Chronicles of House Odrepandi – Megacampaing AAR Part I

[Inarr]

Welcome everyone. This is my first AAR. I always wanted to write one, and finaly gathered enought motivation to do so. For this AAR, I will follow the history of custom Odrepandi dynasty, starting with Bjorn of Leon (in Brittany) in 867. Hopefully the story will continue all the way to year 2500 in Stellaris. Feel free to comment and give me advice about AAR writing. Also, I'm not a native English speaker, so if I write something wrong, fell free to correct me.

In first part of this AAR, I will try to establish a new kingdom under rule of Odrepandi dynasty. I will also try to not make this kingdom too strong, so EU4 will still be challenging. I will also avoid making an empire. Game will be played in ironman (but with frequent backups so it will not end with save corruption). I will also try to roleplay my characters.

I hope everyone who decides to read the AAR will enjoy it.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter I – Bjorn the Undying

The history of great house Odrepandi begins in middle of 9th century. Bjorn was born around 847, to a minor Swedish noble. At age 18, he traveled westward, to Frisia and Denmark, trying to earn prestige and wealth. Eventually, he joined Jarl Sigurd of Sjaelland as a mercenary, and traveled to England to take part in the invasion of Sons of Ragnar. He became famous for his skills in battle, and managed to earn the nickname „the Undying”.

The good fortune didn’t last long. Bjron became a rival of one of Sigurd’s champions. This rivalry resulted in Bjorn having to leave the service of Jarl of Sjaelland. He briefly switched sides and joined King Aethelred of Wessex as mercenary, to fight against his former employer. Finally, Bjorn managed to take revenge against rival champion, and killed him in battle. During this battle, one of Bjorn’s closest friends and companions was also killed. This loss and also the fact that Sigurd was furious that one of his best champions was killed, forced Bjorn to leave England. Before sailing away, he managed to raise a host of 280 warriors, thanks to gold he managed to earn during his days as adventurer. With his own army, Bjorn sailed across English Channel, and managed to take over the County of Leon, in Brittany.

Leon was going to be only a temporaly base. Bjorn had a plan to sail southwards. He knew about the riches of Mediterranean Sea. His plan was to sail there and get a foothold, from which he will be able to raid and take the riches from himself.

Bjorn also knew that his 280 warriors won’t be enought to conquer new lands in the south. He decided to look for allies. Ketill, the Chieftain of Mon, was willing to ally with young adventurer, so Bjorn decided to marry one of daughters of the chief.

With alliance secured, Norse fleet started sailing southwards. First target was Ceuta, an indepedent city-state just south of Strait of Giblartar. It had a weak garrison, so the conquest would be easy. After two victorious battles and successfull siege, Ceuta was taken by Norse warriors. Bjorn decided to move his capital there, and establish this place as his base of operations in Mediterranean.

The campaing in North Africa continued. Melilla, another small Berber state, was the next target. During the war, Bjorn's wife announced that she was pregnant. The happines didn’t lasted long however. Alfred of Wessex, the Count of Dorset and brother of the king, attacked Leon. Bjorn knew Alfred, as they meet during the short time when he was under service of King of Wessex. Alfred was going to punish Bjorn for leaving England and betraying Wessex.

Tryggve, Bjorn’s son, was born on 7th November 868. Soon after, another war started. Attab of Cadiz, the Umayyad vassal from across the Strait of Giblartar, tried to retake Ceuta for Muslims.

After Melilla was taken, Bjorn of Ceuta, together with his brother in law, Bjorn of Mon, marched to fight again Muslim army besieging Ceuta. In the meanwhile, the Saxons took Leon. Bjorn wasn’t concerned, as he didn’t expect to hold this county for long anyway.

Battle of Ceuta ended in victory of Norse army. Despite the inferior numbers, veteran warriors under command of Bjorn managed to defend their new city. Following this victory, Norsemen sailed to Hispania, and defeated Attab's army in another battle. Sheik of Cadiz had to surrender. Bjorn managed to keep control over Ceuta and Melilla. This was however, only the beggining of his campaing in the Mediterranean region.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter II - Fighting at Mediterranean Sea

With Ceuta and Melilla under his control, Bjorn had access to Mediterranean Sea. However, he knew that these two provinces will not be enought if he wants to stay independent. Bjorn decided to invade the Balearic Isles.

Invasion of Menorca was easy. Norse warriors defeated the local army without much trouble.

On 2nd July 870, a daughter named Sif was born to Bjorn.

Menorca was conquered on 29 December 870. Bjorn decided to continue his expansion by invading Mallorca. This invasion proved to be more difficult, with first attempt to take the island being repelled. Bjorn was wounded in battle.

Few months later, second attempt to take the island was made. However, it ended with total defeat of Norse armies, and Bjorn had to surrender. The plan to take over Baleares has failed.

Bjorn decided to spend next months in replenishing loses. During this time, he also focused more on governing his lands, but with not much success. On 18 october 872, his second son, Sigtrygg was born.

On 20 July 873, a rebelion started in Melilla and Menorca. It was quickly crushed, and its leader was sacrificed to the gods.

The peace did not last long. The Sultan of Andalusia send his armies across the Strait of Giblartar to take Ceuta. The Umayyads had army 5 times as large as Bjorn’s, so this was was going to be one-sided. Bjorn decided to leave Africa with his army and take over Gallura in Sardinia. Ceuta was quickly taken by Umayyads, and Bjorn had to surrender.

The campaing in Sardinia was more successfull. Bjorn managed to take Gallura, and also took gold from ransoms. He now controlled three disconnected provinces in western Mediterranean.

