Chapter 136: The Long Raid (20 May 980 to 15 June 983)
Chapter 136: The Long Raid (20 May 980 to 15 June 983)
Previously, on Blut und Schlacht … despite repeated attempts at dark healing, the Dark Fylkir remained infirm as he approached his 50th birthday, but this did not seem to slow him down at home or abroad, in war or peace. The Russian vassals continued to do their best to expand, rectify borders and conquer on behalf of Father Russia – though some could not resist their plotting and scheming, most never realising how dangerous this was with the leader of the Fellowship of Hel as their Emperor and Fylkir. And following the negotiated loss of the war against the Teutons, the Imperial retinue and Jomsvikings prepared to set out from Denmark to resume the pleasures of going on Viking …
AuthAAR’s Note: this chapter covers the second part of the last long play session and brings us up to date again with the game play.
1. Russian Wars and Raids: 980-81
In May 980, Hakon commanded the latest raiding party (over 8,800 Russian troops) as they headed to the coast of Normandy to once more ravage the rich lands of the hapless West Francia. But before they could land, a peasant revolt broke out in Satakunda (western Finland) on 1 June, led by Kauro – one of those ubiquitous low-born ex-soldiers who always made the mistake of leading these hopeless ventures. For now, this small group (fewer than 500 men) was ignored by Eilif in the hope one of the local lords would sort them out.
By 8 June, Hakon, with Jarl Gorm and Olafr commanding the flank divisions, began disembarking his raiders in the rich Francian coastal county of Rouen – a favourite Russian target. Ten days later, as they looted the countryside and establish their siege lines, Francian armies mustered near them, but not in sufficient numbers (around 3,100 in total at that point) to worry the Russians (now over 9,000 strong).
After years of defensive pacts against him, Eilif was told on 21 August 980 that the last of them had disbanded – for now. But he would continue raiding in the meantime. The castle of Rouen fell on 6 November and yielded a rich haul not just of gold but of prisoners, a number of whom could be ransomed.
Duke Adelbert of Normandy would deride Eilif as “pitiful”, “wretched”, a “cruel pirate” and “demonic windbag” (the last of these made Eilif chortle – demoniacally, of course) as he ransomed four of his womenfolk between 6 November to 24 December 980. The 112 gold thus gained was more than enough to even up the bargain, though his words would come back to haunt Adelbert later.
Back in Russia, Eilif decided the peasant revolt in Satakunda would have to be dealt with directly before things got any worse and headed a limited call out of troops in late November 980: enough was enough.
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But just as Eilif had finally gathered his small force in April 981 and was looking to cross over into Satakunda, a similarly sized Belo Ozeran army arrived first and did the job for him. Kauro was in prison and Eilif’s little levy army soon dispersed back to their homes. Alas, the prisoner would die soon after on 5 May and would not be around to offer any ‘sport’ at the next Great Blot.
Back in Francia, as the looting of Rouen progressed, by early February 981 a new smallpox outbreak had spread throughout neighbouring Brittany: the next target would need to take them north or east, away from this slowly spreading pestilence. Hakon had taken every last piece of treasure out of Rouen by 26 April, where the three sacked holdings yielded another 274 gold for no Russian troop loss.
They would move on to nearby Eu next, now with 10,300 men, and attack a small and careless Norman army of around 1,000 men commanded by none other than the luckless Duke Adelbert of Normandy: perhaps he started to regret - too late - the names he had called Eilif when he realised he would not be able to escape in time!
Indeed, the Battle of Forges in Eu (30 April-11 May 981) proved to be a horrible slaughter. The Normans lost all 1,043 of the men fielded, though Adelbert himself was not among the killed or captured. Hakon lost only seven soldiers in this exercise that taught the Norman duke about the benefits of being civil to Emperors.
As the holdings of Eu were reduced one by one, Eilif’s reputation was further burnished when he was acclaimed as a ‘Ravager’ after the bloody sacking of Aumale on 29 August 981. The Dark Fylkir was very pleased by this: infirm he may be, but far from done for!
As Hakon settled into the siege of the city of Forges in Eu in early September 981, the only sizeable Francian force they were aware of was way over to the east of Brabant – and would not have caused him any real worries even if they had been next door. Another Viking raiding group to the north-east was also unlikely to cause any problems for the Russians.
Eu’s three holdings had brought another 156 gold onto the raiding fleet by the time the Russians finished there on 6 October 981 (again for no loss). They kept heading up along the coast: Boulogne would be the next target. Another West Francian ducal army of around 1,200 had imprudently waited there too long. They tried to escape but could not do so in time.
Because Boulogne adjoined the Russian-held county of Artois (now part of Jarl Ormr’s demesne), the treasure fleet would not be needed, with loot going direct to the Russian treasury. It docked in Kent in early October 981, delivering a big boost to the Russian treasury, Eilif’s prestige and to commerce in the capital. We shall see later what this money helped to buy back in Father Russia.
The enemy in Boulogne were soundly defeated between 11-23 October: they had a river to defend behind, but it really only allowed them to escape without every defender being killed this time (Russia 17/10,631; West Francia 748/1,230 killed). The Raiders soon scoured whatever treasure was available from the countryside and set their siege works up, where the four holdings would take until June the following year to reduce.
2. Vassal and Ally Wars: 980-83
Eilif’s son and heir Jarl Styrbjörn of Sarkel launched a conquest of the county of Lower Don against Khan Papaçyz of Khazaria on 27 April 981. This venture would still be unresolved two years later. But at least the young man – 21 years old at the time – was trying! Though his dull wife had not yet provided him an heir of his own.
