Without Honor - A Khitan Image Heavy Megacampaign
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Oh boy... At least Adam the Cruel is already gone. Now we get to see how a slightly less cruel Isabella handles this Great Western War.
More than half of empire rebelled. If Isabella will handle it, she will be remembered as another "Great" monarch.
P.S.:Is it just map font, or Ruthenia dominates over Rus?
P.S.:Is it just map font, or Ruthenia dominates over Rus?
That is a vast area controlled by rebels and secessionists.
A challenge for the new Empress!
A challenge for the new Empress!
Chapter 37: The Great Western War
Chapter 37: The Great Western War
The largest civil war since Roman Days, and the Largest that would ever dominant Cathayan History had just begun. The Great Western War would be fought by tens of thousands and millions within and around the Empire would feel the effects. Unlike the Dragon war of Catherine over a century ago, no foreign powers would get involved to any significant extent.
(All of Isabella's siblings have these sorts of stats)
Of the Major Contenders there was Elizabeth who had retreated to the Isle of Fyn, the fortress Isle who's legacy was besmirched by Catherine. Roger, the only male claimant in the war found refuge in Avalon though by comparison his patrons were small in number, mostly minor nobility and the King of Avalon itself. Aveline the youngest and considered to be the most beautiful of the Three Sisters Caetye set up her capital in the Provencal mountains near Italy, and was backed by the Kings of Aquitaine and Burgundy. All of the claimants were considered by far the betters of Isabella who did not possess the Intellect or skill at arms of any of her rival siblings, though of course held her own distinct advantage.
Not to be discounted the Spanish and Iberian Provinces had also risen their banners in revolt not for any claimant but for Independence from the Cathayan Empire, once and for all.
Isabella's only major advantage was the power of her advisors. Her father had failed to outdo a century of successful education and bureaucracy within the Empire and so while of uneasy loyalty, King Ekbert Anniona of Bavaria stood with the rightful Empress. Anniona was the foremost military mind in the Empire, and the best commander within it by far. The Remainder of the Council were appointed and elected experts from the capital region, as well as duke Andreas of Luxembourg.
The first order of business for Isabella and her war council was to officially declare Roger, Elizabeth and Aveline bastards born of a different father than Adam Caetye, citing some of Blanche's many friends at court as being her lovers, and that Isabella being the only child of Adam that was from a different mother as the only legitimate successor.
The first order of business for Isabella and her war council was to officially declare Roger, Elizabeth and Aveline bastards born of a different father than Adam Caetye, citing some of Blanche's many friends at court as being her lovers, and that Isabella being the only child of Adam that was from a different mother as the only legitimate successor.
This had the opposite of the intended affect. Love for Alfred wasn't exactly high among the common folk or lesser nobility, Aveline, the most well loved among the lower classes soon saw her numbers swell with potential recruits most of which lacked any measure of care for her legitimacy. The Highlords flew her Banner and proclaimed her the rightful ruler of the Empire and that ultimately was enough.
The Forces aiming to bring Roger upon the Throne saw their numbers swell dramatically as well as would be expected. Roger was the only male claimant and Alfred of Avalon had many friends in low places across the Empire. Elizabeth, the favorite of the Nobility in the North meanwhile received relatively few extra reinforcements. As the Eldest Elizabeth's entire goal in this was was simply Status Quo which did not sit well with Hedge Knights and Merchants who saw far more potential for advancement with the other, weaker claimants.
(I released Alfred immediately after accepting the wp)
Not a Fool Isabella knew very well she was surrounded on all sides and opted to make a desperate gambit. Still unmarried Isabella proposed Roger surrender and become Emperor by Marriage in an uneasy alliance to deal with the Rebels in Britannia as well as Aveline and Elizabeth. Alfred, was a trusting man and ultimately agreed, declaring for the new union between Roger and Isabella. The Resulting Marriage would commonly referred to as the Pact of Lions for the Lion banners of Avalon and Ventralis.
To Note, This alliance while illegal under the current law stood mostly due to the circumstances around it, and becuase Roger was widely rumored to be more interested in spending time with his more flamboyant male companions than womenfolk. It was strongly suspected that once the other Claimants had fallen that Roger and Isabella would turn on each other as there would be little hope of Roger winning the war alone against the far more powerful Elizabeth in the North.
