Knight-Mages of Bavaria

[anthonyp]

Historian John Tirol

King Kuno took many hard blows both psychologically and in terms of succession during the early years of his reign. All sources indicate he dearly loved Gisela, but she died late in '88. At that time both Lutbert and Sigfried got sick, and continued to be sick. Sigfried died in July of '89.

Kuno planned for Lutbert to follow in his footsteps and study religious magic, while Fridebert was to be trained under a military tutor. However Lutbert got pneumonia in late September of '91, and died only a few weeks later.

Kuno had remarried in early 1090 to Eustachie Capet, daughter of the King of France. However tragedy struck again when she died in childbirth, and the child was lost as well. Thus Fridebert remained the only Nordheim successor, the next successor was more distant.

Ethelinde's daughter was Irmeltrude and Irmeltrude had recently bore the child Bernhard, who was next in line after Fridebert.

In November of '91, Kuno married a third time, taking Berta Cadorna of Genoa as his wife. Bad luck struck again, as Cadorna's first child was stillborn. With the succession of the Kingdom of Venice hanging on such a thin thread, all hope went to Fridebert who was growing up as a soldier, as had been planned for him years ago. All blessings were given to Cadorna and Fridebert, in hopes that nothing more were go wrong.

On a somewhat related subject, the countess Jutte had gained a lot of respect since the beginning when Otto had wondered about her ability to rule, but she died in '90, leaving no successors. By some sort of shadowy manuevering, Arnold Tirol managed to claim and take control of Chuvash and Mountain Cheremisa.

Arnold Tirol managed to gain by intrigue what had been lost to him in war. For Kuno had decided to finally reclaim the county of Tirol as well as Mountain Cheremisa, which were lost when the count rebelled during the Second Frost Crusade. In reward to his vassals, and to restructure his lands, Sharukan went to Nurnberg and Mountain Cheremisa went to the countess, while Kuno kept the county of Tirol itself.

The war was as easy as the Pereyslavl conflict, for Tirol had allies who refused to aid them, and inadequate forces that were swept aside by Kuno. Some historians consider it an easy first lesson for a King untrained in war.

By these means, Kuno was able to give his vassals control of the far off lands, and retain control of lands in Bavaria. With Tirol conquered, the "Reclamation war" was over. But the Archmage's crusade continued, and it continued to be the case that almost no one heeded the call to arms.

Among the good things of Kuno's early rule was the Mage Towers system. Otto had received plans, obtained estimates cajoled people into working, yet never was there a single architect who seemed willing to design a proper mage tower. The current tower was little more than a nondescript building that could have been used for any other purpose.

Finally in March of '92, Kuno found an architect and workers willing to construct a proper mage's tower in Oberbayern. He ordered construction to begin immediately, and it was finished early the next year. However, like his father Kuno once more could not find a Diocesan bishop to place in charge of the facility.

Among other good news, the Kingdom of Sweden offered alliance with Bavaria, and Kuno accepted, happy to have Aethereal allies. Although before Bavaria had declared herself willing to align with any and all, because of what happened with Kiev, the Frost states were now excluded from consideration. The Frost Prince of Galich tried to convince Kuno to help them, but he was denied.

However the good remained outweighed by the bad when Oberbayern had an outbreak of Typhoid, and Tirol had been afflicted since before the war.

More importantly for this history book, it seems Kuno could not find the words to put on paper about all the tragedies that happened to him. He wrote barely more than a few short notes in the Nordheim journal from the death of Gisela until June of '93, where he picks up again in his writing.

[anthonyp]

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate them. I'm having a little trouble at the moment getting a fresh approach on things, but I hope to have a solution that fits Kuno's distinct style by the next posting.

I haven't done a whole lot of reading of aars, except Metternick's Advantages without Obligations which is probably my favorite. The traditional CK aar can be difficult to get started in reading, but I try to read what I can to see what other people think up.

[anthonyp]

Journal Entry, page 34

For years now I have considered the horrible deaths in the family to be a string of bad luck, fate playing a cruel trick on me, or perhaps I had done something wrong to deserve this.

Then I came to my senses about the real truth and I decided to put it to the test. If Berta lived through childbirth and the child did as well, I would consider my theory refuted, and go on living as I had before, in belief that it was all merely a string of bad luck. But if Berta died or the child did, I decided it would confirmation of what I had come to suspect.

These deaths of three wives and two children, leaving only Fridebert who has been training in the military all along, these are merely the harbingers of an important message. My destiny is not with peace nor avoidance of the infidels, my fate is sealed, I must crusade against the vast thunderan hordes. No distractions can stop me, they have all been taken away.

The Archmagical Crusade was still underway, but I started its first major campaign when I declared war on the Emirate of Zaragosa. You see I had made up my mind that my specific purpose was to rid the thunderans from the Iberian penninsula. They infested properly Aethereal lands there, and they would be repelled.

It turned out that my greatest aid came from my own vassal Venezia who arrived on scene before I did sporting an army of 2400, and had captured Albarracin by the time my men made the trek there.

While I was laying siege to Zaragosa however, the emir had snuck his forces past me and conquered Tirol without hardly a word arriving to me that he was there. I sent some forces back and letters authorizing the raising of what forces could be raised to hold out in Oberbayern, for the emir would surely march on the capital next, and he did.

The capture of Tirol created a new Sheik there and I had to declare war on this despoiler of my lands. Forces were gathered in Bavaria that totalled perhaps 1000 men against 1800 the emir had raised. In perhaps the greatest victory of this campaign the emir was defeated.

Forces had been diverted from the attack, but I continued on to Calatayud, the capital of Zaragosa, to end the campaign for good. Venezia conquered the land of Zaragosa in the mean time and came to reinforce my siege. Then we were attacked by the emir who was returning home from Bavaria. We defeated him.

In the south Calatayud was under siege, and in the north the forces that could be spared were sieging Tirol. Venezia once again helped out by sending forces to that siege as well. It was not long before both lands were conquered and the campaign ended. It was when I returned that I found my wife had died without producing child, and I knew I was correct about my destiny and the message all of these deaths were intended to convey.

Unfortunately I caught a harsh cold while in the field, I just can't seem to shake this cough, but regardless my plan for the restoration of the Iberian pennisula is not complete with one conquest, all the thunderans must be defeated. But for the time being money is tight from spending it all on soldiers. I remain curious as to my son's destiny. For an ill crusader such as myself does not have a long time left in this world. But I will make my mark in the time allotted to me. When the armies are rested and the coffers are full once more, I will make my next move.

In keeping with the crusading spirit the Duchy of Zaragosa was formed from the captured lands and the Bishop of Salzburg is now Archbishop of Zaragosa. For in a time of crusades, one must keep the pious close. It will not end when the Archmage says it does, this crusade will last so long as the thunderans stretch their might beyond their proper boundries.

