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These updates keep getting better - and the maps are great! When you draw the culture map, do you have to click through each province or can you work off of the save game file?
thrashing mad said:
About the former - they do run out of money and men eventually, especially if the Seljuks get them.
About the latter: [thread=290578]Here it is[/thread]. Thanks for remembering.
bowl of soup Yes I`m surprised by spread of Polish culture, but yes, they can soon be under mongol rule.
Tabris.BR - Thanks. Here you go, first part of fight for life and death with asian barbarians
Francis II - Thank you. I clicked few provinces, then switched to Paint and so on. 15 minutes and it`s done
RGB Well Seljuks are shade of their former power, look at european map earlier .
Tabris.BR - Thanks. Here you go, first part of fight for life and death with asian barbarians
Francis II - Thank you. I clicked few provinces, then switched to Paint and so on. 15 minutes and it`s done
RGB Well Seljuks are shade of their former power, look at european map earlier
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HISTORY OF THE WHITE EAGLE
Dytryk I the Strong (Mocny)
ruled 1287 - 1308
born 1271 - 1308
Part II
When news about coming war reached king, he immediately started to act. During war council, some of royal advisers, terrified with information about size of Mongol forces, advised king to negotiate with enemy for peace. However, king didn`t show fear. He was experienced commander, crusader, conqueror of Antiochia. He also knew more about enemy, and this lack of knowledge and element of surprise was the reason of defeats in previous fights with Mongols. Several last years, king executed some changes in army. He maintained small, professional units of light cavalry and mounted crossbowmen. Dytryk knew that on open steppes of Rus, heavy knights and heavy infantry had no chances with pagans.
Army became divided to three parts. Duke of Silesia took command over 11,000 men of eastern army. It consisted mainly of light cavalry, light infantry and peasants gathered on way east. Duke`s aim, was defense of Chernigov, surrounded from three sides by Golden Horde`s territories.
Second 9,000 men army, under command of duke of Masovia, included mainly heavy infantry and crossbowmen. It`s role was to defend Plock at any costs. County was an obvious target for mogol attack, because only it lay on eastern bank of Vistula river. King was sure, that Mongols wouldn`t manage to cross through river, which poured out after spring thaws.
King Dytryk himself, took charge over third, 10,000 men army, which consisted mainly of Polish Knighthood. It`s role, was to invade Prussian territory, and begin liberation of these lands, with help of local Polish population. Army started to move north, to Danzig.
Many peasants and townsmen were called up to army. Only indispensable garrisons, composed of boys and old men, were left. Catholic clergy supported king's arms efforts with their word and gold. Horrendous tales about Mongol atrocities, and their instant conquests terrorized Polish population. King Dytyk knew, that this time Golden Horde wanted to destroy Poland once and for all - kingdom was last obstacle in Mongol march further to the west.
Mongol armies, in contrast to "convoked" Polish army, were fully hierarchical, and consisted fully of professional warriors. The chain of command was something, that was unknown in Christian Europe. 10 troopers made up (arban), then 100 (jagun or yaghun), 1000 (minghan), then 10,000 (tumen or touman), commanded by noyan. This system of command was very effective, and it allowed effective communication in chaos of fight. Every warrior knew his task and place in formation. On every 10 warriors, 6 were horse archers and rest - lancers.
Sencer Khan gathered 4 Tumens for war with Poland. Eastern one, had to conquer Chernigov, which Horde lost 13 years ago. Central Tumen had to strike on Kiev, cutting off Chernigov from Polish mainland, and later to move on Krakow. Northern Tumen was kept in reserve in Memel region. Khan himself moved with his Tumen on Plock.
Mongol army were incredibly mobile. Army, composed in whole of riders, could move even 80 miles per day. Whole equipment, arrows and food, were transported by camels.
Once Mongols entered to Polish lands, they left behind the trail of death and destruction. Everything they couldn`t take, they destroyed or killed. They didn`t take prisoners. Every village encountered by Horde, changed into ashes. Terror was another weapon in pagan arsenal.
In the second half of March 1300, came to first clash. While rushing eastwards, duke of Silesia encountered Mongol Tumen on his way, in vicinity of Kiev. Mongol commander wanted to apply simple yet lethal tactic, which proved it`s effectiveness hundreds times in fights with Europeans. First, horse archers had to shoot on slow enemy. If enemy scattered or searched for cover, then heavy cavalry was commanded to charge. If enemy stayed in tight formation - they were shot to last man. Yet Mongol noyan had to alter his plans. Towards his surprise, the enemy instead of heavy knights had mounted crossbowmen, which began shooting at Mongol positions. Thus, Mongols moved to outflanking attack, sure of their victories. In this moment they were surprised again - they didn`t notice light cavalry kept rear of Polish army. Pagans managed to attack on flank of Polish infantry, but they were soon outflanked as well, by Polish light horsemen.
