Mike von Bek said:
Terrific Job Joe,
Mine Kingdom of Jeruzalem did not last for another 3 years (became a one province Ayyubids vassal
) but your will rule the Mediterenean for a long long time. It is as if the third crusade just worked out fine.-
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Terrific Job Joe,
Mine Kingdom of Jeruzalem did not last for another 3 years (became a one province Ayyubids vassal
) but your will rule the Mediterenean for a long long time. It is as if the third crusade just worked out fine.
Here the good news and the bad news.
The Good news is that I expanded Almohads and you should see what KofJ done without my help
The Bad news is that I don't have time to do AAr for it!! But at least I can post the result with short summary!! Sorry this is so short but my brother limited my internet access to from 2100 to 2400 My dad is concerned about the time I spend online and with the exams coming up next two weeks but I will make AAr about Aargon, the state of Aargon is bad with Almohads controlling half of the kingdom
So the next update should be fun!!
Here the results
Sapphire
Almohads
Victorypoints: 185
Started with: 15 provinces
Gained: 5 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 0.0%
BB:21/26
Losses
Infantry (total) 101329 (combat) 36864 (atrittion) (disband) 18695
Cavalry (total) 26918 (combat) 17498 (atrittion) 9420
128247 men dead!!!
The map on 1160
So what happened in ten years:
1Jun60;Almohads declared war upon Portugal.
12May61; Oporto fell.
23Oct61; Lisboa fell.
1Jan62; Asked for military access, 175 ducats and Oporto.
1Jun62; Almodhads declared war upon Leon.
12Apr63; Leon fell.
14May63; Abu Ya?qub Yusuf I rose to the throne.
20Sept63; Asturias fell.
11Mar64;Captured Galicia. Galicia and Asturias was taken and 50 ducats. Also Leon is a Vassal of Almohads.
1Sept64; With 32033 I and 11072 C on the border of Cantabria. Almohads declared war upon Castile.
1Feb65; Portugal declared war upon Almohads
4Sept64; Aragon annexed Navarra.
30Mar66; Captured Tago from Portugal and Castilla from Castile. Got military access and Cantabria and 150 ducats from enemies and annexed Portugal
14May66; Aragon declared war upon us.
That I have trouble with it, for next four years, it been nothing but changing hands of provinces. As on Jan65, I got Navarra and Aragon but I did once got Capital but lost it to Free Christian
Also, I lost lot of provinces to rebels who are displeased with my war-mongering
The map of 1170
I am so PROUD of what AI in KofJ done for last ten years.
NOW, I got very bad problems for next ten years. Guess what country I will control!!! Aargon!!!
Hmm, I will write up AAR about THAT if I managed to survive
Joe (Sapphire)
The Good news is that I expanded Almohads and you should see what KofJ done without my help
The Bad news is that I don't have time to do AAr for it!! But at least I can post the result with short summary!! Sorry this is so short but my brother limited my internet access to from 2100 to 2400 My dad is concerned about the time I spend online and with the exams coming up next two weeks but I will make AAr about Aargon, the state of Aargon is bad with Almohads controlling half of the kingdom
So the next update should be fun!!
Here the results
Sapphire
Almohads
Victorypoints: 185
Started with: 15 provinces
Gained: 5 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 0.0%
BB:21/26
Losses
Infantry (total) 101329 (combat) 36864 (atrittion) (disband) 18695
Cavalry (total) 26918 (combat) 17498 (atrittion) 9420
128247 men dead!!!
The map on 1160
So what happened in ten years:
1Jun60;Almohads declared war upon Portugal.
12May61; Oporto fell.
23Oct61; Lisboa fell.
1Jan62; Asked for military access, 175 ducats and Oporto.
1Jun62; Almodhads declared war upon Leon.
12Apr63; Leon fell.
14May63; Abu Ya?qub Yusuf I rose to the throne.
20Sept63; Asturias fell.
11Mar64;Captured Galicia. Galicia and Asturias was taken and 50 ducats. Also Leon is a Vassal of Almohads.
1Sept64; With 32033 I and 11072 C on the border of Cantabria. Almohads declared war upon Castile.
1Feb65; Portugal declared war upon Almohads
4Sept64; Aragon annexed Navarra.
30Mar66; Captured Tago from Portugal and Castilla from Castile. Got military access and Cantabria and 150 ducats from enemies and annexed Portugal
14May66; Aragon declared war upon us.
That I have trouble with it, for next four years, it been nothing but changing hands of provinces. As on Jan65, I got Navarra and Aragon but I did once got Capital but lost it to Free Christian
Also, I lost lot of provinces to rebels who are displeased with my war-mongering
The map of 1170
I am so PROUD of what AI in KofJ done for last ten years.
NOW, I got very bad problems for next ten years. Guess what country I will control!!! Aargon!!!
Hmm, I will write up AAR about THAT
if I managed to survive Joe (Sapphire)
Last edited:
Sapphire, you have played a very good game here.
And with the pic's it does not mattert so much this time you did not had the time to write a full AAr, let's see how your Aragon cope with this Muslim threat....
And with the pic's it does not mattert so much this time you did not had the time to write a full AAr, let's see how your Aragon cope with this Muslim threat....
Almohads 1160-1170
At the start of this 'short' and largely uneventfull game the country of the Muslim Almohads is like this:
They control a total of 17 provinces of which 10 are African and 7 Iberian. Murcia is excistence but very weak.
Our stability is dissatrous low at -2 but, we have no inflation and prospects of a quick rise in stability as we are at peace.
Then there is a large army, too large for me as it takes in way to much money a monoth. And we do not have a navy except for 5 little galeys.
The first five years are rather uneventfull as I am obliged to sit and watch by simple regional diplomatic relations. I have none allies and will be on my own as my middle-eastern co-religionists should never dare to travel such a long distance. And on the other side of the Iberian border there is an alliance of: Leon, Portugal, Castille, Aragon, Provence, Navarra and Toulouse. Need I say more!
And so I sat and wait, not even able to send a merchant, as they where simply too expensive, or promote a bailiff, as this was already done either. After a little army-and navy reorganizations and re-dipositions I turned to financial matters and researched all in Stability. Then there was the ploitical front. A few royal marriges and an alliance with Mosul, Kerman and the Abbasid Caliphate. All land based middle-eastern countries.
And so I waited a little more, during which time Tripoli fell to the Ayyubids whom where regaining themselves from my previous game. I saw Murcia attakced by the grand Spanish alliance followed by The emirate of the Balaeres. By July 1163 both of them had fallen to the Christians and where annexed. Calling for a Jihad, drawing in cash and raising as much troops as I could, crossed my mind. But there where just too much Christians on the other side, already I saw some 60.000 on my borders, led by their kings, whom knows what was there behind them and what their allies could send. No, a bit more sitting practise would be the best thing to do for me.
