Rise of the Epirot Empire - AAR

Lord_Nick · 20-03-2006, 23:32

I, Despot Bartolomaios I, have decreed that we will rebuild the Byzantine Empire and convert the heathens and papists to Orthodoxy.

Currently, we only have the small town of Dyrrhachion in the former theme (province) of Epirus at our disposal, but with faith, not to mention some wily manoeuvering, we will rule all of Europe once more.

I have placed my Royal Seal on the following edicts for this conquest:

All towns must be walled and have a town guard, afterwards, the construction priorities are for gold, happiness, and books.
Only descendants of my line will join the Royal Court, unless continuity is threatened. I will then personally select and "interview" my heir to ensure his suitability for the purple.
At most, the empire will have 3 Marshals and 2 Clerics (including the Patriarch).
Once those requirements are filled, the Despotate will maintain one Builder and one Landlord.
The 8th and 9th slots are reserved for Spies and Merchants, although there is no requirement to maintain either of them.
Two Marshals will be used for attacking and pillaging foreigners, while the 3rd Marshal will fight rebels, move troops, and pillage to keep his troops sharp.
Once the economy is established, a mixed force of troops (infantry, cavalry, ranged) will be maintained in all towns in the empire. Armies will also contain a mixed force of troops. Mercenaries will be avoided whenever possible.
Whenever possible, the Despotate of Epirus will avoid war with their Orthodox brothers, but if they insist, they will be reduced to vassals instead of eliminated (except through marriage).
If possible, eliminate the muslim threat first, followed by the pagan, and finally the papist.
Maintain the genealogy of my line, and store them at Mt Athos for posterity.

Here is our situation:

Doux Basil is just outside Dyrrhachion, and Patriarch Bardas is our spiritual guide. The food stocks of this province are limited, but Hides are available from animals in the mountains. This will be a difficult road to climb.

As you can see, we are not among the Major Powers, but that is only temporary. After the Crusaders conquered Constantinople and tore apart our Empire, the only Orthodox kingdom among the Major Powers is the Principality of Muscovy and even they are vassals to the Mongol Horde.

Lord_Nick · 20-03-2006, 23:48

Our finances are deplorable. We will not repeat the mistakes of our forefathers and make concessions to the rich landowners, nor will we give away our trading rights.

Doux Basil I's expenses cannot be supported at this time. We'll have to make due without him.

Let's take a closer look at the rest of Europe:

Lord_Nick · 20-03-2006, 23:55

Lord_Nick · 21-03-2006, 00:04

Currently, we only have a Trade Agreement with Naples. Our relationship with Croatia and Bulgaria is also good, but we are at war with Serbia and Sicily, and the Doge of Venice is still our enemy.

We will be overrun before we know it if we only rely on our Trade Agreement with the Napolitans. I took it upon myself to approach the German Emperor:

Fortunately, God was with us that day ...

so I began to trade with the German's at 14 times the rate of the Napolitan's

Lord_Nick · 21-03-2006, 00:35

As you saw, our town was completely gutted when we arrived, so we first built an Inn, followed by a Tool Smithy.

By year 4, we had enough Gold and Piety (640 gold, 100 piety) to increase our Kingdom Power (KP) to +1.

A Hunter's Hut gaves us the Trade Good Hides:

In year 6, we began construction of a Tax Collector's Hut when Despot Boric of Serbia crossed our northern border and began pillaging our land. I gave up Trading and began to recruit peasants for the upcoming battle. In year 8, I decided to spend 545 gold and 100 piety to increase my KP to +2.

There is very little arable land in this mountainous country, and recruiting peasants is a difficult and slow affair. Thus, undermanned, I heroically fought against Despot Boric, while he handed me several defeats. I retreated to the town, and healed my men as best I could.

In year 10, we completed a Town Guard and I married a beautiful noblewoman named Eugenia.

One year later, as Despot Boric continued to pillage the countryside, Conte Bernardo of Sicily landed on our shores, but fortunately King Guido of Sicily was amenable to a White Peace.

I decided to try my luck with Despot Boric again, but unfortunately my troops lost heart as night fell, and we beat a hasty retreat to the town once more.

It looked as if our dream was doomed ... we could not muster enough young men to fight him, and he gained more and more experience with every battle. Our only hope was also our weakness. Since we had no farms to reap, neither did his men have farms to pillage, and they were getting hungry ... hopefully he would leave soon to replenish his food stores ...

elvain · 21-03-2006, 07:17

Nice, but could you please put there smaller pictures?

