Ascalon

**Gandalfus** · November 21, 2019, 08:21 AM

Jerusalemite Forces

Under the leadership of Godfrey of Bouillon, the Defender of Jerusalem, the armies of the crusaders move south to secure the city against the imminent Fatimid invasion from Ascalon. It was a move that risked everything, with defeat meaning the certain destruction of everything they had wrought. They carried the True Cross itself before them, accompanied by the new Latin Patriarch Stephen of Arras. Soon, they would arrive in the vicinity of Ascalon, where captured spies and scouts reported a large Egyptian camp in the shadow of the citadel.

**Lord William** · November 21, 2019, 11:53 AM

Hugh, Gilbert, and Levon, arrive ready to fight the Egyptian Muslims in the name of God and the kingdom of Jerusalem

**General Brewster** · November 21, 2019, 03:50 PM

Godfrey could be found in his tent, a large grandiose tent where all the Lords that accompanied him could fit in. The walls were mostly open to that the air could come through, to counter the blistering heat that so plagued this continent. This was god's wrath upon the muslim he thought. All lords were called to the tent which was well stocked with water and servants to pour it. Even apples were plenty. All would seem that the supply lines of the Crusaders were all in order. Godfrey had been presented by plans for further conquest by advisors but called for the lords to propose their own ways to destroy this muslim army that now threatened their new home.

**Xion** · November 21, 2019, 04:27 PM

Raymond of Ales would be present in the Crusader host, standing outside his tent as he watches the lords and princes remaining in the host make their way towards the lord of Jerusalem's tent for a war council.

**Jokern** · November 21, 2019, 10:57 PM

Tancred de Hauteville and his men were among the Crusader host at Ascalon. He attended the war council of Godfrey of Bouillon.

**Gandalfus** · November 23, 2019, 08:44 AM

Eustace, now Prince of Galilee, was an ever present at Godfrey’s war council, stood to the right of the Lord of Jerusalem once again. As the lords began to fill out the tent, he cleared his throat.

“My lords, be welcome. Our scouts report that the Mahometans outnumber us by ten thousand men. However, they are not aware of our presence.”

The Count of Boulogne raised a finger in admonishment.

“They lie but a day or two’s ride from here, at Ascalon. We must strike hard and fast, with a night time attack by our horsemen followed by the infantry cutting off their escape.”

**Lucius Malfoy** · November 25, 2019, 11:00 PM

The Crusader's plan for a surprise attack went without a single problem. At midnight, the Fatimid army's encampment erupted with shouts and clamors as the Latins invaded their perimeters, killing many in their tents. More tried to come out and fight, but against the armor and sword of the Latins, the light infantry was cut down. Many more simply fled the field of the massacre. The sight of which was seen from the battlements of Ascalon, causing a great morale drop in the defenders...

Godfrey: Free
Eustace: Captured (but freed due to victory)
Tancred: Free
Raymond (Ales): Free
Hugh: Free
Gilbert: Free
Levon: Free
Robert: Minor Wound (-1 survival for 2 days)
Stephen: Free

Ascalon, seeing the massacre of its fellow Muslim's, was unsure of what to do next. The garrison commander seemed distraught by the sight of tens of thousands dying before their eyes. However, many of his lieutenants urge him not to surrender. Ascalon stands firm in the wake of the disaster beyond its walls. The Latins could either try to persuade them to surrender, lay siege, or leave the port city.

**General Brewster** · November 26, 2019, 04:23 PM

Godfrey stood victorious next to the true cross on the field of battle. Crows and vultures started picking the dead and reaping their flesh. Next to him stood Eustace, prince of Galilee and confidant of Godfrey. He turned to him as he wiped his face of blood and sweat.

"We won a great victory here today Eustace, a victory that will echo through eternatity as the moment where the Crusading army decisively defeated the muslim horde and solidified it's grip on the holy land."

Gazing over the crows and focussing on Ascalon. Godfrey rests his hand on the pommel of his blade and sighs deeply before turning back to Eustace.

"You will name a Haute Cour of Jerusalem Eustace and you will be it's Bailif, when you delivered Ascalon to me. I will not have it serve as spring board of future muslim operations."

Godfrey stepped closer to Eustace and rests a hand on his shoulder and said

"Serve god first, Jerusalem second and me third Eustace."

