The Known World [IC|Closed]

[Black Marshes]

Ever since the Norwegians suggested war England had been preparing. The English fleet had been secretly amassing in the North Sea, and now with news of the Norwegians being distracted with Iceland the fleet sets sail. At the same time ships from the Irish Sea sail into the English Channel and attack the Norwegians. England had also planned an invasion of Iceland, now the plan would take place. Norway shall fall!

[Liecthenbourg]

Tyrol sat in the Dinning hall eating his meal with the Duke when he comments
"Usually someone always try my food before hand, to make sure it isnt poisoned, but I do not believe it is necessary here, this is lovely by the way"

[Hellespont]

OOC: Hey guys, I have just been able to get onto a computer (I am a short holiday until Friday), please don't most anything major about me until then, I did read that England was starting a crusade against me (I am the Almohads), so please do not start that yet.

IC:
Cordoba, Spain
The reports were disturbing. In the north the Spanish refused to give in, fighting hard for every centimetre of land. Far away in England and France, there were preparations for war. If these reports were true, it would be calamitous for the Almohad Sultanate, as they were fighting a bloody war against Spain which was sapping their strength. They were, however on the cusp of breaking through the defences. In a lightning campaign, his generals had conquered Toledo, Barcelona and Valencia. They had also pushed the 'rebels' in Galicia very hard too. Within the first weeks of fighting they had taken Santiago and had been sweeping east before being stopped around Leon. Even now his troops were preparing for the final siege.
Siege of Leon
The battle had been raging on for three hours now, and no side showed any signs of it weakening. In the end the heathens would win. They were better trained, better equipped and there were more of them. That didn't stop the Spanish from putting up a good fight. It seemed as if they had been celebrating a victory over them one minute, then the next they were fighting backs against the wall. Already the mercenaries had fled. They were not instilled with the same patriotic fervour as most of us were. But now, even some of the peasants were starting to flee. This rout grew bigger and bigger, until it had engulfed the whole battlefield. He spat in anger and he rode off. Better to survive another die to help the cause. Leon was lost the moment the Arabs decided to besiege them. But all was not lost. Spain would prevail, with the help of the English, who were due to started a crusade against these heathens. Then God would decide who the heathens were.

[Riserland]

Ever since the Norwegians suggested war England had been preparing. The English fleet had been secretly amassing in the North Sea, and now with news of the Norwegians being distracted with Iceland the fleet sets sail. At the same time ships from the Irish Sea sail into the English Channel and attack the Norwegians. England had also planned an invasion of Iceland, now the plan would take place. Norway shall fall!

The Vikings make land-fall in Iceland but are all too aware they are not alone. Without a moment's hesitation boat after boat unloads hundreds of warriors, they are all too aware that they are out of their element fighting a defensive battle in a foreign land but they paint themselves for war and prepaid the fortifications nonetheless.

Meanwhile the fleet in the English channel hits the Norwegians like a ton of bricks, their longboats are not made to fight on the open seas and as a result 5 boats and a total of 250 men are lost. Still many of the boats escape into the Avon, Arun and Exe rivers to wreak havoc on all unfortunate enough to live on their banks.

The fleet on the coast of France redirects and instead begins for Ireland hoping to sneak in as the English are distracted elsewhere...

[Valentir]

"Dear King Justin
This is Standing in Head of the Church, Cardinal San-Clair, and I would like you to confirm to me, the Pope and God, that whilst England is Crusading in Iberia (To draw any potential reinforcements away from the Holy Lands) that you will not attack them."

"Dear Pope, so the English got you to do it for them, I accept but tell England I will not be scared into alliances or deals because of their greed,
Sincerely King Justin of France"
Meanwhile in Dijon, "Sire the Norwegians I think are still there."
"Then send 5000 men to fortify the coastal villages and send ships to protect the ports, and have every village close their gates and arm the citizenry and make them prepared for raids."
"Yes Sire" Justin had made sure the french would be prepared for raids and he would fight off the Vikings and defeat them!!!!

[Black Marshes]

"Dear King Justin
This is Standing in Head of the Church, Cardinal San-Clair, and I would like you to confirm to me, the Pope and God, that whilst England is Crusading in Iberia (To draw any potential reinforcements away from the Holy Lands) that you will not attack them."

"Dear Pope, so the English got you to do it for them, I accept but tell England I will not be scared into alliances or deals because of their greed,
Sincerely King Justin of France"
Meanwhile in Dijon, "Sire the Norwegians I think are still there."
"Then send 5000 men to fortify the coastal villages and send ships to protect the ports, and have every village close their gates and arm the citizenry and make them prepared for raids."
"Yes Sire" Justin had made sure the french would be prepared for raids and he would fight off the Vikings and defeat them!!!!

