Sicily needs to under your thumb, for divided you will fall. Thank you for updating
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That might take more than a few generations. The Muslim hold on the peninsula is still tenuous at best.
Anything that weakens the Romans is certainly good news, but Sicily isn't exactly an ally, more of a friendly rival with the potential to become an enemy...Amazing news for the Emir! Capturing Byzantine provinces in southern Italy is sure to maintain the security of his realm, in addition to a closer connection to Muslim allies in Sicily. Here's hoping it's up and up from here!
The Empire is stubborn and refuses to die, even when its eponymous city of Rome is out of their reach. They're like roaches, just when you think you've rid yourself of them they come back with a vengeance, but yes, this is progress.
Indeed, that was but the first round of many battles against them. But at least they're too busy dealing with rivals in the East. Sicily is far more valuable, but also more well defended and thus the Romans don't even try to take the island
.Thanks for reading!
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Chapter 3 - Nibbling Dogs, Carrion Dogs (883-887)
Chapter 3 - Nibbling Dogs, Carrion Dogs (883-887)
Emir Sawdan and the men of Bari had fought for nearly seven years against the Empire, first at the beaches of Bari, and then down the slopes and hills of Calabria, taking fortress after fortress until they reached the Strait of Messina (where Calabria meets the sea against the Isle of Sicily). Conquering was easy, it was the ruling that was difficult. Even as Roman authority ceased to exist in the region, fierce resistance against Bari still could be met in every cave and forest of the Calabria. For two years the Abrudars of Sawdan would scour the recently annexed lands under the leadership of Kosmas "the Roman," although his fellow Romans much preferred to call him Kosmas "the Turncloack" for he had turned against his people to serve Emir Sawdan, fully embracing the light of Islam.
Kosmas and the mountain-men of Bari fought tooth and nail to secure the region, fiercely crushing any sense of independence the locals had began to develop after the flight of their local rulers. When Winter finally came in 885 AD the last of the rebels were being put to the sword, sending the whole of Calabria into mourning just as the halls of Sawdan's keep were being filled with the revelry of the winter festivities.
"A peaceful land, a quiet people." Kosmas described Calabria to Princess Fatima, proud of how his "pacification" of the region had turned out. So peaceful the land became that the Tulunid Princess, the wife of Emir Sawdan, quickly turned the city of Reggio at the tip of the peninsula into her new home, where she wanted to take their three boys to raise away from the danger and bustle of Bari. The battle at the beaches had spooked the Emir's wife, and as the defenders met the Romans with sword in hand she prayed, for prayer was a woman's weapon it was often said. Their only weapon, she thought, prayer was all she could do as she and her children faced certain death. Had the battle gone awry surely the Romans would not have minded to soil their hands a bit more with the blood of children, especially children heir to Bari. It never did come to that, but Fatima never forgot and bowed to never let such a thing happen to her children.
Umar was the oldest of the three boys, only six years old during the Spring of 886 AD and already a fierce little man. Sawdan had not allowed Fatima to take their eldest child to Reggio as he wanted to raise him at court and groom him for ruling. At Bari he'd be surrounded by his future subjects, it was best they'd become acquainted early on. Far easier to inspire loyalty into men if they truly know the men they're supposed to follow. Only Hamad and the baby Zayar were allowed to move into Reggio, four and three years of age respectively.
Emir Sawdan's most trusted councillors representing the three big pillars of Bari, the Berbers, the Romans, and the Langobards.
Abdul "the Giant" represents the Baranis, or Berber faction. He had been born a slave in the walls of Palermo but had managed to kill his master and escape from the island of Sicily before finding his way to Bari where he was smitten by the Emir and bowed to serve him. A Compassionate and Humble man, but far too Stubborn for his own good. He stands as the fiercest of Sawdan's commanders. While he's often thought of as slow-minded due to his Giant size, he has a keen mind for war being a great Strategist, capable of leading men through the fiercest of terrain all while maintaining a supply chain where most could not. He's most at home whilst defending in battle rather than attacking, as his great size lends great to holding a position.
Kosmas "the Turncloack" represents the Roman, or Greek faction of Bari. A Deceitful and conniving man of great Ambition, he Bravely defied his commander and betrayed the Roman garrison of Taranto nearly two decades prior after seeing the writing in the wall, siding instead with their besieger the Emir Sawdan of Bari. He had grown cynical serving under the Roman Emperor, but regained faith by fully devoting himself to his new liege and his Muslim faith. Of an impeccable mind in all things Martial, Kosmas has been appointed Blademaster of Bari and oversees the smithing and armoring of all the Emir's men. He excels in battle by cutting through foes with zeal, claiming to be a Holy Warrior of Allah, he relishes in fighting Christians, especially of the Greek rite to which he previously belonged.