With Avalon pacified by Marriage the attention was now on the Defense of Ventralis. The Royalists had managed to gather 45 Thousand To Hold the Capital from levies and the Imperial and Varangian Guard. The Combined Rebel armies however were far in excess of 200 Thousand Total, though of course divided between three different factions.
At Breda the first Major battle had begun with the army of King Otto of Germany crossing the Rhine. Thirty Thousand Strong Otto had not been informed of the changing political landscape and found himself outnumbered within a month of crossing the river.
The Germans were routed in short order and sent back across the Rhine. Losses were heavy as expected and Isabella soon realized that the Imperial coffered would need to be emptied immediately on mercenary reinforcements to fight off any future attacks.
Victory of course however small was something Isabella could use. As confidence fell in the other claimants the power of the Crownlands could be levied to pull even more soldiers onto the field and while of poor quality the additional supplements of mercenaries would nearly double the Royalist army.
This infusion of new troops would come just in time, as Aveline's main force crossed the Seine and marched for the rich Neustrian Coastline to supply an army of Nearly 60 Thousand Strong and Elizabeth was also burning a path through Germany with another Twenty Thousand.
Within a Month the Capital was surrounded on all sides and the Great Walls of Ventralis had forced an engagement in Gent, Yperen and Hainut. A Major failure on the part of Aveline came in the disorganization between her Occitan and Burgundian Forces. Half of her army ultimately would fail to reinforce the battle of Yperen and instead stay and lay siege to minor cities within the Crownlands.
This would ultimately prove to be the Critical Mistake of Aveline, as with half her army out of the fight, the remainder crumbled and losses were simply staggering. Once the Battle at Yperen was finished Marshall Eckbert could bring the Western army around and reinforce the battles at Hainut and Gent, sending the entire rebel force away in a single stroke.
The Bulk of the Rebel forces were now sent back south or deep into the German Interior. The War had turned decisively in favor of Isabella in the single great battle for Ventralis. Though things were not yet won. Sieges had to be conducted and of course there was still the Matter of Spain and Britain. The War, was far from over.
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Back from Thanksgiving and Back in action hopefully Though I'll note I have Finals coming up soon so I may go Awol again for a bit.
Pretty much the same, The Levant is dominated by Syria, Egypt and Persia with Mesopotamia sitting in the middle as a buffer state. Mongols doing Mongol Stuff. Ferrara and Sicily fighting for control of Italy and the Balkans. Poland-Bohemia dominates central Europe and the Russians are slowly but surely organizing.
And if BloodRaven and Shiera Seastar also declared for the Throne
If one of the other claimants win, possible. I don't think Isabella has the heart to restore her Father's Empire though.
It does but It was formed by what remains of the Magyars.
Without spoiling how the war goes though, I do know who the true parentage of the 3 Claimants are and they are all actually secret bastards. Isabella is the only true heir.
Mid 1300's.
Pretty much the same, The Levant is dominated by Syria, Egypt and Persia with Mesopotamia sitting in the middle as a buffer state. Mongols doing Mongol Stuff. Ferrara and Sicily fighting for control of Italy and the Balkans. Poland-Bohemia dominates central Europe and the Russians are slowly but surely organizing.
And if BloodRaven and Shiera Seastar also declared for the Throne
If one of the other claimants win, possible. I don't think Isabella has the heart to restore her Father's Empire though.
It does but It was formed by what remains of the Magyars.
Without spoiling how the war goes though, I do know who the true parentage of the 3 Claimants are and they are all actually secret bastards. Isabella is the only true heir.
Mid 1300's.
Pretty substantial battle ... from the text it sounds like the largest battle of the war. Not sure if that is accurate interpretation though.
Too soon to drop your guard, but this is going well so far. Isabella may well be able to use this civil war to build her foundation as a capable ruler.
Chapter 38 The Great Western War Pt.2
Chapter 37: The Great Western War Pt.2
The Great Battle for Ventralis would ultimately be the largest and most decisive battle of the war. Lasting for almost half a year in its entirety three major players would arrive but ultimately one would would leave. The Three Sisters, Aveline, Isabella and Elizabeth would all be present, as well as Emperor Consort Roger who had allowed King Eckbert and his wife run the defense while he assumed the duties of Marshall.
