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Chapter VII: End of an Era
September 1207


Hallway_Margam_House.jpg

Isaakios rushed from his bedchamber, the sun had already risen hours ago. “It is time! The storm has ceased!” he yelled while walking hastily through the empty corridors. He turned right from an intersection of hallways and met his marshal standing next to the assembly room. “Come with me Manuel, we must arrange a meeting immediately!” Isaakios ordered him. Manuel smiled as if his ruler’s appearance had been a pleasant surprise; he signed Isaakios to go in with his hand. Isaakios opened the door and said to his marshal: “Manuel, will you go wake up the courtiers while I gather my thoughts? Those slackers seemed to be sleeping late again as I didn’t...” he suddenly stopped and looked around the room which wasn’t as empty as he had thought.

The shocked courtiers had turned at him and every one of them just sat or stood speechless, looking at Isaakios. He gazed through the courtiers in disbelief and with a bewildered look on his face; he then noticed his heir among them:

“Son, what is the meaning of this? I am supposed to be the sole ruler and only one authorised to call for court meetings!” he yelled. The audience remained silent.

“Fine, I overslept this morning. Why on earth didn’t anyone wake me up? We have an invasion to launch and we must arrange a convoy to Famagusta immediately!” he continued, but the court just stared at him. He was about to say something when his son rose up: “No father”, he replied.

Isaakios looked at his son bewildered: “No?” he barked, “The ships have been prepared and the army assembled – we cannot keep the men waiting!”

“Father, no ships have been prepared and the soldiers have been assigned with their ordinary duties. No one is preparing for war”, Manuel calmly explained him.

The expression on Isaakios’s face turned into rage and fear. His Marshal entered the room and stepped next to him. “They are a bunch of traitors, as you can see my lord”, he told Isaakios.

Last_of_Isaakios.png
Painting depicting the events described. The artist hasn't included Isaakios's son in his creation, but instead the court is voicing their opinions together.​

He paid no attention to his Marshal. “How dare you? What is this treachery?” he yelled, “You are defying my direct orders! No ships prepared? No men assembled? You have been betraying me for months?” Isaakios was enraged.
His son tried to calm him down: “Father, we have come to the conclusion that you are no longer fit to rule. Your mental health has been degenerating and an assault against Konstantinopolis would be madness.”

His father was furious: “Only madness I can see in this room is coming from your part! My own son betraying his father! I loved you Manuel, I really did and this is how you reward me? By removing me from decision-making and concealing information? You deserve no better than rest of the vultures in this room. Guards!”

Two soldier arrived in matter of seconds and asked for orders.

“Arrest every one of these traitors in this room including my son – I shall have them executed by tomorrow!”

The two soldiers didn’t react to his commands; they firmly stood at the entrance as if they hadn’t received any. Mild panic took over Isaakios - it seemed no one was on his side. He pushed one of the guards and stormed out of the room. He soon gathered himself, turned around and went back into the assembly hall.

“Fine! As it seems there is no one I can trust, I must do this myself! You are all hereby sentenced to death!” Isaakios drew his sword and panic took over the crowd. Courtiers rose from their seats, some retreating against the wall, some trying to take cover under scarce furniture in the room. The confused guards didn’t interfere.

Isaakios rushed towards Dauid, holding the sword above his head with both hands. His eyes were glowing and he was blinded by rage, he didn’t pick Dauid as his target as if he had despised this as Dauid’s father did. He just seemed as an easy target; close by and petrified with fear. Isaakios stopped suddenly and dropped his sword. He was just couple of inches away from Dauid’s terrified face. He tried to mutter something but all the words were silent.
Isaakios collapsed on the floor. Dauid had drawn his sword on the last moment and positioned it between himself and the frenzied emperor. His face was pale and he stared at the wall on the other side of the room. Beads of sweat descended down his neck and face. He lost his grip and the bloodstained sword hit the floor three times before finding its final position.

Dauid looked down towards his toes; he could see a blade coming out of his stomach.

“I should have done this long time ago”, a calm voice whispered in his ear behind him. His father pulled the sword out of Dauid’s back and pushed his son down. Life had escaped from his pale body before it hit the floor.

Marshal_M3.png
Portrait of marshal Manuel Komnenos.

“Arrest this man!” Manuel yelled, pointing at his namesake. The marshal dropped his sword and surrendered without a fight. The guards escorted him to the door where he turned around and looked at his wife who was hiding behind a table: “See Alice? I told you I didn’t love the dog”, he laughed and spat on the ground. The guards pushed him outside, leaving behind a trail of artificial laughter from the Marshal.
 
