Grundius said:
Yes, yes you may, but first i must update my Wales AAR.
I only recently discovered how to use screenshots, so thats why i havnt had any on this AAR.
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Yes, yes you may, but first i must update my Wales AAR.
I only recently discovered how to use screenshots, so thats why i havnt had any on this AAR.
Keledor said:
Okay man.
I'm waiting with great anticipation on the future adventures of Kostantinos and his offspring (of whom at least some will become brutal conquerors, or not?)
Grtz
The Byzantine Empire as of 1431
I would like to confess somthing also. When i started the AAR, i didnt know much about Inflation, and hiring so many mercs and goin bankrupt so many times, my inflation was over 100 percent. I could not start again as i had already started writing the AAR, so i cheated to get rid of the inflation, but that is all i did. Please forgive me for that.
I would like to confess somthing also. When i started the AAR, i didnt know much about Inflation, and hiring so many mercs and goin bankrupt so many times, my inflation was over 100 percent. I could not start again as i had already started writing the AAR, so i cheated to get rid of the inflation, but that is all i did. Please forgive me for that.
cigar ?!?
"He was sitting in a corner of the tavern surronded by smoke from his cigar, ..."
How could he smoke a "cigar" if America was still not discovered ??!!???
"He was sitting in a corner of the tavern surronded by smoke from his cigar, ..."
How could he smoke a "cigar" if America was still not discovered ??!!???
Please, don't be nitpicky...
It's a story of an alternate world, who knows, maybe tobacco was known already there. And besides, have YOU heard about the demonic hordes IRL?
Keep up the good work, Keledor! Np with the inflation thing.
It's a story of an alternate world, who knows, maybe tobacco was known already there. And besides, have YOU heard about the demonic hordes IRL?Keep up the good work, Keledor! Np with the inflation thing.
igorvragovic said:
urrr...um...ahem.... Well, whenever you notice somthing like that, um.... a wizard did it! yes, um thats right, a wizard!
(Ahem, i think i covered that pretty well hehehe)
Part IV: A New Era
Diogenes paced the ground anxiously. All around him where wounded men, moaning in agony as the doctors tried to bandage their wounds. The casualties of yesterday’s battle had been horrendous, and there was not enough doctors or people skilled enough to treat them. The sounds of dying men where demoralizing enough, but there was one dying man that had demoralized the entire army. Konstantinos Dragases Palaeologas, lay unconscious in a tent with a grievous wound to his side. He had been found lying on the battlefield not long after his collapse and was quickly rushed to safety, where his wound was bandaged and cleaned immediately. Konstantinos however had lost much blood and was not showing any signs of regaining consciousness, for he had knocked his head hard as he fell to the ground. The disastarous storm had faded away almost simultaneously with the defeat of the Satanists and now the sun shone brightly in the blue sky, but still a dark cloud of other sorts hung over the city and the feild.
Diogenes continued to walk down the lines of the wounded soldiers. If Konstantinos was to die he thought, who would lead the Empire? Another bitter power struggle would ensue and the small fragile country would fall from within. That could not happen to Byzantium he thought, not after having survived so very very much.
Inside the Tent, Konstantinos lay unconscious on a mat with his shirt off. The wound was under control, but there was little the doctors could do about his head injuries. The Kings brother Demetrios sat in a sad silence and Alex, the Kings long time servant and friend looked to be on the verge of tears. Demetrios had not said anything since he had first seen his brother like this. At first he had thought he was dead, but was relieved when he was corrected. Until today, Demetrios had never really known how much his brother had meant to him that is of course before they became estranged. They had been good friends, brothers in arms, inseparable, but then along came.... she came along, and tore their bond apart. He did not shift his gaze from his brother, even as the priest came in to bless him. Demetrios refused to leave, and sat there when all else had left, watching silently as the priest red out proverbs from the Bible.
Konstantinos was in a fantastic slumber. In his head, he was happy as happy can be, for he had no worries, no fears. He was about to drift off into bliss, where fear and uncertainty held no sway. but something kept holding him back, something in his mind told him to stay, but why? There where still those who needed him. His friends, his empire, his people, his... his brother, How could he abandon them all now? But Konstantinos did not want to go back to that cold, hard world. He did not want to feel anything but the paradise he was about to ascend to. But, was it better to feel and experience things, the joyous highs, the terrifying lows, love fear hate and happiness, or was it better just to not exist at all. Konstantinos could not leave, he had so much more to experience, and the cries of his people to come back to them could not be ignored. He made his decision.
The priest finished his blessing, and then withdrew from the tent, leaving only Demetrios. Demetrios walked slowly over to his brother and knelt beside him, staring into his face. Then, he saw Konstantinos's eyes twitch, and his hand moved. Slowly, Konstantinos opened his eyes, and saw beside him his brother, his face filled with happiness and joy, all their quarrels forgotten. Demtetrios laughed with happiness and hugged Konstantinos.
"Its good to see you Konstantinos" he said smiling. Konstantinos smiled weakly and said "Its good to be back".
