've been quite busy in real life, and I've spent quite a while trying to figure out how to do this. Hope some of you are still interested.]



    The newly married Marcio is relatively smart, and just toward the servants. However, at the age of only 14, he is hardly ready to be the official heir. As such, King Guilherme’s younger brother, and Marcio’s father, Bartolomeu continues to act as regent.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Unfortunately, Bartolomeu is not a leader. In fact, he would be a terrible King. And Diogo knows it.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    In 1220, word arrives that the Seljuk Sultanate has been destroyed, pressed by the Kingdom of Sicily in the west and the Byzantines and the Khwarezmian Empire in the east. King Guilherme reacts with a shrug, content to wander the halls in the fortress of Toledo.

    Guilherme’s wife has another child that year, but, alas, it is another girl, Joana. Bartolomeu has a daughter the same year, Brigida.

    The royal line continues to expand, with Bartolomeu’s daughter Branca, Estevao’s daughter Antonia, and Gil’s son all born in 1222. In what is either an act of hubris or prescience, Gil and his wife name their son Gil Bandeira. He will eventually come to be remembered as Gil the Younger.

    Then, all of Europe is thrown into chaos by six key events within three years of 1221.

    First, after hearing rumors for months, Guilherme receives official word from his diplomats that the Kingdom of Aragon has signed an alliance with the Moors in Africa. Hardly threatened by the Moors, Portugal has little to fear from the agreement. However, it signals Aragon’s intention to gird for further war with their Portuguese enemy.
    Then, curious messages begin to arrive about the strange tribe of “Mongols” in the far east. Though Khwarezmian diplomats deny it, Byzantine messengers bring word that the strange tribe has arrived en masse, bringing with them incredible death and destruction.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    England forces the Kingdom of Genoa to become their vassal, asserting themselves as the premier power in west-central Europe. Having already vanquished France, and with the Holy Roman Empire quickly declining, England is one of the leading powers in the world.

    And after years of insubordination by the Kingdon of Norway, the Pope orders a Crusade against the Norse town of Frankfurt. Having carved out a large chunk of territory from the Holy Roman Empire, Norway has been expanding into its other Christian neighbors’ lands. The Pope has had enough and calls all Christian nations to invade the upstart kingdom.

    In the same papal bull, the Pope orders the beginning of an “Inquisition” of all Christians throughout Europe. Papal Inquisitors, led by the Dominicans, fan out across Europe, paying particular attention to the public acts and speech of noblemen and princes.

    Before the Crusade even begins, a new “Teutonic Order” emerges in neighboring Prussia. A conflagration has started in central Europe.

    Finally, though it at first seems like an innocuous event, Estevao’s son Miguel comes of age in Valencia, joining his father in the coastal city. Miguel would eventually become the center of the greatest controversy in Portuguese history.

    Miguel marries Ines de Azevedo, the daughter of a very important Portuguese noble family. In the meantime, his cousin (and future heir) Marcio leads a small army against several rebels in the countryside. In reality, the rebels pose little threat, and Marcio is merely gaining much needed leadership experience.

    In 1224, King Guilherme orders Marcio to join the Crusade. Portuguese diplomats have had to spend enormous amounts of money and energy keeping the Pope from excommunicating Guilherme. Constant war with Aragon and León have angered a succession of Popes, and Portugal is just now beginning to gain the Pontiff’s favor again. Guilherme decides that he and his kingdom must show loyalty to Pope Ionnes III, especially as Aragon (fallen out of favor) prepares for another war.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Though his father Bartolomeu is aghast at the thought of his only son going thousands of miles away on a dangerous Crusade, Marcio gladly follows his king’s commands. With Guilherme aging and without a male heir, Marcio is eager to prove himself worthy. Barring another surprise child or an absolute catastrophe, Marcio will one day be king.

    Unfortunately, a catastrophe does occur.

    King Guilherme has been slowly losing his mind. His servants have been able to keep it secret for several years, but word has finally gotten out. At the age of 70, the King has begun to forget his close family members and does very little in the way of ruling the kingdom. His cousins and nephews privately refer to him as “Guilherme the Mad.” After years of battle and the stresses of ruling a burgeoning regional power, Guilherme has begun to lose his grip on reality. In addition, the trauma of watching tens of thousands of soldiers die, both friends and foes alike, has emotionally scarred the King beyond relief. Plus, he has taken a liking to the drink.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    To make matters worse, Guilherme still has no male heir, though he has yet another daughter, Raquel, and Gil has another son named Pero.

    A Moorish naval invasion lands troops near Silves, and the Portuguese navy is barely able to chase away the fleet. Guilherme makes no attempt to destroy the invaders, and Bartolomeu heads south to meet them with a woefully underarmed force. Only Gil Bandeira’s reinforcements from Silves save the Prince from disaster. The Moors are repulsed, but Guilherme’s inaction and indifference create the beginnings of a revolt.

