Roleplay of the World 1252 (IC, Open)

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

On the western walls of Carthage, the first wave of attack was beaten back by the unexpected Kievan archer barrage. Quickly, the troops came running back to the Almohad camp, and the caliph consulted his generals. The assault of the catapults continued relentlessly, however, smashing the tops of the turrets and causing increasing collateral damage, if not casualties.

In the naval front, the Almohad fleet had passed through Carthaginian territory without incident, arriving close to the docks of Carthage, though no attack was made. Instead, a close watch was kept on the Kievan trade ships and the petit Carthaginian navy still docked.

[Reatra]

The Province of Lorraine



His Lordship Riley I ate his oatmeal quickly, he was excited to finally be "crowned" Lord of Lorraine. He put just a very small pinch of extremely expensive cinnamon.

Riley's father, Alexander I, had unified Upper and Lower Lorraine. He had sensed that the feudal system was going downhill and used this to his advantage. This inspired other powerful provinces to absorb smaller states. Riley expected to expand on this concept, but, being only 19 years of age but a proven leader, he had a few selfish things to do also.

But his main wish was to make Lorraine the center for European culture and science. He loved science, mainly biology, and wanted to build a massive University in Metz, the Capital city.

Metz is a rather big city, at least for it's surroundings. With a population of 89000 French and German citizens, it was the center for overland trade.

But now, he had to be crowned, and give a speech.

[Reatra]

"DO YOU, my people, think that my father made a wrong decision uniting Lorraine?" Riley asked.

"NOOO!!!" The crowd responded. He was stalling, waiting for that amazing speech to come to him, he knew it was in there.

"Lorraine, it will be the greatest of the Holy States, the other Provinces have started to follow us, but we have started first. We will be the victor, this..." He trailed off.

He spoke for many more minutes. He finished his speech
"Holy Heavenly Father, that you that's over!"

He then went into his room in his Palace, which wasn't much more then a renovated Keep, and studied as much as he could, he would need to prove himself.

[Lenciland]

Venice, Republic of Venice
"Most Serene Doge we have received a letter of confirmation that the port has been completed," Dominico Faliero a member of one of the Great Families and a man in charge of construction said.

"Good we can begin construction of a fleet of trade ships,"Serene Doge Contarini replied.

The republic was a merchant state that has the three greatest merchant families rule of the republic. They focused on making money not expansion and were beginning to set up the merchant posts and ships. Fifty ships were being built to transport goods and money. Now Venice is constructing trade posts in many areas around the Gulf of Venice.

To the Papal States:
We would like to participate in the crusade but we cannot provide troops. We can provide funds to the armies and infrastructure. We would also like a trade agreement.
From Serene Doge Giuseppe Contarini of the Serene Republic of Venice.

To the Council of Pisa:
We would like trade agreement with you.
From the Serene Doge of the Republic of Venice.

[Grand Duchy of Nardin]

Once again, Otto felt troubled. Yes, he always seemed to have a whole mess of troubles and woes. Despite the good news that his army had just set sail for Carthage, he had also heard that there was a new power rising in the west. That power was Lorraine. He had never liked that Alexander, but he had no reason to be worried about him. Now his son, this Riley, little more than a boy, had just been crowned king. With youth sometimes, most times in fact, comes ambition, an ambition to extend power. He must keep an eye, nay, two eyes on his movements from this moment forward. He looked over at his favorite page, Martin.

"Martin! Would you be so kind as to send for Malcolm?"

The boy's eyes went wide, and his face went a little pale when he heard this. But he quickly ran out of the room to find the spy that his uncle sought. A few minutes later a tall, muscular man dressed in black entered the room.

"Y' sent for me, your majesty?"

"Yes, Malcolm. I have a mission for you, but it needs to be kept a complete secret and it could be dangerous."

The man gave a slight smile. "Sir, you know I'd never decline a mission, no matter how difficult."

"Now, now, I don't doubt your abilities. Have you heard about the coronation in Lorraine? You have? Well, I'd like you to take a few of your best men and infiltrate the country. Find out what kind of man the new king is. Also, I want to know what he plans to do; especially if he's aggressive or passive. Report back to me every month. Your pay will be the same as always. And one more thing, I want no killings, no assassinations, and no thievery!"

