God's wrath
November 7th of the year 1135. After a highly successful campaign in Bulgaria and Greece, the
crusading forces manage to break the stalemate and push into Thrace, not far away from
the once grand capital of the Byzantine Empire. Consisting of the russian army in the north,
english and scottish armies to he south and the Holy Roman Empire's and Holy See's armies
forming the center, all lead by their respective leaders, the crusade is about to fulfill one of its
greatest ambition and accomplishments. With more than 50.000 men and horses from all
corners of the christian world, they set out to further their goals and descend into the seljuk's
home territory. Anatolia. Though one city, west of asia, remains in control of the heathens. Constantinople...
In the midst of this large contigent soldiers, the papal state's army, lead byGeneral Falcone 'the Executioner', with
his trusted friend General Marcus, regimenting 8000 professional elite soldiers. Ranging from
common footmen to papal guard's, from heavy spear sergeants to heavy shock cavalry and siege weapons. A formidable
force for a firmidable task. The conquest of Constantinople.
Early reconnaissance suggests that the city is being defended by over 3500 professional turkish soldiers. They also tell about a
possible chance to capture the city before next year. An earlier earthquake in the region forced the fortifications,
built by the byzantines, the theodosian walls to be in need of repairs in the south. A possible weak point if not too well guarded.
Against the will of his advisors, General Falcone prepares to march onto constantinople and begins to set out an encampment outside the city
walls to prepare for an assault.
To break the city's defenses without too many losses within their own ranks, General Falcone is adamant on
exploiting the weakpoint of the outer walls to storm the city and capitulate the defenders. The plan is to feint
an attack with a large force from the north to drag as many defenders as possible from the southern parts, to then,
with our elite siege engineers, construct catapults and force an opening in the repairing site.
The plan was a full success, yet not without casualties. As General Marcus successfully tricks the defenders
to scramble all men to defend the northern part, General Falcone, escorted by his elite regiments, is able to
punch the walls down with only a mere few catapult throws and without any significant resistance. The theodosian walls
are crossed and so are the constantine walls soon after while the seljuk defense still attempts to fight off attack in the north.
As soon as they were aware of flag of the cross waving behind them and the screams from the inner city, the remaining
defenders capitulate the city.
The sacking of the city was an horrendous sight, but a necessary evil to cleanse this city of the pestilence the
muslim inhabitants are. All of the defenders, title holders, administrators and a large portion of the local populace were
all sentenced to death. In a mere few days the city's population, including the following expulsions, has been reduced to
just around 25%. General Falcone does bear his name for a reason.
With the city of constantinople now under christian control, it marks the beginning of the end. The muslim
world's decline is innevitable and so will their territory slowly fall into the hands of the crusading armies as they
force their entry into anatolia. The time for god's wrath has arrived...