High Chieftess Þordis – another one of those intrepid and formidable female Lithuanian adventurers – began a Holy War for Yatvingia against the High Chieftess of that small realm on 25 June 981. She would succeed in this by the infidels’ Christmas Day of the following year. And in doing so earned herself a suitably grand nickname - even if (in Eilif's view) she remained an ‘Odinite’. Still, it was all in the name of Germanicism, so earned even Eilif’s grudging respect (of course, his true religious allegiance and perfidious character was still kept largely hidden from public view).
One of the middle-ranking Fellowship Chiefs who owed his allegiance to Jarl Ormr of Brabant, Þorgil of Norfolk, decided to get in on the conquest game in July 981. Unfortunately for him, his Jarl had other ideas for the notorious drunkard, who must have been too indiscrete.
Þorgil’s successor Froði would take on the task, but the conquest was incomplete by mid-983.
The Norse Kingdom of England (formerly Jorvik) had been unstable ever since King Halsten the Monster had been murdered in January 980. King Sigfrið ‘the Just’ had taken the crown, but by August 981 he was being painted as a tyrant by his opponents and a revolt was raised in the name of a young Hvitserk relation, Suni. Who seemed to have some very powerful backers among the vassals. Despite a far larger personal army, it looked like Sigfrið was in some trouble.
And so it would prove by October of 982, though the precise legal pretext for the ending of the war was beyond Eilif’s lawyers to explain. In the end, Suni did not take the throne: the very imposing King Hrafn Hvitserk emerged in charge.
Eilif tried to recruit him into the Fellowship straight away, but this failed, despite a promising introduction.
The ever-greedy King Björn of Denmark – still in an alliance with Russia at that time – started yet another war of conquest on 27 February 982, this time against the Polish offshoot of the Kingdom of Bohemia, where King Witosz III controlled lands adjoining fairly extensive Danish holdings in central Germany. For the time being, no call to arms for Russian help was issued.
But almost exactly one year later, with the war not going so well for him, the plaintive Danish king (and relative by marriage) issued a request that honour bound Eilif to agree to. Though he had no immediate plans to provide direct assistance: he had other projects afoot at that point, about which we shall read below. But the war would prove to be a complication in another unforeseen way.
Eilif’s ever-eager son-in-law Jarl Ormr of Brabant launched a new Holy War on 13 December 982 for Brunswick against its young (age 21) Duke Christopher von Hannover. That war was still going by June 983. The same could be said of a new venture in Ireland lunched by Chancellor Arnbjörn of Connacht on 3 February 983: he hoped to conquer Dubhlinn from King Somhairle II of Éire [I’ll check next time to see if this is just the Irish adopted name of the former King Sumarliði of England, then Ireland, or an immediate successor.]
3. Domestic Affairs: 980-83
3.a The Expansion of Germanicism
The slow but steady expansion of Reformed Germanicism continued throughout this period. Brugge (June 980), Kerzhenets (December 980), Holland (March 982) and Orsha (August 982) all converted thanks to local events.
3.b Building
Previous and new injections of gold from raiding and a small but increasing domestic tax take saw the continuation of Eilif II’s ‘golden age of building’ during 980-83. A previously ordered castle town was completed in Chudovo (Holmgarðr’s second barony) in August 980. Then loot from West Francia fuelled another building boom in January 982, with five new projects started in a single day. Building the Russian cavalry arm continued to figure prominently, while general barracks, taxes and a new Imperial shipbuilding capability also got some attention.
The new stables for Starya Russa (Toropets) were completed on 19 November 982. The new barracks for Chudovo was finished the same day and by mid-December funds were allocated to begin stables there, too.
The shipyard was completed in Moon (Ösel) on 27 December 982. It could not be upgraded until local shipbuilding technology had developed further [then at 1.2 – needs to be 2].
3.c Monthly Income
Throughout this period, even though large periodic influxes of gold from raiding kept coming and were then largely spent on building or military projects, a careful eye was kept on the monthly national income (various taxes, fairly steady), expenses (ie military maintenance spending, fluctuating) and balance. Some samples of these monthly amounts are noted below:
3.d Vassals, Factions, Politics and Council
Eilif’s troublesome half-brother, factional player and Court Jester Prince Ingólfr happened to be the next vassals whose opinion of the Emperor was improved by Chancellor Arbjörn’s statecraft in August 980. Perhaps there was some hope for him yet!
The largest political grouping in October 980 was the well-subscribed Elective Succession in Garðariki faction. It’s leader, Jarl Froði of Pereyaslavl, was targeted for a demonic possession and was soon a ‘loyal servant’ of the Emperor (even if an insane one).
But Eilif felt that if he never used his dark powers, what was the point of having them?
Froði soon left his leadership of the faction, but it was taken over by the imposing High Chieftess Þordis (not yet known as the ‘Sword of Odin’ at that time, though it wouldn’t have saved her from Eilif’s depredations anyway). She too got a demonic night visit in mid-November 980 and would also leave the faction soon afterwards.
Next on Eilif’s agenda was a legal change in February 981 designed to build the future prosperity of the Empire. The city burghers would, to their irritation, be made to pay more tax while providing fewer levies in the years to come.
The newish Jarl of Vladimir showed the usual de Normandie assertiveness in May 981. First he tried to extract the title for the crown county of Roslavl from an unimpressed Emperor. Just eight days later, word filtered back to Eilif that Klas wanted to become King of Konugarðr (a title that did not yet exist), no less! Klas may have been a bit disappointed at being turned down over Roslavl, but as a subordinate Hel member, he would just have to put up with it.