The spy just smiled again, nodded slightly, and left. Otto sat back, confident that the task was in quite capable hands.

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

Carthage, Tunisia

The soliders had been called back. Any direct assault would be foolish at this point, the caliph knew this. Instead, he ordered all catapults cease firing. Those inside the walls were surprised at the silence. It didn't last. The caliph ordered all catapults aim for the weakest point in the wall, a small section that had been partly damaged up top by previous catapult fire. Suddenly, an unceasing volley of rocks and stones were hurled into the wall. No one had noticed, but a small crack had begun to appear.

And with the last catapult resting behind him, the caliph ordered the body of a nearby villager who had died of illness be sent over the walls. With any luck, those inside would be dead by the end of the week.

[Liecthenbourg]

Venice, Republic of Venice
"Most Serene Doge we have received a letter of confirmation that the port has been completed," Dominico Faliero a member of one of the Great Families and a man in charge of construction said.

"Good we can begin construction of a fleet of trade ships,"Serene Doge Contarini replied.

The republic was a merchant state that has the three greatest merchant families rule of the republic. They focused on making money not expansion and were beginning to set up the merchant posts and ships. Fifty ships were being built to transport goods and money. Now Venice is constructing trade posts in many areas around the Gulf of Venice.

To the Papal States:
We would like to participate in the crusade but we cannot provide troops. We can provide funds to the armies and infrastructure. We would also like a trade agreement.
From Serene Doge Giuseppe Contarini of the Serene Republic of Venice.

To the Council of Pisa:
We would like trade agreement with you.
From the Serene Doge of the Republic of Venice.

To Serene Doge Giuseppe Contarini of the Serene Republic of Venice
From His Holiness, Pope Gregory of Scotland.
I understand your troubles with raising an army for the Crusade, however, perhaps along with the funds you could send a portion of the Venetian Fleet to assist in it?

Jerusalem, The Holy Land
Grand Master Henri of the Templars, had finished reading over the letter sent to him by the Papacy.
"So, the Pope wishes for us to..." he began summarising the letter "This can be done, we shall await here for our Teutonic brethren"

Antioch, The Holy Land
Grand Master Frederick of the Teutonic Order chuckled, despite being so far from home, he enjoyed his time in the Holy Land. So when the call to arms came, he was overjoyed.
"Ready the men" he told one of his "brothers" soon, we fight"
"At once brother" the man then left and began doing his appointed task.

[The imperial canadian dutchy]

Carthaginian walls, Carthage
Immediately after the retreat of the Muslims troops the Carthaginian Arab Archers have started barraging the Arabs with fire arrows and Javelins from the Legionaries, The White Legion had taken the brunt of the attack and had suffered quite few casualties for the amount of men charging thanks to their discipline and strength of arms. Currently the Emperor in his Black iron armour and his helmet with not only the Roman Horse hair crest but an Iron crown ((Traditionally worn by the kings of Charlemagnas Italy Ie. Pippin the Short))The Men were inspired by his presence and their morale was greatly improved, knowing that their emperor will fight along side the common soldier and die with them if necessary.

The Black legion with their Engineer Corps soon visited the base of the wall to make repairs and Makeshift lodgings for Kievan Officers , they sealed the cracks on the interior with cement brought by carts.

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

For days the catalpults continued. The crack became wider and wider. But still, no progress was made. The troops had become restless. Perhaps Allah didn't want Carthage to be taken? Perhaps we had offended him in some way? Whispers spread amongst the ranks. Talks of mutiny, even. The caliph needed a miracle.

And it came, in the dead of night. The catapults were given large wads of tattered clothes, doused in oil, then set a flame. They were tossed into the city, setting fire to what they came across.

The next phase was to aim them at the docks, an arduous task, sending the balls of flame into the wooden docks, causing fire to spread. Even when doused in water, the flame continued, kept alive by the oil. Word was given to the navy which launched its attack against the Kievans and Carthaginians, in hopes of preventing them from reaching the docks and tending to the fire.