During July 1164 my Stability finnaly reached +3 and my sultan died which is not a bad thing when his more able son succeeds him. Sultan Yusuf the first would now head us and with his fresh vieuws would turn our focus to the Italian theater.
A fleet was constructed and on the seventh of August 1165 the little isle of Sardinia was invaded. Not a brute of an enemy but for the Iberian focused Almohads this was a new ground with new enemies on which to prove themselves. The fighting went well and in little over three weeks all resistance was wiped out except for a city of mountanous strongholds and off course the Sardinian capital. And so we settled in for a siege.
Meanwhile, to the north Italy falls apart into several minor states and Jeruzalem is shred to pieces leaving them only with a little coastal strip around Acre.
In little over nine months the capital of Sardinia falls and the isle is incorporated into our territory, the first Almohad victory in a considerable span of time. On the African coast an even larger army is raised while new ships are constructed at the same time, our next stop will be Sicily, controlling all of Southern Italy.
This second campaign is opened on the first of July 1167 with an invasion of undefended Malta folowed in november by an invasion of Sicily itslef, this time led by the Sultan. During the embarkation our fleet is surprisingly attakcek by the Sicilian fleet whom we had not seen around earlier, during our reconasance missions in the area. Before the surprise ebs away however our fleet is driven off and flees. The first attempt on Sicily is a failure. During may a second attampt brings us again to the isle this time we actually set foot on shore but are defeated by a quick counterattack. Unable to retain our foothold the Sultan re-embarks leaving behind some 3.000 of his most able men.
Malta falls in the last week of August installing some positive moral into the demoralised army and again they set out for Italy, this time their target will be the historical city of Syracuse. On September the 28 we sail ashore the cities bay and embark not far from the city. But after the first few days signs are turning for the worse as enemy troops draw togheter around our beachehead.
Within a week the raids are constant and after another week our position is unattainable and so, the third invasion ends in a failure, again we lose some 2.000 men.
Altough Yusuf's army is so much demoralised from the recent string of failures the sultan himself does not prove to be. During the second week of January 1169 his flag is visible before the coast of Apulia on the southern tip of mainland Italy. Before long the Sicilian troops are wiped out and the fleet is able to depart for reinforcements. Finnaly we got ourselfs a toohold.
During June the Sicilian navy again shows its ugly head, but this time they are defeated. A month later some 11.000 troops land at Napoli to besiege Napels, no more then 50 miles south of Rome and the seat of the Holy See. By now there are some 20.000 troops rampaging across the Italian mainland. Enroused by Papal calls the Sicilians take togheter all of their troops and set out to defeat Yusuf, having proven themselves on the Sicilian coast they do not show much fear as they cross for the mainland.
On the 28th of November the fields of Apulia are died red with blood as two rivals clash and during my only major battle I am victorious as my 12.000 men hold out against 21.000 norsemen.
And then it is 1-1-1170 and mine ten years end.
I besiege Apulia (-5) and Napoli (-1) and next to this I have already captured Malta. So the prospects of a favorable outcome are good altough the war exhaustion is already +6 by now.
_____________
vp's gained: only 3
I got +1 province and have an inflation of 1.1.
Lost about 8.000 troops to combat and Attrition of which 3.000 where cavalry.
At the start of this 'short' and largely uneventfull game the country of the Muslim Almohads is like this:
They control a total of 17 provinces of which 10 are African and 7 Iberian. Murcia is excistence but very weak.
Our stability is dissatrous low at -2 but, we have no inflation and prospects of a quick rise in stability as we are at peace.
Then there is a large army, too large for me as it takes in way to much money a monoth. And we do not have a navy except for 5 little galeys.
The first five years are rather uneventfull as I am obliged to sit and watch by simple regional diplomatic relations. I have none allies and will be on my own as my middle-eastern co-religionists should never dare to travel such a long distance. And on the other side of the Iberian border there is an alliance of: Leon, Portugal, Castille, Aragon, Provence, Navarra and Toulouse. Need I say more!
And so I sat and wait, not even able to send a merchant, as they where simply too expensive, or promote a bailiff, as this was already done either. After a little army-and navy reorganizations and re-dipositions I turned to financial matters and researched all in Stability. Then there was the ploitical front. A few royal marriges and an alliance with Mosul, Kerman and the Abbasid Caliphate. All land based middle-eastern countries.
And so I waited a little more, during which time Tripoli fell to the Ayyubids whom where regaining themselves from my previous game. I saw Murcia attakced by the grand Spanish alliance followed by The emirate of the Balaeres. By July 1163 both of them had fallen to the Christians and where annexed. Calling for a Jihad, drawing in cash and raising as much troops as I could, crossed my mind. But there where just too much Christians on the other side, already I saw some 60.000 on my borders, led by their kings, whom knows what was there behind them and what their allies could send. No, a bit more sitting practise would be the best thing to do for me.
During July 1164 my Stability finnaly reached +3 and my sultan died which is not a bad thing when his more able son succeeds him. Sultan Yusuf the first would now head us and with his fresh vieuws would turn our focus to the Italian theater.
A fleet was constructed and on the seventh of August 1165 the little isle of Sardinia was invaded. Not a brute of an enemy but for the Iberian focused Almohads this was a new ground with new enemies on which to prove themselves. The fighting went well and in little over three weeks all resistance was wiped out except for a city of mountanous strongholds and off course the Sardinian capital. And so we settled in for a siege.
Meanwhile, to the north Italy falls apart into several minor states and Jeruzalem is shred to pieces leaving them only with a little coastal strip around Acre.
In little over nine months the capital of Sardinia falls and the isle is incorporated into our territory, the first Almohad victory in a considerable span of time. On the African coast an even larger army is raised while new ships are constructed at the same time, our next stop will be Sicily, controlling all of Southern Italy.
This second campaign is opened on the first of July 1167 with an invasion of undefended Malta folowed in november by an invasion of Sicily itslef, this time led by the Sultan. During the embarkation our fleet is surprisingly attakcek by the Sicilian fleet whom we had not seen around earlier, during our reconasance missions in the area. Before the surprise ebs away however our fleet is driven off and flees. The first attempt on Sicily is a failure. During may a second attampt brings us again to the isle this time we actually set foot on shore but are defeated by a quick counterattack. Unable to retain our foothold the Sultan re-embarks leaving behind some 3.000 of his most able men.
Malta falls in the last week of August installing some positive moral into the demoralised army and again they set out for Italy, this time their target will be the historical city of Syracuse. On September the 28 we sail ashore the cities bay and embark not far from the city. But after the first few days signs are turning for the worse as enemy troops draw togheter around our beachehead.