More political action became possible when the sole member of the Independence faction and a ‘foot soldier’ in the Elective Succession in Garðariki group, Chief Purysho of Lappland was threatened by Spymaster Emund in July 981. He too was soon sidelined.
Four months later, the Chancellor improved relations with Emund, though the latter (as a Mayor) disliked the new tax law [-10 opinion] and as a vassal disapproved of the extra title Eilif was still holding [-10 as well]. Emund was also envious [-15], so even after the improvement in relations, his loyalty was only middling [+47]. And he was no longer that effective a spymaster, either [Intrigue 10]. We now know from the Dark Fylkir’s private journal that from this time, he started to consider replacing Emund in this key role.
A succession of leadership occurred in the Merchant Republic of Livonia on 16 January 982 when its first Grand Mayor Baldr Væni died of a heart attack. Skuli af Salaspils was elected as his replacement – and he was no great fan of his Emperor [-69 opinion]. But Eilif took no action as yet.
On 24 March 982, Eilif moved quietly against Mayor Emund. First, a distant Rurikid kinsman (but still a royal family member) living in Veliky Ustug as Chancellor and also its heir, was invited to court. It so happened he was far more steeped in the arts of intrigue than Emund. He arrived with his family on 9 April and was straight away made Spymaster.
At that time, the Council was dominated by ‘glory hounds’ and Tolir was another. And most were under obligation to Jarl Gorm, but they still seemed to do what Eilif wanted for the moment, so he left it at that.
By the end of March 982, the factional scene was well under control. The largest, for Elective Succession in Garðariki, was down to only 12.5% strength compared to the Emperor. But its newest member was none other than Eilif’s son, Prince Alfr!
The loyal Warchief of the Jomsvikings was the next to provide political ammunition for Eilif’s multi-faceted campaign against factionalism in April 982. As ever, Eilif took advantage without compunction.
Some of the incoming gold from raiding went to introduce two more units into the Imperial Retinue on 1 July 982: with new cavalry (200 light, 100 heavy) and defence (pikemen 250, archers 50) companies started [retinue cap usage to 8,900/9,400 points].
The period closed with another succession, this time in Sweden. From 28 May 983, Vestergautland had a new Duchess, just ten years old.
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4. Personal and Family Events: 980-83
One of Eilif’s new concubines gave him cause for suspicion in August 980. Eilif ran this scandal to ground and found out the truth – which he then suppressed. He would have a new child all saw as legitimate who could be used for political marriage or – in extremis – to give Eilif another health boost down the track! Especially given his persistent infirmity.
There was no suspicion about the parentage of the daughter (Eilif’s ninth child) his cousin, lover, concubine and Hel Sister Malmfrið gave birth to later that month. But perhaps that combination of dubious factors led to the poor thing being born with a spinal deformity.
It what was turning into a busy month for personal matters, Botulfr’s wife accused Eilif of having an affair with his handsome commander and lover. Naturally, Eilif flatly denied this completely true assertion! He would not lose Botulfr a second time.
Before the end of the year, it was Eilif’s wife, Empress Björg, making the same accusation. Once more, the accomplished Emperor of Lies weaselled his way out of it, gas-lighting poor Björg to make her feel guilty about it.
Young Hafrid – Eilif’s tenth child – was born in March 981 ‘no questions asked’, even if Eilif knew the truth. She had better hope his health improved before more … drastic … measures needed to be taken.
And there was another scare on that front in April 981, when Eilif was beset by cramps. As always, there were fears it could into something much more serious – many was the medieval personage who had died ‘attending to chamber business’. Eilif entrusted himself to the care of his Physician this time.
He was over the episode in a month. And young Hafrid could rest easy, though she never knew her peril, of course.
Eilif turned fifty on 28 May 981. Though still infirm, during the day he managed to celebrate with those of his family present in the capital, plus his wife, his two lovers and his other two concubines. All while getting good and drunk. It was good to be both alive and the Emperor!
Though the lack of any new personal ambition he could follow did leave a small feeling of regret.
In September 981, Eilif’s younger sister Ingfrid, married to his illegitimate cousin and commander Hakon, died prematurely from cancer at the age of only 41. A matter of passing sadness for the busy Emperor.
In May 982, it was thoughts of his own mortality that had Eilif once more seeking out the Dark Power of Hel. Perhaps this time it would cure him of his infirmity …
… and although it threw suspicion on him once again and, as usual, would leave him feeling rather washed out for a year afterwards, it really worked this time. He may still be possessed, stressed and a drunkard but the infirmity of the last few years was gone, boosting his energy and skills all round.
The good mood couldn’t last for ever, though. And it was family that caused him grief once more. His daughter-in-law Linda was plotting to murder him – apparently to hasten the inheritance of his son Helgi to many of the best parts of Russia’s crown lands!
She was, of course, told to stop. And she did. But the episode shed light on an aspect of the succession Eilif had not realised to this point: Helgi, not his Imperial heir Crown Prince Styrbjörn, appeared to be legal heir to the Kingdom of Garðariki, the Jarldom of Holmgarðr and three of the four core crown counties that formed the basis of true power for all Eilif’s predecessors as head of the Rurikid dynasty. He would certainly need the advice of the Þing about this. This inept murder plot had proven to be a blessing in disguise.
At least the high suspicion of Eilif as a possible Hel follower had waned again by December 982, though more sad family news came with the death of his older sister Aleta (aged 57) on 13 April 983 from natural causes. But his worry now was what should be done to ensure his primary heir inherited the most powerful position he could without sparking a vicious succession war following the Emperor's death.
