• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

unmerged(26697)

The Red Menace
Mar 11, 2004
69
0
www.midgard-usa.com
HOUSE OF PALAIOLOGOS – ANDRONIKOS THE KINSLAYER

ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

January 1337 C.E. - Throne room in the palace of Blachernae; it is early morning, and ANDRONIKOS is accompanied only by two GUARDS.

ANDRONIKOS

What curse of fate hath fallen on our times
That lament of despairs and sorrows fallen
And tearing at my kingdom all the same
All vicissitudes brought on by hands of brothers
In colder glow of morn that’s yet unbroken
And whispering of innocence forgotten
Unknowing of disparities brought forth
As rot that sets upon the fertile soil
The sin of Cain weighs heavy on my shoulders
And yet for all the semblance of atonement
Will not forbear illusions and those hopes
That perpetrate the solace of forgiveness

FIRST GUARD

My liege, the city walls still stand defiant
With strength and wisdom gathered herein

ANDRONIKOS

And yet the eagle banner waves no more
Upon the proud walls of Nicomedia

SECOND GUARD

But for the treason and its foul repute
And for the wiles of slithering reptile
The heathen and the heretic alike
Would not have touched upon our sacred soil

FIRST GUARD

And have you doubts of sons of proud Achaia
That held the tide of infidel and Latin
Whose steeds are fleet as wind, devout and faithful,
Whose arrows blacken sky as yonder ashes?

ANDRONIKOS

Then shall we loose again the hawks of war
And let the harvest yield but rust and bones?
Or shall we turn the cheek towards misfortune
And ponder on the fineries of failure?

Enter IOANNES KANTAKOUZENOS and PATRIARCH IOANNES KALEKAS

KANTAKOUZENOS

I bear grave news, my friend and liege
The Turk again devoured our spoils
And took the flower of all Greece
To toil in wastes of Abydos
Pray tell me friend, of what dark crimes
That lay unspoken in disgrace
Are these indignities a sign
And how much more our sons shall face?

ANDRONIKOS

Then make amends and sharpen blades
For one last time let arrows sing
And we shall plant the eagles of Rome
Upon the shore that once was ours
In these dark times of blood and strife
When honor is reduced and raped
Upon the heathen’s thieving horde
Crusade of eagle now shall feast

PATRIARCH

Let it be known that laymen’s sins
Forgiven when crusade begins

FIRST GUARD

At last reborn is Roman pride

ANDRONIKOS (muttering to himself)

My penance for the fratricide


The Empire of Byzantium in 1337 C.E. (now with much smaller file size)



P.S. While I've been a semi-lurker on this site for a very long time, this is my first attempt at AAR. It is played as the Palaiologi of Byzantium in 1337 scenario on Normal/Weakling with the latest beta patch, and, if the end result is anything of interest, I'll carry it over to EUII and, eventually, Victoria.

P.P.S. This is also my first attempt at writing a pseudo-theatrical play style AAR or alternate history timeline (the latter I have written a number of in the recent past, albeit they are on this site. Any comments, suggestions, etc on the style of writing, characters, etc are always welcome as long as they are constructive.

P.P.P.S. Over the course of this AAR, historicity and even strict adherence to the game may and will be sacrificed when needed for the purpose of storytelling - although I will attempt to stick to the latter as close as possible.
 
Last edited:

Lucius Sulla

Dark Lieutenant of Sauron
52 Badges
Oct 23, 2002
4.216
7.635
48
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Surviving Mars
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Imperator: Rome
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Deus Vult
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • 500k Club
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
Byzantium in the 100 years war scenario is a very interesting start. Not quite as doomed as in the 1419 start-up, but not the power-house that is pre-manzikert.

And a very interesting style. It will be quite an effort to keep a good flow for the following scenes, so I wish you the best of the lucks.

Oh, I would beg you to host your images in a more compacted format... .bmp can be too huge to load (and I have quite a broad bandwidth...). It would be far easier for everybody if they would be .jpgs or the like.
 

unmerged(26697)

The Red Menace
Mar 11, 2004
69
0
www.midgard-usa.com
Lucius Sulla said:
Byzantium in the 100 years war scenario is a very interesting start. Not quite as doomed as in the 1419 start-up, but not the power-house that is pre-manzikert.

