[M2TW AAR] Middle-East In Crises| Seljuk AAR

[Janissary]

Upon the death of the mighty Seljuk Sultan Malik Shah I his once strong empire crumbled into warring states. His sons fought others and each other for power. It seemed like the Islamic golden age was about end. In Persia his son Mahmud I ruled over Persia and Central Asia. The holy lands were occupied by Tutush I. And another son proclaimed him self as Seljuk Of Rum in Anatolia. The Byzantine Empire was all to pleased with these changes of events. After been utterly vanquished at Manzikert it almost seemed like The Seljuks could't be stopped, but faith had been kind to the Romans. The Emperor of the Romans supported this rebellion by even helping The Seljuks Of Rum. When things could't get any worse, they did. The Crusaders had arrived and they were butchering there way to salvation. And it's master price... Jerusalem.




When Tutush saw the mighty crusader army approaching, he finally realised how foolish he had been. Fighting over the scrubs of something which had been so great one time. Eventough it was almost yesterday it felt like a eternity. There was no honour in fighting your brothers and relatives.



So it was the year 1162 when Tutush decided not to fight his brothers anymore, but to concentrate on uniting Islam in Middle-East under one banner once more! So there could be victory over the infidel once again! He realised that this could not happen if he could not receive support from his brothers.





After long negotiations the three brothers could not come to an agreemant and the relations worsened even more. So Tutush was back where he started. There was no choice, but to beat the drum and march forward. If Allah wills it there would be victory.

That was exactly what the crusaders wanted all along.

- It was just the silence before the storm. -

[~Beren~]

Very unique, I like it! Can't wait for more

Love that Teutonic knight picture.

[Janissary]

Battle Of Hatin

The Franks and there allies the Byzantines marched more days then they could remember. The heat of the desert made the armies of christ dehyrated and see optical illusions. The crusaders had given up their armour to the heat of the day and their hopes to God. In the beginning of the great march there were everlasting shouts of: 'Gods wills it!' But later on the men could't help wonder if God was punishing them or rewarding them. The great march progressed slowly and underway many brave knights lost their lives to the heat of the desert.



The Turks were forced to appear on an actual battlefield this time. In the past Tutush's forces were not strong enough to fight the crusaders head on, so he relied on guerilla warfare for a period of time, but because of the long waiting and geurilla campaining his army had grown spectaculary. Now not only Turcomans and Gazi's served in his ranks, but also Muslim elites who used to serve other Emirs and Sheik's.
Eventough Tutush army was now more vigorouse then ever. The numbers were still against him, but there was no chance of retreating this time. The crusaders were here!



The time and place was set. The outcome of this battle would change the world for ever. Scouts of Tutush informed him about a huge army approaching. So Tutush gave his men the order to take up a strong defensive position up on the hill and wait for the blood shed that was about to take place.




In the horizon you could see dust rising up and crosses began to show their selves. This was the moment where was waiting for. As the enemy army began to close in you could hear the ground tremble beneath their feet. The voltures circled around in the area knowing what was about to take place. And again there were loud shouts of: 'God wills it!' on the Christian side and on the Muslim side: 'Allahu Ekber!'
Now the army of Christ was in full display and the armies could stare at each other. A numerouse group of priests and imams had shown up and they were giving prayers to their soldiers. Today it was the Crescent against the Cross.

[Janissary]

On The Battlefield Of Hattin



The Muslim army stood firm and was ready for anything. The drums were beating hard and the spirits were lifted. On the right flank Tutush had one of his best generals commanding named: Atilla Barsbay. On the left flank his Hasashims had to command over their selves and ambush the enemy without the help of the main army. The odds were 1:2 against Tutush forces, but the climate was in their favour. Eventough the Turks were orginally from the steppes of Asia they gradually got used to the desert. Tutush army was equipped with the best armour and weapons avaible in the world, while the crusaders used heavy useless armour that made men hard to move.



The Byzantine Emperor's army was positioned below Tutush's army. While the Franks would press forward from the right. The Byzantines would press from the left. The Turks had obvious archer superiority so the Christians had to press forward trough a strong offence in hope to break the Turkish ranks before dying by their fatal arrows.