    Diogo do Castelo, last of his line, and with no children, has become embittered and emboldened. Having seen the King’s cowardice at the Battle of Toledo, Diogo is no longer blind to Guilherme’s shortcomings. Most in the Kingdom still see Guilherme as a hero and scourge of León, but Diogo knows better.

    Still, as he is aged and not a direct descendant of the de Portugal line, Diogo has no chance of becoming king. And with no children, his line is all but extinct. But he is unwilling to see the Kingdom of Portugal die out under Guilherme’s increasingly incompetent rule.
    Storming through his castle at Burgos, Diogo rages against the very idea of Bartolomeu becoming king, berating his servants. “That sniveling idiot could not tell his ass from his face. He’s lived in the King’s shadow for 60 years. He’s never had to think for himself, and he’s never learned anything about soldiering or governing. I’d rather anyone become king than Bartolomeu. Even Miguel.”

    And with that, the seeds of a revolution were sown.

  12. #92
    Concrete's Avatar Semisalis
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    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/1: Chapter 16)

    Yes, still here, great update.


  13. #93

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/1: Chapter 16)

    Chapter 17: Treason

    Marcio and a large group of crusading nobles head to the north of Portugal [the new official name of Iberia] and boards a fleet, bound for Frankfurt. After six months traveling to the coast, and a grueling 3-month journey by sea, Marcio and his Crusading army lands near the Norwegian coastal city of Antwerp. Almost immediately, they come upon a smaller enemy army seeking to block their path to the beleaguered Crusade target far to the southeast.


    Marcio and his 900+ fellow soldiers aggressively charge the 500 Norwegian soldiers. The enemy urban spear militia are completely unable to hold against Marcio’s veteran noble Crusaders. The enemy infantry scattered, the Portuguese army makes short work dispatching the trebuchet crews. It is an easy victory for the young prince, emboldening him to press onward toward Frankfurt.


    In 1227, Marcio takes his army on a forced march to the southeast, arriving at Frankfurt in less than a year. As they come upon the castle, the Portuguese notice another Crusading army to the southwest. The scouts bring word that it is the heir to the Aragonese throne! Marcio and his men press forward, considering the opportunity ahead of them.

    In the meantime, Diogo has created dissent among several royal family members. Diogo himself is too old for battle, and his mind is likewise going soft. But whereas Guilherme’s mind has seemingly regressed toward that of a child, Diogo’s has become increasingly paranoid and vicious.

    Recognizing the King’s increasing incoherence, and convinced that Bartolomeu is both unqualified to be king and unwilling to fight for the crown, Diogo begins secretly gathering the aged generals to Burgos.




    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    First to arrive is Estevao, from the nearby castle of Valencia to the south. With little attention paid by the King, and with Bartolomeu far to the south, Estevao has operated essentially without constraint. He has turned the countryside near Valencia into his own personal fief, mercilessly squeezing taxes from the peasants and gentry.


    Estevao and Diogo hold many secret meetings over several months. Diogo informs Estevao of the King’s mental state and Bartolomeu’s ineffectiveness. With Marcio off on a fool’s Crusade, Diogo gradually convinces Estevao that his son, Miguel, could be King.



    Estevao’s heart and mind are slowly poisoned by Diogo’s words, as he becomes more and more intrigued by the possibility of placing his son on the throne. As one of only three direct salic descendants of Henrique de Portugal, Estevao is third in line for the throne, behind Bartolomeu and Marcio. By the time Estevao leaves Burgos in mid-1228, he is fully committed to war against Guilherme.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    With Gaspar Moniz’s death in 1227, the group of nobles loyal to Guilherme is shrinking. Assured of Estevao’s support, Diogo calls Gil the Elder to Burgos.

    Diogo’s poisonous words to Gil are not quite as convincing. Gil has no love for Bartolomeu, and actually greatly respects Estevao’s young son Miguel, but Gil is no traitor. If Bartolomeu had no heir, Gil could be convinced to help install Miguel as king, but only after Guilherme’s death. But Marcio has the makings of a perfectly fine ruler. Still, with Marcio off in Norway, Bartolomeu is sure to become king. Gil leaves Burgos to return to Silves, refusing to give Diogo a firm answer. Diogo is, however, certain that he can convince Gil given the right circumstances.

    Back in Norway, Marcio has a choice to make. The Aragonese heir is quickly moving toward Frankfurt. Marcio did not travel for more than two years just to watch his kingdom’s rival take the castle. But a hurried assault on the Norwegian fortress could be disastrous, and an unprovoked attack against Aragon would start a war in his homeland (and no doubt infuriate the Pope).

    With those factors in mind, Marcio chooses to move on the castle. Marcio and his men attack reinforcements outside the castle, hoping to draw the garrison into the battle.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    The garrison, led by the accomplished Norwegian general, Frederick Gille, moves out to aid the nearby army. Slightly outnumbered, the inexperienced Marcio will need more than a little luck to win out.

