Completed It's God's Will! Let's rule as the Imperium Romaniae!

[RK47]

It's not the Diplomatic boost we're after - it's the Alliance. A Byzantine backed offense/defense is guaranteed to win against any immediate threat. I certainly have no wish to let the Seljuks take out the weakened Byzantine and opening the path on mine.

The Bulgar king has strong claims on three of my counties. That is NOT good.

Tried playing for a minute... and.....

A CRITICAL DECISION MUST BE MADE!

It is only natural for the new vassals of Byzantine to be unconvinced of their new Basilissa's authority, barely a year into her rule, they demanded she lower her Crown Authority. The girl stood firm, leading to an uprising by the four Doux of Byzantine! This is a matter of concern for the Latin Empire.

Options are abound...

We can do the following:
A. Press Claims on the Doux Territory.
We have claims on two of the rebelling Doux territory: Thessalonika and Samos. Pressing these claims will result in a hostility with the Byzantine forces as well.

And yes, we can press both claims at once.

B. Press Claims on the Byzantine Territory.
We have claims on the Basilissa's demesne...

We can even press them all.

C. Or just stay the fuck out of it.

 

[Absalom]

Wait the liege gets hostile to you too? I must be misremembering from CK I. Hmm... If you press all claims on Byzantium, is it an all-or-nothing sort of deal or is their middle ground in-between?

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

Thessalonika. Prepare for jewgold and manpower.

 

[Fafnir]

Thessalonika. Prepare for jewgold and manpower.

 

[RK47]

Wait the liege gets hostile to you too? I must be misremembering from CK I. Hmm... If you press all claims on Byzantium, is it an all-or-nothing sort of deal or is their middle ground in-between?

You take all three claims if you win.
Also, Liege hostility is to prevent situations where the foreign claimants gets there to the siege site first and the liege can't do shit about it.

 

[RK47]

A decision has been made. We will not take anything.

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

 

[RK47]

Do Nothing, Ready for Anything

Spoiler

The Council was unanimous: The Latin Empire must take advantage of this revolt and seize either one of the Doux's territory. Yet the Emperor would have none of it. The risks are too great, our wealth too minuscule to ensure a quick victory. We are still too vulnerable.

Hence the Latin Empire will play no part and merely witness the battle between the Loyalist Byzantines against the revolting Doux in a war over authority.

But Baldwin does not remain idle, he realize his vassals have untapped resources - resources such as manpower and taxes. The bishops of Constantinople and Lesbos has been hesitant to pay him tithes and instead divert much-needed funds to the Pope in Rome.

He will pry those coin loose, gently, of course. Meanwhile, he increases taxes on the cities.

The Mayors grudgingly agreed.

Elsewhere, several Christian kingdoms attempt to cross through Seljuk territory to reach the holy land.

Eventually, the bishops relented to the Emperor's Chaplain.

Titles were given away to ensure their loyalty.

And finally coins were secured from the Churches.

More titles were given away to secure more levy in the future, particularly from Duke Marco of Aegean.

The treasury grew steadily, the Emperor grew more confident. Yet he knew the Empire is not out of danger.

For our enemies are at the gates and the fight for our survival is just beginning.

 

[RK47]

The Bulgar Assault

Spoiler

Fools. All of them. These Bulgars think they can take on the Latin Empire? It is fortunate that I've saved my strength for this day.

Let them gather and we'll destroy them in one blow!

A band of Pechenegs mercenaries was hired in Constantinople to turn the tide as the Bulgars 10,000 strong army smash into ours.

They barely finished the battle when the Emperor dismissed the mercs - there wasn't enough gold to hire them, he's not about to risk the swords being pointed at his empire.

As the hired band disperses, the bulk of the Latin Army gave chase to the fleeing Burgars...

Look who's defending now...

The Latin army is divided into two, one will siege the strongholds in every county, while the other chases the remnants of the army.

As prisoners were captured, important ones were ransomed for gold.

The war is going well.

As they grew desperate, they hire a band of mercenary of their own to bolster their numbers - we respond in kind.

Smashing the newly arrived mercs with all we've got.

Let them fear me.

Back home, the Spymaster brings grave news...

Fool.

Imprisoned, the Baron is stripped of his titles and banished from the Empire forever. The vassals question such extreme measures, but they knew to hold their tongues.

News from the Crusades...

One less Muslim to worry about.

They've not made any gains, but the Crusader States are still intact.

More gold.

Even in war, the Emperor is still able to start an enterprise of his own to earn himself some gold.

Without any success to show for it, the Crusades failed - Pope Innocenti will have to bear the shame of two failed crusades in his name.

