Letters from the End of the World, a Swedish AAR

[Arilou]

The first month in the year 1066 since the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, written by Renaldo d'Ortobello, by the Grace of Our Lord Papal Legate to the King of Sweden

"I write this in the cold winter-months of these harsh climes, I only recently crossed the icy waters of the Mares Baltici and arrived here at my assigned post in the county of Uppland, in the deep, frozen wastes of the Kingdom of Sweden. Winter still holds these lands in it's icy grip, and I fear that it causes the barbarous natives to loose all wit and all agility of both mind and body, for their conversation seems dull and barbarous, few of them speak any sort of civilized tongue, and I fear I will have to learn the brutish language of the natives before I will be able to do any good in these lands.

The Kingdom is large but desolate, consisting of the Duchies of Västergötland, Östergötland and Norrland, all whom pay obedience to Stenkil, Rex Suecia et Gothorum, king of the Swedes and Goths, King Stenkil is a proud lustful and vengeful man in his late 30's, certainly not an image of chrsit, but he is generous and has thus far been able to keep his vassals in line. His court consists of his Wife, Ingamother, who serves as his stewards and runs the daily affairs of the Kingdom, as well as his sons, Erik, Håkon and Inge, Erik serves as the King's Marsk or Marshall, commanding his band of armed warriors, Inge serves as the king's Chancellor, dealing with foreign dignitaries while the last son Håkon seems to have no permanent position but nonetheless puts his nose into everyone's business. It is rumoured that he serves as his fathers spymaster.

The king's eldest son, Halsten, is the duke of Västergötland and one of the King's strongest vassals, although right now the child Sven of Östergötland seems to have the most support among the King's vassals, for it is the custom of the natives to chose their king among the nobles. "Swedes have the right to take kings and also to evict them." it says in their Laws.

I grow weary as I scribble this report, to be given to the captain of the ship I came with as he makes his return voyage to more civilized realms, I hope that it may, if God wills it, bring my tidings to the Holy Father."

-Renaldo d'Ortobello

 

[Arilou]

The 6th of March in the year 1067 since the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, written by Renaldo d'Ortobello, by the Grace of Our Lord Papal Legate to the King of Sweden

"I sit down on a damp and cold road, trying to scribble what I can of the events that have passed since I arrived at this court, I can only hope that the wind and the snow do not ruin the parchment, for I fear that this might be my last chance in a while to give you this letter, it was but happenstance that made a travelling polish priest on his way to Rome pass me as I sit here freezing on a desolate patch of snow-covered grass on the southern shores of the Mare Baltici.

I had scarcely arrived at the King's court and picked up some smattering of the brutish native words before I was called into the King's Great Hall by some brutish thug of a bearskin covered warrior, I later found out that he was Marcus of Ångermanland, a man that is not even a Christian! By speaking to the various people and some foreign merchants I have learned that this god-forsaken country has affected little but the outwards sign of christianity and sometimes even less than that, the King himself is a true Christian despite his many flaws but most of his warriors risk eternal damnation, for they keep the Hammer of Thor as holy as the Cross and indeed the same form is often used for casting both of them.

The King however shows true christian zeal when it comes to converting the heathens (even if he otherwise, especially with regards to women, seems to be in total thrall to the Devil) and it is with this subject that this letter will deal most thoroughly.

As I was ushered into the hall the king I was once again appaled by the simplicity and outright paucity of it, it was a large hall of wood, in both ends of which there roared great fires, there is little in the way of ventilation so the hall was smoky and filled with the scents of sweat and wet furs, for many of the King's warriors had come directly from the blizzard that raged outside.

"Friends!" King Stenkil roared at the top of his lungs, trying to overmatch the ruckus of the warriors. "No friend of yours!" one of the younger ones answered (the count of Gästrikland I was later told) and the crowd erupted into laughter. "Well, except for Tolir here." He continued "We are all friends aren't we? I called this thing to welcome the newest member of my court, Regnald Potbelly!" and he pointed at me (It shall be noted that I only understood a smattering of the language at the time, so I had to ask my more linguistically inclined aides for the details of the conversation later on, at the moment I understood little) Understanding that I was introduced I tried was struck speechless by the noise as the warriors roared their approval and drummed thier weapons upon their shields. "What better way to celebrate the approval of the Holy Father (and our sincere christian faith) Than a raid?" The king continued. Although I understood little the gleam of greed in the eyes of some of the warriors and the caution shown in others made me understand that the King was speaking of war and bloodshed, for little save the state of one's immortal soul may capture a man's attention as fully as a declaration of war.

