Frozen Shores (MegaCampaign)

[Me0334]

The Great Mistake

November 8, 1127

The treaty with the Queen of Pomerania had expired, and with that Ragnarr began preparing for another war against the kingdom. This time they would demand the Duchy of Pomerania itself.

While Ragnarr began preparing for a war much the same as last time, a courtier brought up the idea to march through the German Empire and attack before the Pomeranians could even organize themselves. This proved to be quite effective as when the host of 18,000 Scandinavian warriors arrived in their previously conquered territory, the Pomeranians were forced to react sending only 15,500 men to stop Ragnarrs advance.

To Ragnarrs shock, the Pomeranians were able to crush both of his flanks leaving him forced to retreat to Rugard. With only 6700 warriors remaining in Ragnarrs host, he sent a message to recruit the Finnish, and Lappish Bands. Although the 7000 remaining Pomeranians quickly followed Ragnarr to Rugard, the Mercenaries were able to arrive in time, brining the Scandinavian host back up to 18,000.

June 3, 1129

As the Scandinavians became more and more sure of a victory, the German empire declared its support for Queen Dagmar. In response Ragnarr ordered the execution of all the Pomeranian prisoners, including dozens of Nobles taken in sieges. This did not discourage the Christians however for shortly after 10,000 members of various Christian holy orders attacked the 16,500 Scandinavians.

This attack proved turned out to be nothing more then a way for the Catholics to gather their armies for before the battle even ended 22,000 Germans arrived to reinforce the Holy Knights. This battle would force Ragnarr to surrender for only 3000 Scandinavians remained by the end of it.

August 7, 1129

Ragnarr was forced to give far more then he could afford due to the Mercenaries demanding their payment, in total the peace deal would rob the Empires treasury putting it into -560 gold pieces. Without money to pay for his Empires services crime would begin to run rampant, and many of the peasants began to simply ignore Ragnarr's rule.

April 17, 1130

Still heavily in debt, the Empire would be put to the test, for Pope Benedict IV declared a second Crusade for Sweden.

 

[blklizard]

Overextended and heavily in debt, Scandinavia is in dire times. Ragnarr is now truly tested as history will remember him for the outcome in the crusade.

 

[Me0334]

The 2nd Northern Crusade

July 31, 1130

Unable to pay for mercenaries and with many of the levies having been depleted in Pomerania, Ragnarr prayed to Odin to give him strength. For two whole Empires rallied to the popes call, likely trying to out due each other and claim Sweden for themselves. Within the month 17,000 Crusaders had landed outside of Lackö, trapping Ragnarr inside.

With not many options Ragnarr managed to sneak out messages pleading for his allies to come to his aid. The only one loyal, and brave enough to answer was the Duke of Pruthenia. By now Ragnarr had to make a choice for the crusaders had almost completely surrounded Lackö, he could run with his family and try to make it up to the Scandinavian host gathering in the North or he could stay and fight. In the end Ragnarr sent his family North but he himself would stay to protect his home.

November 1, 1130

Although not many followed the Old Germanic faith anymore, the Crusade had managed to rally them even. For when 8000 Papal Crusaders began sieging in Narke, 4500 of the Old Germanic peasants rose up to try and fight off the Catholics. In the end they ultimately were slaughtered.

January 24, 1131

By now the whole Southern half of Sweden was swarmed by Crusaders, with only 15,800 Germanic warriors holding out in Uppland. A few days later Lackö would fall and Ragnarr would just manage to escape, eventually meeting up with the Germanic host.

Once Ragnarr arrived he was shocked with how small the host was, when he asked about it he was told that a couple of groups of Danish and Norwegian troops got caught by the Crusaders before they could get to safety. The soldier after seeing Ragnarr's expression quickly mentioned that at least 5000 more soldiers from Finland and Norway were due to arrive sometime soon.

Although Ragnarr had little hope that the realm would survive he told Tyke to go and enlist in the Varangian guard, in the hopes that if the realm were to survive, Tyke would live to rule it.

