[M2TW AAR] Who Watches the Watchers?: Papal Apocalypse.

[Decimus Milo]

Hello all, long time listener first time caller. Let's crack on.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Scotland - a land of brave men, defiant warriors and proud kings. Yet a land that sits on the fringes of tumultuous Europe, a land out of sight of conquering empires. A land perfectly suited to...watch. Difficulty is M/M.

The Rules

• The Prime Directive: Nothing shall authorize the princes of Scotland to intervene in matters which are essentially the domestic jurisdiction of any sovereign nation, unless the survival of our nation is at stake.
• Commerce with all nations, alliance with none. An exception is made in the case of His Holiness the Pope and our southern neighbours.
• Fog of War is off, so that we may better observe the delicate dance of nations. We will see which nation emerges triumphant, which nations are consigned to the dustbin of history. All from atop the comfort of our Scottish hills.
• Timescale is 0.50. Our seers predict the coming of two great invasions in the future - the squabbling, rebel-held territories of Europe will be instead great Empires when they arrive.
• All these rules may be altered according to the rule of fun.

Our Nation
Our nation consists of our glorious capital, Edinburgh, the mighty citadel of Inverness and the recently purchased trade hub of Dublin. Our King and Capital:

Unfortunately our good King Aodh is as mad as a lorry, and useless in battle.

The Royal House and our history:

Our Scottish nobles seemed surprisingly disdainful about breeding, and our Royal House nearly faced extinction. Fortunately the adoption of our Prince Comgell secured our royal line.

The prince and Highlands:

A fine, chivalrous, scholarly general, the prince has seen off multiple Danish invasion waves. His loyal troops would follow him to the ends of the Earth. The Danes have lost two kings in previous invasions, and hundreds of Norse soldiers to Scottish steel. A highly influential diplomat has secured peace with the scrofulous Danes, on favourable terms. The Danes maintain a presence in our homeland - our warriors will not let down their guard. Our English allies show no indication of betrayal.

The World
You join us in the year 1155. The first part of the campaign has been cut off due the first stages being predictable and therefore boring. An overview of the world's trouble spots:
The Middle East:

The region is in turmoil as a result of multiple Crusades. The first Spanish Crusade was an abject failure, the Spaniards being unable to hold on to Jerusalem or Gaza. The Sicilians however have established a mighty Crusading Empire, engaged in a pincer attack on the Egyptians in their homeland and Antioch.

Northern Italy:

The Bishop of Rome is now the undisputed master of the Italian peninsula. The Venetians, once in a similar position, have been pushed to Vienna by the Milanese. The Vicar of Christ took Naples from Venice, and is currently waging war on the Milanese Remnant.

France:

Most of the powers in the region, Portugal, England, Spain, Denmark, The Holy Roman Empire and France itself are at war with each other. Consequently, Le Hexagon is being carved up among the various powers.

The Pope:


The 'end turn' button will be used liberally. If a dominant power emerges early I may return the timescale to normal and pit the Mongols and Timmies against a fortified Europe.

Hope you enjoy!

[dezikeizer]

Extremely good start. I'm interested in seeing what happens.

[Decimus Milo]

Thanks dezikeizer. Anyone else reading, I'd appreciate feedback, suggestions, general comments, anything you've got, as my first AAR.

Back to business:

Chapter II: Crusades, Invasions and the Destruction of Nations.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

We'll pick up in the immediate future. Tragically, His Holiness the Pope has passed on, his soul surely at the side of St. Peter. The shock of this news also laid the Scottish King low, the insane monarch dying of old age. The Pope's successor, also an Englishman, calls a Crusade on Antioch.

The warring Catholic kingdoms of Europe are quick to heed this most holy call:


In the Scottish homeland, brigands pray on helpless travellers. The new king, Camgell, decides upon decisive action to crush these wicked villains. The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, valiant knights sworn to battle evil, are dispatched. The lightly armoured scum are quickly annihilated.



In the Middle East, the latest Crusade is fulfilled by the Sicilians, who already have a sizeable force in the area. The city of Antioch is exterminated, further establishing the power of Sicily in the region.



