This Is Madness - Story Of The Crumbling Europe [House Angelos]
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Doubtful - their situation is rather desperate:
My laptop is working again so please be a little more patient - new chapters are coming.
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I have immensely enjoyed this story, sir. Thanks for all the writing, and keep up the fantastic work!
Sorry to hear about the laptop, but glad to hear it's been fixed. I'll be looking forward to seeing what will undoubtedly be an exciting climax to the first leg of this story.
Thank you very much dnlzimmy - I surely will keep it up!
I don't know what about you but I can't wait until I can finally start EU4 part of the AAR. In the meantime, you can read the
And since technical problems are finally over, expect at least one update for "This Is Madness" this week
My liege, the heathens false gods have failed in their vial attempt to stop the Angelos family's work. Truly, the one true god loves Augustus and his loyal children. Do not despair over the recent losses. Our lord will guide us to victory. I and my fellow soldiers, will root out the spies that are to blame, serving the xenoi scum.
...Breaking character, I am so happy that nothing will stop this amazing story and that I can finally post!
...Breaking character, I am so happy that nothing will stop this amazing story and that I can finally post!
Good to see that this story is still chugging along. Would hate to see it end on a note like that!
Doubtful - their situation is rather desperate:
My laptop is working again so please be a little more patient - new chapters are coming.
The Teutons are not to be trusted. They became the rulers of France in a single war, their power is endless.
CHAPTER 34
1436-1440
FATHER OF LIES
1436-1440
FATHER OF LIES
And so Aegyptus has fallen.
[video=youtube_share;xVDNQYzDu9w]http://youtu.be/xVDNQYzDu9w[/video]
For the second time Muslim hordes have crossed Nile. For the second time fanatic mugahidun have set their dirty feet in the land of Moses and Desert Fathers. For the second time followers of the false Prophet have desecrated the holy city of Alexandreia with their foul presence. But this time the bloodthirst and hunger for destruction of the vile heathens were not to be satisfied.
Fulfilling the sacrosanct duty of the Angeloi – to protect the Imperium and Christendom at all costs – Alexios I Angelos was forced to do the unthinkable and send envoys to negotiate peace with Timur's son. With his vast armies greatly reduced in numbers and Aegyptus firmly in his grasp, khagan gladly accepted the offer. And so on 24th January 1436 the peace treaty was signed. Dead silence has fallen on the tormented land, settling on the battlefields like mist, encompassing rotting bodies of Mongols and Romaioi alike. There were no more horns or drums of war to be heard, no armies marching to clash against each other and only ragged banners were being moved by the sultry east wind.
Aegyptus has fallen. But unlike Syria years ago it was not ravaged with fire and heathen sword. The treaty signed by Augustus and khagan not only introduced 10 year long truce during which both the Imperium and Timurids agreed not to attack each other but also stated that good Christians of Aegyptus were to be allowed to leave the province if they want to do so. All cities and castles of Aegyptus save for Alexandreia were to be henceforth under control of horse-lords, with the holy city remaining under rule of patriarch for a year, so that holy artifacts and relics could be transported safely to Konstantinoupolis. Of course accursed Shia snakes were not to be trusted and almost nobody expected them to honor the agreement, being abhorrent barbarians they are. Still, it was the best what could be accomplished in this desperate hour – the treaty allowed what little was left of tagmata to be saved from complete destruction and because of this alone it
But before the Shia locust could devour Aegyptus as they always wanted, news from the East arrived – news which were to change everything.