Deadly hand-to-hand combat began. Peasants, bulk of center of Polish line perished in hundreds. Luckily on left flank fought veterans from Antiochia, and despite of being flanked they held their ground. Outcome of battle was determined by combat on right flank, where light cavalry under command of duke of Silesia, managed to smash enemy's morale. Mongols began retreat. Duke held his men back from chase, it was impossible to catch them.
Poland army lost 5,000 from among 11,000 men. About 3,000 men left from Mongol Tumen. Immediately after victory Duke of Silesia moved further eastwards.
In the same time he Sencer Khan`s Tumen reached Plock.
Duke of Masovia, in charge of 9,000 men, decided to defend from city walls. Plock - burnt in year 1236 by king Zbigniew, didn`t become completely rebuilt. However, walls were filled with thousands of crossbowmen and heavy infantry, among them dismounted knights. Duke was sure that nobody was able to conquer city.
However, Duke was greatly surprised, when he saw Mongol army constructing trebuchets and siege towers. So far, Poland was famous in whole Europe by the most modern siege equipment, he didn`t expect this from barbarian army. Though, Mongols often destroyed whole populations, they always spared engineers and siege specialists, quickly assimilating them to their armies.
After several days tones of stones shot by Mongol trebuchets began falling on Plock. From time to time, Mongols shot barrels filled with strange inflammable substance. Fires started in many places, and city walls began to shatter. At last, in the same time when battle of Kiev was fought, Sencer Khan gave order to assault.
Mongols executed swift coordinated attack, with simultaneous attack of men with ladders and siege towers. Masovian army bravely kept walls from enemy. At last, Mongol battering ram broke the gate, and at the same time large breach was created in walls. Mongol cavalry poured through that places into the city. Duke of Masovia gave order to regroup, but in that moment he was shot with Mongol arrow, then another one, and he fell off wall.
Morale of Polish troops was broken.
City was burnt, literally all inhabitants were slain. Nobody was spared. It was sad irony of fate, because 54 years ago, the same thing was done here by Polish king.
Army of duke of Masovia cased to exist. Sencer Khan lost hardly 2,000 from among 10,000 men. He sent messenger to Northern Tumen with order to move southwards. Khan himself decided to move further south into Poland. Level of Wistula river was upraised by snow melting in the mountains, however it was no obstacle to Mongols . In several days they built pontoon bridge, laid on boats, rafts and inflated skins.
Once on western side of the river, Khan decided to defeat Poland by conquest and destruction of their capital - Krakow. Total destruction of the city would certainly shock fixed Polish population. Another cities, wanting to avoid fate of Krakow would immediately surrender - this strategy worked ideally in Rus.
In the east, Mongol Tumen finally reached castle of Chernigov. In several last years, Dytryk extended fortifications in this most eastward of Polish outposts. Looking at the powerful walls of fortress, the Mongol commander decided to siege it, rather than assault. 10,000 of Mongols created ring around fortress - It was impossible for anything to pass through unnoticed. To brake enemy's moral, Mongol catapults dropped hundreds of massacreted body parts of peasants caught in area.
In the same time, king Dytryk and his army - flower of Polish knighthood, reached to Danzig. From there, they were transported by previously hired Norwegian boats. They set sails to land in Prussia. In this way king wanted to launch surprise attack on Mongols. Unfortunately, heavy sea storm started, and a few hundred knights drowned in cold waters of Baltic.
At last, after several days army landed in Marienburg. Dytryk and Polish knights were greeted by local, Polish population as liberators, and received new troops and supply. King liberated city after city, castle after castle, without significant resistance from Mongols. It very concerned king, because this meant that majority of Mongol forces were elsewhere...
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Love your movies TM. First its stupid dukes now a stupid pope. If Poland survives it will be a miracle. Duke of Siliesia will have to move quickly after his victory, the loss of Plock will hurt. The King better move fast if he is going to save his country. Libertion is nice, but useless if your Kingdom falls behind you.