There is still the possibility of a vision of vast lands held by Aetherealites, stretching from Africa to Scandinavia, from England to Cheremisa. This vision is possible to those who can make the sacrifices. Let the thunderans keep the horrible lands their ideology spawned from, but in Africa and in Cheremisa let there be not a cloud in sight.

[anonymous4401]

Why let the Thunderans keep even their horrid lands? I hear they have some pretty good horrid lands, like the cloud-making capital of Bagdad.

I see you update quite frequently, more than once a day sometimes. I hope you don't burn out or anything.

[anthonyp]

I like to write up what I'm going to write about a section I've played through in the game, before moving on. So sometimes I just feel like posting the two chapters, (or 3 in one case) together. I just feel like if I don't post something I did in game soon enough, eventually my notes won't be enough help to figure out what I should write. I don't really follow the logfile, and I investigate some things that aren't in the log file (such as the family tree, this may get a little hard when there's more generations, but for now I track every descendent of Otto, since there's only four alive at the moment its not hard.)

And now for something a bit different:

[anthonyp]

Lambert Gioberti, account of the customs of Kuno's Bavaria

I was with Archmage Bogumil at the High Tower in Rome last winter, when the subject of Bavaria came up. Bogumil was much impressed with King Kuno's piety and crusading spirit, but especially the lands given over to the church. But since Kuno himself was the last diocese bishop there, the Archmage had very little idea of how the peasants lived in terms of religion. He also wanted to find out if the place was teeming with proper beliefs or with heresies of every kind. But no action was to be taken yet, regardless.

So I arrived in Bavaria in march, and asked to join in Tuesday reverences. Kuno was happy to oblige, and it seemed participation was high, for such as towers are built only so many can be fit into the bottom floor. Bavaria still was needful in religious infastructure and Kuno expressed to me his desire to build a system of religious schools and towers that would be sufficient for the increasing desire of the people to find out about the birth of Aethereal magic in the west. So we arrived, and got seated as the place filled up.

"Odovacar rescued knowledge of our Aether, which binds all and surpasses all, from its loss forever from the knowledge of man. For his tribesmen who were to be its keepers had lost any care of it. So he brought his knowledge to Rome, along with his sword, and each week he shared what he could to all who came, until the crowds grew more vast than could be managed.

For Odovacar's work, the Romans immediately took to the element, seeing how glory was a reflection of aether, and Rome had lost much glory, they sought to rekindle the aethereal flame, and Odovacar trained men in teaching others so that the knowledge of this glory could spread to everyone everywhere. The righteous flame of Aether has never been quenched to this day, and it never will be..."

I was satisfied with the introduction. There are many different texts which made account of Odavacar actions and reign, as well as many texts of what he taught, indeed there are also many oral traditions, but in Bavaria they certainly were covering the basics, even beyond the introduction.

However, later there were a few odd sections. There was talk of blessing Kuno's son Fridebert, and the laity joined in giving many injunctions against any malus to him. In addition, I had heard something of the Lady Eudinea, but I never thought it was more than a passing fad, however the last five minutes of the service largely concerned her.

"Bavaria uniquely has been blessed by the Lady Eudinea, for she judged the valorous and the wicked on the battlefields of Innsbruck, and saved King Otto from the wicked who would wield lightning as if they were on high. The Lady does not treat lightly those who surpass their rightful calling, whether they be infidels or Bavarians, for she slew magisters without pausing when she saw in their hearts wickedness growing without bound.

But the wicked shall be defeated, and we shall serve the Lady in the very valor we may achieve. Do not be destroyed in your quest for things that have not been given to you. For like our King Kuno who has accepted the fate our Lady has given him, each of you shall in turn accept who you are destined to be, for to not do so will destroy you."

This was definitely not included in religious services anywhere else. I decided then to make sure to report this part as well to the Archmage. It was important that King Kuno's crusades remain against the infidels not against those who did not worship the Bavarian Lady. If only Iberia could be taken away from the thunderans then Bogumil could reign in the King a bit. The eastern infidels would take much longer to conquer anyway, and were a project for another distant time.

At most towers, and it seemed this one as well, the clergy would spend their mondays summoning tiny bits of aether of a kind similar to that used in wisp armor, but in the form of pieces of aether-cloth. Bogumil had organized an entire group of priests just for this purpose who did nothing else for the services at the vatican. It was a chance for the laity to purify their souls and get in contact with the element directly. Sometimes small blankets were made from many of these pieces over a long period of time, and always they were the best blankets a newborn could ever want.

There are some places where the ritual was deemed to taxing, and it does not happen at all, but in Bavaria, as the laity left, they did indeed receive their aether-cloth. To describe the texture of aether cloth is difficult, it is the softest cloth you've ever felt but also strong, it doesn't split in two except under extreme circumstances. That is the reason wisp-armor is popular for many soldiers, for wisp armor has much the same texture and strength.

After the service, I talked with Kuno for quite some time, and he told me about Lady Eudinea in great detail. I will have a lot to share with Bogumil on the subject.


Historian John Tirol

Those who have not seen an old style Tower may need to be reminded of how they are structured. They are not nearly as wide as modern places of worship. The old ones were four stories tall with each floor being smaller than the one below it. The public Towers were structured like the following:

Bottom Floor -- Here is where the laity are allowed, and the services are performed.

Second Floor -- Food, service among the clergy, practice rooms and quarters for the deacons. Here the services of the clergy themselves are held, and new clergy learn to cast the important clergical spells. The dining room is on this level as well as the kitchen. The deacons have quarters here.

Third Floor -- The priests have quarters here, as well as spaces set aside for meditation and for casting. There is a pretty extensive library here, although the second floor has a library as well.

Fourth Floor -- This floor is for the bishop and any important guests that are at the tower. The bishop's private library is here, and often includes many books of casting. Any books on lower floors that are deemed heretical, or inappropriate for lesser skilled clergy are removed and placed here. Many books about casting rare or high powered spells are moved here for that reason.

It is also easy to get confused about the clergical ranks and their roles as they were in the past.

Deacons -- The deacons do not cast anything but cantrips and a few important spells such as those used to summon aether for the services. Mostly the deacons serve as the workers for the facility, but some of them are also in training to become priests.

Priests -- Priests cast the full set of clergical spells, but they also lead services for the laity, they have a number of additional roles as well. Their work is mostly clergical in nature unlike the deacons. Getting promoted to bishop is much harder, and rare.

Bishop -- The bishop manages the whole facility, and sometimes an entire county or duchy. They also confer with dukes and kings, and keep contact with the vatican. The bishop is the exclusive user of especially high powered magics for use in dire circumstances, as he is also the exclusive owner of the books that detail instructions for such spells, within the religious system. No one can recall the last time such powerful spells were actually used, and it is likely that most bishops could not cast them anyway.

[anthonyp]

Journal Entry, Page 35

After the war with Zaragosa, I looked to the maps to find out what the best way to take Iberia from the thunderans would be. The answer was quickly found to be the Emirate of Valencia which stretched across the Iberian penninsula, with holdings on both coasts, Valencia controlled almost half of Iberia. Conquering such a power would not be easy, but I wondered how the emir managed such vast lands.