    As the Portuguese Crusaders advance on the first enemy army, fog rolls in off the hills.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    The battle almost immediately turns to chaos, with cavalry on both sides charging directly into their respective enemy’s lines.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    The Portuguese Crusaders slowly push forward against the lesser armored Norwegian infantry. Engulfed in fog, Marcio’s archers let loose their arrows blindly, hoping to hit more enemies than allies.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    The battle turns in favor of the Portuguese, just as Frederick Gille’s army arrives. As the initial enemy army turns and flees, Marcio’s army quickly pivots to meet the new enemy head on. The battle bogs down, as cavalry on both sides fight each other on the flanks.

    Eventually, though, Gille’s army is beaten and a few dozen survivors, led by Gille himself, flee back into the castle.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    Marcio’s army is cut in half, with few options for reinforcing themselves. Marcio hires what mercenaries he can find, and is soon pleasantly surprised to hear that several dozen Norwegian nobles are willing to join the Crusade against their own leader’s fortress. The noblemen have been taxed extensively to fund Norway’s rapid expansion, and with the added insult of excommunication for their king, these nobles are more than happy to aid Portugal’s Crusading army.

    With a large Crusading English army as nearby support, Marcio boldly assaults Frankfurt in 1229.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    Even with several hundred reinforcing soldiers outside the castle, Gille and his small garrison are vastly outnumbered. Yet they defend their city valiantly.

    After vicious fighting on the walls, the Portuguese army presses onward to the city square. While they stream toward Gille’s defenders, his reinforcements begin to arrive from the east.

    Marcio personally charges into the fray, taking several glancing blows while killing several enemy knights.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    Eventually, Gille is slain, and though the mopping up takes hours, the Portuguese eventually emerge victorious.



    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    And with that, Marcio’s Crusade succeeds, taking the fortress from the heretical Norwegians.

    His timing is impeccable, as he not only swipes the city out from under the Aragonese, but Pope Ioannes dies the very next year, only to be replaced by an Aragonese cardinal!

    Frankfurt is sacked for their unchristian ways. The victory comes with a price, however, as Marcio is taken ill with a terrible bout of pneumonia. No doubt the stress of the years-long journey and two difficult battles in a row have compromised the young prince’s health. He is trapped in Frankfurt, thousands of miles from home, surrounded by both Norwegian and Aragonese enemies, lying near death.

    The increasingly disloyal Estevao has begun persuading his young son, Miguel, of the need to rise up against Guilherme and Bartolomeu. As events come to a head, increasing Moorish invasions near Silves put the entire kingdom at risk. With an aging Gil, an inept Bartolomeu, and indifferent Diogo and Estevao, Miguel is called upon to repel the invaders. Taking a large army from Valencia, against his father’s wishes, Miguel heads south toward Gibraltar.

    Meanwhile, once Estevao hears word both of Marcio’s victory and his ensuing illness, the once proud hero rises up and rebels against the mad Guilherme, taking control of both Valencia and the governor-less Murcia to the south.

    Insurrection spreads quickly throughout the kingdom, as each city is forced to choose sides in what will come to be known in Portugal as The War of Crosses.

  14. #94

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/3: Chapter 17)

    Chapter 18: War of Crosses

    Having taken control of Valencia and Murcia, Estevao assumes Diogo will also rebel in Burgos. The two are less certain about Gil in Silves, but they hope to convince him with sudden victories against Bartolomeu and the King.

    In actuality, Diogo remains officially neutral, leaving Estevao’s forces to take the initial brunt of any attacks by the King and his brother. When Estevao learns of this, he is furious. Without support from Diogo and Gil, Estevao’s uprising will be easily crushed. The other cities remain either neutral or tightly allied to Guilherme.

    The king, himself, is blissfully indifferent to the uprising. It falls to Bartolomeu to keep the throne in their branch of the royal family tree.

    In the meantime, Estevao’s son Miguel crosses into Africa, attacking Moorish armies along the way. Having defeated one army of Moors in Portugal near Gibraltar, Miguel continues to head farther south, determined to end the Moorish threat once and for all.

    Miguel is, so far, unaware of his father’s uprising against Guilherme. Though Estevao spewed his hatred of Guilherme to Miguel for several years, Miguel was never fully convinced that a change in the ruling family was necessary. With Portugal mainly at peace, Miguel assumed passive leadership under Bartolomeu (if it came to that) would not do any real harm. Miguel continues to head south, always a few weeks’ march ahead of any news of the full-blown revolt.

    Invaded and devastated by nearly a dozen Christian armies, Norway sets about beginning to make peace. They sign a peace treaty with the Papal States and soon send emissaries to all Crusading nations, including Portugal. Happy to end the war, Guilherme’s advisors (who have taken over the running of the Kingdom) accept the ceasefire offered. The timing is crucial, as Marcio is still recuperating from his long illness. With Marcio still seriously ill, his own advisors choose not to inform him of the brewing uprising in Portugal. Oblivious to the revolt, Marcio and his army hunker down in Frankfurt, content to stay longer than they initially intended.