November 15, 1131

The 5000 the soldier promised had arrived brining the total host size to 20,000 and with that they moved into the forests of Jarnberaland. Just a few days later a host of 27,000 Crusaders arrived and began to advance on the Germanic position. As the battle continued on more Crusaders arrived, thankfully Ragnarr and his right flank had managed to find a chokepoint to hold out in. It wouldn't be enough however as a month later the remaining 4700 Germanic's were forced to retreat.

With the Crusaders in pursuit the remains of the 4700 were crushed, forcing Ragnarr and any survivors to scatter. This eventually lead to several Scandinavian Jarls to muster how ever many warriors they could which often times was less then 1000, and use them to intercept any lingering Crusaders away from the main hosts.

October 23, 1133

The Crusade was over. With this the Kingdom of Sweden and the Jarldom of Finland went to become parts of the Capet Empire. Ragnarr had managed to survive however he was now forced to move his court of refugees to Olafborg in Akersus.

 

[blklizard]

Talk about a harsh peace treaty. How old is Ragnarr by this time? If he isn't too old, he might have a chance to reclaiming some of his lost territories for his heir.

 

[Me0334]

Talk about a harsh peace treaty. How old is Ragnarr by this time? If he isn't too old, he might have a chance to reclaiming some of his lost territories for his heir.

He is in his upper 40s, so he may drop dead any year now. Gaining Sweden back although quite important isn't the largest concern though, as there is a HRE that seems pretty upset at loosing Sweden to France and the New Queen in Pomerania hasn't forgotten about the execution of all the Pomeranian nobles.

 

[Saxon125]

Sweden is lost to the French! you must reclaim it!!!

 

[Nikolai]

Ouch.

 

[Me0334]

Downfall

November 4, 1133

With the Scandinavian realm in chaos and the treaty with the Queen of Pomerania having expired, Ragnarr feared that she would soon try to regain her lost territories. A few days later Ragnarr received a declaration of war from the Queen of Pomerania however instead of going for her own territory she declared for Jylland.

Just two months later the Kaiser of the German Empire declared war for the same piece of land. Knowing that the few remaining warriors left to Ragnarr would not be able to handle Pomerania alone he Surrendered first to the Kaiser and then to the Pomeranian Queen. Hoping that the divided Jylland would eventually cause war between the two.

June 8, 1134

With the Empire collapsing, Ragnarr could do very little to stop Viceroy Seppo of Finland from succeeding from the realm without even a demand. This left Ragnarr only with the Kingdom of Norge and a few Danish and Pomeranian lands. To make matters worst the Pomeranian Queen gave their Jylland land to the Teutonic Order.

December 8, 1136

The Kaiser of the German Empire had died, however nothing good would come of it for Ragnarr. As the new Kaiser was not bound by treaty and declared war to recapture Zeeland. Unable to do much Ragnarr let the German hosts wear themselves out sieging Mecklenburg and Zeeland, before being forced to surrender once again.

April 1, 1138

Tyke had finally returned home brining with him 300 pieces of Byzantine gold. However the reunion was short lived, for on January 28, 1139 Ragnarr was found dead, presumably from the stress of trying to figure out how to recapture his lost lands.

 

[Me0334]

Ragnarr I World Update

So quite a lot changed in Ragnarr's reign so here is a map update to show the rest of the world.

Political:

Spoiler

Religious:
As you can see the French are already starting to convert Sweden.

Spoiler

Culture:

Spoiler

 

[blklizard]

I feel bad for Ragnarr. He seemed to experience the height of his empire and the lowest point. His heir won't be having an easy time with so many pretenders along with outside threat.

 

[Me0334]

I feel bad for Ragnarr. He seemed to experience the height of his empire and the lowest point. His heir won't be having an easy time with so many pretenders along with outside threat.

That is for sure, his Norse culture might also upset the mostly Norwegian jarls as well.