And a very interesting style. It will be quite an effort to keep a good flow for the following scenes, so I wish you the best of the lucks.

Oh, I would beg you to host your images in a more compacted format... .bmp can be too huge to load (and I have quite a broad bandwidth...). It would be far easier for everybody if they would be .jpgs or the like.

Thank you for the feedback! I'll try to convert the images to .JPG or something else that takes up less space for the next updates - it was an issue on another board I posted this to (there it is because of its alternate history/writing appeal - or the lack thereof :D ), as the .BMP was too large.

EDIT: Converted the image to .JPG - this will be the format all future graphics for this AAR will be in.
 
Last edited:

unmerged(26697)

The Red Menace
Mar 11, 2004
69
0
www.midgard-usa.com
SCENE TWO

April 1337 C.E. In front of the commander’s tent of the army encamped somewhere in Smyrna stand ANDRONIKOS and KANTAKOUZENOS

ANDRONIKOS

Behold, my dear friend, the glories past and forgotten
Reborn on the fields sown with our swords and arrows
Where crows now sing paeans to honor our righteous anger
And infidel’s smitten with thirst of our holy vengeance

KANTAKOUZENOS

Indeed my friend our steel is strong
And hands that guide it swift and brave
And just like Caesars of the old
On triumph’s laurels we return

ANDRONIKOS

Yet light of dawn still calls our names
Where faithful wait in chains
And to the east we ride again
Beneath the sun’s red flames

KANTAKOUZENOS

Andronikos, friend, in the name of the Lord I implore thee
Let ghosts of the past remain where the spirits reside
The tree of our vengeance’s fruit is as sweet as it’s bitter
We took back what’s ours but now it is time for return

ANDRONIKOS

Take heart my dear friend for tomorrow we ride for Antalya
The Saracen yoke has been heavy upon Asian shores
Our destiny spoke as it waits for rebirth of our glory
To raise Roman eagles where they long ago reigned

KANTAKOUZENOS

But fields now lay fallow and crops fall to crow and to vermin
Without ministrations of farmer to his fertile soil
And women bemoan their crusading husbands and brothers
Have you no mercy for those left behind by your war?

ANDRONIKOS looks at KANTAKOUZENOS with an icy stare

ANDRONIKOS

Leave all your laments to women and servants
Where fear’s desperation and cowardice lay

KANTAKOUZENOS

For all of those years that we have been like brothers
For all we have slain on your path to the throne…

ANDRONIKOS

I shall hear no more of this cowardly treason!

KANTAKOUZENOS starts to speak, but seeing the steely gaze of ANDRONIKOS’ eyes he stops

ANDRONIKOS

Then it is settled – tomorrow we ride

ANDRONIKOS leaves

KANTAKOUZENOS

So, my oldest friend, our partnership’s coming to close
With pity and sadness my tired old eyes fall on you
The hand and the heart that once turned against your own brother
Shall be the hand that deceives all of us to our doom
 

Pirate Z

Captain
19 Badges
Jun 13, 2004
491
2
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Europa Universalis III: Collection
  • 500k Club
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Deus Vult
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
Smyrna, eh? And the breaking of the pact with Kantakouzenos? It appears your Andronikos is very different from the real one! :D

No matter -- makes it all the more interesting; good verse paired with good story makes for a great AAR. :)
 

unmerged(26697)

The Red Menace
Mar 11, 2004
69
0
www.midgard-usa.com
Pirate Z said:
Smyrna, eh? And the breaking of the pact with Kantakouzenos? It appears your Andronikos is very different from the real one! :D

No matter -- makes it all the more interesting; good verse paired with good story makes for a great AAR. :)

Thank you! The historicity is definitely a distant third to gameplay, which is, of course, inferior to the story at hand :D As for Kantakouzenos, let's just say some of his fears will come true in the next update ;)
 

unmerged(26697)

The Red Menace
Mar 11, 2004
69
0
www.midgard-usa.com
SCENE THREE

May 1337 C.E. near Ephesos. ANDRONIKOS is on the hill, overlooking the battle raging below, where the Imperial army is closing in on outnumbered and overwhelmed Aydin Turks, who are being slaughtered by the dozen.

