Catharclysm-Succession Mega Campaign

[LumberKing]

Chapter 45

King Talor II of Iuerthon​

“Archers, release!”

Despite being numerous as well as having cavalry, their horses were nothing, but former plowing horses compared to the battle hardened steed of the Royal Army. Even with the geographical advantage, they were eventually crushed, like all the other peasant revolts before them.

With things peaceful again, my Marshal suggested an overall upgrade to the kingdom's military, though it required an investment, I agreed to it nevertheless.

Later in the evening, a raven came to me bearing a message from my sister, Mor, who currently served as the Royal Chancellor.

As much as I would have liked to conquer the region without drawing the ire of the Papist monarchs, we had very little funds and as such I had to decline her offer.

With nothing better to do, I decided to organise a Grand Hunt to enjoy the outdoors.

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 46

King Talorc the Great of Iuerthon​

“Your Majesty, there's the white stag.”

“Ooh, how pretty!”

“Who would you like to give the honours to kill it?

“Kill it? Why would we do such a thing?”

“Uhm... Because we're on a hunt?”

“Oh, so that's what hunting is about... Father never took me, so I wouldn't know...”

“You would let it go?”

“Well, it's against our beliefs, but we can't really just let it go, can we? Send whoever's the best.”

“Thank you, Sire. You are great for doing this!”

“Your Majesty! There's been a peasant uprising in Desmond!”

“Again?”

“Alright boys, time to pack up our bags and go home.”

Just like that, the Great Hunt was over.

Of course, like any other peasant uprising, it was swiftly crushed.

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 47

King Talorc the Great of Iuerthon​

The Welshman whom I had appointed to govern Gwynedd approached me today, asking if I could lower taxes for the cities of the realm.

Feeling insulted after what I had done for him, I summarily dismissed it without giving it much thought.

I was visiting the province of Heluua when I small child approached me. To my surprise, rather than attempting to converse with me in what was their native Germanic language, she spoke to me in Pictish. Upon looking around, the customs of the area had drastically changed.

As I was musing about the change in the vibe of the area, a Cornish emissary requested an audience.

“What does the King of Cornwall want now?”

“Uhm... I come from Mercia, Your Majesty.”

What had happened down South, I have no idea, but shortly after accepting their calls to arms in confusion, the war was shortly over.

I returned to the headquarters of the realm in Dublin where I saw the whole area to be in a mess with people running around everywhere.

“What is going on here?”

“We are having administrative problems, Your Majesty.”

“What do you mean?”

“Some things happened, and once thing led to another and now we are back some fifty years in terms of technological advancement.”

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 48

King Talorc the Great
24th of March, 826th Year of our Lord​

Today was my birthday, yes the all fateful day which through the process of reincarnation I was brought forth to this wretched world. As a Good Christian, to be born was a cursed fate as it meant that we were to be bound to the Realm of Rex Mundi, the Demiurge, the God of the Jews and the Satanic King of this World. The only way to escape from the endless cycle of reincarnation was to follow the teachings of Christ, and to an extent that of Zoroaster, Mani, and Buddha, through the life of prayer and devotion, one may attain gnosis, the secret knowledge of God.

As I was rummaging through a pile of paper to assist in my journey of gnosis, I came across a piece of paper with a seal which was a year old. Upon opening it, I was quite shocked that I had only just discovered this.

The Greek Emperor will face troubles for time to come until he abandons his false beliefs in the Demiurge and becomes enlightened through gnosis where he ought to stop his persecution of our Bogomil and Paulician brothers.

I went going for a short walk when the Chiefs, Earls, and Dukes of the realm was waiting for me back in my tent upon my return.

“Happy Fiftieth Birthday, Your Majesty!”

“More like Cursed...”

“Oh, don't be like that, Sire. We even have a gift for you.”

“I didn't ask for any gift. So... What is it?”

“Here it is!”

Turning around, I saw the Royal Chaplain holding a golden crown with the family sigil on it, most likely made from the smelted gold from the Royal Treasury.

“Long live, the King of Picts!”

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 49

King Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts​

Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts was my full title which had been bestowed upon me by the lords of the realm. As I was becoming old, I needed to delegate more of my duties to my son, Talorc, one of the twins. Seeing his twin, Bridei would inherit Pictland, I needed not bother with bestowing any titles to him as I was still firm in mind to do the job myself. Talorc on the other will be inheriting Ireland where I did not have time to spend and as such I decided to appoint him High Chief of Meath and Lord Lieutenant of the Emerald Isle.

Recently, the Cornish Princess had been deposed resulting in the Anglo-Saxon Queen reclaiming the throne of Mercia. Due to the anarchy of the situation in the Petty Kingdom, I declared whatever peace treaty there was between us and them to be void.

