Teke: the "Turkish Riviera (?)"

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All right... time to take the plunge into authorship.

The basics:
1.03, Very Hard/Normal
No reloads (of course), and I will refrain from obvious exploits... other than that anything goes (I'll need it).
I'm going to write up each session immediately after finishing it.

I have a feeling I'm ripping off the narrative hook from somebody, and if so I apologize to whoever you may be.

After scanning many websites trying to find something - anything! - in English on Teke history, the "Turkish Riviera" description is about all that seems to be mentioned. I'd be grateful to anyone who can tell me more. In the meantime any resemblance to history - either Teke or Venetian - is purely coincidental.

Feedback is more than welcome.

Here we go...

 

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1419-1423

Antalya, January 1, 1419

Enclosed please find a sum sufficient to keep my house on the degli Albanesi. Yes, the rent is ruinous, but the view alone is worth it. And I suspect that I shall be back before long. The Doge will not need to maintain an embassy in this nation if - should I say when - it ceases to exist.

I presented myself to the ruler today, 'Uthman. He seemed to know where I was from and who I represented, which is frankly more than I expected. I can find nothing positive to say about him, other than that his incompetence in any one field does not exceed his incompetence in the others (OOC: 3/3/3).

He told me he had just drafted orders to the army - well, he calls it an army (OOC: 5K infantry, 1K cavalry) - with the intention of making their attacks more forceful. If he is considering an offensive war, he's more a fool than even I take him for. I passed a diplomat on the way out of the palace - well, they call it a palace - who had just returned from a failed attempt to ally with the Ottomans. Without such a powerful friend I see no prospects for successful warfare.

Speaking of friendship I hope this finds you well. We may be meeting again sooner than I thought.

Yours,
Girardino da Parma



Antalya, July 1, 1420

You may wonder at my long silence. Well, I considered describing the spectacle of the fishmarkets, or the disasters which arise when my landlady attempts to convert these fish into food for my plate... but not even Alighieri himself could make those worth writing about.

I write now because 'Uthman has finally made his move - today a declaration of war was delivered to Karaman. A stronger neighbor, yes... but one in turmoil, with its government barely able to keep order in the streets. 'Uthman was able to raise 3,000 foot and 4,000 horse, as well as a small mercenary company, using a loan secured from Genoese bankers. I'm sure our friends have a pool going on the likelihood of this ever being repaid - put me down for 5 ducats on "no".

Why did he move now? With the Ottomans' war against Byzantium entering its fifth month, perhaps he feels they are sufficiently occupied to not trouble themselves with disputes amongst their neighbors.

Yours,
Girardino da Parma



Antalya, May 3, 1421

I send a quick note on the progress of the war with Karaman. It has been more successful than I - and I daresay, 'Uthman - ever expected.

The newly trained Teke army, approximately 18,000 men, started the campaign by dividing to besiege both Taurus and Konya. A few days after arriving outside the capital of Larende, half of this army met with the full Karaman force of 7,000 men, returning from the east - and shattered it, losing but 300 men to almost 3,000 of the enemy. Well, well. A lucky army is just as good as a skillful one - for a while, at least.

Both besieging armies fended off small Karaman attacks throughout the fall and winter, mainly from new recruits who were easily scattered. 'Uthman was not idle in his diplomacy either - soon after marrying a cousin into the Ottoman Sultan's family, he was invited to join an alliance with that power. Nearly 25,000 of the Sultan's men set up camp on the hills outside this city soon after, which must do wonders for one's confidence - if they are on your side, that is.

Today we received word of the fall of Larende. Colonel Khalid, in charge of the victorious army, is said to believe there are no more Karaman forces in sight. He is marching on the city of Alexandretta, in Adana, to test this belief. The other half of the army is reported to have nearly forced the surrender of Konya.

Yours,
Girardino da Parma



Antalya, October 1, 1422

I must say, it is quite a heady experience to be in so joyful a city. I have been informed that with their last province firmly in Teke's hands, Karaman has agreed to end the war.

The terms were quite harsh - in fact, I wonder if 'Uthman has not done himself more harm than good by being so aggressive. Be that as it may, he has gained the provinces of Konya and Adana - tripling the size of Teke in the process - and a handsome indemnity of 130 ducats besides. I fear I may end up losing my bet on the nonpayment of that loan of a few years ago.

The war with Byzantium - entered into along with the Ottoman alliance - continues, with the Ottomans nearing victory.