5. Russian Wars and Raids: 982-83
On 30 January 982 around 1,300 raiders appeared in Luki to try their luck. But appearing so close to the Russian capital was very poor judgement. Eilif was soon mustering a force of levies from his central counties: over 2,500 men would gather in Toropets under Eilif’s personal command, before moving on to confront the impudent adventurers.
It took until 12 March for the army to concentrate then begin marching to Vitebsk, to avoid attacking the raiders over the Lovai River at a major disadvantage. They were in Vitebsk by early May then headed north to strike the raiding army which failed to take the prudent course of running away. Battle was joined on 26 May and it was all over by 5 June 982 (Russia 79/2,916; Raiders 717/1,320 killed). Eilif’s disbanded his levies so they could return to tend their farms as spring headed towards summer.
Over in Francia, the Long Raid continued in Boulogne, with the last of its four holdings fully looted by 12 June 982, gaining 204 gold for only 108 troops lost since they arrived in Boulogne in October the year before. The next target to feel the savagery of the Russian Viking raiders would be inland at Amiens, from 1 July 982. Again, it was along the border with Brabant, allowing loot to be sent directly to the treasury as soon as it was won.
On 23 October, the one unit of levies still with the raiders – the main Nygarðr regiment of 962 men – was split from the main body of Hakon’s army (which still numbered a little over 10,000 Jomsvikings and Imperial Retinue troops) and began marching back to Russian-held Artois. He would arrive there on 7 November, allowing the levies to safely disband.
The reason for this was immediately revealed: it was time to teach the Karelians another lesson and to remove some more border gore in the Kingdom of Finland. Eilif headed back into the field again at the head of another army made just of his own levies and the two new (still growing) retinue companies.
And it was confirmed that because their original sacred raiding toggle invocation was still in force, Hakon’s army was free to continue its pillage of Francia, despite Russia now being at war again. Having a large standing army of Holy Warriors and the Retinue was very useful indeed - the best of both worlds for Blood and Battle! [A small experiment I was pleased to see worked.]
By mid-December 982, Ahma ‘the Brute’ was mobilising his forces and calling in what allies he could – but it was never going to be enough, even against just the Emperor’s personal levy army.
The new year saw the raid still occupied in Amiens as in Finland the main Russian army entered Savo unopposed on 19 February 983. The force was split into two, one to conduct the siege of the war’s primary target, the other smaller one headed up by Hakon (recalled from Francia) to pursue a smaller Karelian force that had slipped into Austerbotn.
Eilif had taken Hakon’s place in command of the raid in Amiens and was back far away from home, enjoying the company of his Fellowship Siblings and lovers Botulfr and Malmfrið again as his two flank commanders. It was in Francia that Eilif would be finally healed of his infirmity a few months later.
Hakon [by now up to Martial skill 30] easily defeated the Karelians at Austerbotn from 5-17 March 983 (Russia 17/1,303; Karelia 185/572 killed). The Karelian army had been commanded by Ahma himself [Martial 13] and during the battle one of his minor officers, Kharuchi Hasabid, was captured. While Ahma could afford the 10 gold ransom demanded, he was unwilling to pay it. Perhaps Kharuchi would live long enough to become a star attraction at the next Blot, instead!
The tribal hold of Savo fell on 27 April 983 and two prisoners were seized. One of them was a woman for whom no ransom could be procured. But the other – probably the sister of the young Chief Uoti of Sava, the target of Eilif’s de jure claim – attracted a 10 gold payment by 1 May. Eilif found Uoti’s letter, where he described the Dark Fylkir as a “creepy bore”, to be quite amusing. It didn’t seem likely a warm relationship would ensure once the young man was forced to bend the knee to his new liege when his current master inevitably lost this little war.
The raid finished in Amiens on 29 April (152 gold, 499 raiders lost) and Eilif then swung his men across the Seine towards Mortain, with the fleet called back from its anchorage in Kent to remain on station in the Baie de la Seine, ready to begin taking on treasure.
By mid-May 983, the Russian army in Finland had divided into three parts. One (2,134 men) remained in Savo to invest its temple holding. A second (1,991 men) finished its siege of Ahma’s capital in Karjala on 14 May. The third – Hakon’s smaller field army of 1,330 men – was approaching Satakunda from Tavastehus to confront a smaller force there led by one of Ahma’s allies.
In Francia, Eilif in Mortain and attacked another tardy and incautious Francian force at the Battle of Bayeux on 1 June. The whole enemy army was destroyed by the 15th and the latest raid siege began as the ‘loose change’ from the countryside was gathered and loaded onto the treasure fleet.
Hakon cornered the Karelians at Satakunda at the end of May and had won another cheap victory by 5 June 983 (Russia 8/1,345; Karelia 220/465 killed) [warscore to 74%].
Victory came in the war on 15 June – the same day as Eilf’s victory over the West Francians at Bayeux – when the temple of Mikkeli fell in what would now be known as the Russian county of Savolax. Ruled by a very unhappy 11-year-old Chief Uoti. Who would soon face a demand to convert from his heathen Suomenusko beliefs.
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6. Current Situation and Next Steps
The efforts of both Eilif himself and some of his ambitious vassals had further expanded the Empire over the last three years. The borders would always be a bit untidy as these expansions branch out, but southern Finland was now properly self-contained, at least.
Though there were no active defensive pacts against Eilif for now, the minor threat the absorption of Savolax had sparked might cause some to form, though hopefully not too many and not for too long. Eilif was back at the peak of his personal powers again, though his drunkenness and stress remained causes for concern. He could command a huge army if all its strength was called out and his personal prestige had never been higher.