But for the meantime I liked to rebuild the coffers, because I wanted to be sure we were well funded before setting out, so that we could make landings in key territories and fight as long as needed.

Venezia had long sported the largest armies in my realm, an alarming fact since they were the least loyal of my vassals, being a republic and also having been conquered during father's reign. They'd came close to rebelling after the war with the sultan. Nonetheless, without Venezia I did not have enough forces to make war with any serious power.

By '97, Fridebert had grown faster than I could imagine and he was excellent in many of the things my brother was good at. Fridebert also had a good sense of tact, but little experience in administrative and courtly tasks. He was only 12 so these things can be pardoned, but they were a focus for the future.

In July of that year I finally felt comfortable enough to rally forces and then declare war on Valencia. I made a call to arms throughout the realms knowing this would be the most difficult and yet if I succeeded, the most worthy conquest of all. Then circumstances forced me to change my plans.


"This call to arms, being given without specific direction nor declaration of war, and in keeping with the King's trend of crusading as well as his total lack of tactical knowledge indicates to us that our forces being so lent to the King would be wasted on an ultimately futile endeavor, and if our forces are needed that they would be more efficiently used under our own banner. Therefore we refuse to mobilize," Jannutus of Burtasy read to the King.

Kuno sat still for perhaps a minute, and Jannutus asked, "my lord?"

"Give me the document, Jannutas?"

He handed over the document bearing the seal of Venizia, which was ruled by the young child Lionello in theory, but by the administrators in practice. The King took the document and stood up.

Kuno suddenly ripped the papers in two, gathered them up again, and continued ripping the document apart until it was all shredded little bits of paper.

"That is the last impudent act those republican* bastards are going to be able to give! I've had it! I was called to the crusades by fate itself, how dare those avaricious city men sully that purpose. I am going to end the whimpering of the Venezians once and for all time!"

"What about the crusade King?"

"This is our crusade, Lady Eudinea should have been a guide to me long ago, she slew so many of the Venezians because they are filled with wickedness. I am going to destroy that republican system, and start instilling real values. That is a holy crusade truly. Have all the men arrive go to Venezia, and write up a letter of war, I want a good scathing letter sent to that child and his keepers."

700 men were forming in the east, while 2400 men formed up in Venizia to siege the province, first they had to defeat the large Venezian army, which numbered around 2100 men.

In Iberia, Archbishop Antonio's men where outnumbered by the neighboring Venezians, though both sides had less than 200 there.

Perhaps it means something that among the thunderans the enemy feared the most was Venezia. Something of their tactics gave them a ferocity unmatched, and they seemed to work miracles with soldiers. All these things were coming to bear on Bavaria. Some in Europe considered this to be a continuation war started where they left off after the first conquest of Venezia thirty some years ago.

Unfortunately Kuno was a horrible tactician, luckily he knew the value of good generals and let them do their work. Kuno failed to understand morale, believing that any righteous soldier could hold forever and anyone who fled was wicked, rather than understanding that the morale of ones' troops was something that had to be cultivated instead of being expected.


* (republican: proponent of a republic, not the modern day party)

[anthonyp]

I'm one of the more heavily armed foot soldiers you'll see in Venezia, my brother was a mounted magister before his death in the second frost crusade. I know a few spells but not many, and frankly you can't carry the big lances on foot.

Word came in a while back that the King was going to call up all the forces around, including us, since we've been the strongest regiment of all of Bavaria's expeditions, especially the debacle with the sultan. So there was word for us to be prepared to muster any time soon.

But then, we got word that Lionello's advisors were not going to honor the request for total mobilization. So I returned to the manor and everyday life, when one day there were magisters at my door in full dress uniforms and everything. I ran out to confer with them.

He said there was a military emergency and everyone had to immediately get their gear and head out with the men. So I grabbed my ring mail and helm, hastily took up sword, and went with them. We arrived on the northeast border with Aquilena, where there were already men running about trying to get into position.

Something odd I noticed immediately was the army sported two banners, and I quickly realized they had raised the Consul's banner, which by now represented independence more than anything else. I shuddered, Venezia is stronger than any may know, but to infuriate a Kingdom ruled by Kuno, that is scary.

So I formed up in the second infantry line. The first line tends to be bad for your health. Someone has to provide serious resistance to enemy attacks however, so several of my fellow heavy infantrymen are in the second row, there are also the pikemen who form there.

It gets pretty crowded with everyone lined up, all I can see ahead of me are the backs of the men lined up. Then the third line, which contains a little bit of every type of infantryman, forms up. You have to know how to march in step with everyone or you'll be bumping up against each other.

Plenty of that happens in the first row even before we start moving, where most of the first timers are. My first war was the war against Zaragosa, which everyone has told me was a cakewalk. The sieges are also brutal though.

We stand in place for maybe five minutes, then the trumpeter begins playing. Its the signal for the hold the line. The Bavarians must have went straight towards us first, instead of going for the city first. I noticed that the man standing next to me was a real old geezer in excellent gear. I turned to him.

"First thing to fear about the Bavarians, son, is the Foot magi. They put out the pain like you've never seen before," he said, and then coughed.

"You were in the war against the Bavarians?"

"That was a long time ago, best forgotten, but now those dumbkins up at the keep were stupid enough to piss the Bavarians off. I haven't served in five years, but they wanted me back cause I'm about the only one whose fit to serve from that first battle. We marched on Innsbruck planning to destroy the emperor's little duke that got too many thoughts in his head. We left devastated, though we took our toll on the enemy too."

"Whats the second thing to fear about the Bavarians?"

"Religion, son. The Bavarians have the faith, they've got the Archmage's confidence. If not for our refusal we would be off fighting Valencia right now. Tearing through the thunderans, fearing every thundercloud and raindrop, and enjoying every clear sky. But I know what the King will do, he will destroy the republic he let us keep. He's convinced its heretical.

Then the whole reason we rebelled, because he was drawing on our armies too much, that won't change. He's still going to use our men for his crusades, either way. Anyway, one piece of advice, when things get crazy, make sure you know when to run. Don't be the last one standing, you'll just be the last one cut down. I'm not saying run away now, I'm just saying, know your breaking point, the King did."

"What's your name, sir?"

"Cisco, Francisco Caravello for long, yours son?"

"Antonio Brexiano."

"Its starting, remember what I said."

I'm rather short, its possibly my curse, because of that I couldn't really see what was happening at first. The lines were being jostled a bit. Then I saw it come, a streak of bright blue light, is all it appeared, but I knew it to be the flash spell. They started out by targetting us. I turned to see the man behind me dead, direct hit to the neck. Then the trumpet blared to charge.

