Hey. I've been contemplating doing this AAR for a while, as it has been floating around in my head and I've simply been dieing to put it down as an AAR. See, when I originally thought up this idea, it was as something that I had wished I had done for the Fallen Eagle. It has always gnawed at me a bit, the unrealistic start of the Fallen Eagle. Bankrupt, restricted to Constantinople and Thessaloníki and with no army to speak of, the Byzantine Empire had utterly no chance of recovery without some sort of massive, crusade level intervention.
In hindsight, I wish I had modified the map a bit, given an alternate history backstory, and basically given the Empire a more stable starting position from which it could feasibly grow from. In 1419 it was hopeless. In 1261, it wasn't. This AAR will paint an alternate history scenario that pre-dates 1419. Unlike the Fallen Eagle, you won't really see much expansion here. This is more centered around Imperial Politics in the 15th century, individual characters, and their war for survival against the Turks and Hungary.
Fallen Eagle fans fret not, for this isn't a replacement for the Fallen Eagle which I've spent nearly three years of my life on. The Fallen Eagle remains my number #1 AAR. This is simply a different kind of tale from the Fallen Eagle, though with the same country. This is about the lives of the rulers of the Empire, their people, and their struggle to survive and prosper in the chaotic 15th century.
And with that said, I give you the prologue...
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A low rumble settled over the great mountains and forests of Bithynia. Brilliant lights danced within the dark clouds that slowly swept over the face of the pale white moon. The first sprinkles of rain fell shortly thereafter, their drops falling through the leaves of the ocean of trees to the surface, becoming dew for the various inhabitants of the forest. Despite the coming storm, it was a peaceful night. The distant echo of the thunder merely added to beauty of the surrounding tree-covered hilltops and the great mountains that rose across the land.
Though many roads weaved their way through it’s forests and valleys, connecting the many great cities of the province, these did not diminish its natural beauty. The Hellenes of Anatolia have since before the birth of our Lord called this land their home. It was Bithynia where Emperor Constantine held the Council of Nicaea, forever anointing the Empire with the blood of Christ. It also served as the Empire’s capital in its darkest hour, where all hope seemed lost after the betrayal of its Christian brothers to the west. It was also the last line of defense for Constantinople, Queen of Cities and gateway to the east against the Turkish Hordes that had plagued the Empire since the 11th century…
Though no longer serving as the throne of the Emperor, Bithynia remained an important province. To the east of it laid the lands of the Turkish barbarians, the scourge of the Empire and an ever-present threat to its very survival. Yet the people living here did not fear the Turks as their neighbors to the south did, for they were protected from attack by a great wall that ran along the river Sangarius, built by Theodore III in 1317. This defense had not only prevented the Turks from reaching The City, but had also allowed for Bithynia itself to prosper in peace.
The beautiful land of Bithynia had not seen war in over 100 years. From the Mysian Mountains to the north, to the river Sangarius in the south, it was remained untainted by the blood of the fallen. The great city of Nicaea stood as its capital, as well as the capital of Anatolia. And it was from this city that a single carriage, escorted by half a dozen kataphractoi, made its way down the finely paved road towards the Bosphorus. The rain gently beat against its rooftop, as its occupants gazed at the beautiful scenery that surrounded them.
“The forest is so beautiful…we really should visit Bithynia more often, Isaac.” A young, elegant woman in a beautiful and ornate dress stated, her lips spreading into a slight smile as she looked at the older man who sat across from her.
“Of course, my dear Maria. If it pleases you, we shall return once my meeting with the ‘Pope’ in Constantinople is concluded.” He replied, gently reaching across the carriage to stroke her hand.
“Oh? Are you planning to try and convince him to unify the Churches again? I’m sure it shall turn out better than the last dozen or so meetings between your representatives.” She chided him with a slight grin.
Isaac chuckled slightly and shook his head at her teasing, “We must have faith that God will one day reveal the error of his ways to him, so that we may finally heal this unnatural rift that has grown between us.” He exclaimed as he stared out the window at the increasingly heavy rain.
Maria gently smiled at him, “Perhaps God shall work through you to finally open his eyes. Are you still planning to ask for his aid in reclaiming Antioch?“ She questioned him, her brow arched slightly.
“Perhaps…” He said with an uncertain tone to his voice, “But such a venture could prove costly should it fail. I do not wish to be known as the Emperor who destroyed all that my family has worked so hard to build since the liberation of Constantinople…” He replied in a less than confident tone of voice.
Maria smiled gently and squeezed his hand, “You will not be, my love. Your father would be proud to see what a capable ruler you have become. As proud as I am to be your wife.”