ANDRONIKOS

The sweet taste of victory’s feast is impending and near
Its’ promise and glory of our restoration await
Usurper and bandit alike run and cower in fear
And songs of the angels reveal our magnificent fate

There is a sound and movement behind ANDRONIKOS, and MANOUEL’S GHOST appears.

ANDRONIKOS

Who goes there, friend or foe?

MANOUEL’S GHOST

At last, my brother, we meet again

ANDRONIKOS

Manouel! For years I prayed forgiveness for my crime
Pray tell why do you visit us at this triumphant time
Are you to tell me that the sin is now redeemed and gone
And spirit of this thrice damned deed will now leave me alone?

MANOUEL’S GHOST

Be silent, brother, your misdeeds still ring a hollow call
The sixth commandment’s written still in blood upon the wall

ANDRONIKOS

Are you to torment me with that of which I have regrets
When current washes off the blood and time itself forgets?

MANOUEL’S GHOST

Oh brother, you have always been a proud and pompous fool
When arrogance and ignorance conspired for you to rule
The rage of hollow jealousy shall never be undone
While spirits drift between two worlds and you walk in the sun

ANDRONIKOS

Then leave the living and return to your own ghastly world
And weave your moan of tragedy in Limbo’s lonely cold

MANOUEL’S GHOST

What wouldn’t I give for hands to crush that insolent black tongue!

ANDRONIKOS

Be gone!

MANOUEL’S GHOST

Then very well, I’ll take my leave, but I’ll return again
And know that earth and heavens praise triumph of your campaign
Until you drive the heathen Turk into the Middle Sea
The holy cross of destiny shall shield your life from me
But know that blood runs thick and deep beyond the Charon’s veil
And once your task on earth is done my vengeance shall prevail
And here, beneath this swollen sun and desperate battle cries
I lay the curse upon your house of treason, death, and lies

MANOUEL’S GHOST vanishes

ANDRONIKOS (visibly shaken)

Oh righteous Lord, what have I done for this to come to be
In spite of doing holy work my crimes catch up to me

Enter MESSENGER

MESSENGER

Your Majesty, I bear grave news – your son Michael is dead

ANDRONIKOS

Oh Lord, I feel this horrid curse I prayed I wouldn’t receive
I cannot bear this sight no more – make haste, I’ll make my leave

ANDRONIKOS runs away

Andronikos runs away from battle
 

The Yogi

Evil Genius
40 Badges
Dec 16, 2002
3.287
25
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • 500k Club
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron II: Armageddon
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Darkest Hour
  • Diplomacy
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • For The Glory
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Europa Universalis: Rome
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • 200k Club
Wow!

A CK AAR in play format! Great idea, great style, great writing... OK, maybe you're not Shakespeare, but apparently neither was he. ;)

This one, I'll try to follow! <suscribes>
 
May 18, 2004
727
0
Interesting
 

unmerged(26697)

The Red Menace
Mar 11, 2004
69
0
www.midgard-usa.com
SCENE FOUR

Summer 1338 C.E. In the throne room of palace in the Ottoman capital of Brusa, ORHAN is surrounded by courtiers, soldiers, and advisors. Kneeled before him is MAHMUD, an ambassador from Karaman.

ORHAN

Cursed shaitan-spawn, these Greeks with tongues of vipers
That crawl from underneath the water’s edge
By what lost right, decrepit and forgotten
Is their incumbent folly brought to bear?