Denmark had fallen behind in its war against Bohemia: Eilif would need to decide whether to assist King Björn there or not. Doing so had certainly been difficult and expensive in the past, especially if the Teutonic Order got involved. He would have to check the details before deciding how to approach that conflict – if at all. He had the most powerful half of his total potential army raiding in Francia for now.
Other options included another small border conquest – perhaps a de jure claim again, a Holy War (or even Great Holy War) or continued raiding and building. Possibly supporting one of his vassal’s expansion wars (but again, not against heathen holy orders, as had wound up so expensive in backing Ormr against the Teutons).
And finally, as the Dark Fylkir turned his thoughts back to matters of succession and inheritance, Crown Prince Styrbjörn seemed to be developing well enough. And his dopey and depressed wife Killu at last looked like she would give her husband an heir. But the inheritance laws of Garðariki needed to be fixed first, meaning closing off that pesky Danish-Bohemian war Russia had been dragged into. Just when you thought you were out, they drag you back in again!
And maybe Eilif should offer some support for that war of Styrbjörn’s for Lower Don, which had been going on since April 981. His son was in front on paper [+40% war score] but looked to have recently suffered a defeat at the hands of the Khazars. Perhaps Eilif could handle both these matters at once, even while keeping the raid going in Francia …
Questions
The three specific questions posed this time are collated below. General strategic thoughts are also welcome, of course. After this goes up, I’ll publish a short annex for the edification of the Þing, which Eilif has called. It will spell out the succession background, to help ensure I’m not missing anything there, and the situation with some of those extant vassal and ally wars referred to above and that Eilif is considering for interventions.
Ch136 Q1: Confusing English War Result. Out of interest, the mechanics that most likely led to this outcome would be nice to know.
Ch136 Q2. Grand Mayor Skuli. Is Skuli’s poor opinion of Eilif likely to badly affect tax income? Should I be looking to either butter him up or send another demon to ‘persuade’ him?
Ch136 Q3: Inheritance Alarm. Bloody hell – I didn’t notice this until reviewing this screen just now. I kinda thought (without checking, duh!) that with primo inheritance the counties currently owned by Eilif would have all been passed onto Styrbjörn. But clearly not. So I’ve looked through them and realised, as I should have done really, that while Russian Imperial inheritance laws were changed, those for the Kingdom or Garðariki (and thus the Jarldom of Holmgarðr by default) were not. It seems Finland, which was founded after the change to primo at the Imperial level, took on that new form.
After checking, all I need to change Garðariki is peace and one minor vassal, currently with -3 opinion (easily enough fixed) to be made happy. The problem is that war is the Danish-Bohemian one – they seem to be an ally that causes nothing but problems. Maybe I’ll have to fix that first after all. An annex to this chapter will set out what I hope is the relevant information, so Eilif can obtain the views of the wise at the next (formal) Þing.
Previously, on Blut und Schlacht … despite repeated attempts at dark healing, the Dark Fylkir remained infirm as he approached his 50th birthday, but this did not seem to slow him down at home or abroad, in war or peace. The Russian vassals continued to do their best to expand, rectify borders and conquer on behalf of Father Russia – though some could not resist their plotting and scheming, most never realising how dangerous this was with the leader of the Fellowship of Hel as their Emperor and Fylkir. And following the negotiated loss of the war against the Teutons, the Imperial retinue and Jomsvikings prepared to set out from Denmark to resume the pleasures of going on Viking …
AuthAAR’s Note: this chapter covers the second part of the last long play session and brings us up to date again with the game play.
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1. Russian Wars and Raids: 980-81
In May 980, Hakon commanded the latest raiding party (over 8,800 Russian troops) as they headed to the coast of Normandy to once more ravage the rich lands of the hapless West Francia. But before they could land, a peasant revolt broke out in Satakunda (western Finland) on 1 June, led by Kauro – one of those ubiquitous low-born ex-soldiers who always made the mistake of leading these hopeless ventures. For now, this small group (fewer than 500 men) was ignored by Eilif in the hope one of the local lords would sort them out.
By 8 June, Hakon, with Jarl Gorm and Olafr commanding the flank divisions, began disembarking his raiders in the rich Francian coastal county of Rouen – a favourite Russian target. Ten days later, as they looted the countryside and establish their siege lines, Francian armies mustered near them, but not in sufficient numbers (around 3,100 in total at that point) to worry the Russians (now over 9,000 strong).
After years of defensive pacts against him, Eilif was told on 21 August 980 that the last of them had disbanded – for now. But he would continue raiding in the meantime. The castle of Rouen fell on 6 November and yielded a rich haul not just of gold but of prisoners, a number of whom could be ransomed.
Duke Adelbert of Normandy would deride Eilif as “pitiful”, “wretched”, a “cruel pirate” and “demonic windbag” (the last of these made Eilif chortle – demoniacally, of course) as he ransomed four of his womenfolk between 6 November to 24 December 980. The 112 gold thus gained was more than enough to even up the bargain, though his words would come back to haunt Adelbert later.
Back in Russia, Eilif decided the peasant revolt in Satakunda would have to be dealt with directly before things got any worse and headed a limited call out of troops in late November 980: enough was enough.
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But just as Eilif had finally gathered his small force in April 981 and was looking to cross over into Satakunda, a similarly sized Belo Ozeran army arrived first and did the job for him. Kauro was in prison and Eilif’s little levy army soon dispersed back to their homes. Alas, the prisoner would die soon after on 5 May and would not be around to offer any ‘sport’ at the next Great Blot.