**Gandalfus** · November 26, 2019, 04:54 PM

Eustace had been first among those in the Fatimid camp, leading the horsemen as they began their mindless massacre. It was over in less than an hour, with the vizier of Egypt put to flight with less than a handful of men at his back. The baggage train was theirs, though the city of Ascalon itself refused to surrender.

“As you say, brother. I pray they shall surrender soon, for the men are growing restless now Jerusalem has been made safe.”

Replied Boulogne, with a grimace.

”I shall send word to the garrison that we wish to treat with them. In the meantime, we shall commence the siege.”

**General Brewster** · November 26, 2019, 06:46 PM

Godfrey smiled politely.

"They will understand that we need to defend what we have claimed. After this they are all free to go, so swear I before the holy cross."

Security before personal objectives Godfrey thought before he asked a servant to bring a horse so he could wash the blood from his face somewhere.

**Lucius Malfoy** · November 27, 2019, 09:00 PM

Baggage train loot
3,900 dinars (rolled a 13 and times that by 3)

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

When word came that the Crusaders wished to treat with them, the garrison commander seemed reluctant. Perhaps they did not have to bleed as their comrades on the battlefield did. Perhaps these Latins could be reasoned with. After nearly half an hour, the gates opened as a small group of riders, led by the city's commander, issued forth and waited at a middle ground between Ascalon and the Crusader's army.

**Gandalfus** · November 28, 2019, 01:37 PM

Eustace of Boulogne rode to meet them, still clad in the mail he’d worn on the night of the battle, though his head was bared.

“Hail. I speak for the Lord Godfrey. Our terms: we ask the surrender of Ascalon immediately into my keeping. In return, we shall allow every soul within safe passage back to Egypt, and a guarantee that those that stay shall not be harmed either.”

**Lucius Malfoy** · November 28, 2019, 01:43 PM

The garrison commander spits on the ground before Eustace, glaring right at the Latin.

You have just killed a great number of our comrades and you expect us to believe your terms?! By God above, I would rather drown myself in the sea before letting you have Ascalon!

There was nothing else to say as the commander and his retinue return to the city. The gates shut tight and defenders upon the wall preparing for a siege.

**Gandalfus** · November 28, 2019, 10:01 PM

Eustace orders the construction of siege towers, ladders, and a battering ram.

**Gandalfus** · December 05, 2019, 03:45 PM

With the siege weapons complete and the morale of the defenders low, Eustace orders an assault on the walls.

**Lucius Malfoy** · December 09, 2019, 10:07 AM

The Assault on Ascalon

The brutal assault on Ascalon was bloody match, even for the Crusaders. Though the garrison was demoralized, the Saracen fought tooth and nail upon the ramparts of the port city. This tenacious foe ensured Latin blood spilled onto the walls and over as bodies of both knight and peasant soldier were cut down by the determined defenders. Yet, even as bodies of Europeans gathered, so too did the mountain of dead defenders rise. As more and more stormed the battlements, a bell clang across Ascalon as the defenders abandoned the wall and ran through the streets, making their way for the inner keep. A portion of them even split off, numbering a couple hundred or so, as they made for ships to take them away from Ascalon. However, none dared to flee the city through other gates, fearful of the heavy cavalry that the Jerusalemite army had at its disposal.

The outer walls of Ascalon were secured within three hours of fighting. Some enemy ships were soon seen departing the port, the Latins being unable to get there in time. The remainder of the defending force, numbering several hundred strong, closed the gates to the inner keep and prepared for the next attack. Of the ten thousand men who fought for the city, a thousand laid dead, not including the couple hundred who perished in the battle previous.

**Gandalfus** · December 09, 2019, 10:17 AM

With Ascalon’s outer defences secured, the bloodied Eustace sends a rider to speak with the remaining Arabs, offering safe passage back to Egypt in exchange for the surrender of the central keep. If they do not surrender, they will be starved out and slaughtered to a man.

**Lucius Malfoy** · December 12, 2019, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Gandalfus

With Ascalon’s outer defences secured, the bloodied Eustace sends a rider to speak with the remaining Arabs, offering safe passage back to Egypt in exchange for the surrender of the central keep. If they do not surrender, they will be starved out and slaughtered to a man.

At noon, the gates of the central keep open and the commander of Ascalon hands over the keys to both the city and the fortress to Eustace. After a bloody assault, the port city belonged to Jerusalem.