1204: The Path of The Letts

[Narvait]

***
Norway was ruled by Torstein of House Ynglings. He was not the greatest ruler of once famous and still legendary dynasty - 31 years old craven, frail, excommunicated and arbitrary. But he was holding the second most land in the North, second to Estonia. And Andris wanted it all. Therefore an Invasion previously granted by Rome was called. The military resistance was non-existant, since gold of Republic could easily pay for 9,000 mercenaries to add to 6,000 retinues. Yet in a desperate diplomatic move using allies within Estonia, Norwegians managed to make Pope excommunicate Andris.

***
Ezerpils Council. Round table.
"Pope has agreed to lift excommunication," told Chancellor, "but we must reinstate Papal Investiture."
"How much would that cost us?" asked Prince Mayor Andris.
"Your soul's immortality is priceless!" said Bishop Steiguts.
"Steigut, I was talking to Steward," explained Prince Mayor, "How much?"
"A lot, we wou..." started Jekabs the Steward.
"Enough, we are not doing it," stated Andris
"Prince Mayor," Marshall raised hand with a worry in his look.
"Yes, Bjorn?"
"We are in a middle of war with Norway, we would not be able to fight two fronts, should anyone attack" explained Bjorn the Marshall, "besides Torstein of Norway has inherited Scotland, so it may become a bit more problematic"
"OK, fair enough! See Steigut, we are saving my soul! It is priceless." concluded Andris.

***
Battle of Trondheim marked an end to the war. Torstein surrendered and all of Norway became part of all of Estonia. Every Christian lord suddenly felt endangered by growing power of the Republic and joined in a Defensive Pact. And yet it was not enough. Pope and other lords would still not recognize Andris as an Emperor of Winterfell. A long wait started. Some historians say that Andris' rule was a terror, but that is far from truth. Yes, several Patricians died:
Toiv (carriage)
Hoimulemb (snake)
Tambet (excommunicated, imprisoned, beheaded)
Raho (wine)
Ihar (first intimidated, then explosion)
Ahas (balcony)
But only a mad man would consider Andris responsible for all of them. Surely those were done by foreigners to destabilize situation in the Republic. Estonia was surrounded by enemies and only a good Christian godfather Andris could save it.

***
Born under auspicious stars! His wife gave birth to Pavels Kerstigens. And even more luck heading our way with old cursed ring Andvaranaut destroyed.
Now we need to survive for Emperorship or else little Pavels would have to finish his father's work.

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Closer and closer to becoming an empire. Love the quick turnaround on Andris' excommunication.

 

[stnylan]

Sometimes it is not worth fighting the church

 

[Narvait]

**TAVERN UNDER THE OAK**

Tavern "Under The Oak" near Kuldiga town was a familiar place to hunters of Kurzeme region. It was located next to forests rich with game, and many hunters before or after the hunt were spending hours drinking mead and beer in a good company.
A rider approached the tavern. He jumped from a horse, threw some coins to a boy to take care of his horse and entered the tavern. It was his lucky day, Prince Mayor's table was occupied and merry, Andris himself was drinking celebrating a great hunt - deer with huge antlers.
"Bjorn, my dear Marshall!" Andris invited the rider to join the table and shout to the waitress, "beer for my boy Bjorn!"
"Good news Prince Mayor! Dyre has left the defensive pact," Bjorn explained his visit.
"Sweden is at our mercy then. Declare the war!" commanded Prince Mayor, "not today, no rush; today we drink, look at those antlers, what a male! Tomorrow.. go tomorrow, declare war, prepare them Swiss boys for campaign!"

***
Casus Belli was a good one - Andris' vassal count Torstein would make a better duke of Smaland than his cousin vassal of Dyre. Military wise, pockets of Republic were so deep that no country near Baltics had a chance alone. King Dyre of Sweden got crushed decisively.
In a great ceremony Andris was crowned a Grand Prince of new Principality. Ziemgale - Latvian for Winterfell. With help of the Vatican and under guidance of House Kerstigens a Catholic Empire was created in North. Branches of Kerstigens got installed as hereditary kings of Lapland and Finland. Crowns of Norway, Estonia and Lithuania stayed with Grand Republic.