Within a week the raids are constant and after another week our position is unattainable and so, the third invasion ends in a failure, again we lose some 2.000 men.
Altough Yusuf's army is so much demoralised from the recent string of failures the sultan himself does not prove to be. During the second week of January 1169 his flag is visible before the coast of Apulia on the southern tip of mainland Italy. Before long the Sicilian troops are wiped out and the fleet is able to depart for reinforcements. Finnaly we got ourselfs a toohold.
During June the Sicilian navy again shows its ugly head, but this time they are defeated. A month later some 11.000 troops land at Napoli to besiege Napels, no more then 50 miles south of Rome and the seat of the Holy See. By now there are some 20.000 troops rampaging across the Italian mainland. Enroused by Papal calls the Sicilians take togheter all of their troops and set out to defeat Yusuf, having proven themselves on the Sicilian coast they do not show much fear as they cross for the mainland.
On the 28th of November the fields of Apulia are died red with blood as two rivals clash and during my only major battle I am victorious as my 12.000 men hold out against 21.000 norsemen.
And then it is 1-1-1170 and mine ten years end.
I besiege Apulia (-5) and Napoli (-1) and next to this I have already captured Malta. So the prospects of a favorable outcome are good altough the war exhaustion is already +6 by now.
_____________
vp's gained: only 3
I got +1 province and have an inflation of 1.1.
Lost about 8.000 troops to combat and Attrition of which 3.000 where cavalry.
Good lord Sapph, thats a lot of rebels! They should be happy you conquered so much! Pfft! Rebels, never happy...
And Mosby... Italy? Wow, thats a unique idea! Extra points for doing something unique, I say! Can we get a screenie of your Italian conquests?
And Mosby... Italy? Wow, thats a unique idea! Extra points for doing something unique, I say! Can we get a screenie of your Italian conquests?
One For All, All for Almohad!
You think you can do better, hefe?
Almohadia, under 'Abd al-Mu'min
Obviously, Im not a normal guy. Normal guys cant jump bodies… well, they can I guess, but not in the way IM thinking. Yessiree Bob, Im a body-hopping, pill-popping Elvis impersonator, and Im here to say – hail to the King baby!
In January of 1160, I found myself ejected from the body of Baudouin, King of Jerusalem. Which was a shame, because it was a nice body. But perhaps it was for the best, since he was going to die in 1162 anyway. Did I mention Im clairvoyant? OOoooo-EeeeEEee-Ooooo!
So, ejected from my body, I wandered for a little while, here and there. Of course, time has no meaning when youre in the Deadlands, so when I finally came to rest in the body of ‘Abd al-Mu’min (lit: “Hairy Body”), the leader of the Almohads, no time had passed for the rest of the world. Keen, neh?
Abd al-Mu’min (hairy bugger, innit?)
Old al-Mu’min is a bit of a conqueror it seems, having conquered all of North Africa west of Egypt and pretty much all of Moslem Spain. Really theres not much for me to do. I do note that he has assembled quite a large army. Larger than these puritanical Berbers can afford really. I contemplate disbanding a whole bunch of troops, but then I think: “What would Elvis do?” Probably eat a hamburger and sing Love Me Tender, which isn’t exactly helpful advise. Thanks Elvis. Th-hank-yoo very much. What the hell, I say – they want a big army, they got one! Besides, Im going to need a large army if Im going to conquer those annoying Christians in North Iberia that keep raiding me.
Those same Christians have declared war on the Emirate of Baleares, a group of strategic islands off my North African coast. Well, nuts to that I say, and declare a war of my own. Baleares, you see, belongs to me. I march my King over their quick smart, let the Castillian Navy dispatch with that of Baleares, let Leon take the bloody beachhead and then I land myself. Being that Im a King (in fact, Im The King) I quickly steal the siege, and a few months later, Baleares is added to the United States of ROCK! Although my fellow Berber’s insist on calling it Almohadia. Ffft!
Suddenly Tripoli, whom I apparently was at war with, surrender. (I mean, its Tripoli, would you notice?) I have a bad enough reputation already without that useless piece of desert, so I am content just vassalising them. Ha ha ha!
Someone starts giving me some guff about invading the Emirate of Murcia, my ally in Eastern Iberia. But Im a lover, not a fighter (pelvic thrust) so I say Let My People Go. Actually, I say “Let the Murcians be”. I mean, their king is called the Wolf King! You don’t mess with someone who has that kind of cachet.
All of a sudden, my host body dies! I was trying to shave with an axe, when I slipped and its head flew off! You had to see it to believe it! I resolve to be more careful in future, and possess the body of Abu Ya’kub Yusef, who’s most appealing feature is a distinct lack of hair. Oh, and the fact that he is heir to the throne of Zamunda. I mean, Almohadia. And its not like he a 'distinct' lack of hair – he has SOME hair, but it’s just a normal amount. Not Robin-Williams-on-crack style. Hell just Robin-Williams-normal is a freaky amount of hair.
Abu Ya’kub Yusef (nice hair, but what a nose!)
Yusef is a pretty nice chap, lots of room in his head for me to stretch out. Mostly because of that nose! And he’s a young, good looking fellow – doesn’t hurt when Im down the local casbah, you know what I mean? Still, Ive got plans – so when people start yelling at me to exile some guy just because he’s a Jew I sing them a little ditty I call “Blue Moon”. They call me a devil, but that’s okay – its just the way I play, baby. Anyway, this Maimonides chap is now a councillor of mine, and I can concentrate on Operation Heartbreak Hotel, which involves the Kingdom of Leon, myself, and 75,000 friends and family. The Christians, being boring, simply call it “The Rudding Great Moslem Invasion of 1164, You Berk”. Honestly, I just asked!
Of course, when I send out my war declarations, I like to invite a few special guests. Shortly after the initial declaration (which only Leon responded too, thought that was a bit mean) Castille said we were at war, and so did Aragon & Provence, Portugal, the Tuaregs, and Cyrenica & the Fatimids. Even Tripoli, whom I didn’t think would join the party because they were my vassal, decided to break the vassalage, and said they were warring with me too. What a party!
You might think Id be worried, but I wasn’t. Why you say? Because I knew that the Wolf King of Murcia was on MY side! Who says good deeds don’t pay off? He brutally savaged Castille and Aragon, keeping them off my flank for the next four years. Which was how long the war took.
By late 1168 I had annexed Portugal, taken Cantabria from Castille, and forced Leon to hand over Asturias and Galicia. The Wolf King of Murcia (damn that’s such a cool name!) had reduced the Aragonese to Catalon, which basically broke the power of the Spanish Christians in Iberia. At least for the time being. I had forced the Fatimids and Tripoli to accept a white peace, but was forced to hand over the Sahara to the Tuaregs. Damn! (snicker) The Sahara! Bwah ha ha! Stupid Tuaregs…
After putting down a few revolts in 1169, I entered 1170 at the head of a large kingdom, having added five provinces (Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Baleares, and Tago), but lost one (Sahara). Not a bad exchange!