The Frankish army was mostly equipped with hardcore trained Templars and Hospitallers, but the frontline was made out of Pilgrams from all over Europe. Eventough they had received a little bit of training, they were still no match for the firstline infantry of the Turks. The heavy infantry of the Franks were equal to the Turkish infantry. The Frankish King ordered his light infantry to reinforce the Byzantine flank and so the Franks marched once again.



Eventough the main plain was to avoid the hail of arrows. Many brave knights didn't had the priveledge to die honorably, but died of cowardly arrows. The Turks had more range in their arrow fire, but the hill which they were standing on provided even more range for the Turkish archers. Everytime when Tutush gave the sign. A great hail of arrows landed into the ranks of the Christians killing and wounding many. The Frankish king could not sit around and watch his soldiers get killed anymore, so he ordered his elites to lead his weaker men with courage into battle. The officers blew into the trumphet and the order was given. The Hospitaller knights began to move forward. First slowly, later with a great amount of speed screaming: 'God wills it!'



The Seljuk Sultan did not expect this and lost many of his frontline soldiers by this charge, but to make up for the loss he send his Saracen Spearman to beat back the advancing Hospitaller cavalry. The Byzantine Emperor knew that this was what the Turks wanted and tried to signal a retreat for the Franks, but the brave Franks did not listen, so the Byzantine Emperor didn't had any chance, but to charge in as well. The brave Franks were halted and could not advance any further, slowly but surely the Saracen Spearman beat them back.

Soon part 2.

[Hissing Fauna]

Great pics!

Though, if I may say, the writing is a bit awkard at times. I suggest you look over it a few times before posting.

[Janissary]

Battle Of Hatin Part 2

The sun was shining bright in the sky and the heat was unbearable, but the three forces collided into one epic battle. The battle raged on for the most part of the day and it looked like it wasn't about to end it self. On the right flank the Frankish elite cavalry seemed to be beaten back, while on the left the Byzantines had more succes.



The Byzantine Emperor had fought Turks before and knew the Turkic ways. Magyars and other Turkic warriors participated in the Emperor's ranks so they were no stranger to him.



The butchering was so great that sometimes men fell over their own comrades while trying to fight.




On the right flank the Franks routed in defamation, but the Byzantines didn't and stood vast and strong. First the army of Christ was on the offence, but now they had to switch over to defence against the advancing Turks. Slowly, but surely the Crusaders lost grond. Again and yet again....




It was time. It was time for the Frankish King him self to go into battle. The true core of the Frankish army was about to do battle. Once again there were shouts of: 'God wills it'! The Frankish King let his own Royal Guard into battle with craze. The Frankish King: 'In the name of Christ men hold the lines! Don't let them go any further!'




Tutush looked worried. Even tough now that his men were equal to the Crusaders, and the tie was turned. Tutush's forces were still exhausted for having to fight against the odds all day long. He nudged to Atilla Barsbay. Eventough they didn't change words they knew that this was it. Now that morale was broken of the Crusaders they had to pursue their attack and rout them before they had a change of heart.




It was a painfull progress. The soldiers had to fight for every inch of ground, but still there was progress.



The Frankish King and his royal guard tried to fill up weak spots to remain in a firm line against the infidels, but the balance was disturbed and the wreckening unleashed. Now the only thing that remained of the Frankish Army was it's true faithed warriors. Among them were the Templer Knights. Eventough without a commander they fought to the bitter end. Even after their King was slain.

[Janissary]

The Nightfall

The Turkish warriors were exhausted and the progress that they had made was in stagnation. To make the matters worse they now had to take it up against the elites of Christendom. The Templer knights. The knights were furiated by their King's death. Some of them were mad so they fought harder. Some of them had given up hope and wished to join him, and a brief few still hoped for a victory, but none of them wanted to flee.



There were no more God wills it shouting, but noise of men getting mutilated. The Franks pulled their selves together and tried to hold there last line of defence.



The Turks had been on a everlasting rampage all day, but finnally they were halted by the Templer Knights. Now that the advance of the Turks was stopped. The slaughter on both sides was equal. The fleeing pilgrams saw these change of events and rushed back to strengthen the lines. Maybe there was hope after all for the army of Christ.



The Muslims elites engaged into a fierce melee with the Hospitallers. They butchered each other mercilessly and there were no victors that day.