At least the Christians did not lose much in the Holy Land.

The Bulgarian war is nearing its third year, I'm starting to worry. If the Byzantines attack now, we're going to have to call a white peace.

Cause Irene is all grown up, and boy is the Basilissa is one ugly mother...

-75 relations. Not good. Lets hurry this up...

Bring in the Lombards..

Sicily survives the Jihad. No surprise, they have HRE backing them.

The Lombards arrive for the finishing blow on the Bulgarian Kingdom - and just as they were about to reinforce the Latin Army...

YES! That's what I want! The huge amount of gold - and the loss of claims on my counties! The Bulgars are effectively neutralized for now! This is a decisive victory for the Empire!

 

[RK47]

OK, nice, we have around 800 gold surplus now - but what should we spend it on?

I was thinking of castle upgrades for more levy, +20% Levy & Garrison (400g each) is nice in Constantinople, especially when bolstered by Marshall training.
These are the two holdings I have in Constantinople:

But we've 3 empty holding slots in Constantinople, should we spend the gold to build something? If so, what should we build?

 

[Fafnir]

I vote 2 Castle upgrades.

 

[RK47]

Momentary Peace

Spoiler

We need to spend wisely. It is agreed then, Constaninople two castles will get the upgrades.

A large keep will be erected to house more troops in Constantinople.

While Castle Blachernae will gain a City to bolster its tax revenue.

While construction is underway, Emperor Baldwin summons the Spymaster back to his capital - there he instructs his Spymaster to uncover any plots against him - spare no vigilance.

A new coming of age courtier, Guy de Monfort insists that he is a more capable replacement as the Marshall. The current Marshall is the Emperor Badlwin's brother, but the Emperor remains partial and the young courtier is appointed as Marshall.

His brother resented this decision - but will not object further.

The Empress is a meddlesome spouse - yet Baldwin knows he cannot let her overstep her bounds - she will not influence his decision in the matters of court - there is still a lack of male heir though - worrying.

Time passes...

And the replacement marshal performs his duty admirably.

And thankfully so...

For the Basilissa seeks revenge. January 1213 - the Byzantine declares war on the Latin Empire - the fight for survival begins anew.

 

[RK47]

Curse of the Fourth

Spoiler

Too much bad blood in this war. The Byzantine stakes a claim on the Duchy of Adrianopolis, but everyone knows the Basilissa is out for revenge.

And now the daughter of Theodorus will face off against her father's murderer, Baldwin.

Desperate times calls for desperate measures - titles were handed out to the counts and dukes to squeeze more levy from then. Any amount would help.

As the battle begins - the Latin Empire is at a numerical disadvantage.

Yet their fleet enables them to force several advantageous battles and score several precious victories.

Alas-

Is this fate?

His brother, Henri ascends the throne without much ceremony - there's too much at stake.

As the 12,000 strong Byzantine forces descend upon the outnumbered Franks, the Emperor called on two companies of mercenaries in desperation.

Elsewhere, several smaller engagements captured a few enemy officers...

This is a minor boon, considering the amount of funds we can raise from ransoming them.

The third mercenary band, the Pechenegs is hired into service. Desperation grows in the Latin Empire's army as more than 2/3 of their forces are made up of mercenaries. Their gold won't last.

As news of the Basilissa's marriage to the King of Hungary is made known, the Latin Empire knew they are at their wit's end.

Perhaps it's time to write that chronicle before the fall?

There is no escape from this. Assailed from both sides, the Latin Army is in no shape to beat another large army after an exhausting battle.

THIS IS NO TIME FOR THAT!

A hollow victory. Both sides bloodied each other - yet the Byzantines still have another strong army advancing from West of Constantinople.

The war is lost. Make peace before it goes out of hand.

The mercs were dismissed. They outnumber the Latin army two to one.

And so the Latin Empire lost the war and their Emperor without losing a single battle.

 

[Machiavelli]

Booo!


Basilissa got her revenge.

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

As if catholic limp-dicks could defeat THE BASILEIA TON RHOMAION without the help of the melonheads and the venetian jews.


But seriously RK, get your shit together. You have cataphract to remove and clay to take. Start your jewplots.

 

[RK47]

"I didn't lose, t'was my Brother." - Henri I

Spoiler

Surrender was bitter, but the alternative was even more dire. We must not lose more than we deserve to lose. No battles were lost, and Emperor Henri is pragmatic enough to recognize that losing a count is nothing compared to losing his army.