That's when, when the moon was highest in the sky, the assault began. Tens of ladders, held by many noble peasants, pushed forth to the outer walls. The entire Almohad force surged to the western front, with the balls of inferno still being sent into the city. A good 400,000 men came to the walls, climbing the ladders.

[Elerian]

For days the catalpults continued. The crack became wider and wider. But still, no progress was made. The troops had become restless. Perhaps Allah didn't want Carthage to be taken? Perhaps we had offended him in some way? Whispers spread amongst the ranks. Talks of mutiny, even. The caliph needed a miracle.

And it came, in the dead of night. The catapults were given large wads of tattered clothes, doused in oil, then set a flame. They were tossed into the city, setting fire to what they came across.

The next phase was to aim them at the docks, an arduous task, sending the balls of flame into the wooden docks, causing fire to spread. Even when doused in water, the flame continued, kept alive by the oil. Word was given to the navy which launched its attack against the Kievans and Carthaginians, in hopes of preventing them from reaching the docks and tending to the fire.


That's when, when the moon was highest in the sky, the assault began. Tens of ladders, held by many noble peasants, pushed forth to the outer walls. The entire Almohad force surged to the western front, with the balls of inferno still being sent into the city. A good 400,000 men came to the walls, climbing the ladders.

There were nearly 3 dozen ladders ready to be used to scale the walls and numerous cracks, splits and massive dents all throughout the eastern portion of the wall as the catapults had been slamming them for the past few weeks. Even though there was much to be happy about there was still an air of defeat that was spreading among the ranks. Already over a hundred men had abandoned their posts and deserted. But they didnt get far their bodies lined the outer perimeter warding off any attempts at deserting as this would be what would happen if they tried to. Even with these measures Al Adil knew that if they weren't able to break the defenses the men would go in droves to large to hunt down. So when all hope seemed lost a murmur spread that the Almohads were already on the walls and taking them. This spread and the men got extremely restless almost to the point that they stole the ladders and launched their own assault. So the ladders had to be locked and guarded against further thefts. Al Adil soon learned that the Almohads hadnt yet reached the walls but they were close.

All along the walls men surged forth holding ladders, weapons and large defensive shields to guard the men's advance. Over 50,000 men were involved in this concentrated attack as they cam in waves climbing after the wave before it.

[The imperial canadian dutchy]

Walls of Carthage, Carthage, Southron roman Empire,

The Emperor saw the latters go up against the walls, and as quickly as he saw them men started pouring off the ladders into his white legion, He ordered a charge and called for long sticks with a almost scythe like blade at the end, he would use this to push the ladders away from the walls and sent its climbers to their dooms, But first his men had to defeat the first wave. The soldiers classes with their short swords great for this environment, using their shields to Push the Enemy of the wall, it seemed like the battle would last forever.

And then the gates of Carthage open to the Arab camp, the Greatest Black legion charged forth from the gate striking at the latters with all of their might crashing shield and sword into the enemy, viciously striking the latters with their axes and swords. While the Black legion attacked from the bottom the White legion continued to push against the enemy.

[The Holy Dominion of Inesea]

Carthage, Imperial Remnant

Ivan swung his mace overhead and bought it crashing down on the unarmored head of a Almohaden Sodier. The poor man had not a scrap of armor on him, and only a spear on his back. It made Ivan almost sad to kill him. Removing his mace from the now dead man's head, he grasped the ladder and pushed, sending it and the many flailing attackers crashing down unto the horde below. From the eerie light cast by burning pitch at the base of the walls, he could see that many thousands of Muslims awaited below.

To his left, a arrow took out a Carthaginian, as an archer borne on a ladder rose up. Ivan threw his right mace into his opponent's chest, impaling it on him. As the ladder crashed into the wall, the Almohaden's limp body was propelled over. Ivan snatched his mace from him before he fell. Turning back to the ladder, he again pushed it back, this time with the help of another soldier, over the side.

All across the line, Kievan soldiers, well armed and armored, slaughtered the attacking Almohadens. But there were so many, and so few Kievans.

Likewise, Archer blocks kept firing volley after volley down into the swarm.