From a weapon's rack the king lifted a great spear and weighed it in his hand, "I leave my Kingdom in your hands." he continued "For I will take my own hird and all the free men of Uppland and Västmanland, and I will sail across the ocean and make war upon the heathens of Marienburg, and I will take their lands and their gods for myself!" and with those words he threw the spear across the hall, and it stabbed into the wooden walls on the opposite end almost one full foot into the wooodwork. Later it was explained to me that this was their custom, and that the spear would be removed when the king returned victorious.

The King's move had been shrewd, for he did not call upon his vassals and thus test their loyalty, instead he moved swiftly on his own, taking only his personal hosts with him, his own hird and the ledung of Västmanland and Uppland (the Ledung I am told is the duty of every free man to man the King's ships should he call for them)

It was not until that time that I realized that I was supposed to accompany the king... Before I had the time to refused I was dragged aboard one of the ships by the king personally and was forced to endure a harrowing voyage across the sea, they say that King Stenkil is a coward, but that must surely only hold true among his own people, for I have seldom seen such bravery, it was almost as if they were trying to committ suicidium, so daring and wild where their seafaring.

Our fleet, manned by some two-thousand men landed on the shores of the Pagan realm, and the King quickly defeated a host of some seven-hundred swords that had been sent to oppose us, alas my own life was almost lost as a heathen horseman charge at me with his flail aloft, God did not intend for me to die however, as he was slain by one of the king's Hird.

The king then proceeded to besiege and put to the torch all pagan villages that would not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their saviour, and after burning down the pagan towns he decreed that a city should be founded in the province, and in honour of the Holy Mother he named it Marienburg.

At the time the King also had to take a stand on several important decisions, for one Västmanland had been invaded by marauders from the very pagan tribes we were currently fighting, but he ignored them, saying that they would disperse once they recieved the news of the destruction of their homelands, more dire to the affairs of the church was the attempt by a group of heathens among the nobles to demand the right to hunt upon lands belonging to the Holy Mother Church, the wise and benevolent king refused however, claiming that the Holy Mother's rights were inviolable.

It was to enforce this decision he decided to send me back to his palatinus in Uppland, and it was while on the road to the mare that I encountered the polish priest that will (God be willing) bring you this message. I remain as always a faithful servant of the Mother Church.

-Renaldo d'Ortobello.

 

[MegaPIMP]

Very good, love it!

 

[Inostra]

I will be following this one

 

[unmerged(11610)]

I though I was reading a good book! I love it! Please update!

 

[unmerged(26514)]

wow, im impressed

 

[unmerged(27323)]

Very nice start. Love it!

 

[Arilou]

Written in Anno Domini 1073 by the Papal Legate Renaldo d'Ortobello, emissary to the Kingdom of Sweden.

"I write this letter from the more comfortable quarters of the Duke of Prussia's new castle, the scorch-marks has now been cleared away and almost all of the bloodstains are gone from the walls of my room, this room that once belonged to the chief of the heathen Galindi.... But I am moving ahead of myself, I have not reported to you of the latest of the King's Holy Wars; He declared war upon the heathen Yatwigs and subjugated them easily, using only his own personal troops. Proving once again that these pagans are no match for christians who fight with in the name of and with the aid of the One True God. I wonder where these heathens got their reputation for ferocity? If things proceed at this speed king Stenkil will probably be crowned King of Lithuania within his lifetime, I expected more of the famed Yatwig tribe than this... All it took were two decisive hammer-blows, one from the territory of the defeated Pruthenians and one from the south, lead by marshal Inge, and the Yatwigs folded, within time I am sure they will be able to see the Light of our lord Jesus Christ.

On more peaceful notes Queen Ingamother gave birth to son last year, you have not experienced what true a true feast is like until you have seen these northmen celebrate the birth of another child... The boys name is Anders and he is already duke of Prussia and Count of Galindia and Yatwiga, and thus a fearsome potentate in his own right. The King's other children have also married recently, Erik married Adalys of Provence while Håkon married Agnes d'Aquitane (whom has already born him a son, Arne, Duke of Poitou) these moves I think shows that the king seeks to strengthen hsi ties with the rest of southern christianity, I hope this trend continues so that these barbarous people might finalyl through contact with the civilized world learn some manners.

The King has shown great prowess in his war against the infidels and heathens, in fact, If I may make a humble suggestion to the Holy Father it would be that he should call for ALL true christians to take the cross to war against the infidels! If a king of such a lowly and uncivilized kingdom can do such great deeds then is anything impossible for the great kings of France, England and Germany? Mayhaps we might one day recapture Jerusalem!

