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Thread: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: Going East, XI-4

  1. #121
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of Days, VI-7

    Nicely done, I particularly enjoyed the use of humour in the title ('We Won't Destroy Just Anyone') and in the method which Pisa used to change the attitude of the Pope!

    I wonder what happened to the rebels in Saraqusta - I hope that they weren't defeated by an unseen army which will come for Lerina de Milano's Sixth Army. Hopefully the spy who looked for the expected rebel stack would have found any army which was marching towards Saraqusta (or waiting to attack any other army doing that).

  2. #122

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of Days, VI-8

    Dreadbolt: End of Days
    Ch VI-8: No Way, Norway



    Adelmo immediately turned his sights on the Danes' northern neighbors, the Nordvegr.

    After having learned the lessons from the long fight against the Danes, he looked for quick gains, probably followed by a particularly destructive battle (destructive for the Norway army) and then a mopup operation.




    With all his men in high spirits, the invasion began!

    Spoiler for Some assaulting












    The generals of Norway are just like the generals of "destroyed factions", fighting on foot. It's hard to see how this helps, though. Since they now don't have a crushing charge and will in turn be crushingly charged by our own horse.

    In this case though, we just shot them to death.


    Spoiler for Shooting












    The Town of Sigtuna was taken, and no small number of enemy had fallen trying to defend it. Perfect.

    If you can take on the enemy in little bite-sized pieces it's much healthier for our side.

    ===============================================================



    However, as we marched westwards enroute to our next target it seemed that the men of Norway had been waiting for us. Despite waiting near a forest, they were not able to ambush us.

    Unfortunately for them, their light infantry were not a good match for our force. They did not have a single horse in the whole army!






    They approached like a large angry horde filling up the ground in front of us. It was a large angry horde which was quite vulnerable to the bolts loosed by our crossbows.

    Armed only with javelins to throw in response, they nevertheless tried to use them to weaken us before the painful melee.






    As one might imagine, our spearmen held firm and the enemy was forced to attempt a desperate charge after enough of their javelinmen had been taken out.

    Their infantry fared no better, and were soundly beaten.




    As one would expect, the cavalry finally trotted out once the main battle had been won. Now they would finish off the enemy to ensure the victory was a clean sweep.






    Take this noble crown prince of Norway. They were just another person who was "finished off" in the closing actions of the battle.








    Our spies suggested this would be our most difficult battle in the campaign, if we moved fast to capitalize on its gains.

    Adelmo had planned to do so from even before the battle was joined. The race was on!

  3. #123
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of Days, VI-8

    Nicely done, with exemplary screenshots! I look forward to seeing whether Pisa can move quickly enough to take full advantage of the situation - it sounds like Adelmo's advance planning will pay off. Congratulations on your second-place win in the MAARC LXX!

  4. #124

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of Days, VI-8

    Dreadbolt: End of Days
    Ch VI-9: Rectangular World



    Despite our best efforts and supplies, Adelmo was afflicted with "scurvy". However, he was determined to bring us out of the frozen north together.

    And that meant solving the quagmire of Norway, which was as simple as it sounds.






    There were a few critical settlements, which once taken would render all resistance pointless. As such, we needed only to make a beeline for each one, secure it, and move on to the next until we were done.

    The Large Town of Skara was the first one. Spies went ahead to make sure the roads were traverse-able and clear of angry northerners with sharp sticks.




    There was some sort of outcry from the interkingdomal community, but it doesn't matter. Many of our rivals' anger over the plight of Norway were quietened when rumors began to spread about Pisans becoming bogged down in the icy hell of the north and so on and so forth. Which were all lies. Spies can go both ways after all.

    Some of them decided to send weapons to support the Norwedian rebels, unfortunately most of what they sent (which simply fell into our hands) was of crappy quality and was sent down south to be reprocessed as our soldiers didn't want to use it.






    The Castle of Oslo. Good job getting all that stone together, but without people to defend it, it is now our stone castle.




    And then all that was left was the Town of Bergvin.






    Mission accomplished. Now to leave before Adelmo's condition worsens.

    The fall of the Nordvegr was thus rather swift and so easy that when reports of the victory began leaking (it was impossible to keep under wraps when soldiers are clearly retiring and returning home) they were generally dismissed as propaganda.