    In 1231, half a world away, Miguel’s army meets a Moorish army under Taj Amir Tahir northwest of the Aragonese city of Fes. The Portuguese army outnumbers the Moors by nearly 200 soldiers, but the Moors are defending against an invasion of their last remaining city to the southwest. Plus, their recent allies, the Aragonese, wait nearby to offer support.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Miguel’s troops press forward against their enemies. The two groups clash, with the more heavily armored Portuguese feudal knights and mailed knights soon gaining the upper hand. The Moors are pressed backwards, and Taj Amir is soon surrounded.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Eventually, Taj Amir’s horse collapses from exhaustion, and the Moorish general is thrown to the ground. As the rest of the Moors flee, Miguel restrains his men, saving Taj Amir’s life for now.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The captured Moorish general turns out to be heir to his kingdom’s throne. The Moorish Caliph offers more than 8400 florins (money he does not currently have) for the return of his son. Miguel is a noble and chivalrous leader, and so he releases the enemy general for free.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Miguel believes the Moors to be making their last stand, and he is convinced that Taj Amir will be dead soon, one way or another. In the meantime, he has no interest in dragging around an enemy while he waits for the Moors to pay up. It would only slow down their inevitable end. He fully expects to face Taj Amir again, one last time, as the final battle draws near.

    Estevao, however, knows his rebels need any money they can get, and is furious to learn that his son released the man. Still, he hopes the act of mercy will instill greater loyalty in Miguel’s men for the coming battles. If Miguel is going to be king, he will need his men to fight to the death for him.

    Two years later, as Miguel advances on the Moors last position, he meets Taj Amir again. This time, the Moorish heir has only a miniscule force of 50 with him. The Moor fights valiantly and dies nobly, slain by Miguel’s own hand. Miguel and his army besiege the last Moorish city of Marrakesh.

    With Guilherme unwilling and unable to defend his kingdom, Bartolomeu must do so for him. The aging general takes up his senile brother’s army from Toledo and advances on Valencia to face down Estevao. Though Estevao’s oldest son, Miguel, is far away in Africa, his younger son Gaspar has just recently come of age and resides with him in the rebelling city of Valencia.

    In 1233, the War of Crosses begins, as Bartolomeu and his army arrive outside Valencia. His aging cousin Estevao and the young Gaspar march out to meet the Prince.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    For the first time, two armies of the Kingdom of Portugal line up across from one another. To add insult to injury, Estevao’s army has taken up the banners and colors of the recently vanquished Kingdom of León. They have also painted the crosses of their marching banners black, instead of the traditional blue. For that reason, they become known as the Army of Black Crosses. The armies of the King and Bartolomeu retain their regular colors, and become known as the Army of Blue Crosses.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Bartolomeu’s cavalry clashes with Estevao’s on the rebel army’s left flank. The Portuguese soldiers on both sides fight fiercely, determined to kill their enemies. The battle takes on more urgency than even the most vicious of the fights against León or the Moors, as Portuguese noble fights Portuguese noble.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The rebel Estevao and his fierce warriors flank Bartolomeu’s cavalry and charge into the midst of the Prince’s archers. Soon, Estevao’s cavalry are attacked by Portuguese jinettes and feudal knights.

    With Gaspar’s help and the aid of his remaining cavalry, Estevao fights his way toward Bartolomeu. The two aged generals fight desperately and viciously. As Bartolomeu’s army begins to crumble around him, he pushes forward and slashes at the treacherous rebel leader.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Somehow, Bartolomeu and four of his cavalry guard surround Estevao, slashing through his mail in several places. After three vicious cuts, the 74-year-old general is unhorsed, bleeding profusely from his right forearm and right side.

    The 66-year-old Bartolomeu leans over, spits on the dying rebel leader, and chops ferociously into his body. At that moment, Gaspar and the Black Cross cavalry close in. At that moment, Bartolomeu flees the battle, utterly defeated, though alive.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    With his father dead on the battlefield, the 15-year-old Gaspar is devastated and overwhelmed. His brother gone to Africa, his father a rebel and now dead, the immature and inexperienced Gaspar is forced to assume command of the rebels in Valencia and Murcia. With no clear idea of what to do next, Gaspar simply closes the castle gate and waits.

    Bartolomeu and only about 100 survivors flee westward, hoping to reach the relative safety of Toledo. With Estevao dead, Bartolomeu hopes that the rebellion will collapse. With Gil the Elder and Diogo still officially on the sidelines, Gaspar is the only remaining rebel in Portugal. With more troops from Seville and Toledo, Bartolomeu intends to make one last push eastward to clear out Valencia and Murcia while Guilherme still lives.