Now I'm waiting 10 minutes and there is still not even one screenshot fully loaded. And that's really not normal. It would be nice if you put here thumbnails or use any other way than this...

it would truly improve the AAR as one could look at pictures just when reading the text and don't have to wait 10 minits to se them

BUt I believe you'll finally beat despot Boric and try some luck against Serbians

Anguille · 21-03-2006, 07:42

Great story....though it takes long times to load.

Keep on writing.

Lord_Nick · 21-03-2006, 13:28

Thank you for the honest feedback.

I reposted the pics in the first post. Which do you prefer: The first one of the four or the last three?

rcp7 · 21-03-2006, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Nick

Thank you for the honest feedback.

I reposted the pics in the first post. Which do you prefer: The first one of the four or the last three?

For me, the last three are too small.

elvain · 21-03-2006, 20:17

The first!

I'm looking forward to see how the story goes on...

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 04:35

I'll be posting more pics and "action" tomorrow.

I'd like some input on the make up/mix of my armies. I don't have any real foot archers available right now, so they'll have to wait.

I am considering having 6 squads of Roman Infantry and 3 squads of Cavalry for the time being.

Is that a good mix of foot to mounted units?

Which type of mounted units would you use?
-Pronoias?
-Cataphracts?
-Steppe Horsemen?
-One of each? Go exclusive with one type?

What type of units should I keep in my towns? Currently, I'm trying to keep it 50-50 Infantry/Cavalry.

Once I get some Heavy Archers, I'm thinking of going with 3 Roman Infantry, 3 Heavy Arch, 3 Cavalry in my armies, and 2/2/2 in my towns.

What would you do with Varangians? Trade out one squad of Roman Infantry for Varangians?

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 14:27

Two years had passed since our last battle, and Despot Boric continued to plunder the countryside.

In year 13, as night fell, he signaled his intent to return to Serbia for troops and provisions. With only 5 squads of peasants, I pounced on him as he passed Dyrrhachion.

We waged our battle as King Sancho of Navarre offered a Trade Agreement, and we accepted.

Miracle of miracles, it seemed the tide of battle turned, and we captured Despot Boric and marched home with most of our army intact.

Now seemed a good time to offer a peace treaty with Serbia, which King Stephen I Nemanja wisely signed.

I donned the garb of a Merchant, and began to trade with Germany at 29 Gold in year 14. The varlet Doge Henry Dandolo of Venice sent his "warmest regards" a year later:

I turned my attention to improving our economy, and prayed for the birth of a son:

In 16, I spent 1185 Gold and 100 Piety to increase my KP to +3.
In year 17, the Granary was finally completed, doubling our food production to an astounding 2 units of food a month. I also increased taxes to double.
In 20, my KP grew to +4 with a donation of 1536 Gold and 100 Piety

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 15:44

I prayed for a prince to continue my dream, and in 21 I was rewarded with the birth of a princess. I took solace in the fact I would not die childless, and there were still many years for healthy sons to be born.

Soon after, Serbia offered a ransom for Despot Boric, and I would have been a fool to decline. The shiny Serbian gold allowed me to increase my KP to +5 (1850 gold, 100 Piety)

In 24, Castilia offered a Trade Agreement, which I accepted; and in 29, Tzar Kaloian of Bulgaria asked me to attack Athens. Peace and economic growth were my main objectives, and I had no desire to enter another war, so I graciously declined.

Tzar Kaloian had many tricks up his sleeve: the province of Macedonia was just the right incentive to make me change my mind.

My empire grows!!

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 16:07

I quickly instructed Patriarch Bardas I to manage Macedonia and begin construction of a church, while I approached Duke Otto of Athens and offered him a White Peace.

His reply surprised me, and of course I declined:

Hopefully he would be too busy with Serbia to create any problems for me. In 34, I accepted a Trade Agreement from the Golden Horde, while continuing to trade with Germany at 33 gold.

In year 39, Conte Giannozzo of Athens crossed the southern border of Macedonia, and I was forced to strap on my armour once again. I recruited the survivors of the Serbian war, as well as 2 new squads of Roman Infantry and 1 squad of Spearmen. Our food stocks were wiped out, but all's fair in love and war. We marched through the passes to Macedonia:

In year 40, my daughter Princess Anna I was fully grown, and in 41 I met Conte Giannozzo on the battlefield. Giannozzo was tougher than I expected, but most of my army survived to fight another day.

