La Conquête de l'Andrinoble

[Dirty Chai]

La Conquête de l'Andrinoble

[Dirty Chai]

"That settles the question if they are willing to surrender."

Arvid looked at the other lords around him.

"Seeing how Sir de Provence is the rightful ruler of our goal, I say he decides if we attack immediately or send forward a messenger for negotiations. I guess he doesn't want his city destroyed too much."

Yet again he pulled out his lute and started to adjust the strings with a strange concentration, as if in deep thought.

Simon de Provence let out a curse when the first arrows were sent by the Greek bowmen protecting the city of Adrianople. He had hoped that the damned Greeks would surrender to them and accept his rule but it was not the case. He turned to the assembled Crusader Lords and after listening to Arvid speaks, Simon said “I do prefer if we at least attempt to negotiate with the Greeks if they are willing of course. Though I am motivated by the fact that I do want as little damage done to this city as possible, I am much more motivated to save the lives of as many of our men as possible. We will need them in coming fights and it could be disastrous for us to lose a good portion of our men so early in the campaign. We should at least attempt negotiations before we waste men in an assault.”

Who was this norse? Lawrence had not seen him before

The Dux is d'Alençon, and thus he is in charge of this expedition. It is not up to debate,



Even though the last call is d'Alençon's I must say negotiations look futile. If they wanted to talk, they wouldn't have shot our riders
I recommend we smite them with the full strength of our forces. Let them be an example of what will happen to "resistance" to our campaign

Heathens deserved no mercy

Arvid looked with annoyance at the bishop.

"Duke Philip is the commander, that's true. But Count Simon will be the ruler of Andrinopoli, I think it's fair that his voice is heard in our move against the city. Although I like to fight, a peaceful solution is much better in the long term. Violence breeds violence, as Father Johannes would've said. Especially when we're facing a foe behind strong walls. Remember how many men we lost taking Constantinople."

Roger looked towards the Priest

"Doing that we risk our entire campaign. Examples can be made when we can afford it, today we can not."

He then looked towards Simon

"Command is yours, My Lord. Negotiations may be useful. Allowing possible disbandment of Greek soldiers inside the city in exchange for a quiet annexation. Quiet meaning no looting, no forceful conversions, and possibly not even leaving a large garrison here while we advance."

Roger nodded

"But we will do as commanded of course."

"This isn't the time to debate" called d'Alencon as he rode over, and then pointed at the different points in the walls.
"I will ride with a retinue to call to their walls and demand surrender."

"Rochechouart," He calls to Roger, "In my absence, you are in charge here."
The Duke looks around at all of them. "If they do not surrender, surround the city and prepare for a siege."
"Simon! Come with me!" He ordered as he rode off towards the gate, a retinue of knights with him as well as the Oriflamme of the Latins.

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Philippe stops by turning his horse parallel to the gate, and then called up to defenders, the Oriflamme bright and red next to him.
"Andinoble! Your defense is futile! Give up this defiance and protect your lives and souls!"

[Honors Bastion]

Simon de Provence followed D’Alencon as ordered, riding silently with his overlord before Adrianople’s gates. He stops with Philippe and prepares himself for the city’s reaction, ready to ride triumphantly into his new city or to quickly turn his horse and fall back to the Crusader Army to prepare for battle.

[Celsius]

"Rochechouart," He calls to Roger, "In my absence, you are in charge here."
The Duke looks around at all of them. "If they do not surrender, surround the city and prepare for a siege."
"Simon! Come with me!" He ordered as he rode off towards the gate, a retinue of knights with him as well as the Oriflamme of the Latins.

Roger nodded at the command and rode off to the main group of the Army. If negotiations did break down, the army would need to move quickly in order to fully surround the city. He had cavalry ready to swoop around to the other side of the city, with infantry being prepared to rush in behind to provide bulk.

He now awaited either a signal from D'Alencon, or a direct attack on the Duke before he ordered anyone of the army to move from position.

[Zeus Almighty]

Ricco had remained quiet and withdrawn for much of his time with the Adrinpole bound forces. No one spoke to him really, thus he spoke little in return. Simon was the only man present he actively thought a friendship would be salvageable.

[Adamat]

The leader of the defenders had appeared on the walls, and shouted down. "We heard what you did at Constantinople, bastards!" he said. "We will not let you sack this city without a fight!"

[Honors Bastion]

“And who said we were going to sack Adrianople. I have no intentions of allowing anyone to ravage my future seat of power.” yelled Simon de Provence.

He rode his horse forward a few steps and said “I am Count Simon de Provence and this is my rightful seat of power. You are holding me back from taking what is rightfully mine. Look around you. You are woefully outnumbered and outmatched and your attempt at resistance is futility at its finest. I will give you two options. Surrender this city to me and open your gates. If you do so, Adrianople shall be spared and no harm shall be done to her people, to her buildings, or to her wealth. I promise you that. However, if you refuse to surrender and continue to waste our time, I do not know if I can prevent Adrianople from receiving the same fate as Constantinople. I do not wish for such a fate to be delivered on my own seat of power, but if you continue to resist, I may be powerless to prevent it. Surrender now and no harm shall befall Adrianople. Resist and Adrinaople shall burn. And may I remind you, we are not the only threat in the region. There are worse things than a Crusader Army. The Bulgars are coming and they are hungry for land and wealth and they have the power to take this city as well. So who would you rather have ruling you? Now what is our decision?"