Back in Scotland, local fishermen bring back a disturbing tale. Although neutral, the Danes have been sighted in the cold waters of the North Sea, Dragon Boats thronging with troops thirsty for Scottish blood. The wise king orders more troops trained to counter this grave threat.

As expected, the Danes break the ceasefire and lay siege to Inverness. Their forces outnumber the Scottish defenders. The king knows that his troops are well trained, well armoured and well motivated, whilst the invaders are a rabble of Viking Raiders, Scouts, Dismounted Huskarls and peasants.

Elsewhere in the world, the Sicilian Crusader kingdom grows, with the fall of Acre. The Milanese are exiled from mainland Europe, the alliance of Pope and Hungary pushing them from Bern and Zagreb, respectively. The Hungarians also scuffle with the Turks over Nicaea, with neither side gaining definitive advantage.

In the highlands, thousands face off. King Comgell surveys the enemy, as the Scots march to meet the Danish invaders charging down the hill.


On the Scottish left flank the battle is met, Noble Swordsmen clash with throngs of Norsemen, confident in victory.


On the right flank, knights thunder down the hill to crush Viking raiders, having made short work of the Danish light cavalry.


The Danish left is shattered. The Danish general throws his masses against the Scottish left, achieving a partial envelopment with his remaining cavalry. Seeing his left flee, the coward takes flight. The Scottish king detaches his right to engage the Danish flank.


The power of the superior Scottish cavalry combined with pressure from their left routs the remaining mass of Norsemen. King Comgell orders his cavalry to give chase.

The victory is clear, with a thousand Norsemen bleeding to death on a field far from home, with the remaining thousand languishing in the dungeons and pens of Inverness castle. The Danes accept a ransom.

The diplomatic force that is Kirk of Clair negotiates a further ceasefire. Punished by the latest battle, the Danes are eager for peace. Bankrupted by their war effort and ransom, the shrewd diplomat demands the city of Nuremburg instead.


The Danes accept. Not wishing a territory in the middle of Germany, the diplomat travels to Imperial-held Rheims, and sells the city back to the Holy Roman Empire.

An overview of the most powerful nations towards the end of this chapter:

The Papal-Hungarian alliance dominates Europe. The Danes foolishly squander their resources in futile invasions of the highlands. The Turks are the dominant power in the east, continuously clashing with Hungary for control of the Anatolian peninsula. Spain is a rising power, seeing its fortune in the downfall of France.

Iberian power destroys the French crown. France is the first nation to be destroyed, soon to be forgotten:


The Danes, having being punished on the battlefield and bent over by diplomacy, decide that the best idea is trying to invade again. In a act of divine wrath to punish their mindless aggression, the Danish army and fleet are heavy damaged by vicious storms that batter the highlands.


International affairs:
Islamic factions have taken action against their mutual enemy, the Sicilians, who lose Algiers to the Moors and Acre to the Egyptians. The latest Crusade was for naught, for the Normans cannot hold Antioch despite their brutal methods. The Pope is undeterred by this, and calls another Crusade on Jerusalem. The English are the first to heed the call, besieging Jerusalem with a nearby army.

[eregost]

Keep it up its an original idea.

[Decimus Milo]

Keep it up its an original idea.

Thanks! Although in fairness I've also seen it done with the Greeks in a RTW AAR, although I haven't seen a M2TW variant. The timescale should be an interesting change, too.

Back to our scheduled program:
Chapter III: Spaniards on the warpath and the rending of an Empire.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Crusade has been completed by the English, who follow the example of their Norman cousins in Antioch and exterminate Jerusalem. In Europe, the Spanish are hungry for conquest following the destruction of France.

Metz and Rheims fall to the Spanish, the Holy Roman Empire powerless to resist.

Their Iberian rivals, spotting that Spanish forces are distracted by an adventure in the Rhineland, strike in numbers.


Portugal sheers the bloated Spanish Empire in half. In Germany, the Poles launch a lightning assault across the heartland. Poland, staring down the giant in the east, picks at the carcass at the dying Holy Roman Empire, along with their exiled Venetian allies.


A Jihad called in the Middle East rallies the forces of Islam against the Catholic invaders. Jerusalem falls to the Turks, while the paper tiger of Sicily falls prey to the Egyptians and Moors.