They would move on to nearby Eu next, now with 10,300 men, and attack a small and careless Norman army of around 1,000 men commanded by none other than the luckless Duke Adelbert of Normandy: perhaps he started to regret - too late - the names he had called Eilif when he realised he would not be able to escape in time!
Indeed, the Battle of Forges in Eu (30 April-11 May 981) proved to be a horrible slaughter. The Normans lost all 1,043 of the men fielded, though Adelbert himself was not among the killed or captured. Hakon lost only seven soldiers in this exercise that taught the Norman duke about the benefits of being civil to Emperors.
As the holdings of Eu were reduced one by one, Eilif’s reputation was further burnished when he was acclaimed as a ‘Ravager’ after the bloody sacking of Aumale on 29 August 981. The Dark Fylkir was very pleased by this: infirm he may be, but far from done for!
Because Boulogne adjoined the Russian-held county of Artois (now part of Jarl Ormr’s demesne), the treasure fleet would not be needed, with loot going direct to the Russian treasury. It docked in Kent in early October 981, delivering a big boost to the Russian treasury, Eilif’s prestige and to commerce in the capital. We shall see later what this money helped to buy back in Father Russia.
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2. Vassal and Ally Wars: 980-83
Eilif’s son and heir Jarl Styrbjörn of Sarkel launched a conquest of the county of Lower Don against Khan Papaçyz of Khazaria on 27 April 981. This venture would still be unresolved two years later. But at least the young man – 21 years old at the time – was trying! Though his dull wife had not yet provided him an heir of his own.
High Chieftess Þordis – another one of those intrepid and formidable female Lithuanian adventurers – began a Holy War for Yatvingia against the High Chieftess of that small realm on 25 June 981. She would succeed in this by the infidels’ Christmas Day of the following year. And in doing so earned herself a suitably grand nickname - even if (in Eilif's view) she remained an ‘Odinite’. Still, it was all in the name of Germanicism, so earned even Eilif’s grudging respect (of course, his true religious allegiance and perfidious character was still kept largely hidden from public view).
The Norse Kingdom of England (formerly Jorvik) had been unstable ever since King Halsten the Monster had been murdered in January 980. King Sigfrið ‘the Just’ had taken the crown, but by August 981 he was being painted as a tyrant by his opponents and a revolt was raised in the name of a young Hvitserk relation, Suni. Who seemed to have some very powerful backers among the vassals. Despite a far larger personal army, it looked like Sigfrið was in some trouble.
Ch136 Q1: Confusing English War Result. Out of interest, the mechanics that most likely led to this outcome would be nice to know.
Eilif tried to recruit him into the Fellowship straight away, but this failed, despite a promising introduction.
The ever-greedy King Björn of Denmark – still in an alliance with Russia at that time – started yet another war of conquest on 27 February 982, this time against the Polish offshoot of the Kingdom of Bohemia, where King Witosz III controlled lands adjoining fairly extensive Danish holdings in central Germany. For the time being, no call to arms for Russian help was issued.
But almost exactly one year later, with the war not going so well for him, the plaintive Danish king (and relative by marriage) issued a request that honour bound Eilif to agree to. Though he had no immediate plans to provide direct assistance: he had other projects afoot at that point, about which we shall read below. But the war would prove to be a complication in another unforeseen way.
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3. Domestic Affairs: 980-83
3.a The Expansion of Germanicism
The slow but steady expansion of Reformed Germanicism continued throughout this period. Brugge (June 980), Kerzhenets (December 980), Holland (March 982) and Orsha (August 982) all converted thanks to local events.
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3.b Building
Previous and new injections of gold from raiding and a small but increasing domestic tax take saw the continuation of Eilif II’s ‘golden age of building’ during 980-83. A previously ordered castle town was completed in Chudovo (Holmgarðr’s second barony) in August 980. Then loot from West Francia fuelled another building boom in January 982, with five new projects started in a single day. Building the Russian cavalry arm continued to figure prominently, while general barracks, taxes and a new Imperial shipbuilding capability also got some attention.
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3.c Monthly Income
Throughout this period, even though large periodic influxes of gold from raiding kept coming and were then largely spent on building or military projects, a careful eye was kept on the monthly national income (various taxes, fairly steady), expenses (ie military maintenance spending, fluctuating) and balance. Some samples of these monthly amounts are noted below:
- 19 November 980: income +23.55; expenses -15.50, balance +8.06.
- 3 March 981: income +23.49; expenses –18.18, balance +5.32.
- 14 May 981: income +24.22; expenses -6.83, balance +17.39.
- 1 July 982: income +23.58; expenses -6.52, balance +17.06.
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3.d Vassals, Factions, Politics and Council
Eilif’s troublesome half-brother, factional player and Court Jester Prince Ingólfr happened to be the next vassals whose opinion of the Emperor was improved by Chancellor Arbjörn’s statecraft in August 980. Perhaps there was some hope for him yet!
Froði soon left his leadership of the faction, but it was taken over by the imposing High Chieftess Þordis (not yet known as the ‘Sword of Odin’ at that time, though it wouldn’t have saved her from Eilif’s depredations anyway). She too got a demonic night visit in mid-November 980 and would also leave the faction soon afterwards.
A succession of leadership occurred in the Merchant Republic of Livonia on 16 January 982 when its first Grand Mayor Baldr Væni died of a heart attack. Skuli af Salaspils was elected as his replacement – and he was no great fan of his Emperor [-69 opinion]. But Eilif took no action as yet.