On 26th February, barely a month after the peace with execrable Timur's son was signed, the Ilkhanate invaded the vile Shia. The might of the Horde, broken for years and now reforged by khagan Temuge Csikid, was about to fall like a hammer on mugahidun celebrating their victory in blasphemous jihad. Menggei son of Timur immediately and without hesitation sent his armies deep into the East to face this new unexpected enemy. And so swarms of Shia warriors left Aegyptus, leaving just barely enough men to guard this new prize of Islam, thus sparing the Romaioi citizen their terrible fate. The Crimean ruse worked – khagan Temuge was fooled by the Varangian raid and instead of attacking
The Horde was not the only Enemy of the Throne. While the enormous Mongol armies were to clash with a terrifying force deep in the East, the power of xenoi was ever-growing. Feasting upon the rotting cadaver of Europe like maggots, the savages from the Far West were becoming stronger with every passing decade. There was not a nation under the yoke of Aztec masters which dared to challenge them, not a family whose member wasn't sacrificed to their Dark Gods, not a woman who wasn't violated. Where once were churches built for the glory of Our Lord now a massive pyramids were towering above ashes of ruined cities and blood of the innocents was dribbling from their stone steps. Weeping and gnashing of teeth were heard from the frozen Scandinavia to the scorched deserts of Africa. All Latins were either dead or became slaves of xenoi or even worse, for some of them were corrupted and abandoned the Light of Our Lord for madness and perdition of the Dark Powers.
Disease-ridden and suffering under the Aztec whip, the slaves were nothing more but a cattle for their masters, working every day in terrible conditions only to be slaughtered when the time comes – and many of the xenoi enjoyed the taste of human meat. Dying by hundreds every day in the fields, mines or on the blasphemous altars, some of the good Christians were desperate enough to rebel against the xenoi – but only death could liberate them. Crushed every time by their masters, rebels were subjected to unimaginable torture and crucified. Soon every crossroads welcomed traveler with decomposed remains of martyrs still nailed to decayed wooden crosses. West was slowly becoming a graveyard, a true hell on earth, and only packs of feral dogs were disturbing the ashes of the old world.
And while the Imperium stood as the last sanctuary of all that is good and sacred in this world, unspoiled by the taint of xenoi and Ruinous Powers whom they serve, it was obvious that if it was to survive, the Imperial Army had to be rebuild immediately. But only gold can buy steel.
Before new soldiers could be conscripted to themata and imperial envoys could set forth looking for men fit to serve in elite tagmata, the enormous debt had to be repaid. Among all the wounds made by the ferocious horse-lords perhaps this was the one which hurt the Romaioi the most – a gaping pit, ready to swallow whatever tax collectors were gathering. The Imperium was bleeding with gold and just like blood of the martyrs, it's continuous loss was more and more dangerous.
It was then when Great House Angelos decided to intervene. Not only the Imperial Family but every single branch of the House was willing to take part in this great work for the sake of the Imperium. Angeloi opened their coffers, selling or lending their lands if they had to, giving away the enormous wealth collected by generations during decades of their loyal and dedicated service to the Throne. It was only thanks to this great sacrifice that the debt could be paid off so quickly – a truly inspiring example for every noble House of the Imperium to follow, for nor gold nor honors are more important than the prosperity and the strength of the Throne. And when the imperial revenues once again surpassed the spending, the reconstruction of the Imperial Army – Sword and Shield of the Christendom – could finally begin.
But not only the Imperium emerged from the terrible conflict in the East weakened.
With thousands of their troops rotting on the desert of Sinai, the power of the Christian Kings was greatly diminished – they were forced to concentrate on the internal matters of their kingdoms with no intention or ability to intervene beyond borders of their realms. Treacherous Pisans understood this well and on 24th April 1436 declared war against kaiser of the Germans. Their petty struggle was of no concern to the Augustus – both nations betrayed the Imperium and proved on numerous occasions to be enemies of Iesus Kristos. However, with the accursed Republic cooperating with xenoi – a mortal sin for every Christian – and corrupted by the Aztec gold, the Germans stood no chance in the long term. The Pisans could simply afford to field more men and it was obvious that sooner or later what little was left of kaiser's realm will once more become a part of the Republic.