After short rest, Bjorn once again marched away with his warriors. This time, to loot Sardinia and Corsica.

During the campaing, his third son, Ake, was born. Bjorn also continued his martial education by learning about the campaings of Alexander the Great.

After returning from raid, Bjorn noticed that Mallorca was taken by Umayyads. He decided to take revenge on Count Johan by attacking Ibiza. This war ended in quick victory. After this victory, Bjorn landed on Mallorca to raid it, but was defeated by local army. Peasants of Sardinia noticed the weakness of Norse army, and rebelled. Rebelion was quickly defeated. However, soon after, Jattabid Emirate invaded Ibiza. Bjorn wasn’t going to give up the island, so he hired mercenaries. It wasn’t enought, and the war was lost.



Since mercenaries were still under Bjorn’s command, he sailed to Ragusa. The city was taken, and Bjorn earned money from ransoms. Later, he sailed across Adriatic sea, to get more gold from raids, but was unsuccessfull.



While staying in his castle in Melilla, Bjorn started spending more time with his spymaster and court physican, Guthela. She was member of Jewish community of Menorca. This friendship soon turned into something more. Since Bjorn’s wife died of typhus few years ago, he decided it is time to marry again, and married his lover.

Tryggve, firstborn son of Bjorn, came of age. He wasn’t as tallented warrior as his father, but was slightly better in steawardship, so he was appointed as steward.

Bjorn once again set sail, hoping to get enought gold to consolidate rule over his separated domain, by becoming a jarl.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter III - Jarldom

On 10 December 884, Arnbjorn, son of Bjorn and Guthela, was born. He was born sickly, but later will recover.

One year later, Tryggve, Bjorn’s son, married Gunnhildr from Medelpad.

Bjorn focused more on raiding settlements on the Adriatic coast. Years of fighting, adventuring and battle experience made him a great strategist.

While Bjorn was raiding in Italy, he fell sick. His wife tried a risky treatment, and it was a success.

Daughter was born to Tryggve, named Astrid. Succession was secured.

Unexpected offer of alliance was send to Bjorn. Emir Ali of Fes, vassal of Idrisids of Morocco, offered to sign an alliance. Bjorn accepted it, to better secure his holdings in Africa.

This alliance was put into use when Duke of Barcelona attacked Menorca. The war didn’t last long. The first attack was defeated, and Duke Bernard was captured.

After victory against Barceona, Bjorn gathered enought gold to consolidate his rule, and became a Jarl. He choose Ragusa as his official capital. Jarldom of Ragusa was officialy created, and Bjorn’s ambition of creating his own country was fuilfiled.

Jarl Bjorn decided to expand his realm on Adriatic Coast, by invading Paganija. The war ended in quick victory.

Soon after, another war started. Emir of Zaragoza has attacked Menorca.

Taking advantage of this conflict, Emir of Tunis invaded Sardinia.

Bjorn decided to Focus on fighting the Emir of Tunis. Norse armies won the Battle of Calvi in Corsica. Later they landed in Africa. The war with Tunis was over. Emir of Zaragoza, however, had support of Sultan of Valencia, so that war was going to be more difficult.

Bjorn and his allies landed in Hispania and started marching towards Zaragoza. They were meet with army of Sultanate of Navarra. Battle was even, but it ended with Bjorn’s defeat. He lost an eye in the fight, and Menorca was taken by Zaragoza.

After his army recovered, Bjorn decided to continue his expansion in the Balkans, by conquering Zahumlje from Waldensian Duchy of Croatia. Bjorn got a claim for this county sometime ago, after a diplomatic incident. Croatia was being attacked by pagan tribes, so Zahumlje was taken with little resistance.

After this war, Bjorn decided to give his sons some land: Sigtrygg was granted Melilla, and Ake was granted Gallura. These two counties were bases for viking raids in Western Mediterranean. Bjorn knew he will not be able to keep them in long run, so he decided to let his sons use them before these cities fell to Umayyads.

Bjorn continued expansion in Dalmatia, by attacking the Greek duchess in order to take Spalathos. His main goal was to make sure all of his sons get their own county after his death. Spalathos was going to be given to his eldest son Tryggve, together with Ragusa and the title of Jarl.

The begining of war with Dalmatia was not in Bjorn’s favour, with Ragusa being taken by enemies. But after allies and mercenaries arrived, Bjorn retook his capital, and started going on offensive. During the war, peasant rebelion started, but it ironicaly helped Bjorn, since rebels attacked the Dalmatian army. Dalmatia defeated the rebelion and tried to take Ragusa again, but Bjorn managed to defeat enemy warriors in great battle. Soon after, Spalathos was taken, and war was won.

Bjorn finally managed to establish himself as a proper ruler. His ambition was fuilfied, but he did not plan to stay idle in Ragusa.

Western Balkan region in 900 AD

The world in 900 AD

 

[Inarr]

Chapter IV - Sardinia

Jarl Bjorn decided to raid Croatia in order to gather money for his next conquests. Raiding was successfull, and lost of wealth was taken.

After recruiting new soliders, Bjorn finally decided to continue his conquest. He sailed to Sardinia. The Island was ruled by Berber conquerors. Bjorn decided to attack it to prevent Italy from taking it and threatering Gallura. He also wanted to strenghten his position in western Mediterranean Sea. He planned to conquer this island for few years, but only now he had enought resources to take it and keep it.

Bjorn called his allies to war. The Emir of Fez accepted it, and also called Bjorn to war against a Berber sheikh of Ziz in southern Morocco.