***
With the success of Ziemgale and Kerstigens there were no doubts St Daniel indeed was a Saint. Piligrims from near and far visited Ezerpils where remains of St Daniel were, and also Vanema where St Daniel's statue was built. In Vanema a new camp was created that would turn into a city (new holding slot).

***
The future seemed bright but the heir. Young Pavels was a major headache to Grand Prince. Bastard from an unknown girl? Nah, that was alright, Kerstigens were all lustful and made sex to all things moving. Be them their own wives or wives of their dynasts. No, the problem was of religious character.
Pavels showed no interest in Bible. Holy See had helped House Kerstigens so much, and Kerstigens had helped the See. But Pavels seemed to show no respect. Growing up as a Grey Eminence he found a way to other people, and even managed to marry a princess of Lithuania - Laima Palemonaite ("Dad, this way we legitimize our rule as kings of Lithuania"). With one small nuance - Laima was a Romuva believer. She would sacrifice animals in important occassions ("She is just showing interest in cooking like any good wife should") or bring a burning wood three times around Kerstigens Palace on Christmas ("She is just burning sins so we all become better Christians!"). Pavels could explain away everything. Locally. But what would a Pope say? Sometimes Andris wished he could take his newly created Mace named Foe Hummer and beat them both away from Palace. Few words with Pavels and he calmed down again.

He left for Heaven aged 81. Andris was a sinful person, yet a good Catholic and Godfather of Ziemgale.

Grand Prince is dead, long live Grand Prince!

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

At last, a Principality. Ziemgale, long may she stand! Now we just need Pavels to not mess up.

 

[alscon]

Andris definitely was a successful ruler - may the Grand Principality stand the test of time!

Pavels' cynicism will certainly come in handy if he aims to continue seizing control of the Baltic, as after all there's a powerful landholder there who acts with church backing - his ancestors' old enemy, the Teutons.

 

[Narvait]

Andris definitely was a successful ruler - may the Grand Principality stand the test of time!

Pavels' cynicism will certainly come in handy if he aims to continue seizing control of the Baltic, as after all there's a powerful landholder there who acts with church backing - his ancestors' old enemy, the Teutons.

I actually have not played it out yet. Still thinking of 3 different paths for this, but this time no vote. Protestant (I.e. Waldensian) reformation, back to pagan roots or hold the Catholic faith! Or maybe something else or in between

 

[stnylan]

The only problem about rising so far is that it means that there is a long long way to fall

 

[Narvait]

*CONSPIRACY*

Men in hoods arrived into chamber under St Daniel's Church in Riga. "When shall we do the job?" whispered older voice. "19th of March," answered younger man with Estonian accent, "two years anniversary of that ambitious cynic rule.". "Will do," replied older voice. Younger man shaked hands: "Best of luck! Ziemgale's destiny is in your hands,"

In the very first year in position of Grand Prince, Pavels had declared war against Denmark to help Dyre of Sweden to take back his Crown. That day he visited Ezerpils training camp to show support to Ziemgale's soldiers, but...

Rule of Ziemgale went into hands of Leetoiv "The Monster" of House Turaida. Cruel and ambitious 31 years old Flamboyant Schemer. Also Gregarious, Just and Diligent. He was well posited for a successful rule of the Grand Republic of the North. Both internally and externally. Energetic ruler who would win wars and destroy inner kingdom level titles to centralize power. But Kerstigens House was inherited by Raineri (Rainers) of Italian Branch of Kerstigens.


*NOT PROPER KERSTIGENS*

...long time ago there was a great pagan king Dausprungis of Curonia (aka Dausprunge Rex, Доуспрунг Ламякинович, The Pagan King). Man who had stopped Teutones from Lithuania, menace raider of Ruthenian cities and conqueror of Estonia. Dausprungis had two sons. Oldest son Kerstigens and his youngest brother Lamekins. Kerstigens would Christianize Estonia and become known as Saint Daniel. He would start House Kerstigens who produced many great rulers of future Ziemgale.
Lamekins would also take brother's pagan name as his family name Kerstigens and be married to Countess of Lecce. His son Karlis would become Italian, change his name to Carlo and start the long line of Italian Kerstigens - counts of Lecce, beautiful Mediterranean provice. Technically though they were not descendants of Kerstigens (Daniel).