Diogenes paced the ground anxiously. All around him where wounded men, moaning in agony as the doctors tried to bandage their wounds. The casualties of yesterday’s battle had been horrendous, and there was not enough doctors or people skilled enough to treat them. The sounds of dying men where demoralizing enough, but there was one dying man that had demoralized the entire army. Konstantinos Dragases Palaeologas, lay unconscious in a tent with a grievous wound to his side. He had been found lying on the battlefield not long after his collapse and was quickly rushed to safety, where his wound was bandaged and cleaned immediately. Konstantinos however had lost much blood and was not showing any signs of regaining consciousness, for he had knocked his head hard as he fell to the ground. The disastarous storm had faded away almost simultaneously with the defeat of the Satanists and now the sun shone brightly in the blue sky, but still a dark cloud of other sorts hung over the city and the feild.
Diogenes continued to walk down the lines of the wounded soldiers. If Konstantinos was to die he thought, who would lead the Empire? Another bitter power struggle would ensue and the small fragile country would fall from within. That could not happen to Byzantium he thought, not after having survived so very very much.
Inside the Tent, Konstantinos lay unconscious on a mat with his shirt off. The wound was under control, but there was little the doctors could do about his head injuries. The Kings brother Demetrios sat in a sad silence and Alex, the Kings long time servant and friend looked to be on the verge of tears. Demetrios had not said anything since he had first seen his brother like this. At first he had thought he was dead, but was relieved when he was corrected. Until today, Demetrios had never really known how much his brother had meant to him that is of course before they became estranged. They had been good friends, brothers in arms, inseparable, but then along came.... she came along, and tore their bond apart. He did not shift his gaze from his brother, even as the priest came in to bless him. Demetrios refused to leave, and sat there when all else had left, watching silently as the priest red out proverbs from the Bible.
Konstantinos was in a fantastic slumber. In his head, he was happy as happy can be, for he had no worries, no fears. He was about to drift off into bliss, where fear and uncertainty held no sway. but something kept holding him back, something in his mind told him to stay, but why? There where still those who needed him. His friends, his empire, his people, his... his brother, How could he abandon them all now? But Konstantinos did not want to go back to that cold, hard world. He did not want to feel anything but the paradise he was about to ascend to. But, was it better to feel and experience things, the joyous highs, the terrifying lows, love fear hate and happiness, or was it better just to not exist at all. Konstantinos could not leave, he had so much more to experience, and the cries of his people to come back to them could not be ignored. He made his decision.
The priest finished his blessing, and then withdrew from the tent, leaving only Demetrios. Demetrios walked slowly over to his brother and knelt beside him, staring into his face. Then, he saw Konstantinos's eyes twitch, and his hand moved. Slowly, Konstantinos opened his eyes, and saw beside him his brother, his face filled with happiness and joy, all their quarrels forgotten. Demtetrios laughed with happiness and hugged Konstantinos.
"Its good to see you Konstantinos" he said smiling. Konstantinos smiled weakly and said "Its good to be back".
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Nice installment Keledor.
I wonder how Konstatinos is really gonna go? When the Konstatinos monarch dies off in EU2, how's that gonna be handled? And who will be his successors?
I guess we'll see...
I wonder how Konstatinos is really gonna go? When the Konstatinos monarch dies off in EU2, how's that gonna be handled? And who will be his successors?
I guess we'll see...
Diogenes walked into the tent to pay perhaps his last visit to Konstantinos, when he saw his King siting upright next to his brother. Demtrios's face lit up and he cried aloud "He lives!” He turned back out of the tent and cried at the top of his voice "THE KING AWAKES! HE LIVES ON!" The people around him cheered, and even the wounded ones managed to voice their thanks to the almighty, and cheers of "Huzzah", and "Long live the King" drowned out all other noise. Diogenes rushed back inside the tent and spoke to Konstantinos enthusiastically "You are alive my liege, and the men salute you. The entire Empire salutes you and will rejoice in your recovery"
Konstantinos smiled somewhat sheepishly and said "Thank you Diogenes old friend. I knew I could not leave this world, not yet anyhow, for my work is not yet finished, and there are people who I still must serve"
Demetrios laughed a haughty laugh "Ahaha you always where a fighter Konstantinos, but before you can fight again we shall have to let your wound heal"
"I will be just fine,” he said smiling, but it suddenly faded as he remembered just why he had been lying in this tent for the past day.
"Diogenes, Demetrios! What happened yesterday at the battle, I mean after I blacked out? What is the death toll, did the Satanists escape?" he questioned suddenly. Diogenes was about to open his mouth when Alex came rushing in. "Konstantinos!" he cried, and the two hugged.
"Well, now that we are all here I can explain..." Diogenes began
"All here...where is Liguris, and Ladisilus?" Konstantinos asked. Diogenes looked sad at that comment.
"I shall get to that. After I left you on the battlefield I sent in the archers and as you requested, but it was not enough to turn the tide. Our army broke and began to rout, but then an extraordinary thing happened." he stopped and looked at Demetrios, giving him the signal for his que. Demetrios started to talk now. "While the camp was in chaos, I deemed we could not win as we where so disorganized. I saw the citizens and soldiers fleeing towards the sea and rode after them. I managed to rally those who had fled, and led them back to the battle, but more came with me. The people of Constantinople gathered their courage and a large bunch of them came with me. They said they would die before they saw these devils defeat their King and country, and followed armed with only pitchforks and pickaxes. I lead them around behind a wall of fire on the flank of the fighting, and reached the battle just as the army began to break. The Satanists did not see it coming and caught up in the pursuit they where taken off gaurd. Our main force rallied and returned to the fighting. The Satanists where eventually overcome and only a handful managed to flee. Then Diogenes found you, and took you to safety"
Diogenes began to talk again. "When the battle was over, we searched to field of the dead for any survivors. We found...." Diogenes swayed slightly "We found Ladisilus.... Dead, his head mounted upon a pike"
"Good God!" Konstantinos said rather shocked.