Yours,
Girardino da Parma



Antalya, December 26, 1423

The war with Byzantium - a war in theory only, let it be noted - has been over for three weeks now, and things are returning to normal. Except for 'Uthman's advisors, who seem in perpetual giddiness. And well they should be. Their share of the Ottomans' peace settlement with Byzantium came to 81 ducats - easily more than their own taxes could generate in four years. With 283 ducats in the Teke treasury that loan should not present a problem when it comes due in just over a year.

Speaking of advisors, I spoke with one today who seems far above the common run (OOC: Excellent Minister). I did feel it necessary to remind him of the degree of infamy his nation now possesses (OOC: badboy is up to 7). If Teke starts looking for another target no silver tongue can long protect it - even with the Ottoman alliance.

Yours,
Girardino da Parma

Teke in 1423

Time to lay low for a while, I think. The war with Karaman was quite lucky, none of my sieges were ever broken.

I'm curious about the style - is it actually conveying what happened well enough?

 

[Lord Durham]

Very nice... Very Nice! I like it. It's not hard to follow at all, especially when you add the prerequisite screenies later on.

Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to more of this.

 

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Thanks for the kind words, LD. Reading your AARs helped inspire me to try one - though they're also rather intimidatingly well-written.

I'm having trouble getting screenies up. I have a website, but it's Geocities and I can't get the change-extension-to-.txt trick to work. Any suggestions for getting around that (other than, don't use Geocities )? Edit: screenies are up. All hail Care2.com!

As always, any comments are appreciated.

On to parts 2 and 3, and a new narrator...

 

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1424-1431

Antalya, November 2, 1425

Habits are so very hard to break. This is not always a bad thing – when a habit is maintained, carried over from happy times, it can carry one through the worst of living nightmares. It becomes a crutch – it helps the mind to stand. This diary, this habit of mine, must become my crutch.

Three weeks ago I begged the Doge to send me here, to send me anywhere, that I might forget my darling Donata. I must remain away from Venice long enough that I do not see her face everywhere in that beautiful haunted city. Her death would have been mine had I stayed. To forget her – to forget myself – I will immerse myself in the affairs of this land.

It seems I arrived just in time – this very day, Teke supported the Ottoman Empire’s declaration of war on the Dutchy of Athens, itself supported by Tuscany. My passage from Venice would surely have been threatened by the contending navies.

A palace scribe was kind enough to give me the writings of my predecessor. While incomplete – he seems to have been entirely too fond of drinking and gambling, which doubtless explains his recall – they enable me to describe Teke’s situation in the last year and a half. Perhaps he was not too remiss in his duties – only the routine incidents of trade (OOC: established 3 merchants in Alexandria), diplomacy (OOC: entered RM with Dulkadir – on the 4th try), and unruly peasants (OOC: nationalistic revolt in Konya, beaten easily).

Bartolomeo Foscari



Antalya, January 11, 1429

Teke has been living a paradox for the past few years – they are not at peace, nor are they at war. Their ally, the Ottomans, ended the war with Athens with the annexation of that unfortunate duchy, but the war with Tuscany continues. This does not displease ‘Uthman – it serves as a pretext for the levying of substantial taxes to ‘fight the war’, though no armies have been seen to fight any but their own peasants. In case they are called upon, these armies are said to have learned tactics which greatly increase their effectiveness and morale (OOC: slider move, +1 to Offensive Doctrine. Now at 9)

I must confess that I take pleasure in the thought of Tuscany being ground to dust by the armies of the ten nations it currently confronts. In August of 1426 Tuscany ended the Pope’s authority over the city of Rome – by military force, no less. The Sunni Moslems here are unperturbed, but I suspect that Tuscany’s greed (OOC: up to 5 provinces already!) will come to a deserved bad end.

I have noticed that the tax collector who took up his duties in this city two years ago has not dared show his face lately. Presumably he fears falling victim to the near-chaos of the realm at the moment. A conflict between two prominent families has all but paralyzed the government. It started a year ago last fall when their daughters were married off to nobles from Candar and Ak Koyunlu, escalated into a dispute over whose bridal feast was more extravagant, and, two weeks ago, was brought to ‘Uthman’s attention. He failed to take steps which would have halted the silliness, and now they compete in plotting to overthrow him (OOC: had to take –2 stab, now down to –1).

