Thanks everyone for the feedback. I really didn't know how it would end up, so it's a relief you guys seemed to enjoy it! It means a great deal to me.
Thanks. Since I keep to mostly first person limited - it was at times difficult to give the sense of what was happening and keep Foulques' perspective realistic. I'm glad the balance worked to your liking!
The blow to the head not a CK2 injury, but a means to show a rationale for something that I noticed shortly after. That something will be mentioned in the next update.
Thanks! I did look to yours for some reassurances that I was on the right track.
From what I've read, this period seems to be around when changes happened, particularly with cavalry as shock troops. But like I said, the number of large medieval battles in this time frame is very small - so who knows how accurate it was. I have read that medieval commanders knew of classical commanders well enough (and CK2 does make reference to it if you choose the war focus), so I didn't think it a stretch that Foulques would be versed on hammer and anvil tactics.
Peace is coming. But that doesn't mean Foulques' life is going to get easier.
Funny you should mention the King in Paris. That has not been forgotten.
You will be seeing more of Foulques. But.. this is perhaps his greatest moment. Things will not be simple for him going forward.
Thanks! And you are correct - the king will not be infirm or incapable. But the battle did affect him - you will see in the next update.
Thanks! I just get insecure on writing scenes like that. I think my strength is in dialogue - less straight narration.
The Saxons have been stubborn. But this pretty much sealed the deal. You'll see in the next update.
Yeah, it shocked me with how easy the Franks won the fight. I guess heavy cavalry really is key. I also wonder if Bishop Aethelfrith's death played a role. I could not confirm with 100% certainty he was killed in this fight - lowborn bishops disappear after they die. But he was the commander here and was clearly dead when I checked my save six months afterward. So... I included it in there.
Philippe has been extremely successful thus far (which may play a role in his actions in the future). And yes, Foulques' ambitions in Maine may become problematic after this. (more on that in the next update) I don't know if he could have taken it quicker from the English/Normans though. They had resources he did not.
Thank you for that compliment! As a person who loves military history, it means a great deal.
Thanks! That's what I was going for and am glad you found it fun to read!
Thanks! I tried to convey the fear I had for both going into the battle being a bystander into the writing, so I'm glad it showed. As for whether Foulques can advance... I would caution he is a very good military commander. Politics and other matters are not where he excels at. And his previous help may not be present much longer.
Glad to have you aboard and thank you for some very high praise. CK2 is an incredibly fun game because the character system makes it... whatever you want it to be really. It can be deadly serious, over the top insanity/debauchery or anything in between. It really is a sandbox.
Thank you for that compliment as well. I try my best to keep it within what happens in game because the game does give you quite a bit. And doing this AAR has really made me appreciate that. Going back and checking save points I had made, I often see multiple things I did not notice as I was playing. It can provide solid backstory to not only Foulques, but the people around him.
To all- as I said, it means a lot to see the compliments and lots of responses. I intended this to be a huge chapter, and that kind of response just makes it feel as such.
And while that was a huge moment - possibly the high point in Foulques' life, it is just one of many important events for him that hit in quick succession. 1087 was a huge year in this AAR and even after this upcoming update we are not even halfway through it.
Thank you once again for all the comments and feedback! Next chapter should be up shortly.
A very good telling of the battle - with the right amount of confusion I think - aided perhaps by it being an all-AI fight as you say
Foulques has shown himself to be a most worthy Marshall, but one must wonder if that blow to the head will have any particular impact on the King. If it does not, he has just cemented his position in marvellous fashion.
Thanks. Since I keep to mostly first person limited - it was at times difficult to give the sense of what was happening and keep Foulques' perspective realistic. I'm glad the balance worked to your liking!
The blow to the head not a CK2 injury, but a means to show a rationale for something that I noticed shortly after. That something will be mentioned in the next update.
Brilliant battle scene........Appreciate the comment......but you really did do yourself an incredible amount of justice here
Thanks! I did look to yours for some reassurances that I was on the right track.
Having something of an interest in military history myself, I greatly enjoyed the in-depth look at Foulques's battle plan and disposition. I can't speak for historical accuracy since I'm not as well-versed in the early medieval period myself, but the basic logic behind Foulques's reasoning is sound enough in my opinion.