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So who all died? :p
And how in the game?

Both Isaakios 'the Cruel' Komnenos, Emperor of Cyprus and Dauid Komnenos dies in the story and in the game. Since they died so recently from each other I decided to twist the plot a bit. ;)

Whatever happens in the story has at least some sort of a base in the actual game.
 
Very well-written and interesting AAR, eagerly awaiting more updates!

Thank you and welcome aboard. I try to update daily, but I keep some days off for various reasons.

Thread name edited as requested.


Solid narrative writing Kazmir!

Thank you Qorten and sorry for the trouble and spam. ;)
 
Chapter VIII: Departure

Manuel_prince.png
Manuel I Prince of Cyprus

Manuel was crowned as emperor of Cyprus the following day. He soon denounced the title of emperor and informed his court to address himself as Prince of Cyprus. Manuel was looking to improve the relations with Constantinople and he figured that the title of emperor could upset the Romans. However, he held on to the separate Patriarch of Cyprus as the local populace seemed well-adapted to the idea.

***​
October 1207

The castle’s entrance hall was filled with chests, bags and all sorts of furniture. A small army of servants was loading them on five wagons standing outside. Alexios was holding a list on his hands and crossed items from it whenever one was carried outside. Alice and her sister Philippa, who also happened to be Alexios’s wife, were also present in the hall.

Manuel came down the stairs and joined them, he had lots in his mind but there was always room to say goodbye to a departing relative.

“So, friend, I see you have decided to take the position”, Manuel opened the discussion.

Alexios looked at him and gave a short smile. “Would you have turned it down?” he asked.

Manuel shrug: “I don’t know, I prefer the marine climate.” Alexios gave a laugh and turned his attention back to the list. His cousin Vakhtang Bagratumi, count of Semender in the Kingdom of Georgia, had passed away. The absence of male descendants raised Alexios as his heir.

Georgia_final-1.jpg

“You’ll make a good king one day”, Manuel encouraged him.

“I am not the king yet”, Alexios replied, but his attention was on the servants trying to fit a big wardrobe through the doorway, “and there’s no reason to believe my aunt is reaching towards the heaven quite yet.” It sounded as if he was trying to convince himself that the relatively old age of his aunt didn’t necessarily mean anything. The said aunt was Thamar Bagratumi, Queen of Georgia, she was also without a son and thus Alexios was next in line to inherit her as well.

Manuel came closer and put his hand on Alexios’s shoulder: “I am sorry for your brother”, he comforted the future king.

“What are you going to do to father?” Alexios asked.

“He will spend rest of his life in the dungeon of this very castle”, Manuel replied, “I am not going to have him executed, we have already spilled too much of each others’ blood.”

Alexios was pleased to hear this; he signed this to Manuel with a nod and changed subject: “I hope my wife gives birth to a healthy child there, perhaps it’s the climate...”

“Ah yes, life has been hard on you, friend”, Manuel soothed him, “being cursed by having four sons who are all taken away from you in infancy; I couldn’t bare with it.”

“You know exactly how I feel”, Alexios told him, “You lost your firstborn son.”
Alice seemed to be getting nervous and left the scene, pointing out that she had to check if the nannies were doing alright with her daughter.

philippa.png
Philippa Rubenid

“My poor sister went through all those horrors as well”, her sister Philippa pointed out, “Their two sons were taken away at birth. At least they were blessed with a healthy girl.”

Sorrow took over them and they stood quiet for a while, each of them lost in their thoughts until Manuel broke the silence again: “Well, I better leave you packing as I have some to do myself. I will accompany you to Famagusta as I need to take care of something in the city.”
Alexios seemed pleased.

It was getting dark already when the convoy set off from Lefkosia. Manuel knew his task in Famagusta might not prove out to be a walk in the park.
 
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Overview II: The Island of Cyprus

This will be mainly about the various provinces of Cyprus and how they are administered. So, here's the map of administrative unites, called as provinces on the island.


Cyprus_admin6.png
The red line in the middle represents the border between the two ingame counties of Cyprus.


1. Paphos

Paphos is the westernmost province on Cyprus and the only one which has two major cities (albeit relatively small compared to other Cypriot cities) located on it; Paphos and Polis. Although Paphos became the local centre of trade on the western side of the Troodos Mountains after the destruction of Limassol, both cities rely heavily on fishing and to some extent on agriculture.

2. Middle Province

The Middle Province is the least populated area on Cyprus. It is one of the two administrative divisions that don't hold a major city inside its borders and instead of being administered by a governor, the province is watched over by the Patriarch of Cyprus and this the Kykkos Monastery (which was founded by Alexios I Komnenos) could be considered the administrative centre of the province. As the province is very mountainous, people rely on small-scale agriculture and hunting, as well as fishing on the coastal area.