The conquest has not started well. Italy was attacking Sardinia at the same time, and Duke of Bavaria was helping them. Bavarian army defeated Bjorn’s warriors at Logudoro.

Bjorn retreated to Corsica. His ally, Chief Bard of Lofotr, arrived with his longships. Bjorn sailed back to Sardinia. Soon after, Chief Bard called him to war as well. The second attack ended with Bjorn’s defeat in Battle of Samassi.

During the campaing, Bjorn fell sick. Luckly, his wife was a renowned physician, so the Jarl quickly recovered from his sickness.

Emir Ali won his war, and sailed to join Bjorn in third attempt to attack Sardinia. Bjorn also decided to hire mercenaries with gold from raids. The army landed in Sassari. Soon after, the city was taken. Bjorn marched southwards. He meet Sardinian army at Tortoli. The battle ended in victory for Ragusa.

Tortoli fell to Bjorn’s army. He marched back to Sasari. In two battales, Sardinians and their allies were defeated, and Sardina was finally in the hands of Bjorn.

Berber resistance still existed however, with the Count of Cagliari rebelling again the attempt to revoke his county. The Emir of Tunis, who previously tried to take Gallura, also invaded Sardinia.

The revolt in Cagliari was quickly crushed, and Berber nobles were banished from the island.

The Tunisian army was defeated in Battle of Tortoli. Bjorn pursued his enemies all the way to Corsica.

However, a tragedy soon fell on Bjorn. Arnbjorn, his youngest son and only child of his beloved Guthela, died from battle injuries. Bjorn did not take this well. With help of his wife, he tried to manage this loss.

Soon after, Tunisian army retreated and the war ended. Bjorn decided to divide his lands between his sons and grandsons. Toke was granted Logudoro. Kol, two years old son of Arnbjorn, was granted Arborea. Cagliari and Tortoli was granted to Sigtrygg, who was later going to became Jarl of Sardinia after Bjorn’s death. Tjudmund, Tryggve’s son and second in line to Ragusa, was given Zachlumia and Cetinia, to make sure they will stay under Tyrggve’s rule after succession.

Bjorn planned to spend some time with his wife in his castle at Ragusa, but soon after one attempt to take Sardinia was defeated, another of vassals of Sultanate of Africa also attempted to take the island. Bjorn called his ally, the Emir of Fez, to war and also hired mercenaries. Army gathered at Gallura, and marched south, to meet invading Berber armies at Oristano. The battle ended in Norse victory, thanks to superior leadership of Jarl Bjorn.

During the battle, a terrible news reached Bjorn. His beloved wife, Guthela, has died.

After conquering Sardinia, Bjorn managed to establish strong presence in the region. No longer was he ruler over isolated viking havens. Instead, he ruled over proper country. His military experience allowed him to control conquered territories easily.

Finally, the war in Sardinia has ended. Bjorn managed to earn a lot of wealth from ransoms and from besieging cities in Sicilia and Africa. He used this wealth to strenghten his rule over Sardinia, by declaring himself a Jarl.

After end of the war, Bjorn decided to call a hunt. He invited his grandson, Tjudmund, and together they hunted down many animals.

He also spend time with his son Tryggve, teaching him how to become better warrior and better ruler, and also talked about his late wife Guthela.

Bjorn didn’t want to sit in his castle doing nothing, so he sailed away to raid Umayyad coast. The raid was very successfull, with Baleares gettinng completly looted by Viking raiders. This loot was used to improve fortifications in Ragusa. The successfull raids made Jarl Bjorn of Ragusa famous across all of Mediterranean.

Bjorn’s deeds gave him place among the most important Norse leaders. His realm of Ragusa became an important player in Mediterranean region. His hard work has paid off. Now, it's time to defend his new country.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter V - Raids

Raiding campaing has ended when Duke Adalberto of Tuscany attempted to invade Sardinia.

Bjorn landed in Corsica, and in great Battle of Vecchio defeated the Tuscan army.

Emir Anthinos of Alger, one of victims of Bjorn’s raids, tried to take revenge by attaching Sardinia.

After winning two more battles, Bjorn managed to destroy Tuscan army, and the Christian holy war was defeated.

Berber armies landed in Sardinia, and were crushed in Battles of Alghero and Arborea.

After siege of Algier, the war was over, and Sardinia stayed in Norse hands.

Bjorn ransomed his prisoners and continued his raids, this time targeting Southern Italy.

After returning from raids, Bjorn reformed the army, replacing his light footmen men-at-arms with heavy footmen.

Ake, one of Bjorn’s sons, held a feast in Gallura. Bjorn traveled to Sardinia to join it.

During the feast, Ake drunk a bit too much. Despite that, Bjorn enjoyed the time spent with his son.

After this feast, Bjorn sailed once again, to raid northern Adriatic coast. Raids in Italy continued, until Emir of Alger decided to try take Sardinia once again. Bjorn gathered army, and crushed the invaders when they landed in Arborea.

Second attempt to land in Sardinia ended with Norse warriors defeating Berbers at Cagliari.

Last battle of this war was at Corte in Corsica. After third attempt to land on Sardinia, Alger had to surrender.

Bjorn decided to raid North Africa for trying to take Sardinia few times. He started with Algiers. Attempt at stop the raid at Tanas ended in failure, and Bjorn earned lots of gold.

Bjorn continued to build new buildings in Ragusa. In the meanwhile, his grandson decided to expand in the Balkans, by taking Podrinje.

Bjorn continued his raids. He was however interrupted when Dalmatian duchess decided to attempt to reconquer Cetina.

News have come from Italy. To combat the growing Waldensian presence in Italy, the Pope announced that a Crusade will be called soon.