"That is not all" Diogenes continued "His...His arms, his legs, his...ahem, all his limbs where cut off and arranged in some demonic sign. Writing...They wrote in his flesh with a knife, some evil comment in a language I could not read. They Desecrated his body...I... I am sorry to tell you of this Konstantinos. It came as a shock to us too"
"The angels must weep, that Humankind can do such things to their fellow man, that things have come to this." Konstantinos solemnly said.
"Yes... I gather Ioannes must have conversed with him before he killed him, and I am sorry to say that he must have died in extreme pain." Diogenes mused
"And Liguris?"
"Impaled upon a sword, and shot with 5 arrows. The death toll is, well I cannot say for the Satanists, but we have scarcely 5000 men left, such was the destruction of the battle"
The room was silent before Alex finally spoke. "What of Ioannes? I hope the dog met his fate one way or the other"
Konstantinos thought about Ioannes for a moment. Was it true? Had he really been his brother John? He did not whether or not to tell Demetrios, but for now he kept it secret.
"Ioannes is a threat no longer. I encountered him on the field, and he fell under my sword, but he managed to injure me first as you can well see." he said to them.
"Ioannes is dead! Oh happy day!" Alex exclaimed, "Our King returns from the threshold of death and he informs us that the enemy is vanquished."
"With Ioannes dead and the last Satanist army defeated, I think we can finally put the nightmare of the past year behind us, and move on to the future.” said Diogenes.
"Yes. Yes I think we can."
Word had spread throughout the camp of the Kings recovery, and many where crowded around the tent to sea their great leader emerge. Then he came. Konstantinos stepped out of the tent with his generals dressed in his shining royal armour, his royal purple robes and his shining sword. Despite his wound, he stood tall and firm, and all around him the men, women and children of Byzantium saluted him, cheering with enthusiasm.
"Friends, Romans, countrymen!" he cried aloud, and the people fell silent "Today we celebrate a great victory, not only for the Empire, but for the world. The forces of good have triumphed over those of evil, and now can all move forward to better days." More cheers erupted. Konstantinos held up his hand to silence them.
"Out of the darkness of the past few months we shall emerge stronger. Together we can make a new world, one of tolerance, of kindness and good. A land of equal opportunities, of learning and beauty. A world of light in the face of darkness." Cries of approval sounded around
"Never again shall evil take hold of our lives and our lands. Never again will corruption rule or lands. We shall move forward as one, with a common goal of enlightenment and good. We shall carry on the legacy of an Empire, the Legacy sometimes forgotten by the greedy emperors of old. We the Byzantines, the last descendents of Rome shall carry out its work, and fulfil THE LEGACY OF ROME!" A great cry of enthusiasm and approval rose up around Konstantinos.
'Now' he thought with a smile 'onto something better'.
Konstantinos smiled somewhat sheepishly and said "Thank you Diogenes old friend. I knew I could not leave this world, not yet anyhow, for my work is not yet finished, and there are people who I still must serve"
Demetrios laughed a haughty laugh "Ahaha you always where a fighter Konstantinos, but before you can fight again we shall have to let your wound heal"
"I will be just fine,” he said smiling, but it suddenly faded as he remembered just why he had been lying in this tent for the past day.
"Diogenes, Demetrios! What happened yesterday at the battle, I mean after I blacked out? What is the death toll, did the Satanists escape?" he questioned suddenly. Diogenes was about to open his mouth when Alex came rushing in. "Konstantinos!" he cried, and the two hugged.
"Well, now that we are all here I can explain..." Diogenes began
"All here...where is Liguris, and Ladisilus?" Konstantinos asked. Diogenes looked sad at that comment.
"I shall get to that. After I left you on the battlefield I sent in the archers and as you requested, but it was not enough to turn the tide. Our army broke and began to rout, but then an extraordinary thing happened." he stopped and looked at Demetrios, giving him the signal for his que. Demetrios started to talk now. "While the camp was in chaos, I deemed we could not win as we where so disorganized. I saw the citizens and soldiers fleeing towards the sea and rode after them. I managed to rally those who had fled, and led them back to the battle, but more came with me. The people of Constantinople gathered their courage and a large bunch of them came with me. They said they would die before they saw these devils defeat their King and country, and followed armed with only pitchforks and pickaxes. I lead them around behind a wall of fire on the flank of the fighting, and reached the battle just as the army began to break. The Satanists did not see it coming and caught up in the pursuit they where taken off gaurd. Our main force rallied and returned to the fighting. The Satanists where eventually overcome and only a handful managed to flee. Then Diogenes found you, and took you to safety"
Diogenes began to talk again. "When the battle was over, we searched to field of the dead for any survivors. We found...." Diogenes swayed slightly "We found Ladisilus.... Dead, his head mounted upon a pike"
"Good God!" Konstantinos said rather shocked.