bowl of soup it didn`t suppose to bode well
RGB Thanks, if not stupid war AI, and 'white peace with pagans' event I would be doomed
grayghost Thank you, I`m very happy you like movies
Emperor Ike Cheers mate
Belgian Fuhrer Surely I need it
RGB Thanks, if not stupid war AI, and 'white peace with pagans' event I would be doomed
grayghost Thank you, I`m very happy you like movies
Emperor Ike Cheers mate
Belgian Fuhrer Surely I need it
HISTORY OF THE WHITE EAGLE
Dytryk I the Strong(Mocny)
ruled 1287 - 1308
born 1271 - 1089
Part III
With the end of March Sencer Khan and his army reached Krakow. They left behind route of razed towns and villages, losing hardly a few hundred warriors. According to Khan`s spies, Krakow had impressive walls and fortifications, however when he saw it by his own eyes, he was awed. So far Mongols never attacked so powerful fortress. Khan had no time for siege, which would last many months. However, before he gave order to assault, he sent emissary to the gate. Khan demanded immediate surrender, refusal would mean razing of the city. One way or the other, Khan was going to destroy capital, but he wanted to avoid assault, which had to end with heavy casualties.
Chancellor Bolko, terrified by view of 7,000 men Mongol army, seriously considered to surrender city. He commanded 3,000 of faintly trained militia, composed of old men and boys, as well as 100 royal guard. Chancellor was going to surrender capital, when queen Maabely protested. She was very weakened by disease, but she got up from bed and said Bolko, that so long as she lives nobody will surrender the city.
Hearing the refusal, Sencer Khan went mad. He immediately gave order to assault. There wasn`t time nor sense to build siege towers - walls were too high, and gate was too powerful to destroy it by battering rams. Thus Mongols moved to attack with ladders and ropes. Walls wern`t fully occupied, defenders were terrified with swarms of approaching pagans. Attackers were shot by crossbow bolts, hit by dropped stones, and poured by boiling oil. Many fell from height when their ropes were cut or ladders dropped. Mongols perished in hundreds. However from defenders perspective, their numbers remained the same, in place of any dead new Mongols appeared.
At last, first Mongols managed to enter the walls. Seeing how small defender force was, they shouted to their fellows below, that victory was sure. Poles protected walls bravely, however enemy`s pressure had been merciless. Mongol veterans defeated Polish old men and boys, which never before had weapon in their hands, with easiness. Only royal guard made a stand, however soon they were surrounded. Defeat seemed certain.
Then, unexpected help appeared. Women of Krakow were hurrying through city streets, with queen Maabely. They were armed with forks, knives and any other improvised weapons. Surprised Mongols halted with their advance. 5,000 women came to fight for their city. They died quickly, confronted with superior Mongol warriors, however, their number sufficed to push startled enemy off the walls. Sencer Khan himself was burned by boiling oil, and angry, he order gave to retreat.
City was saved, but at price. Losses were terrible half thousand left from 3,000 militia, and near 3000 women died, many were wounded. Queen Maabely didn`t live to see victory. Weakened by disease she fainted and died, while leading Krakow`s women to battle.
Sencer Khan left with only 1,500 warriors. He decided to retreat from Poland for now, and came back with reinforcements, because his weakened force was an easy target for any Polish army.
Meanwhile duke of Silesia with his army reached Chernigov, and prepared to battle against twice bigger Mongol force. The Duke hoped, that in moment of attack, Mongols would become attacked from rear by garrison of Chernigov. Unfortunately, Poles became quickly surrounded by pagans. The battle was fought on steppe, the ideal terrain of fight for Mongols. Terrified commander of fortress Chernigov, cowardly refused to open the gates and help duke, he was certain that Poles victory was impossible.
Surrounded and outnumbered 2 to 1, Duke`s men perished quickly, killed by rain of arrows shot from Mongol composite bows. Finally Mongol lancers moved to charge. Whole battle lasted just half-hour, no single Polish soldier survived. Mongols lost just 1,000 from their 10,000 men. Corpses of killed Poles were shot over the walls into the fortress, and head of Duke of Silesia sticked on pale in the middle of mongol camp.
Thus only Polish army, which still fought was kings Dytryk`s army. By the end of march, king managed to liberate whole Prussia. Then, news about Plock defeat reached him. Dytryk wanted to move southwards immediately, but another messenger arrived. Two Mongol Tumens - 20,000 men, were approaching from the north. Dytryk chose suitable field of the battle - corridor wide 300 meters, between two walls of forest - excellent ambush site. In first line, king deployed archers and crossbowmen, and he ordered them to put sharpened stakes on ground in front of them. On flanks, he placed heavy infantry.
Apart from 4,000 infantry, and 4,000 knights, king commanded also 3,000 Prussians. Local peasants, and woodsmen had perfect knowledge of neighboring forests, they hid among trees on both flanks. King and his knights, led by local folk were going further into forest.