[Janissary]

Zenith

The Turks found them selves in an akward position. They had rushed trough the linkes of the Franks persuieng them. Leaving a few men behind on the hill. The Byzantine Emperor made good use of this mistake by taking the advantageous position for him self. This was Tutush greatest nightmare and it was realised today. His army was about to get surrounded if he would not take extreme measures. Beneath the palmtrees lied a group of light cavalry originally for a ambush. This cavalry was ment to give the final blow to the Crusaders, but Tutush had no choice but to use them now in need. So he ordered a frontal charge to give the Turkish army some time against the defensive Franks.



The Byzantines were suprised and suffered heavy casualties and were halted in their attempt of surrounding the Turks.



Just in time The Frankish army finally routed, but this time the Turks did not chase them, but inmediately turned around to oppose the real threat that was a few meters away. There was not much of an army left on the both sides. And what was left was lead by the Emperor and Sultan him self. In the final stage of this battle the two armies charged each into each other once again. And again you could hear the shields and swords clashing and breaking.





There were no more lines or commanders telling the men what to do. It was total madness. The few weary men that remained fought in despare till the end. Nobody gained honour and victory from this battle: only death and shame. The Crescent and The Cross were both so sure of victory, but it almost seemed like God wanted to punish them. Punish them for waging war against each other. The Emperor wondered the battlefield on his horse looking for a confrontation with the Seljuk Sultan, but the Turks had more units left and soon the Emperor was trapped.




The Emperor could not reach the Seljuk Sultan, but fought other Muslim elites. At one point the Emperor screamed: 'Where are you coward! Meet me in battle!' Eventough Tutush rushed to meet him in battle. It was to late.



The Emperor was surrounded and could not flee, but had to fight on. So he did. The rest of the Byzantine army watched in horror how the Emperor fought on his own. Before The Seljuk Sultan could arrive, the Emperor was all ready slain in the hands of a man named Ibrashim Pasa. A Roman convert who used to serve the imperial army.



So for now the bloodshed had ended, and the Turks are the victors by a close edge, but how can you call this a victory?

[~Beren~]

The Emperor was all ready slain in the hands of a man named Ibrashim Pasa. A Roman convert who used to serve the imperial army.

Wow that's ironic.

But then, were the Byzantines called Romans then? I thought you just call them...Byzantines, I don't know.

Anyways, great story! I really love the serious atmosphere. I would want to write like that, but I'm only 15. And my vocabulary isn't that big yet . Can't wait to read the next chapter

[Hissing Fauna]

Oh wow, this is interesting. Great pics. Have you finished this game, or are you still playing through it? The Mongol invasion should be interesting.

Could you run your postings through word before you post them though? It would help pick out some of the typos.

Great job!

[Hex Khan]

Nice story, like the fact your not restricting yourself to ingame pixs, showing us old painting from the era etc

Looking forward to a update

[Janissary]

The legend dies...

Tutush was trained from his birth to the Sultanete. In his life he had been a excellent military commander and a Khan, but none or less all things must come to an end. After years of conquest and fighting Tutush became an old man. Tutush wanted to spend his last days in the holy places Mekka, Medina and Jerusalem. So he build him self a palace in Jerusalem and stayed there for awhile. Tutush had raised Mahmud's son from childhood and they were very attached to each other. Tutush was like a fahter for Orhan. Orhan didn't remember his biological father. Tutush never had children of his own. When people asked him why he answered: 'Because I gave him my word'.
Before his departure he left his trusted general Atilla Barsbay in power and told him:'Rule for me, as I ruled before you. When Orhan is capable of serving his people, then let him. Protect him as you would had protected me.' After visiting the 3 holy cities of Islam: Tutush died of old age.






As Tutush passed away so did people of his time like: Ibrahim Pasha, Mahmud. Atilla Barsbay was around 40 years old when he received the 'temporarely' power from Tutush. Upon the day of Tutush's death. The first action Barsbay took was to cut off Orhan's head. As a result the Eastern part of the Empire revolted and ultimately won their freedom. After winning their freedom new protokingdoms emerged in Persia and Central-Asia. After noticing these change of events in Persia and Central Asia. Baybars left the Eastern parts of the Empire be, and mainly focussed on the West.