"That is not all" Diogenes continued "His...His arms, his legs, his...ahem, all his limbs where cut off and arranged in some demonic sign. Writing...They wrote in his flesh with a knife, some evil comment in a language I could not read. They Desecrated his body...I... I am sorry to tell you of this Konstantinos. It came as a shock to us too"
"The angels must weep, that Humankind can do such things to their fellow man, that things have come to this." Konstantinos solemnly said.
"Yes... I gather Ioannes must have conversed with him before he killed him, and I am sorry to say that he must have died in extreme pain." Diogenes mused
"And Liguris?"
"Impaled upon a sword, and shot with 5 arrows. The death toll is, well I cannot say for the Satanists, but we have scarcely 5000 men left, such was the destruction of the battle"
The room was silent before Alex finally spoke. "What of Ioannes? I hope the dog met his fate one way or the other"
Konstantinos thought about Ioannes for a moment. Was it true? Had he really been his brother John? He did not whether or not to tell Demetrios, but for now he kept it secret.
"Ioannes is a threat no longer. I encountered him on the field, and he fell under my sword, but he managed to injure me first as you can well see." he said to them.
"Ioannes is dead! Oh happy day!" Alex exclaimed, "Our King returns from the threshold of death and he informs us that the enemy is vanquished."
"With Ioannes dead and the last Satanist army defeated, I think we can finally put the nightmare of the past year behind us, and move on to the future.” said Diogenes.
"Yes. Yes I think we can."
Word had spread throughout the camp of the Kings recovery, and many where crowded around the tent to sea their great leader emerge. Then he came. Konstantinos stepped out of the tent with his generals dressed in his shining royal armour, his royal purple robes and his shining sword. Despite his wound, he stood tall and firm, and all around him the men, women and children of Byzantium saluted him, cheering with enthusiasm.
"Friends, Romans, countrymen!" he cried aloud, and the people fell silent "Today we celebrate a great victory, not only for the Empire, but for the world. The forces of good have triumphed over those of evil, and now can all move forward to better days." More cheers erupted. Konstantinos held up his hand to silence them.
"Out of the darkness of the past few months we shall emerge stronger. Together we can make a new world, one of tolerance, of kindness and good. A land of equal opportunities, of learning and beauty. A world of light in the face of darkness." Cries of approval sounded around
"Never again shall evil take hold of our lives and our lands. Never again will corruption rule or lands. We shall move forward as one, with a common goal of enlightenment and good. We shall carry on the legacy of an Empire, the Legacy sometimes forgotten by the greedy emperors of old. We the Byzantines, the last descendents of Rome shall carry out its work, and fulfil THE LEGACY OF ROME!" A great cry of enthusiasm and approval rose up around Konstantinos.
'Now' he thought with a smile 'onto something better'.
Just so everyone knows, I am going back to do a spell check on all of my posts for this story.
I have about two more posts for this saga of the story before it comes to an end. I like to categorize this story so far into two parts.
Part one was the Ambition of Manuel II and his rescue of the Empire, and the defeat of the Ottomans.
Part two opened with the death of Manuel and the entry of Ioannes and Konstantinos into the story. It covered the struggle for power between the two and the continent wide appearance of the Satanists, with Ioannes revealed as their leader, and Konstantinos and his people struggling against them.
I plan to end part two with the coronation of Konstantinos, and then I will fast forward the story a good many years and give accounts of what happens, before I come up with an idea for part three.
So stay tuned
Part one was the Ambition of Manuel II and his rescue of the Empire, and the defeat of the Ottomans.
Part two opened with the death of Manuel and the entry of Ioannes and Konstantinos into the story. It covered the struggle for power between the two and the continent wide appearance of the Satanists, with Ioannes revealed as their leader, and Konstantinos and his people struggling against them.
I plan to end part two with the coronation of Konstantinos, and then I will fast forward the story a good many years and give accounts of what happens, before I come up with an idea for part three.
So stay tuned
Oh dear! This will probably be a long update. It ties up a few loose ends you see.
On October the 22nd Konstantinos held his last cabinet of War for the Satanist wars. Beginning the war with six good friends and generals, he was now down to three. Camerios he had lost to treachery, General Demetrios at Athens, and Liguris the day before. Ladisilus also had generally been on good terms with him also, and his death was mourned just as much. Then there was John, Konstantinos's long lost brother who became the monster that was Ioannes. Konstantinos mourned the man he had once been. Now, in constructed stone house in Constantinople, which was now taking shape, Konstantinos was giving his last orders to his three surviving Generals.
General Diogenes, Byzantium’s greatest General (after Konstantinos and Manuel) who had saved the empire at the first battle of Thrace, who had miraculously escaped death by a hairs length in Thesaloniki, who had earned so much Valour with his courageous fighting.
Then there was Alex, Konstantinos's long time friend, faithful and loyal until the end. Konstantinos had promoted him to General after his impressive display of handling forces in the second battle of Thrace.
And last there was the kings brother Demetrios, who had been reunited with his brother after so long. He had turned the tide of the Second battle of Thrace.
Konstantinos had one more task for these men to do. They where to ride across the empire and spread word of the final defeat of the Satanists, and the overthrow of Ioannes. Also, the empires forces where dangerously low. 5000 men in total now stood as Byzantium’s army, and so the generals where to raise more forces in outlying areas and make defensive preparations. Konstantinos did not think they would be invaded, for Byzantium’s neighbours where equally crippled, but still he would take no chances. But there was one more thing he would have them do.