First and more important was the Battle at Yperen. Aveline herself had attempted to march into the well known weak point in the Capital's defenses. The Rhine River and the area notably around Brabant had been heavily fortified throughout the Empire's history, The Capital walls were also strongest from the south but offered the most direct route into the City, and Morgan's Tower. However Elizabeth had arrived in this area first, and set about laying a siege and preparing an assault for Brabant. The Capital however had never suffered a major invasion from the West, and Aveline herself gathered the Royalist garrisons would be weakest at Yperen, as Calais was the Strongpoint of the Varingian Guard. Aveline would soon find her plans thwarted however.
Miscommunication on the part of her supporters and Aveline's lackluster skill as a Commander ultimately resulted in the loss of Ten Thousand of her Men in the first major battle. Meanwhile the Lowborn Captain, Robert of Flanders assumed command of the Imperial army in the West and held the line long enough for Isabella to reinforce later in the evening.
With victory at the Fortress of Yperen, Royalist forces surrounded more of Aveline's army at Avesnes further North. In a Bloody battle Aveline's host was ground down, pinned between Royalist fortifications and an army roughly equal in number. Once Moral broke, the Imperial Cavalry soon turned Avensnes into a bloodbath.
With two major defeats Aveline's prospects all fell on her third army in the Western Crownlands. While Aveline was attempted to finally retreat and lick her wounds her forces were once again set upon and this time entirely broken and forced south where they would be pursued by Isabella herself and Broken.
With Aveline's Far larger force driven off Isabella turned her attention to Elizabeth's forces trying to secure fortresses in the Southern Crownlands. A Short and blood battle at Brabant would be the first affair opening up the remains of Elizabeth's army at Breda to be Engaged by two armies. Meanwhile Isabella turned north to drive off a British Army that had arrived late with hopes to support one of the claimants in exchange for recognizing the independence of Spain and the Isles.
The Final Rebel army at Breda would face a similar failure in line with Aveline's army in the West. Isabella' arrival in Breda ultimately would be too late for the bulk of the fighting though her presence was ultimately not needed as like at Brabant, Yperen and Calais, days of fierce fighting ultimately favored the Royalists, with their superior equipment and larger numbers thanks to supplemental mercenaries.
For her success Isabella earned an Epitaph among her followers, Taking the Name Empress Isabella, The Ironside for her Valiant defense of the capital. Of course the cost of such bravely was ever present, Isabella had been mildly wounded and brushed with death several times during the battle. With the advantage firmly with Isabella the Empress opted not to repeat the mistakes of Cassandra or Lyra the Black and start to lead from the rear, protected by the Finest of the Varangian Guard.
Of course the battle was not quite over in earnest. Viceroy Doumenge of Aquitaine had gathered up the shattered remnants of Aveline's host into another formidable army, as powerful as any the Royalists had put to field. Isabella expecting the capital safe after her display sent half the Army north, for the Fortress at Fyn and ultimately would find herself completly unprepared for Doumenge advance.
It would be by the quick action of the remaining Royal Garrison, and the Elite Cathayan Light Cavalry to arrive just as the Doumenge arrived at the gates of the Capital near Bethune. Doumenge, hoping to bring a swift end to the war assaulted the castle refusing to retreat until either he lay dead or the Capital lay in his hands. Ultimately the former would be the result.
It would be by the quick action of the remaining Royal Garrison, and the Elite Cathayan Light Cavalry to arrive just as the Doumenge arrived at the gates of the Capital near Bethune. Doumenge, hoping to bring a swift end to the war assaulted the castle refusing to retreat until either he lay dead or the Capital lay in his hands. Ultimately the former would be the result.
Another eighty thousand men would be put to field and twenty thousand of them would die as well as large numbers of unaccounted auxiliaries to both armies. Isabella was not successful in keeping the French out of the city, and so the fighting spilled into the Bethune Streets. Royalist Cavalry outside the city however made brutal work of Doumenge army, and the Viceroy soon found himself trapped in Bethune, where he refused to surrender and ultimately died fighting for his Empress.
With Doumenge Dead his lands legally reverted to the crown, and Isabella and her council offered amnesty for the French Lords of the South in exchange for swearing fealty to Isabella. For the most part this office was accepted and Aveline's vast reserve of support from south france completly evaporated with Doumenge's death.
