[M2TW AAR] A fight for freedom. Scotland AAR

**SOE digital** · December 21, 2006, 11:09 PM

The year is 1080AD:

The hills of Scotland, once ravaged by decade upon decade of highland clan warfare are finally coming to peace. From glenn to glenn

all that is to be seen is lush farmland, villages, hunters and beautifull free roaming horses...imported from their Celtic neighbour: Ireland. Under the devine rule of King Malcolm Canmore, who has just recently struck the fine age of 50, life is now to be enjoyed in the regions around Edinburgh. Churches are being erected in the hope to create a unified religious Scotland and to improve the countries standing with the pope.

Instead of by Scotish and English blade, it is of old age that the people are dying. However, things are to change. King Malcolm, upon recieving word that rebel troops from Inverness are heading south towards his boarders he quickly makes the decision to once again go to war. A decision which will ultimately decide the fate of his humble nation.

Edmund, the youngest son of the King, is fortunately stationed within striking distance of Inverness. Accompanied by several hundred archers, a small unit of light calvalry and assorted light infantry, Edmund recieves order from a delegate to immeadiately seige the nearby town of Inverness before the inevitable war reaches Scotish soil.
Edmund is elated! Finally his chance to show his worth to his father, who always unknowingly favoured his first born and heir: Edward. Force marching his men, Edmund finally arrives outside the town and surrounds it. Not letting anything in or out. Knowing that his forces are weak and without spies to find out his enemy's strenght, the 2nd born son of the King waits, hoping to starve the town into submission.

Dire messages once again reach the King! Rumour has it that the English are building their armies! Malcolm, wise in his many years on the battlefields and as ruler knows that Scotland, despite it's brave warriors, cannot withstand an attack. Sending spies ahead of his first born son's army, he is informed that the small village in the province of York is poorly defended by rebel peasents. This could be a perfect defensive position should the English launch an attacking army north.
Without delay, Prince Edward hires local mercernaries and heads southbound for York.

Knowing that peace is always a better alternative to war, the King also sends his best diplomat to discuss their relations with the English Princess: Cecilia.
Things go well. Patrick, the skillfull negotiator that he is, gains the alliance and trade rights from the English. Knowing that they English have a terrible history of being true to their word, the King still follows his defensive plans as thought out. 'Besides' he thinks, 'York could be a gran financial asset to the Scots'.

It dosn't take long for the population of York to submit to Scotish rule. However, less gold was to be obtained in the sacking of the village and Scotlands economy crashes. With the rebels at Inverness holding out longer than expecting the war in the North is becoming a major drain on income of the nation. The King decides to start construction on a large market in Edinburgh hoping to gain in trade what he's losing from paying his soldiers...who are sitting around doing nothing. However in the meantime taxes are increased to an all time high but thankfully the loyal people of Scotland, understanding the current state of the british isles, remain in high spirit. After all, their King has not ever led them astray. This is the same battle scarred hero that won them the peace they are enjoying...even if it means less money for drinking.

But not all things are terrible. Several years have passed and Malcolms heir to throne has married!

With his heir now ready to make a family, the King makes his son the governor of York. But things are not finished int he south.
Patrick, the dimplomat, uses his initiative and heads to London to negotiate with the English King in person. Under heavy security, Patrick comes before the King and after hours of debate manages to pursuade the Kng to pay 500 florins for map/region information held by the Scots.
The money is immeadiately sent to Edinburgh, to Malcolms sheer delight. Holding true to his diplomat's word, Malcolm sends his best, though amature compared to the ancient greek standards, cartographers south to assist his ally in the mapping of the british isles.

As all this is happening, Edmund, still laying seige to Inverness is waiting for his best chance to strike...

Author's note:
This is the very first AAR I've ever done. Infact I'd never even knew about AARs untill M2TW. I hope you enjoyed it, there's more to come and I'll be doing each post in 5 turn intervals. I know it's slow but I'm hoping to detail gives it a nice RPG asthetic.
Please comment.

**turtle** · December 21, 2006, 11:30 PM

Nice, a good beginning to a good AAR in my opinion. I like your level of detail, it makes for better reading.

**Henry v. Keiper** · December 22, 2006, 12:17 AM

Interesting beginning.

I remember when I played England I conquered Scotland...completely ignoring Ivernness. I never bothered with it until the Council of Nobles gave me a mission to conquer it.