MAHMUD

Our people are suffering under the yoke of their lances
Oppressed under weight of their swords that grow heavier still
My most noble liege, we entrust to your wisdom and judgement
Our faith and our freedom the infidels spirit away

OTTOMAN SOLDIER

Most noble prince, you have known of our faith and our courage
In dozens of battles our blood and our sweat have been spilled
Indignity such as this one can no longer be suffered
The light of one true faith demands that we go on to war

ORHAN

The cities await of our glory
Our conquest shall not be denied
And alleys of Constantinople
Shall run with the crimson of blood
On such opportune an occasion
We crush Byzantine’s breaking back
Now leave me and make preparations
Tomorrow we plan our attack

All but ORHAN leave

ORHAN

No longer must I dread a penance
Of selfish temptations of lust
The daughter of Kantakouzenos,
I’ll slaughter them all, if I must
 

The Yogi

Evil Genius
40 Badges
Dec 16, 2002
3.287
25
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • 500k Club
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron II: Armageddon
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Darkest Hour
  • Diplomacy
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • For The Glory
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Europa Universalis: Rome
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • 200k Club
Great post! I'm enjoying this format enormously, so much in fact that I'd like to nitpick a bit and see if a cannot improve a little bit on this great piece:

Midgardmetal said:
ORHAN

The cities await of our glory
Our conquest shall not be denied
And alleys of Constantinople
Shall run with the crimson of blood
On such opportune an occasion
We crush Byzantine’s breaking back
Now leave me and make preparations
Tomorrow we plan our attack

If I might suggest...

How about:

The city awaits our conquest
where glory is to be had

And alleys of Constantinople
Shall run with the crimson of blood


The city, of course, refers to Constantinople, which is better than just any unnamed cities. The second line is just about getting in a rhyme with "blood". ;)

And then;

On such an opportune occasion
We'll crush Byzantium’s breaking back.
Now leave me! Make preparations!
Tomorrow we plan our attack!


By moving "an" to before "opportune", you get better flow in the text IMHO.
"We'll", future tense because Orhan isn't crushing any backs right now.;)
"Byzantine" is something that is of Byzantium. In this case, Orhan want's to break the back of Byzantium itself though, so "Byzantium" is better, although strictly speaking an anachronism. Still, if Orhan wanted to show off his education, he could conceivably refer to to Constantinoples old latinized greek name, so it can pass.

Finally, I think the exhortations to prepare for war deserve shorter, more imperative sentences.

I hope you're not put off by these suggestions, I simply like the text too much too stay away! ;)
 
Last edited:

unmerged(26697)

The Red Menace
Mar 11, 2004
69
0
www.midgard-usa.com
The Yogi said:
Great post! I'm enjoying this format enormously, so much in fact that I'd like to nitpick a bit and see if a cannot improve a little bit on this great piece:



If I might suggest...

How about:

The city awaits our conquest
where glory is to be had

And alleys of Constantinople
Shall run with the crimson of blood


The city, of course, refers to Constantinople, which is better than just any unnamed cities. The second line is just about getting in a rhyme with "blood". ;)

And then;

On such an opportune occasion
We'll crush Byzantium’s breaking back.
Now leave me! Make preparations!
Tomorrow we plan our attack!


By moving "an" to before "opportune", you get better flow in the text IMHO.
"We'll", future tense because Orhan isn't crushing any backs right now.;)
"Byzantine" is something that is of Byzantium. In this case, Orhan want's to break the back of Byzantium itself though, so "Byzantium" is better, although strictly speaking an anachronism. Still, if Orhan wanted to show off his education, he could conceivably refer to to Constantinoples old latinized greek name, so it can pass.

Finally, I think the exhortations to prepare for war deserve shorter, more imperative sentences.

I hope you're not put off by these suggestions, I simply like the text too much too stay away! ;)

I am definitely quite open to suggestions, given that this is really my first attempt at writing in style of a play in English language, and it is as much a retelling of my game experience as it is a learning experience from the writing standpoint. Your input is definitely appreciated!

Hopefully I can get the next update up over the weekend, albeit not sure how many more will there be - the save file is on my laptop, which seems to have some problems with hardware configuration; if I can't get it to work properly, I might have to try this AAR from a different computer; luckily I am not that far into the actual game (only through 1340), so even if I have to replay the first few years of it, it will be relatively easy to get to the same situation to that time.