It is not an alliance or English greed, just a confirmation that neither of us will attack each other whilst our armies are away.

[Liecthenbourg]

"Dear King Justin
This is Standing in Head of the Church, Cardinal San-Clair, and I would like you to confirm to me, the Pope and God, that whilst England is Crusading in Iberia (To draw any potential reinforcements away from the Holy Lands) that you will not attack them."

"Dear Pope, so the English got you to do it for them, I accept but tell England I will not be scared into alliances or deals because of their greed,
Sincerely King Justin of France"

"Dear King Justin,
I am grateful you accepted and your men are going on the Crusade, however when on Cyprus either wait for the Venetians and the Sicilians to arrive, or begin assautling the Coast of the Holy Land, secondly the Norwegians are invading your coast and that of England, I advise caution
Signed SHC, San-Clair"

[Valentir]

"Dear Pope, so the English got you to do it for them, I accept but tell England I will not be scared into alliances or deals because of their greed,
Sincerely King Justin of France"
Meanwhile in Dijon, "Sire the Norwegians I think are still there."
"Then send 5000 men to fortify the coastal villages and send ships to protect the ports, and have every village close their gates and arm the citizenry and make them prepared for raids."
"Yes Sire" Justin had made sure the french would be prepared for raids and he would fight off the Vikings and defeat them!!!!

It is not an alliance or English greed, just a confirmation that neither of us will attack each other whilst our armies are away.

"If we wanted to attack we would have done it already, France is different and we take your word that you won't attack us, but using is holiness to fulfill your safety is nearly as underhanded as we were when we attacked Venice, we were cowardly and we have honor, and so should you to put the treaty before us in person, not to the pope like that
Sincerely Justin of France"

[Valentir]

"Dear Pope, so the English got you to do it for them, I accept but tell England I will not be scared into alliances or deals because of their greed,
Sincerely King Justin of France"

"Dear King Justin,
I am grateful you accepted and your men are going on the Crusade, however when on Cyprus either wait for the Venetians and the Sicilians to arrive, or begin assautling the Coast of the Holy Land, secondly the Norwegians are invading your coast and that of England, I advise caution
Signed SHC, San-Clair"

"France is already armed for petty viking raids, we will crush them and make sure they never return"

[Liecthenbourg]

The Knights Templar and Hospitaller can be seen marching towards Naples, the array of colour and banners, and the sun is shining of the metal helms and armour of the soldiers. Behind them, men can be seen pushing a cross on a moving wagon and all the soldiers are chanting a prayer as they continue their march.

[Black Marshes]

Ever since the Norwegians suggested war England had been preparing. The English fleet had been secretly amassing in the North Sea, and now with news of the Norwegians being distracted with Iceland the fleet sets sail. At the same time ships from the Irish Sea sail into the English Channel and attack the Norwegians. England had also planned an invasion of Iceland, now the plan would take place. Norway shall fall!

The Vikings make land-fall in Iceland but are all too aware they are not alone. Without a moment's hesitation boat after boat unloads hundreds of warriors, they are all too aware that they are out of their element fighting a defensive battle in a foreign land but they paint themselves for war and prepaid the fortifications nonetheless.

Meanwhile the fleet in the English channel hits the Norwegians like a ton of bricks, their longboats are not made to fight on the open seas and as a result 5 boats and a total of 250 men are lost. Still many of the boats escape into the Avon, Arun and Exe rivers to wreak havoc on all unfortunate enough to live on their banks.

The fleet on the coast of France redirects and instead begins for Ireland hoping to sneak in as the English are distracted elsewhere...

"I cant believe they fell right into our trap! STOP THE RIVER!!!"
The Viking filled river's banks are all widened with an ingenious mechanism, which shallows the river and strands the Viking longboats.
"FIRE!!!"
Hundreds of fire arrows are loosed onto the longboats, and the fleets are engulfed in flames. The process is repeated with the Avon and Arun. England shall not fall.

OOC: I didn't tell the pope to tell you to sign the agreement, he chose to do it himself.

[Pavlostani]

The Fields of Pilinsk

The hour grew late, and the day cold. Tupolev's eyes witnessed horrors that no longer shocked him. His sword had shattered long ago, and he was carrying an enemy halberd. He ripped it through the sinews and tendons of a charging horse, then shoved it into the chest of the rider. The Russian support was throwing the Chernigovi into disarray and the loss of their leader disorganized them further. "Just a little more!" He screamed to his comrades as they slowly ground the enemy army into the ground.