-Renaldo d'Ortobello

 

[Arilou]

Anno Domini 1081

I apologize for not reporting for the last few years, but I have been very busy, the king has continued his war against the infidels with no relent, sending his armies all across the baltic to bring them the love and light of Jesus.... With the sword if they have to, since i have been forced to follow the armies, serving as a priest whenever it's needed (we are terribly short of clergymen here in the blasted north, the country needs a bishop but there is none to be found) I have baptised children and given the last rites of many a soldier that has fought for Christendom, and it tires my old bones it does. We are old now, both me and Stenkil, almost 20 years it was since I came to this god-forsaken land, I pray that I have improved it a little, at least.

I recieved news recently that the pope had called all christians to arms against the heathens, my heart was gladdened by these news and I quickly told King Stenkil, the Teutonic Knights that set-up shop in the city of our Holy Mother has proven to be a blessing... although they seem curiously unwilling to christen the pommeranians next-door.

I have included a map of the Baltics for the Holy Father's cartographers, these shows king Stenkil's realm and with his personal demesne marked in red.

King Stenkil is old, but still he mutters, he has plans for taking the cross to the infidel moslems, and planting the Three-Crown banner in the Holy Land. God give him the strength he needs to accomplish that!

My own strength is fading now, and I beg of the Holy Father to let me go of these cold and unhealthy lands, let me return to Italy! To the sun and the wine-orchards of the monastery in the appenines! Send someone else to replace me her in in these blasted northlands!

-Renaldo d'Ortobello.

 

[Stuyvesant]

Very nice, very atmospheric. I do pity the poor Italian Legate, his only hope will be that the warmongering Swedes manage to conquer warmer climes in the future.

Is it a realistic option for you, as Sweden, to launch a Crusade? I have no idea how that aspect of the game works, but the Swedish king charging into the Holy Land by himself seems a little far-fetched.

Any goals for this game, or are you just playing and seeing where things will go?

 

[MegaPIMP]

Take Norway and kick the Danes out of Skåne
(Easiest way to do tihs, if you got cahs and prestige is to lay claim on the king titles only, then take the kings home land and you will have alot more vassals, if not of your own blood line...yet).

 

[Arilou]

Very nice, very atmospheric. I do pity the poor Italian Legate, his only hope will be that the warmongering Swedes manage to conquer warmer climes in the future.

Is it a realistic option for you, as Sweden, to launch a Crusade? I have no idea how that aspect of the game works, but the Swedish king charging into the Holy Land by himself seems a little far-fetched.

Any goals for this game, or are you just playing and seeing where things will go?

Well, attacking the Fatimids or Abbasids would be foolish beyond measure (I can, with all my vassals, muster some 25,000 men or so, the Fatimids alone can raise twice that number) What I *could* do is attack one of the weaker moslem states and reclaim them for the Glory of God.

Take Norway and kick the Danes out of Skåne

I'm VERY wary of claiming titles of christians, the BB cost is just too high and a little BB goes a long way towards dropping your vassals loyalty like a rock.

 

[Arilou]

Anno Domini 1090

"No, holy father, I will NOT return to the blasted cold north! Not now when the king himself has graciously stationed me here as aide to the Archbishop of Sicily! I know that you think you have need of me there but you are not infallible yet! Send someone else!

How I ended up here? It's simple really. After the crusade against the Baltics was finished king Stenkil turned his eye upon the moslems. Seeing the Zayrid Kingdom as an immediate threat to the Eternal City and your own august self he immediately set sail to wrest Sicily from the hands of the Unbelievers, I shall not bore you with all the details of the war but suffice to say Sicily was captured within a few years. Only two things marred this glorious crusade: 1. The Heathens managed to steal the county of Sembia from the King's personal demesne and 2. He was not strong enough to totally eradicate the unbelievers, although he is even as we speak preparing a second crusade against the Zayrids....

Once the island was captured the King was gracious enough to give most of it to herr Sigbjörn Get, appointing him as archbishop of Sicily, bishop of Palermo and overall head-honcho, following this step by continously waging war against the heathens in Finland (the entire land of which has been brought under christian control) this surely can forgive him a few missteps outside the matrimonial bed? I must say he takes excellent care of his bastards, both are dukes by now, of Karelia and Finland, respectively. His trueborn sons has proven more troublesome, Erik, the count fo Chelminskoie, even went so far as to rebel, the king, having no particular use for his county, let him go.

No matter, I feel that you should have to send a replacement to the swedish court, I am not returning unless you drag me there in chains, and that is my last word on the matter.