    One fact commonly bandied about was that all the soldiers were settling in the northern sections of what had been the Roman lands, rather than in Norway or even Danish areas. In fact there were no allotments for the northern reaches at all!

    The reality was simple. Everyone had allotments from those areas because in many cases, they were actually the ones conquering them (or at the tail end, some of them had even earlier allotments in the south). And no one wanted to actually live all the way up north.


    Yes, in fact after the northern kingdoms were no more, the peasants who had been living there basically got all the land (well actually there were some rather absentee new landlords) with near-zero taxes. Pisans still didn't want to live there.








    As a show of gratitude, they turned over some of their former lords who were now only rebels and were executed publicly.


    By the way, the locals told us about something odd further north, which they simply said was dangerous as one might "fall off the map". Our Lady said there was no such thing, but we sent some explorers just to be sure, and indeed there were some areas those brave people couldn't find their way into.

    We tried hard, though not taking any undue risks. If it's hard for trained explorers, then certainly a massive army cannot simply be living there just waiting to invade...

  5. #125
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of Days, VI-9

    Good chapter, I enjoyed your lines about the reaction of the interkingdomal community and the Castle of Oslo - and the reaction of the peasants of Norway to the policy of their absentee landlords! I wonder where Pisa's explorers and armies will go next.
    Last edited by Alwyn; August 03, 2017 at 04:10 AM.

  6. #126

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-1

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-1: Crusading Ain't No Cruise



    Desert watchmen reported that even before their defeats and loss of Tarabulus, the Egyptians had another two armies already on our land (which is to say the corner of Africa near to Egypt). A quick check with our diplomatic network confirmed that the Egyptians were totally at peace, except with us of course.

    Even so, amazingly they felt secure enough to commit everything to this long-distance venture. Spies within Egypt were confident that even more troops were being raised there. Though it would be literally years before these soldiers would reach our walls of course.




    Evio and his men were not interested in giving up. After some consultation with Our Lady and the Grand Quartermaster, the Fifth Army was fully reinforced. They settled down in Tarabulus, not for a siege but just to let the Egyptians drag themselves across the harsh terrain.

    Remember, only some critical settlements "count" so it doesn't matter that the settlement for this African region was all the way in the west corner while the Egyptians march all over the eastern half.




    We met on a relatively flat and open plain, with a bit of grass cover along the desert road to "nowhere" (actually Egypt). Evio had considered landing behind the Egyptians, but logistical and timing concerns meant it was more reasonable to make landfall and prepare the ground and ourselves before the battle day.

    The Egyptians of course spotted our force boldly standing in their way. This was wide and relatively clear terrain, and our shiny metal and brightly colored cloth marked out the traditional "box" formation as we watched their approach.




    Of course our crossbows didn't just shoot killer looks at the enemy! Our long-range high-velocity bolts flashed ever so briefly in the bright sun while making their way to the Egyptians where they fell like a steel rain that pierced armors and sliced into flesh.

    The hapless enemy were mostly protected by small shields and light mail or cloth armors. These were not sufficient against our thin penetrating bolt heads, made of tempered steel. Each on hit with the force of a heavy spearthrust.




    Many fell but of course they were no easily routed rabble. The Egyptian army immediately attacked en masse as Evio had expected. Our formation was tightly grouped up, perhaps leading them to underestimate our numbers and weight until they crashed into it.

    A Pisan army will never be matched if on the defense, we're prepared for you!




    The Egyptians predictably tried to make use of their various cavalry units, but once on the flanks they found even more of our infantry. Perhaps in desperation or disbelief at the depth of our flank guards, they simply charged in.

    Flank units are composed of elite troops, primarily due to the need for flexibility and precisely because the enemy tends to want to use their own elites to gain the flanks. We ran the Egyptians through.






    Unfortunately for the Egyptians, their general Dhu Nun "the Lewd" was caught in the sights of several crossbow units who immediately prioritized his bodyguard unit as it moved back and forth behind the enemy's ranks, so unlike the other cavalry units.

    It didn't take long for their commander to be downed by the wall of bolts headed his way.