Rainers was not a direct descendant of Saint Daniel or his descendants who had built the Republic. He was descended directly (even if matrilinearily) only to tribal pagan rulers of Curonia. Patrilineally he was of von Hohenstaufen House, a member of legendary Frederik Barbarossa's bloodline.

Rainers got invited to Ziemgale Court when he was 21. Landless Lamekinids would frequently join Ziemgale court in hope for nice jobs or possibly titles within Grand Republic. Few times they would be considered heirs for Ziemgale until sons of Daniel's line reached adulthood. This time he got lucky. Except he was only Prince of Smaland and Semigallia, not Grand Prince, but time would come. Rainers was interested in his family history and also married Lithuanian girl of Romuva faith.

*IN THE WOODS*

"Young wolves are you ready?" shouted Lithuanian Jaunutis. It was a pagan tradition that young boys would be initiated into men (or proper wolves - hounds of God) via a ceremony in the forests. "Yes, we are," replied youngsters and among them one adult man. They were split into pairs and had to duel to prove themselves. Rainers passed the test and was invited into the Band of Medeina - a union of Romuva sympathizing nobles and fighters.

Rainers despite his Stewardship education was a great warrior.

 

[stnylan]

Note to future rulers: don't get caught in an arrow storm.

 

[alscon]

Those who aren't descended of the Saint can go back to their pagan roots. I guess that Raineri will face quite the opposition, both en route to the Grand Princedom and - should he achieve it - afterward.

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Well, so much for Pavels. Rainers is in a unique position. A Pagan vassal in a Christian Republic his family founded. Does he embrace the faith of his more successful relatives, or keep his ways and try and gain their power while remaining true to himself?

 

[Narvait]

***
“For Ziemgale!” cried commander on his rearing horse and waved the Perkons’ Mace. Men ran at the opponent and battle started. Rainers was always there, on the frontline of the battle on the back of his horse using his mace for bone crushing purposes. He was a commander of Ziemgale, respected by his men, feared by enemies.

Once when fighting back Cuman raiders, Rainers had challenged their Khagan Tugor to the duel. His opponent lost weapon during the battle and ran away cowardly. Rainers laughed out load: “Nomad men are such pussies, wetting their pants in front of Romuva fighter!”. Maybe not the most innovative of rants, Rainers being more of a fighter than a poet. Yet it hit hearts of nomads and soon many duels for blood between Medeina Band and Sky Riders followed. Khan Aepak, a vassal of Tugor, would battle Rainers next.. and die from an injury caused by Perkons’ mace.


***
Leetoiv the Grand Prince of Ziemgale conquered Denmark and Rainers got commanded to Russian front. Ziemgale would help out Vladimir in their battles against different nomads.

“Crusshh!” was the sound of mace against a skull of a Mongol. “Yiihaa,” was the sound of Rainers turning his horse over. “What the feather?” was the sound of his brain when he saw a Mongol rider in rainbow cloth riding to him. Strange, strange robe. Move to avoid attacked, turn the horse, hit with mace, hit, hit, hit! Until that Mongol falls to the ground. Rainers jumped from the horse. “Who are you?” asked Khan Uzur. “I am doing you kindness,” replied Commander and stabbed poor Khan very carefully, to not damage the robe.

A strange letter was received at the Chancelry of Vanema. Mongol Khagan Jebe requested Rainers to return a Ceremonial Robe he gifted to Uzur. Lord Mayor replied:

“Thou art a mongol imp, the damned devil's brother and friend, and a secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight art thou that cannot slay a hedgehog with your naked arse? The devil shits, and your army eats. Thou a son of a b*** wilt not ever take robe from Romuva sons; we have no fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee, go f*** thy mother. Thou art the fool of all the world and underworld, a fool before our Gods, a grandson of the Serpent, and the crick in our d***. Pig's snout, mare's arse, slaughterhouse cur, screw thine own mother! So the Romuvans declare, you lowlife. Thou wilt not even be herding Romuva pigs. Now we shall conclude, for we don't know the date and don't have a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year in the book, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our arse!”
(author's note: I had somewhat adapted an actual historical letter for this, bonus points to the ones who recognized the original)


Mongol Khagan Jebe got pissed off and challenged Rainers to duel. Here they were: a ruler of the mightiest Empire on Earth (Mongols) and Ziemgale’s commander with Perkons’ Mace in his hands. Jebe got killed mercilessly.