Alighiero di Orange understood this – after all, he was a Pisan vassal before Germans offered him the crown and his blasphemous title. The usurper dared even to ask Augustus for hand of one of Angeloi daughters – truly the Germans are blinded by their pride. But when heads of his envoys were sent back to him he understood that in this fight he is alone and that he may be forced to kneel before the Doge even sooner than he anticipated. It was clear nevertheless that growing power of Pisa had to be challenged – ambition of the greedy merchants knew no limits and they couldn't be allowed to threaten Kingdom of Poland of Kingdom of Aquitaine. Puppets to their Aztec masters and slaves to their own sinful desires, treacherous Pisan snakes had to be eradicated. After all, it was because of Pisans and Germans that the Imperium suffered such a devastating defeat from the hands of Shia – a treason which shall never be forgotten and for which Apostates shall pay dearly.
Mere weeks after news of Pisan war reached Konstantinoupolis, even more worrying message was brought to the City by imperial spies. The power of Peter the Liberator, heathen “king” of Hungary, was growing. Having defeated one of the few remaining war-chiefs independent from the Horde on 2nd July 1436, he turned his attention to another pray – chiefdom of Moldau. But unlike his Mongol kin, chief Aguchu wasn't a worshipper of Dark God Tengri: he was a Christian. Several years ago, when the Imperial Army was just a few days from total victory over his pathetic forces he declared himself a follower of Kristos and baptized. A cunning move but this obvious ruse would not save him for long – or at least that's what eunuchs of Scrinium Barbarorum believed in. But while the Imperium was facing innumerable hordes of mugahidun in the East, chief Aguchu managed not only to survive but even to expand his realm, defeating independent horse-lords in Transylvania.
Confrontation of this false Christian with his Mongol brethren was unavoidable however – it was only a matter of time before the Horde would devour his petty chiefdom. But before the Ilkhanate could do so, “king” Peter the Liberator declared war on him. It was his last act: he died swiftly after his troops marched on Moldau on 9th September 1436. His heir and son Domaszlo was only 4 years old and so the regent Arpad Drugeth became the true ruler of Hungarian heathens. The Imperium
And then came the horrifying message from the West.
On 28th November invasion of Aragon began. Uncountable hordes of xenoi have risen and like a dark tide fell on another Christian realm. Traitor Kyriakos Palaiologos was about to pay the terrible price for his lack of imagination, for it was only because of the might of the Imperial Army that lands which he govern were spared from the desolation brought by savages from the Far West. After the disastrous civil war Aragon, once proud Christian kingdom which gave the Imperium two Aragonese Emperors, became a safe harbor for all those escaping the imperial justice. But no man can escape his fate – and so the Judgment has come for all traitors and their „despotes”.
Wave after wave of savages crushed on the walls and shields of Aragon but before long the Westerners completely overwhelmed forces of renegades. There was no escape, no mercy, no hope of victory – only death or fate even worse than this. Our Lord delivered His justice swiftly and truly terrible is His righteous anger and glorious is His might. Sinners and traitors were paying with their lives and blood for what they have done. Aragon was in flames – after decades of resisting the xenoi the hour has finally come for this land. Ashes from burning castles and cities were falling from the sky like a black snow, covering the bodies of their defenders. Rivers have run red with the Aragonese and Roman blood and those who dared to challenge the Throne were now in chains, awaiting for their turn to be sacrificed to the Dark Powers. Night has come for Aragon and Death herself was dancing on the streets of its cities among smoldering ruins. Beautiful churches, monuments to centuries spent rejoicing in the Light of Our Lord, were desecrated and in their naves and chapels - where once were crucifixes depicting the Holy Body of Kristos - now good Christians were being crucified in a devilish mockery of His Paschein.
It took a little more than a year to turn Aragon into graveyard.