From what I've read, this period seems to be around when changes happened, particularly with cavalry as shock troops. But like I said, the number of large medieval battles in this time frame is very small - so who knows how accurate it was. I have read that medieval commanders knew of classical commanders well enough (and CK2 does make reference to it if you choose the war focus), so I didn't think it a stretch that Foulques would be versed on hammer and anvil tactics.
a good fight! and a great victory... I hope peace will be there soon
Peace is coming. But that doesn't mean Foulques' life is going to get easier.
Brilliant battle scene man! If this had been adopted into a show in the save's alternate timeline, it would have painted Foulques' odds to him dying in that battle, possibly an Anglo-Saxon army right at the gates of Paris too, hell I even thought that was the end of our Duke, apparently not given his talent in the art of war.
I guess we'll be seeing more of Foulques in the near future.
Funny you should mention the King in Paris. That has not been forgotten.
You will be seeing more of Foulques. But.. this is perhaps his greatest moment. Things will not be simple for him going forward.
Wonderful fight! Guessing the head wound was more narrative for Phillippe rather than that dreaded battle event?
Thanks! And you are correct - the king will not be infirm or incapable. But the battle did affect him - you will see in the next update.
Like the others, I'm firmly of the opinion that there is no need to apologize for the battle scene .
With the Saxons defeated for now, it is time to throw them back across the channel!
Thanks! I just get insecure on writing scenes like that. I think my strength is in dialogue - less straight narration.
The Saxons have been stubborn. But this pretty much sealed the deal. You'll see in the next update.
That was much easier than anticipated from a pure CK2 perspective. Well, Foulques should be good with the King for now. He's proved his worth and loyalty thrice over by now. Time for the Angevin levies to clean up the sieges. If the war is eventually won, Foulques place in alternate history is assured.
Well done.
Yeah, it shocked me with how easy the Franks won the fight. I guess heavy cavalry really is key. I also wonder if Bishop Aethelfrith's death played a role. I could not confirm with 100% certainty he was killed in this fight - lowborn bishops disappear after they die. But he was the commander here and was clearly dead when I checked my save six months afterward. So... I included it in there.
Argh, the King was victorious again! From my point of view, the best outcome for Folques' ambitions was a defeat in the battle!
However the battle description is wonderful, a little pearl for the militar history appassionates that must be surely considered. Really a good job!
Philippe has been extremely successful thus far (which may play a role in his actions in the future). And yes, Foulques' ambitions in Maine may become problematic after this. (more on that in the next update) I don't know if he could have taken it quicker from the English/Normans though. They had resources he did not.
Thank you for that compliment! As a person who loves military history, it means a great deal.
Brilliant battle scene. This was intense and a real thrill to read.
Thanks! That's what I was going for and am glad you found it fun to read!
Well done battle scene. It kept me interested throughout. A few times I thought we were seeing the end of either Philippe or Foulques or both. Now Foulques has an opportunity to advance his position in the kingdom even further or does he squander it.
Thanks! I tried to convey the fear I had for both going into the battle being a bystander into the writing, so I'm glad it showed. As for whether Foulques can advance... I would caution he is a very good military commander. Politics and other matters are not where he excels at. And his previous help may not be present much longer.
Just read the whole AAR so far over the last couple of days. This is one the best I've ever read, you are a really, really good writer. It also makes me want to try to learn CK2 properly.
I'm really impressed at the way you structure chapters, especially given you're only partially in control of the overall narrative. Makes for a really gripping read.
Glad to have you aboard and thank you for some very high praise. CK2 is an incredibly fun game because the character system makes it... whatever you want it to be really. It can be deadly serious, over the top insanity/debauchery or anything in between. It really is a sandbox.
Thank you for that compliment as well. I try my best to keep it within what happens in game because the game does give you quite a bit. And doing this AAR has really made me appreciate that. Going back and checking save points I had made, I often see multiple things I did not notice as I was playing. It can provide solid backstory to not only Foulques, but the people around him.
To all- as I said, it means a lot to see the compliments and lots of responses. I intended this to be a huge chapter, and that kind of response just makes it feel as such.
And while that was a huge moment - possibly the high point in Foulques' life, it is just one of many important events for him that hit in quick succession. 1087 was a huge year in this AAR and even after this upcoming update we are not even halfway through it.
Thank you once again for all the comments and feedback! Next chapter should be up shortly.
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