Blames were cast, the councils shamed him for surrendering; coward , limp-dick, flaccid manhood - they pile insults upon insults, but the Emperor will not take any more of this.

No. It is THEIR fault. The bishops who prefer Rome than his brother, the Counts and Dukes who kept their demesne instead of providing everything to the Emperor, their rightful liege! And so he calls upon the imprisonment of the guilty.

Who were the guilty? Why, ALL of them of course.

The nobles were imprisoned and banished. Their land seized and their wealth redistributed to the Emperor.

Those who resist, will face the full might of the Emperor's army.

The mayors grew fearful and gave tribute, but it was not going to be enough to convince the Emperor otherwise, that the most extreme of measures must be taken to save the Latin Empire.

Elsewhere, the Khan of Khans approaches from the East.

But the Emperor knows no fear.

Nothing will stand in his way.

All these traitorous vassals shall all fall before him.

A son was born. His wife gave him his brother's name, Baldwin. But he refused and gave him another...

A more fitting name to this era of uncertainty.

Elsewhere, his niece grew of age.

A marriage to the King of Sicily is proposed. An alliance is formed.

In War, even Love can bloom.

He will not stop.

For evil grew stronger.

And finally he vanquished the last of his disloyal vassals....and claimed everything in the empire, for himself.

 

[Tigranes]

What's the next step? You really should jump in on the Byzantine Empire if there's a chance, i.e. if its armies are drained by Turkish invasion or a heavy civil war. The last one clearly didn't deplete them much (or they had too much time to recover).

 

[RK47]

Rome. The Pope must be punished for allowing the Fourth Crusade.

 

[Fafnir]

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

Dun forget to remove the venetian melonhead too

 

[RK47]

The Great Revival

Spoiler

The Emperor is driven.

His reformation of the Latin Empire is nearly complete. Lording over eight counties in all, he is one of the richest noble in Europe. But his rise through power did not escape the Pope's gaze.

Innocent III, horrified by the seizure of the Church's treasury and banishment of his chosen bishops will no doubt take action soon. But the old Pope is infirm, and may not have much time left in this world.

The defeat to the Byzantine Empire seems like a lifetime ago, gone is the weak, divided Empire, its Emperor held hostage by his vassals, having to please, bribe and cajole them at every turn to get things done.

A new Council in Constantinople is elected, although the new councilors were less skilled than the previous one, The Emperor knew where their true loyalty lies.

The Bishops no longer need to follow the appointments by the Pope, all tithes will now to go Constantinople instead of Rome, as it should be.

New mayors were elected among the skilled candidates.

Each receive two cities to govern. The more skilled they are, the larger the city entrusted to their care.

All castles remain under the Emperor's control, for the Latin Army will protect the Empire from any threats, within and without.

Where will the Emperor cast his sword at?

The Bulgars are safe, there are no valid Casus Belli to pursue.

As the Emperor took upon himself to tutor his daughter, he knew the Empire must project its power in Europe.

While it is possible for the empire to grow prosperous under his new government...

There can only be peace through power. The Byzantines will never rest, and the rest of his Christian brethren covets his fledgling empire.

The Latin Empire must strike out and expand. EASTWARDS! TO RUM!

Far to the east, the Seljuks grew desperate as they battled the King of Cyprus. His coffers are nearly empty and the infidels will not last a combined assault from the Faithfuls.

Holy Orders are already dispatched to Cyprus and Antioch to defend the island from the invaders.

And now, its is our turn.

The Fourth Crusades shall not be in vain.
Deus Vult!

 

[RK47]

This is our Crusade

Spoiler

O what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer a people which has the faith of omnipotent God and is made glorious with the name of Christ! With what reproaches will the Lord overwhelm us if you do not aid those who, with us, profess the Christian religion! Let those who have been accustomed unjustly to wage private warfare against the faithful now go against the infidels and end with victory this war which should have been begun long ago. Let those who for a long time, have been robbers, now become knights. Let those who have been fighting against their brothers and relatives now fight in a proper way against the barbarians. Let those who have been serving as mercenaries for small pay now obtain the eternal reward. Let those who have been wearing themselves out in both body and soul now work for a double honor. Behold! on this side will be the sorrowful and poor, on that, the rich; on this side, the enemies of the Lord, on that, his friends. Let those who go not put off the journey, but rent their lands and collect money for their expenses; and as soon as winter is over and spring comes, let them eagerly set out on the way with God as their guide.

The first Seljuk stronghold falls without a single battle.

A small force is left behind to capture the remaining city and mosque - while a larger detachment hits another province in Armenia. The Christian forces in Cyprus are barely holding out - against the Seljuk invaders - the Emperor takes notice, and acts accordingly.