The Danes meanwhile are up to old tricks, invading Scotland yet again. The son of the last king takes to the field. The Danish obsession with trebuchets backfires spectacularly, as Scottish knights charge down the exposed machines.


A Scottish swordsman politely shows a dismounted Danish knight his new sword.


The multiple peace settlements give Rheims, Paris and Frankfurt to the Scots. They are returned to the Spanish and endangered Imperials, but to no avail.

In a desperate act to survive, the single-province 'Empire' offers an alliance to the Scots. They decline.


The overview circa 1188:


Sicily has been reduced to petty desert provinces, as well as Sicily proper.
The Spanish wreak vengeance on the Portuguese, conquering Portugal itself. The eastern holdings of Spain are dangerously vulnerable, as enemies surround the strip of land. Denmark is relentless in its hunger for new territory. Betraying former allies, they begin assaulting the Spanish with ferocity.
The true claimants of Rome's greatness, the Byzantines, fare no better than the western pretenders. The power of Hungary exiles the former Eastern Roman Empire to the islands of Crete and Cyprus.
England wrestles with the Turks over Jerusalem, but the sustainability of their forces is highly questionable.

[dezikeizer]

Extremely well done update. Just one thing:

The Danish left is shattered. The Danish general throws his masses against the Scottish left, achieving a partial envelopment with his remaining cavalry. Seeing his left flee, the coward takes flight. The Scottish king detaches his right to engage the Danish flank

This part doesn't make much sense. Perhaps you should change the order of the sentences there.

[Decimus Milo]

Extremely well done update. Just one thing: This part doesn't make much sense. Perhaps you should change the order of the sentences there.

Thanks for the feedback. What I meant was; Danish left shattered, remaining Danish around the Scottish left. Danish left routs, including the general. With Danish left gone, Scottish send their right against the remaining Danes.

In any case, there's some purty pictures there in case the text is rubbish. New update coming soon!

[dezikeizer]

Thanks for the feedback. What I meant was; Danish left shattered, remaining Danish around the Scottish left. Danish left routs, including the general. With Danish left gone, Scottish send their right against the remaining Danes.

In any case, there's some purty pictures there in case the text is rubbish. New update coming soon!

Thanks for explaining that. I'll be waiting for the next update.

[Decimus Milo]

Chapter IV: Conspiracy

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A Scottish prince, tired of Danes, recruits a spy in Edinburgh to keep a keen eye on the highlands. Instead, he spies a disturbing gathering outside the city walls.

He starts recruiting an assassin of his own to counter these so called 'friends'. Friends who, judging by his cautious nature, have already made attempts on his life. The Scottish killer begins immediately, wiping out these rogues who try and kill our prince.


Elsewhere in the world the Polish Empire is a rising power, snatching the easternmost Spanish conquests for their own. Egypt takes back their homeland, reducing Sicily to its island and a desert province.


The Danes don't give up. A mighty force lands upon the coast of Scotland. The governor of Inverness prepares himself for a hard fight.


Outside the grand stone walls of Inverness, battle is met. The field is stained red with the blood of Danes and Scotsmen, as Norse War Clerics set about butchering Scottish infantry.


The Scottish cavalry surrounds and captures the foolish Danish prince, who vaingloriously separates himself from his forces to seek out single combat with the Scottish general.


Many widows were created that day. With the Danish prince in the Inverness dungeon, a ransom is sent back to Arhus.

Amazingly, the Danish refuse. The heir to the throne of Denmark is marched to the main square of Inverness in shackles, a mighty Scottish claymore brought down upon his neck. The blade is unusually sharp for an execution, to honour his noble station.

Following the tumultuous few years, the Holy Roman Empire breathes its last breath. The displaced state of Venice, or rather Vienna, captures Innsbruck.


On the home front the developing Scottish navy clashes with two transports sailing for Scotland. All Danish ships are destroyed, the troops drowned in the freezing waters of the North Sea.


The Kingdom of Portugal is in trouble. Out of favour with the Pope, a crusade is called on Toulouse, which is conquered by the Papal States itself. Spain, under an assault from England, prepares to strike back against Bordeaux.