 

[Me0334]

The Norse King

Tyke wouldn't miss his father, after all he had been out to get him since he was first born with his clubbed feet, fist sending him of to the Varangian at a young age, and then once again when he was old enough to fight. That time Ragnarr almost seceded in getting rid of Tyke however the sword missed his head instead cutting his Right hand clean off. Then finally as a final act Ragnarr left Tyke with only Norway, not even making an attempt to get the Empire back.

Knowing that he had no way to get Sweden back from the Capet Empire in direct warfare, Tyke began to gather allies to help him assassinate the Empress for her heir was not of the Capet dynasty nor even French. If she was slain Tyke hoped that the Kingdoms would rebel allowing him to attack Sweden alone.

February 18, 1139

The Queen of Pomerania once again declared war this time demanding that all of Skane. Unwilling to just roll over and die Tyke raised what he could and sent them to await the Pomeranians in Skane. However before the full force of Norway arrived 9700 Pomeranians landed on Skane engaging the 5000 Norwegians waiting there. Although more Warriors eventually arrived to reinforce Tyke, more Pomeranians arrived as well causing Tyke to withdraw his remaining host to Sjaelland were they quickly boarded ships and retreated back to the Norwegian mountains. Not being able to fight any longer Tyke surrendered hoping to conserve the remainder of his warriors.

February 11, 1140

With Tykes forces still depleted two counts in Mecklenburg, demanded independence. When there demand was refused and they declared war, the Pomeranian duke of Sorbia, took no time in declaring war himself for the two counties. Shortly after another Pomeranian duke declared for the other two counties of Mecklenburg.

June 25, 1141

The Empress of the Capet Empire was dead, not by Tykes plots however but due to age itself. In her place was Emperor Geraldo de Poitiers, who was both Italian and a Catholic heretic. Now Tyke had to hope that the kings in the Empire would revolt against his rule.

September 5, 1142

Finally the wars for Mecklenburg were over, despite Tyke loosening the two revolting counties to the Duke of Sorbia, he had managed to beat back the other Duke going after the loyal provinces.

March 27, 1144

Although the French Empire had been revolting for some time now, the King of Sweden never personally joined in. Instead the Empire lost some minor Dukes in Southern France as well as the Kingdom of England, which was now ruled by an English Capet. Although Tyke still had hope for at least taking back parts of Sweden for a few scattered territories were considered the English kings land.

May 11, 1149

After a meeting between many of Tykes vassals they demanded that he once again allow them to settle disputes though war with each other. Despite Tyke understanding their desire to return to the old ways he declined the request, for the realm didn't need internal fighting when it faced so many enemies. Tyke misjudged them however for instead of backing down and accepting there demands, they began to rally there warriors for war.

July 22, 1149

With literally the whole realm marching towards Olafborg, Tyke raised a runestone knowing full well that he may not survive the coming battles.

With Tyke successfully winning the early battles, he used what remaining influence he could to hire the Finnish band. Hoping that it would give his small personal host of 3000 a fighting chance against the traitorous vassals.

With 14,000 hostile Norwegians marching towards Tykes host now of 6000, he had little hope, of victory. As the battle began Tyke soon found himself face to face with Sigrid Kolsdotter. Although Tyke knew he was at a disadvantage with his missing hand, he still stood and fought like any true Norse should.

Before Tyke can even make a move though Sigrid lunges at him soon forcing him to the ground. Before she can deliver the final blow however Tyke managed to roll to the side and get back on his feet. This proved to be a major mistake however for Sigrid quickly turns hitting Tyke directly in the waist, leaving him to bleed out.

Inside Olafborg several guards soon see the rebels hoisting Tyke's bloody head on a pike shouting to let them in. Quickly men are dispatched to find Tyke's brother Karl who was still helping to prepare for a siege, for Tyke had no sons and by law his daughters could not inherit the kingdom.

 

[blklizard]

Talk about going downhill since the death of Ragnarr. The realm needs a hero as a ruler so it could stabilize and begin its recovery.