    Alarmed, the Egyptians tried to withdraw, but of course this wasn't going to happen. If our boulder falls on you, you will be crushed, but if you fall on it, you will be broken.

    Our knights went out with their lances and swords to collect some trophies.








    We sent a generous offer for ransom, but the Egyptians didn't believe we had really captured nearly half of their army, so we were "forced" to kill everyone.

    A small enough sacrifice for them perhaps, but not enough to sooth Our Lady's irritation at seeing a long line of Egyptians invading from across the end of our maps.
    Last edited by Alavaria; August 03, 2017 at 06:52 PM.

  7. #127
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-1

    Good update, it sounds like Pisa's use of elite troops on the flanks worked well against Egypt's various cavalry units. I like the way that you explain the reason why Egypt refused the offer of a ransom. I wonder how dangerous the 'long line of Egyptians' will be.

  8. #128

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-2

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-2: Long Way From Egypt



    More Egyptians crossed over the "border" which was located in some arbitrary point in the middle of the African-Egyptian desert. They refused to pay the required toll of 1 silver piece per army.

    Of course our agents were on hand and would shadow the army as they marched though the desert towards us...




    The "closeness" of Egyptian regions (somehow) meant that their religious ideas began affecting Tarabulus. Or rather, we had not really taken thought to the African regions before hand. Not only the early Africian religions, the "new" Egyptian one, but even random heretics were now all vying for control.

    The entire College of Cardinals took a journey to this area to denounce foreign aggression. As for the heretic, by the time they found out who it was, they were... already dead.




    Meanwhile, the Pope's last widely supported Crusade (which was joined by everyone except the Pisan empire, who were fighting the Egyptians at home) had officially failed. The Hungarians, last to actually arrive were now left with the unhappy task of walking all the way back to their homeland.

    Remember that the Pisans were invading Hungary after the latter blockaded some Pisan port years ago. And this broke our after the crusaders left, so they didn't even know their homes might be on fire.






    General Ukrumah arrived with a more healthy force than the last Egyptian spearhead. Evio, however, was quite prepared, if not as fully as he might have liked. Which is to say, he would have preferred to outnumber the enemy by an even larger margin, of course.

    They set up a respectable siege camp and looked over our defenses, just a little outside crossbow shot.






    We began to exit in good order after confirming their camp's position and any potential picket forces or hidden surprises. Predictably the Egyptians tried probing us as our "box" formation moved away out from under the cover of crossbowmen on the walls.

    When they tried to get a better look, though we began to take shots at them using our long range siege crossbows. A nastily long reach, those.






    Carelessly lobbing bolts at them from such long rage stirred the pot and before long the Egyptians were bearing down upon us, certainly expecting a small and desperate garrison.

    Seeing the forces boiling over towards us, kicking up dust as they closed in, we remembered the old saying "it's harder to aim at an army than to hit it".




    As you can see, we readily secured their forward siege camp, which had some engines under construction. It would not be too hard to set them on fire from within, but would also prove potentially troublesome, so we left them there and concentrated on the fight.

    Egyptians spread out over the battlefield meant plentiful targets, and we made sure not to lack bolts for any of them! After all, it is easy to produce bolts, shields, even crossbows and armor, compared to good soldiers.






    The enemy general led a brave flanking attempt with his heavy cavalry, leaving behind a trail of pincushioned mounts as he approached. Fresh and ready for such a challenge, General Evio and all his Pisan knights met him with heavy lances at the ready.

    After their earlier losses in the battle, they were not able to match us and the Egyptians lost the general on the end of a Pisan lance.










    While fleeing is not easy when you're deep in enemy lands, it is even more so when shot in the back by a steel crossbow bolt. Very few prisoners were taken, and they did not survive their capture long.

    ===============================================================





    Captain Wathilah arrived to reinforce General Ukrumah and was not happy to see we had overrun the camp and were in the middle of capturing all the Egyptian supplies (such as they were, anyway). Without thinking overmuch about it, he immediately charged in.

    In such a way, he fell into the trap we had prepared for his forces.






    As they rushed towards us, the sky filled with bolts. Yes, we had been waiting and his men had marched unawares right into our range. Taking advantage of the surprise meant getting in several volleys before the Egyptians had a plan for a real battle.