In the North, the Disorganized armies of Elizabeth had allowed Roger an opportunity to rush forth for Fyn. Cassandra's causeway has since been long destroyed so rather than wait for spring, Roger ordered a forced marched across the Ice during a blizzard. Large numbers of men and equipment were lost to thin ice, twenty thousand however did manage the crossing along with several experimental cannons from Greece. The Fortress at Fyn fell by the Year's End and Elizabeth landed firmly in Royalist Custody.
One of the Major Claimants was now out of the war. Despite Roger's urging Isabella ordered her sister's life spared and the rebel brought back to the capital under heavy guard. Meanwhile the Ironside prepared to lead a southern Campaign to Bring Burgundy back into the Fold and only once that was done could the Rebels in Spain and Britain be brought to heel.
Without Aquitaine, Aveline's support had fallen by nearly half. The size of her armies was also a mere shadow of the original great host she had marched on Ventralis with. Still Aveline did have control of the Fortress at Nice, and a bad winter could protect the mountains from any direct assault. Unfortunately for Aveline, Isabella's entire approach to dealing with her youngest sister was anything but direct.
Using her web of contacts Isabella discovered Aveline's wife, Prince Dilie of Burgundy was staying with some of his bannermen in Geneva. Aveline's army however was occupied in the south near Toulouse. In short order Isabella had the entire Swiss countryside put to siege and Dillie dragged out and arrested. By the time the search had ended Aveline's last army in Toulouse had been once again shattered and the Youngest of Imperial Family was offered a choice, surrender herself or her husband and all of his bannermen would be killed as traitors.
Aveline surrendered. But of course the war was not nearly done. The Combined Forces of Spain and Britannia still remained and more defiant than ever in the face of seeing a Unified Empire now bearing down on them. The Empire would not be at peace for several more years still and not without the payment of even more blood.
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Tune in tomorrow the for final installment of the Great Western War. Will Isabella reunite the Empire? Will A bunch of Caetye randomly die like flies before the end again? Will the Mongols finally do something? Are the Aztecs even going to show up this Game? (Spoilers: No Aztecs, Sorry ) Find out on the next Installment of Without Honor Super.
Yes, though at this point she doesn't know that for a fact.
I'm trying but the stupid Rebels refuse to Bleed, Maybe if I invited the Aztecs for some playtime they'd oblidge me with more bodies.
I didn't realize had multiple screenshots for the battle until I went back and looked at my list. Part 2 is still a trimmed down version, Nearly 1000k Troops were involved at Yperen Total. Most of them died there. (A Lot of Battles against Stacks 1/3 or 1/2 the size of mine I just omitted)
If you think this has a happy ending, You haven't been Paying attention.
) Find out on the next Installment of Without Honor Super. Yes, though at this point she doesn't know that for a fact.
Pfft, with levies that large you need a higher body count for a real war.
I'm trying but the stupid Rebels refuse to Bleed, Maybe if I invited the Aztecs for some playtime they'd oblidge me with more bodies.
I didn't realize had multiple screenshots for the battle until I went back and looked at my list. Part 2 is still a trimmed down version, Nearly 1000k Troops were involved at Yperen Total. Most of them died there. (A Lot of Battles against Stacks 1/3 or 1/2 the size of mine I just omitted)
If you think this has a happy ending, You haven't been Paying attention.
You're missing the part where we have at least 10 episodes of flashbacks and filler, followed by a major protagonist dying for the tenth time.
Hire mercs, spam holy orders, raise levies, do everything you can. You're doing fine so far, but we need more doomstacks to kill! This war must kill more people than the Black Death!
Crushing victory after victory. Love it. Spain and Britannia will kneel!
Hey, someone's got to be optimistic.
Glorious, this is how the Caetye shouldd be, bloody and on the verge of ruin due to civil war. I hope that the Mongol hint means that might try and take a crack at you, it would be good for the Caetye to have an external challenge for once.
Are we closing in on the EU4 conversion? I think we're around the late 1200s?
Are we closing in on the EU4 conversion? I think we're around the late 1200s?
THANK YOU! To be honest when a megacampaign has Sunset Invasion its a major immersion breaker. I'll also add that I love how you keep deliberately making bad decisions to keep yourself from getting too powerful.Are the Aztecs even going to show up this Game? (Spoilers: No Aztecs, Sorry
Now this is the kind of bloody civil strife we've come to expect in this tale.
Also, there appear to be duplicate images before and after this piece of text.
Also, there appear to be duplicate images before and after this piece of text.