 

[Me0334]

Talk about going downhill since the death of Ragnarr. The realm needs a hero as a ruler so it could stabilize and begin its recovery.

All I will say is this AAR isn't over yet

 

[Some Player]

All I will say is this AAR isn't over yet

Well, I have to say that the only way to possible recovery is to retreat quietly to some western corner of the world and wait until Eu4 to colonise Vinland and bring the Wrath of the Allfather crashing back to the Old World.

 

[Some Player]

Well, I have to say that the only way to possible recovery is to retreat quietly to some western corner of the world and wait until Eu4 to colonise Vinland and bring the Wrath of the Allfather crashing back to the Old World.

Oops, I meant seems to be. Sorry.

 

[AzagalTheGreat]

Oops, I meant seems to be. Sorry.

It is Obviously leaving the old ways (Norse) is your downfall.You must go back, lest the remains of your empire be saved.

 

[Nikolai]

Well, things are looking bleak. At this point the only way to survive might be to convert to Christianity. I certainly don't envy you. You're in even worse shape than I was in my Norway game before Suomi was converted and fell.

 

[Me0334]

Well, I have to say that the only way to possible recovery is to retreat quietly to some western corner of the world and wait until Eu4 to colonise Vinland and bring the Wrath of the Allfather crashing back to the Old World.

Honestly I don't think my skill in EU4 is good enough to pull a "sunset invasion" with the Norse.

It is Obviously leaving the old ways (Norse) is your downfall.You must go back, lest the remains of your empire be saved.

I don't think Odin can help us now.

Well, things are looking bleak. At this point the only way to survive might be to convert to Christianity. I certainly don't envy you. You're in even worse shape than I was in my Norway game before Suomi was converted and fell.

Oh it gets worse...

 

[Me0334]

The Story of Karl

As soon as Karl found out that he was now king, he surrendered to the rebels promising to grant them the right to solve their disputes through war. Knowing how unstable the realm was Karl decided it would be in his best interests to devote his time to managing the realm, and stabilizing it first before trying to conquer lost territory.

January 5, 1150

Still not happy with the lands she stole from Karl's brother and father the Queen of Pomeranian declared war once more this time in the hopes of getting Själland. Knowing that the realm had not recovered enough to protect against the Pomeranians Karl was forced to surrender. However only 3 days later one of the stronger Pomeranian dukes declared for Ostlandet. Not willing to loose core Norwegian territory Karl raised what he could and hoped it would be enough.

April 5, 1151

Although Karl's host of 5000 was small in comparison to the Kingdom of Pomerania's hosts, Karl hoped it would be enough to at least bring a Duke to a stalemate. At first Karl had high hopes for only 2700 Pomeranians arrived on the shores of Norway, however shortly after those were routed, 9800 more arrived. With the battle leaving only 550 Norwegian warriors alive, Karl surrendered.

July 24, 1151

With Karl needing to leave Olafborg, he travelled to his last remaining county in Rugen, of which Ragnarr had been building up after the lost of Sweden in case similar happened to Norway and Finland. Although Karl heard of resistance within Ostlandet by many Norwegian lords, he assumed all would eventually be crushed. Surprisingly the remaining nobles and peasants in and around Olafborg, managed to declare their independence and survive. However when Karl asked them to return his castle, they declined saying he would once again bring ruin to their land.

November 1, 1152

To Karl's joy the Empire of France had continued to crumble even after England got its independence for now the King of Sweden and the King of France himself were revolting against the Emperor. Unfourtently he was in no position to do anything about it. Later that week Karl decided that he should travel to mainland Norway to meet with his vassals. Unfourtently for him as he was travelling to the docks he encountered some highway man, who quickly kill Karl's personal guard. As Karl pleads for his life he soon feels a knife being lodged deep in his back followed later by a sword into his heart.

With Karl's body being found stabbed and looted on the road to the docks a day later, his advisors soon crown his son Ragnarr II as king at the age of 10.