We started marching forward steadily as I saw another spell hit us. Dousing. I stopped for a moment and tried to focus, finally I dispelled it. I ran back to my position, suddenly a soldier erupted in aether-fire. If only everyone know how to dispel. I looked to my left, and Cisco wasn't there any longer, someone else was. We continued pushing forward, and intermittent explosions within the lines forced me to close my eyes.

Then we approached the Bavarian lines. I readied my sword and my resolved and very quickly the first line began to lose its form, with some falling and others pushing forward. The soldier in front of me fell and I took a deep breath before moving forward to take his position.

A Bavarian leapt at me, I stumbled backwards and he slammed into the group, then rolled away from me, scrambling to get up, I swung my sword sidewise towards his abdomen and it clanged against his, which barely held out against my strength. I forced my sword upward and hit his hand with the blunt end of my sword, his sword went flying and I skewered him.

Past this, I don't remember the battles in much detail. I caught sight of our magisters riding on the Bavarians later on, and the infantry battle was rather even, we neither pushed forward nor were overwhelmed. The first part of the battle couldn't have lasted more than fifteen minutes when the Bavarian magisters in turn rode upon us.

The large contingent of these mounted men were armed and armored as if they were the source of all majesty. The sight of them both feared and awed me. I took off running away from them, I turned back once to see horses everywhere but few men. I ran until I couldn't run anymore, then I dropped down into the weeds exhausted. Maybe fifteen minutes later I heard a distant trumpet sound for retreat.

Someone was approaching, I tried to peer out to see him. Then I realized, as unlikely as it was, it was Cisco the old soldier.

"You took my advice, come with me."

[anthonyp]

Everybody Expects the Bavarian Inquisition




The new Palace at Venezia


"Why did you come to Bavaria, Musa, and be honest?" the King asked.

"I had proper claim on Calatayud, I was dispossed in other words, and...well I hoped to offer my military arm to see it taken."

"You wanted me to give you Calatayud, didn't you?"

"Uhh...I suppose, yes sir."

"So why have you stayed and brought Jaida over. My advisors say she is the daughter of the...well I always forgot your Thunderan titles, daughter of Canarias."

"Your books, sir, there is much to learn about Odavacar that I could not find in Iberia, the only other place to find such books as you have is in the east. Now I am waiting for the library in Oberbayern I'm sure it will be wonderous to my eyes."

Kuno pondered this for a while. Fridebert was pacing about the throne room with his mind on something while a small line of people stretched back from Musa and Jaida.

At the back of the line were Cisco and Antonio, who had been ordered to go to the King's court by the guards who found them.

"You tread very dangerous waters, Musa, tell me, what is it a Thunderan looks for in the accounts of Odovacar. Odovacar's ministries lead directly to Aethereal magic as it is today."

Musa turned to Jaida and whispered, "Should I tell him?"

"No, no."

"I must."

"Sir, We Thunderans believe that on the ninth day of Odavacar's teachings he revealed the foundation of the Thunder book, in two spells, Zap and Lightning Bolt. He taught that one must always look to the clouds if they are to use the Lightning, but that one may Zap at any time.

Then this following that had made notice of this particular instruction was scattered back to the lands they had come from, and no one taught those magics, and so they were lost. But many generations later a man named Mohammad appeared in the east, who was an Archwizard, just like Odavacar. Both of them were beyond even the strongest Archmagi, in a realm of their own, and Mohammad brought us and taught us the ways of Thunder and Lightning."

Cisco noticed King Otto's head almost seemed to be throbbing, his eyes had not blinked hardly once during Musa's foolish ministry. Cisco felt the King would pummel the man right there and then.

"Out! Out! Return to your home, and do not come back to court. Let it be the case that I never again hear you give the message of Thunder to anyone, for if I do, your thunder will not match up to the gleaming lances of my men riding upon you."

The two fled from the scene as guards glanced at them but let them through. Few courtiers could believe the sheer brashness of what Musa had done. To try to convert a King in his own court to the ways of Thunder. Unthinkable.

The line got shorter and shorter as Cisco and Antonio approached the King.

"Bad luck getting picked up by those guards, where were you going to go?"

"Somewhere in Italy, we'd be able to start anew. But now, who knows."

"Silence, now what do we have here. You two were caught in Venezian uniforms, [b]Republican[\b] uniforms. Are you two republicans? Or just in their army? You have not been in the city, but let it be said again, the Republic has been destroyed, there will be no new republican movement. I will have no rebels in my lands. What say you?"

"Sir, we ran away from the army, we weren't going to fight for Lionello anymore, definitely," Antonio said.

"Fighting men who run away are not to be trusted, if you wish to have positions in my army you'd better start explaining."

"What he meant to say, is we could not bear to continue when your magisters made their charge, I don't know what it was, but I just decided to run when I saw them begin their charge."

"Hmm, hmm. Glorious was our mission indeed, the magisters ride with the valor of the Kingdom on their shoulders. It is wise to flee before a more glorious opponent. Alright then. Talk with my marshal, he's down the hall, he'll make sure you two are accounted for in the future, heavy infantry if I estimate your armor correctly. Go."

"So, Fridebert, what are you thinking about?" Kuno turned to face his son and asked.

"About the war with Lionello. I was thinking about, it, see your best strategy was what you did, to siege Venezia, even though it is a difficult siege. If Venezia falls and is not retaken, then you've mostly won and all you have to do is finish off the lightly defended Iberian provinces.

Lionello did not do what was tactically best though. Or his generals rather. They were furious with you and so they continually attacked, but they wore their men out and especially the morale of the men for they kept losing and their men would hardly hold out against any attack at all from your forces.

What the Venezian forces had was not tactical might, but grit during the early and some of the late battles. The generals lost the war, not the men. They had several options, first, if they had won the first battle in Venezia, this would be totally different so instead consider what else they could have done since they did lose.

The Venezians could have moved on Bavaria instead, especially Oberbayern. That would force you to make a response because Venezia could be not be taken in time to stop great havoc occuring in Bavaria. If you had taken Venezia and they Oberbayern, their forces would be more uplifted from the siege victory, although they would have no reinforcements.

Ultimately their best hope would be to draw you away from Venezia by attacking somewhere they hoped you could not bear to lose. However if you played your cards right you would know they could not capture all of Bavaria in time. Once Venezia was taken you could proceed to try to draw upon reinforcements where available and gradually retake your lost lands and wear down the Bavarians. For sure it would be a brutal war, but that would be result of the Venezians going for your throat in turn."

"You think like grandfather, you see, it skips a generation, but son, you will be the best King, wise and brilliant tactically. I can gather the forces, gather the money, build the churches and schools, all that I have done, but in the end it is other generals who must lead in battle. I am no warrior, I became a crusader by fate, and so I have struggled to do my best, although I could not have thought of such clever things as you have already.

Grandfather was a good soldier who could lead from the front. You were four when he died. Well, listen up, there's important things to hear, your grandfather learned that the spiritists and frost magi can't be trusted. I've learned the same of the thunderans, of course we've always known, but don't ever trust a thunderan, and the Frost magi, they seem civilized but they'll send you on endless wars where your men are bled dry and theirs are kept whole. Don't trust them either."