While Bjorn was sailing back to defend his holdings in Dalmatia, new reached him that someone had murdered Tryggve. Now Tjudmund will be the heir. Tryggve was also heir to Paganjia. To prevent that county from leaving the realm on succession, Paganjia was granted to Alfgeir, the son of Tjudmund and great-grandoson of Bjorn.

First battle of this war, at Cetina, ended in Norse victory.

Bjorn started besieging Zadar. Sadly, he did not see the end of this siege. Bjorn died on 17 Apris 926, at age 79.

Bjorn will be remembered as a great warrior, ambitious adventurer, and the founder of the Jarldom of Ragusa. Now, time will telli f Jarl Tjudmund will be as successful as his grandfather.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter VI – New Jarl

After Bjorn’s death, his realm was divided in two parts. Sardinia and Melilla were given to his son Sigtrygg, while Ragusa and surrounding arena were given to his grandson Tjudmund. The Odrepandi dynasty also was divided, with Sigtrygg creating House Gunarrson, a new cadet branch.

Tjudmund was a just person, like his grandfather, but he was also paradoid. While he was once a handsome man, he now was disfigured, one-legged and suffered from gout. It wasn’t suprising to know that he was also very stressed. Tjudmund had two sons, Hrorekr and Alfgeir.

First thing that the new jarl had to do was to defend his realm from an invasion. He decided to focus on military matters first.

After Zadar was taken, Duchess Gregoria had to surrender and recognize Norse rule in southern Dalmatia.

After the war, Tjormund reorganized his council.

He also decided to donate to charity, to help the poor people from Ragusa, and decided to honor his grandfather by raising a runestone in his name.

On 9 November, Tjodmund married Ingibjorn, granddaughter of the High Chief of Lothain. Lothain was briefly a Norse realm, but it was conquered by Scotland recently.

Taking advantage of mercenaries that were still under his command, Tjodmund decided to expand inland, by taking Zavrsje. This was also a way to keep High Chief Kocel of Balaton away from Ragusa. North of Tjodmund’s holdings, in Pannonia, two powerful realms formed. The High Chiefdom of Bacs, created by Magyar nomads who recently crossed the Carpathians and settled down, and the High Chiefdom of Balaton, created when Slavic tribes of this region united against Magyar invasion.

The warriors of Zahumlje weren’t defending their homeland. They were away in Italy, helping Duchess Cecillia of Spoleto to defend against crusade.

The war ended in quick Ragusan victory. Tjodmund decided to declare himself the Jarl of Zahumjie.

Soon after, Ingibjorg announced that she was pregnant. Tjodmund did not trust her, and decided to investigate her loyalty. Spies did not found anything suspicious about her.

Daughter was born to Tjudmund and Ingibjorg, named Iliana.

The crusade in Italy was over, with the Papacy conquering the Waldensian duchy.

Tjudmund spend time in managing the realm. He tried to improve the lives of his subjects, by donating to charity and starting a project to improve the farms in the county. However, his shyness and paranoia mean that he didn’t enjoyed ruling the realm. He spent more and more time inside his own chambers, not wanting to meet his council, or anyone else.

Duke Gerlach of Friuli decided to start a holy war to drive the Norsemen away from Adriatic coast.

Norse army sailed north to land in Istria. This plan was unsuccessful, with the warriors getting defeated in Battle of Labin.

Duke Gerlach’s counter-attack failed, with Ragusan army being victorious in Battle of Cetina.

Thanks to his donations, Tjodmund’s became quite popular with peasants of Ragusa. The Jarl decided to work to improve his lands further. However, his policy had also negative effects – the vast treasury left behind by Bjorn was quickly becoming empty.

Friuli was taken by Ragusa, while Sinjcroat was taken by Friuli. But the war will soon turn in Friuli's favour. Duke of Spoleto, a veteran crusader and vassal of Papacy, declared his own holy war.

Most of the fighting was done under leadership of Mayor Egill, the marshal of Ragusa. Tjodmund did not leave the castle often.

Another war started, this time with another crusader lord, the Duke of Ancona, attacking Ragusa to drive the pagans out of Adriatic coast. Main Ragusan army was defeated by the crusaders in Battle of Cetina.

The situation did not look good for Jarl Tjodmund.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter VII - Adriatic Crusade

The war continued. Norse army retreated to Ragusa. Army of Friuli followed them, and in Battle of Ragusa, Norsemen were defeated.

Soon after, Podrinje and Zavrsje fell to crusaders.

Tjudmund called for all the help he could get. His two cousins from Gallura and Logudoro joined the war, and his sister Astrid gave some gold from her own treasury.

Norsemen won their first victory for some time, by defeating Spoleto in Battle of Paganija.

Sardinian army landed in Paganija, and together with Ragusan army, marched to lift the siege. Friulian warriors retreated, and Norsemen started pursuing them. They cathed up in Travunija. The battle ended in Norse victory.

Tjudmund was stressed about the war, and about rulling of the country. He closed himself in his chambers, and let the marshall in command of his army.

At Zahlumia, Ragusan army defeated the more numerous Crusader army.

Another son was born to Tjudmund and Ingibjorg, named Hjalmar.

Hrorekr came of age. While he was not a particulary talented person, he could become a strong commander.

Sinjcroat was retaken by Ragusa, just before Crusaders could declare their victory. Finally, the Duke of Friuli agreed to a white peace. Norse Dalmatia was saved.

Despite being outnumbered three to one, Ragusan warriors won the Battle of Paganija.

The Crusades of Ancona were defeated in Battle of Nevesinje, and had to surrender.