On 22nd January 1438 Cacamatzin Acatl announced his victory – the old kingdom was no more. Tens of thousands of innocent Romaioi were sacrificed to the Ruinous Powers on top of great pyramid towering above the ruins of Barcelona; but not all of them. Accursed Kyriakos Palaiologos didn't have a dignity to die with people whom he condemned to such gruesome fate. He abandoned them and like a coward he was he managed to escape to Kingdom of Aquitaine. The only reason he wasn't sent back to the City in chains was because his daughter Anna Palaiologos married prince Alexander Golovin few years ago. King Bozydar the Old, being an honorable man, hesitated to give his son's father-in-law in the hands of imperial envoys – a decision which, considering his help and dedication during ill-fated jihad, was respected by the Throne.
But how little matters one life while tens of thousands have been taken away by loathsome xenoi. Former imperial citizens were being slaughtered, devoured by Aztec beasts and tortured, dying everyday by hundreds – and all of this because of a pride of one man. This was a price which is paid for disobedience, for ambition, for disloyalty, for treason and heresy. With the Sword of the Imperium shattered it was of utmost importance to reforge it as soon as possible – but to protect the Christendom and Romaioi, the Imperial Army could not suffer any impurity. If it was to be able to contain the xenoi threat and destroy the hordes of barbarians, it had to be purged from taint and refined in fire.
The survival of the Imperium depended on it.
The only beam of light in the growing darkness was birth of porphyrogennetos Alexios Angelos The Younger but even the celebrations of his coming to this world were clouded by the uncertain and grim future. Shortly after that young Belisarios - Augustus grandson and son of porphyrogennetos Markos Angelos – was born. His birth strengthened the alliance between the Imperium and Kingdom of Poland but it was obvious that if the Army was not rebuilt swiftly, more realms could share the horrid face of Aragon. This vital task was entrusted to strategos Demetrios Komnenos, who tasted the imperial justice first-hand. Being held responsible for the Aegyptian campaign as megas domestikos, he was stripped of most of his titles and honors and was subjected to 50 lashes on the Hippodrome. With most of his wealth and lands confiscated and all other Komnenoi removed from the Imperial Council, he had now one chance and one chance only to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of Augustus. Living in the Great Palace with his whole family as guests of the Emperor he had to rebuilt the might of the Imperium before either the Mongol barbarians or xenoi could launch another invasion.
And so he did.
With rigorous discipline and merciless training in just two years after the bloody jihad for Aegyptus strategos transformed peasants and boys into soldiers and men. Not everyone was found to be fit or strong enough to become a part of the reborn Imperial Army and many were sent back to their villages in Anatolia, Italia and other provinces. Harsh treatment was necessary however, for only those hardened by iron discipline could face the innumerable hordes of barbarians and prevail. Strategos took also a great care of morale, all-time low considering tragic outcome of Aegyptian jihad. Mandatory morning and evening prayers and holy mass every day were to uplift the soldier's spirit while processions with holy icons and veneration of Saint Markos Isapostolos were to ensure Our Lord's grace and protection of His Children in battle. To further the moral purity and devotion of citizens conscripted to the Army, a chaplain was assigned to every droungos of every thema to guard the Romaioi against evil spirits and daemons. As expected, all this caused a great unrest among the aristoi – after all, for centuries the duty of preparing themata to war was responsibility of the douxes. Noble Houses saw in this new unorthodox approach a violation of their time-honored privileges and an attack on the very basis of traditional themata system. But they obeyed and thousands of recruits began amassing in the camps near Konstantinoupolis.
Those who have chosen stubbornness and pride instead of obedience were swiftly punished – order had to be restored within the Imperium if it was to survive, no matter the cost. And so when young Romaioi were being reforged or broken under the iron hand of strategos Demetrios Komnenos, his personal tagma – the feared Athanatoi – were purging the aristoi as it was commanded by Augustus. Traitors and heretics, no matter from how wealthy or powerful House, were to be completely eradicated – in the light of day or during the night, on public road or in their own houses, one by one they were being seized by Athanatoi and brought to imperial justice. With their own members being burned for their crimes and their lands confiscated, the noble Houses were between the anvil of Mongol and xenoi threat and the hammer of Augustus anger – they were at completely subjugated to the will of the Throne.