"I learned a lot in the army, and from my teacher. They wrote up books on all of grandfathers wars, and now yours soon, father. When is your big crusade, everyone is talking about it."

"Soon enough, son. Its the blasted Venezians that distracted me, and now I have to rest the men and let them till their farms for some years. Let the treausury grow strong. Son, remember to always give your men both rest and work, too much of either isn't good.

Soon there will be a grand monastery here, I have spent a lot of money to make sure it will be well done. And the library in Oberbayern. The architects are working on more, something grander than ever. Don't ever lose the aether in your heart, for aether gives you the glory that properly befits a ruler and now. Listen close Fridebert.

Grandfather gave my brother control of Innsbruck when he got old enough. Then when brother died in battle, grandfather gave Innsbruck to me. Tradition is important, and I want you to rule Innsbruck with full piety, valor and wisdom. Today Innsbruck goes to you. All the papers are here.

Lets hope god's plan skips a generation too, for I hope for you a long lived wife and a happy home with many children, son."

"Are you going to die or something father? Why tell me everything now, its alot. But I'll try to make Innsbruck a great place."

"I'm not going to die, yet, Fridebert, but I am sick, I've been sick for a long time. Its a bunch of things. I'm sick of the wicked thunderans, and then I'm just sick with the cough. I'm still going to go through with this war, Valencia will fall. But that will not end my goal. Iberia will still be tainted. That falls to you son, rid Iberia of the last Thunderans if I shall pass away.

Oh, and remember one name beyond all, Lady Eudinea, she will come in those days, and I think she'll help you conquer the rest of Iberia. The Lady is synonymous with Bavarian glory, I assure you of that."

[anthonyp]

The Campaign in the East

Journal Entry, Page 36

Some three weeks after Fridebert was married, in June '04, he came to me while I was preparing to face the immense task of retaking Iberia from the Valencians. There were not enough men ready for the task any way I looked at it, but I wanted to make my mark for during all these long years the crusade remained active and I still remained a crusader.

Fridebert then gave me guidance that is probably more influential than anything else. He said to me, "You can't take on Valencia yet, you need more Dukes more lands, more men. Valencia has the resources and lands almost of equal to the emperor himself. And father, if the emperor was to go to Valencia, then would be the time for Iberia to be cleansed.

You could make quite a presense instead in the east and connect the lands of our vassals, creating a broad swathe through the east of Bavarian lands. Not in one campaign maybe, but look at Lukomorie, they have no allies of importance, no liege, they are a perfect first target just as Pereyslavl was."

I thought about it for a while. It is precisely because Valencia is so strong that I wished to try to reign them in, but there are times when practical matters inform even the crusading spirit, so I turned my attention to the east.

Having vassals there meant I could send my forces to meet in their lands, and so I did. We set out for Chortitza in January of '04 and arrived in May. We marched onwards to Lukomorie and met almost no resistance. Our forces were substantial, numbering over four thousand, and we smashed through the fort at Lukomorie and conquered the land in July.

To the south of us was Lower Dniepr and from the maps I'd brought it seemed that land was controlled by Pronsk. They also had lands south of Cheremisa, so I had the Cheremisa forces muster and head out to conquer Khopyor.

Our forces rolled through Lower Dniepr as easily as before, and we conquered that land in August of '04. Then we marched to meet up with the Cheremisans and fought against 600 men in Khopyor. We decimated them and conquered Khopyor and thus Pronsk in late '04.

Then I struggled to find suitable heathens to conquer, but the Frost Bishopric of Sugarov was in an odd spot, and if taken I could connect Khopyor with the lands taken during the war against Pereyslavl. That would be a first step to creating a more unified Aethereal presence in the east. So I made claim on the Bishop's title and once again I rode to war and won with only minor losses. Taking Sugarov in February of '05.

A bit later I discovered the spiritist lands of Azov across the sea from Lukomorie, so I declared war on them. I made one mistake here, and did not realize the extent of the chief's lands, and so I conquered Tana and Sarpa, but I mistakenly accepted peace with the chief and did not conquer Azov, which is now surrounded by Bavarian lands. However Azov will not last too much longer anyway.

With this final conquest, I ended what is certainly the greatest campaign in Bavarian history in terms of land taken in comparison with cost. I conquered Lukomorie, Lower Dniepr, Khopyor, Sugarov, Tana and Sarpa at a cost of about 500 gold pieces and a thousand men. When I returned to Venezia I heaped praise on my son for the idea, for it also gives us a focus for the future, in addition to Iberian dreams.

With so many lands under my control I quickly turned them over to vassals, in addition creating two new ones. There were two Heinrichs at my court, the marshal Bentivoglio who I gave Lower Dneipr and Lukomarie; and the steward Glaius who I gave Tana and Sarpa.

In addition I gave Gephard Sugarov and I gave Fridebert Khopyor. My intention is to crusade in the east in the future to form several duchies in the area. But for now my focus is on the spiritists and the frost magi, I will leave alone the sultan and his vassals that fought my father to a standstill...for now.

In the meantime the old archmage Bogumil passed away and Eduardo of Orbetello became the new one, while my ally the King of Sweden maintained close contacts with the new archmage as well. Eduardo sent a letter praising my conquests, and so I rest my crusading lance for another day, with Bavarian glory having reached a new height.

[anthonyp]

Historian John Tirol

Over a period of a few years, as a result of the lack of strong powers in the area, Bavaria gained a very substantial interest in southeastern Rus. The hold out from the crusades of the past, Chuvash, was now connected with lands extending all the way west to Lower Dniepr. The only thing preventing this region from being unified completely was the Seljuk Sultanate, which was feared by Kuno because of his father's loss to the sultan.

This fear however would increasingly be overwhelmed by the fact that a new Nordheim kingdom was gradually taking shape in the east. By 1110 the Bavarians, namely the King and his vassals and theirs in turn, controlled over 15 percent of the Russian cultural lands. King Kuno no longer respected the Frost states because of his father's experiences, and because he wanted a large local force available to fight the thunderans.

A powerbase in the Cheremisa area meant substantial local military forces available to fight the thunderans, but also a substantial risk for war and loss of these lands in the future.

In the first twelth century campaign in the east, King Kuno nearly eliminated the Spiritist school of magic. Taking on these powers expanded his domain without much loss; but the capture of Sugarov represented the beginning of Kuno's hostility to the Frost states.

Kuno struck north a few years later, starting the second campaign. Novgorod Seversky was attacked first as a path further north, and overrun quickly, and then Kuno attacked Ryazan, the largest enemy fought during either campaign. The county of Ryazan was taken first, while Ryazan raised armies from all its vassals. Kuno proceeded to ignore this and take out Kolomna, leaving the liege with no lands of his own.