Ever since Byzantium had been revived, the Turks had diminished. Many Turkish still remained in the provinces of the Empire, but where being pushed out by Greeks from Thesaloniki and Athens, who had returned to their lands after their long exile. Turks everywhere where being attacked, assaulted and killed for simply being Turkish. Konstantinos had been alarmed at this news, and he would not permit such a hateful thing such as this to exist in the world of good he was trying to build. He thought it was absolutely disgusting. The Empire owed this mainly to Manuel II, saviour of Byzantium, for painting the picture that all Turkish where spawns of the devil. Now that Konstantinos thought about it, Manuel was probably somewhat of a racist, despite his otherwise good nature. Konstantinos wanted to allow the Turkish to stay in his provinces, for these lands where also what they now called home. Although he did not agree with their views or religion, he did not think it was gods would to try and force people to convert or leave, better that they decide out of their own free will. The Generals where to pacify the Turks and order a halt to their extermination, so that the Roman Greeks (Byzantines) and Turks might live in peace, or so he hoped.
"My friends! I have already informed you of your missions, and I hope you will succeed in them." Konstantinos said to his generals "The three of us have all suffered greatly over the past year. We have lost friends, our families, and an entire city! Yes we have lost much, but we have also gained more. Out of these ashes we will rebuild, and shine our light on the world." he said inspirationally
"Diogenes old friend!" Konstantinos said to him "Long have you been in my service and always you have proven your loyalty to the empire and proven your courage time and time again. Go with speed to Asia Minor, and may the blessings of all free peoples go with you"
"Thank you sir!" Diogenes said and left on his errand.
"Alex! Faithful Alex, I have known you since I was 16, and you have always been a good friend. May the people of Greece heed your words”?
"Thank you...Konstantinos" he smiles and walked out. Most people addressed him as sir; But Konstantinos did not care if people called him by name.
"Demetrios, before you go to Bulgaria I would have private words with you. Come" Konstantinos, said gesturing towards a seat, and ushering his guards out.
"What do you want to talk about" Demetrios said, although he already knew what it would be.
"We have much to sort out brother. For ten years we have been estranged, and I want to sort out why it happened. Of course we both know why it happened, but we have not heard each others stories"
"Ah yes! I thought it would come to this. You want to talk about..." Demetrios trailed off
"Yes...Charlotte"
This woman, Charlotte, was what had come between Konstantinos and Demetrios. Ten years before in 1417 when Konstantinos was 22 and Demetrios 19, they had both lived in Constantinople as nobles. All around them the Ottomans where taking more and more land from them. Manuel was still king back then, and before his military campaigns he had strove tirelessly to secure Byzantium’s survival through diplomacy. He had even managed to retake More and lands around the city back through clever actions, but Konstantinos and Demetrios where never concerned about the Turks. They where more concerned about their social life. Konstantinos's wife, Charlotte, had been wed to him for two years. Konstantinos loved her dearly, more then life itself. She was a radiant beauty, and attracted men from all over the city, which was the reason Demetrios eventually found his way to here. When Konstantinos found His brother and his wife having an affair, he almost killed Demetrios in his rage. Charlotte and Demetrios, fearing being killed by the insane Konstantinos fled on boat to Morea, but there was a storm and Charlotte drowned. On hearing this, Konstantinos swore that he would never see Demetrios again, and if he did, he would murder him on the spot.
After this tragic event, Demetrios stayed in Morea and became its despot, and Konstantinos absolutely shattered left the city, not knowing where he was going. He had journeyed all across southern Europe and eventually made his may to Italy and Rome. There, in Rome, something changed inside him. He realised there was more to life outside of his titles and mansions. He became a changed man, a strove for the good of all peoples. He joined the Military in 1422 during the war against the Ottoman Empire and immediately proved that he was a natural leader. His service helped change the tide of that war to the victory of Byzantium.
The two brothers exchanged their sides of things. Demetrios claimed that Charlotte and he had meant for it to happen, but it just did, and they could not resist their urges. Neither of them meant to hurt or betray him, but they could not explain with Konstantinos in such a murderous temper. Eventually they finished their explanations, and they both sighed.
"Well there we go. Heh, it all seems so petty now doesn’t it?" Demetrios laughed awkwardly
"Yes...yes it does" Konstantinos replied. He was thinking of telling Demetrios about John, their brother. Demetrios had already been in Constantinople that day and so he was not killed. John, or Ioannes had meant to assassinate him later in his sleep, but his plan had never carried through. Konstantinos decided not to tell him.
He smiled and said, "It is good we had this talk. Go now to Bulgaria, and good luck!"
On October the 22nd Konstantinos held his last cabinet of War for the Satanist wars. Beginning the war with six good friends and generals, he was now down to three. Camerios he had lost to treachery, General Demetrios at Athens, and Liguris the day before. Ladisilus also had generally been on good terms with him also, and his death was mourned just as much. Then there was John, Konstantinos's long lost brother who became the monster that was Ioannes. Konstantinos mourned the man he had once been. Now, in constructed stone house in Constantinople, which was now taking shape, Konstantinos was giving his last orders to his three surviving Generals.
General Diogenes, Byzantium’s greatest General (after Konstantinos and Manuel) who had saved the empire at the first battle of Thrace, who had miraculously escaped death by a hairs length in Thesaloniki, who had earned so much Valour with his courageous fighting.