3. Soloi

Named after the ancient city-kingdom, Soloi is the second province not to hold a city inside it. However, it hosts plenty of smaller towns and villages scattered around the coast. It is administered from the town of Morphou, where the governor resides.

4. Lemesos (Limassol)

After Limassol was razed to the ground the administrative centre was moved to Amathus, which is also where most of the people initially fled. The province is the most densely populated this side of the Troodos Mountains. The highest peak on Cyprus, Mt. Olympus, is located inside its borders. The area relies on local trade and has also a relatively large wine production.

5. Larnaca

The province and its capital have gained more influence since the destruction of Limassol, as many of those who managed to flee the city settled in the province of Larnaca. It produces mainly olives and trades with Lefkosia.

6. Kyrenia

Kyrenia is the third-most populous province on Cyprus. It's largest city hosts the old Roman castle of Kyrenia was refortified by the Byzantines during the Arab raids on Cyprus. People fled to the city from other parts of the island in order to seek protection from the garrisoned forces. The city does small-scale trading with the Aegean Islands and is large producer of olives.

7. Lefkosia

The most populous of Cypriot provinces also hosts the capital of the island. Fertile land and the Pedieos river which runs through the plains supports large-scale agriculture. Most of the land is used for cereal and sugar cane, but some wine production is also present.

8. Famagusta

Famagusta is large producer of wheat, sugar cane (south) and olives (north). The province is the second-most populous on the island and its merchants constantly seek for further independence from the nobles in Lefkosia. Kantara Castle is a fortified outpost built in the 10th century against the raiding Arabs. It is now used to oversee the northern waters against potential Byzantine invasions.


The administrative structure:

All provinces have a governor assigned to them and their individual powers vary in each province. The major cities are largely independent from provincial legislature, having their own laws and taxation (the reddish area on the map represents what is considered to be under rule of the respective magistrate). A magistrate is elected from the city council every twelve years or when previous magistrate has passed away. Some magistrates are more powerful than the governors of their provinces, such is the case in Famagusta, Kyrenia and Paphos. The position of magistrate of Limassol remains, but only as a symbolic title which holds no actual power.

The Middle Province naturally differs from other administrative divisions as it is dominion of the Patriarch.

Here's also a topographic map for comparison:

cyprus-geography-big.jpg
 
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A little heaven on earth.
How big is your levy`?

I am not sure whether you mean the taxes levied or the conscripts, so I'll just answer both. :p

Income was around 6 during the time of last update, manpower nearly 4000.
 
Chapter IX: Forming New Bonds
June 1208

Alexios had insisted on leaving the very morning they arrived to Famagusta even though Manuel had invited him and his wife to spend few days with him in the city’s castle. Alexios had replied with a laugh pointing out that not everyone were as lazy as Manuel. He couldn’t understand people with an urge to immediately get down to work or finish what they had started; instead Manuel preferred to take it easy.

The prince was sipping wine while recalling last week’s events. It had been surprisingly hard for him to say farewell to his distant relative; they had grown quite close during the couple of years.

He put away the nearly empty glass and rose up; he had other things to worry about. He had promised the Roman diplomat to send a child relative to study in Constantinople in order to bring the two courts closer to each other. The man was already waiting for them at the city’s harbour.

He left the empty dining hall and climbed two sets of stairs until he reached his stepmother’s bedchamber. He gently knocked the door thrice and opened it. “Is Isabelle here?” he asked his brother Petros.

“She went to get something”, the seven-year old replied.

Manuel shrug his shoulders, he could explain the child’s mother later on. He sat on the bed next to his little brother who was playing with various wooden blocks on the floor.

“Petros, I came here to tell you that you are going on an adventure with somebody.”

Petros looked up to his brother and asked: “Where am I going? And with whom?”

Manuel picked his brother up and went to the window. “Look outside, can you see the ocean glittering in sunshine?” Petros nodded to him as an answer. “Somewhere beyond that ocean there’s a great city, one much greater than any we have here on the island. I have chosen to give you the privilege to travel there and learn about them and their customs. I can assure you it will be a great experience. There is a ship waiting for you already so we must hurry.”

Petros looked doubtful: “Will mother come with me? Will you come with us?”
Manuel explained his brother that he would be travelling alone with a pleasant and cheerful man from the city. Petros became nervous; he was too young to leave the tender care of his mother, but he was old enough to understand he couldn’t say no to his brother.

“I’ll back my things”, the boy said with a sad voice.