I thought to myself that we were going to war not for territorial gains, but to restore order. As if Christ was punishing me for this deception, I suddenly felt weak and collapsed on to the floor.

Feeling that I may draw my last breath, I gave orders to send the best commanders in my stead and to divert the Royal Raiders from their raiding activities and join the main forces.

As the Royal Army attempted to cross the borders, the Mercian Royal Army intercepted them, resulting in a big battle.

From the reports the messengers had sent me, the timely reinforcements from our reserves made certain to prevent a disastrous battle as the Mercian forces were superior in equipments. Routing the enemy forces, the Royal Army chased them back and forth, all the way to Mercia itself.

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 50

King Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts​

After completely crushing the Mercian Army, the Royal Army arrived at their capital of Warwick and began laying siege.

Back at my new headquarters in Lut, one my twin son Bridei's wife, Bronuen, informed me that she had given birth to a boy whom she named after his father.

Though it should be a cursed day, looking at the boy gave me a bundle of joys and just like that, I could not have felt any better.

Months after months of laying siege, a messenger informed me that the defenders of Tamworth had finally surrendered to the besiegers.

Just as I was about to celebrate another messenger informed me that the Royal Army was under attack.

The battle raged for days, with neither side gaining an advantage. It got dragged on for so long that I had managed to arrive in time to watch it happen. Just then, a gap opened in the enemy defence and in an instant, their whole formation collapsed.

“Good job, Captain.”

“I don't know what to say, Your Majesty. If His Majesty had not been present, I know not what would have happened.”

“I only just got here.”

“Irrelevant, look.”

There were cheers, loud cheers, all hailing my name to the heavens. Just then, an Anglo-Saxon emissary requested an audience.

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 51

King Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts​

“You must be Art.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you know why I summoned you here?”

“No, Sire. My father just informed me that the King had summoned me.”

“You are a first born, of a Chief at that. Do you know the significance of that?”

“I'm a bastard, Sire. It means nothing...”

“Nonsense! We are the Purist of all Christians, since we reject the world we also reject the notion of matrimony. This Kingdom does not recognise issue of legitimacy and bastardry. You are a natural born. A first-born nonetheless, who stands to inherit his fathers lands.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Would you like to be something better?”

“What do you mean, Sire?”

“You have a choice; you could either go back to your father's land and inherit his realm upon his death living out the rest of your life enslaved to the Demiurge, or you can renounce all things material and serve the True God where you can gain the secret knowledge of Christ.”

“How would I go about obtaining that, Sire?”

“We have recently acquired some lands from the Papist heretics. I have been thinking, instead of setting up more Marches, I am thinking about turning the land of Worcester into an ecclesiastical land. If I do go through with this, will accept the position as the first Lord Bishop of Worcester? As a Metropolitan Prince-Bishop, you will receive all the benefits of a Chief or an Earl.”

“I am most honoured, Your Majesty.”

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 52

King Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts​

The Royal Steward informed me that he managed to raise a small army for me.

Not only that, the Royal Marshal informed me ways of improving the quality of our army.

Needing something to do with these assets besides raiding, I asked my Spymaster if there was anything of interest down South to which he told me there was:

The Queen of Mercia had recently been dethroned and replaced by someone else. Seizing this opportunity, I sent the Royal Chancellor to inform the Kings and Princes of this Isle of my intent of restoring order to this troubled realm.

Gathered at York, the Royal Army marched towards Lincoln, the target of our pacification.

Upon arrival, we immediate laid siege while the Mercian Army fled.

Once the opportunities presented itself, I ordered the army to assault and capture the entire province.

After capturing our objective, my scouts informed me that the Holy Britannic Alliance, a new Papist Coalition led by the King of Wessex, had been sighted near the Lord Bishopric of Worcester. With that in mind, we quickly marched towards Worcester until we met the Papist Armies on the battlefield.

Being outnumbered over two to one, it was only a matter of time until the Anglo-Saxons were crushed by the superior Royal Army.

With the Alliance Army in tatters, we marched towards the new Mercian Capital of Bedford, where we began to lay siege immediately upon arrival.

Once the walls were breached we assaulted the castle.

“Your Majesty, I see that you are well.”

The ruler of Mercia emerged from the castle.

“I think I prefer the style, 'Your Grace'. If you would please, address me with that from this point onwards.”

“Of course, Your Grace. Regardless, here are the keys to the city of Lincoln.”