Bartolomeo Foscari



Antalya, June 28, 1431

It seems that chaos and declared, but unfought, war are more or less constants. Last December the conflict with Tuscany ended due to both parties’ lack of interest in its prosecution. A mere ten days later the Ottomans decided to finish off Byzantium, with Teke honoring its alliance. I am unsure if it is the hope of joining in the spoils, or fear, which accounts for Teke following its ally into its interminable wars.

One of the noble families responsible for the unpleasantness of a few years ago apparently is unsure as well. Their latest plot was revealed today – an attempted alliance with the very same Romans who now make war upon their nation (OOC: nobles allied with foreign power, back down to 0 stability. Grrr…).

‘Uthman seems concerned with the quite fragile state of Teke’s finances. The army must be kept in a constant state of readiness to fight rebellious peasants in the conquered lands once belonging to Karaman, and the strain is showing on the budget. It is hoped that profits from the merchants recently sent to ply their trade in the markets of Astrakhan can alleviate the situation.

Bartolomeo Foscari

 

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1432-1439

Antalya, July 12, 1433

It is human nature, I suppose, that makes men laud their rulers and their policies in good times when they denounced them – the same rulers and the same policies – in bad ones. Today the merchants and artisans of Antalya showed their appreciation for the relative calm of late by displaying some of their latest innovations at a public festival. Public confidence in their leadership soared to heights equal to those ever seen here. ‘Uthman is not pleased with their timing, since his government had just completed reforms which probably would have produced the same effects (OOC: Good Government Policies, +1 stab… had just gotten it to +3 ten days earlier. Drat).

Trade is picking up as well. With the Ottomans’ conquest of Byzantium last year, and their prompt renunciation of the Doge’s trade agreements, merchants are now able to make the relatively easy trek to Thrace, rather than traveling to Alexandria and trusting their wares to the dreadfully unseaworthy ships found here. One trading house has already taken this opportunity, with others expected to follow.

Wars – or rumors of wars, as may be – continue to occupy the government. After conquering Thrace the Ottomans moved on to Candar; after that conquest, on to Albania. Teke, as is its custom, joined in both declarations.

Bartolomeo Foscari



Antalya, January 11, 1439

Why do I bother with these writings? Why do I not simply reread my previous entries and change the names and dates? In all the world, Teke must surely be the one nation which has fought the longest without ever seeing combat - although their armies have had the opportunities of late.

Four times since I arrived in this city, the Ottoman Empire has brought Teke into war. Each time, the victim has clearly been too weak to offer tribute as an alternative to its destruction – Teke cannot hope to gain from these wars. Yet it obeys the Sultan’s commands. I do not dare say this to ‘Uthman – I am a diplomat, after all – but Teke has been like a small child, too terrified of its parents’ wrath to act for itself. But like a child, it must grow up someday.

The war with Albania – begun over six years ago – has shown remarkable longevity; it has even outlived Albania itself. Last winter Albania was added to the Ottomans’ growing collection of former nations, but their allies Mantua, Genoa, and Helvetia fight on. And Genoa has brought the war very near indeed. In the last few years they succeeded in capturing the Ottoman provinces of Kastamon and Smyrna, yet the Teke army was not ordered to their relief. When I bring up the subject – in a circumspect manner, of course – the colonels become evasive.

But I believe I know their designs. The Ottomans have gorged themselves on the weak of the region, and must certainly be brought to account for it someday. I suspect ‘Uthman’s plan is to wait for that day, and turn on his master. Who knows – outright conflict may not be necessary. The Turkish people, especially those living near Teke and envious of its not having to conscript a single soldier for nearly two decades, may join this (relatively) peaceful land of their own accord.

Evidence for this law of nations may be found in my homeland of Italy. I was right in my prediction of the untimely end of the aggressors from Tuscany – not that it took much analytical effort. In May of 1434 they were fully annexed by Provence; the Tuscans had a mere eight years to enjoy their conquests before they – and their homeland in the process - were all taken away.

Perhaps in preparation for conflict with the Turk, should it come, news came today of the latest changes in military doctrine (OOC: up to full offensive). ‘Uthman’s advisors have been told to focus their efforts on the improvement of the army’s weaponry, although tangible results seem distant. Nevertheless, their work has been given more attention of late, with less tax revenues diverted into the palace coffers (OOC: treasury slider now at 15%, inflation is about 7%). Although left to fend for themselves by these policies, the merchants seem to be absorbing some of the techniques of their European competitors (OOC: trade tech 2, now have 4 merchants in Thrace, 3 in Astrakhan, and 2 in Alexandria).

