Empire of Trebizond
Struggle for a place in the Sun
This AAR is my first AAR ever, and will follow the history of the Empire of Trebizond whatever would be it's later fate. Note, that my english isn't perfect, still, I hope everyone would figure the AAR out. This campaign is under progress, but looks very like, that it would be interesting, and perhaps successful. I would use as many screenshots as possible. The game is played on MyMap mod's grand campaign, only personal modifications in the game are corrections of city names of that age, mostly in Asia Minor. Difficulty: Easy; AI: Agressive.
It was the year of 1419, the great conqueror Tamerlane just passed away. Since his death, Alexios IV Megas Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond felt, that the peace of Trebizond, that was hardly secured by the support of the Khan, would not last for long. He just inherited the throne a couple of years ago, and already lost a war against the Genoese, and feared, that his neighbours would soon move against the Empire. However, noticing that the newly restored turkish states were still trying to keep up their inner stability, he decided to reform the economy as much as possible. Trebizond was one of the most important cities along the Silk Road, and the fact quickly fueled the decision, that trade and fight are essential of the survival of the Empire. Alexios IV started to lower tolls and taxes as much as possible for awhile. Until the September of 1920, his new policy succeded to persuade four merchants to support the financial stability, and the income of the Imperial Treasury.
The merchants quickly started their work in Azer, and proved to be quite useful for the Empire. The Emperor quickly seen an opportunity to expand Trebizond's influence in the Caucasian region, by planning an invasion of Circassia, so he could reach the Little Bosphorus (Crimea) from the land. Circassia was weak in those years, not protected by permament military force. After positioning his army in Imeretia, Alexios IV declared war upon Circassia (February 1, 1421), the excuse was an old territorial claim. His only plan was to vassalise the nation, while providing some territories for his ally, King Alexander I of Georgia, despite he was hiding Alexios' rebellious son, Ioannes.
Quickly taking strategic positions around the Circassian capital and digging in the Imperial forces, they quickly repelled the first attack of the Circassian volunteers (July 23-29), while Alexander I attacked the eastern regions. The next battle ended up in Imperial victory again (September 28-October 6).
In late January, after a long and harsh winter, the Circassians stroke again causing several losses, and almost gained the upper hand, however, the Trabzon Stratos, a small regiment consisting 2000 pikemen arrived with the supplies (February 7), and helped to crush the enemy forces (January 30 1422 - February 9). Meanwhile, King Alexander progressed well in the sacking of a fortified city in the east, thus Emperor Alexios commisioned the training of another regiment, the Aytokratorike Stratos.
This is all for today, I have 43 screenshots, and the current progress of the campaign stands at October 1, 1428. I'll try to organise the story and the most important screenshots from February, 1422 to October, 1428 until tomorrow. There are too many interesting events and successes to write down. Forgive me for trying to be too accurate, but I love to play this nation, and I use not even a single cheat for it.
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