i don't really know how to preface thing but I just tried recently released Gods and Kings mod and felt like writing about my game even ifnit doesnt make sese.
It is 1444 AD, the once upstart kingdom of Ayutthaya went into downward spiral as succession crisis broke out. The Khmer Kingdom saw this as an invitation to asserts dominance and supported the Uthong child king, but dropped the pretense as soon as the Suphanburi elite promise to be tributary. The Uthong were forced out of Chao Phraya heartland and moved south. It was during this time of chaos that low-life merc named Ram rose through the rank as his superiors kept dying. Eventunally betraying Thong Lan and ordained himself as Ramkhamhaeng(Ram the Bold) Songtham(Righteous) of Ratchaburi(City of King).
The Story as told by hustorian.
The Self-Made King.
Decrepit fool attempting a comeback.
The Forsaken King.
Prince gone mad.
Historians often attribute the success of early Songtham state to three factors below.
Firstly, the Songtham sees ally as expendable asset rather than someone they have obligation to. They are ready to befriend foe and antagonize ally as soon as it benefit their goal. As long as they are strong enough to enforce their authority, no action could be taken against them. The fate suffered by the Khun Lo King of Mae Nam who were mercilessly trampled by elephant in the aftermath of Ratchaburi's campaign for Sukhothai, another ally of Khun Lo.
Secondly, The Ruler of Ratchaburi ruler are often a risk-taker. Not afraid to put their nation into heavy debts if, ironically, it get them a land so rich that they would never get bankrupt.
Lastly, not something exclusive to the Ratchaburi kingdom as mainstream history would led you to believe. The Elephant Cavalry of Muang Thai. It was due to the risktaker mindset of the Songtham ruler that made them overutilized their elephants in warfare and simply overpowering every other armies in the region.
Interestingly enough, the begrudged Khmer overlord was the last overwhelming enemy the Songtham faced in their quests for Thai Unification. Their very first foe was Pagan Kingdom which happen to support the Petchaburi clique and marched through Sadhuim, prompting the emergency Mon-Thai alliance.
The Songtham Army decimating Burmese hosg at Mrauk U, cementing Mon-Thai Alliance for the year to come.
The Mad Prince attempted to covet Petchaburi but his meager muslim auxilaries force fell flat to experienced cavalry force.
It was during the war with Sukhothai that King Ramkhamhaeng denounced all nobility and brahmin for their treachery against people of Siam and proclaimed House of Songtham as divine protector by the disenfrenchined clergy
The Khun Lo and Phra Ruang were the first example upon the traitor of Siam how harsh Songtham's vengance could be. As described by ,Famous Pagan Poet, Minye Swa. "The Thai noble were pushed from the cliff of Phra Bang and the Laotian's leg were tied with a rock as they sunk into the depth of Mekong, meeting their naga ancestor in the watery palace"
Despite the seemingly cruel act committed by Ramkhamhaeng, his campaign was always full of auspicious sign. As seen in the painting of him receiving the Emerald Buddha by the angel disguised as mere footsoldier crawling out of Chiang Mai palace's debris.
Dishearteningly, this aquisition of Holy relic is followed by what the uneducated mass called "Emerald curse", an unexplainable phenomena where our most talented advisor became irrational and ended up dead. The Sangha explained that since the Songtham bloodline is so pure and heavenly, those who assist them ended up dying out of virtue fulfillment, achieving nirvana and allowing other talented advisor a chance of nirvana.
Regrettably, this also apply to Ramkhamhaeng's first son, dying valiantly in the battle against the khmer despot. Hao's death wasn't in vain however, as his army fervently clashed against the khmer long enough for Ramkhamhaeng to heroically save the day and push the Khmer out of Chao Phraya valley for good!
And thus, the conquering spree of Ramkhamhaeng ended.
It is 1444 AD, the once upstart kingdom of Ayutthaya went into downward spiral as succession crisis broke out. The Khmer Kingdom saw this as an invitation to asserts dominance and supported the Uthong child king, but dropped the pretense as soon as the Suphanburi elite promise to be tributary. The Uthong were forced out of Chao Phraya heartland and moved south. It was during this time of chaos that low-life merc named Ram rose through the rank as his superiors kept dying. Eventunally betraying Thong Lan and ordained himself as Ramkhamhaeng(Ram the Bold) Songtham(Righteous) of Ratchaburi(City of King).
The Story as told by hustorian.
The Self-Made King.
Decrepit fool attempting a comeback.
The Forsaken King.
Prince gone mad.
Historians often attribute the success of early Songtham state to three factors below.
Firstly, the Songtham sees ally as expendable asset rather than someone they have obligation to. They are ready to befriend foe and antagonize ally as soon as it benefit their goal. As long as they are strong enough to enforce their authority, no action could be taken against them. The fate suffered by the Khun Lo King of Mae Nam who were mercilessly trampled by elephant in the aftermath of Ratchaburi's campaign for Sukhothai, another ally of Khun Lo.
Secondly, The Ruler of Ratchaburi ruler are often a risk-taker. Not afraid to put their nation into heavy debts if, ironically, it get them a land so rich that they would never get bankrupt.
Lastly, not something exclusive to the Ratchaburi kingdom as mainstream history would led you to believe. The Elephant Cavalry of Muang Thai. It was due to the risktaker mindset of the Songtham ruler that made them overutilized their elephants in warfare and simply overpowering every other armies in the region.
Interestingly enough, the begrudged Khmer overlord was the last overwhelming enemy the Songtham faced in their quests for Thai Unification. Their very first foe was Pagan Kingdom which happen to support the Petchaburi clique and marched through Sadhuim, prompting the emergency Mon-Thai alliance.
The Songtham Army decimating Burmese hosg at Mrauk U, cementing Mon-Thai Alliance for the year to come.
The Mad Prince attempted to covet Petchaburi but his meager muslim auxilaries force fell flat to experienced cavalry force.
It was during the war with Sukhothai that King Ramkhamhaeng denounced all nobility and brahmin for their treachery against people of Siam and proclaimed House of Songtham as divine protector by the disenfrenchined clergy
The Khun Lo and Phra Ruang were the first example upon the traitor of Siam how harsh Songtham's vengance could be. As described by ,Famous Pagan Poet, Minye Swa. "The Thai noble were pushed from the cliff of Phra Bang and the Laotian's leg were tied with a rock as they sunk into the depth of Mekong, meeting their naga ancestor in the watery palace"
Despite the seemingly cruel act committed by Ramkhamhaeng, his campaign was always full of auspicious sign. As seen in the painting of him receiving the Emerald Buddha by the angel disguised as mere footsoldier crawling out of Chiang Mai palace's debris.
Dishearteningly, this aquisition of Holy relic is followed by what the uneducated mass called "Emerald curse", an unexplainable phenomena where our most talented advisor became irrational and ended up dead. The Sangha explained that since the Songtham bloodline is so pure and heavenly, those who assist them ended up dying out of virtue fulfillment, achieving nirvana and allowing other talented advisor a chance of nirvana.
Regrettably, this also apply to Ramkhamhaeng's first son, dying valiantly in the battle against the khmer despot. Hao's death wasn't in vain however, as his army fervently clashed against the khmer long enough for Ramkhamhaeng to heroically save the day and push the Khmer out of Chao Phraya valley for good!
And thus, the conquering spree of Ramkhamhaeng ended.
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