-Renaldo d'Ortobello, from his retirement on Sicily.

 

[LordLeto]

Wonderful as always Arilou.

 

[Arilou]

Anno Domini 1096

I write to you in this year of war, from my position at the court of Old King Stenkil, Defender of the Faith, King of Sweden, Count of Tunis and Constantine, Zhmud and Akyshkoye, etc. etc.

When I first arrived in this frozen realm, having read brother Renaldo's letters i expected a kingdom of half-christian barbarians, still riding around in longboats only waiting for a chance to ravish christian women.

Instead I find a refined and civilized court, chivalry is blooming (and many knights from the Teutonic Orders has taken up common cause with the King and serves him loyally) chronicles are being written, monasteries founded and overall this kingdom is taking great steps forward, were it not for the regrettable internal strife these northmen could truly be counted among the best of europeans.

Just lookat the second Zayarid crusade! King Stenkil easily crushed the infidels with his superior armies, the only christian who has made significant advances against the moslem hordes! Yes, he was aided by king Boleslaw of Poland, but it was only a few hundred men, nothing against the six-thousand Swedes that stormed the walls of Tunis! Oh the bloodshed! You ought to have been there!

The Crusade followed with the subjugation of the Emirate of Tunisia (I'm sure you've heard) and after that by the wars with the Hammanids and Cyrenaicans (the former was won, the latter the king signed a separate peace with, leaving his vassals to their destiny) The king would surely have made more advances had it not been for the rebellions that flared at home, first the Tavasts revolted, and were quickly put-down, their county given to king Stenkil's bastard son, the Duke of Finland. Then the Hälsings and Ångermanlännings revolted against the duke of Norrland, the King tried to help as much as he could but he was forced to let the duke do most of the fighting himself.
The worst treachery however, came when the duke of Samogitia, the King's own son, rebelled, taking Mahdia with him, the king immediately besieged the duke's castle, wishing there was some way to return his brother to the true fold.

Alas the king calls for me and I must finish my letter quickly, so I must end it here...

By the Grace of God signed by Frederick von Obermacht am Rhein

 

[coz1]

A wonderful beginning to your CK writing career. This is a nice way to chronicle the goings-ons of the royal Swedish court. And it was nice of the man to allow "Potbelly" to retire to Sicily. Now go and continue to crush the heathens, if the rebels allow.

 

[Arilou]

Anno Domini 1120

I must regretfully report to the mother church that the poor Frederick did not answer any of his latters, nor did the king see fit to request a new legate until quite recently... Which king is it now again? Ah, it seems like it's king Érrard we're speaking of. Not that there's ANY GOOD REASON FOR ME TO FREEZE MY ASS OF HERE WHEN THE KING IS IN ALEXANDRIA BUT I'M NOT COMPLAINING! Well, communications started to break down during the reign of Håkon the Great. You know him I'm sure.

First he laid the Algerian and Maroccan kingdoms under his scepter, he also sent a crusade to the sames in the north of russia and to the Pommeranian and Mecklenburgian tribes in the southern baltic region... Well, he wasn't satisfied with that. Having claimed the title of King of North Africa the madman king attacked Cyrenaica and drove his opponents before him, he stole the Ducal title of Polotsk and declared himself king of Lithuania, he conquered Egypt in the name of Christ, vowed to crusade in exchange for absolution from his sins, delivered Jerusalem from the heathens, added the crowns of Denmark and Norway to those already possessed, crowned himself king of Egypt and Arabia, promoted more than 20 dukes and still had time to burn the city of Mecca to the ground.

His son, the illustrious ruler Èrrard is of course not as accomplished... Yet. But who knows what he might do in his reign? He already has more crowns than you can ever hope to comfortably wear on your head, and although his reputation is not as stellar as his fathers' I still think he may become a fearsome defender of Christianity...

That's ia short summary of what happened after Frederick's last letter. Exactly what become of the man is still not *entirely* clear. But possibly it had to do with being first over the walls of Marrakech...

 

[Personguyfellow]

I love this AAR. This is one of my three favorite AARs out there now, with Bacelona and Polotsk. But it looks like dark days are coming for Christianity. Islam is on the rise in Spain and Russia. Persia is covered by the Turkish horde. The black sea is surrounded by pagans. What are you, some kind of sissy crusader? I'm disappointed!

Seriously, this is unbelievable. Finish off the last infidels by 1120 at the latest, you shoukld be able to unite all Christians and have at least a century to prepare a united Europe-Mediterranean region for Wrath of Khan.