Blue Harbor

20 or so Enneres joined the fray between Carthaginian and Almohaden. They stayed off a but and launched volleys of deadly Coal-Sulfur into the enemy ships. These broke and started a slow burn similar to Greek fire.

Lake of Tunis

10 Skei Longships coasted silently along the lake shore, towards the Almohaden Camp. When word had been received that the entire, or almost all of the enemy host was engaged, Yargov ordered a raid on their camp. Upon arriving at the near empty camp, the 1,000 Longshipmen disembarked and went to prime targets. Besides slaughtering the camp followers upon meeting them, the longshipmen burned supplies and tents. Food was a priority and was the first thing destroyed. And just as quickly as they came, they left, leaving a growing inferno where a camp once was.

[Alleniana]

"Look there!"
"I see it!"
The Pisan ships were soon to land, however, it appeared that Carthage was about to fall. Hundreds of thousands of men attacked its walls. Such a mass of men was simply... amazing. They began to move towards the harbour, all except one...

This single ship sailed closer to the shore, and landed near the camp. From it disembarked a multitude of light horsemen. They bore large jugs attached to their horses. The few men in the camp noticed them, as would be expected, and soon realized them as enemies.

These horsemen charged through the camp. Opening their containers, they galloped through the entire, massive sprawling complex. Clear liquid ran in trails through the dust of the entire camp after some time spent running about and spilling it everywhere. They eventually all ran back to the ship which had come closer just to pick them back up, and all their oil was spent. As they were about to leave, one threw a torch onto the ground, and it all lit on flame, quickly spreading and torching everywhere the oils had been spilt.

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

In the Blue Harbor, the heat was intense. fire was seemingly being ignited by the air itself, and the Almohad archers took advantage of the Kievan sulfur, firing the ignited arrows into the ships, setting them ablaze before all of the sulfur and been used. The trade ships weren't as armed as could be, being trade ships, and the Almohads made their way to the Carthaginians, boarding when possible. Several mishaps were made, and one blazing Almohad ship collided into the harbor, setting part of it aflame. Coupled with the oil on board, the wooden docks began to burn like a dry bush.

In the city, the camp had been forsaken for a full assault on the walls. Though many men were being shot down like flies are swatted, the ladders held true, dug into the sand and angled to lean against the walls. For every Almohad troop that met his death at the hand of a Kievan ax, three more sprang up to take his place. A large boulder was launched from one of the catapults, thankfully reaching one of the ledges of the wall, smashing it, and allowing the Almohads some brief respite into solidifying their position on the southwestern wall side. Slowly but surely, the the troops began to pour onto the top, though cut off from the fighting on one side. They began the push into the eastern side, where the Ayyubids had been engaging the defenses there.

The biggest opportunity, however, was the gates that had been opened. A massive push was made to the gates, with the weaker, lightly armored men going into the fray first, wearing down the elite Carthaginian troops. Because the gates opened outward, closing them now was something of an impossibility. The Almohads made it their top priority to keep the gates open, the Black Legion being picked off one by one.

[Valentir]

Akurdet, Yemen Kingdom

"Charge!" Hundreds of soldiers yelled as they ran through the gates of Akurdet. Archers fired arrows at the Yemen defenders. Emperor Assab sat on his horse as he watched his army surround the city. Ladders were set on the walls and thousands of men climbed the ladders. The defenders would be overwhelmed by the Ethiopian numbers. 100,000 against 15,000, the Ethiopians were sure to win. The ethiopian cavalry charged through the gates with the spearmen and headed to the market square. Hundreds of Yemeni soldiers fell as the Ethiopian man charged and showed them no mercy. Catapults pounded the walls and tower after tower fell to the ethiopian army. All around the city fighting ensued. The Governor of the city hid in his little palace while he sent his entire force to try and defend the city. It was a futile attempt. For hours and hours fighting continued. The city burned and mass looting by the ethiopian army ensued. For the next 8 hours the city of Akurdet was in total chaos. The Yemeni army butchered and the city sacked of all wealth and food. The armories were sacked and the weapons and armour was used to help arm the ethiopian army. Assab and his soldiers rode through the city as victors. The ethiopian losses were around 6000 and the yemeni losses were about 7000 with the rest taken prisoner. Assab made up for his losses by calling in 5000 soldiers of the standing army he left back in Ethiopia. Assab took up residence in the Governor's old palace and planned his next battle with the Yemeni. With Akurdet down his next target was Keren, home of the treasury of the Yemeni Kingdom. With the Yemeni armies main supply base gone and a large arsenal of weapons now under the use of his army the 10,000 Yemeni at Heren would fall. When the 5000 men from Ethiopia arrived his army set out for Heren marching through the desert oasis to oasis. The fall of Yemen was now.