Finally, by the end of year 1438 the Imperial Army was ready. The Sword of the Imperium was reforged but it was still only a shadow of its former might, with barely 80,000 soldiers ready to meet the enemy in the field. And so when strategos revealed his daring plan to Augustus there was nobody in the Great Palace who would support this, for Demetrios Komnenos wanted to declare war against khagan Menggei. At first it sounded as a pure madness – to challenge the power of Timurids with much smaller and weaker Army than the one which they destroyed seemed to be a fool's delusion. But with vast majority of mugahidun fighting the Horde deep in the East, Aegyptus was virtually defenseless – quick strike, Demetrios argued, could ensure victory for the Imperium and see the holy city of Alexandreia once again within imperial limes. What's even more important was that by doing so a land connection with Abyssinia would be reestablished, which was an absolutely crucial thing if the distant province was to be defended successful against inevitable invasion. Loss of Aegyptus could mean a loss of whole Africa – a disaster which can't be allowed to happen.
And in the end Augustus agreed.
On 23rd October 1438 the Imperial Army was deployed on the barren shores of Aegyptus from dromonoi and immediately began the assault. Thousands perished but in the end brave Romaioi soldiers, filled with pious zeal and righteous anger, overwhelmed small numbers of defenders. By the end of the year holy Alexandreia was once again firmly under Roman control. Timur's son was furious but there was little what he could do – even if he ordered his horse-lords to immediately set off to Aegyptus it would take months before they would arrive there. And khagan Menggei needed all of his forces to face the fury of the Horde. In the end, he had no other choice but to concede defeat.
In a little more than two months thema of Alexandreia was liberated. Every follower of the false Prophet found by the victorious Romaioi in the province was either put to the sword or taken as a slave. Glorious triumph of the Imperial Army was the best proof of the success of its revival. The campaign was successful in every account – Roman citizens were safe and the land route to the south has been reestablished. For this achievement, Demetrios Komnenos was honored with the title of megas domestikos[/i, once again becoming the commander-in-chief of the whole Army. But even such spectacular success was just a first step on the long way to bring Aegyptus back to the fold and to put an end to the suffering of Romaioi.
It was clear however that it would not happen quickly.
On 12th March 1439 the titanic struggle between the Horde and abominable Shia finally ended. Having achieved nothing he hoped for, khagan Temuge Csikid was forced to surrender – Menggei's mugahidun have won and the distant land of Khiva remained under the Shia rule. Timur's son was not pleased however: quite the contrary. Furious because of the unexpected and swift liberation of Alexandreia he swore revenge against the Imperium, promising death and destruction to those who challenged him. His threats were most concerning – an unforeseen consequence of the Aegyptian campaign – but despite all his power, Menggei son of Timur was facing an enemy which no man has ever overcome: time. The truth was that he was getting older and even if, like in case of his father, it takes Angel of Death to end his tyrannical rule, sooner or later this moment will come – and then divided and consumed by infighting Shia will no longer be a predator but a prey.
Alas, more horrors lie in the East than vast armies commanded by Timur's son.
The Horde was once again united and even despite the unsuccessful invasion of Khiva was a considerable force. Khagan Temuge Csikid was forced to retreat and he was still licking his wounds, but there was no doubt that soon the Beast which the Horde is shall rise its ugly head and turn its attention to Romaioi – and the Imperium was not yet ready to face it. To postpone the inevitable seemed impossible: there was no ally for the Throne in the East and with losses their armies suffered during jihad, the Christian Kings were in no condition to provide a substantial aid during the incoming conflict.
But the faithful shall not despair for Iesus Kristos watches over them.