While my troops recovered in Ochrid, Macedonia, King Boniface of Saloniki declared war on us. I requested a White Peace, and the cur requested my daughter's hand in marriage for his foul son ... oh the ignomy.

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 16:23

In 43, after Conte Giannozzo had spent several years plundering in Macedonia, I decided to attack him as he passed north of Ochrid. I was winning decisively, when the tide of battle suddenly turned. My men were routed, and I barely escaped his Royal Guard.

Despite the loss of all my men, I had learned a valuable lesson about Tactics:

I approached Duke Otto of Athens once again and offered him a White Peace, the knave asked me to swear fealty.

Meanwhile, Patriarch Bardas I had been diligently writing books, and was finally able to adopt the Macedonian population. Years of war had not allowed nostalgia to fade at all, so 1000 books were required. Fortunately, the Macedonians were also Orthodox.

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 16:44

Since Macedonia was rich in natural resources and would be an economic center, I returned to Epirus to recruit more Roman Infantry. I was not impressed by the Spearmen and would not waste any more Epirot youth by training them with spears.

In 44, I accepted a Trade Agreement with the Almohads, and in 47, King Boniface of Saloniki accepted a White Peace. It appears he was facing some serious domestic problems and had little influence over his people.

In 49, as I returned to Macedonia from Epirus, a new Athenian marshal, Conte Bastiano lay siege to Ochrid. My troops bolstered the defenders and we killed Conte Bastiano ... my first kill, and I learned some more about Tactics.

Another Athenian marshal, Conte Nofri, sieged us from the south and we beat him back.

Conte Berto had been pillaging in the north, and I set up a fortified camp to trap him. Meanwhile, Conte Giannozzo entered Macedonia from the north.

Soon, I was battling both Conte Berto and Giannozzo.

elvain · 22-03-2006, 16:58

Great

the war luck seems to turn to the right side...

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 16:58

As the battle waged, I accepted yet another Trade Agreement, this time with Brittany, and in 54, the pitched battle was resolved. I had captured Conte Berto and Conte Giannozzo beat a hasty retreat. In addition, I had gained Tactics Level 3:

After licking his wounds, Conte Nofri once again approached from the south.

As Nofri assaulted Ochrid, Giannozzo moved to the north-east corner of Macedonia to pillage a farm.

Nofri was no match for my seasoned men and we captured him. Old Duke Otto of Athens was much more agreeable to signing a White Peace now.

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 17:34

King Guido of Sicily sent his message of congratulations for the signing of our peace treaty.

Now that our little empire knew peace once more, my mind turned to thoughts of my succession. Queen Eugenia I had only borne me one daughter in these many long years. I was afraid for my people should I die in battle without a successor. So, I began to learn about Espionage and gained one star from the books Patriarch Bardas had prepared.

I would begin "interviewing" suitable candidates.

I hired my first in year 59: Doux Alexios I. I hired him as a Marshal and kept him isolated. I figured it was the safest course of action.

Soon after, Athens offered a ransom for Conte Berto, which was greatly needed to kickstart reconstruction.

In year 60, Tzar Kaloian of Bulgarian paid me another visit, this time asking me to attack Hungary. Although Hungary was relatively isolated, I did not have the stomach for war.

The offer of the province of Moesia, and the prospect of building a stud farm for Horses, not to mention a population that was already Orthodox quickly changed my mind.

Lord_Nick · 22-03-2006, 17:48

Emmissaries were dispatched immediately to King Tibor of Hungary seeking a White Peace. First he wanted Moesia:

Then he wanted to marry Princess Anna I:

I recalled my diplomats, "Let him come," I told them "we have lots of room in our dungeons."

In the year 63, we gained our second Trade Good: Horses in the province of Moesia. This would allow not only Pronoias in our military provinces, but also Steppe Horsemen and Cataphracts in Moesia.

We signed a Trade Agreement with Duke Ottokar I of Bohemia a year later, and a year after that, Athens offered a ransom for Count Nofri.