***​


galley.png

“Ah, prince Manuel! I have been waiting for you here since this morning”, Alexandros greeted him smiling, he was a senior Byzantine diplomat. Petros gazed the huge dromon standing at the docks. Alexandros noticed the boy's amazement and lowered himself so their faces where on the same level, he smiled and told this they would be travelling on this very vessel. It didn't seem to make him more comfortable.

They boy sighed and said goodbye to his brother. The diplomat thanked Manuel and assured him the Romans had no quarrel regarding the island’s rule. Manuel watched as the two boarded the ship, he pondered again what to tell to the child’s mother but shrug again; he’d figure something.

The prince jumped on his horse and galloped off; he needed to meet with someone to discuss of an urgent matter.

***

“Hadiya, what is taking so long with the tea?” Yasir yelled for his maid. She ran upstairs where Yasir’s office was located and tried to explain how she had completely forgotten the matter due to having so many other duties. Impatient Yasir told her to get moving and dismissed her with a wave of a hand. The maid bowed and ran tjhe stairs down.

During the past few years Yasir had managed to amass impressive amount of wealth, he was rumoured to be the richest man on Cyprus. He now owned vast amounts of land producing mainly sugar cane for his sweet business, which had grown remarkably in size and scale. He was now major exporter and had exclusive rights to supply sugar to the Imperial court in Constantinople.

He was living a luxurious life in his two-storey home on the Famagustan waterfront. A small army of servants were taking care of his house which spanned over the area of half a block. Yasir spent most of his working time checking the accounts or expanding his businesses. He was in midst of going through the book of orders when another servant interrupted him; someone important was downstairs in the hall and wanted to see him.

“You must be al-Sabir the merchant?” Manuel inquired as the man walked down the stairs with a surprised look on his face.

“You have come to the right house my lord”, Yasir said, “May I humbly offer you some tea?”

“I would be pleased”, Manuel replied. The two men sat down on a pair of sofas in the hall.

Arab_room.jpg

“What brings an important man like you to a mere merchant?” Yasir was curious.

“I have come to Famagusta as there’s an urgent issue I must deal with. I’m sure you are familiar with Venerio Caravello?”

Yasir nodded, he was the Venetian merchant who was elected last year as the city’s magistrate. They conducted plenty of business together as Venerio supplied most of the ships arriving and leaving Famagusta.

“He has recently been demanding more freedom for the cities on our island and his campaign is gaining support from other magistrates.” The maid brought them their tea and disappeared again. “I cannot allow such as I believe they already have too much autonomy; avoiding taxes and refusing to carry out the royal laws.”

“And what does this all have to do with me?” Yasir questioned and drank some from his cup.

“It is well known that you are one of the wealthiest men on this island, but you are also known to remain quiet in political matters. I am seeking the right to personally name the magistrate in each city and abolish many of the city councils’ powers. To assure control over the cities I am planning to enlarge the garrison in Famagusta and several other cities and larger towns and bring the soldiers to the streets via guard posts. However, as you know...”

“And you came to the rich Saracen as you need someone to finance such a project”, Yasir interrupted him with a slightly smug grin on his face.
Manuel admitted he was in need of monetary assistance. The royal coffins were running low after Isaakios’s despotic reign and shameless spending.

“What I am to gain if I grant the court such a hefty loan?”

The prince’s tone became more authoritative as he replied: “I have not spoken of any loans, have I? I am here to require a donation.”

The expression on the merchant’s face turned colder: “You expect me to hand out money without gaining anything from it? Especially since I would greatly benefit if the city was given tax reliefs and increased autonomy it seeks.”

The men sat quiet for a moment, looking at each other until Yasir broke the silence: “What would I gain from such deal?” he wondered.

Manuel smiled; he had been waiting to reveal his reward: “I would naturally appoint you as the magistrate of Famagusta. And as your new position would demand it, I am also ready to raise you into the nobility.”

Yasir.png

The merchant seemed pleased about the proposal, but he knew he had the upper hand in these negotiations and tried his luck: “Your offer sounds tempting, but I am inclined to ask for an added favour.”

“Very well, speak out so I can tell whether it is reasonable or not.”

“For all my life I have been living a solitary life on my own, however I am in dire need of heirs to continue with my business and other future matters", he held a pause and continue: "Since you have an unmarried daughter I was thinking we might be able to assist each other.”

Manuel grit his teeth, but tried to hide it; he hadn’t expected this. Giving his only daughter, Veronica, to a soon-to-be noble wasn’t exactly a tempting idea – especially since the man in question originated from the Levant. However, considering he was in dire need of money and the merchant was wealthy enough to fend for a harem of royal brides, he decided to accept the deal.