    It's hard to guess what the captain thought when the soldiers busily looting the Egyptian camp suddenly rushed into formation!






    They did their best to be sure. Our front lines were not in the best shape because of our trickery and they tried to take advantage of it. Not all too well, perhaps but then again the soldiers on the flanks are always led by quick minds.

    Horsemen in the middle of your set up pavises is not a good way to run a unit of crossbowmen though.






    As before, once the Egyptian horse had been weakened, our own came forth in a dense mass and began smashing though any resistance. Scattering Egyptians about like dry leaves.






    Another victory, but still no chance of forward progress... it wasn't as though Egypt was about to run out of soldiers any time soon like this...

  9. #129
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-2

    Good chapter! I like the moment when Captain Wathilah falls into the trap. Pisa's armies are defending themselves with skill and determination, but will Pisa be able to advance despite the relentless attacks of Egypt's armies? I wonder whether Pisa is sending reinforcements to this area or perhaps planning a surprise attack somewhere else.

  10. #130

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-3

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-3: More Muslims - Moors!




    While the Egyptians were crossing vast tracts of desert to attack the southernmost corner of the Pisan Empire, the Moors neighbored our westward edge.

    Lerino da Milano, who had been moving westward without much trouble after taking over command of the front from Evio, read the scout's report and immediately began marching his men back east to Barcelona.






    We marched hard and caught the Moors camped outside the walls of Barcelona. A siege, of course. Seeing us approaching in our box formation, the Moors prepared to meet us.




    While Captain Shakir had taken over overall command since the unfortunate death of the Moorish general, Captain Isma'il was responsible for maintaining the watch in case of a Pisan sally.






    The missile duel began with a volley towards the Moorish Fari Foot Archers. The returning arrows were not overly dangerous to our infantry, but our cavalry (as usual) were further behind out of bowshot.

    Our crossbowmen were more worried about looking out for the enemy cavalry. As were we all, especially given that the enemy had a decent height advantage.






    Moving forward slowly under the drizzle of arrows, we closed steadily until some of our better crossbows were able to send shots into the cavalry covering the enemy's flanks.

    The Moors were spurred into an immediate attack!






    Height or not, our defensive formation would hold firm. The bolts striking the eyes of the attackers (in some cases literally) were also a great encouragement and help.

    Not even if it's cavalry. Trying to go around the flanks doesn't work, and if you somehow got all the way around to the rear, being shot all the way, that's precisely why our own cavalry are there.






    Javelins? Yes, even though we rely mostly on heavy armor and sophisticated crossbows, we picked up a unit of light javelineer skirmishers.

    Although we didn't need more missile support, these plucky locals harassed the enemy cavalry with our own waiting nearby. The javelins were moderately effective.






    The enemy began trying to break off, but it's useless! We're between you and your homelands, going the other way just means getting deeper into our territory. It's over for you...


    Spoiler for A few desperate attempts by the elite














    There were many enemies, but we overcame them handily. Of course we would not allow any of them to return, it was likely there were already far too many of their Moorish comrades on the way.

    And there were concerns on the grand scale too, remember the Egyptians were already sorely testing Evio's men.




    The pope found our victories inspirational and was perhaps disappointed that other kingdoms were not able to achieve such successes elsewhere.

    Partially because we were eating away at their homes, though.




    There was some sort of minor rebellion in Spain, but probably they would only slow down the Moors slightly.


    Back in Pisa, Evio and Lerino's reports summed up the scale of Egyptian and Moorish aggression, and other informants confirmed the growing interest of other kingdoms to capitalize on these distubances to reclaim their losses. This meant that problems surrounded us on all sides.

    Something would have to give.

  11. #131
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-3

    Nice victory! The unfortunate death of the Moorish general helped, I imagine, although it looks as if Lerino de Milano would have dealt with him too, if he had made it to the battlefield. I wonder what the consequences of the rebellion will be and how Pisa will respond to the problems reported by Evio, Lerino and others.