20-03-2006, 23:32	#1
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Rise of the Epirot Empire - AAR I, Despot Bartolomaios I, have decreed that we will rebuild the Byzantine Empire and convert the heathens and papists to Orthodoxy. Currently, we only have the small town of Dyrrhachion in the former theme (province) of Epirus at our disposal, but with faith, not to mention some wily manoeuvering, we will rule all of Europe once more. I have placed my Royal Seal on the following edicts for this conquest: All towns must be walled and have a town guard, afterwards, the construction priorities are for gold, happiness, and books. Only descendants of my line will join the Royal Court, unless continuity is threatened. I will then personally select and "interview" my heir to ensure his suitability for the purple. At most, the empire will have 3 Marshals and 2 Clerics (including the Patriarch). Once those requirements are filled, the Despotate will maintain one Builder and one Landlord. The 8th and 9th slots are reserved for Spies and Merchants, although there is no requirement to maintain either of them. Two Marshals will be used for attacking and pillaging foreigners, while the 3rd Marshal will fight rebels, move troops, and pillage to keep his troops sharp. Once the economy is established, a mixed force of troops (infantry, cavalry, ranged) will be maintained in all towns in the empire. Armies will also contain a mixed force of troops. Mercenaries will be avoided whenever possible. Whenever possible, the Despotate of Epirus will avoid war with their Orthodox brothers, but if they insist, they will be reduced to vassals instead of eliminated (except through marriage). If possible, eliminate the muslim threat first, followed by the pagan, and finally the papist. Maintain the genealogy of my line, and store them at Mt Athos for posterity. Here is our situation: Doux Basil is just outside Dyrrhachion, and Patriarch Bardas is our spiritual guide. The food stocks of this province are limited, but Hides are available from animals in the mountains. This will be a difficult road to climb. As you can see, we are not among the Major Powers, but that is only temporary. After the Crusaders conquered Constantinople and tore apart our Empire, the only Orthodox kingdom among the Major Powers is the Principality of Muscovy and even they are vassals to the Mongol Horde. Last edited by Lord_Nick; 22-03-2006 at 13:23.

20-03-2006, 23:48	#2
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Our finances are deplorable. We will not repeat the mistakes of our forefathers and make concessions to the rich landowners, nor will we give away our trading rights. Doux Basil I's expenses cannot be supported at this time. We'll have to make due without him. Let's take a closer look at the rest of Europe: Last edited by Lord_Nick; 22-03-2006 at 13:28.

20-03-2006, 23:55	#3
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Last edited by Lord_Nick; 22-03-2006 at 13:36.

21-03-2006, 00:04	#4
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Currently, we only have a Trade Agreement with Naples. Our relationship with Croatia and Bulgaria is also good, but we are at war with Serbia and Sicily, and the Doge of Venice is still our enemy. We will be overrun before we know it if we only rely on our Trade Agreement with the Napolitans. I took it upon myself to approach the German Emperor: Fortunately, God was with us that day ... so I began to trade with the German's at 14 times the rate of the Napolitan's Last edited by Lord_Nick; 22-03-2006 at 13:41.

21-03-2006, 00:35	#5
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	As you saw, our town was completely gutted when we arrived, so we first built an Inn, followed by a Tool Smithy. By year 4, we had enough Gold and Piety (640 gold, 100 piety) to increase our Kingdom Power (KP) to +1. A Hunter's Hut gaves us the Trade Good Hides: In year 6, we began construction of a Tax Collector's Hut when Despot Boric of Serbia crossed our northern border and began pillaging our land. I gave up Trading and began to recruit peasants for the upcoming battle. In year 8, I decided to spend 545 gold and 100 piety to increase my KP to +2. There is very little arable land in this mountainous country, and recruiting peasants is a difficult and slow affair. Thus, undermanned, I heroically fought against Despot Boric, while he handed me several defeats. I retreated to the town, and healed my men as best I could. In year 10, we completed a Town Guard and I married a beautiful noblewoman named Eugenia. One year later, as Despot Boric continued to pillage the countryside, Conte Bernardo of Sicily landed on our shores, but fortunately King Guido of Sicily was amenable to a White Peace. I decided to try my luck with Despot Boric again, but unfortunately my troops lost heart as night fell, and we beat a hasty retreat to the town once more. It looked as if our dream was doomed ... we could not muster enough young men to fight him, and he gained more and more experience with every battle. Our only hope was also our weakness. Since we had no farms to reap, neither did his men have farms to pillage, and they were getting hungry ... hopefully he would leave soon to replenish his food stores ... Last edited by Lord_Nick; 22-03-2006 at 14:01.