In Edinburgh, the death of one man has dire repercussions. A man of the people, the Scottish prince marches confidently through the streets of his hometown. A cry is heard behind him; a woman screaming at the sight of a man about to hurl a dagger at the noble person of Scotland's future. His bodyguards give chase. Obviously a foreigner unfamiliar with the city, the would-be assassin sprints down a dead-end alley, and is struck down. The prince orders an investigation. To his horror, a letter is found on the body of the assassin, a contract signed by the English crown. The alliance lies in tatters.

FFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

The world, in 1208.


Poland's Empire stretches from the Baltic to the Mediterranean. Portugal has found herself in grave danger, displaced from Lisbon and Pamplona she now holds only the old French fortress of Angers. Will she go the way of the former owners of the fortress ? Or will she, like Venice, find a renewed purpose and carve out a new empire?

In Scotland, the stinging betrayal is the talk of the country. Many are conflicted; some call for the complete conquest of the British isles, some claim that the same strategy their countrymen have used to keep the Danish at bay will also work for these southern conspirators. What the wealthy Scottish king will decide remains to be seen...

[Julius Barca the Great]

Very interesting. I haven't played too many vanilla M2TW campaigns, yet, so this definitely has my attention. Keep it up.

[Decimus Milo]

Thanks, sometimes it's just interesting to watch all the ahistoric AI madness unfurl.

Eventful update coming soon. To give you a taste; the war against Perfidious Albion, trouble with the Pope, the Venetian Empire strikes back and...the arrival of the Mongols.

[dezikeizer]

Excellent update. So you may go to war with England? I hope you win!

[Beer Money]

This is pretty good. Definitely like following how things have turned out!

Reads like a history book!

+rep

[Decimus Milo]

Muchos gracias, Beer Money. This most unusual history of Europe continues...right now!

Chapter V: Pax Britannia

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Scottish king calls forth the Council of Highland Nobles for a war council in Edinburgh. After many strong words and raised fists, a course of action is decided upon: The traitorous English will be swept from the British Isles and left to their European holdings. Scotland will then be content to keep watching the affairs of Europe and Asia from their secure island nation. The veteran garrison of Inverness is dispatched south, to strike at York. England choose a bad time to betray the Scots, for the bulk of their forces are abroad in a curious expedition to the Iberian peninsula. Poised to strike over the border, word reaches the courts of the world about a mighty warlord from the east...


The Princes of Europe and Sultans of Asia have had 257 turns to prepare for any outside threat. How will these fortified Empires meet this new challenge?

These strange, ferocious new people appear at the easternmost edge of the known world, near the Islamic learning centre of Baghdad.

A rather small force arrives as the vanguard. Our seers and wise men predict that these conquerors may make a beeline for Antioch, currently held by the greatest power in the east; the grand Turkish Sultanate. Able to go toe-to-toe with Europe's finest, these Muslim warriors have taken Constantinople in a fierce Jihad. How will they respond to this nomadic force?

Elsewhere in the world Portugal becomes the third nation to embrace destruction, at the hands of the Pope himself. Along with the once-proud France and Holy Roman Empire, the Portuguese are now destined to be forgotten by all but the most fervent scholars of European history.

York is taken after a long siege and swift, one-sided battle. The Scottish king, wary that the highlands are vulnerable to attack, orders a mighty fleet constructed. Any Danish fleet carrying troops will be attacked on sight and not permitted to make landfall. However, this doesn't stop them attempting to claim their ancient settlement of Jorvik from its new owners. The two invasion forces meet.


The two armies are artillery-heavy. The Danish force have the numerical advantage, but the Scots tactically position themselves on a hill to rain fiery death upon their enemy. The great siege machines start their gruesome work.


The Danes, unfettered by flying balls of fire, or foetid cow carcasses, move up their own artillery and crossbowmen to challenge Scottish attempts for missile superiority. A bloody exchange of artillery fire dominates the skies of Yorkshire. The Scottish king orders his men into loose formation and detaches his veteran cavalry to the extreme right, forcing the Danish captain to focus fire on either the main force or Scottish cavalry. The Norseman directs burning death at the Scottish swordsmen.