Ado "the Kneeler" represents the Langobard, or Lombard faction of Bari. He had been ruling as Castellan of Melfi as a young lad of 10 years of age in the name of the Prince of Salerno as his father had once done. When Emir Sawdan arrived to his walls he opened the gates rather than fight futilely for a lord he'd scarcely known, and for that wisdom he had been allowed into the service of the Emir. Under his tutelage Ado grew to be a Humble, Just, and Temperate man. His skill with blades rivaled that of both Abdul and Kosmas, but his ability to lead men still paled in comparison. Regardless, if either of the two were occupied, Ado was the man Sawdan would turn to if men needed to be led. He did not feel the same contempt for his people as Kosmas did for the Romans, but his loyalty to Sawdan led Ado to fight kin regardless. He is often referred to as "Christian" in a disparaging manner, especially by Kosmas.
As the winter festivities came to an end, Emir Sawdan summoned his council to his table for advice. He had seen fifty-seven winters throughout his life and began fearing the one of 886 would be his last. His father in-law and ally Sultan Ahmad had recently succumbed to a flux and it had put things into perspective for the Emir. Sawdan's heirs were too young to rule, and he feared the realm would fracture upon his death so he wished to secure peace for them before his death. The Roman foothold in Italy was now the sole fortress at Lecce, and while storming it might be costly in life, once taken the Romans would be hard pressed to find a good landing spot to launch a reconquest of the region. He suggested taking Lecce to his council before he joined Sultan Ahmad in the afterlife, and he found the Turncloack Kosmas smiling and agreeing with the suggestion, eager to throw the last of his Roman kin into the sea.
All but two sitting at the table agreed with the notion as the Romans were by far the biggest threat facing Bari. Abdul "the Giant" was the first of the two to speak, he suggested taking the fight across the Strait of Messina into Sicily and toppling the Aghlabid hold in the island. Standing over most men at seven feet of height, the Giant of Palermo complemented his great size with a deep and commanding voice that put fear into the hearts of men. "Do not listen to this craven," Abdul said of Kosmas whom he often quarreled with, "no true man would dishonor himself by attacking a fallen enemy. The Romans are all but defeated, it is the Africans we must fight next your grace."
"Aye, I might not be an honorable man as you say," said Kosmas mockingly, "It is true I am a lowly turncloack, but no man dare call me a craven. I know it might be difficult with that hard empty shell you call a head, but try to recall who was it that led the men against the vanguard of the Emperor at the beach." "That's enough out of you two," said the Emir displeased, not a day went by that these two were not at each other's throats. If disease or battle daren't take him to his grave, the stress of hearing them argue surely would.
"Mayhaps we shouldn't poke at the sleeping lion. What business have we making an enemy of the Aghlabids? It is not wise to add yet another to the list of those who wish to see your downfall, your grace," said the Langobard Ado. "To the North, the Princes Guaifer and Adelchis still eye Bari with ambition atop their castles in Salerno and Benevento, and Rector Polkarios of Amalfi is still sore from our betrayal. Even in the more distant Naples and Gaeta they still pray for our downfall. Would it not be wise instead to strike at these weaker foes and relieve ourselves from the pressure they impose upon your great city, your grace?"
"That was no betrayal, Christian" said Kosmas with disdain, "we merely delayed that's all. In the end, did we not crush the men of Salerno still? Did Amalfi not remain free?" "Aye," responded Ado solemnly, "but not without being sacked first." "At least the loot ended up in friendly hands," snorted Abdul. "Aye, ours," said Kosmas with a sly smile.
"Regardless, they're but dogs trying to nibble at our feet," said Abdul contemptuous at the suggestion, "the lion of Africa is the truer foe, and the one we must strike lest it wakes and pounces at our back." "Aye he might," said the Turncloack mocking the Giant, "but yours is a back far too large for any lion to pounce at, you oversized oaf, mayhaps he mistakes it for a hill and nests atop it."
"Ado speaks true, the lion will not strike so long as we do not show weakness, so long as Bari remains strong it will prey on easier targets," finally spoke Sawdan authoritatively. "There might be no honor in striking a fallen foe," the Emir continued, "but there is wisdom in it. A wounded man may recover and stand to fight once more, a dead man will not. And yet, the Romans are not so wounded we could strike true. Lecce may fall, it is true, but across the sea they remain and we are in no position to launch a campaign in the Balkans." "Nibbling dogs they may be," continued Sawdan, "but in great numbers even their small nibbles may topple giants."
"Aye, so we do as the Christian says then?" Asked Kosmas derisively, already knowing the answer.