Ch136 Q2. Grand Mayor Skuli. Is Skuli’s poor opinion of Eilif likely to badly affect tax income? Should I be looking to either butter him up or send another demon to ‘persuade’ him?
On 24 March 982, Eilif moved quietly against Mayor Emund. First, a distant Rurikid kinsman (but still a royal family member) living in Veliky Ustug as Chancellor and also its heir, was invited to court. It so happened he was far more steeped in the arts of intrigue than Emund. He arrived with his family on 9 April and was straight away made Spymaster.
By the end of March 982, the factional scene was well under control. The largest, for Elective Succession in Garðariki, was down to only 12.5% strength compared to the Emperor. But its newest member was none other than Eilif’s son, Prince Alfr!
“How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!” wrote Eilif bitterly in his journal about that discovery.
The loyal Warchief of the Jomsvikings was the next to provide political ammunition for Eilif’s multi-faceted campaign against factionalism in April 982. As ever, Eilif took advantage without compunction.
The period closed with another succession, this time in Sweden. From 28 May 983, Vestergautland had a new Duchess, just ten years old.
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4. Personal and Family Events: 980-83
One of Eilif’s new concubines gave him cause for suspicion in August 980. Eilif ran this scandal to ground and found out the truth – which he then suppressed. He would have a new child all saw as legitimate who could be used for political marriage or – in extremis – to give Eilif another health boost down the track! Especially given his persistent infirmity.
Eilif turned fifty on 28 May 981. Though still infirm, during the day he managed to celebrate with those of his family present in the capital, plus his wife, his two lovers and his other two concubines. All while getting good and drunk. It was good to be both alive and the Emperor!
In September 981, Eilif’s younger sister Ingfrid, married to his illegitimate cousin and commander Hakon, died prematurely from cancer at the age of only 41. A matter of passing sadness for the busy Emperor.
In May 982, it was thoughts of his own mortality that had Eilif once more seeking out the Dark Power of Hel. Perhaps this time it would cure him of his infirmity …
The good mood couldn’t last for ever, though. And it was family that caused him grief once more. His daughter-in-law Linda was plotting to murder him – apparently to hasten the inheritance of his son Helgi to many of the best parts of Russia’s crown lands!
Ch136 Q3: Inheritance Alarm. Bloody hell – I didn’t notice this until reviewing this screen just now. I kinda thought (without checking, duh!) that with primo inheritance the counties currently owned by Eilif would have all been passed onto Styrbjörn. But clearly not. So I’ve looked through them and realised, as I should have done really, that while Russian Imperial inheritance laws were changed, those for the Kingdom or Garðariki (and thus the Jarldom of Holmgarðr by default) were not. It seems Finland, which was founded after the change to primo at the Imperial level, took on that new form.
After checking, all I need to change Garðariki is peace and one minor vassal, currently with -3 opinion (easily enough fixed) to be made happy. The problem is that war is the Danish-Bohemian one – they seem to be an ally that causes nothing but problems. Maybe I’ll have to fix that first after all. An annex to this chapter will set out what I hope is the relevant information, so Eilif can obtain the views of the wise at the next (formal) Þing.
After checking, all I need to change Garðariki is peace and one minor vassal, currently with -3 opinion (easily enough fixed) to be made happy. The problem is that war is the Danish-Bohemian one – they seem to be an ally that causes nothing but problems. Maybe I’ll have to fix that first after all. An annex to this chapter will set out what I hope is the relevant information, so Eilif can obtain the views of the wise at the next (formal) Þing.
At least the high suspicion of Eilif as a possible Hel follower had waned again by December 982, though more sad family news came with the death of his older sister Aleta (aged 57) on 13 April 983 from natural causes. But his worry now was what should be done to ensure his primary heir inherited the most powerful position he could without sparking a vicious succession war following the Emperor's death.
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5. Russian Wars and Raids: 982-83
On 30 January 982 around 1,300 raiders appeared in Luki to try their luck. But appearing so close to the Russian capital was very poor judgement. Eilif was soon mustering a force of levies from his central counties: over 2,500 men would gather in Toropets under Eilif’s personal command, before moving on to confront the impudent adventurers.
It took until 12 March for the army to concentrate then begin marching to Vitebsk, to avoid attacking the raiders over the Lovai River at a major disadvantage. They were in Vitebsk by early May then headed north to strike the raiding army which failed to take the prudent course of running away. Battle was joined on 26 May and it was all over by 5 June 982 (Russia 79/2,916; Raiders 717/1,320 killed). Eilif’s disbanded his levies so they could return to tend their farms as spring headed towards summer.
Over in Francia, the Long Raid continued in Boulogne, with the last of its four holdings fully looted by 12 June 982, gaining 204 gold for only 108 troops lost since they arrived in Boulogne in October the year before. The next target to feel the savagery of the Russian Viking raiders would be inland at Amiens, from 1 July 982. Again, it was along the border with Brabant, allowing loot to be sent directly to the treasury as soon as it was won.
On 23 October, the one unit of levies still with the raiders – the main Nygarðr regiment of 962 men – was split from the main body of Hakon’s army (which still numbered a little over 10,000 Jomsvikings and Imperial Retinue troops) and began marching back to Russian-held Artois. He would arrive there on 7 November, allowing the levies to safely disband.
The reason for this was immediately revealed: it was time to teach the Karelians another lesson and to remove some more border gore in the Kingdom of Finland. Eilif headed back into the field again at the head of another army made just of his own levies and the two new (still growing) retinue companies.