Veronica.jpg
Portrait of Veronica Komnenos who is known to have died at a young age.

“Excellent!” Yasir commented as the two men shook hands at the door.
Manuel was about to step outside but turned around and inquired: “You are a follower of Christ, aren’t you.”

Yasir stood quiet for moment and pondered the question and the consequences of his possible answer, until he confirmed: “Yes, yes I am.”

Manuel smiled at him and stepped outside; they day seemed much brighter now. He jumped on his horse and rode to the city hall with a group of soldiers, interrupting the council meeting. The councillors were informed of their new, restricted rights and of the new magistrate. The Venetian Caravello was exiled from the island and escorted out from the building by two sergeants.

Manuel was pleased how well the city council had taken the news – without further problems it seemed he could enjoy the coastal city and its climate for some time before returning to the capital. On his way back to the castle he suddenly remembered; his stepmother would demand an explanation regarding her son. Manuel knew the woman wouldn’t take it lightly and all of a sudden the day seemed much darker again.
 
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Marrying an Arab?
Trying to make the Kingdom Arabic, are you? :p

Although I can not be sure what will be the royal family's final genetic mixture, I have no intentions to change the culture or religion.

However, keep in mind that I am only +/- a decade ahead of last update in the actual game so I have no clue of how this whole AAR will end either. :)
 
Overview III: Europe and the Middle East in 1210

Click the map for larger version with names.



Twenty-five years have been passed since Isaakios Komnenos landed on Cyprus. Parts of the world have gone through great changes, but its constantly in transformation and so I must keep you updated on what is happening around Europe.


Middle_east.jpg

Let us start with the region we are part of - Eastern Mediterranean. As you can see, there are four major players in the Middle-East, namely the Byzantine Empire, Ayyubid Sultanate (Egypt), Abbasid Caliphate and Kingdom of Jerusalem. There is the large Khwarezmian Empire just east of Abbasids, but for now they have some internal problems and wouldn't be able to launch an effective war against the other four.

Kingdom of Jerusalem has managed to expand a bit from the starting date of 1187, but the trend has been downwards recently. First the El-Arish Emirate gained independence, leaving few Crusader outposts separated from the main Kingdom, and after the old King died, the Duchess of Antioch decided not to pledge her loyalty.

I have marked Armenia Minor on this map to show the whereabouts of the are which Manuel is in line to inherit. I am also surprised that some of the smaller Muslim states such as Hashasins and Aleppo have managed to survive.


Iberia.jpg

Next up is Iberia. Most powerful state here is certainly the Kingdom of Aragon, which is currently leading the war against the Emirates of Cordoba and Almeria. Apart from the Catalan expansions this area has remained rather quiet for the past decades.


britannia.jpg

England temporarily lost all of its French holdings excluding Normandy when they were waging war in Ireland. The territories were reconquered quickly, but France managed to capture some of the independent counties.

The Dutchy of Connacht has been trying to unite Ireland, but there's little they can do against the English superiority. Norway's position will probably prove to be interesting in the future with their holdings in Scotland and Ireland.


Russia.jpg

In the East, the Rurikovich dynasty has managed to unite all Russians under one banner forming one of the most powerful states in Europe. Yet, even if Russia is second to none, the Kipchak Confederacy could prove to be a serious threat in the future.


Manuel 'the Benevolent' Komnenos

Manuel.jpg

And here's Prince Manuel I himself. Not much to tell about him, just follow the story and you will find out everything you need to know. Well, I do try to bring out the traits in their characteristics, but you can take a quick look at his personality above. The traits in order from left to right: Chaste, lazy, merciful, reckless and flamboyant schemer.
 
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Nah. These are Komnenids, and plotters to boot. They belong on the Byzantine throne, no matter how many knives must be used on people's backs! Damn the knives, get the diadem! :D
 
I say do something wicked like attacking Cumans. :p

For now I am keeping low profile, keep in mind that Manuel is to inherit Armenia Minor possibly in the near future and Cyprus is a rather poor island. There will be action and war in the future but now is not the time for it. :)

Nah. These are Komnenids, and plotters to boot. They belong on the Byzantine throne, no matter how many knives must be used on people's backs! Damn the knives, get the diadem! :D

Well we will have to wait and see, I am not too much ahead of the updates as I already told. The plotter who is soon to introduced unfortunately has... other ambitions than the Byzantine throne.

But one day the Komnenoi will rule from the halls of Constantinople, I can (almost) guarantee that. When and how; we shall see. ;)
 
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