Tiring of this dishonourable exchange, the Scottish king orders his melee-loving noble swordsmen to charge down the hill and close for battle. Ordering a cease of missiles, the Scottish king sweeps his cavalry to the rear of the Danes and annihilates the massed Danish artillery. A bloody struggle sees victory for the Scots. A random is offered, but denied. The Scottish swordsmen delight in putting to death the capture trebuchet crews, who are hacked to death without mercy.

The death of His Holiness the Pope is always a cause for mourning, although now the Scots have cause for true consternation. Danes dominate the Sacred College of Cardinals. The two Scottish Cardinals, the Archbishops of Dublin and Edinburgh, are forced into a Hobson's Choice, the corrupt with no chance of success or the mortal enemy of their country.


The Papal States, the greatest power in the world and owner of the hearts of millions, falls under the sovereignty of a Dane. Although still nominally allied, the new Pontiff sets about hampering Scottish interests immediately.


Unable to prevent Danish invasions or continue the war against the English without risking excommunication and the severing of the alliance, the Scottish king must bide his time in the recently-conquered citadel of Nottingham, resupplying his forces. The citadel also gives him access to the warriors of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. On paper stronger warriors than his current holy order, his veteran cavalry still outclasses this new cavalry force.

Elsewhere in the world, the Venetian rump state takes the unusual decision to betray their allies, the Polish masters of Eastern Europe, attacking Frankfurt.


The Poles themselves seem distracted by the Russians, who themselves will have a grave distraction in the immediate future. Lulled into complacence by the seemingly aimless wandering of the new faction the Russians ignore them the new threat. Mongolian forces meandering peacefully through Turkish territories, heading north. They meet up with a sizeable force of their countrymen and head west, into Russian lands.


The Papal ceasefire expires, allowing the Scots to finish conquering the poorly-guarded cities of Caernarvon and London itself. His objectives secure, the Scottish send a diplomat, securing peace with the Danes and English.

The world in 1224:

Venice continues her quest to carve out a central European empire over the bodies of their former allies, taking Metz. Hungarian power is raised against the Turkish, once again ensuring Catholic domination of the jewel of the east. England, her reputation now 'despicable' is consigned to the continent, where the majority of her forces are located.

The Mongols, after years of a nomadic existence, capture Kiev and call it their new homeland. They are now perched at the edge of Europe, poised to strike at either Hungary or Poland, two powers whose strength seems absolute. How strong the Magyars or Królestwo Polskie will be in the face of foreign onslaught remains to seen...

[dezikeizer]

Great update. Usually in the game when you control the British Isles you generally get left alone, so hopefully you won't be bothered much by other factuons. +rep

[Decimus Milo]

Thanks dezikeizer, hopefully I'll be able to watch Europe now without fear of assassination.

Chapter VI: Fortress Europe

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mongolwatch: The eyes of Europe turn to the east. The citadels of Poland and sprawling metropolises of Russia brace themselves, seeing hordes of Mongol horsemen on the horizon, kicking up dust with their terrifying approach. The survivors of Kiev breathe a sigh of relief, the eastern warriors abandoning their city and riding northwards.


On the homefront, Denmark has a new distraction. The two former enemies of Scotland turn against each other, much to the delight of the Scottish crown.


England manages to recapture Normandy. However, their treachery has cost them dearly, leaving them dangerously vulnerable to well-established continental powers. Their expedition to Spain ends in failure, the Spaniards taking back their ancient capital. The English crown surrenders its sovereignty to the Danes, in return for protection. In the east, the Mongols establish their field headquarters at the Russian citadel of Smolensk. The former enemies of Poland and Russia form a military alliance of necessity against the Mongol threat.


Poland stands proudly, the first line of defence against Mongol incursion into Europe. She sees off several Mongol sieges of Vilnius, while her Russian ally furiously defends ancient Novgorod. In Spain, the Reconquista is complete, the Spanish now enjoying complete control of the Iberian peninsula. The Spaniards gear up for a full invasion of North Africa. Back in Britain, the Danes try a new strategy - line up their ships so that their warriors can walk from Denmark to England.