The United States of ROCK, under Caliph Abu Ya'kub Yusef
You think you can do better, hefe?
Almohadia, under 'Abd al-Mu'min
Obviously, Im not a normal guy. Normal guys cant jump bodies… well, they can I guess, but not in the way IM thinking. Yessiree Bob, Im a body-hopping, pill-popping Elvis impersonator, and Im here to say – hail to the King baby!
In January of 1160, I found myself ejected from the body of Baudouin, King of Jerusalem. Which was a shame, because it was a nice body. But perhaps it was for the best, since he was going to die in 1162 anyway. Did I mention Im clairvoyant? OOoooo-EeeeEEee-Ooooo!
So, ejected from my body, I wandered for a little while, here and there. Of course, time has no meaning when youre in the Deadlands, so when I finally came to rest in the body of ‘Abd al-Mu’min (lit: “Hairy Body”), the leader of the Almohads, no time had passed for the rest of the world. Keen, neh?
Abd al-Mu’min (hairy bugger, innit?)
Old al-Mu’min is a bit of a conqueror it seems, having conquered all of North Africa west of Egypt and pretty much all of Moslem Spain. Really theres not much for me to do. I do note that he has assembled quite a large army. Larger than these puritanical Berbers can afford really. I contemplate disbanding a whole bunch of troops, but then I think: “What would Elvis do?” Probably eat a hamburger and sing Love Me Tender, which isn’t exactly helpful advise. Thanks Elvis. Th-hank-yoo very much. What the hell, I say – they want a big army, they got one! Besides, Im going to need a large army if Im going to conquer those annoying Christians in North Iberia that keep raiding me.
Those same Christians have declared war on the Emirate of Baleares, a group of strategic islands off my North African coast. Well, nuts to that I say, and declare a war of my own. Baleares, you see, belongs to me. I march my King over their quick smart, let the Castillian Navy dispatch with that of Baleares, let Leon take the bloody beachhead and then I land myself. Being that Im a King (in fact, Im The King) I quickly steal the siege, and a few months later, Baleares is added to the United States of ROCK! Although my fellow Berber’s insist on calling it Almohadia. Ffft!
Suddenly Tripoli, whom I apparently was at war with, surrender. (I mean, its Tripoli, would you notice?) I have a bad enough reputation already without that useless piece of desert, so I am content just vassalising them. Ha ha ha!
Someone starts giving me some guff about invading the Emirate of Murcia, my ally in Eastern Iberia. But Im a lover, not a fighter (pelvic thrust) so I say Let My People Go. Actually, I say “Let the Murcians be”. I mean, their king is called the Wolf King! You don’t mess with someone who has that kind of cachet.
All of a sudden, my host body dies! I was trying to shave with an axe, when I slipped and its head flew off! You had to see it to believe it! I resolve to be more careful in future, and possess the body of Abu Ya’kub Yusef, who’s most appealing feature is a distinct lack of hair. Oh, and the fact that he is heir to the throne of Zamunda. I mean, Almohadia. And its not like he a 'distinct' lack of hair – he has SOME hair, but it’s just a normal amount. Not Robin-Williams-on-crack style. Hell just Robin-Williams-normal is a freaky amount of hair.
Abu Ya’kub Yusef (nice hair, but what a nose!)
Yusef is a pretty nice chap, lots of room in his head for me to stretch out. Mostly because of that nose! And he’s a young, good looking fellow – doesn’t hurt when Im down the local casbah, you know what I mean? Still, Ive got plans – so when people start yelling at me to exile some guy just because he’s a Jew I sing them a little ditty I call “Blue Moon”. They call me a devil, but that’s okay – its just the way I play, baby. Anyway, this Maimonides chap is now a councillor of mine, and I can concentrate on Operation Heartbreak Hotel, which involves the Kingdom of Leon, myself, and 75,000 friends and family. The Christians, being boring, simply call it “The Rudding Great Moslem Invasion of 1164, You Berk”. Honestly, I just asked!
Of course, when I send out my war declarations, I like to invite a few special guests. Shortly after the initial declaration (which only Leon responded too, thought that was a bit mean) Castille said we were at war, and so did Aragon & Provence, Portugal, the Tuaregs, and Cyrenica & the Fatimids. Even Tripoli, whom I didn’t think would join the party because they were my vassal, decided to break the vassalage, and said they were warring with me too. What a party!
You might think Id be worried, but I wasn’t. Why you say? Because I knew that the Wolf King of Murcia was on MY side! Who says good deeds don’t pay off? He brutally savaged Castille and Aragon, keeping them off my flank for the next four years. Which was how long the war took.
By late 1168 I had annexed Portugal, taken Cantabria from Castille, and forced Leon to hand over Asturias and Galicia. The Wolf King of Murcia (damn that’s such a cool name!) had reduced the Aragonese to Catalon, which basically broke the power of the Spanish Christians in Iberia. At least for the time being. I had forced the Fatimids and Tripoli to accept a white peace, but was forced to hand over the Sahara to the Tuaregs. Damn! (snicker) The Sahara! Bwah ha ha! Stupid Tuaregs…
After putting down a few revolts in 1169, I entered 1170 at the head of a large kingdom, having added five provinces (Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Baleares, and Tago), but lost one (Sahara). Not a bad exchange!
The United States of ROCK, under Caliph Abu Ya'kub Yusef
:rofl: :rofl:
Hey, you outdid me!!!!
What graphical program did you use??
I used Paint for all my maps
Do you know how KofJ doing
It would be very funny to see how Aragon is doing next ten years
Joe (Sapphire)
Hey, you outdid me!!!!
What graphical program did you use??
I used Paint for all my maps
Do you know how KofJ doing
It would be very funny to see how Aragon is doing next ten years
Joe (Sapphire)
Well, I havent collated all the stats yet, so we dont know for sure - but it was a brutal victory. Look at all that smoke in the last map - rebellions, rebellions, rebellions!
Aragon will be fun, limited as is now. There are still options available - Mosby's choice of Italy could be worth examining, and there are undoubtedly some French minors that one could capture. Or I could ally with England and Aquitaine and see what happens.
Ive no idea how Jerusalem is doing - I'll post a screenshot later on. Oh, and I use Photoshop 6.
Aragon will be fun, limited as is now. There are still options available - Mosby's choice of Italy could be worth examining, and there are undoubtedly some French minors that one could capture. Or I could ally with England and Aquitaine and see what happens.
Ive no idea how Jerusalem is doing - I'll post a screenshot later on. Oh, and I use Photoshop 6.