  12. #132

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-4

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-4: Holding Europe



    (Levino, Sixth Army)

    Despite their losses, the Moors appear ready for another fight. However, they did not capitalize on their earlier sacrifice, by which it suffices to say Zaragoza is secure. More reinforcements would be very useful though, as reports suggest the Moors are bloating their armies with a great of ex-Roman "Christian Guard" heavy cavalry (similar to the Mailed Knights we have long endured on the battlefield).

    Other than that, the position of the Aragonese remains weak, they are not anticipated to be trouble compared to the Moors.




    (Ungolino, Fourth Army)

    The shock of our preparedness for war has awed the Polish defenders. The main force has pressed on ahead, securing Gdansk, while the supporting reinforcements are guarding the Poznan-Wroclaw fortress pair.

    We will show these people why breaking an alliance with the Pisans is foolish.




    (Soderino, from Paris)

    The English have apparently abandoned the Crusade. Rather than help stem the dual tides of the Egyptian and Moorish attacks, they seem to be looking towards their mainland holdings.

    They are unlikely to actually threaten Paris though it is on the way back, if so they will see how well I can still use a sword.






    (Simone, Third Army)

    We secured Clermont against minimal resistance. This means that the last French who have not yet fled to join the Moors are now completely hemmed in by Pisan territory and arms.

    There is now no way out for them.




    Even the pope's attempt to demand a cessation of hostilities will expire soon enough. Everyone knows this, perhaps especially the French.




    Our Lady promised my father Soderino that he would be able to see the fall of the French. I can hope only that we will not be waiting overly long for this victory.

  13. #133

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-5

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-5: Club in the Dark





    Europe was in a time of upheaval. Not only had major powers like the Romans and French been overthrown by the Pisans, but additionally many of the rich and power from other realms also discovered the truth of their mortality.

    The long arm of Pisa's hired killers had proven it could reach well beyond the empire's borders. No few generals never got to command their soldiers against the Pisans in front of them, having been stabbed from behind first.




    In such an atmosphere of fear, some saw not only the end of an old order, but the possibility of a more glorious future. One under the Pisan banner.

    Many peasants listened to such predictions, especially those seeing Pisans approaching the borders of their lords.






    Whichever lords might be over them today might not be there tomorrow, in fact wait what who are you-






    While for now the Hungarians could feel a measure of safety thanks to one of the pope's favorite ceasefires, this was not to say they were all completely safe.

    Do you want it to look like an accident? (The assassin dialogue when you click on them is great)




    Pisans living in actual Pisa could feel safe though, behind our new Large Stone Wall. All work had been directed towards it for a few years and skeptics now had to admit that it opened up new possibilities for Large City Pisa.






    The Pisan military was Supported by the People and All Conquering. We have left long behind the fears of the past. Rather than thinking to take advantage of the chaotic world, kingdoms now fear being dragged into it.

    However, our empire continues to develop in an orderly manner.




    For example, proper documentation via cartography and infrastructure development is a high priority as an enabler of integration and growth.

    In this day though, even very distant lands no longer "lie beyond" but are a part of our territories.










    The English's prized mainland city of Bordeaux. They moved its defense force away, a critical error.

    The City is now ours.

  14. #134
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-5

    Pisa's continuing rise, the consolidation of its territories and its well-timed use of the mistakes of its enemies are impressive. I particularly like the line about "In such an atmosphere of fear, some saw not only the end of an old order, but the possibility of a more glorious future. One under the Pisan banner", which conveys the glory and greatness of Pisa's empire. I wonder where Pisa's armies will go next.

  15. #135

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-6

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-6: Hungry for Land



    (Marco)

    Just a little east of Pisa, we and the Hungarians were in a standoff across the remilitarized zone. Following their earlier attempts to blockade our sea trade and subsequent punishment (and papal intervention), the Hungarians must have felt quite chastised.

    But with my arrival to command the (new) First Army, filled with ex-crusaders, and the end of the pope's demanded peace, it was time for war.






    The Wooden Walls of Town Zagreb were woefully flimsy, falling easily before the power of a battery of new Pisan trebuchets. Ever interested in applying the mobility of their cavalry, the Hungarians immediately charged out into the spears of our ex-crusaders.

    It was time for these soldiers to earn their keep. Of course, they had been promised some land to settle, but it wouldn't be here, only at the end of our campaign, and further away from our core Italy.