Next, foggy morning Mongols finally appeared. Pagan commander, seeing handful of archers and infantry ordered to charge them, he affirmed that it wouldn`t be proper to waste arrows. Galloping Mongol cavalrymen lost their self-confidence a bit, when while approaching to Poles, their saw sharpened stakes. However, it was already too late to stop galloping mass, many Mongols died impaled. The narrow corridor between walls of forest, caused that the small number of Polish infantry, was able to to resist more numerous enemy. To reach enemy, rear Mongol horsemen entered to forest. They were greeted by axes of charging Prussian woodsmen. Moment later, Polish knights went out of the forest, appearing rearwards of Mongol positions. Polish infantry became anvil for hammer of charging knights. Surrounded from all sides, Mongols were doomed. Hardly handful of them managed to flee. Maybe they were masters of the steppes, but here, they suffered decisive defeat.
Immediately after this glorious victory, Dytryk moved south. When he reached ruins of Plock, he encountered on his way withdrawing army of Sencer Khan himself. The outnumbered Mongol ruler sent emissaries to Polish king. The same night white peace was signed. Kingdom was saved. Plock was lost, but whole Prussia conquered.
King returned to country wasted by war, almost whole of his armies were lost. Population of kingdom halved. Queen Maabely was soon beatificated.
Last years of Dytryk`s reign passed in peace, he rebuilt country, army and fortifications. Due to his diplomatic skills, he created few defensive alliances. But Mongols were still growing in power. They conquered Finland and Crimea. Their only routes of expansion led through Caucasus mountains, Transoxania and Poland.
Dytryk died in year 1308, at age of 37. Crown was inherited by his firstborn - Zygmunt.
Deeds:
- Vassalization of Duchies of Masovia and Silesia
- Successful Crusade to Antioch
- Saving kingdom from extermination in war with Golden Horde
- Conquest of Prussia
Map of Poland at start and end of his reign:
# Land at start
# Land at end
# Country borders at end
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What an amazing reign. I was riveted, biting my nails, waiting for the outcome.
Excellent heroic thing about the Queen there. And you managed to stave off the Mongols for a little bit. Excellent.
Excellent heroic thing about the Queen there. And you managed to stave off the Mongols for a little bit. Excellent.
That women should be given sainthood.
That man should have been hung.
A little bit of Agincourt East.
After what Sencer Khan did to the country, Dytryk should have gutted him while he had the chance. Although I do understand the political expediency of the white peace.
Great update TM. I really love this story.
ah you made through that one and added some territory as well. hope you get through the next bit aswell!
thrashing mad said:
Noo...whyyyy? Now you surely must get ride of these mongol vermins and revenge. But i shall pray for the finnish people.
And be carefull the mongols will make off with your childrens.
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Finland always gets conquered by the most random people in CK. I played 3 GCs, three were 3 different outcomes: England, Burgundy, Lithuania.
RGB Thank you very much . It was my greatest writing effort since finishing my education few years ago. I think my RPG gamemaster skills helped to build nervous war atmosphere. I`m happy that it worked
grayghost
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Would be very hard. Mongols have about 400,000 manpower to my puny 50,000 It was very lucky that i had 'heathens are splintered, white peace is possible' event.
Well thanks for your constructive criticism which is always welcomed
Belgian Fuhrer Yeah, they did great job
bowl of soup Right now I`m doing everything I can not to fight with them. Look above at map and manpower. I had to revoke my duke`s lands on border with Horde, because those morons declared war on them
I`ll be happy to survive to EU3 times
Emperor Ike Maybe not in this game, but in EU3 they will meet my righteous wrath, I promise
. It was my greatest writing effort since finishing my education few years ago. I think my RPG gamemaster skills helped to build nervous war atmosphere. I`m happy that it worked grayghost
Sure, queen was beatified, and commoners rarely became saint
Yes. Let`s say that he committed suicide, unable to live with memories of his deeds. And such dishonorable scum, isn`t worth to be mentioned again in royal chronicles
. OK. I admit, that i borrowed idea from that smart english commander.
Yes, but longer war with that:
Would be very hard. Mongols have about 400,000 manpower to my puny 50,000
It was very lucky that i had 'heathens are splintered, white peace is possible' event. Well thanks for your constructive criticism which is always welcomed
Belgian Fuhrer Yeah, they did great job
bowl of soup Right now I`m doing everything I can not to fight with them. Look above at map and manpower. I had to revoke my duke`s lands on border with Horde, because those morons declared war on them
I`ll be happy to survive to EU3 times
Emperor Ike Maybe not in this game, but in EU3 they will meet my righteous wrath, I promise
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I hope you do, although i would find it hard to port your game to EU3 and then to vicky, EU2 would be easier or you should edit some files in the games. anyway I wish you the best of luck!