Mike von Bek said:
I like to but putting up screenies prove a hell of a job for me but I will try. and for my Aragon game you need a screenie otherwise you will not believe me. I gained 15 provinces in total (in 10 years) and some 331 Vp's.....Next to this there where so many wars I am not even going to describe them all. (I kicked of the BB's
)All right here it is; the first one and the reason why I had to resort to another plan. With 70.000+ enemy troops opposing you an assault on the Iberian kingdoms was totally out of the question.
And so I resorted to this. It worked but only after a lot of failure and a lot of death.
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All right, the stats after two rounds; Jeruzalem and the Almohads
Total vp's so far:
Mike von Bek: 251 (2 games)
Singleton Mosby: 110 (2 games)
Sapphire: 247 (2 games)
Kingdom of Jeruzalem
Singleton Mosby
Victory points: 107
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 2 provinces (only lost them march 1160)
Inflation during my reign: 7.2%
Losses
Infantry (total) 11.277 (combat) 10.565 (attrition) 1012
Cavalry (total) 5.704 (combat) 3.574 (attrition) 2.130
Mike von Bek
Victory points: 119
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 3 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 5.8%
Losses
Infantry (total) 3,581 (combat) 1,073 (attrition) 2,508
Cavalry (total) 1213 (combat) 714 (attrition) 499
Sapphire
Victorypoints: 62
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 11 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 24%
BB:24.7/27
Losses
Infantry (total) 2500 (combat) 2210 (atrittion) 290
Cavalry (total) 19148 (combat) 13849 (atrittion) 5299
The Almohads
Sapphire
Victorypoints: 185
Started with: 15 provinces
Gained: 5 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 0.0%
BB:21/26
Losses
Infantry (total) 101329 (combat) 36864 (atrittion) (disband) 18695
Cavalry (total) 26918 (combat) 17498 (atrittion) 9420
Singleton Mosby
vp's gained: only 3
BB: 6,3
I got +1 province and have an inflation of 1.1.
Lost about 8.000 troops to combat and Attrition of which 3.000
where cavalry.
Mike von Bek
Provinces Gained: Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, Tago, Baleares
Provinces Lost: Sahara
Inflation: 6,2%
VPs Gained: 132 (started at 80, ended at 212)
Losses (Infantry): 79,387 (24,469 in battle, 54,918 in attrition)
Losses (Cavalry): 15,206 (4,715 in battle, 10,491 in attrition)
Total (all games, so far combined):
Singleton Mosby:
Victory points: 110
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 3 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 8.3%
Losses
Infantry (total) 16.277
Cavalry (total) 8.704
Mike von bek:
Victory points: 251
Gained: 5 provinces
Inflation during my total reign: 12,0%
Losses
Infantry (total) 83,000
Cavalry (total) 16,400
Sapphire
Victorypoints: 247
Gained: 16 provinces
Inflation during my total reign: 24%
BB: 45,7
Losses
Infantry (total) 103829
Cavalry (total) 46166
Total vp's so far:
Mike von Bek: 251 (2 games)
Singleton Mosby: 110 (2 games)
Sapphire: 247 (2 games)
Kingdom of Jeruzalem
Singleton Mosby
Victory points: 107
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 2 provinces (only lost them march 1160)
Inflation during my reign: 7.2%
Losses
Infantry (total) 11.277 (combat) 10.565 (attrition) 1012
Cavalry (total) 5.704 (combat) 3.574 (attrition) 2.130
Mike von Bek
Victory points: 119
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 3 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 5.8%
Losses
Infantry (total) 3,581 (combat) 1,073 (attrition) 2,508
Cavalry (total) 1213 (combat) 714 (attrition) 499
Sapphire
Victorypoints: 62
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 11 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 24%
BB:24.7/27
Losses
Infantry (total) 2500 (combat) 2210 (atrittion) 290
Cavalry (total) 19148 (combat) 13849 (atrittion) 5299
The Almohads
Sapphire
Victorypoints: 185
Started with: 15 provinces
Gained: 5 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 0.0%
BB:21/26
Losses
Infantry (total) 101329 (combat) 36864 (atrittion) (disband) 18695
Cavalry (total) 26918 (combat) 17498 (atrittion) 9420
Singleton Mosby
vp's gained: only 3
BB: 6,3
I got +1 province and have an inflation of 1.1.
Lost about 8.000 troops to combat and Attrition of which 3.000
where cavalry.
Mike von Bek
Provinces Gained: Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, Tago, Baleares
Provinces Lost: Sahara
Inflation: 6,2%
VPs Gained: 132 (started at 80, ended at 212)
Losses (Infantry): 79,387 (24,469 in battle, 54,918 in attrition)
Losses (Cavalry): 15,206 (4,715 in battle, 10,491 in attrition)
Total (all games, so far combined):
Singleton Mosby:
Victory points: 110
Started with: 2 provinces
Gained: 3 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 8.3%
Losses
Infantry (total) 16.277
Cavalry (total) 8.704
Mike von bek:
Victory points: 251
Gained: 5 provinces
Inflation during my total reign: 12,0%
Losses
Infantry (total) 83,000
Cavalry (total) 16,400
Sapphire
Victorypoints: 247
Gained: 16 provinces
Inflation during my total reign: 24%
BB: 45,7
Losses
Infantry (total) 103829
Cavalry (total) 46166
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The end of Jeruzalem
I do not think my Kingdom of Jeruzalem held a record for being 'long lasting'. Here, in 1165 they where already the vassals of the Ayyubids, two years later the Abbasids incorporeted them altogheter, in so doing wiping out the last crusader kingdom....
But, the Christian avenged them with a total reconquesta of the Iberian peninsular (yeah, really) in 1175.
I do not think my Kingdom of Jeruzalem held a record for being 'long lasting'. Here, in 1165 they where already the vassals of the Ayyubids, two years later the Abbasids incorporeted them altogheter, in so doing wiping out the last crusader kingdom....
But, the Christian avenged them with a total reconquesta of the Iberian peninsular (yeah, really
) in 1175.
It's really interesting how different players resort to different strategies and how different the results are! It would be interesting to see each one's map of the world at the end of the game.
mfigueras said:
It would be totally different i guess. For me for example:
in my aragon game yesterday i kicked the Almohads out of Spain while I doubt the others will succeed in this. Then I invaded France and gained the entire southern coastline up to Piedmont and a strip trough the countryn to the atlantic in Picardie.
And... i killed france.....
Another example, look at the Jeruzalem of Sapphire which is so strong and then mine pictured above, gone altogheter....
This is really interesting
1170-1180
Prologue:For the entire 1160-1170 decade troops had build up on the Christian side of the Iberian border. The Almohad Muslims had scrambled off to the east in an attempt to set foot on the Italian mainland after they had successfully captured the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, only 100 miles tot the west of the seat of the holy See, Rome.