    The Hungarian king had hoped to demonstrate his "resolve" in the standoff, which had at this point obviously escalated beyond his ability to withstand.

    He probably wished that Hungary had unified under his leadership, as it was now likely that neither side in the kingdom's civil war would be "holding" the land after our intervention.








    Another, weaker, sally by elements of the Hungarian infantry. It was cut short by our crossbowmen. Note their interesting use of pavises in melee infantry, though. The Pavise Spear Militia was not successful though. Partially due to a lack of training, decent armor, leadership and so on.

    But mainly because of our crossbowmen. As many far better knights knew in previous battlefields, sometimes you get unlucky, and with our missile doctrine, there's plenty of chances to be unlucky when facing us!






    As always, "stacking" up to defend gaps in your wall only leaves you grouped up for our deadly bolts. Even with a wall of pavises, the bolt will get through!








    And so we finally entered their walls against much weakened resistance, which is hardly worth recounting, except that it was there. Only a small token after being washed by, again, crossbowmen.








    We took the chance to remove some undesirable elements. That's about all. Zagreb is just a Large Town, but nevertheless a useful staging point as, unlike City Wien to the north, you can sail from Venezia to the coast just a little west of Zagreb.

    Not needing a long overland march (or caravan journey, for trader) is quite a bonus.




    In Roma we completed the world's first ever Cathedral, which the pope gleefully went on a tour of. Simple warlords show their faith in battle, but sophisticated warlords show their faith in battle while masses of laborers can show it in ways such as this.

    Division of labor.




    To beat this world first with a Huge Cathedral would be a serious challenge, itself first requiring a Huge City, which is no small matter.

    But Large Cities and Cathedrals will become more common as development progresses.




    We definitely have the money to support construction, war, in fact both and more!




    The Hungarians must be tiring already? I didn't know what to think when the scouts reported a substantial force of "pitchfork infantry" ahead of us.






    Charging into a wall of bolts isn't much safer than charging into a wall of spears.






    The Hungarian horde charged us, using the trees for cover. It didn't do nearly enough to prevent their embarrassing and total defeat.

    A great number of peasants were captured in the rout, unsurprisingly.




    Even less surprisingly, the Hungarians didn't want to random such a useless force. Why did you raise it in the first place?

  16. #136

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-7

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-7: We Lose Land



    After clearing the north, Novgorod's people showed up on this far frontier, from which we have since withdrawn active forces.

    The farmers in Visby call for help, but...




    The nearest army group we have is in Poland, busy with a much more serious force.




    Neighbours of the Pisan Empire are all gathering together, and sadly there's no easy way for us to force the issue with Novgorod without a major expeditionary force.

    We could march through Poland, but if it was that easy....





    (Diplomat)

    As we signed over two Towns in the far north and City Tarabulus in the far south to Serbia, I couldn't help but wonder what this might accomplish.

    However, of course these were orders from the top, and since it was a one-way gift there was no real negotiation needed, only a journey to the east, and rooms less comfortable than the pope's.




    When I returned to Pisa after handing over the deeds to (apparently) half of Africa along with a single city, the news was that the other kingdoms' crusade to the east had been horribly crushed.

    Despite their aim of freeing the distant Kingdom of Jerusalem from the Egyptians, they only managed to feed the enemy their supplies.




    However, since Tarabulus is now Serbian and thus neutral, Egypt cannot march men over to us from Egypt. Indeed, this diplomatic maneuver has secured our south.




    There is word of a massive military build up in the west area around the encircled French City Orleans. It is impressive that they were able to build stone walls to upgrade their large town despite being cut off from all aid.

    Once the pope's ceasefire ends, we will burn them up.




    Our army is very strong, but at the same time, if our enemies gathered together...

    We would probably still prevail, but it would be a painful thing.

    ===============================================================



    Oberto here, Fourth Army. I have taken command after Ungolino's retirement, and will see his whirlwind advance through Poland to its conclusion.

    With reinforcements from Italy, we have a neatly unified army split into the requisite three parts of Spear-Crossbow-Lance.






    As usual, the crossbows do excellent work from long range. When dealing with smaller enemy forces, this can be crippling almost on its own.

    And that's quite fearsome.