Bartolomeo Foscari

Teke's neighbors

Teke's finances, and France at war

 

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This *is* a nice read...easy to keep up with, well written, and I like the letter/diary style. Looking forward to more...

 

[Lord Durham]

Glad you got the screens working. Keep up the great narrative. Oh, and never be intimidated by my writing! That's one of the benefits of sticking it out on this board, plugging away and 'honing the craft', as I'm fond of saying. The longer you keep at it, the better you get.

 

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MrT: Thanks.

LD: Not intimidation, so much as giving me an idea of just how good these can be.

A few more installments, with more action and unfortunately some stupidity on my part.

 

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1440-1442

Antalya, September 29, 1440

Well, my son, by now you should be well established in Mantua and ready to begin your studies. Vittorino da Feltre is a great man. Or so he is said to be, and you’ll find out soon enough how much better that is than the real thing! All my friends tell me what an opportunity you’ve been given, to learn from him. Even old Albertino says this, and he’s never told a joke in his life, so it must be true.

But Vittorino will also try to teach all the laughter out of you, and I will have to do my best to put it back. When I think of how a man like me came to be here, representing the Serene Republic… well, there must have been some mistake. I just have to laugh. And I do – on the streets, and people look at me. Nothing I’m not used to of course. But as I say, there is entirely too much amusement here for any one person, and I must transfer the excess to you.

What has amused me, you ask? Dulkadir has. No, don’t bother looking for a map of it – it doesn’t exist anymore. It seems its Amir had a wonderful dream one night in January of 1439 – a dream that his nation could declare war on the Mamelukes, and somehow win. I hope he never woke up from that one, for reality must have been disappointing in contrast. The Ottomans and my gracious hosts here in Teke decided to join the effort, presumably while awake. The Knights of Rhodes joined on the side of the Mamelukes – what they were doing at their side in the first place I’ll never know. The Knights have contented themselves with sailing back and forth and shouting insults at the coast, which is actually quite a pleasant sound to go to sleep by.

Well, you should have heard the Teke army when it got the news. War! And against an enemy it could actually get to! Oh, this would show everyone who said they were afraid to fight. Unfortunately everyone was right. They marched off to Aleppo to trap the Mameluke army in Dulkadir as it woke up the Amir. When they got there it became apparent that the Mamelukes had not actually reached Dulkadir yet, and after pondering the situation for a few minutes they marched back to Teke. Nothing was lost, save their self-esteem.

The retreat from Aleppo

For the next year and a half the soldiers rested in Adana, and told each other how brilliant their strategy was. The strategy of letting the Ottomans do all the work, of course. The Mameluke army finally put Dulkadir out of its misery last December, but on its return the Sultan’s forces met it in Aleppo and returned the favor. And so – after making sure the Mamelukes were well and truly gone, and would not disturb them anymore – the Teke army made its triumphant return to Aleppo. At last report it had decided to remain there, and await developments.

The siege of Aleppo

Your father,
Facio Volpe



Antalya, March 3, 1442

A remarkable thing occurred in Teke in 1440. On the day after Christmas, the peasants – who seldom agree on anything – all agreed to be unhappy. My first reaction upon hearing the news was that by being unhappy, they were only fulfilling their responsibility as peasants. The government took a less philosophical view of the situation. It is felt that their natural unhappiness is being added to by a certain weariness of the war, or wars, which have involved Teke for a few decades now – although God knows they should be used to them by now. In any event a desire to end the various conflicts has become apparent.

Back to the peasants. In this city they expressed their unhappiness with a revolt, which was quite noisy and caused no end of distress to myself and the other European diplomats who were still recovering from our celebrations of the day before. The peasants of Adana and Konya were unsure how to demonstrate their unhappiness, and deliberated for a few months before deciding that a revolt was, after all, the best way to go. They reached this conclusion on the first of March, and immediately acted upon it.

Rebels being rebellious

Some of the wars I mentioned earlier, in connection with Teke’s overwhelming desire to leave them, are moving closer to their conclusions. In April the Knights agreed to do their shouting at some other coast, although without being paid for the entertainment they provided. The Ottomans apparently valued more highly Genoa’s services – yes, Genoa was still at war with Teke’s alliance – and agreed to pay 31 ducats as compensation for Genoa’s army marching through the fields of Anatolia, and helping to plow them. For the first time in sixteen years Teke is not at war with an Italian nation. Men do not know what to make of the situation, and walk around with looks of confusion.