General Kovalenko had withdrawn to a tower in the city, watching the battle progress. He had not left out of fear or cowardice, rather that he was too valuable to the Pereyaslavlate Rus to lose.

Tupolev snapped the blade of his halberd when he drove it into an enemy knight with unearthly force. He gripped the end with the blade, using it as a dagger. An enemy charged at him, and he drove the blade into his gut. Tupolev extracted the weapon, then stabbed another, spun and amazingly slit a man's throat. Never in his life had enemies run from the wrath of Vladimir Tupolev. He pocketed the blade and grabbed a sword from a fallen comrade. He scrambled his way through the battlefield, searching for a certain body. An enemy ax swung at him, and he ducked, and continued running, ignoring the attacker. There! The corpse of General Suvorov lay, sprawled. He grabbed it and started dragging it back. An enemy cossack turned and charged towards him. Tupolev flung his sword, which impaled itself in the cossack's chest. Tupolev pushed the rider off of the horse, and tied Suvorov to the back. He drew the sword, and began to ride around the battlefield, slaughtering enemies and dragging Suvorov's body. Cries began to arise. "They have slain the General! Hope is lost!" The Chernigovi broke ranks. Some tried to continue fighting, others fled. But most dropped their weapons and either kneeled or stood with their hands up.

Central Kiev

"Well. This blows." Colonel Sandrenko said, as the Pereyaslavlate army marched back to the Motherland. "We'll stop in Pereyaslavl for some quick R & R, then head out again." General Zaharchuk said. "What?" Sandrenko asked. "We're headed to the Kipchuk Khanates next." Zaharchuk said.

[Liecthenbourg]

Dear Emperor of Byzantium
From SHC San-Clair
I would like to ask you, as we are aware of your conflicts with Islam, if you wish to assit the Crusaders in retaking the lost areas of the Holy Land

[DrakoBlarea]

Dear Pope
From Emperor Theodors

How dare you tell us to aid you against Islam when YOU yourshelf caused their expansion.We have no intentions of aiding either you or your wicked believers.No Crusaders shall be allowd to travel through our lands to arrive to the Holly Land either,unless they pay us.

[Liecthenbourg]

Dear Pope
From Emperor Theodors

How dare you tell us to aid you against Islam when YOU yourshelf caused their expansion.We have no intentions of aiding either you or your wicked believers.No Crusaders shall be allowd to travel through our lands to arrive to the Holly Land either,unless they pay us.

Dear Emperor
From SHC San-Clair
I believe you are misinformed, Pope Tyrol did not call the first Crusade, it was his predecessour that did, but I respect your decision

[DrakoBlarea]

Dear Emperor
From SHC San-Clair
I believe you are misinformed, Pope Tyrol did not call the first Crusade, it was his predecessour that did, but I respect your decision

To The Pope
From Emperor Theodors

We are well aware that you kept the crusade and called it off when you had no other choice.You are as corrupt as him.No Catholics shall set foot in Greek land

[Liecthenbourg]

Dear Emperor
From SHC San-Clair
I believe you are misinformed, Pope Tyrol did not call the first Crusade, it was his predecessour that did, but I respect your decision

To The Pope
From Emperor Theodors

We are well aware that you kept the crusade and called it off when you had no other choice.You are as corrupt as him.No Catholics shall set foot in Greek land

Ah, I understand completely Emperor
Signed SHC San-Clair

[Communist republic of altorus]

The sultan rode to the port in the capital and decreed all ships to be naval vessels pirates from Cairo are attacking trade posts in the med

[DrakoBlarea]

TO: Emperor of the Byzantines
From: King Yuri of Kiev

It has come to my attention that Constantinople and Byzantine have become the focus of a Catholic Crusade. While this Crusade will surely fail, it has proven the need for many Byzantine troops be stationed in the mainland empire and many Byzantine ships defend the straits. Therefore I am proposing Kievan troops and warships be placed as augments to depleted Byzantine Garrisons in the Black Sea. In exchange we would like reduced rates on timber, salt, and various other goods.