[Alleniana]

The ships docked at the piers, and then, after unloading, undocked and sailed off to further from the harbour as defense. There were too many for it to support all at once. All the troops were pouring out of the vessels, and the men who had come out were all being quickly rushed to the walls to reinforce and freshen up the ailing defenders. The attackers had massive, if very inexperienced and badly supplied manpower which was being flung at the walls, and a man within the walls was worth tens without, if the quality of them was considered.

The Bavarian and Pisan men were all told to move to the defense quickly. Meanwhile, women and idle sailors carried supplies and helped out with other things, such as the wounded. Many projectiles and weapons were carried to the walls to help their defense.

[Elerian]

Seeing that the Almohads sent men to engage the Black legion the Ayyubids split off a further 12,000 men from the camp to charge. These men were the cream of the crop the best that the Ayyubids had to offer. With some skirmishers sent in first to wear down the legion then behind them the elite men to back them up. Along with that 500 of Mohamed's personal cavalry guard that would head the charge into the Black legion. Hopefully this would be enough to get through.

Some of the ladders had been chopped up or thrown away but the men persisted and slowly but surely gained ground. Meter after meter they fought bravely to the death. Pushing to the gatehouse and their allies across the way.

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

The Almohads that had taken the southeastern portion of the first wall had stabilized their position, allowing a steady flow of troops to the top. They began lifting jugs of hot oil to their position, tossing it on the Black Legion troops below. A concentrated effort was made to get to the inside wall, and the push turned to shove.

[The imperial canadian dutchy]

OOC: For fucks sake stop naming my Harbours Inesea! ))
Black legion

The Black legion was surrounded and out numbered, slowly but surly taking significant causalities, but the Ayyubid charging of spearmen with cavalry was a poor decision and was met with a huge loss for the horsemen, The black legion now all was fighting for the gate carving a Bloody line through the Elite and Untrained troops pushing almost to the gatehouse, They now stood their ground and went in to a Phalanx position the 9,000 men left, defended themselves against the hordes of heathens coming at them.

Walls

The Emperor shouted to his men to fight harder while slashing a Ayyubids Soldiers scalp off, and then landing a long slash on another's chest, His Legions reserves at the back threw their javelins into the horde and the infantry slowly started to push back against the Horde inflicting many Causalities,

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

OOC: For fucks sake stop naming my Harbours Inesea! ))
Black legion

The Black legion was surrounded and out numbered, slowly but surly taking significant causalities, but the Ayyubid charging of spearmen with cavalry was a poor decision and was met with a huge loss for the horsemen, The black legion now all was fighting for the gate carving a Bloody line through the Elite and Untrained troops pushing almost to the gatehouse, They now stood their ground and went in to a Phalanx position the 9,000 men left, defended themselves against the hordes of heathens coming at them.

Walls

The Emperor shouted to his men to fight harder while slashing a Ayyubids Soldiers scalp off, and then landing a long slash on another's chest, His Legions reserves at the back threw their javelins into the horde and the infantry slowly started to push back against the Horde inflicting many Causalities,

Boiling cooking oil was poured on the Emperor, who foolishly wore his regal attire.

[The imperial canadian dutchy]

OOC: For fucks sake stop naming my Harbours Inesea! ))
Black legion

The Black legion was surrounded and out numbered, slowly but surly taking significant causalities, but the Ayyubid charging of spearmen with cavalry was a poor decision and was met with a huge loss for the horsemen, The black legion now all was fighting for the gate carving a Bloody line through the Elite and Untrained troops pushing almost to the gatehouse, They now stood their ground and went in to a Phalanx position the 9,000 men left, defended themselves against the hordes of heathens coming at them.