We were marching back towards the border when I was wondering about the previous rulers of Pictland. Prior to my father's conquest of Greater Scotia, there was a King who ruled over all the Picts. House Circinn, I believe their dynasty was, but since then they had largely fallen from grace, living in poverty. One of the members of that dynasty, as I was informed, was quite a scholar. Upon hearing what he was like, I decided to offer him to govern Lincoln as a Lord Bishop like I had set up with Worcester. Under one condition of course; he has to abandon his Papist beliefs.

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 53

King Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts​

Not satisfied with the result, I decided that the usurper had to die.

Surprisingly, many in his court did not like him if not outright despise him including his Royal Council.

The conspirators within his court made the plans where later on, King Offa II would have an unfortunate accident.

Just as I read the report regarding the Mercian King's demise, my sister, the Royal Chancellor, informed me that I had a second chance to make claims on Perfeddwlad which I immediately accepted.

With all the pieces in place, it was time for my Last Holy Crusade. Well, sort of...

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 54

King Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts​

Battles had been raging, with sieges laying waste to castles, cities, and churches. Despite their best effort, the Holy Britannic Alliance were beaten back at every turn. As if turning a blind eye to the troubles of the Isles, the false prophet of Rome, decided that the matters in Gaul was of greater importance.

All the while his followers fought and died on Albion.

Though they had been abandoned by their false prophet, they still fought on to the detriment of their lives.

The Neo-Arians had failed on their latest adventure against the Lombard queen. Their false prophet, or Caliph, was a schismatic of their main branch of heretical cults.

After destroying most of the Alliance Army composed mainly of Wessex, Essex, and Mercia, the Royal Army chased the remnant all the way to Cornwall, where they regrouped with the Cornish Army.

Despite the Cornish reinforcements, the Anglo-Saxons were still utterly crushed.

With even the slightest hope shredded to pieces, the young Queen of Mercia had no choice, but to surrender the keys to Oxford.

I had summoned Eormenric, a Steward in my nephew's court in Greater Lancaster. An Anglo-Saxon Papist, I offered him the city of Oxford where he would have the academic freedom to bring about all kinds of advancements in return for his abandonment of the Papist faith.

To which, he readily agreed. For that, I made him the Rector of Oxford.

 

[LumberKing]

Chapter 55

King Talorc II of Iuerthon and I of the Picts​

“Who are they? They look as menacing as those Templars we almost had to fight.”

“They call themselves the Sovereign Military Order of Saint John, or Knights Hospitallers, Sire. They were an ambulance unit before becoming militarised.”

Looking rather menacing to face right now, I decided to wait until they left elsewhere. In the meantime, I decided the time was ripe to take on the Viking settlement of Norfolk.

Faced with powerful enemies, I decided it would be best to call in additional help where I managed to gather over fourteen thousand men, rendezvous at my youngest son's capital of Northumberland.

“Your Grace, the Crusaders are taking the former March town of Derby!”

“Excellent.”

While the Hospitallers were busy, I ordered the Royal Army to march to our objective where upon arrival, immediately laid siege.

“Are the Papist Knights following us?”

“No Sire!”

“Occupy the whole province before they do!!!”

Just like that, without even facing the Crusading Knights who were brought to the Isles to assist the Papist Principalities, the war on this front was won.

From the former Welsh Marches, it took just over a month to march towards Norfolk when we encountered a large Viking Army.

Deciding to take control of the Royal Army myself, I led the vanguard where after a weeks worth of heavy fighting, we routed the enemy, chasing them all the way to Lynn.

Once the Viking Army had been completely destroyed we began to lay siege on Norfolk.

“Those Vikings are quite ruthless, aren't they?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Quite a fight we had.”

“Terrible Christians, they'll make. Regardless, that was quite exciting.”

“Are you okay, Sire? You are sweating quite a bit.”

“Don't worry, I'm fine. Just overly excited that's all. Man, I sure am getting old.”

“Sire?”

“Let me lie down for a bit. Carry on what you're doing.”

I laid down on the ground while the Royal Army continued to lay siege. I decided that it was a nice day despite the cold snow. Then, I shut my eyes to see the welcoming arms of my father...

 

[Emperor Ike]

Finally!

The King is dead! Long live the King! May the Pirate Cat Overlord bless our new King Bridei VI! And may it give him the strength and success of his ancestors!

 

[LumberKing]

Finafuckingly done!