To King Yuri
From Emperor Theodors

Although the Venetians called of their crusade we still need aid.We have had enough of their catholic hands making a profit of our lands.We wish that you come and aid us in expelling all Venetians and siezing their properties from the Empire.We might even use you as mercenairies later on if you prove trustworthy

[G-Tech Corporation]

Pilinsk, Chernigova Province, Great Russia

Common soldier Ivan Gamaski ran forward with his comrades; they marched shoulder to shoulder in good order, as they had been trained to do ages ago in the brief regimens they had undergone as soldiers of Great Russia. Now that the northern wall was mostly secure, the fighting had moved to the streets of the city. He, along with about fifty other spearmen, advanced as a block down on of the throughfares headed towards the market center and keep of the city. A descending rumble made the warrior look up, and overhead massive stones streaked through the sky. They disappeared over the houses in front of his view, and loud crashes market the impact of the projectiles somewhere towards the heart of Pilinsk. The man nodded, his bearded head bobbing along with those of the men around him. Bombarding civilians was not what God would have wanted, but he wanted even less for his people to perish in the conquest of the unrighteous.

Ahead of Ivan and the other Rus soldiers some Chernigovians rushed forward to fill the street. Perhaps a dozen pikemen and men bearing shields attempted to form a line across the road, and a few archers loosed shafts at the advancing Russians. A man nearby Ivan swore loudly in pain, and fell back from the unit; his right upper arm had been pierced by an arrow, and he made back for the walls for treatment. The sergeant barked a few rough orders in Russian, and the spearmen knelt. A two dozen men bearing light crossbows quickly formed a rank behind them, and the whistle of quarrels made Ivan's barely armored skin roil. Most of the enemy archers either ducked or sprawled behind shields, trying to avoid the lethal metal bolts. A few did not rise, bearing lumps of copper now in their chests or limbs.

The soldiers rose again at an order, and marched forward together. "Urra!" yelled the sergeant, and the march became a quick double-time trot to close with the Chernigovians. "Urra!" responded Ivan, along with the others, his tenor yelling the word with fierce pride. "Urra! Urra! Urra!" they chanted as the distance closed, one yell for every four steps. The chant resounded off the walls, and Ivan felt his blood run hot as the words filled his body with power and a feeling of invincibility. Behind him and his spear he carried the weight of Great Russia, and no mere Chernigovian barbarian was going to stop him. In the enemies eyes he saw fear, and several archers broke and ran. An arrow sliced past his cheek, leaving a blood furrow and sticking quivering in the shield of the man staggered behind him, but on the Russians came.

Pikes tried to stab from behind the shield wall, and some men were stuck in legs or their chests, but then they cut their way past the shields, swarming over the local position. Ivan caught a shieldman in the throat with his short spear, and the man fell, crimson blood gurgling from his neck as his heart forced the live-bearing liquid from his body. In moments it was over, and a half dozen Chernigovians fled in panic towards the keep before the Russian ranks. The rest would fight no more in this life, and went to face their judgement. Ivan cleaned his spear on an enemy tunic, then again he joined ranks with the others and advanced, his hobnailed boots drumming on the paving stones.

Outside the city the Marquis cut another ragged soldier nearly in twain. His stallion reared at a command, and a hoof caught a different man in the face, caving his skull like a thin eggshell. The Chernigovian fell lifeless to the blood-soaked dirt. With a wave of his saber he called for the lancers to retreat, and rapidly they disengaged, leaving around a hundred dead horses and men. Not a good number, but against an entire army it could be borne. Arrows whizzed in over the cavalrys' heads, striking pursuing Chernigovian footsoldiers; the Golar riders had formed a Cantabrian circle (named so for a long dead Roman), and their projectiles came in a constant stream against the lightly armored infantry of the foe, wounding and slaying outright many.

Once his force was clear of the enemy he waved them around in a circle. "Reform the line!" the Marquis Gilavsky cried, and before long the front ranks reasserted themselves in level columns of horses and men. Some were bloodied, and others were wounded, but the lancers still had fight in them, and their eyes burned with bloodlust. He gestured forward with his saber, and the deep horns of the Rus sounded again; with mighty shouts and yelled prayers the Rostov lancers thundered forward again, straight at the Chernigovian lines. To the west the melee between the Pereyaslavl troops and Chernigovians prevented an effective charge, but here the same was not true. Despairing cries came from the barbarians ahead, and this time no attempt was made to recieve the charge in good order. No one appeared to be commanding the infantry, and many simply fled before the onrushing horses.

They plowed into the retreating enemy, iron-clad horses and fierce fighting men slaughtering the running footsoldiers en masse. Many threw down their weapons and knelt, begging for their lives, and quickly the retreat became a rout. Leaderless, demoralized, and facing assaults on two fronts, the Chernigovian army swiftly disintegrated as a fighting force. The Marquis was tired, but the day was the Rus', Pereyaslavl and Russian together.