Isaac smiled at his wife, leaning over to gently kiss her on the lips. “Thank you, my dear Maria. I pray that my meeting with the Patriarch of Rome shall be productive and fruitful for the both of us.”
“As do I.” Maria replied, “Though, I wouldn’t refer to him as the ‘Patriarch of Rome’ to his face. That might cause something of a stir.” She reminded him, chuckling slightly.
“Ah, of course, of course. I’ve simply been spending too much time around the Patriarch of Constantinople as of late.” He replied with a laugh of his own.
“Mother, father!” A young voice suddenly broke their conversation, “The guards…isn’t their armor going to rust in the rain?” He questioned as he turned from the window and looked at his father with a befuddled expression on his face.
Isaac looked at his son’s confused face and allowed for a solid laugh to escape from his throat. “If it does, my son, I shall personally buy them replacements.” He stated as he watched the guards ride along side them. He could tell they were uncomfortable in the gloomy weather. While it was a beautiful sight from inside the carriage, it was no doubt far less pleasant outside.
The boy’s mother gently stroked his face, “Do not worry about the guards, Alexios. They are simply doing their duty to your father. They will be just fine.”
The young boy snuggled close to his mother as the small carriage continued to make its way towards Constantinople. Under heavy guard and safe from any would-be bandits, it was a carriage worthy of carrying Isaac III Laskaris, Emperor of the Roman Empire.
Under the wise rulership of the Laskarid Dynasty, the Roman Empire had slowly recovered from the disastrous 4th Crusade of 1204, which had nearly destroyed the Empire. Over the past 160 years since the recapture of the Queen of Cities, they had diligently fought to protect the Empire from enemies in both the East and West and reclaim their lost land. Despite the constant challenges that faced them, the Laskarid Dynasty, the longest ruling Dynasty in Roman history, has prevented the legacy of Constantine from falling to the swords of heathens and schismatics.
The Empire’s journey from 1204 to the present was not a smooth or easy one by any means, however, and the Empire’s current prosperity was forged in the blood of countless slain, both Christian and Muslim. It is a tale of redemption and survival, a tale of political intrigue and epic battles. It is a tale of the Shield of the West…
The Roman Empire in 1419. Though relatively small compared to its glory days under Basil II and the Komnenids, it is prosperous and strong, capable of holding back the Turkish hordes to the East, for now...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There you go, the prologue. The next set of updates shall be prequels, letting you know how the Empire got to it's current point, so if you're feeling confused now, don't worry. I shall soon be revealed.
In hindsight, I wish I had modified the map a bit, given an alternate history backstory, and basically given the Empire a more stable starting position from which it could feasibly grow from. In 1419 it was hopeless. In 1261, it wasn't. This AAR will paint an alternate history scenario that pre-dates 1419. Unlike the Fallen Eagle, you won't really see much expansion here. This is more centered around Imperial Politics in the 15th century, individual characters, and their war for survival against the Turks and Hungary.
Fallen Eagle fans fret not, for this isn't a replacement for the Fallen Eagle which I've spent nearly three years of my life on. The Fallen Eagle remains my number #1 AAR. This is simply a different kind of tale from the Fallen Eagle, though with the same country. This is about the lives of the rulers of the Empire, their people, and their struggle to survive and prosper in the chaotic 15th century.
And with that said, I give you the prologue...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shield of the West: A Byzantine Empire tale
A low rumble settled over the great mountains and forests of Bithynia. Brilliant lights danced within the dark clouds that slowly swept over the face of the pale white moon. The first sprinkles of rain fell shortly thereafter, their drops falling through the leaves of the ocean of trees to the surface, becoming dew for the various inhabitants of the forest. Despite the coming storm, it was a peaceful night. The distant echo of the thunder merely added to beauty of the surrounding tree-covered hilltops and the great mountains that rose across the land.
Though many roads weaved their way through it’s forests and valleys, connecting the many great cities of the province, these did not diminish its natural beauty. The Hellenes of Anatolia have since before the birth of our Lord called this land their home. It was Bithynia where Emperor Constantine held the Council of Nicaea, forever anointing the Empire with the blood of Christ. It also served as the Empire’s capital in its darkest hour, where all hope seemed lost after the betrayal of its Christian brothers to the west. It was also the last line of defense for Constantinople, Queen of Cities and gateway to the east against the Turkish Hordes that had plagued the Empire since the 11th century…
Though no longer serving as the throne of the Emperor, Bithynia remained an important province. To the east of it laid the lands of the Turkish barbarians, the scourge of the Empire and an ever-present threat to its very survival. Yet the people living here did not fear the Turks as their neighbors to the south did, for they were protected from attack by a great wall that ran along the river Sangarius, built by Theodore III in 1317. This defense had not only prevented the Turks from reaching The City, but had also allowed for Bithynia itself to prosper in peace.