With the infidel soldiers preoccupied miles and miles to the west the Iberian kings of Leon, Castille, Portugal and Aragon where poised to strike south.
From the 10th till the 17th of November 1169 a conference was held in the Portuguese city of Porto.
The four kings, and dukes of Roussilon, Provence and the Balaeares each knew their responsibilities and their duties during the oncoming campaign. Nobody would forsake his honour and every one of them would try its utmost best to kick the Infidels out of Spain and make the re-conquesta complete.
At the start, 1170 I had six provinces in my possessions; Aragon, Catalonia, Gerona, The Balaeres, provence and Murcia. My current BadBoy status was 16,9 which would prove to be a problem in the future (or not).
Fully recognizing the problems some bickering dukes would make during the upcoming campaign against the Almohads we let loose the reigns of the two and made the Balaeres and Provence independent, enlisting them as our allies.
After most of our men where ready to strike on two fronts the plans where laid out before the respective commanders.
From the north our main army would fall upon the Almohads only field army in Valencia annihilate them and take the province. From our holdings in Murcia some 11,000 men stood at a ready to cut their way east and fall upon Toledo, and Granada.
For the honour of Aragon our allies would not be called upon and so we would have to do it all by our self. During the first week of June the army of Catalonia struck an unsuspected and decisive blow against its adversary in Andalusia wiping them out in a single battle.
With the enemy troops east of Andalusia gone this part of the peninsula was an easy pray for our armies and one after another the infidel cities fell, Toledo in July 1171, Granada a month later and Valencia that same month.
During the second phase our troops encircled and bagged up the remaining enemy troops in the large city of Andalusia giving them no chance at all to escape.
Estremendura, Gibraltar and Algarve all fell during the first months of 1172,. Then mid-may our troops, some 18,000 in all stood ready and attacked the port of Andalusia, whipping out the enemy and taking the city.
A month later the duchy of Rossello, witnessing our powerful fist asked us to be incorporated and so our country was already expanded by one province.
For more territory and an accomplishment of the goal of re-conquesta, our diplomats turned towards the Almohad government. Now that we had defeated their armies and taken all their Iberian territories within the span of only two year we asked for them all, our pledges where refused.
And so the Aragonese fleet, whom had already successfully protected the coast for two years, was called upon to ship some 20,000 men to Africa for a little sack and slaughter on the other continent, maybe that would drag the Almohads down to submission.
During march of 1173 a small landing party at Orania succeeded to gain a toehold but before many more men where ferried across the first 9,000 where soundly defeated and traced towards the west. Still we had shown the Muslims our tremendous determination and for this we where rewarded with their entire Iberian possessions save Estremandura. Valencia, Toledo, Granada, Gibraltar and Algarve passed over into Christian hands.
For this feat the Aragonese kingdom was celebrated across Europe, or so we hoped. Our allies celebrated us for our cunning and luck but a diplomat from the pope arrived with the following message.
“With your last actions you have shown us and the rest of Christianity you have no respect for the other’s holdings and are an enemy to all, Christian or infidel. Therfore we have decided to call upon a crusade against your petty little kingdom.
Signed, The holy See.”
Shocked as he was, the Aragonese king dismembered the Popes diplomat and turned his incides out. “How dares he talk to me like that, me the slayer of infidels. Well, if he want a crusade, let them come, stupid Franks, stupid Romand, Whaaagh, saddle my horse, I am ready to turn my sword to the north!!!’
First of all our dear Spanish allies where informed of these new tidings and fortunately one and all pledged to stand besides the champion of Spain, bracing for impact.
On the 9th of August a formal document arrived in which war was declared, not only by the pope but by a tremendous list of his sheep like subject.
Denmark, Sweden, Este, Meath, Bavaria, Norway, Mecklenburg, Pisa, Flanders, German Kingdom, Venice, Holland, The Balaeres, France, England, Aquatania, burgundy, Champaigne, Toulouse, Gotland, Navarre, Zeeland, Genoa, Savoy, Sicily and Icelland, all declared war upon me and the confederacy of Iberia.
For now some 24,000 men where ready to defend their homeland but still many, many more where called upon to serve and get slaughtered in this campaign of all campaigns, war of all wars. The Spanish-Franco war (what a strange name J). (For those whom had not grasped the fact yet, the BB wars have started. At the moment I grabbed those 5 provinces from the infidels I got Dow-ed so many times my computer had difficultie displaying it.
At 265 vp’s and 11 provinces I decided to sell my skin as hard as possible. December witnessed the invasion of Navarra and Toulouse by respectively 7,000 and 17,000 troops. Navarra was annexed on the 25th of March 1175 (BB= 34,1/26).
Then, while our troops where campaigning in the territory of Toulouse our allies experienced the first Spanish defeat at the hands of the English and France. Still, a month later we invaded Guyenne and Provence, tearing the Duchy of Toulouse apart, while our allies regained the initiative. A bankruptcy (how do you want to support 35,000+ men for 5 years) was followed by our invasion of Burgundy and like the Mongols would do to Russia in the future we did to France.
Then, after the Roman empire declared war we advanced into Arelat and their southern province of Bourgone. In November 1176 the English possessions of Auvergne was invaded.
Scared French enemies begged for peace and by March Languedoc and Provence and Burgundy went over to our crown. Two months later we gained Auvergene from England. Then, during September 1177 Paris fell to our arms and Piedmont was incorporated into our realms. Some 18 months later the next large events took place when we invaded Zeeland and slaughtered the last French army at Picardie.
Before the turn of the decade we invaded the German Kingdom with some 25,000 men and took Picardie, Orleanais and Nivernais from France.
In the end the BB wars had payed of very, very well. Giving us a total of 16 captured province, 331 victory points and made me win successive wars against The Almohads, Navarre, Touslouse, Burgundy, Arelat, England and France.
Pic’s will be posted soon.
Prologue:For the entire 1160-1170 decade troops had build up on the Christian side of the Iberian border. The Almohad Muslims had scrambled off to the east in an attempt to set foot on the Italian mainland after they had successfully captured the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, only 100 miles tot the west of the seat of the holy See, Rome.
With the infidel soldiers preoccupied miles and miles to the west the Iberian kings of Leon, Castille, Portugal and Aragon where poised to strike south.
From the 10th till the 17th of November 1169 a conference was held in the Portuguese city of Porto.
The four kings, and dukes of Roussilon, Provence and the Balaeares each knew their responsibilities and their duties during the oncoming campaign. Nobody would forsake his honour and every one of them would try its utmost best to kick the Infidels out of Spain and make the re-conquesta complete.