21-03-2006, 07:17	#6
elvain Knight of Honor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Praha, EU Posts: 1,366	Nice, but could you please put there smaller pictures? Now I'm waiting 10 minutes and there is still not even one screenshot fully loaded. And that's really not normal. It would be nice if you put here thumbnails or use any other way than this... it would truly improve the AAR as one could look at pictures just when reading the text and don't have to wait 10 minits to se them BUt I believe you'll finally beat despot Boric and try some luck against Serbians __________________ Soviet style totalitarian Communism caused suffering and deaths to millions of people. American style capitalist communism caused "only" global economic crisis yet. Let's hope it won't turn in wars all over the world and thus another millions of death. Arabia Universalis - our forum my map of medieval Europe: REGIONS OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE Old World Map for Arabia Universalis mod for EU2 Last edited by elvain; 21-03-2006 at 07:35.

21-03-2006, 07:42	#7
Anguille Knight of Honor Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 670	Great story....though it takes long times to load. Keep on writing. __________________ A Knights of Honor tale: The Merchant of Alexandria: a Fatimids AAR A Strength & Honour 2 story: Rise & Fall: the tribulations of the Kingdom of Syracusae

21-03-2006, 13:28	#8
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Thank you for the honest feedback. I reposted the pics in the first post. Which do you prefer: The first one of the four or the last three?

21-03-2006, 20:17	#10
elvain Knight of Honor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Praha, EU Posts: 1,366	The first! I'm looking forward to see how the story goes on... __________________ Soviet style totalitarian Communism caused suffering and deaths to millions of people. American style capitalist communism caused "only" global economic crisis yet. Let's hope it won't turn in wars all over the world and thus another millions of death. Arabia Universalis - our forum my map of medieval Europe: REGIONS OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE Old World Map for Arabia Universalis mod for EU2

22-03-2006, 04:35	#11
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	I'll be posting more pics and "action" tomorrow. I'd like some input on the make up/mix of my armies. I don't have any real foot archers available right now, so they'll have to wait. I am considering having 6 squads of Roman Infantry and 3 squads of Cavalry for the time being. Is that a good mix of foot to mounted units? Which type of mounted units would you use? -Pronoias? -Cataphracts? -Steppe Horsemen? -One of each? Go exclusive with one type? What type of units should I keep in my towns? Currently, I'm trying to keep it 50-50 Infantry/Cavalry. Once I get some Heavy Archers, I'm thinking of going with 3 Roman Infantry, 3 Heavy Arch, 3 Cavalry in my armies, and 2/2/2 in my towns. What would you do with Varangians? Trade out one squad of Roman Infantry for Varangians?

22-03-2006, 14:27	#12
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Two years had passed since our last battle, and Despot Boric continued to plunder the countryside. In year 13, as night fell, he signaled his intent to return to Serbia for troops and provisions. With only 5 squads of peasants, I pounced on him as he passed Dyrrhachion. We waged our battle as King Sancho of Navarre offered a Trade Agreement, and we accepted. Miracle of miracles, it seemed the tide of battle turned, and we captured Despot Boric and marched home with most of our army intact. Now seemed a good time to offer a peace treaty with Serbia, which King Stephen I Nemanja wisely signed. I donned the garb of a Merchant, and began to trade with Germany at 29 Gold in year 14. The varlet Doge Henry Dandolo of Venice sent his "warmest regards" a year later: I turned my attention to improving our economy, and prayed for the birth of a son: In 16, I spent 1185 Gold and 100 Piety to increase my KP to +3. In year 17, the Granary was finally completed, doubling our food production to an astounding 2 units of food a month. I also increased taxes to double. In 20, my KP grew to +4 with a donation of 1536 Gold and 100 Piety Last edited by Lord_Nick; 22-03-2006 at 15:28.

22-03-2006, 15:44	#13
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	I prayed for a prince to continue my dream, and in 21 I was rewarded with the birth of a princess. I took solace in the fact I would not die childless, and there were still many years for healthy sons to be born. Soon after, Serbia offered a ransom for Despot Boric, and I would have been a fool to decline. The shiny Serbian gold allowed me to increase my KP to +5 (1850 gold, 100 Piety) In 24, Castilia offered a Trade Agreement, which I accepted; and in 29, Tzar Kaloian of Bulgaria asked me to attack Athens. Peace and economic growth were my main objectives, and I had no desire to enter another war, so I graciously declined. Tzar Kaloian had many tricks up his sleeve: the province of Macedonia was just the right incentive to make me change my mind. My empire grows!! Last edited by Lord_Nick; 22-03-2006 at 15:50.