Another war started, when the Greek Doux of Dalmatia tried to retake Cetina yet again.

Hrorekr marred Freydis, daughter of Chieftess Ylva of Vastergotland.

Crusaders were crushed at Breznica, and the unofficial Adriatic Crusade had come to an end.

The health of Tjudmund has worsened. Gout became more serious, and after a bad treatment by his physican, Tjudmund died, leaving his country divided between his two sons.

Elder son, Hrorekr, inheirted Ragusa, while younger son, Alfgeir, became Jarl of Zachlumia.

Hrorekr decided to focus on military matters, to defend and reunite his realm.

As tradition, Hrorekr raised a runestone for his father.

The war in Dalmatia finally ended in Norse victory.

Now, it was time to for Hrorekr to take revenge for all the loses suffered by Ragusa in the recent wars.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter VIII - Reunification

While Ragusa prospered economicaly under Tjudmund, its army was not as strong as it was during the times of Bjorn. Hrörekr, being an arrogant warrior, decided to restore the millitary strenght of Ragusa.

The first thing to do was to consolidate his realm. He decided to revoke the county of Cetina, that belonged to his half-brother Hjalmar. The regent that ruled Cetina did not agreed with this decision, and civil war started. The war did not last long.

After retaking Cetina, Hrörekr marched against his brother Alfgeir, to retake Zachlumia. While the relations between brothers were rather good, Hrörekr wanted to reunite the country, and therefore decided to attack his brother.

Soon after , another war started. Ylva, the mother-in-law of Hrörekr, decided to conquer Sjæland. Hrörekr remembered the story of his great-grandfather fighting against Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye in far away England, so he decided to sail north to join this war. But first, he wanted to reconquer Zachlumia.

The Battle of Zachlumia ended in victory. The capital of Alfgeir’s Jarldom was taken. After another victory at Cetina, Alfgeir had to surrender. Even thought they were enemies in war, Hrörekr did not hate his brother. Despite being an arrogant warrior, he was quite compassionate. He let Alfgeir keep his three counties, and even appointed his as steaward, promising that Zachlumia will be given back to Alfgeir once Hrörekr becomes a king.

After the victory, another good news reached Hrörekr - his firstborn son Jon was born.

The High Chief of Bosnia raided some border settlements. Hrörekr did not want his people to be killed by raiders, so he marched with his army and defeated the Bosnian raiders.

After the raid was defeated, Hrörekr sailed to Denmark. During the journey, his daughter Vigdis was born.

During the war, Hrörekr won many battles. However, he had to retreat to Ragusa, when Duke Zoran, the Serbian Duke of Syrmia, attempted to conquer inland provinces of Hrörekr’s realm. Hrörekr called his mother-in-law to war, and also called his kinsmen from Sardinia.

When the united army landed at Ragusa, news arrived that the High Chief of Bosnia invaded from the north.

The war in Denmark was won, and Ylva became the new Jarl.

In large battle at Zachumia, Hrörekr defeated the invading Serbian army.

In a bloody battle of Sokol, Ragusan army defeated Bosnian army.

After Rama, the capital of Bosnia, was taken, High Chief Bohodar had to surrender. Now, Hrörekr could focus on defending his realm from Serbian attack.

Another son was born to Hrörekr, named Niklas.

Hrörekr decided to retake Zachumia. During the siege, news reached the Jarl of Ragusa that Duchess Milka, the Serbian pagan duchess of Duklja, sacked Podrinje, the Ragusan city under Syrmian occuptation. Hrörekr swore to take revenge for this.

Serbian army was close to taking Ragusa, but for some reason they decided to more westward. Later, it became clear that this was done to outflank the Norse army.

The battle that decided the result of the war happened at Zachumia. Besieging army was attacked by Serbs. Hrörekr managed to win despite significant numerical advantage of the attackers. Soon after, both Zachunia and Podrinje were retaken.

Jarl Ylva had to leave Ragusa, after one of Irish kings attacked her holdings in Ireland.

Despite this, Hrörekr managed to finally win this war, and defended his holdings

Hrörekr decided to go on the offensive, by attacking Duklja, as a revenge for earlier raids.

During the war, twin sons were born to Hrörekr, named Tjudmund and Nils.

Greek Duke of Dyrrachion also wanted to conquer Duklja. The Greek army meet Ragusan warriors. While Ragusa was victorious, Alfgeir died in battle. In honor of his brother, Hrörekr raised a runestone.

Hrörekr managed to win the war, and took Dukija.

However, Greeks did not wanted to give up the plan to conquer this county, so war over that county continued.

The world in 950

Western Balkans in 950. Note that Dyrrachion and Hvosno are Byzantine vassals.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter IX - Expansion inland

Hrörekr cotinued his war. After winning two more battles and taking Hvosno, the Greek attack was defeated, and Dukija stayed in Norse hands.

Jarl of Ragusa decided to celebrate this victory with a hunt.

This hunt did not went well, with Marshall Frirek and Mayor Bo interrupting it with their arguments.

Annoyed with his companions, Hrörekr decided to look for entertainment elsewhere.

It however, turned out to be a bad idea.

Hunt was finally over, and Hrörekr decided to continue his expansion. This time, he attacked the County of Vidin to take Rashka.

Norse army defeated the Avars and started besieging Rashka.

The county was taken, and Hrörekr achieved victory.

Jarl of Ragusa decided to divide his realm between his sons. Jon was granted Duklja, Niklas was granted the counties inside Duchy of Zachlumia and Tjudmund was granted Rashka.