[Liberated Counties]

A message reaches Rome, it reads:

"Dear pope

The Templar and Hospitallier forces arrived last night in Naples, we have made sure preparations have been made for them, whole new ships constructed for their sole use, we have given your men access to good resources, you won't be let down holy one. The treaty concerning Malta has been agreed to, and it is now ready for their sole use after the crusades are over. We have made sure our navy has been prepared, and we have around twenty Holks in construction, so do not worry about their safety, for they are ours command, but for ours to cater and protect.

We would also like to conduct a meeting with you and your advisors in Palermo, to discuss the more logistical side of the crusade

God Appointed Ruler of Sicily
Giovanni XXIV"

[Liecthenbourg]

A message reaches Rome, it reads:

"Dear pope

The Templar and Hospitallier forces arrived last night in Naples, we have made sure preparations have been made for them, whole new ships constructed for their sole use, we have given your men access to good resources, you won't be let down holy one. The treaty concerning Malta has been agreed to, and it is now ready for their sole use after the crusades are over. We have made sure our navy has been prepared, and we have around twenty Holks in construction, so do not worry about their safety, for they are ours command, but for ours to cater and protect.

We would also like to conduct a meeting with you and your advisors in Palermo, to discuss the more logistical side of the crusade

God Appointed Ruler of Sicily
Giovanni XXIV"

"Dear King Giovanni
This is SHC San-Clair, the Pope is in Venice waiting for the Coronation, so perhaps if you where to go there you could discuss matters there I hear the Duke in Venice also plans on holding a Crusader conference"

[Valentir]

"Dear Byzantium
I hear that we no longer have an alliance, is it True?
Sincerely Justin of France"

[Liberated Counties]

A letter reaches Venice,

"I will attend the coronation in Venice, Other matters had forbade me from attending a dear allies ceremony, but we understand the importance of being there. we also look forward to the coronation, as well as the planning of the crusade with our other brothers of Christandom

Giovanni XXIV
God Appointed Ruler of Sicily"

[The Holy Dominion of Inesea]

It was dark on Silver Street. The day had passed a the Lady of Nigh had sheathed the world in her shadow. Not even the soft light from the moon was visible tonight. Here in Silver Street, in the merchant section of Ompatoi, all was quiet and all was dark. Not a soul stirred on the stone paths, not a single mendicant sat at a street corner. No vendor hawked their wares and no person gazed upon the many items up for sale. All was quiet.....

But then, on the center facing part of the street, a faint clinking noise could be heard. Slowly, it grew louder and louder,the sound of metal on metal. As the sound progressed, a faint light slowly appeared. It too grew larger with every passing second. Now, the soft thud of footsteps was heard, the heavy clunk of a grown man burdened by the days load, or armor.

At a corner of Silver and Gold, the light climaxed. At it's center was a torch. And wrapped around the torch was the gauntlet of a warrior. An armored warrior. A Kievan Warrior. This man wore chain mail and studded leather. He carried a cruel mace of steel. He rounded the corner and was followed by another similarly dressed man. And another. And another. This continued until 21 men stood in the street.

The men fanned out around a large store. It had windows full of gold and silver, spice and silk. Above the shop window was a sign. Venetian Trade and Exchange.

Grasping his mace, our man walked up to the window. It was expensive glass, very rare and hard to obtain. He raised his army and with a mighty stroke shattered the glass window. He , followed by his peers, entered the building. They threw their torches down, and went upstairs.

Our man, bold and brave, went first. At the top of the stairs was an elderly Venetian with a sword. He could barely lift it. The Kievan helped him drop it. With a thrust of his mace, the warrior shattered the elder's head, imploding it. Red brain matter flew everywhere.

The man's cooling corpse dropped to the ground and rolled down the stairs, thump after thump towards the growing inferno. Wiping his mace on his jerkin, our man continued into the living area.

He entered a room and saw a sleeping baby. It posed not a threat and he ignored it. In the next room was a teenage girl. She huddled in the corner, shivering in fear under her shift. He grabbed her and slit her throat with his knife. Blood gushed from the wound in a fountain. Likewise, a terribe shriek was made mas air escaped through the hole.

Satisfied that all was dead, the man left the house shop. Behind him, the isolated house truly began to burn in earnest.

All over Byzantium, Venetian homes and shops were burned and goods taken. The Venetians were killed or enslaved. SO ended the great Venetian trade monopoly in Greece.