    The Poles try for a cavalry engagement and we take them head on. Just because we favor foot does not mean we cannot ride!

    More importantly, we are now well provided with horses and "knights".


    Spoiler for More











    Capturing expensive mercenaries does raise the possibility of a large ransom "payday" but the men are well paid from the Imperial coffers, and it isn't worth having to risk lives fighting the same enemy again.

  17. #137
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-7

    keep it coming especially an episode with lady stuff please
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  18. #138
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-7

    It sounds like securing the northern and southern borders was important, to allow Pisa's armies to focus on the remaining enemies.

  19. #139

    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-8

    Dreadbolt: End of an Empire
    Ch VII-8: Amazing Africa



    A messenger arrived from Tarbulus:

    I can't say I fully agree with giving away the city, but since Our Lady showed up before the word from Serbia arrived, we were practically halfway out the gates when it did. As it is formed from the residents of the city, Tarbulus' Urban Crossbow Militia will, of course, not be leaving with us. Hopefully they will be enough to keep the peace and deter the Egyptians, though the latter seems far from certain.




    (Evio)

    While I was disappointed at our "unilateral withdrawal" from the Tarbulus strip, (I don't really believe the city actually controls half of the deserts of Africa whatever the mapmakers claim), the men were not so upset. It was probably because with our new orders to march westwards to secure more of North Africa came a promise from Our Lady that we would have these lands instead. I suppose a land being constantly invaded by Egyptians seems worse when compared to that.

    However, this will likely bring us into conflict with the Moors. When I mentioned this possibility, she just said "Yes it will."






    There is an interesting "desert" (the area is green though, this close to the ocean) fortress on the border of Moorish african claims. Unfortunately for the locals we came at them from the north instead of the west and...

    The enemy had massed more than 20 units worth, so they couldn't all fit in their fortress. As a result, all of them came out to meet us on the field instead, more the worse for them!






    Seeing the depth and solidness of our infantry formation, and perhaps being intimidated by it, the enemy stacked up their infantry on a small rise in order to resist us. Or perhaps it was the sight of our mailed Cavalry Militia with impressive lances.

    Either way though, that made them even easier prey for our crossbowmen, which are the real killers. It seems with such light infantry, a bolt could pass through up to three people!






    For the moment though, while falling fast their numbers held out and a shower of javelins from the height came down towards us, along with some arrows.

    Despite our kite shields and pavises, there were casualties. But Pisans are not easily intimidated by missile attack, and we shot back as quickly as we could work the crossbows.






    The tipping point came when the enemy realized our infantry were beginning to slowly creep forward. Their own javelineers had fallen in great number (though we were not deliberately targeting them, bolts were flying at any enemy we could see). Their general called for the infantry to charge, hoping we were exhausted and would give way.

    We were not tired at all and repulsed them with ease. Seeing this, I ordered the cavalry up the side (which they accomplished with no resistance) to circle around to the rear as the enemy tried to break off.






    When the crossbowmen stopped shooting, the routers might have thought they were safe but as they descended the hill on the opposite side, they encountered our horse, who promptly took them apart.

    It was important that no enemies be able to flee into their fortress, and with us between them and it, our victory was secure and secured the fortress, in a way.










    And so ends the story of the rebels, who held off the Moors for many generations but were overthrown when they first met Pisa.

    Fortress al-Jazaer would now be Pisan, and an excellent staging point along the north african coast for the Empire.






  20. #140
    ♔atthias♔'s Avatar dutch speaking
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    Default Re: (SSHIP-Pisa) Dreadbolt: End of an Empire, VII-8

    keep it coming I like it
    Rise of Mordor 3D Modelers Wanted
    Total War - Rise of Mordor
    Are you a 3D Environment and Character artist, or a Character Animator?

    If yes, then the Rise of Mordor team linked above is looking for you!
    Massive Overhaul Submod Units!
    D you want some units back in MOS 1.7? Install this mod http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...n-1-1-RELEASED
    It adds back units who were deleted from the campaign in MOS 1.7, namely the Winged Swordsmen, the Citadel Guard Archers and the Gondor Dismounted Bodyguard.

    Under the proud patronage of
    Frunk of the house of Siblesz

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