By mid-December 982, Ahma ‘the Brute’ was mobilising his forces and calling in what allies he could – but it was never going to be enough, even against just the Emperor’s personal levy army.
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The new year saw the raid still occupied in Amiens as in Finland the main Russian army entered Savo unopposed on 19 February 983. The force was split into two, one to conduct the siege of the war’s primary target, the other smaller one headed up by Hakon (recalled from Francia) to pursue a smaller Karelian force that had slipped into Austerbotn.
Eilif had taken Hakon’s place in command of the raid in Amiens and was back far away from home, enjoying the company of his Fellowship Siblings and lovers Botulfr and Malmfrið again as his two flank commanders. It was in Francia that Eilif would be finally healed of his infirmity a few months later.
Hakon [by now up to Martial skill 30] easily defeated the Karelians at Austerbotn from 5-17 March 983 (Russia 17/1,303; Karelia 185/572 killed). The Karelian army had been commanded by Ahma himself [Martial 13] and during the battle one of his minor officers, Kharuchi Hasabid, was captured. While Ahma could afford the 10 gold ransom demanded, he was unwilling to pay it. Perhaps Kharuchi would live long enough to become a star attraction at the next Blot, instead!
The tribal hold of Savo fell on 27 April 983 and two prisoners were seized. One of them was a woman for whom no ransom could be procured. But the other – probably the sister of the young Chief Uoti of Sava, the target of Eilif’s de jure claim – attracted a 10 gold payment by 1 May. Eilif found Uoti’s letter, where he described the Dark Fylkir as a “creepy bore”, to be quite amusing. It didn’t seem likely a warm relationship would ensure once the young man was forced to bend the knee to his new liege when his current master inevitably lost this little war.
The raid finished in Amiens on 29 April (152 gold, 499 raiders lost) and Eilif then swung his men across the Seine towards Mortain, with the fleet called back from its anchorage in Kent to remain on station in the Baie de la Seine, ready to begin taking on treasure.
By mid-May 983, the Russian army in Finland had divided into three parts. One (2,134 men) remained in Savo to invest its temple holding. A second (1,991 men) finished its siege of Ahma’s capital in Karjala on 14 May. The third – Hakon’s smaller field army of 1,330 men – was approaching Satakunda from Tavastehus to confront a smaller force there led by one of Ahma’s allies.
In Francia, Eilif in Mortain and attacked another tardy and incautious Francian force at the Battle of Bayeux on 1 June. The whole enemy army was destroyed by the 15th and the latest raid siege began as the ‘loose change’ from the countryside was gathered and loaded onto the treasure fleet.
Victory came in the war on 15 June – the same day as Eilf’s victory over the West Francians at Bayeux – when the temple of Mikkeli fell in what would now be known as the Russian county of Savolax. Ruled by a very unhappy 11-year-old Chief Uoti. Who would soon face a demand to convert from his heathen Suomenusko beliefs.
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6. Current Situation and Next Steps
The efforts of both Eilif himself and some of his ambitious vassals had further expanded the Empire over the last three years. The borders would always be a bit untidy as these expansions branch out, but southern Finland was now properly self-contained, at least.
Other options included another small border conquest – perhaps a de jure claim again, a Holy War (or even Great Holy War) or continued raiding and building. Possibly supporting one of his vassal’s expansion wars (but again, not against heathen holy orders, as had wound up so expensive in backing Ormr against the Teutons).
And finally, as the Dark Fylkir turned his thoughts back to matters of succession and inheritance, Crown Prince Styrbjörn seemed to be developing well enough. And his dopey and depressed wife Killu at last looked like she would give her husband an heir. But the inheritance laws of Garðariki needed to be fixed first, meaning closing off that pesky Danish-Bohemian war Russia had been dragged into. Just when you thought you were out, they drag you back in again!
And maybe Eilif should offer some support for that war of Styrbjörn’s for Lower Don, which had been going on since April 981. His son was in front on paper [+40% war score] but looked to have recently suffered a defeat at the hands of the Khazars. Perhaps Eilif could handle both these matters at once, even while keeping the raid going in Francia …
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Questions
The three specific questions posed this time are collated below. General strategic thoughts are also welcome, of course. After this goes up, I’ll publish a short annex for the edification of the Þing, which Eilif has called. It will spell out the succession background, to help ensure I’m not missing anything there, and the situation with some of those extant vassal and ally wars referred to above and that Eilif is considering for interventions.
Ch136 Q1: Confusing English War Result. Out of interest, the mechanics that most likely led to this outcome would be nice to know.
Ch136 Q2. Grand Mayor Skuli. Is Skuli’s poor opinion of Eilif likely to badly affect tax income? Should I be looking to either butter him up or send another demon to ‘persuade’ him?
Ch136 Q3: Inheritance Alarm. Bloody hell – I didn’t notice this until reviewing this screen just now. I kinda thought (without checking, duh!) that with primo inheritance the counties currently owned by Eilif would have all been passed onto Styrbjörn. But clearly not. So I’ve looked through them and realised, as I should have done really, that while Russian Imperial inheritance laws were changed, those for the Kingdom or Garðariki (and thus the Jarldom of Holmgarðr by default) were not. It seems Finland, which was founded after the change to primo at the Imperial level, took on that new form.
After checking, all I need to change Garðariki is peace and one minor vassal, currently with -3 opinion (easily enough fixed) to be made happy. The problem is that war is the Danish-Bohemian one – they seem to be an ally that causes nothing but problems. Maybe I’ll have to fix that first after all. An annex to this chapter will set out what I hope is the relevant information, so Eilif can obtain the views of the wise at the next (formal) Þing.
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