The beautiful land of Bithynia had not seen war in over 100 years. From the Mysian Mountains to the north, to the river Sangarius in the south, it was remained untainted by the blood of the fallen. The great city of Nicaea stood as its capital, as well as the capital of Anatolia. And it was from this city that a single carriage, escorted by half a dozen kataphractoi, made its way down the finely paved road towards the Bosphorus. The rain gently beat against its rooftop, as its occupants gazed at the beautiful scenery that surrounded them.
“The forest is so beautiful…we really should visit Bithynia more often, Isaac.” A young, elegant woman in a beautiful and ornate dress stated, her lips spreading into a slight smile as she looked at the older man who sat across from her.
“Of course, my dear Maria. If it pleases you, we shall return once my meeting with the ‘Pope’ in Constantinople is concluded.” He replied, gently reaching across the carriage to stroke her hand.
“Oh? Are you planning to try and convince him to unify the Churches again? I’m sure it shall turn out better than the last dozen or so meetings between your representatives.” She chided him with a slight grin.
Isaac chuckled slightly and shook his head at her teasing, “We must have faith that God will one day reveal the error of his ways to him, so that we may finally heal this unnatural rift that has grown between us.” He exclaimed as he stared out the window at the increasingly heavy rain.
Maria gently smiled at him, “Perhaps God shall work through you to finally open his eyes. Are you still planning to ask for his aid in reclaiming Antioch?“ She questioned him, her brow arched slightly.
“Perhaps…” He said with an uncertain tone to his voice, “But such a venture could prove costly should it fail. I do not wish to be known as the Emperor who destroyed all that my family has worked so hard to build since the liberation of Constantinople…” He replied in a less than confident tone of voice.
Maria smiled gently and squeezed his hand, “You will not be, my love. Your father would be proud to see what a capable ruler you have become. As proud as I am to be your wife.”
Isaac smiled at his wife, leaning over to gently kiss her on the lips. “Thank you, my dear Maria. I pray that my meeting with the Patriarch of Rome shall be productive and fruitful for the both of us.”
“As do I.” Maria replied, “Though, I wouldn’t refer to him as the ‘Patriarch of Rome’ to his face. That might cause something of a stir.” She reminded him, chuckling slightly.
“Ah, of course, of course. I’ve simply been spending too much time around the Patriarch of Constantinople as of late.” He replied with a laugh of his own.
“Mother, father!” A young voice suddenly broke their conversation, “The guards…isn’t their armor going to rust in the rain?” He questioned as he turned from the window and looked at his father with a befuddled expression on his face.
Isaac looked at his son’s confused face and allowed for a solid laugh to escape from his throat. “If it does, my son, I shall personally buy them replacements.” He stated as he watched the guards ride along side them. He could tell they were uncomfortable in the gloomy weather. While it was a beautiful sight from inside the carriage, it was no doubt far less pleasant outside.
The boy’s mother gently stroked his face, “Do not worry about the guards, Alexios. They are simply doing their duty to your father. They will be just fine.”
The young boy snuggled close to his mother as the small carriage continued to make its way towards Constantinople. Under heavy guard and safe from any would-be bandits, it was a carriage worthy of carrying Isaac III Laskaris, Emperor of the Roman Empire.
Under the wise rulership of the Laskarid Dynasty, the Roman Empire had slowly recovered from the disastrous 4th Crusade of 1204, which had nearly destroyed the Empire. Over the past 160 years since the recapture of the Queen of Cities, they had diligently fought to protect the Empire from enemies in both the East and West and reclaim their lost land. Despite the constant challenges that faced them, the Laskarid Dynasty, the longest ruling Dynasty in Roman history, has prevented the legacy of Constantine from falling to the swords of heathens and schismatics.
The Empire’s journey from 1204 to the present was not a smooth or easy one by any means, however, and the Empire’s current prosperity was forged in the blood of countless slain, both Christian and Muslim. It is a tale of redemption and survival, a tale of political intrigue and epic battles. It is a tale of the Shield of the West…
The Roman Empire in 1419. Though relatively small compared to its glory days under Basil II and the Komnenids, it is prosperous and strong, capable of holding back the Turkish hordes to the East, for now...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There you go, the prologue. The next set of updates shall be prequels, letting you know how the Empire got to it's current point, so if you're feeling confused now, don't worry. I shall soon be revealed.
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