At the start, 1170 I had six provinces in my possessions; Aragon, Catalonia, Gerona, The Balaeres, provence and Murcia. My current BadBoy status was 16,9 which would prove to be a problem in the future (or not).
Fully recognizing the problems some bickering dukes would make during the upcoming campaign against the Almohads we let loose the reigns of the two and made the Balaeres and Provence independent, enlisting them as our allies.
After most of our men where ready to strike on two fronts the plans where laid out before the respective commanders.
From the north our main army would fall upon the Almohads only field army in Valencia annihilate them and take the province. From our holdings in Murcia some 11,000 men stood at a ready to cut their way east and fall upon Toledo, and Granada.
For the honour of Aragon our allies would not be called upon and so we would have to do it all by our self. During the first week of June the army of Catalonia struck an unsuspected and decisive blow against its adversary in Andalusia wiping them out in a single battle.
With the enemy troops east of Andalusia gone this part of the peninsula was an easy pray for our armies and one after another the infidel cities fell, Toledo in July 1171, Granada a month later and Valencia that same month.
During the second phase our troops encircled and bagged up the remaining enemy troops in the large city of Andalusia giving them no chance at all to escape.
Estremendura, Gibraltar and Algarve all fell during the first months of 1172,. Then mid-may our troops, some 18,000 in all stood ready and attacked the port of Andalusia, whipping out the enemy and taking the city.
A month later the duchy of Rossello, witnessing our powerful fist asked us to be incorporated and so our country was already expanded by one province.
For more territory and an accomplishment of the goal of re-conquesta, our diplomats turned towards the Almohad government. Now that we had defeated their armies and taken all their Iberian territories within the span of only two year we asked for them all, our pledges where refused.
And so the Aragonese fleet, whom had already successfully protected the coast for two years, was called upon to ship some 20,000 men to Africa for a little sack and slaughter on the other continent, maybe that would drag the Almohads down to submission.
During march of 1173 a small landing party at Orania succeeded to gain a toehold but before many more men where ferried across the first 9,000 where soundly defeated and traced towards the west. Still we had shown the Muslims our tremendous determination and for this we where rewarded with their entire Iberian possessions save Estremandura. Valencia, Toledo, Granada, Gibraltar and Algarve passed over into Christian hands.
For this feat the Aragonese kingdom was celebrated across Europe, or so we hoped. Our allies celebrated us for our cunning and luck but a diplomat from the pope arrived with the following message.
“With your last actions you have shown us and the rest of Christianity you have no respect for the other’s holdings and are an enemy to all, Christian or infidel. Therfore we have decided to call upon a crusade against your petty little kingdom.
Signed, The holy See.”
Shocked as he was, the Aragonese king dismembered the Popes diplomat and turned his incides out. “How dares he talk to me like that, me the slayer of infidels. Well, if he want a crusade, let them come, stupid Franks, stupid Romand, Whaaagh, saddle my horse, I am ready to turn my sword to the north!!!’
First of all our dear Spanish allies where informed of these new tidings and fortunately one and all pledged to stand besides the champion of Spain, bracing for impact.
On the 9th of August a formal document arrived in which war was declared, not only by the pope but by a tremendous list of his sheep like subject.
Denmark, Sweden, Este, Meath, Bavaria, Norway, Mecklenburg, Pisa, Flanders, German Kingdom, Venice, Holland, The Balaeres, France, England, Aquatania, burgundy, Champaigne, Toulouse, Gotland, Navarre, Zeeland, Genoa, Savoy, Sicily and Icelland, all declared war upon me and the confederacy of Iberia.
For now some 24,000 men where ready to defend their homeland but still many, many more where called upon to serve and get slaughtered in this campaign of all campaigns, war of all wars. The Spanish-Franco war (what a strange name J). (For those whom had not grasped the fact yet, the BB wars have started. At the moment I grabbed those 5 provinces from the infidels I got Dow-ed so many times my computer had difficultie displaying it.
At 265 vp’s and 11 provinces I decided to sell my skin as hard as possible. December witnessed the invasion of Navarra and Toulouse by respectively 7,000 and 17,000 troops. Navarra was annexed on the 25th of March 1175 (BB= 34,1/26).
Then, while our troops where campaigning in the territory of Toulouse our allies experienced the first Spanish defeat at the hands of the English and France. Still, a month later we invaded Guyenne and Provence, tearing the Duchy of Toulouse apart, while our allies regained the initiative. A bankruptcy (how do you want to support 35,000+ men for 5 years) was followed by our invasion of Burgundy and like the Mongols would do to Russia in the future we did to France.
Then, after the Roman empire declared war we advanced into Arelat and their southern province of Bourgone. In November 1176 the English possessions of Auvergne was invaded.
Scared French enemies begged for peace and by March Languedoc and Provence and Burgundy went over to our crown. Two months later we gained Auvergene from England. Then, during September 1177 Paris fell to our arms and Piedmont was incorporated into our realms. Some 18 months later the next large events took place when we invaded Zeeland and slaughtered the last French army at Picardie.
Before the turn of the decade we invaded the German Kingdom with some 25,000 men and took Picardie, Orleanais and Nivernais from France.
In the end the BB wars had payed of very, very well. Giving us a total of 16 captured province, 331 victory points and made me win successive wars against The Almohads, Navarre, Touslouse, Burgundy, Arelat, England and France.
Pic’s will be posted soon.
Incroyable! Thats an incredible victory, Singleton. Somehow I dont think my Aragonese will equal that victory. But then again, when youre inspired by Elvis, who knows?
Mike von Bek said:
I do not think it myself either, you have both only one province. But with a bit of cash and some luck you can kick some but to the south.....
And man, it was fun. It was like, "Am I going to hold out against the rest of the world for another 2 years with no cash, stab -3 and only 20,000 men...."
Hmm, my game Aragon is half controlled by Almohad and captial under siege by 9000 men and 9000 horses :rofl:
Ahh, the only hope I got was 25000 men and 3000 horses which is marching toward the capital by the Time of Change
Oh what fools I was for forgotten about going to Aragon after Almohads. I was so cheerful overrunning all the provinces that I forgotten about it.
o This is going to be FUN!!!Joe (Sapphire)
Sapphire said:Oh what fools I was for forgotten about going to Aragon after Almohads. I was so cheerful overrunning all the provinces that I forgotten about it.
Guys, it is not that I did not wack them on purpose, they just did not give me a chance banding up with some 70,000 across the border....
Here theyn ar, the Aragon Screenies.
After taking the entire eastern part of the Iberian peninsula from the infidels my troops assamle to descend on Andalusia and finish off the Iberian Muslims once and for all.
Here a picture from my possesions at the end of my ten years, I would still go on to capture Piedmont but appart from that this massive empire was mine. I wonder how long it will last with a dozen enmies still lingering on the horizon...