    But Diogo has other ideas. The cunning and treacherous general heads out of Burgos with an army of more than 500 veteran soldiers, intent on trapping and killing Bartolomeu. Diogo and his men officially rise up and join the Black Cross army. Marching quickly southward from their base in Burgos, Diogo’s army catches Bartolomeu’s Blue Crosses before they can make it to Toledo.

    Bartolomeu’s 100 soldiers are no match for them. The Prince hires more than 300 local mercenaries, hoping for a miracle.

    Thus begins the second battle in the War of Crosses.

  15. #95

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/6: Chapter 18)

    Just in case any readers were wondering about it, you can't really fight your own troops in the campaign. What I've done is set up rival armies (such as Bartolomeu vs. Estevao) and then played them in custom battles with army composition as close as possible to that in the campaign. Unfortunately, you can't fight your own kingdom in custom battles either (which is pretty annoying), so I've had to fight Portugal vs. Leon (since the troop options are almost identical).

    Then I use GIMP to edit the pictures to look pretty close to the campaign. You can certainly tell where I edited them if you look closely.

    In Rome I was able to modify a copied version of the game to have one of the factions have identical army composition and different banners. Unfortunately, that requires a huge amount of modding that is very difficult, and it's not worth the effort.

    I let the results of the custom battles stand, so if my side loses or a certain general is killed, I'll play that out in the campaign by killing the dead generals on ships or against rebels.

    So the general representing Estevao really did die in the custom battle, though Gaspar and Bartolomeu survived. So I'll have to let Estevao die some other way in the campaign.

    Hope you guys are still following the AAR. Stay tuned to see how this plays out.

  16. #96

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/6: Chapter 18)

    Very nice! I'd rep you for the extra work with the civil war had you had the rep activated.
    I agree, it is annoying that you cannot have the same faction on both sides.

  17. #97

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/6: Chapter 18)

    Thanks. I have really enjoyed this campaign so far. Things are coming to a head with the War of Crosses, that's for sure. One way or another, things will be decided in the next 1-2 chapters.

  18. #98

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/6: Chapter 18)

    Chapter 19: The Usurper

    In early morning, Diogo’s army finally nears Bartolomeu’s. With the way to Toledo blocked by the Black Crosses, Bartolomeu and his Blue Cross Army have no choice but to attack. With rebels in Valencia and Murcia to the west, Bartolomeu has no way to reach safety and reinforcements without going through Diogo. The battle, the second in the War of Crosses, will change the fate of Portugal for years to come.

    Bartolomeu’s Blue Crosses [the top army in the picture below] are mostly inexperienced survivors from the battle against Estevao. Supplemented with mercenaries, more than half the army has no loyalty except to the coin. To make matters worse, Bartolomeu is a terrible commander, having won only one battle in his career, and that only through Gil the Elder’s fortuitous aid.

    Diogo’s Black Crosses [the bottom army] is composed entirely of professional soldiers, except for a couple dozen mercenary cavalry. This army is also relatively inexperienced, as most of them have not done any fighting, but more than 60 fuedal knights are veterans of Diogo’s battles against León. Plus, Diogo is a tremendous tactical general, even at his advanced age. He’s begun to forget things, but fighting on the battlefield is second nature to him.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Diogo knows this is probably his only chance to destroy Bartolomeu and ensure Miguel’s succession. With Estevao dead and Gaspar very young, Diogo must lead the rebels.

    Diogo’s army advances steadily, his feudal knights wearing the blazing yellow of the old Leonese knights.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Bartolomeu and his knights charge forward on their army’s right side, hoping to destroy the enemy feudal knights and turn into Diogo’s flank.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    However, Diogo is no fool. As his infantry crash into Bartolomeu’s mercenaries, Diogo knows he can afford to throw all his cavalry toward the Prince. This he does, sending dozens of hardened feudal knights at the official heir to Portugal’s crown. Bartolomeu is overwhelmed and surrounded.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Bartolomeu, himself in his late 60s, cannot stand up to the repeated blows and slashes from Diogo’s knights. The shy unassuming Prince is quickly set upon and killed. The hired mercenaries have long since fled, and the few dozen remaining loyal troops disperse into the countryside.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Diogo’s army is significantly damaged, and the rebel leader himself is wounded in the battle. Though his sights are set firmly on Guilherme in Toledo, he must return to Burgos for now. At the age of 76, the King is no longer of right mind, and Diogo must hope that he himself lives long enough to see Miguel take the throne.

    Meanwhile, three young princesses head out of Portugal, seeking treaties, alliances, and noble husbands.