To celebrate the victory in the duel a Monument of Perkunas was built in Vanema right next to Daniel’s Forest. Catholic Church was angry, but powerless here under Curonian oaks in the lands of Khagan Slayer.


***
“Leetoiv died and it seems you gonna win elections,” said Gunvaldis the Chancellor of Smaland.
“I don’t want this. I belong here,” replied Rainers.
“And yet you are the most respected of all candidates and must honor the choice of the voters,” replied Gunvaldis.

Legend of Rainers grew. When Leetoiv died, against all odds Romuvan Lord Mayor got elected the Grand Prince of Catholic Grand Republic. He was the first Romuvan ever to rule the Republic.

He also got chosen leader of Medeina Band, a title Rainers appreciated more. His son Kristaps Dausprungis has also joined the Band despite him being a Catholic. Father war real proud. He gathered all the heroes and announced they would leave for the Holy Roman Empire on a legendary journey “...to show them Germans the greatest warriors since Frederic Barbarossa!”

 

[alscon]

Rainers is very much a warrior instead of a merchant prince. But I guess it can't hurt to be rich as well as strong in battle. As a Romuvan surrounded by Catholics, that may be necessary.

And I see that he channeled his inner cossack here .

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

The Khagan, ruler of the Mongol Empire, killed by a duke. That's a blow to pride, but an excellent day for Rainers. He may not like winning the election, but he did earn it.

 

[Captured Joe]

Oh no, seems like the Baltics have fallen to Paganism once again!

Did Raineri also scrub off his babtism in the Daugava river?

 

[Narvait]

Oh no, seems like the Baltics have fallen to Paganism once again!

Did Raineri also scrub off his babtism in the Daugava river?

In Venta river

 

[Captured Joe]

This is what happens when the Swordbrothers aren't around

 

[Narvait]

***
Just before they left for Legendary Journey to the Holy Roman Empire, the Great Garden was finished in Zemgale. It was named after Rainers famous ancestor pagan king - Dausprungis’ Garden.

***
They left together with Gaudimante and fought many battles. Killing two giant men in the HRE tournament. Rainers The Khagan Slayer returned home unbeaten and folk songs would be sung on his adventures and battle skills. It was end of year 1451.

***
Grand Republic of Ziemgale 1452 was a cocktail of different cultures (starting from Lettigalians and Estonians and Russians in the East to Finns and Saami to the North to Swedes, Norwegians, Islanders and Danes to the West and Pomeranians to the South). All of them were Catholics. Even most of recently acquired Lithuanians were baptized. In the Baltic region two great players should cause a great battle for influence upcoming centuries, Grand Republic of Ziemgale against the Teutones Order.

***
Grand Prince was found attending Catholic Church service. In his Diary found years later Rainers wrote the following:
“When I arrived to Baltics and spoke to Romuvans I got fascinated by their beliefs. Their dedication to faith gave me a relief - I was ready to die in a battle and ride into Aizsaule together with my glorious ancestors. My Laima was written in the stars and I was fulfilling it.
But... then I switched to books. I read Peteris Kerstigens “On Sun and Earth” and it turned out there was no Mother Sun or Father Thunder, they were but natural phenomenons. The Magic was lost forever. And nothing would ever fill the emptiness [...]
I feel the new age is coming, new age where we must be united. All of Ziemgale subjects are Catholic, so me too I had returned to Christ may He forgive my sins [...]
After all my choices and findings - I still find joy in Romuvan chants when men and women encircle the fire and sing praises to the Old Gods!”


***
So ends the Path of Letts. From story of Curonians it turned into story of Lamekins, Viba and their children. It was their story or shall I say - their legend!
For every Lettigalian!

THE END

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Ending it with Rainers converting feels only natural, considering how all this began. A good end to a fun story.