Fortunately for the national equilibrium the war with the Mamelukes continues. Aleppo fell last April, and after the Teke army paid a visit to Konya and Adana to discuss enlightened principles of self-government with the unhappy peasants of those provinces, it marched to Beirut and today began a siege of that city.

The siege of Lebanon

Your father,
Facio Volpe

 

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1443-1446

Antalya, October 23, 1444

I swear, the peace offers bouncing between Antalya and Cairo remind me of so many bocce balls. Which reminds me, make sure you keep up in this part of your studies. You’ll forget all you’re learning soon enough – believe that, if nothing else I tell you – but learning to bowl will stay with you forever, and is more important besides. And I’d never want a son of mine to live up to all of my reputation, but I count on you to ensure the family name in this regard.

But as I say, Teke and the Mamelukes continue to look for a mutually acceptable end to their disagreement. A few days after the siege of Beirut began, the Mamelukes requested 50 ducats to cover the cost of removing all the “Now Controlled by Teke” signs in the province of Aleppo. This met with a chilly reception in Antalya, as did the suggestion last month that Teke remove the signs itself on condition of being paid 200 ducats for the job. However the job had by now expanded to include the removal of similar signs in the province of Lebanon, and 200 ducats was thought insufficient to cover all of this.

The capture of Lebanon

For its part Teke has insisted that the signs should remain, and be made permanent. Four weeks ago Teke conquered Syria, and requested this province as a suitable resting-place for its army. The Mamelukes denied Syria’s restorative powers, as they did last year regarding a similar claim made of Aleppo, and suggested the army would be better off recovering back home. The Teke army continues to look for a province to call its own, and arrived today in Samaria to assess its possibilities.

The Ottoman Empire is no longer involved with these negotiations. Last year the Sultan accepted the Mameluke provinces of Sivas, Quattara, and Judea in exchange for not conquering the rest of them. Needless to say Teke was quite astonished at the Sultan’s kindness in signing a separate peace and allowing his ally to fight on, the fear being general that Teke would be cut out of the proceeds.

Back here in the Unserene Unrepublic, the peasants of Konya continue to confound expectations. From being unhappy three years ago – notoriously so – they have gone to the other extreme and expressed their gratitude at being allowed to live – most of them, anyway – by spontaneously constructing a military equipment factory. At present its output is limited to producing new pikes to replace those rusted beyond repair, but some here in the capital think Teke’s soldiers will someday have need of weapons yet more formidable than rusty pikes. I wonder… at any rate, those who are paid to think about such things seem pleased with this development.

Your father,
Facio Volpe



Antalya, March 10, 1446

Peace has come to Teke, after spending nineteen years visiting other places. I spent today visiting the publishers of dictionaries and reminding them to put the word back in, it having long since been removed as being unlikely to ever be needed again.

What is more, Teke is now the leader of its alliance with the Ottoman Empire. In January of 1445, the Sultan decided that it would be inaccurate to go on calling his nation an Empire unless it included Serbia. The Ottomans of course requested the support of their alliance. ‘Uthman realized that after the unfortunate demise of Dulkadir, he was the Ottoman alliance, and made a counter-offer: instead of Teke participating in the Serbian war, perhaps the Ottomans should join Teke’s alliance instead. The Ottoman ambassador agreed, this semantic point being lost on him.

Fortified with the knowledge that they only had one war left to end, the Teke diplomatic corps continued to play peace-offer-bocce with the Mamelukes. Samaria fell in February 1445, but this failed to impress its former owners, who went on rejecting various demands of Aleppo and indemnities. Teke’s stubborn resistance to a purely financial settlement finally ended today, when the Mameluke ambassador showed up with a shipload of 500 ducats. This sum suddenly became less impressive when it was realized that, when the Ottomans joined Teke’s alliance, it also rejoined the war with the Mamelukes. As a result the Ottomans took home 250 ducats for little more than standing around in Judea and looking menacing.

But even half of 500 ducats is enough to set a new record for the Teke treasury. At present it appears the money may be spent on upgrading fortresses – the army claims this will be possible “any day now”, as opposed to earlier promises of “just around the corner” or “we’re working on it”. The other alternative is convincing the people of Adana that it’s really not in their long-term interest to continue being Orthodox.

Religious map

Your father,
Facio Volpe

 

[Lord Durham]

Another quality update. Keep it coming. I like your use of screens.