**SOE digital** · December 22, 2006, 02:31 AM

"Me Lord. The rebels are opening their gates!" echoed a voice from the ranks of archers.
With that the rebel army, worn down by starvation, but led on by desperation launched their attack. Streaming out of the gate, only several meters wide, they poured out towards Edmund's army. Before the Rebels were even close their bodies were piling up. After volley after volley of arrows fired, Edmund gave the order for his light infantry to advance, hoping to keep the enemy troops in the perfect kill zone for the archers.
The melee ensured, they directly out numbered, the small unit of Scotish spearmen, hardened by their morale, held off wave after wave of attack...taking minimal casaulties.
But good things oftern come to an end...Edmund knew this all to well so he sent in his right flank light calvary to charge into the enemy's left flank to give the Scot spearmen some relief. After the succussful charge, Edmund, with his loyal guard of heavy calvary charge into the enemy's right. It was not long untill it was all over and the starved army of Inverness was destroyed and the town taken.

Little in the way of florins was gained from the sacking of Inverness, but the King of Scotland was now relieved. If there was to be a war on the island he would now know from where it would come...England.

The Council of Nobles, estatic with the news of Edmund's glorious victory requests an army bearing the name flag of Scotland to be sent West into Ireland. Edmund, with his first for glory not yet quenched, agrees and leaves Inverness with a small army of men. It's not long before he meets up with reinforcements sent from York and the now modest sized army crossed the Irish see (destroying a clan of Rebel peasents along the way) into the unmapped region of County Antrim, north of Belfast.
It is along the way that he declines two invites for marriage. Edmund feels drawn to the life of a warrior...not a husband.

Meanwhile, the Scotish economy is growing. Roads and churches have been constructed in all the provinces of Scotland and the Pope is most pleased...pleased enough to send a gift of 500 florins. The King is very pleased with the way his Kingdom is expanding. His daughter in law is pregnant, the north was won, his money problems are long gone and the papacy is pleased. The only thing tarnishing his lucky streak is the defeat of his small navy off the cost of southern Ireland during an encounter with pirates. But it is of little concern to Malcolm. A great shipyard is currently being constructed in Edinburgh which will alow the construction of an even better navy and allowed trade between continents.

It's not long untill Edmund reaches Dublin. Immediately the battle begins. Over a 1000 men in the town of Dublin arm themselves. Out numbered by 2:1 Edmund knows this may not be a push over. He orders his archers forward. After many volleys the ranks of the Irish weaken. The enemy send forward their archers who begin to duke it out against the Scotish archers. Meanwhile Edmund sends a unit of light calvary around to the rear of the town and another unit of calvary to the town's left flank. Luckily for Edmund, the Irish have not expected invasion, thus they have built no walls of defence.

The shootout lasts for ages with neither side giving in. Edmund loses patience and orders his spearmen unit in. They chargepast the Scotish archers down the main street towards the town center. There is a massive collosion as the Irish greet them with every infantry unit they've got. One spear unit is all there is holding their ground against several units of heavy infantry and town militia.

But before the Irish could route the Scotish spearmen, Edmund charges forwards in sync with his two other calvary units. The Irish rebels fall back into the town square but they find themselvse surrounded by flanking calvary units. It is not long before the battle is over.

It is nothing short of a heroic victory. Nothing is left of the Irish army. Edmund has certainly proven his worth. Instead of sacking the town of Dublin he mearly occupies it. Fearing an attack from any nearby rebel armies he wastes no time and constructs a a wooden wall around his new town. The Council of Nobles are astonished. So much so that they donate 2500 florins into the Scotish economy. Perhapse hoping to fund an possible expansions overseas.

Things could not be better for Malcolm. Everything is going along so smoothly. His son, Edward Prince of Scotland, is now a new father to Matad, his son.

But good things DO come to an end. Edmund, his head full for his lust for glory starts bringing together his plans for England.

**Lord Boris** · December 22, 2006, 04:37 AM

Keep up the good work!

**SOE digital** · December 22, 2006, 05:19 AM

Thanks for the comments so far guys!
Sorry for the poor spelling. I don't have Office Word on this computer and I'm way to lazy to proof read

**ScottishAdam** · January 30, 2007, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by SOE digital

Thanks for the comments so far guys!
Sorry for the poor spelling. I don't have Office Word on this computer and I'm way to lazy to proof read

Very nice mate, It must of been difficult for you to take over ireland with scotland being irish yourself lol. Pitty it is imposible to form an alliance with the two.
Very interesting story developing here. I have taken over more than half of europe with scotland...