On 12th August 1439 young „king” Domoszlo unexpectedly died, leaving the crown of Hungary in the hands of his regent. The line of Peter the Liberator has died with him and so a new House have risen to power. And so Arpad Drugeth became the new ruler of the Hungarians. This old and experienced warrior had a potential to conquer and unite all petty chiefdoms independent from the Horde and thus create a buffer state between the Imperium and the Ilkhanate. Surely khagan Temuge would rather prefer to subjugate small Hungarian „kingdom” than to face the power of the Imperium, thus giving more time for Romaioi to prepare for war – even if it meant to sacrifice a false Christians of Moldau.
It was not the only divine intervention with which the Imperium was blessed however.
On 1st October 1439, the same day when a great Holy Mass was held in Hagia Sophia to celebrate second birthday of Emperor's youngest son, the xenoi attacked. They struck at night, sneaking into the Great Palace and silently murdering everyone on their way to the sacred bedchamber. It is unknown how did they managed to infiltrate the Palace or Konstantinoupolis itself – it seemed as if they came out of nowhere, emerged from the darkness of the starless night. Like shadows they found their way through the vast labyrinth of corridors, staircases, chapels and chambers of the Palace. Having quickly disposed of the several Varangian Guards, they entered the sacred bedchamber by climbing the wall of one of many small gardens hidden between Chrysotriklinos and Consistorium.
But even in his sleep, blessed Augustus was under protection of Iesus Kristos.
It is said that Our Lord have sent one of his angels to wake up Alexios Angelos. Upon seeing the xenoi assassins entering the sacred bedchamber, Emperor yelled for help and, armed only with his dagger, managed to kill three savages before the Varangians arrived. It was however megas domestikos Demetrios Komnenos who reached the sacred bedchamber first and with his spathion killed the rest of the attackers. Twenty corpses of vile xenoi were impaled and burned on the Hippodrome the next day – the savages failed their master but they managed to wound Augustus even despite his bravery and quick arrival of strategos Demetrios Komnenos. To spill Angeloi blood is a great sin and if xenoi beasts had souls, they would surely be condemned for eternal torture in Hell for raising a hand against God's chosen.
Augustus was livid – he demanded retribution.
There was no doubt that Cacamatzin Acatl was behind the assassination attempt but getting close to him was nearly impossible and, if it was to happen at all, it would take time. There were other viable targets however. In the meantime, strategos Demetrios Komnenos – who once again was honored with a title of kouropalates – was leading an investigation in the Great Palace. The xenoi sneaked into the City too easily and moved through the Palace too quickly – they must have either knew deepest secrets of the Imperium like the precise location of Varangians within the Palace's walls or had someone inside the City helping them.
The thought alone of such treachery was utterly shocking – who would dare to cooperate with hated xenoi to murder the Emperor himself in the holy city of Konstantinoupolis? No matter what was the truth, the security of the Great Palace and all members of the Imperial Family was compromised – it could not be allowed to happen again. Every taint of treason had to be purged without mercy to protect Angeloi and thus the Imperium. It is said that one of every ten people working in the Palace, be it imperial official, eunuch of Scrinium Barbarorum or even member of the Varangian Guard, was imprisoned, banished or – in case of those suspected of committing the unforgivable sin of heresy – burned on the Hippodrome along their xenoi masters.
And when the Great Palace was being cleansed from every unrighteousness and xenoi corruption, the imperial agents reached their first target.
Despite a great cost of lives, agentes in rebus managed to infiltrate Tecpan-Palli, the enormous xenoi fortress in Rouen from which accursed Cacamatzin Acatl was ruling over his domain and kill his son Tlacaeleltzin. Dying in horrible pain from deadly poison on 3rd December 1439, the demise of an Aztec prince meant that the line of Cacamatzin was ended – death of his only son meant that the title of huetlatoani was to be passed to his cousin Nochehuatl.
And so it did.
Surprised by agentes in rebus in his sleep, Cacamatzin Acatl was stabbed few dozens of times and eviscerated, his lifeless corpse blinded and castrated. And although most of the imperial agents were captured by the guard of Tecpan-Palli while trying to escape and later sacrificed to the Dark Powers, one of them managed to return to the City bringing eyes of the Aztec leader before the Throne.