 

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Excellent update. I'm really enjoying reading those letters and I concur with LD the screenies are well-placed and help the reader to keep track of where you're going and what you're doing.

Good stuff. Keep 'em comin'

 

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I like it as well. It flows very nicely, a very easy read.

RJ

 

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LD, MrT, Rath Jones: Thanks, all of you. I was wondering if I was going overboard with the screenies.

After a rather unproductive update last time I can tell you that Teke has expanded. So what if it took nine years, seven more points of inflation, and about 60,000 men.

The painful details...

 

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1447-1454

Antalya, January 6, 1454

To the Most Honorable Francesco Foscarini, Doge of the Serene Republic:

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Giovanni Bellini, twenty-four years of age, and I am an artist who, five years ago, was refused – yes, I was refused – a project which I would have undertaken for pity alone. I refer of course to my request to be allowed to paint the indifferent heap of rock this uncouth nation insists upon describing as a “palace”. Truly, for men such as these to turn away my services is a mark of distinction I should have been years in obtaining otherwise…

I remain here not for the company – of that I assure you most sincerely – but for the mountains, the Bakirdaglari they are called here. A beautiful range just behind the city which is most unworthy of its scenic blessings, I have there been advancing my technique in landscapes – although I can never hope to exceed my skill in portraiture, as I assert no man, not even myself, is capable of exceeding.

But you will consider my story secondary to the remainder of this letter – although I assure you that if the Doge has need of a court painter, my name should ever leap to your mind. It may seem to you I speak out of turn, but I assure you it is not so – I offer condolences on your villa having to suffer the outrages of a hack such as Liberi.

I write now because I have been given your recent letter, inquiring after the ambassador sent to this place over six years ago. No one here remembers having received him, and I presume he was lost at sea on his voyage from Venice - although were I he, I should have abandoned my mission the moment I realized with what manner of men would I be compelled to associate.

The Genovese ambassador has told me of the last eight years’ worth of events in this benighted country which will be of interest to you. Both the artisans and soldiers are said to be more capable than before – given their current state I tremble to think how this could be construed as improvement. The walls around this city have been visibly improved.

A few weeks before the injustice to which I referred earlier was perpetrated upon myself, the government declared that ideas counter to its own policy would be suppressed – can you imagine announcing such a thing? Also, just today, the government paid a large sum to a group of imams, and sent them to Adana to practice their faith amongst the Orthodox Christians who live there. People talk as if these events are related; in what manner, I leave to you to decide. It is also said that the people of Adana, and Konya as well, no longer feel themselves to be foreigners in this nation. Their loss, I say.

The daughter of one of the noble – naturally I use the term in a relative sense only – families of this city was sent to join the Ottoman Sultan’s harem a few years ago; not long after that the Sultan was rebuffed in his attempt to strengthen and formalize the dynastic ties between himself and Teke, at the expense of some of the independence of this nation. The resultant diplomatic chill did not prevent Teke from obtaining permission to march its armies through the Sultan’s lands. On a related subject the nation of Tunisia was admitted to the military alliance between Teke and the Ottomans.

I hope that I have been of service to you. I will remain here, and await your summons to go and demonstrate the capabilities of a true artist.

Trade map

Giovanni Bellini

 

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1455-1457

Near Damascus, November 21, 1455

To General Bartolomeo Colleoni:

Thank you for arranging for me to travel with the Teke army in its campaigns against the Mamelukes. I agree that this state may make a useful ally of convenience against the Turk; many of its officers speak of their desire to eventually expand at the Ottomans’ expense. However, rest assured that if this nation proves not to have the strength, or competence, to be of any use at the Republic’s side, I will not hide this from you.

As you know the present conflict began one year ago with a Mameluke declaration of war on Tunisia. Teke and the Ottomans came to Tunisia’s defense; Serbia and the Knights agreed to assist the Mamelukes. Teke’s army, commanded by Colonel Deniz, divided to besiege both Aleppo and Syria, but the arrival of the Sultan himself, Mehmed II Fatih, made Teke’s presence in Aleppo unnecessary. Mehmed is a formidable man; very nearly as feared by his own men as by his enemies – and he counts among these all but his own men. I did not tarry to make his acquaintance and neither did Colonel Deniz, as he marched on Syria with the balance of the army.