While Polish soldiers see off the nomads from the east, Venice eats away at their homeland from the west, determined to carve out an unrivalled European empire. In revenge for the loss of Smyrna, Hungary answers a crusade and captures Jerusalem from the Turks. The Magyar are quick to fill the power vacuum left by the Mongols in Kiev. The Moors find themselves under relentless assault, the Spanish taking the fight to their African homeland.


In the east, things are equally dire for Poland and her Russian ally. Their forces bravely repel siege after siege, but the Mongols keep coming. Cracks begin to show in the eastern front as the Mongols strike out in all directions.


The world in 1240:

The eastern front collapses completely, leaving Russia with only 2 provinces left. The once mighty Kingdom of Poland is under pressure from east and west, leaving an inevitable clash between the Mongolian invaders and the equally tenacious Venetians. In the west, Spanish troops march confidently across the desert sands, slaying Moors wherever they are encountered.

Stay tuned for Chapter VII - Hungary's revenge, the fall of nations, Milanese madness and the fight for Europe's future.

[dezikeizer]

Back in Britain, the Danes try a new strategy - line up their ships so that their warriors can walk from Denmark to England.

Great update. I'll be waiting for the next one.

[Decimus Milo]

Here we go:

Chapter VII: United We Stand

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With the eyes of Europe on the east, trouble stirs in the forgotten island duchy of Milan. The Duke, his nation consigned to Corsica and Sardinia, decides upon radical action. The Duke's son leads his forces and lays siege to Florence, belonging to the Pope, the most powerful figure in Europe, in the heart of his power. Many speculate that the nobility of Milan have completely lost their minds.


In the east, the valiant warriors of Russia finally succumb to Mongolian power. Orthodox Christianity now survives only on the isles of Crete and Cyprus, in the form of the Byzantine 'Empire'. The Mongolian forces are now free to concentrate an assault on western Europe.

In the west, a Polish Pope is elected. The Mongols, gleefully demolishing the new pontiff's homeland, are ignorant of the power this one man can wield. Burning with righteous fury, the Pope calls a crusade against the Mongols, to reclaim his homeland for Christendom. The Mongols, who started as a largely irrelevant and pitiful wandering band, have become a serious threat to all of Europe. Will the kingdoms of Europe put aside their differences to fight this common foe?

Yes, they will.

Christian soldiers march east, which Mongolian horsemen ride west. Stettin becomes the westernmost outpost of the Mongolian Empire, a stones-throw away from the Central German Plain and the rich cities that comprise the Venetian heartland. Venice, never a nation to shy away from a good fight, leaps at the chance for some Mongolian blood.


Hungary, having lost the Pearl of the Danube to the Mongol hordes, has launched a major assault against their ancient nemesis. The Turks, having tussled with the Magyar for centuries, find Hungarians marching through their city streets.


While the Hungarians demolish the Turks, Venice defiantly stands as the next bastion of defence against the Mongolian onslaught. The Venetians are utterly fearless, taking the fight to these invaders without a second thought. Undeterred by the Mongolian dismemberment of Poland, Venice starts pushing back, spurred on by the successful crusade to Krakow. Firmly believing that God is on their side, Venice mobilises herself for a total war.


In the distant sands of the Sahara, the almost mythical city of Timbuktu falls to tired and thirsty Spaniards. The grand and fantastic riches of the region are now in the hands of the Spanish king, the Moors becoming the first Muslim faction to be destroyed.


In a shocking move, Venice devises a novel way of dealing with the eastern threat.

Boy, did Sicily bet on the wrong horses!

The successful crusade to Krakow has had an unintended consequence. Cushioned between two great European powers, the Mongols hold one of the most majestic cities in the world, Budapest. The Pope decides that the city that spans the water is far too valuable a flock to leave in the hands of barbarians, and calls another crusade against the Mongolian enclave. Venice is quick to abandon their brief protectorate, joining the most powerful kingdoms in Europe to stem the tide.