Then there was Alex, Konstantinos's long time friend, faithful and loyal until the end. Konstantinos had promoted him to General after his impressive display of handling forces in the second battle of Thrace.
And last there was the kings brother Demetrios, who had been reunited with his brother after so long. He had turned the tide of the Second battle of Thrace.
Konstantinos had one more task for these men to do. They where to ride across the empire and spread word of the final defeat of the Satanists, and the overthrow of Ioannes. Also, the empires forces where dangerously low. 5000 men in total now stood as Byzantium’s army, and so the generals where to raise more forces in outlying areas and make defensive preparations. Konstantinos did not think they would be invaded, for Byzantium’s neighbours where equally crippled, but still he would take no chances. But there was one more thing he would have them do.
Ever since Byzantium had been revived, the Turks had diminished. Many Turkish still remained in the provinces of the Empire, but where being pushed out by Greeks from Thesaloniki and Athens, who had returned to their lands after their long exile. Turks everywhere where being attacked, assaulted and killed for simply being Turkish. Konstantinos had been alarmed at this news, and he would not permit such a hateful thing such as this to exist in the world of good he was trying to build. He thought it was absolutely disgusting. The Empire owed this mainly to Manuel II, saviour of Byzantium, for painting the picture that all Turkish where spawns of the devil. Now that Konstantinos thought about it, Manuel was probably somewhat of a racist, despite his otherwise good nature. Konstantinos wanted to allow the Turkish to stay in his provinces, for these lands where also what they now called home. Although he did not agree with their views or religion, he did not think it was gods would to try and force people to convert or leave, better that they decide out of their own free will. The Generals where to pacify the Turks and order a halt to their extermination, so that the Roman Greeks (Byzantines) and Turks might live in peace, or so he hoped.
"My friends! I have already informed you of your missions, and I hope you will succeed in them." Konstantinos said to his generals "The three of us have all suffered greatly over the past year. We have lost friends, our families, and an entire city! Yes we have lost much, but we have also gained more. Out of these ashes we will rebuild, and shine our light on the world." he said inspirationally
"Diogenes old friend!" Konstantinos said to him "Long have you been in my service and always you have proven your loyalty to the empire and proven your courage time and time again. Go with speed to Asia Minor, and may the blessings of all free peoples go with you"
"Thank you sir!" Diogenes said and left on his errand.
"Alex! Faithful Alex, I have known you since I was 16, and you have always been a good friend. May the people of Greece heed your words”?
"Thank you...Konstantinos" he smiles and walked out. Most people addressed him as sir; But Konstantinos did not care if people called him by name.
"Demetrios, before you go to Bulgaria I would have private words with you. Come" Konstantinos, said gesturing towards a seat, and ushering his guards out.
"What do you want to talk about" Demetrios said, although he already knew what it would be.
"We have much to sort out brother. For ten years we have been estranged, and I want to sort out why it happened. Of course we both know why it happened, but we have not heard each others stories"
"Ah yes! I thought it would come to this. You want to talk about..." Demetrios trailed off
"Yes...Charlotte"
This woman, Charlotte, was what had come between Konstantinos and Demetrios. Ten years before in 1417 when Konstantinos was 22 and Demetrios 19, they had both lived in Constantinople as nobles. All around them the Ottomans where taking more and more land from them. Manuel was still king back then, and before his military campaigns he had strove tirelessly to secure Byzantium’s survival through diplomacy. He had even managed to retake More and lands around the city back through clever actions, but Konstantinos and Demetrios where never concerned about the Turks. They where more concerned about their social life. Konstantinos's wife, Charlotte, had been wed to him for two years. Konstantinos loved her dearly, more then life itself. She was a radiant beauty, and attracted men from all over the city, which was the reason Demetrios eventually found his way to here. When Konstantinos found His brother and his wife having an affair, he almost killed Demetrios in his rage. Charlotte and Demetrios, fearing being killed by the insane Konstantinos fled on boat to Morea, but there was a storm and Charlotte drowned. On hearing this, Konstantinos swore that he would never see Demetrios again, and if he did, he would murder him on the spot.
After this tragic event, Demetrios stayed in Morea and became its despot, and Konstantinos absolutely shattered left the city, not knowing where he was going. He had journeyed all across southern Europe and eventually made his may to Italy and Rome. There, in Rome, something changed inside him. He realised there was more to life outside of his titles and mansions. He became a changed man, a strove for the good of all peoples. He joined the Military in 1422 during the war against the Ottoman Empire and immediately proved that he was a natural leader. His service helped change the tide of that war to the victory of Byzantium.
The two brothers exchanged their sides of things. Demetrios claimed that Charlotte and he had meant for it to happen, but it just did, and they could not resist their urges. Neither of them meant to hurt or betray him, but they could not explain with Konstantinos in such a murderous temper. Eventually they finished their explanations, and they both sighed.
"Well there we go. Heh, it all seems so petty now doesn’t it?" Demetrios laughed awkwardly
"Yes...yes it does" Konstantinos replied. He was thinking of telling Demetrios about John, their brother. Demetrios had already been in Constantinople that day and so he was not killed. John, or Ioannes had meant to assassinate him later in his sleep, but his plan had never carried through. Konstantinos decided not to tell him.
He smiled and said, "It is good we had this talk. Go now to Bulgaria, and good luck!"