    The King’s eldest daughter, Filipa, has inherited the King’s sense of justice and tolerance. She is a beautiful, charming woman, but she has a fiery streak that most often comes out when defending her maids and servants from unfair reproach by the men of her father’s household. She brings many of these women with her as she travels northward into Arragonese territory.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Her younger sister, Joana, has the same sense of fairness and justice. However, Joana is much more strict with her own maids. Used to a life of utter luxury, Joana expects her maids and servants to work diligently to keep her happy and entertained. Ordered to travel south into Sicilian lands in Africa, she is forced to quickly adjust to less than ideal environmental conditions.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The late Bartolomeu’s eldest daughter, Brigida, is quite different than her cousins. Though quite pretty, she is much more passionate and fiery than even Filipa. Plus, she was educated by her father and some of the greatest scholars in Portugal during her life in the capital at Seville. She will, no doubt, prove to be quite a handful for her future husband. After grieving her father’s death for months, she follows Filipa’s path northward into Arragonese lands.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Miguel, meanwhile, has finally heard the news about his father’s rebellion, though not yet about his death. At the age of 25, Miguel is already an excellent general. Intelligent, chivalrous, and religious, it is easy to see why Diogo and Estevao considered him worthy of the crown.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    As he besieges the last Moorish city of Marrakesh, he is very concerned about his father and brother in Portugal. Still, his orders were to destroy the Moors once and for all. His plan is to take the city, leave a garrison, and race back to Valencia to find out what in God’s name is happening in Portugal.

    In 1235, Miguel assaults the city, commanded by the Moors’ Caliph and his heir. With a slight advantage in numbers, and a great advantage in troop quality, Miguel hopes the battle will be over quickly so that he can return to his father and brother. Still, Caliph Da’ud is a phenomenal general, one of the best in the Moors history, especially when defending.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Miguel orders his men forward toward the walls: a siege tower and ladders on the left, another tower and ladders on the right, and two rams (one a backup) toward the gate.
    Almost immediately, the tower on the left is hit with a barrage of fire arrows. Flames soon lick from the sides of the tower’s walls. The men continue to push it forward, hoping the flames will extinguish themselves, but in only a few short minutes, the entire tower is on fire. The men race away from it.

    The ladders continue forward on both sides, but the right-hand tower is also hit with fire arrows. Soon, it too is burned to the ground.

    With only ladders and rams, Miguel’s army digs in for a tough fight.
    Light men-at-arms scale the ladders and leap onto the walls, fighting defending Moorish infantry.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    However, reinforcing defenders soon arrive to charge the Portuguese attackers on both the right:

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    and left walls:

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    With most of the defenders on the walls and the ram having bashed in the main gate, Miguel and his cavalry race into the city. Harassed by two huge trebuchets in the city square, Miguel and his knights impetuously charge into the seemingly empty center of the city. However, while they set about killing the trebuchet crews, Caliph Da’ud and his own cavalry suddenly charge Miguel’s men from a side entryway.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Miguel and his men fight valiantly, and they hold on long enough for Portuguese archers and javelinmen to arrive and reinforce them. But Caliph Da’ud’s soldiers fight with a bitter rage; losing this city means losing their entire kingdom.

    With Miguel’s cavalry eventually killed, he is forced to retreat from the city square. The Portuguese infantry remain bogged down on the walls, fighting hundreds of defenders. The archers and javelinmen attempt to hold back the Caliph and the heir. Portuguese crossbows fire volley after volley, eventually killing Da’ud. But they cannot hold the rest of the Moorish army. Miguel retreats further, the archers and javelinmen are routed, and the entire Portuguese army flees into the desert.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    It is a resounding defeat. Only a fifth of Miguel’s army survives the Battle of Marrakesh. While Caliph Da’ud is killed, his army remains quite strong, ending any hopes for a quick end to the Moors. Miguel and his army retreat hundreds of miles, all the way back to Portugal across the strait of Gibraltar.

    Chastened by the defeat, Miguel slowly marches north, intending to meet up with his father to discuss the situation in Portugal. As they march, a messenger breathlessly arrives on horseback, calling out for Miguel. “Sire, I bring terrible news. Your father is dead.” Shocked by the announcement, Miguel nearly collapses. After several minutes with his head in his hands, he gets the strength to ask, “How?” The rider gives Miguel all the news about the rebellion, Estevao’s death at the hands of Bartolomeu, and now Bartolomeu’s death at the hands of Diogo.

    His rage at Bartolomeu is displaced onto the King. Bartolomeu’s visage turns dark and steely, and he orders his men to turn northwest. “We ride for Seville.” With Guilherme mad and Bartolomeu dead, the crown should fall to Bartolomeu’s son, Marcio. However, Marcio has been gone for more than a decade. The last anyone knew, he was on his deathbed.

    Not thinking of himself as a rebel, he sees no need to paint his banners black. He sends word to Gaspar to continue to wait in Valencia. Miguel fully intends to take control of Seville, wait for Guilherme to die, and crown himself the next King of Portugal.