During the peace settlement, Kuno's vassal Gepherd became Duke of the area and gained the vassalage of other powers in the region who were under Ryazan's realm. With all these conquests and new vassals, Mountain Cheremisa and Chuvash were finally connected with the rest of the Bavarian lands in the east.

Kuno's sickness was getting worse throughout the second campaign, and the extreme cold of the lands in question may have played its part. When he at long last arrived in Venezia, the first news he heard was good, he now had three healthy grandsons. Nordheim was saved from the dark worries from the time when Kuno first became sick.

Otto had three children, but only one lived to middle age, Kuno, who was successor. Kuno had three as well, and only one lived to adolescence, Fridebert. Now with Fridebert having three children, the superstitious worried that once again only one would live past childhood.

There is a great likeness between the modern concept of Blitzkrieg and Kuno's two campaigns. He blitzed through his sieges by attacked poorly fortified lands and sweeping aside the defenders. In this way he could finish a war very quickly and head on to the next target. By his great successes, Kuno paved the way for nationalism, and a confrontation of strong powers.

The great lesson of Bavarian wars, for their opponents is to join strong alliances. The thunderans almost always allied with one another and thus were able to defend themselves from the Aetherealites during the 11th century. A second similar lesson is that being a vassal to a great power is better than being independent.

Bavaria was in a state of open, yet peaceful, malice with the Seljuk and the Valencian powers. With both it was clear Bavaria saw them as scum to be removed but they could not be as of yet. The real question is why didn't the great thunderan powers make their own move in the 11th and early 12th centuries.

[anonymous4401]

Otto had three children, but only one lived to middle age, Kuno, who was successor. Kuno had three as well, and only one lived to adolescence, Fridebert. Now with Fridebert having three children, the superstitious worried that once again only one would live past childhood.

That pattern is pretty neat. I've always found 'family curses' to be interesting to write. I think I have one where the father dies in battle before the son reaches adulthood in one of my AARs. It's not really established yet, and the AAR's in a limbo state and all, but still...

Most excellent updates, sir.

[anthonyp]

Thanks for the comments. To me the most ironic thing about "Book 2" is how it evolved from the original idea, and in turn made Bavaria huge (I can't even cover the realm in one map anymore, and two barely does it).

Originally Book 2 would be much more peaceful since Kuno was rather peaceful in the events in Book 1, and I wanted to reflect his style. But then I decided to retake Tirol. Well then after that with all the people in Kuno's life dying I had a hard time figuring out how to proceed, until I got the idea to make him a very zealous crusader, who crusades to keep his mind occupied off the more depressing things.

Luckily in terms of keeping war fresh (because I sure have had a lot of it) I got my pair of Venezian heavy infantrymen that I plan on using for the new war coming up. It shouldn't be hard to figure out what Kuno's title (hint, hint) will be if Otto was the Great.

Its hard to cover battles individually like I did in the beginning just cause there's so many, and once I do get into a big evenly matched war again, its going to include at least 4 different units on my part and many from the enemy.

I'm kinda worried I'm losing the magicality of the story, it doesn't have quite the clear distance from our reality as it did in the beginning. But I hope to try to address that soon enough. And I just realized I'd almost forgotten about the most magical element of all, Lady Eudinea. I'm going to do a bit of modifying the save to give her a real, yet temporary, presense in the game. Something like making her a general over a thousand knights under Bavarian campaign. Magical knights from the otherworldly realm she came from.

Other ideas on how to give the prophecy she gave a real impact are welcome though.

[anonymous4401]

Yes, it does seem to be getting to the point where you could just do a word-replace of the magic schools and the religions and nothing would be amiss. Perhaps if magic were to be described as having more of an effect on the warfare and nature of the people of this world rather than just some sort of religious allegiance. Spells cast on rulers to make them more aligned towards alliance. Hexes cast on the children of enemies to give them lisps or bad traits. Entire kingdoms sealing themselves off with walls of force and whatnot. Fields scorched by tamed dragons.

But it's your AAR.

[anthonyp]

I don't think I'll have dragons, but otherwise I like your ideas, and I'll have to think about it some to see how to put magic back in. If I go too far out the game engine itself becomes completely worthless, but otherwise its a good point. But one thing to remember is magic in my world is "gentlemanly" and it has standards and rules. Even the thunderans don't let their mages just suddenly start casting a new spell they invented. So its a bit more stilted than the idea that people will cast whatever they want. But I will try to see how I can put magic back in.

[anthonyp]

It was pouring out, dark clouds let flashes of lightning loose sporadically, as Musa watched from inside. In his study were stacks of books, some of them from the church library at Oberbayern. He stayed nearby to get away from the King who was marking his time in Venezia nowadays.

Spread out on his desk were three different volumes on the sayings of Odavacar. None but his thunderan sourcebook, which he had brought with him, listed Odavacar's teachings of the thunder spells. The other books must be wrong, he thought to himself.

Suddenly a large clap of thunder echoed out, and Musa lost his train of thought. "If they all suspect me of casting thunder still today, then perhaps I should make them right. Where are my books?"

He started tossing books aside until he found one. Clouds and the Thunder Mage, an Analysis of Optimal Weather Conditions

"The first principle a Thunder mage should know is that all thunder magic draws its power from the latent mana in the atmosphere. During a sunny day it is best to call off the training, pull back the battle magi and call it a day. That does not mean there is no potential on such a day. Great wizards and magi have been known to unleash spells on such days, but everything done on such a day is hampered by the rule of clear skies.

Cloudy days, especially when stormy clouds rule the skies offer the beginnings of substantial power for a Thunder mage. One must learn to consider what is often called bad weather a blessing, and adjust oneself to going out when it rains and coming back in when the sun shines."

"Then tonight is the best of nights, thunder, wind, rain. Tonight I will come back to the fold."

He started to pile up the books, and found at the bottom of the pile, The Canon of Thunder Magic. He took it out and started scanning down through the spells, and descriptions.

"No I need something different, something better to wound the Nordheims one and all."

A flash a lightning lit up his room, and then oddly enough, his room flashed red for a moment, as if lightning could be red. The light subsided and he thought nothing of it.

The red flash was the result of magic. A spiritist had come into Musa's house, and the red flash betrayed his entrance by spell. Its function was similar in form to the teleport used by Aetherealites, but it was achieved by changing the subject's perception of time. To Musa, only seconds had passed, but in fact, it was minutes.

This mystery mage had entered slowly while Musa was under the spell and his movements would only be seen as a flicker to Musa. The spell left a red aura when it was cast, and that lit up the room for a moment. The spiritist watched his prey closely.

"Yes, something different," Musa said, "Spirit magic, that could effect the King from anywhere, even here. Hmm. Where's that little brown book?"

The mage in the shadows took out a brown book from his cloak, which was still wet from the rain outside. He slowed time for Musa again, and placed the book on top of his stack, then returned to the shadows.

"Lets see what this one does with spirit," the mage thought to himself.

