Episode 2 – Rebellion, Diplomacy & Youth
May 22, 1103
While Rimdaugas had his wedding party going on for the third day, one of the villagers is running to Vilnius, visibly tired and hungry, but the guards do not care.
„Guards, let me in, I have urgent news from Hrodna!“, says the villager, visibly in panic.
„Why should you be let in?! You are just a peasant!“, answers one of the guards aggressively.
„But Hrodna is rebelling and are mustering forces against the liege’s rule!“, responds the villager quickly.
„Get the lord! Quick!“, and one of the guards is running like they would do it for their own lives. But that could not be an overstatement. While new conquests have stabilized Lithuania’s economy, then internal turmoil still stands. Paganism is not well-received, new territories still tend to hold anger against their new rulers, and Butigeidis himself is old, which does raise the question if he can fight against the rebels before it becomes a full-scale revolution.
June 10, 1104
Rebellion in Hrodna is growing and it has come to a point when rebels managed to raise a small army against Butigeidis’ rule. Grand Duke ignored the rebellion in the first place and thought it would die down eventually. His hopes were on the fact that Hrodna is now Lithuania and will stay that way. But the hope backfired Butigeidis and the rebelling army is just a day’s march away from the town itself.
„Jonas, get the men together near the gates! We are marching against the rebels!“
„Yes, my Duke!“, replied Jonas. He was Grand Duke’s quartermaster, in charge of gathering the army under Butigeidis’ command, if the need arises. He was the 36-year old man, a very capable fighter himself, and gladly fought the battles alongside the Duke. He also commands one of the spearmen battalions and has the respect of his men. While he is popular, but he is also very loyal to the Grand Duke.
June 11, 1104, Butigeidis’ Journal
Damned rebels, but also damn me hoping for the best. Nothing changed in Hrodna since the takeover, even with me residing in this accursed town for the last two years in the hopes of the people seeing me as their leader. But not all see that. Some self-proclaimed general raised forces against my rule and now I take the small garrison I have kept with me in Hrodna. Hopefully, this force is enough to quell the rebellion, as I am writing these words. Speaking of words – their camp is just a few kilometers east of here. I plan to march tomorrow towards their camp and dispose of them on the battlefield. May the gods be with us.
They ran. They just ran after a short fight, though I did lose a few good men, some even from my bodyguard, as some axemen decided to untie themselves from our spears and side charge us instead surprisingly. But clear, swift victory and rebellion crushed.
Indeed, the Grand Duke swiftly got rid of the rebellious knaves and gave them good lesson from now on, if someone does not like Lithuania's rule in their province or in general in Lithuania. To prevent that, Rimdaugas was tasked improve capital's military capabilities in order to at least lessen the chance of rebels gathering men and making army out of woodsmen. Just to prevent needless death in their own populace, as good men could be drafted into Lithuanian army itself.
Rimdaugas’ Chronicle, June 15, 1104
I’m just a teenager, but already I overlook the developments in our proud capital, Vilnius. The new garrison just got finished a few days ago and it definitely will increase our military capabilities for the future, as we are surrounded by multiple enemies. We need all the technologies, we can get our hands on and increase our capacity for infantry training, as it is our backbone.
With that being said and our new facility completed, I will now move to meet my father somewhere on the way to Mensk, not in the town itself, but roughly halfway there, so I could get back faster and start the Northern expansion plan. It's time for me to receive my heir crown, to confirm my status as third-in-line for the throne. I am ready for it.
Four days later, on June 19th, Rimdaugas met his father and heir to the throne, Algimantis. And on that very day, on the border between Vilnius and Mensk provinces, Rimdaugas got the heir crown to confirm him as third-in-line for the Lithuanian throne. No fancy rituals or festivals, as times were dire. Algimantis had to keep guard on the eastern border and scout out potential Novgorodian activities, while Rimdaugas hurried back to Vilnius to see, how its improved barracks was performing. And prepare its already garrisoned army to march north, towards Riga, another rebel clan held town. Strategically important too, as capturing it would give access to the seas.
But out of nowhere, the Novgorodian princess appeared at the gates in Hrodna and requested Grand Duke’s audience. She offered a trade agreement between the states, but Butigeidis in his mind knew, that this agreement will not last for a very long time, even if he does not see this himself. But he agreed as it would give the economical means to improve Lithuania’s capabilities even further and win time. In times of peace, one has to prepare for war. The world is watching.
Rimdaugas’ Chronicle, December 15th, 1104
My wife just gave birth to a sweet little daughter, Milda. While not eligible for the throne, she still is a very good addition to our royal family. She will have her important duties in the future, diplomatically, and if needed, in an also seductive way. Men are always weak for beautiful princesses.
However, I can’t stay here for long to see my daughter grow. My mission now is to take Riga and give our proud state access to the seas, what she so much needs. This is what I must do, to preserve us and one day take over the dukehood of Lithuania.
Three days later, Rimdaugas left Vilnius with his detachment. While not a massive army, it still is (at least to scouting reports) strong enough to take on Riga’s garrison forces. As matter of fact, most of it was suddenly found on the Lithuanian northern border. Rimdaugas seized his chance to hasten his troops to catch them, as he had a couple of battalions of famous Lithuanian horse archers with him, who are suited more for open battles than sieges. He knew that knocking that force out in the open would mean swift conquest of Riga…
Old Gods' Last Stronghold (Lithuania SS6.4 AAR) [Updated December 28th]
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Originally Posted by Maltacus
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