Crusader to Conquerer - The Rise of Alessandro

[B. Ward]

bdotward presents . . .



a fictional AAR featuring the Kingdom of Jerusalem

coming soon . . .

[Leonidas The Lion]

Sound good waiting for the first chapter.

[crypel]

looks very promising

[kobi118]

you gotta love templars...when will u release 1st part?

[Goatbuster3000]

I can tell already that if it's be bdotward it's going to be amazing, especially seeing that awesome pic in the first post. Looking forward to it, bdotward!

[B. Ward]

Thanks guys.

First part should be done by Monday

[Samuel Adams]

Awesome, I'll be waiting...

[~Beren~]

Awww, where did you get those Crusaders skins? They look awesome.

Anyway, can't wait to for this one.

[B. Ward]

updating...

[B. Ward]

“In a time and a place that was never ours…”



Narrator

“There was a time in my life, which I honestly thought that we were fighting for God. It took me many years and many battles to realize that we were fighting for wealth and land, but most importantly, for power. And we were not the only ones who suffer from this disease of greed. Christians, Jews, Muslims, all I’m afraid are blinded by the temptation of the Holy Land. Her beauty blinds even the most chivalrous of men. And once she has you, there is no turning back. She will lead you to everlasting triumph and glory or to the end of all things in death.”


“Many moons have passed since the Kingdom of Heaven fell into Muslim hands. The Sultan of Egypt and ruler of the city of Jerusalem, Zaher Hassan has his eye fixed on cleansing the Holy Land of the Christian Crusaders and expanding his empire, uniting all Muslims under one banner. The remaining barons of the Kingdom of Jerusalem fear that aid from the Western nations and Pope Elesis seem like nothing but a whisper and a dream. And with the constant infighting and disloyalty, it’s only a matter of time before Zaher Hassan’s plan comes to truth. Word has spread that Kerak has fallen and the sultan is looking West toward Acre and the coast. And the House of Ibelin, shall be the first to fall…”


“Sunset, April 12, 1188”


“My Lord Alessandro,” a scout pants vigorously, “My Lord Alessandro, it is true. Contingent of Saracen cavalry marches on our lands with a sizeable army three, maybe four days to the rear.”





Alessandro Balios, the young baron of Ibelin, arises from his seat and looks at his brother Victor. “Now there’s diplomacy for you.”

“But brother,” Victor starts, “wasn’t it you who said diplomacy was dead anyway?”

“Indeed. We must meet them before they move any further Westward.” Alessandro speaks with a slight glow to his face. “I’ll assemble my knights and sergeants and ride to meet them.”

“And I shall ride with you my brother,” Victor starts before being interrupted.

“With all blessings brother, no,” Alessandro starts, “to me diplomacy is dead, but you are the most diplomatic man I know. You must ride to Acre and find Raymond. He’s the only alliance we can trust. I’m sure he and his Templars will bear arms as we have in the past. I leave the rest of the men here to defend Ibelin if the sun shall set on me.”

“Very well,” Victor states with a look of disappointment on his face, “I expect you to be here when I return…and alive. Father would be proud of you little brother.”

“I still believe you would’ve been the better baron.” Alessandro states.

“Nonsense, I’m too much of a diplomat, you’ve always been the fighter. That is why I conceded it to you.” Victor smiles, “Besides, you needed to learn some responsibility.”

Alessandro smiles and nods at his brother as he rides onward to Acre. As his brother’s image disappears in the dusk of the evening, Alessandro’s demeanor changes and he looks to his guards.

“We ride through the night. Assemble the garrison to defend this fortress and put the people on alert.” Alessandro grabs his sword, “If we don’t return in a day’s time, don’t look for us because we are lost.”

Alessandro, accompanied by his personal guard and his sergeants, leave the fortress and ride into the night sky. The still of the night is enough to drive even the bravest man mad. And the cool night breeze whispers of death and makes an uneasy mood for the men and their horses. Soon, all turns to nothingness. One can only await for dawn, for maybe a spark of light, a spark of hope. Dawn comes fast, night was not long enough, and no rest for Alessandro and his company. As the sun tries to climb over the mountain pass in the distance, one of the sergeants calls out to Alessandro.







“My Lord!” the sergeant calls as he points ahead, “They approach.”

The company stops and awaits orders from their lord. Alessandro looks at his men, then the slowly rising sun, and his enemy.





“I ask none of you to risk your lives for me,” Alessandro begins, “I ask you to risk your lives for your families, for your freedom, for your life. I ask nothing of you that I would not do myself. The old remnants of the Kingdom live on in my house...in our house. I care not what the other houses and the other barons of the Kingdom do with their lives, but we men of Ibelin…men of Jerusalem will live like lions in the face of our enemies. Now raise our banners and cheer brave men. For the honor…and the glory of Ibelin! But most importantly, for Jerusalem!”

“For Jerusalem!!!” the men yell. “FOR JERUSALEM!!!”

The men cheer and raise their spears, swords, and banners. Alessandro raises his sword and commands the charge of his knights and soldiers.





Showing his undying leadership and bravery, Alessandro charges the enemy first lighting a fire in the souls of his men.





The men of Ibelin fight like warrior poets against the brave Saracen knights.





Saracen knights fall…





As did men of Ibelin…





After taking a significant loss, the Saracen general, along with his guard withdraws and flees from the battle.





“My Lord, we have victory!” a knight shouts.

Alessandro looks onward as his men celebrate and give thanks to the Heavens. He knows that this attack was just to weaken his forces for this is just a drizzle of the storm to come to his lands. Surveying the field of battle, sadness gripes the young baron seeing the bodies of his brave men. The morning has claimed so many…





“Get the wounded to horses and collect our dead.” Alessandro states, “We’re all going home. We must prepare for what is to come soon. For those of you who can still hear my voice, give thanks to God and honor our brothers in arms who have fallen. Pray for our fallen enemies as well.”

The men gather themselves and Alessandro takes his banner and plants it in the ground to let the world know…that Ibelin will stand and fight. Even to the last man.




And so the journey begins…

[BNS]

Wow, those pictures are nice and your story telling is very good !

[Templar Knight]

somebody watches a lot of movies.


any way it was very good. I can hardly wait to read more.

[Lord Romanus III]

Ummm......Ibelin........ That is off the movie Kingdom to heaven. But, congrats for you have nonetheless made a better beginnig.

Cordially,
Lord Romanus III

[thoscme]

very good reading, and awesome pics, omg!

[IndianPrince]

This was THE best AAR i've ever read ... the pics were pretty amazing too ... u continuing it ?

[Spartan_Shame]

Nice work bdotward! That was a great start, and I hope you update it soon, I am looking forward to it!

[Tajir]

Single best AAR ever. Unbelievable! +Rep to the max!!

[][Xyphos][ - Lee]

that was good the pics are wicked too (+rep)