First of all, I would like to apologise Mighty Imhotep for taking so long, most in part due to my extended break against the rules, thus delaying his play which may or may not inconvenience him. Second of all, I would like to apologise to Wooyar, our Game Master, for breaking the rules in regards to the break as well as making the whole AAR unmanageable. Third of all, I would like to apologise to the audience, again for taking so damn long, since this is a succession game, one ought to do it in a timely manner. I did try to cut down a lot of the AAR contents (like 85%) though even then it was way too long. For those who have read my Imperator Plebeio AAR, you will recognise that I base my AARs on screenshots as that is how I work off it as well as coming up with stories hence why it tends to be screenshots heavy. Also, what I'm writing is not really an AAR (after action report), but more of a short story disguised as one. What Rozmarzony did was a proper AAR, concise yet comprehensive. Also, sorry for not taking part in discussions and what not. When I write, I tend to ignore everything lest I break my chain of thoughts. Because I felt I was behind, this forty-ish chapters worth of AARs was done in my own very special Crunch time, in that I pretty much worked overtime. Since I have yet to find employment, this did not affect my real life in any way (which is kind of sad if you think about it).

Anyways, despite being a long drag, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I have playing and writing it. Now for the next player (Mighty Imhotep), I shall give you a proper AAR. This game is quite special for a succession game because during the reign of my father (Rozmarzony), my wife had given birth to twins. Since I have split the realm in two (if you didn't know, yes, I did ), the twin sons have inherited a kingdom each. Because they are twins, I believe the next player should be allowed a choice because... Twins! Right, for the choices:

Twin A:

Bridei has inherited Pictland and the lands of the former Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms and Welsh Principalities, as well as the Royal Pictish Army consisting of Pictish Retinues and Tribal Warriors (temporary decision/event troops). As the King of the Picts, he will have opportunities to continue on with the Cathar Crusade against the Papist Kings and Princes down South. However, the vassals are more powerful than he, as his youngest brother, the Duke of Northumberland, has a bigger demesne size (4 or 5). Also, the southern vassals are Welsh (with a token Anglo-Saxon one) and as such will view the new King as a suspicious foreigner.

Twin B:

Talorc has inherited Ireland, the lands of his father and his grandfather before him. Having been given his own fief to rule since his wedding, he has built up his own wealth and prestige unlike his twin brother, Bridei. As the King of Eire, he has very little opportunity to expand unless he manages to gain shipyards. Having a large demesne, he has the ability to put down any potential threats his vassals might give meaning the realm will be somewhat more peaceful. Since everyone is Irish (with a token Pictish), he has more in common with his vassals than his brother does with his.



Both of the brothers have a weak claim for the top title against each other, so it is possible to bring about a personal union once again. However, I advise against such thing, but rather recommend that the two brothers get along and be allies in their struggle against the Papist dogs.

Here is the download.

Right, now to actually contribute towards the forum:

What about creating green empire via decision, not using that boring Britannia?

Would love to, but no Charlemagne DLC. That's why I suggested you should start, remember?

The point of the AAR is to NOT create DE JURE empires and kingdoms (unless you want to give them away)



BUT I said nothing about CREATING an Empire


Cathar empire, coming soon.

I for one reckon we should make it our personal goal to destroy ALL empire-tier titles and have only Kings and Queens as well as the various Princes, Dukes, and what not rule in pocket areas. If there is a single massive empire still in Europe, we should make that title the Holy Roman Empire (I can mod it if you want).

Judging by the amount of Chapters LumberKing made, that would take a hediously long time. I also have no idea how to fit that in the first post.

I CAN make links to first and last chapters if that is acceptable?

Yes, do first and last only, if you do it at all. Otherwise it will just over-saturate the opening post.

 

[Rozmarzony]

No need for apologies, you kept us up-to-date with AARs so there was no break at all for entire succession.

 

[Emperor Ike]

Well I never done AARs as in the real meaning either, writing them as stories is much more interesting and sometimes stories are long. 57 is a nice long run starting from 26. I mean the game could have killed you while you were leading armies or someone might have wanted you dead. Lots of events bring lots of updates and I think we are all fine, also we all write in different styles. That'll do LumberKing, that'll do.

Things are going to get interesting now that Twins rule the two kingdoms. Both of all ready advanced in their ages somewhat. I wonder what Mighty Imhotep will choose as his twin and how he will do with them.

 

[Wooyar]

No need for apologies, you kept us up-to-date with AARs so there was no break at all for entire succession.

*Dittoing intensifies*



Gonna definitely link your first and last one tho.

 

[Mighty Imhotep]

Right just starting now, should have an update up by the end of the night.

 

[Mighty Imhotep]

Question - Does anyone want me to turn on Sunset Invasion?

 

[Wooyar]

Doesn't matter, Rozmarzony turned it off (I think?)

BTW, new addition to the rules! Each 5 players is one volume! It will help me with sorting out the first post.

 

[ekorovin]

Question - Does anyone want me to turn on Sunset Invasion?