The Pecheneg Band is hired once more and boards the fleet in Constantinople.

As the Crusaders rally once more in Cyprus, they are joined by the Pechenegs from the seas...

Their timely arrival was enough to turn the tide of battle.

Brothers in arms, victorious!

There is no hope for the infidels, may they rot in hell!

The situation is getting untenable for the Seljuks, their lack of funds turned their own mercenary against them!

The Latin Army gladly accepted and sends the mercenary band to join another attack on the Seljuk Armenian territory.

Elsewhere the Pope demands I take drastic measures to deal with heretical populace.

I agree.

Elsewhere, our pious army racks victory after victory.

The Sultan of Seljuk is brought to his knees.

I count five counties joining our great Empire. A glorious day indeed for the Latin Empire.

 

[Fafnir]

 

[RK47]

Could've grown by simply spending cash on building new cities, but I really need those lands for extra levy.
If only the Byzzies are willing to a lengthier truce then I wouldn't be so aggressive.
Now I gotta take care of these extra lands outside of borders.
Still, 5 counties, in a few years time it'll start paying off.

 

[RK47]

Brothers in Arms

Spoiler

The Emperor divided Armenia to his new subjects. The newly-conquered territories will take time to return its investments but the newly appointed nobles are very pleased with the result.

In addition to the appointment of several bishops and mayors, five new counts are appointed as well. Elsewhere in Antioch, Duke Behemond IV stands alone against the might of the Ayyubids. If nothing is done, Antioch will fall.

The Bulwark of Christianity will never let that happen.

Let the deeds of your ancestors move you and incite your minds to manly achievements; the glory and greatness of king Charles the Great, and of his son Louis, and of your other kings, who have destroyed the kingdoms of the pagans, and have extended in these lands the territory of the holy church. Let the holy sepulchre of the Lord our Saviour, which is possessed by unclean nations, especially incite you, and the holy places which are now treated with ignominy and irreverently polluted with their filthiness. Oh, most valiant soldiers and descendants of invincible ancestors, be not degenerate, but recall the valor of your progenitors.

Setting forth from Armenia, the Emperor orders the army not to disband and instead sails forth towards Antioch to aid their beleaguered brothers of faith.

We bore the Cross once, and we will bear it once again!

A minor skirmish cuts off the Ayyubids reinforcements off from crushing Antioch. But Antioch is not the only Christian kingdom under assault by the infidels...

For Saladin of Tiberias is also eyeing the rest of the Crusader States near Jerusalem. Already the conflict involved the King of France.

We will stand with them. Brothers and Sisters of faith. Deus Vult!

As the decisive battle rages between the Latin and Ayyubid army of 17,000 each - the Emperor devised a cunning plan -

Assassins.

The Ayyubid generals tried to resist several attempts on their lives, but ultimately fell under the hidden blades. As the news of the officers' death spread throughout the army, the infidels grew disorganized and were routed by the Crusaders of Latin Empire!

Over two-third of the infidels army were wiped out. The Crusaders lost one third. It was not in vain.

Let those demon-worshipping dogs suffer the Holiest of Wrath - for this victory is proof Christ's strength!

Half remain behind to free Antioch from the Ayyubid occupation, while the rest gave chase.

Those dogs will pay ransom for their freedom.

Elsewhere, the call to arms were heeded by many prominent Christian lords - The Queen of Georgia unleashed her army from the north upon the Ayyubids, further adding strength to the Christians' cause!

Saladin knew he can't win and surrendered in shame.

And soon the Ayyubids are facing the might of Jerusalem, Georgia and Latin Empire at once. The tide is turning!

But not even the death of the Ayyubid's Sultan dampen their effort to conquer Antioch. We must re-double our efforts! As Emperor Henri ponders his next move - his marshal brought troubling news from the east...

The Emperor's heart grew heavy. He must now choose between Antioch or his own kingdom. The Seljuks chose to strike when his empire is occupied. A masterful move - but not without a sizeable risk to the Seljuks.

Sending a letter of apology to Duke Bohemond, the Latin Army sets forth to Armenia Minor to prevent the Seljuks from forming a massive levy army.

If the Byzantines start a war now, there'd be three fronts opened, let us pray it does not come to that.

The Crusaders succeeded in cutting off the Seljuks reinforcements of 4700 troops from regrouping. The infidels have the higher ground, but the faithfuls have more numbers and God on their side.

Only 43 were freed from their sins, while 2,000 infidels died worshiping their false gods.

Your move, Seljuks.