Next years were peaceful, with Ragusan army replacing its loses. During that time, the relationship between Hrörekr and his wife worsened, due to his sickness.

Eventually, new war started, when High Chief of Bosnia attacked Ragusa.

First battle of this war took place in Zachlumia. Thanks to using of terrain to his advantage, Hrörekr managed to defeat the invading army.

The first attempt to counterattack failed, and Hrörekr had to retreat to the coast to wait for allies. When Sardinian and Sjælander warriors arrived, the Norse armies marched inland to face the Slavic warriors. In three battles at Drijeva, the Norse were victorious.

Finally, in the Siege of Visoki, High Chief Bohodar was captured. The invasion has ended

However, this war did not end. Hrörekr decided to go on the offensive and invade Bosnia, to end the constant raids and attacks.

Due to misunderstanding between allies, the Battle of Rama ended in Norse defeat.

Jon, eldest son of Hrörekr, came of age. Hrörekr arranged marriage with Borbala Zapolya, daughter of the Magyar Chief of Ladyzyn, to create an alliance.

With Magyar help, Hrörekr won the Battle of Paganija.

After winning two more battles, Hrörekr marched on Visoki, to take the enemy capital.

Another war started, with the Duchess of Benevento attacking Ragusa.

Finally, after victory at Battle of Visoki, Hrörekr managed to conquer Bosnia.

With this victory, Jarl Hrörekr came even closer to claiming the title of King.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter X - Expansion Eastward

The war against Benevento continued, with Hrörekr winning few battles.

His son, Niklas, died after a long sickness. He was a leper since the age of 11, and died at age 15. Hrörekr raised a runestone in memory of his son.

Another war started when the Count of Pozega tried to take Vrbas in northern Bosnia.

Odrepandi became renowned as the house of Norse adventurers, warriors, and vikings.

Hrörekr personaly became known as great strategist.

A rebelion started, with Croatian Catholics from Bosnia refusing to live under Norse pagan rule

The war against Benevento ended. Hrörekr could now focus on defending his northern border.

The rebelion ended in Battle oj Jajce.

The war in the north ended after successful siege.

Freydis, Hrörekr’s wife, died. She owned the county of Neeric in Sweden, and this county passed to Jon.

After his victories on the field of battle, Hrörekr decided to go for a greater target. Byzantine Empire was fighting a civil war, so the Jarl of Ragusa decided to start a bold attack to take over Duchy of Duklja.

However, this war did not last long. When the Byzantine civil war ended, Hrörekr decided it would be a better course of action to retreat, istead of fighting the full might of the Empire.

He decided to march his army north instead, to conquer Macva.

The war ended quickly, with Duke Zvonimir being captured.

During the war, news came from court that Jon, heir of Hrörekr, had a lover. While Hrörekr decided to let his son got unpunished, this scandal costed him piety.

Hrörekr continued expansion eastward, and tried to take Sumadija in Serbia.

Greek Duke of Epirus attacked Ragusa from the south.

The war in Serbia ended quickly, and Hrörekr moved his army to the south.

Ragusan army meet the Greeks at Sjenica. Thanks to Jon’s leadership, the Norsemen were victorious. It was clear that Jon is a true warrior.

News came from Sweden, that the county of Neeric that belonged to Jon was attacked by Chieftess Gudrun of Skara. Soon after, Ale of Varmaland also attacked to conquer that county.

Knowing that he will not be able to defend it, Hrörekr decided to give up the county of Neeric.

Ban of Croatia decided to attack Ragusa. It wasn't the first time that Croatians tried to drive the Norsemen out of Adriatic region.

Hrörekr managed to score great victory against the Greek duke at Prijepolje. Soon after, the war was won. The war reparations allowed Hrörekr to pay off his large debt.

After few more battles, the war with Croatia finally ended, with Hrörekr defending his realm.

Now, it was only a matter of getting enought wealth, and Hrörekr would be able to become King.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter XI - Byzantine Wars

Serbian rebelion started in Macva. Hrörekr managed to crush it quickly.

Duke of Friuri once again tried to attack Ragusa.

Another holy war started with the Count of Pset attacking Bosnia. Soon after, Duchess of Visehrad joined as well.

Hrörekr won the Battle of Ston and defended city of Ragusa from Friuli.

Ragusan army started besieging Pset. After defeating local army and taking the capital, Hrörekr managed to win this war.

Hrörekr marche against Visegrad, and defeated their army in two battles at Donji Kraji.

When it seemed that Hrörekr will win both wars, news came from the south. The Emperor marched with his army to take the County of Zachlumia.

Army of Friuli was defeated in Battle of Paganjia, and the Duke agreed for white peace.

After losing few more battles, Visegrad also agreed for white peace.

Battle of Ston against the Byzantine army ended in Ragusan defeat.

Hrörekr deceded to defend his capital. However, due to the numerical advantage, Battle of Ragusa was lost. Soon after, the city fell to Byzantium.

Duke of Ancona took advantage of this war, and attempted to take Ragusa itself.

After two battles, Anconan attack was repelled.

After defeat at Battle of Knin, Byzanine Empire achieved victory and took the county of Zachlumia.

Hrörekr attempted to get outt of debt by raiding. Raids soon had to be stopped, when another Slovien count attempted to take Bosnia.

Doux of Dyrrachion attempted to continue Byzantine expansion by attacking Jarldom of Zachlumia. Soon after, Count of Hvosno also attacked.

Hrörekr’s attempt to take Hvosno ended in failure.

Jarl of Ragusa decided to wait for his allies to arrive at Ragusa. Once they were in, he marched once again against Hvosno. During one of battles, he was wounded, and died at age 63. His son Jon inheirted a country on the blink of defeat. The royal ambition was not fuilfilled.