[Adamat]

"Latins are all liars!" one of the soldiers shouted, which led to everyone on the wall shouting the same. "My men have said everything," the captain resumed. "Come take your city, Count." The last word was obviously a contested title...

[Celsius]

Roger had a flag raised that was the signal. Words were being spat, and nothing was happening. But he held off on lowering it, as once it was lowered, the army would be on the move. He was still hopeful that maybe something could be said.

[Ganbarenippon]

Roland stood with his cousin's small number of infantry, his cousin generally preferred to command the cavalry and somebody had to take care of the few men who had survived Costantinople. "Sergeant, ready the men." Roland said grimly. "It isn't looking good."

[Honors Bastion]

Simon,with a look of great disappointed, turned his horse around and headed back towards the other Crusaders. He then said “If they refuse to surrender, then let us bring the Lord's will upon them. What are your orders commander?”

[Celsius]

As the acting Commander, and seeing the men return with no luck in getting the city to surround, Roger de Rochechouart ordered the flag that D'Alencon had deemed to be swung, and the army began to move. Cavalry provided to the fast movement needed to reach the other side before any possible Greek reinforcements could enter the city, and the infantry followed behind, splitting and going both left and right. Roger now waited for D'Alencon to reclaim his command, as Roger was not tasked to order any attack.

[Dirty Chai]

"We have no choice if we want to capture this city. We siege." He turns his horse and returns to Rochechouart and the command.
"Set up on the far side of the city, blockade the bridges and roads following the rivers there. You will be in charge in lieu of me over there."

[Celsius]

"We have no choice if we want to capture this city. We siege." He turns his horse and returns to Rochechouart and the command.
"Set up on the far side of the city, blockade the bridges and roads following the rivers there. You will be in charge in lieu of me over there."

"At once, sire."
Roger raised his hand, with a squire beside him raising a flag, for his party to move out to the far side of the city. They would do as ordered, and await further instructions from the Dukes camp.

[Pinkerton]

Bishop Lawrence of Thanet smiled arrogantly

He had told them so

[Honors Bastion]

After Phillippe had given his orders to Rochechouart, Simon asked him “What shall our plan of attack by commander. From what maps I have seen, I know that attacking Adrianople from the North and from the West will be very difficult as the Hebrus River and its northern tributary shall hinder our advance. That only leaves us two options of advance, from the South and from the East. From this, I assume that some form of a two pronged attack is in order?”

[Dirty Chai]

After Phillippe had given his orders to Rochechouart, Simon asked him “What shall our plan of attack by commander. From what maps I have seen, I know that attacking Adrianople from the North and from the West will be very difficult as the Hebrus River and its northern tributary shall hinder our advance. That only leaves us two options of advance, from the South and from the East. From this, I assume that some form of a two pronged attack is in order?”

Philip nodded. "It's the only obvious way."

===================================
Alencon sends out his plan of attack:

Attack from the South:
Roger de Rochechouart: 1,132
190 Frankish Men-at-Arms
172 Armoured Sergeants
770 Mounted Frankish Knights

Arvid Eriksson: 1,258
306 Armoured Sergeants
341 'German' Archers
361 'German' Men-at-Arms
250 Mounted 'German' Knights

German Host: 2,600 men
150 Mounted 'German' Knights
150 Dismounted 'German' Knights
150 Feudal Crossbowmen
200 Feudal Archers
250 Armoured Spearmen
300 'German' Men-at-Arms
300 Light 'German' Cavalry
300 Levy Archers
800 Sergeant Spearmen


Attack from the East:
Philippe d'Alençon: 900
350 Frankish Men-at-Arms
150 Frankish Crossbowmen
150 Armoured Sergeants
250 Mounted Frankish Knights

Simon di Napoli: 365
110 Dismounted 'Siculo-Norman' Knights
135 'Sicilian' Archers
120 Mounted 'Siculo-Norman' Knights

Simon de Provence: 718
63 Frankish Men-at-Arms
91 Frankish Crossbowmen
564 Mounted Frankish Knights

French Host: 3,900 men
250 Mounted 'Frankish' Knights
250 Dismounted 'Frankish' Knights
300 Feudal Crossbowmen
300 Feudal Archers
400 Armoured Spearmen
400 'Frankish' Men-at-Arms
600 Light 'Frankish' Cavalry
400 Levy Archers
1000 Sergeant Spearmen

[Adamat]

I wouldn't mind HB giving the orders instead of BF, since he doesn't seem very active. If he gets angry, it isn't my problem

[Zeus Almighty]

Ricco rode by Simons side, aching to test his new sword and dagger out. Master Simon, I shall stay by your persons thoughout this battle if it suits you.

[Jokern]

Arvid awaits his lord de Rochechouart's orders by his side.