But the question remained. How long would Barsbay continue to rule?

[parvus]

nice pix and nice aar!

[Janissary]

Empire in crises

After helping Orhan to his demise. Baybars gradually turned insane. He retired to the Tutushiani Palace in Jerusalem. It is said there that all Baybars did was ask for forgiveness. The Jannisaries and the rest of the army were in a conflict of their own. In the past other Turcoman emirs challanged Seljuk rule. The same thing was happening in Persia and Central Asia. In order to create a pure army without conflicts within it's ranks. Osman Pasa the grandvezir marched into Europe conquered up to the city of Sofia. There he established a new recruiting system called: Devsirme.



The system was so beautifull. Once a slave of the Sultan you could rise to the highest powers within the empire. Many officers and generals came to power trough the devsirme system. After the young Christian boys converted to the Islam they received the best training and education in the world. No family.. no ties... There only love was to serve the Sultan.



The Janissaries were very aware about their position in the society. Without the Janissaries the Turkish army was not capable of real conquest. The Jannisaries were about to enter in a revolt, because of Baybars. Their insane Sultan. The Janissaries wanted him to point out Osman as their new ruler.



While the Empire's troops were in Europe expanding the Seljuk empire. Disaster struck! The Mongols were on their way! The European side of the Empire was still considered a warzone. If this ment the troops had to be transported back. It ment losing the European side of the Empire. So Osman made an important decision: stay in Europe and hope for the best for Baybars and his troops, but was Osman underestimating The Mongols?

[Janissary]

The Mongol Invasion

Under Tutush the Empires succes seemed limitless, but now the Empire was in serious decline. Once prosperity was now replaced by corruption. Baybars prosecuted almost every important figure in the Empire for heresy. At one point there were no more governeurs and officers holding the state positions, but this mad man Baybars was doing it for them. He wished to rule absolute. He raised the taxes so he could build more palaces for him self. A new palace was build.. The biggest building the world had ever seen. He called it after Tutush's heir. Orhani Palace.



While merchants seeked Baybars court to inform him about the arrival of the Mongols. Baybars was bussy doing other things.



Osman wrote an epistle to Baybars regarding about the crisis.

My Sultan what is the foundation of your insolence and folly? Tough we have fought battles everywhere. Continuing as one champion of Islam to another. We have obtained great victories over the Christians of Europe; Our sword is blessed by the apostle of God. Be wise in this time; prepare for the hordes.

Baybars wrote back:

There armies are innumerable; so be it; but what are the flying arrows of the Mongols against the battle-axes of my firm and invincible Janissaries?

The Empire before the Mongol Invasion

[white-wolf]

Great post!

Please continue...

[~Beren~]

Very nice pictures and an inspiring story. Makes me want to play as the Turks now

[Asmodius]

10/10.

[Janissary]

Meanwhile in Asia

After a life time of victories Baybars led others and him self believe in his immortality on the battlefield and whom ever he commanded over, but that was about to change. Foolish as he was. Baybars killed a Mongolian emissary and awakened the Mongol wrath upon him and his empire. The Mongolian Khan invaded Baybars lands and sacked Baghdad. In response Baybars didn't had a choice, but to march against this warlord from the steppes of Asia.



Meanwhile Baybars turned utterly insane. There was no way he could command over his own armies so he let one of his best generals take over. General Selim. Selim's origins lied in Kurdistan. His fahter was a Kurd who married a European slave girl. He was there only son. His family pretended Selim was a christian and signed him up for Devsirme.



After being trained and educated from the age of 6. He was granted the title Jannisary at the age of 23. By then he mastered every weapon avaible in his time. He attended the Jannisary Academy and also Jannisary OcahI(corps) schools. As a young boy his teachers noticed his potential. He had a certain way with people. He had a unmatched charisma and a fair good heart. Like all the other Jannisaries his only passion was to serve the Sultan.




The long awaited battle was about to begin. The Mongolian army consisted alot of Tatars. Tatars were related to the Seljuks. They both were Turkic in there origins. Once again destiny brought two related brothers to each other, and it looked like history was about to repeat it self again.

[IndianPrince]

That was pretty amazing ... gr8 job buddy