A rival Byzantium AAR, and a good one even if it's blatently based on cheating. Those 100k troops at the beginning where did they come from exactly?
Goblin Cookie, if you look at the post dates you will realise i started this AAR about 1 years ago, and so it is older then what you refer to as my rival AAR ( I think) i just returned to it after a few months stagnation.
I raised 100k troops by taking loans and hiring mercenaries, and as such i kept going bankrupt and copping giant inflation rises, thus i had to cheat if i wanted to salvage the situation.
Thanx for your coments though
I raised 100k troops by taking loans and hiring mercenaries, and as such i kept going bankrupt and copping giant inflation rises, thus i had to cheat if i wanted to salvage the situation.
Thanx for your coments though
Oops! One more quick post before the coronation.
After Demetrios left the tent, Konstantinos walked to his table. Spread upon it wast he plans of the new Constantinople, which was coming along nicely, and would be fully constructed by 1431. The grand mixture of Roman and Medieval architecture would be the wonder of the ages, and its public buildings, The Hippodrome, the baths, the Library, and such, would be places of beauty. And the new heart of Byzantium, The new forum, near the marketplace which would bet he political heart of the empire, with its Imperial palace, and the Houses of Senate.
Yes, the Houses of Senate, for that was Konstantinos's grand plan. For 1000 years the Emperor had ruled the empire with absolutism, but Konstantinos planed to change that. The power would be returned to the people, so that the power of Kings could be limited, so no more fools or men like Ioannes would have undisputed power. Konstantinos decided to ride through the city to see its progress, and so he went to exit the tent, but in the doorway out of nowhere appeared Diogenes, not smiling, but with a stern look upon his face.
"Diogenes!" Konstantinos cried. You startled me. Did you not leave for Asia Minor just now?"
"No I did not, not yet, for before I go I must have words with you" the general replied.
"Do you remember those few days ago, before the battle, our little conversation at the Forum" Diogenes asked him
"Yes I do Diogenes. Why?" Konstantinos asked
"Then you will remember that you told me of the Senate" and as Diogenes said Senate, his voice scoffed at the word. Konstantinos had thought this confrontation would come. He looked away and began to pace about.
"I thought you would come to me sooner or later on this. Yes Diogenes, the Senate, like that of ancient Rome. I plan to revive it, so that our people will be able to control the power of their leader." Konstantinos explained
"Are you mad Konstantinos? You know well what the ancient Senate was like. They where corrupt, greedy and manipulative. All they did was bicker and fight, rarely getting anything done. They worked for their own goals, not for the people. It is a good thing Julius Caesar came along and overthrew them, diminished their power." Diogenes said hotly.
"Diogenes you have been deceived,” Konstantinos, said with a slight tone of frustration in his voice "The Senate was not as you describe. They always worked towards Rome’s benefit."
"Hah!" Diogenes scoffed "If you revive this 'Senate' then the Eastern Empire will go the way of the western one"
"Diogenes! The Senate could control the ruthless Emperors, which is why we need another one in our empire. Imagine if another Nero or Ioannes got into power! Ioannes almost succeeded because as Emperor his will was unchallenged. We cannot let such devastation happen again! I am going to revive the senate Diogenes, that is final." Konstantinos half yelled.
"KONSTANTINOS I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!" Diogenes erupted. Konstantinos was taken aback. Did Diogenes mean what he thought he did? Diogenes swallowed nervously, realising what he had just said, that he would fight if need be.
"Konstantinos, my friend, always have I been loyal to you, to the Empire, but what you are talking about is madness! I will not allow something so clearly evil to be unleashed upon the Empire!" said Diogenes.
Konstantinos was stunned. Did Diogenes really mean he would rebel if he revived the Senate? Surely not after all they had been through. Why did Diogenes think the Senate so evil?
"Diogenes, you speak of rebelling against me! I do not believe you would, for you know me and I know you, and neither of us have evil intentions, but I will listen to no more from you, for the Senate is to revived" Konstantinos told him. Diogenes rushed forward and grabbed Konstantinos's arm.
"Then listen to this! The Empire is weak, against all odds we won the Ottoman war, but the war and these Satanists have severely crippled it. If you announce your plans, the nobles will be furious. The people will not understand and will be sceptical, as they always are with new ideas. The Empire will internally fragment, and we shall fade against the Ottoman storm from the east." Diogenes said almost afraid, with a dire warning in his tone. As though he knew the future. There was truth in these words, Konstantinos thought. The Empire was delicate, and more political upheaval would deliver the deathblow. Konstantinos pulled away from Diogenes and paced fast across the ground, pondering.
Konstantinos wanted an Empire where people where free to voice their opinion, could choose their leaders, where they could make a life for themselves regardless of heritage or blood. But no one else shared his vision. Konstantinos realised his ideas where ahead of his time, and would never work while the system remained as it was.
"Please Konstantinos, do not do it!" Diogenes urged him. Konstantinos paused and looked at Diogenes, considering.
"O...ok, the Senate shall not be revived" He said reluctantly
That was that. The Byzantine Senate would be put on hold for another 26 years, when it would be declared under the new name of "Parliament" By Emperor Konstantinos, who would as a consequence face his greatest challenge of all.