22-03-2006, 16:07	#14
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	I quickly instructed Patriarch Bardas I to manage Macedonia and begin construction of a church, while I approached Duke Otto of Athens and offered him a White Peace. His reply surprised me, and of course I declined: Hopefully he would be too busy with Serbia to create any problems for me. In 34, I accepted a Trade Agreement from the Golden Horde, while continuing to trade with Germany at 33 gold. In year 39, Conte Giannozzo of Athens crossed the southern border of Macedonia, and I was forced to strap on my armour once again. I recruited the survivors of the Serbian war, as well as 2 new squads of Roman Infantry and 1 squad of Spearmen. Our food stocks were wiped out, but all's fair in love and war. We marched through the passes to Macedonia: In year 40, my daughter Princess Anna I was fully grown, and in 41 I met Conte Giannozzo on the battlefield. Giannozzo was tougher than I expected, but most of my army survived to fight another day. While my troops recovered in Ochrid, Macedonia, King Boniface of Saloniki declared war on us. I requested a White Peace, and the cur requested my daughter's hand in marriage for his foul son ... oh the ignomy.

22-03-2006, 16:23	#15
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	In 43, after Conte Giannozzo had spent several years plundering in Macedonia, I decided to attack him as he passed north of Ochrid. I was winning decisively, when the tide of battle suddenly turned. My men were routed, and I barely escaped his Royal Guard. Despite the loss of all my men, I had learned a valuable lesson about Tactics: I approached Duke Otto of Athens once again and offered him a White Peace, the knave asked me to swear fealty. Meanwhile, Patriarch Bardas I had been diligently writing books, and was finally able to adopt the Macedonian population. Years of war had not allowed nostalgia to fade at all, so 1000 books were required. Fortunately, the Macedonians were also Orthodox.

22-03-2006, 16:44	#16
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Since Macedonia was rich in natural resources and would be an economic center, I returned to Epirus to recruit more Roman Infantry. I was not impressed by the Spearmen and would not waste any more Epirot youth by training them with spears. In 44, I accepted a Trade Agreement with the Almohads, and in 47, King Boniface of Saloniki accepted a White Peace. It appears he was facing some serious domestic problems and had little influence over his people. In 49, as I returned to Macedonia from Epirus, a new Athenian marshal, Conte Bastiano lay siege to Ochrid. My troops bolstered the defenders and we killed Conte Bastiano ... my first kill, and I learned some more about Tactics. Another Athenian marshal, Conte Nofri, sieged us from the south and we beat him back. Conte Berto had been pillaging in the north, and I set up a fortified camp to trap him. Meanwhile, Conte Giannozzo entered Macedonia from the north. Soon, I was battling both Conte Berto and Giannozzo.

22-03-2006, 16:58	#17
elvain Knight of Honor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Praha, EU Posts: 1,366	Great the war luck seems to turn to the right side... __________________ Soviet style totalitarian Communism caused suffering and deaths to millions of people. American style capitalist communism caused "only" global economic crisis yet. Let's hope it won't turn in wars all over the world and thus another millions of death. Arabia Universalis - our forum my map of medieval Europe: REGIONS OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE Old World Map for Arabia Universalis mod for EU2

22-03-2006, 17:34	#19
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	King Guido of Sicily sent his message of congratulations for the signing of our peace treaty. Now that our little empire knew peace once more, my mind turned to thoughts of my succession. Queen Eugenia I had only borne me one daughter in these many long years. I was afraid for my people should I die in battle without a successor. So, I began to learn about Espionage and gained one star from the books Patriarch Bardas had prepared. I would begin "interviewing" suitable candidates. I hired my first in year 59: Doux Alexios I. I hired him as a Marshal and kept him isolated. I figured it was the safest course of action. Soon after, Athens offered a ransom for Conte Berto, which was greatly needed to kickstart reconstruction. In year 60, Tzar Kaloian of Bulgarian paid me another visit, this time asking me to attack Hungary. Although Hungary was relatively isolated, I did not have the stomach for war. The offer of the province of Moesia, and the prospect of building a stud farm for Horses, not to mention a population that was already Orthodox quickly changed my mind.

22-03-2006, 17:48	#20
Lord_Nick First Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 245	Emmissaries were dispatched immediately to King Tibor of Hungary seeking a White Peace. First he wanted Moesia: Then he wanted to marry Princess Anna I: I recalled my diplomats, "Let him come," I told them "we have lots of room in our dungeons." In the year 63, we gained our second Trade Good: Horses in the province of Moesia. This would allow not only Pronoias in our military provinces, but also Steppe Horsemen and Cataphracts in Moesia. We signed a Trade Agreement with Duke Ottokar I of Bohemia a year later, and a year after that, Athens offered a ransom for Count Nofri.