After taking the entire eastern part of the Iberian peninsula from the infidels my troops assamle to descend on Andalusia and finish off the Iberian Muslims once and for all.
Here a picture from my possesions at the end of my ten years, I would still go on to capture Piedmont but appart from that this massive empire was mine. I wonder how long it will last with a dozen enmies still lingering on the horizon...
1170, County of Barcelona
Alfons II, once King of Aragon, but now only the Count of Barcelona, suppressed a foul curse as he examined the latest maps of Iberia, produced by his court cartographers. The situation was grim indeed. Over the past ten years, the Moors – under the command of their infidel Calipha, Abu Ya’kub Yusef, had surged northwards. The Kingdom of Portugal was no-more, Leon – once the most powerful Christian Kingdom in the Iberia, had been reduced to a single province. Castille had been split in twain, and Aragon… Aragon had been reduced to the County of Barcelona. Alfons snarled and thrust the maps off the table.
Iberia, 1170
Slamming his clenched fist into the wooden table, he glared up at the crucified figure of the Christ that hung on the wall. “Damn you!” he swore at the figure, “Why have you turned your back on us? Why have your true servants been forsaken? How many more have to die until you are satisfied?” The last was a roar, and he threw a cup of wine at the figure. It remained unmoved - unrepentant or uncaring, Alfons knew not which. He sank to the ground and wept – within another decade, the Moors would conquer all Iberia, and all that his ancestors had worked for would be lost. He would pay any price – Any Price – to avert that future, to advance the Reconquista.
From behind him, there was a quiet coughing. Alfons, knowing he had been alone, spun around, his hand leaping to the hilt of his sword. “Who goes there?” he demanded.
From out of the shadows by the wall, stepped a tall man, cloaked in black, with a hood that served to obscure his features.
“Oh, Ive gone by many names, Alfons. Many names in many places. Some knew me as the Agelesss Stranger, others as the Walking Dude. Some called me Maerlyn, but I was never he. You can call me… Flagg.” He pulled back the hood, revealing – to Alfons’ relief – a mortal guise.
Flagg, the Ageless Stranger
“What are you doing here? How did you get past my guards? Speak now or I’ll cut you down myself!”
Alfons began to draw his blade, but Flagg made a small gesture and pain overwhelmed Alfons. He collapsed to his knees in front of the figure, mewling. “I don’t think so, my sweet. And besides, you have me all wrong. Im not the Morning Star, though some have called me such. I obey a,” and here he paused, as if seeking the correct words. “A higher power.” He whispered the last, and chuckled – a dry, horrible thing, that filled Alfons with fear.
Flagg leant forward, and cupped Aflons’ chin in his hand. “Im here to help you, my sweet. Yes indeed. Im here to make your dreams come true. Its Iberia you want isn’t it?” Alfons found himself nodding. Yes, Iberia!, he thought. I want it!
“Difficult, but not impossible. I can give it to you, Alfons – but there is a price. Some might call it a terrible price, others might consider it a steal. Are you willing to pay the price, my sweet?” Flagg looked into Alfons’ eyes, and the Count knew he could not refuse. He nodded his head, once.
“Oh wonderful. I do so love it when a bargain is made. And now that our deal is struck, will you do something for me, Alfons? Will you say something? Its nothing really, just something an old friend of mine once said. ‘My life for you.’ Will you say it, Alfons? For me?”
Alfons’ own words seemed to echo inside his head. Any price. Pay any price. I would pay any price. “Give me Iberia, and my life will be yours.” He paused, knowing in some small part of himself that these words, once said, could not be unspoken. “My life for you.”
Alfons II, once King of Aragon, but now only the Count of Barcelona, suppressed a foul curse as he examined the latest maps of Iberia, produced by his court cartographers. The situation was grim indeed. Over the past ten years, the Moors – under the command of their infidel Calipha, Abu Ya’kub Yusef, had surged northwards. The Kingdom of Portugal was no-more, Leon – once the most powerful Christian Kingdom in the Iberia, had been reduced to a single province. Castille had been split in twain, and Aragon… Aragon had been reduced to the County of Barcelona. Alfons snarled and thrust the maps off the table.
Iberia, 1170
Slamming his clenched fist into the wooden table, he glared up at the crucified figure of the Christ that hung on the wall. “Damn you!” he swore at the figure, “Why have you turned your back on us? Why have your true servants been forsaken? How many more have to die until you are satisfied?” The last was a roar, and he threw a cup of wine at the figure. It remained unmoved - unrepentant or uncaring, Alfons knew not which. He sank to the ground and wept – within another decade, the Moors would conquer all Iberia, and all that his ancestors had worked for would be lost. He would pay any price – Any Price – to avert that future, to advance the Reconquista.
From behind him, there was a quiet coughing. Alfons, knowing he had been alone, spun around, his hand leaping to the hilt of his sword. “Who goes there?” he demanded.
From out of the shadows by the wall, stepped a tall man, cloaked in black, with a hood that served to obscure his features.
“Oh, Ive gone by many names, Alfons. Many names in many places. Some knew me as the Agelesss Stranger, others as the Walking Dude. Some called me Maerlyn, but I was never he. You can call me… Flagg.” He pulled back the hood, revealing – to Alfons’ relief – a mortal guise.
Flagg, the Ageless Stranger
“What are you doing here? How did you get past my guards? Speak now or I’ll cut you down myself!”
Alfons began to draw his blade, but Flagg made a small gesture and pain overwhelmed Alfons. He collapsed to his knees in front of the figure, mewling. “I don’t think so, my sweet. And besides, you have me all wrong. Im not the Morning Star, though some have called me such. I obey a,” and here he paused, as if seeking the correct words. “A higher power.” He whispered the last, and chuckled – a dry, horrible thing, that filled Alfons with fear.
Flagg leant forward, and cupped Aflons’ chin in his hand. “Im here to help you, my sweet. Yes indeed. Im here to make your dreams come true. Its Iberia you want isn’t it?” Alfons found himself nodding. Yes, Iberia!, he thought. I want it!
“Difficult, but not impossible. I can give it to you, Alfons – but there is a price. Some might call it a terrible price, others might consider it a steal. Are you willing to pay the price, my sweet?” Flagg looked into Alfons’ eyes, and the Count knew he could not refuse. He nodded his head, once.
“Oh wonderful. I do so love it when a bargain is made. And now that our deal is struck, will you do something for me, Alfons? Will you say something? Its nothing really, just something an old friend of mine once said. ‘My life for you.’ Will you say it, Alfons? For me?”
Alfons’ own words seemed to echo inside his head. Any price. Pay any price. I would pay any price. “Give me Iberia, and my life will be yours.” He paused, knowing in some small part of himself that these words, once said, could not be unspoken. “My life for you.”
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