After Demetrios left the tent, Konstantinos walked to his table. Spread upon it wast he plans of the new Constantinople, which was coming along nicely, and would be fully constructed by 1431. The grand mixture of Roman and Medieval architecture would be the wonder of the ages, and its public buildings, The Hippodrome, the baths, the Library, and such, would be places of beauty. And the new heart of Byzantium, The new forum, near the marketplace which would bet he political heart of the empire, with its Imperial palace, and the Houses of Senate.
Yes, the Houses of Senate, for that was Konstantinos's grand plan. For 1000 years the Emperor had ruled the empire with absolutism, but Konstantinos planed to change that. The power would be returned to the people, so that the power of Kings could be limited, so no more fools or men like Ioannes would have undisputed power. Konstantinos decided to ride through the city to see its progress, and so he went to exit the tent, but in the doorway out of nowhere appeared Diogenes, not smiling, but with a stern look upon his face.
"Diogenes!" Konstantinos cried. You startled me. Did you not leave for Asia Minor just now?"
"No I did not, not yet, for before I go I must have words with you" the general replied.
"Do you remember those few days ago, before the battle, our little conversation at the Forum" Diogenes asked him
"Yes I do Diogenes. Why?" Konstantinos asked
"Then you will remember that you told me of the Senate" and as Diogenes said Senate, his voice scoffed at the word. Konstantinos had thought this confrontation would come. He looked away and began to pace about.
"I thought you would come to me sooner or later on this. Yes Diogenes, the Senate, like that of ancient Rome. I plan to revive it, so that our people will be able to control the power of their leader." Konstantinos explained
"Are you mad Konstantinos? You know well what the ancient Senate was like. They where corrupt, greedy and manipulative. All they did was bicker and fight, rarely getting anything done. They worked for their own goals, not for the people. It is a good thing Julius Caesar came along and overthrew them, diminished their power." Diogenes said hotly.
"Diogenes you have been deceived,” Konstantinos, said with a slight tone of frustration in his voice "The Senate was not as you describe. They always worked towards Rome’s benefit."
"Hah!" Diogenes scoffed "If you revive this 'Senate' then the Eastern Empire will go the way of the western one"
"Diogenes! The Senate could control the ruthless Emperors, which is why we need another one in our empire. Imagine if another Nero or Ioannes got into power! Ioannes almost succeeded because as Emperor his will was unchallenged. We cannot let such devastation happen again! I am going to revive the senate Diogenes, that is final." Konstantinos half yelled.
"KONSTANTINOS I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!" Diogenes erupted. Konstantinos was taken aback. Did Diogenes mean what he thought he did? Diogenes swallowed nervously, realising what he had just said, that he would fight if need be.
"Konstantinos, my friend, always have I been loyal to you, to the Empire, but what you are talking about is madness! I will not allow something so clearly evil to be unleashed upon the Empire!" said Diogenes.
Konstantinos was stunned. Did Diogenes really mean he would rebel if he revived the Senate? Surely not after all they had been through. Why did Diogenes think the Senate so evil?
"Diogenes, you speak of rebelling against me! I do not believe you would, for you know me and I know you, and neither of us have evil intentions, but I will listen to no more from you, for the Senate is to revived" Konstantinos told him. Diogenes rushed forward and grabbed Konstantinos's arm.
"Then listen to this! The Empire is weak, against all odds we won the Ottoman war, but the war and these Satanists have severely crippled it. If you announce your plans, the nobles will be furious. The people will not understand and will be sceptical, as they always are with new ideas. The Empire will internally fragment, and we shall fade against the Ottoman storm from the east." Diogenes said almost afraid, with a dire warning in his tone. As though he knew the future. There was truth in these words, Konstantinos thought. The Empire was delicate, and more political upheaval would deliver the deathblow. Konstantinos pulled away from Diogenes and paced fast across the ground, pondering.
Konstantinos wanted an Empire where people where free to voice their opinion, could choose their leaders, where they could make a life for themselves regardless of heritage or blood. But no one else shared his vision. Konstantinos realised his ideas where ahead of his time, and would never work while the system remained as it was.
"Please Konstantinos, do not do it!" Diogenes urged him. Konstantinos paused and looked at Diogenes, considering.
"O...ok, the Senate shall not be revived" He said reluctantly
That was that. The Byzantine Senate would be put on hold for another 26 years, when it would be declared under the new name of "Parliament" By Emperor Konstantinos, who would as a consequence face his greatest challenge of all.
Oh! Glad he did put it on hold, I never liked the idea. Too mcuh trouble, as Diogenes said...
Good cliffhanger, is it to be understood as that the next installment will be 26 years later?
Good cliffhanger, is it to be understood as that the next installment will be 26 years later?
Nice installment Keledor. Is this about a domestic policy adjustment or about some event?
No, the next installment will not be in 26 years, it will be sooner. That last paragraph was just a short insight into a later chapter.
There was no event for anything like the senate, but rather it is simply changing aroundt he domestic policy sliders. I had been moving the serfdom, free subject slider towards free subjects, to give the people more power and so i represented that in this senate thing.
But will the Byzantine Senate or Parliament become a reality? we will find out, but not yet.
There was no event for anything like the senate, but rather it is simply changing aroundt he domestic policy sliders. I had been moving the serfdom, free subject slider towards free subjects, to give the people more power and so i represented that in this senate thing.
But will the Byzantine Senate or Parliament become a reality? we will find out, but not yet.
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