Ottomans assume control of the siege of Aleppo

Mehmed’s whereabouts are currently unknown. Colonel Deniz fervently hopes he has fallen in battle, a hope which I know you share. In any event the Ottoman army took Aleppo not long ago and moved to join the siege of Damascus, which is nearing completion. The Mameluke allies are no longer of any consequence; Serbia was annexed three months ago, although not before its signature of a separate peace treaty with Teke. Thus Teke and the Turk pursue parallel wars against the Mamelukes – and the Knights, although their active participation is not expected.

The siege of Syria

Your obedient servant,
Cavalier Benasuto Mestre



Aleppo, March 11, 1457

Forgive the fragmentary nature of this message – the endless marching and countermarching of the past year defies easy explanation. Suffice it to say that Colonel Deniz has been endeavoring to avoid both Ottoman and Mameluke armies – quite understandable given the weakened condition of his force and the inability of his superiors to strengthen it. Although some of this inability was self-inflicted… but more on that later.

Teke conquered Syria just over a year ago, and promptly marched on Samaria. However the Ottomans had already begun a siege there, and the army withdrew to Aleppo to await the movement of the 15,000-strong Mameluke army in Lebanon. When this force moved to recapture Syria the Army of Teke advanced and took Lebanon under siege. Near this time the Ottomans accepted 50 ducats for peace with the Mamelukes – restoring Aleppo to their control in the process. On the first of this year the Mamelukes recaptured Syria and turned towards Lebanon; Teke quit its siege and retreated to Aleppo to begin another there.

Cat-and-mouse

I am yet unsure of the contributions we could expect from Teke should we ally with them. The valor of its soldiers is undeniable – three weeks ago Colonel Deniz with a mere 4,000 men drove off a Mameluke army nearly fourfold greater. But valor unaccompanied by strategy is wasted. Constrained as I am by my status as an observer, I could do no more than shake my head at the decision to send 4,000 men to invade far-off Tripolitania. I see this as nothing more than a waste of much-needed men – not to mention the expense of building the four galleys needed for the expedition.

Miracle victory in Aleppo

The invasion of Tripolitania

Your obedient servant,
Cavalier Benasuto Mestre

 

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1458-1460

Konya, June 5, 1458

As may be guessed from my location the war with the Mamelukes has turned rather sour. No good news has come from the misadventure in Tripolitania. In addition Teke’s main army has fought three pitched battles in the last fourteen months, none ending in victory. Last April, Colonel Deniz withdrew from Aleppo after a skirmish with a Mameluke army of 10,000 men, hoping to lure them into the mountains of Adana and meet them under conditions less favorable to the Mameluke cavalry. But the subsequent battle there was lost. A loan was secured one year ago, but even the reinforcements these funds allowed could not lift the siege of Alexandretta, with battles being lost in November and this April.

Losing the first Battle of Adana

The current plan – arrived at through cunning or desperation, I cannot say – is a flank march through Ottoman lands to besiege Aleppo and cut the Mamelukes’ supply lines.

Attempting to cut off the Mamelukes

Your obedient servant,
Cavalier Benasuto Mestre



Aleppo, April 21, 1460

After five and a half years this war seems to offer no advantage to either party and has degenerated into a series of marches and sieges over depressingly familiar terrain. In March 1459 a newly raised Teke army lifted the siege of Alexandretta and pursued the Mamelukes further into Teke, defeating them again in Konya. But the Mameluke survivors returned to Adana and halted further pursuit with a victory there. Although, heavily outnumbered, the Mamelukes quit their siege a few months later, the episode was quite damaging as their army laid waste to both provinces in the process.

The main army, which was sent on a flanking march to Aleppo, took that city last June and advanced on Lebanon. However it was defeated there in November, and chased back to Aleppo and defeated once again, with the Mamelukes laying siege. On its return to Aleppo Teke today won – in a matter of speaking – the bloodiest battle it has ever been my fortune as a soldier to witness. The few survivors are now chasing the remnants of the Mameluke army into Syria. The victory, such as it was, would have been impossible without the aid of the troops who were finally recalled from the fruitless siege of Tripolitania; I hear that the nobleman who proposed this scheme was assassinated last October.

A mutual slaughter in Aleppo

Of more immediate concern to the Republic, I note that the Ottoman Empire has annexed Bosnia after a three-year war. Teke joined in that war and continues to fight Bosnia’s allies, although the officers here have not troubled themselves to learn the identities of their enemies.