Just after inheirting the jarldom, Jon was informed that his nephiew Hrörekr and his brother Tjudmund betrayed him, and rose in rebelion.

With little army left and country overrun by enemies, Jon had no choice but to surrender. Only the fortified cities at Adriatic Coast – Ragusa and Cetana – and the recently pacified region of Macva in northern Serbia were left under Jon’s rule.

Despite this defeat, Jon did not plan to give up. He will soon sail away, to loot and plunder, to get gold, rebuild the army, and restore his realm.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter XII -Attempt of Restoration

Jon’s time as Jarl started with building a traditional runestone for his father.

Then, he went on a hunt. It was quite successful.

After the hunt, it was time to start a raiding campaing.

Eskild, the son of Jon, suggested that he should join the Varangian Guard. Obviously, Jon had forbidden it.

The first target of raid was his traitor nephiew, Hrorekr of Zachlumia.

Duke of Benevento took Cetina. It wasn’t much that Jon could do to prevent it.

The Count of Vesprim attempted to take Macva. Jon had to defend his lands.

Syrmia also attacked Macva. Jon hired mercenaries to defend it

The attackers were defeated in battle of Krupanji.

Ragusan army was defeated at Szerem.

Syrmia was finally defeated after a siege

Jon was defeated in Battle of Bijelija, and had to surrended the County of Macva.

After getting out of debt, Jon begun to reunite the realm by attacking Rashka.

Rashkan army was defeated at Gorazde.

During the campaing, the smallpox spread in Ragusa. Among the victims was Eskild.

Rashka was taken, but the war was far from over. Jon still needed to revoke the titles and defend them from another holy war.

The disease was spreading, and Jon himself was affected. He came close to death, but managed to recover.

Chief of Vesprim attacked Ragusa again.

The holy war for Sumadija in Rashka ended. Belograd however fell to Vesprim.

After another attempt at revoking Sumadija, the county was eventually conquered by Bulgarian vassal. Greek Duke of Dalmatia attempted to take Ragusa, but Jon managed to defend it.

The wars caused Ragusa to fall into severe debt. Jon attempted to get out of it by raiding. In the meanwhile, Zachlumia was conquered by Byzantium.

Yet another war started, when Duchess of Thrace decided to conquer Ragusa itself.

The Battle of Ragusa ended with Norse defeat.

Jon commanded only slighty above 100 warriors, the treasury was empty, and 4000 Greek warriors were besieging the capital. He had to make a hard decision. He decided to accept the Orthodox religion, and became a vassal of the Byzantine Empreror. This was the only way he could keep his lands.

The Emperor decided to move the Count of Hvosno under the rule of Jon of Ragusa.

Soon after, a civil war started, when Jon decided to reclaim lost counties.

This has proven to be a terrible idea, after Ragusan army got defeated in Battle of Gardac. As the result of the war, Jarl Jon was overthrown. His successor was his gradson, also named Jon.

Jon’s attempt at restoration failed. Only time will tell if the new jarl will be more successfull in his goals.

 

[Inarr]

Before becoming Jarl, Jon II was a commander and berserker in service of Jarl of Uppland. He was wraithful warrior, but he was also quite knowlegeable and educated. After his grandfather was deposed, he sailed back to Ragusa, to become the new Jarl with the support of local nobility.

The realm was devasted and in chaos as a result of the series of wars, so Jon’s frst decision was to focus on restoring control over it.

The Emperor demanded that Brigitta, Jon’s daughter, should be raised in Constantinople. On the same day, Count Kalojan of Hvosno decided to invite Jon to a feast. Jon decided to accept these propositions.

The feast went better than expected. Jon and Kalojan became friends, despite the fact that Kalojan deposed Jon's grandfather. Perhaps Jon was glad to become Jarl earliel thanks to Kalojan.

Jon’s wife, Cheymarina, gave birth to his son and heir, named Hrane.

Jon’s deposed grandfather, the previous Jarl of Ragusa, died in exile at age 72.

Jon spend time rebuilding the army and restoring control over his realm. He also trained Kalojan in battle tactics. His friend paid off the debt that Jon inheirted from his grandfather.

News came to Ragusa from far away Africa. Kaya Magha Fadiga, ruler of Mali, reformed the Bidaic faith and formed a grand empire south of Sahara.

News also came from the east. Catholic Crusaders have taken Jerusalem, and the Caliph decided to prepare for a Jihad to retake it. Byzantine aristocracy worried that once Jerusalem gets conquered, Muslim warriors could try to take Anatolia.

Jon managed to rebuild the treasury and restore control over Ragusa. The Emperor also demanded that Jon converts to Orthodoxy, and he accepted. Even throught he was a berserker, Jon knew that refusing Emperor's demands could cost him whats left of his realm. Many suspected that Jon still followed the old ways in secrecy. Still, with this conversion (and an official letter from Constantinople that forbidden them), Ragusan raids on neighbording regions came to an end.

After the conversion, Jon arranged few betrothals and signed few alliances. One of them was the High Chiefdom of Visegrad, their former enemies.

Athanasion, the Bishop of Ragusa, managed to strenghten the old claims to County of Duklja. Jon decided to start a war to reconquer it.

In the Battle of Duklja, Ragusan army achieved great victory.

The war ended in victory. It was the first step of Ragusan reconquest of lost territories. To celebrate the victory, Jon called for a hunt.

Another claim was confirmed, this time for Travunija. This county separated Ragusan lands in two parts, and was the point from where Byzantine attacks on Ragusa started. Conquering it was strategicaly important.