Walls

The Emperor shouted to his men to fight harder while slashing a Ayyubids Soldiers scalp off, and then landing a long slash on another's chest, His Legions reserves at the back threw their javelins into the horde and the infantry slowly started to push back against the Horde inflicting many Causalities,

Boiling cooking oil was poured on the Emperor, who foolishly wore his regal attire.

((Idoit read like 2nd last post from now

[Elerian]

OOC: For fucks sake stop naming my Harbours Inesea! ))
Black legion

The Black legion was surrounded and out numbered, slowly but surly taking significant causalities, but the Ayyubid charging of spearmen with cavalry was a poor decision and was met with a huge loss for the horsemen, The black legion now all was fighting for the gate carving a Bloody line through the Elite and Untrained troops pushing almost to the gatehouse, They now stood their ground and went in to a Phalanx position the 9,000 men left, defended themselves against the hordes of heathens coming at them.

Walls

The Emperor shouted to his men to fight harder while slashing a Ayyubids Soldiers scalp off, and then landing a long slash on another's chest, His Legions reserves at the back threw their javelins into the horde and the infantry slowly started to push back against the Horde inflicting many Causalities,

Al Adil mounted the wall himself surrounded by the best 30 men he could find and charged the emperor. He was easily distinguished and along with his small retinue he told all others to charge for him.
"All Muslims if you kill that man it will end this bloodshed once and for all Carthage will once again be one with Islam!!!"
With that he and his men charged into the fray.

[The Holy Dominion of Inesea]

Blue Harbor

Of the twenty Enneres engaged, two were ablaze, but the crews were working to stop the flame. Jars of Sulfur-Coal were still being hurled at the opposing Almohadens. Any attempt to douse by water simply spread the flaming substance. The larger Carthaginian force was also paying havoc on the Almohadens, but taking their blows as well. For know it was a slugfest between the two fleets. The Kievan Commodore was content to launch only projectiles at the ships.

South Western Wall

"For Kiev!"

The battle cry echoed along the top of the wall, where some 400 Mace and Axemen rallied. While the Black Legion suffered below, duking it out with an elite Ayyubid force. Meanwhile, the Carthaginians along this portion of the wall and gatehouse had all but collapsed. However, Commander Ivan had rallied a group of 400 Kievans and was leading a counter assault from friendly walls.

Ivan and his men rushed the Almohadens, who, focused on lifting oil jars, were caught unprepared. With a dual opposite swing clubbing by his two maces, Ivan killed an Almohaden. The line used to lift the oil was dropped and the jar crashed unto the ground below, spewing oil into the flame, feeding a hungry beast.

Hacking and slashing, bashing and clubbing, the Kievan troops fought their way along the wall. The narrow rapart made for single combat, something the Kievans excelled at. The charge rallied some more men along the wall and in the Bailey between the walls.

Bailey

After making it back to the city, the raiding Company joined up with the current rest rotating company and two archer blocks. The nearly 3,000 man Kievan Force had hurried to get to the Bailey, where it was rumored a break had occurred. And woe be told, it had. The Carthaginian Black Legion was being overwhelmed, and the South Western Gatehouse was overrun. But a dedicated yet small Kievan force was pushhing to regain the gatehouse. The formation moved into battle position, some 2,000 Axemen and Mace wielders and 1,000 bowmen in an arc with the bowman in the center.

The unit cmmoved to reinforce the Black Legion, the archers picking off Almohadens in the walls and the infantry filling in for the dead.

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

Several others began running down the south of the wall, looking for an unoccupied section to begin crossing. The Almohads began pulling their ladders up the walls to connect with the inner wall as a bridge. Though precariously balanced, they met the second wall, and they began to climb across the gap.

In the sea, the Almohads were making their push to the center of the docks. Flames were everywhere, as was the smoke, and they made their cover from the inferno.

[Mauretania Tingitana (Ancient)]

Seeing the large gap between the walls, the Almohads instead began descending the steps into the courtyard, flanking the Black Legion from the side. They were now being pushed from the front and left (my right) side, as Almohads flooded the courtyard, running to bring their ladders to the second wall.