"The Praxis of Spirit Magic, as transcribed from oral accounts into arabic by scribes of the Archwizard Mohammad," read the prologue which detailed how the oral tradition of spirit magic had been put into writing.

Musa flipped to a random page and opened it, then he laughed.

"Curses upon the Living: There are three types of curses that can be placed upon the living. The mage only needs to clearly identify and spiritlock upon the target prior to casting. Spiritlock is covered in section one, and it is important to master that skill first. The types are wounds, mania and passivity.

The wounding method of curses causes the target to believe there is something inside him that is tearing him apart bit by bit. Doctors will find nothing wrong at first, but in fact the spell and the target's acceptance create a sort of shadowy or chimaeric worm that eats through the target's body. You must convince the target spirit of the existence of this internal destroyer to enact this spell..."

"Alright, I've done some spirit spells in the old days, lets pay back the king for his deeds. Section 1, lets see."

"Spiritlock is achieved when a true connection is made with a target's spirit. Sometimes it can seem like such a connection has been made while in fact it has not. The key to identifying spirit lock is that one's associations with the target are not the basis of the targetting anymore, but that one is now tapping into the target spirit, and feeling what the target feels.

To achieve spiritlock, one must concentrate on the target, try to identify his location and identity, until one can verify success."

The shadowy mage backed off, curious and satisfied that this thunderan was in fact a dabbler in his own school of magic. He waited, not wanting to call off the task at hand, but wanting to see what Musa would do.

"Lets see, focus on the King, he's got a huge honkin nose, a weird jutting chin, doesn't know a thing about combat, hmm lets see. Focus, there, he's in Venezia, at the castle yes, I'm getting closer. He's awake, he's woken by the storm, there, into his head, and...woah. Worrying about Fridebert, hates the Thunderans, more towers, more libraries, more glory. So much worry and hate. And sadness, woah. Lets put this idea in his head...

You've been sick for a long time Kuno, you've got a strange disease, something inside, its hopping from Nordheim to Nordheim and now its coming to you, yes, its time, you know your time has been coming ever since you got sick. Yes, just another dead Nordheim, and all those Thunder mages, all those heretics in your midst, they are out celebrating in the storm, and you will die.

He will die, yep it worked. Now how do I get out of this head, I want out!"

Musa started yelling, "out, out!", and the mage in the corner decided it was time to make his move. Lights turned on upstairs as he focussed in on Musa. "Expunge!" he said forcefully, and Musa slumped to the ground.

Behind him lights were turning on and Jaida faced him. He focussed on her and tried to slow her perception of time. Another man burst in at that moment, he was wearing a raincoat that was thorougly drenched and yelled out, "Backtrace!"

Musa couldn't see Jaida, as he suddenly realized he'd been hit with his own slowing spell. A sudden tingly sensation and then the full effect of a storm amped lightning bolt completely destroyed the spiritist's body before he could think another thought.

"Come Jaida, this is Kuno's doing I know it! We shall return to our brethren."


Journal Entry

I never suggested the idea of sending an assassin after Musa, and I didn't know it was a spiritist, I signed off on it and three days later half the court is saying I employed heretical spirit magic in killing a heretic. In the end I guess I did sign off on it, and I feel guilty about it, so I've decided assassination is improper, even if it is a heretic being targetted. The court members spreading the tale say some powerful thunderan rescued Jaida and destroyed this spiritist.

I admit it was a stormy night, but I haven't had much time to think about whats happening in court, my doctor says he can't figure it out, but I know I'm feeling all eaten up inside, like there is something in there gnawing at me, literally. Finally the doc said it must be intenstinal worm, and said it won't be long, but I'm going to do what I can until the end.

After all, Fridebert will carry on my legacy, and he knows a lot more about battle, I know he'll be the one to expunge the Iberian thunder states. Something about that word expunge unsettles me though, like it means something more, but I digress.

[anthonyp]

"So how is it that I keep getting older and you look the same as the day I met you?" Cisco asked.

"Haha, when you're already an old geezer like I am, there is no older to look. Well, and there is the matter of potions."

"Potions, what kind of magic have you gotten into now?"

The two were arriving at camp in Venezia. A call to arms through the county was made, there was more warring to be done. But then again, over Antonio's career every war after his first one had been an easy matter, except for the cold.

"Just another trick up my sleeve."

A man mounted and wearing the best armor seen at camp approached them. Behind him were two unarmored men riding horses, and carrying lances awkwardly.

"Whose that?"

"I am Prince Fridebert Nordheim, knight, I will be leading this campaign, the King is gravely ill. I've heard from the men that you two have some skills, spells and a lot of experience from the wars in the east?"

"This here is Cisco, he's fought forever, or so it seems at least. I've fought in the campaigns at least."

"Well I'm making you two magisters, bring them the horses," he said to the men riding them. They dismounted, and Cisco and Antonio ambled onto their horses. The other men passed up the lances, which Antonio flailed about with for a moment, struggling with the balance of the weapon.

"The army is mightily short on leaders, my father has given so many of them their own lands that we lack many of the greats that might have been here. So Cisco, I want you to lead the magisters on my left flank. Antonio, you will be his assistant, get used to that lance, you'll need it."

Then the prince rode off, and the two were left wondering what they'd got themselves into. Before Antonio could think about anything more, Cisco had ridden off towards the camp. He struggled to follow behind and tried to keep his lance from falling.

"I'm your new commander, so all of you magisters who wish to serve left side, join up with me and listen. As you know already, the wars in the east have relied heavily on the power of the magister. Its not just the damage we inflict, but also the example set as we ride into battle.

Shine that armor, and the lances, make sure it is well ready to ride, for I can tell you know, the man readied in mind, body and equipment will scare away his enemies without coming to blows."

Antonio rode up behind him, and looked out at the men. They were a rather impressive sight, and indeed a scary one to oppose. He thought of something to say to them and then shouted, "For Glory!"

Then the men shouted back, "For Glory!", and Antonio pushed forward past the men to set up camp with them. When he was all settled, a young magister approached him.

"Our commander, he's never ridden as a magister before has he?"

"Neither have I, but the commander, he's fought since the first war against Venice. He's got a lot of experience. We were Heavy Infantry this morning."

"There's no way, he'd have to be older than dirt, I swear. Anyway, I can tell your Heavy Infantry, magisters don't like being led, they'll follow a good commander, but save the speeches and the shouting for the infantry. Its not just glory, the magisters know if you get into Kuno's court you'll be a count before long. So they hope to end up leading the men for their two day stint and then go off to the east to rule some county where its so cold you finally understand frost magic."

"Tommorrow then, we set sail, do you think?"

"Probably."

The next day

"Down to the docks, every man down to the docks!" a messenger shouted.

Antonio packed up everything, and ambled down to the ships. Horses don't like ships too much, but they were being led onto them nonetheless.