Jon was invited to another feast in Hvosno. During this feast, he meet Todorka, sister of the Count of Hvosno. They become friends, but soon a tragedy happened. While Jon was walking the corridors, he meet Todorka, mistook her for one of his rival, and killed her. Luckly, no one learned about this. Jon left the feast, and Count Sava, the steaward and count of Hvosno, did not suspect Jon for murder.

Jon decided to take Travunija. The owner of this county was Duchess Maria of Epirus. She was preparing her own attack on Ragusa (with fabricating claims), so Jon decided to take advantage of her current war to quickly take the territory that was always a thorn in Ragusa's side and basis of Byzantine attacks.

Duchess Maria had connections to the court at Constantinople. At her request, Jon was excommunicated.

Despite being excommunicated Jon was invited to the feast at Constantinople. He decided to try and improve his relations with the Basileus.

Jon won the siege of Travunija and the battle of Gorazde.

Despite the attempt to sway the Basileus and the Eccumenical Patriarch, Jon could not get back into good grace of the court at Constantinople. Emperor decided to imprison the Jarl of Ragusa. Jon, being wrathful berserker, wasn’t going to go down without a fight. But before he managed to start a rebelion, he was kidnaped by agents of the Basileus, and was brought to Constantinople in chains.

Luckly, this imprisonement did not last long. Basileus released Jon from the prison in exchange of a promise that he will not go againt the Em;eror's will.

The war for Travunija ended soon after. While Duchess Markia was great diplomat, her soliders were not as strong as Ragusan warriors.

Jon got a claim for the County of Pomorje, the last part of Duchy of Duklja not under Ragusa. He went to war again.

Finally, after multiple attempts to sway the Patriarch, Jon's excommunication was lifted.

Count Sava learned that Jon killed his sister. However, Jon managed to prevent rebelion. In exchange, he had to give the Count of Hvosno more autonomy.

Basileus seemed to support Jon’s war for Pomorje, as he officialy appointed him as Duke of Duklja, confirming Jon's right to rule the counties inside it.

The war for Pomorje ended in Ragusan victory.

Jarl Jon II was on a good way to restore the former glory of Ragusa.

 

[Inarr]

Chapter XIV - New Kingdom


Jon decided to gather more gold, for the eventual coronation. The Ecumenical Patriarch agreed to give him a loan.

There was a scandal at court. Bishop Athanasios was proven to be behind a scheme to take revenge on one of his rivals by murder. Jon sided with the Ecumenical Patriarch against his bishop.

Jon was called to war by the Count Bartol of Camarda – one of his allies. Jarl of Ragusa agreed to join the war.

Jon made a strategical mistake. When he sailed to Italy, he landed at Venosa – where the Apullian army was.

The war ended in Camardan defeat.

Jon decided to go on a hunt again. He also managed to negotiate another loan from the Ecummenical Patriarch.

It was over 150 years since Bjorn had taken Ragusa. While initially there were clear differences between Norse elite and Slavic peasants, they lessened with time. After the Byzantine conquest and conversion to Orthodoxy, those differences were quickly wanishing, as the old Norse way of life was not followed anymore. Jon decided to finally embrace this change, and officialy adopt the culture of his subjects, legitimizing his rule over them.

Soon after, he finally crowned himself as King of Serbia, fuilfiling the ambition of his dynasty. He no longer was Jarl of Ragusa, but now was the Despot of Serbia. Thanks to newfound support, he managed to transform the realm created by Viking raiders and adventurers into a proper country.

The relations between Jon and Athanasios worsened even more, and Jon started considering the new Patriarch of Serbia as his nemesis. He soon started a scheme against him.

Despot Jon decided to unite the Serb lands under his rule, and reconquer the territories his dynasty held. He decided to take Beograd from the Duke of Macva.

During the Battle of Novo Trgoviste, Bersi, son of Jon, died. Despite this, Serbian army won the battle. Duke Chvalimir was captured, and the war ended.

Countess of Beograd refused to give up her land, and started a rebelion.

The scheme against Athanasios ended in success. The Patriarch was poisoned. However, it was discovered that Jon ordered it, and his reputation suffered.

Byzantine Emperor decided to continue expansion in Balkans by also attacking the Duke of Macva. Despot Jon decided to help his liege. The war ended in quick victory, and the opinion of Jon increased.

Basileus Kyriakos decided to invite Jon to a feast.

Jon decided to continue reuniting Serbia, and attacked the Duke of Macva again. The war ended in quick victory.

Jon was called into war by his ally in Bulgaria. During the war, Eskild, son of Jon, died. Serbian army suffered defeat at Morava, and Jon had to retreat from this war.

Basileus has granted Jon the Duchy of Macva (after it was conquered by Byzantine and Serbian armies). Despot of Serbia gave it to his heir.

In the meanwhile, the Byzantine Empire was fighting large-scale war with the Caliphate for the Kingdom of Jazira.

After the death of Basileus Kyriasos, his son Makarios took the throne. He was friend of Hrane, the heir of Serbia.

]

At the begining of his rein, the Odrepandi dynasty was at the edge of defeat, Jon managed to save it and achieved the position of king. The dynasty became more prestigious.

Jon died at age 65. He succeded in becoming a King, and managed to transform his realm into a proper country. Hrane was his successor – a good steaward and friend to Basileus.

Hrane decided to focus on improvement and rebuilding of his realm after the period of wars.

Still, Hrane did not own all of Serbiam territory, and the fomer Odrepandi lands were not yet united.

The world in 1054

Western Balkans in 1054