My long running campaign finally came to an end with the expulsion of the Ottomans from the european mainland.
King Stjepan the Conquerer freed Carigrad, turned the Hagia Sophia into a latin cathedral and was proclaimed Emperor by the Pope. Afterwards he turned to Rodosto, the last ottoman foothold in Europe. The Pope granted the emperors request for a crusade on the city. He, his son and heir Mladen Subic, as well Mladens three sons Petar, Nikola and Matko took up the cross and conquered the city in a joined effort.
At this point Stjepans empire spanned from Northern Italy to Carigrad.
The empires long lasting (since the begin of the campaign) alliance with Austria allowed for peace and stability in Central Europe. After freeing Italy of the heretical Fiorentines, reestablishing the Papal States and marrying a princess from Naples, Italy prospered. Alliances with Albania and Bulgaria prevented any further bloodshed between christians in the Balkans. This mastery in diplomacy left only two enemies. The Ottomans and Tartars. While the emperor and his kin freed the Balkans from the Turks, the empires northern borders were under constant attacks from the Tartars. They were defended by members of the Subic family branches Zrinski, Berislavic and Janometic. Here are some pics from my last battles.
Fending of the Tartars.
Expulsing the Ottomans.
Thank you for the mod guys. This was by far the best Total War experience I ever had. The early and mid campaign were really challenging and fun. The late campaign gave me the first taste of pike and shot battles. Nothing comes close.