Your obedient servant,
Cavalier Benasuto Mestre

 

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1461-1464

Aleppo, October 5, 1463

Victory, yes. But at such a price, and so inferior to what could have been gained. These complaints of Teke’s officers are not new – soldiers have talked this way since Megiddo - but neither are they unjustified. I will try to explain.

The Mameluke survivors of the destructive Battle of Aleppo in April 1460 were wiped out in Syria in June 1460, and the city of Damascus was taken in September 1461. The Teke army marched on Samaria and shattered a small force of new Mameluke recruits there. The bulk of this army moved to Lebanon and did the same to more recruits there, and after leaving a detachment to cover the city of Beirut it returned to Samaria.

Trying to cover all Mameluke provinces

With two cities taken and two more bound to fall, the Mamelukes began negotiating in earnest to end the war. Their first offer was of 149 ducats, and rejected. ‘Uthman was determined to gain the province of Syria, and after Samaria fell in July 1462 demanded Syria as well as Aleppo. The Mamelukes refused, but two months later offered Aleppo, Samaria, and Cyrenaica. In its hubris Teke thought its bargaining position could only grow stronger, with Lebanon – the final Mameluke province north of the Ottoman outpost in Judea - under siege. With no way to raise troops in the area, or march them there, and the Mameluke navy remaining little more than a rumor, how could the Teke army be thwarted?

Soldiers such as ourselves must always remember that our efforts can be undone by fate – or the incompetence of our superiors, as the case may be. Teke’s provincial officials are regularly admonished that Shiite Muslims within their territories are to be afforded no privileges, save that of leaving Teke as soon as possible. A defensible policy this may be when comparatively few Shiites live within Teke – but they form a majority in Syria. And no one thought to soften the orders of the administrators sent to govern Syria after its capture by Teke. (OOC: ) Enraged at their ill treatment the peasants rose up in the fall of 1462 and attempted to reclaim Damascus.

Although the Teke army had nearly breached the walls of Beirut, the rebellion finally became enough of a threat to require its attention. So, leaving a small force behind in Lebanon, nearly 8,000 veterans marched off to Syria. And on February 25, 1463, they were killed to a man. In shock, the force left behind in Lebanon saw Damascus fall to the Shiite rebels in May, who immediately gave way in favor of Mameluke administrators. They promptly raised 10,000 men, who – mere days after becoming organized enough to merit description as an army – obliterated the few-thousand-strong Teke army sent from Lebanon to rescue the situation.

After hearing of these events ‘Uthman finally swallowed his pride, and conceded that Syria could not be wrested from the Mamelukes. His demand for the province of Aleppo was accepted last October, and after nine years, the Mameluke war ended. I have not yet talked to anyone happy with its ending though.

Your obedient servant,
Cavalier Benasuto Mestre



Antalya, March 1, 1464

Since the previous ambassador was recalled some years ago and his replacement has not yet arrived, I enclose news of recent internal matters for the Doge’s perusal. Two and a half years ago, I made an offhand remark to a Teke colonel concerning the quality of his army’s weaponry, as compared to Venice’s. As it turned out our recent innovations were quite unheard of here, and I was told I had contributed more in five minutes than all of Teke’s research could in five years. I confess it made me feel quite important. A few months later this was followed by news that the army was to be emphasized at the navy’s expense – the utter failure of the naval invasion of Tripolitania is still not a subject to be raised lightly.

The loan taken at the war’s lowest ebb was repaid, thanks to rather extortionate taxation policies – of course with Teke provinces under siege the people were slightly less averse to paying these taxes than they might otherwise be. Only slightly, though.

I observed on my last visit to Adana that most of its people have adapted to Sunni Islam, first introduced to them several years ago at no small expense. After the disastrous chain of events in Syria, religion is – like naval matters – not a wise subject for a foreigner to raise, but I may fairly assume that similar efforts will be undertaken in Aleppo, which also contains an Orthodox majority.

One month ago, Teke finally ascertained its enemies left over from the nearly-forgotten war between the Ottomans and Bosnia. They turned out to be led by Austria, and the parties agreed to consider themselves officially at peace.

The immediate area and Teke’s finances

Your obedient servant,
Cavalier Benasuto Mestre



Gaaaahhh... I'm still pissed at myself for turning down _several_ offers of three provinces and ending up with one. I really wanted Syria though... I need grain to get my support limit out of the basement.

 

[Sharur]

A very clever and interesting approach to an AAR, Carligula, and a successful one. I've thoroughly enjoyed this. Well done