"The Prince wants us to meet him in captain's quarters, Antonio," Cisco shouted to him from up on one of the ships.

Antonio hurried onto the rickety ship, and followed Cisco through the throngs of men, and into the captain's small cabin, where Prince Fridebert was sitting.

"Get some ale for these men," he said to the captain. A galley servant came back with large flagons of proper Bavarian ale that wasn't easy to find in Venice, outside the palace of course. Antonio and Cisco sat down across from the prince.

"The sea is an evil spirit worse that any enemy you can find on land, my lord, ask the King. He's rode with me, what three times now I'd say. But we made it with a bit of my skills, you'll see soon enough. I know how to tame the shrew of the sea. Just a little magic and a lot of luck. Its why I'm the oldest captain around."

"Thats enough, lets talk about what we are doing on this boat. As you may know, knights, recently the Byzantine Empire offered the King an alliance. While they are a frost state, for sure, the prestige of the emperor is such that the King agreed to an alliance.

Recently, Byzantium has declared war on the county of Taron on the border of the vast Thunderan lands in the east. We will land in Lower Dniepr and make contact with some scouts from Byzantium to find out the status of this county, and then march to it. As has been said before by the King, in the event we enter in an battle to aid Byzantium, none of the men are allowed to learn magics from their soldiers. Minimize fraternization to encourage this goal. We are aether knights, and we plan on keeping it that way.

You should know a few things about the roles the Knights-Magister play in battle, before you lead them. The first task of importance, which is irrelevant in the east, is to neutralize the enemy magisters. The second task is to ride against the infantry and destroy the solid lines of the enemy, as well as causing panic and desertion among them.

You may be called on to dismount on occasion, so learn a few things about Foot Magi. The call of the Foot Magi is to destroy or demoralize the enemy with direct fire through such spells as flash and aethereal dousing. The key thing to remember is no mage can cast all day long. During a long battle you'll need to understand which of your men can bring something extra, and which have to relent most quickly.

Leading a unit of foot magi, you should expect to make use of more spells to protect them. Sir Wilhelm is the perfect model of both a foot magi, and magister commander. Alas, he has been dead for many years, and the lack of good commanders has hurt us. I plan to remedy that immediately. So remember, I'm trusting and relying on you."

[anthonyp]

The caligraphy of the Nordheim journal changes from the flowing expressive strokes of Kuno, to the terse clipped style of Fridebert

On luck, fate and war

I had led the men to Lower Dniepr as a result of the Emperor's declaration of war on Taron, but by the time I was there, that war was over. So, not wanting to waste any opportunity, I moved on the Chief of Azov, who was a vassal of the Tribe that father had fought in the past.

We moved across the Azov sea from Dniepr and I found that the enemy could hardly be considered a military power at all. The siege ended swiftly. But now the Tribe of Azov had declared war on us as well. So I ordered my aides to find what maps they could and figure out where the Tribe still existed, since its lands nearby were ours.

Then we got lucky. It seems there still was one strong spiritist power in the world, of course I speak relatively, this was the Tribe of Abkhazia, and they declared war on Heinrich Glarus, my vassal. They raised over four thousand troops in two units and would have overrun Tana if my army hadn't been there already.

We head south to Abkhazia and fought a long and grueling battle against about 1800 enemy soldiers. No Bavarian has ever lost their soul before, not like this at least. It showed the brutality of the spiritists, for they removed over a hundred, and the bodies quivered empty of thought.

In exchange we destroyed the greater portion of their army, my men rode with great fury, and the magi rained destruction upon the last remnants of spiritism in the east.

I send word back to Bavaria to begin raising another army. Then I conquered Abkhazia's home county, and moved on to Imeretia, where I was met by the other half of their army.

This time victory was more swift, and I gathered a small group of the Foot Magi whose purpose was to dispell as much of the spiritists' soul removal spells as possible. They succeeded to some degree and the spiritists were forced to win by physical might, of course they had no chance against the magisters. So with both armies heavily weakened, scouts said the first was headed north into Sarpa. Once again the siege was quick and Imeretia fell to us.

In November of '12, more men were headed our way and I moved east into Kakheti. Here there was no opposition, and I took this land as well. With no place to go home, scouts say the Abkhazian army basically dispersed, and so Sarpa never faced much threat.

In March, the extra unit from Bavaria arrived. But then something stranger happened. An Abkhazian diplomat came to me, promising riches for peace. Of course Abkhazia was already destroyed, but he promised to deliver great riches for peace, so I accepted. He returned with so much gold* I had to load up three horses. I had it guarded heavily by men I trusted, and I told them they would not like me if it was stolen.

I ordered the first unit to return to Bavaria by ship in reward for their efforts and took command of the second unit, since we were direly short on good commanders. We passed through parts of Cheremisa where Byzantium was in control. It seems they'd established themselves on what was becoming Bavarian turf, but I thought little of it after that. Finally we arrived in Southern Ural and soon after the Tribe of Azov was also gone.

I stayed in the east at Sarpa while word came from father as to what vassals shall be rewarded. In August the first instructions came, a new duchy of Azov was created and Heinrich von Glarus was given Azov county and duchy in compensation for being the target of the Abkhazians army and for being a loyal vassal. Gephard was given Southern Ural.

Father waited another month until the last instructions for dispensation of the Abkhazian region came. He created the duchy of Abkhazia and granted it to me, as well as the counties in it. I then had five counties to manage, one in the northeast, three in the southeast and one in Bavaria.

Since I planned on staying in the east now I decided to trust someone else with Innsbruck, and I gave it Sir Faleiro who was the best man I could find in the east willing to return to Bavaria.

Many courtiers liked to live in the east despite the cold because it was a fast changing land that gave many opportunities for new counts.

Already my life has started to follow my father's path because Wulfhilde has died from childbirth, and Jutte from disease many years ago. Like father I must devise a test that tells what fate asks of me. I am blessed in that my children are well, but it is a rough fate to have no one to turn to.

Father's disease continued to progress through '12 and '13, making him bedridden by that time. I remained in the east, but I kept arrangements for returning quickly.

I believe father's fate was to wipe the Spirit School away from this world, and now the much more worrisome task awaits me, but the army grows with leaps and bounds as the easterners become educated in the ways of Aether and the causes of the crusades. I will guarantee at least one thing, Valencia will fall, and Iberia will return to our brethren.

I will also not let Byzantium fall while they rely on us as allies.

(* Fridebert as count accepted peace with Abkhazia for 2700 gold. Of course they still lost their last county anyway, since they didn't make peace with me. I thought it was amusing)

[anonymous4401]

An excellent set of updates, and a great little explanation of the mechanics of the magic in this world. The intrigue is also very nice, as is the transition in style from Kuno to Fridebert. Hopefully Fridebert will fulfill his promises.

[anthonyp]

I've played ahead more than usual and there's going to be a lot of excitement soonish. I was really nervous during some parts that Bavaria would get pummeled. Should be fun but kinda hard to write up.