  19. #99

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/11: Chapter 19)

    Chapter 20: Showdown

    Unaware of Miguel’s machinations, the elder Gil Bandeira sends his son to Seville to be trained in both fighting and governing. The aging general has maintained neutrality so far in the War of Crosses. Now that Bartolomeu is dead, he will have to make a choice. The long-missing Marcio is the official heir, but he is presumed dead. Nothing has been heard of him for years. While Gil plans to support Miguel when Guilherme dies, he hopes that choice can wait. Truth be told, he fervently hopes that Marcio is somehow still alive and will return to Portugal.

    His son, the younger Gil Bandeira, is smart and popular. He is sure to be a cornerstone of the kingdom someday, if it doesn’t tear itself apart in the meantime.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    No one in Portugal knows it yet, but the very year that Miguel lost the Battle of Marrakesh, Prince Marcio learned of the chaos in his home country. Having finally recovered from his illness, the Prince demands to know what is happening. His advisors anxiously inform him of the rebellion and of Estevao’s death, though they have not yet heard about Bartolomeu.

    Marcio left Portugal in 1225, and no news about him has reached anyone there for more than 5 years. Since then, he has become a force to be reckoned with. At the age of 29, Marcio is an experienced general, having fought the successful Crusade against Frankfurt and several Norwegian armies on the way. Between governing the isolated city for almost a decade, and learning of many new ideas from even more distant lands, Marcio has become an excellent administrator as well. Unlike his father, he is popular, brave, and an excellent speaker.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    As soon as Marcio learns of the uprisings in Portugal, he packs his few belongings and orders his army to prepare for a march. Despite his advisors protestations, he takes the entire army of Frankfurt, most veteran Crusaders, and abandons the city.

    It is only through cunning and fortune that one of Marcio’s advisors is able to make a last-minute deal with the Pope’s emissaries: the Pope reluctantly allies with Portugal in exchange for control of Frankfurt.

    As Marcio and his men march to the coast and board ships bound for home, Miguel arrives in Seville. Taking control of the army there and raising more troops, he eagerly awaits Guilherme’s death.

    The King’s daughter Filipa meets the Aragonese nobleman Velasco de Benavides while traveling near Bordeaux. Velasco, an accomplished general, is smitten with the princess. As Aragon is neutral toward Portugal, there is no suspicion about their continual meetings. Eventually, Filipa convinces the man to leave his country and marry her. In 1238, the two are married and set off for ships at the coast.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    The next year, Brigida, who has been traveling near the Genoese city of Lyon, meets the young Aragonese general Celestino de Villalobos. Far from home, the two fall deeply in love. Unlike his countryman Velasco, Celestino needs no convincing to marry the princess. They, also, make preparations to travel to Portugal by sea.

    Before the two can work their way toward the coast, fate steps in. English armies step in to aid their beleaguered vassal, the Republic of Genoa. Aragonese forces have surrounded the Genoese city of Lyon. When two English armies attack the Aragonese, the Genoese garrison joins them. But Celestino must also make a choice.

    Newly joined with Portugal, Celestino receives messages from both sides asking for him and a few dozen mercenary crossbowmen to side with them. His Aragonese countrymen expect him to help, but so does England, his new country’s strongest ally.

    Celestino is torn; he does not want to go against his newly gained ally, England, but he also cannot attack his own countrymen. Brigida urges him to join with England. Staunch allies of Portugal, it would be disastrous to ignore their request. England is also one of the strongest kingdoms in the western world.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    In the end, at the behest of his new wife, Celestino agrees to aid England, and a huge battle erupts.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Celestino and his cavalry deliberately lag behind, hoping to avoid any serious fighting. The crossbows, though, march ahead and fire their bolts at one of the Aragonese generals. As the battle turns against Aragon, the general charges toward Celestino’s mercenaries, and they shoot him down. Whether it is Gonzalo de la Serna, or a different Aragonese nobleman, Celestino does not know. Either way, he chooses to quickly withdraw. England and Genoa devastate the Aragonese, sending them retreating westward.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    England is again excommunicated for the attack, and Aragon and Portugal are now, again, at war.

    News of two recent inventions reach Miguel in Portugal: full plate and gunpowder. Full plate will allow knights to be more heavily protected from enemy swords, while gunpowder will eventually change the face of warfare forever. For now, both are incredibly expensive and difficult to produce. Miguel pays them little heed, for he begins to hear rumors that Marcio has returned to claim the heir’s crown.

    Just as they reach the coast and are waiting for the Portuguese navy to arrive, Celestino and his crossbowmen are attacked by Aragonese troops in retaliation for turning traitor against them in the Battle of Six Armies. The young general and his mercenaries hold on as long as they can, but are eventually defeated. Forced to flee in a random direction, Celestino, Brigida, and a few of the general’s cavalry wind up far to the north in English territory. Though safe from Aragonese attack (for now), they are far from the coast, and it becomes obvious that a full-scale invasion will be needed to free them. With the rebellion in Portugal, that isn’t an option.