The world in 1254:


Spain has now fully recovered from her losses in Germany, instead wisely focussing her efforts on North Africa. The Pope, despite temporarily losing Florence to the Milanese, has swatted away the annoying fly and now focuses his gaze over the oppressed flock in the east. Hungary, under pressure on her northern border, has finally achieved conclusive superiority over their Turkish rivals. Egypt now holds the position of most powerful Islamic faction. What she will do with her power remains to be seen.
The rise of Venice has been meteoric. Once confined to Vienna, following the loss of Ragusa, Iraklion and Venice itself, she has recovered and proceeded to destroy all enemies in her path. Can she keep up the momentum against the fierce Mongolian horsemen?

Tune in next time to see whether the Princes of Europe can remain united in the face of a dreaded mutual enemy!

[Beer Money]

Loving this alternate history! Great universal world AAR! +rep when I can!

[Decimus Milo]

Thanks Beer Money, glad you're enjoying it! More AI insanity follows:

Chapter VIII: Turning the Tide

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The crusade is answered by the princes of Europe. Three powerful armies descend over the Mongolian enclave. The only question is which of one the armies will lay claim to the former jewel in Hungary's crown.


The Sons of Venice are the first into the breech, adding Budapest to their expanding empire. On the eastern front, the Venetians maintain the offensive, pushing into the heart of Mongolian territory. The Venetians are not above fighting a dirty war, throwing chivalry and the rules of war out of the window to achieve victory as soon as possible. Venetian assassins prowl the east, sabotaging and murdering the invaders.


In the Middle East the Egyptians and Turks have forged an alliance of necessity against Hungarian expansion, calling a holy Jihad against the Magyar. The Hungarians are determined to hold their Anatolian conquests, and despite the best efforts of Islamic warriors the Jihad is declared a failure.


While religious zeal fails for the Muslims, the Pope hopes it will work for the Catholics. The princes rally behind the banner of the Cross, following the example of Venice in marching to the Russian hinterland..


In the cold of the east tensions run high. Frustrated at the Venetian occupation of Budapest, Hungary and Venice are unable to set aside their differences and declare war on each other. In response to perceived Venetian aggression, His Holiness the Pope excommunicates the Doge.


While Vilnius is captured by Hungary, encircling their Venetian rivals, Denmark spots an opportunity. Using a surplus crusading army, the Danes land on the shores of England aiming to capture the lightly garrisoned city of London. Their military intelligence leaves much to be desired, however, as a vastly superior Scottish army is nearby, exterminating brigands. Battle is met south of London.


The Scots, in a trademark move, position themselves on the top of a hill and teach the Danes the meaning of the term "missile superiority", raining death upon the Norsemen every step of the way. The Danes can only answer with mercenary crossbowmen, while scores of noble archers and trebuchets open fire.

"Join the army, they said. See the world, they said. Embark on Pilgrimage, they s-"

The Danish army is very light on infantry, so brings its cavalry to the forefront. Under missile attack the Danes don't attempt to flank, instead charging headlong into the Scottish frontline, tightly packed noble swordsmen. It isn't pretty.


On the Danish left things aren't much better. The Danes throw their lightly armed pilgrims against the Scots, and are cut to ribbons.


The Danish general ponders where it all went so wrong for him...

"Truce?"

Meanwhile in the deserts of north Africa the Sicilians make a bid for relevance on the world stage, attacking the Spanish in an ill-advised move.

In Europe the Doge of Venice and King of Hungary realise their folly. In the face of a mutual enemy, they put aside their squabbles and forge a powerful alliance. The Sicilians succeed in taking Tunis, but comically the Egyptians snatch it from the clueless Normans a turn later. Egypt also goes on the offensive in Anatolia, claiming Iconium at long last. In the east, Danes moving from Finland occupy Novgorod, the Mongols being unable to hold the former Russian capital for long.


The world in 1270:

Spain has reclaimed Tunis from the Egyptians, making a mockery of Sicilian claims. Egypt retains her place as the most powerful force in the Middle East, pushing back against Hungarian aggression. On the Mongolian front, the nomads launch an assault on Kiev, taking it from Hungary. Deeming the port of Riga, the gateway to the Baltic, too important to leave to the Mongols, the Pope calls another crusade. Will the Hungaro-Venetian alliance triumph, or will the underestimation of the Mongolians prove ultimately fatal for the European powers?