The Romans had never been true friends of the Langobards, they had often been at odds and fought battles against each other, but the Muslim advance up the peninsula had turned them into reluctant allies. The loss of Roman Calabria had been a hard blow for the men of Salerno who were now forced to contend with a world in which they could no longer rely on the Romans, a world that came crashing unto their lands in the Spring of 886 AD. Led by Kosmas, the warriors of Bari descended upon Salerno with zeal. Prince Guaifer had sought out sellswords to join his cause, but even with their aid the men of Salerno proved no match for Emir Sawdan. Of the nearly 2,000 swords that he commanded, a meager 2 survived the slaughter and the Prince would find himself captured.
"The city will fall by dawn, whether it does so peacefully or by storm, the choice is yours" said Emir Sawdan to the chained Prince Guaifer who stood in front of him. As the Prince squirmed drenched in sweat and with his boots caked by mud, the Emir sat comfortably atop the cushioned seat within his tent, located just outside the walls of Salerno. "Order its gates open and your life shall be spared. Refuse and heads will roll, yours included."
Guaifer's family still resided within Salerno's walls. He had no choice. "Throw down your arms and open the gates, your Prince commands it!" The change of guard went seamlessly and bloodless. Where once stood Langobards with swords, now stood Barese with their spears. "The city is yours to command, your grace," said Ado to the Emir as he entered his tent.
As the sun began to set Prince Guaifer and his family finally made their way out the city gates with their retinue behind them. "Even in defeat our house's words remain true, heathen, you would do well to remember that." Prince Guaifer's spat his words with poison toward Emir Sawdan. "Ado, be kind and remind me the words of house Dauferidi if you could." "He who has lost everything still can take up arms," said Ado. "Queer words. Even when you had everything you still could not oppose the great Sawdan," said Abdul snorting. "You speak true, giant of Bari, but I was burdened by the realm I carried, and now I've been set free thanks to you," responded Prince Guaifer in a defiant tone.
"He who has lost everything still can take up arms," the Emir repeated pensively in a quiet tone, "then we shall make the task impossible for you, dear Prince. Kosmas, cut off his arms."
With Salerno taken Sawdan gathered the council to plan his attack on Amalfi, the next target on his list of nibbling dogs. "The hunchback of Amalfi can scarcely mount a garrison atop the burned city walls," said Kosmas, "give me twenty good men and I can scale its walls undetected. We shall dine in his hall on the morrow, I promise you that, your grace."
The Emir had dismissed Kosmas' suggestion laughingly, not willing to risk the life of one of his best and most trusted commanders in such a reckless move. "I will think on what you suggest overnight and have your answer on the morrow," said Sawdan before turning in for the night. Except there would be no morrow for the aging Emir. He would perish of old age on April 18th of 887 AD at the age of 57, leaving behind three young sons and a wife. Coincidentally, Sawdan had also left behind three great generals, each with their own vision of where the realm should head next. The body had scarcely gone cold when the dogs began fighting over the carrion.
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You might have noticed that I tried something a little different for Chapter 3, incorporating some dialogue to the story. Let me know if it's to your liking. I may or may not continue adding dialogue here and there when appropriate to flesh out or introduce certain characters. Anyways, thanks for reading!
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The spoken word is very powerful (even when written). Succession, young heirs, problems abound. Good Luck, my Bard. Thank you
Salerno falls.
I fear that the cultural divisions between the three factions might prove problematic.
I wonder if Kosmas and Ado will duel later?
I fear that the cultural divisions between the three factions might prove problematic.
I wonder if Kosmas and Ado will duel later?
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Hey, I just found this today, and it seems interesting! Do you have any plans on continuing this AAR?
Unfortunately I won't. I honestly can't recall exactly what made me put this AAR and CK3 as a whole on hold back then, but having had a whole year away from the games and forum made me realize I don't really enjoy playing the game. It's mostly fine but there are a few issues that hold me back from enjoying it, chief among them (especially if I was to write an AAR) is the fact that there are no message settings.
I normally play at speed 5 on Paradox games but I change the message settings so the game is paused at certain times, such as when battles begin or end, or when sieges are completed. This allows me to have full control of the situation without having to play at a snail's pace. In CK3 I often miss on marriage offers or things of that nature as the game speeds through them before I even notice, while in CK2 or EU4 there would have been a pop-up and a pause, letting me handle it accordingly. Even pursuing defeated armies becomes obnoxious unless I don't move away my screen from the battle to pause as soon as it finishes, so that I can send my army straight away after them before they replenish. It's doubly annoying if I got defeated instead, as you can imagine the AI would be a few days ahead of me in planning their next move.
Overall this is but one of many features I feel the game currently lacks, and unless I overheat my PC with a dozen mods, the game just doesn't feel as fun to me as its predecessor. I might instead make a CK2 AAR one of these days, if people even read those still lol. I apologize to anyone who began reading this, both back then and now.
Darnit, I thought this was a new AAR, and I loved the premise and execution!
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