    In 1241, Miguel receives confirmation of his fears: Marcio has indeed returned from Crusade, landing west of León. Marcio is marching southward, but no one can be certain of his destination. Is he heading for Seville to confront Miguel? Is he heading to his uncle in Toledo? Is he heading toward Silves to connect with Gil the Elder?

    The next year, a Portuguese nobleman named Andre Osorio requests to marry Joana. The two met near Gibraltar as she crossed into Africa. One of her caravan’s horses had broken loose of its reins, and Andre corralled it for her. Joana made a token attempt to find a husband in the Sicilian African lands, but Andre eventually convinces her to marry him, and the two return to Toledo.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Marcio arrives almost immediately after the newly married couple. His army camps outside the castle walls while Marcio races inside to speak to the King. Finding Guilherme completely out of his senses, Marcio asks the King’s advisors about his father, only to hear of Bartolomeu’s death at the hands of Diogo. Marcio locks himself in with the King for hours.

    Late that night, Marcio exits, looking haggard and exhausted. “Miguel. Where is he?” Told that Miguel is recently arrived in Seville, Marcio heads out of the keep. The King must somehow have heard more than he let on. Marcio takes the elite veterans in Toledo’s garrison and mixes them with his own army. Some of the Crusaders are dismissed, free to return to their own lands. Lastly, he grabs Andre Osorio by the arm and pulls him close. “You wanted to be a member of this family? Well…now you are.” With that, Marcio pulls Andre with him into his army and they leave together.

    As the newly reformed army begins its march westward toward Seville, scouts report that a huge army is coming toward them. It is Miguel.

    The two armies meet in the plains west of Toledo. Miguel rides up slowly with his cavalry, forcing Marcio to meet him in between the two armies. “Marcio! Is that you? It is hard to tell. You’ve been absent!” As the two leaders ride to within a javelin throw of one another, they lock gazes. Marcio responds to Miguel’s taunts with a calm tone. “Yes. I’ve been doing the work of God. It is good that one of us has, at least.” Miguel rises to the bait, scornfully shouting at the older Prince. “So it seems. Meanwhile, I’ve been doing the work of the King. After you left him to rot.”

    At that, Marcio begins to charge at Miguel, but his guards stay him. “Marcio! I see you’ve learned treachery from your father!” “And I assume you’ve learned failure from yours! I have lived here my whole life. I have fought for Portugal, in Portugal. I will be King, not you! Your father’s weak, thin blood is no claim to the crown.” “And your father’s black blood is also no claim!”

    The men seem determined to charge at one another, but their respective guardsmen pull them back. Each man returns to his army, assured that only battle will determine the victor.

    [Marcio and Andre are the upper army]

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Marcio follows his infantry straight up the middle as they clash with Miguel’s. Andre holds the left flank with a unit of jinettes and another of feudal knights.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    More than a hundred of Marcio’s feudal knights sweep around the enemy’s left flank, killing Miguel’s own jinettes and knights. Andre holds Marcio’s own left flank, and the Prince himself charges straight into the enemy lines, hoping to break them.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Andre holds against Miguel’s cavalry on Marcio’s left flank, while the feudal knights charge into Miguel’s rear guard. The archers and crossbowmen are scattered and killed. In the meantime, Marcio’s devastating charge up the middle frightens many of Miguel’s infantry, composed mostly of Lusitanian javelinmen.

    With the archers soon routed, the few dozen remaining feudal knights turn and charge directly into the rear of Miguel’s lines, routing the infantry.

    Miguel himself charges forward, attacking Marcio directly. The two men and their cavalry fight for many minutes. It is the first battle between young, healthy generals on Portuguese soil for more than a decade. Miguel’s cavalry begin to dwindle, just as Marcio’s feudal knights charge.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Eventually, Marcio’s own men knock Miguel from his horse and capture him as the few survivors flee.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Miguel, vanquished, is pulled to his feet in front of Marcio, who calmly dismounts. “How has my thin blood measured up, traitor?” Miguel defiantly raises his head and speaks angrily: “I am no traitor. I care for Portugal; you care for yourself.” With a deep sigh, Marcio shakes his head.

    “Rest up, men. We march for the capital at Seville tomorrow.”

    Andre casts a wary eye at Marcio. “What of Miguel?”

    “Bring him. We’ll have need for him there.”

  20. #100

    Default Re: [SS 6.3 AAR] The Rise of Portugal (Updated 11/11: Chapter 20)

    The upside of using custom battles to play the civil war is that you can save battle replays. If anyone is interested, here is the video of the custom battle that represented the Miguel vs. Marcio battle:


    http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3NCMSVK0

    I think you can just download it to the replays folder under the SS 6.3 mod directory. I'm not sure if you have to have SS 6.3 or if you can save it to your main replay folder as well. If anyone tries it, let me know if it worked. It was nice to be able to review the battle afterwards.

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