The justice was served.
Cacamatzin's death on 20th February 1440 was hoped to create chaos in Aztec realm – some even expected a full-fledged civil war to erupt among the xenoi. Cacamatzin Acatl was a terrible and mighty opponent, hell-bent on continuing the unholy work of his ancestors and conquering what little was left of Christian Europe. But nobody was sure what to expect from his successor. Nochehuatl Acatl was a mystery indeed but like all xenoi beasts, he was a rabid animal, a vile daemon spawn, the enemy of all that is good and holy – and there may be no peace between the servants of One True God and slaves of Darkness.
Since the Great Palace and the whole Konstantinoupolis were still not deemed completely safe, Augustus decided to make a pilgrimage to holy city of Alexandreia to thank Iesus Kristos for His blessings. It was obvious that without divine guidance such devastating blow to the xenoi would never be delivered – their blasphemous assassination attempt was thwarted and both Cacamatzin and his son paid with their lives for this heinous act. Blessed Alexios I Angelos, although wounded, emerged victorious from this trial and could rest in the liberated of Alexandreia, recovering and spending his time on prayer, meditation and hunting.
But one shall never underestimate the malice of Diabolos, the Serpent, the Great Dragon.
Eonia i Mnimi.
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Sorry for the delay, problems with laptop et cetera; I'm a little sick and tired so I apologize for all typos and silly errors which I didn't notice in the text. Anyways, chapter 34 is finally released and, Iesus Kristos willing, another update is coming very, very soon.
Get well soon!
And thanks for the update. Impressive to see the Imperial Army rebound as much as it did (even though it's still a far cry from its former glory) and quite impressive that you dared to snatch Alexandria back from the Timurids. Of course, lots of not-so-good news: the fall of Aragon, the assassination attempts against the Empire, the lack of a massive civil war amongst the Aztecs, the continued strength of the eastern hordes...
The Imperium itself is better off now than it was a few years ago. Unfortunately, I don't know if the improvement in the Imperium is enough to offset the strengthening of its foes.
And thanks for the update.
Impressive to see the Imperial Army rebound as much as it did (even though it's still a far cry from its former glory) and quite impressive that you dared to snatch Alexandria back from the Timurids. Of course, lots of not-so-good news: the fall of Aragon, the assassination attempts against the Empire, the lack of a massive civil war amongst the Aztecs, the continued strength of the eastern hordes...The Imperium itself is better off now than it was a few years ago. Unfortunately, I don't know if the improvement in the Imperium is enough to offset the strengthening of its foes.
Excellent chapter! Things are going... uhm... like always? At least you are not losing Italy and you recovered Alexandria.
I'll keep watching this thread! Good work!
I'll keep watching this thread! Good work!
And destroying it. Never forget the destroying it part of that sentence. The Emperor is the only human without flaws as "God's regent on Earth."
Praise be Augustus Markos III, for he will lead the Imperium to glory against the xenoi and their Chaos Gods... rather, their heathen gods. We will find the horrid scum who betrayed us and burn them.The strategos' advice must be followed.
CzokletMuss:
In light of the fact that this AAR is swiftly approaching completion and stands as a superb narrative that has entertained me immensely, I have figured that now would be about the right time for me to bestow upon you one of my Red Special Cookies ● as a sign of my personal appreciation of and gratitude for your work.
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In light of the fact that this AAR is swiftly approaching completion and stands as a superb narrative that has entertained me immensely, I have figured that now would be about the right time for me to bestow upon you one of my Red Special Cookies ● as a sign of my personal appreciation of and gratitude for your work.
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I'm well aware of that. It's like different books in the same series, though; they all tell parts of the same story, but each one has its own separate beginning and end, and this particular "book" is indeed getting close to the end, if you catch my drift
Well, at least the business of emperor assassination is thriving in this market. The Imperium can prevent future bankruptcies by buying stock in high-profile contract killing.