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Oh my what a bold move by the Basileus indeed, to let go of his family name AND claim linage to Alexander the Great. I can only think of one name appropriate enough for the new dynasty, however I'd suggest using it after you beat the Mongols.
The name Sideros might be appropriate as it is apparently the greek word for Iron. And the Basileus is one unbreakable iron given he fought off the Crusade and the Jihad. I don't know on the COA however but a golden double-headed eagle would still be applied, maybe on a purple and red background perhaps?
The name Sideros might be appropriate as it is apparently the greek word for Iron. And the Basileus is one unbreakable iron given he fought off the Crusade and the Jihad. I don't know on the COA however but a golden double-headed eagle would still be applied, maybe on a purple and red background perhaps?
A schism within the Imperial family? Now that would certainly complicate things when meeting with the in-laws 
Excellent chapter, as per usual. Especially liked the writing and the pace for this chapter for Belisarius's growth as a character in particular, let's hope that things can remain as peaceful as possible against the terror coming from the Mongols.
Excellent chapter, as per usual. Especially liked the writing and the pace for this chapter for Belisarius's growth as a character in particular, let's hope that things can remain as peaceful as possible against the terror coming from the Mongols.
That was an aming chapter the moment you feel dust sets . Belisarius makes his move.I would vote for the ancestral name Argead to be used
the moment you feel dust sets . Belisarius makes his move.I would vote for the ancestral name Argead to be used
These are the comments of Episode 8!
____________________
You could say scary, or scared. That light blue bob is knocking their doors
Yes, Temujin and his great mongol horde are coming to Europe. Soon the Empire will face a new challenge; isn't that fun?
I have to be honest: the fact that most of that land is nomad is making their expansion really difficult, so I've needed to make them cheat to make them advance further west. The good thing is that, now that they are reaching settled land, they actually get warscore from something besides battles.
Oh, there could be wars between them about a lot of things, indeed. Everytime I go over there they are killing each other for an excommunication war, some minor count's claim, etc. Boys will be boys, I guess.
Yes! I think. I hope. Hmh.
Ah, but things are not that easy! Sure, Italy may be using this newfound freedom to kill each other -in liberty-, but do not think that they are going to allow the Empire meddle with Italian affairs so easily.
I've thought on creating a Empire tier title to represent a defensive league, with an elective kind of government, to help the new Italian nations to defend themselves from external powers.
Ah, the Italians and Jerusalem. I don't know if the Pope is in good position to be caring about something else than chaos over the peninsula, so KoJ seems quite isolated. After the events of Episode 9, well, some opportunities may arise.
__________________
I'll comment your, heh, Episode 9 comments soon!
Thanks for your dynasty names suggestions!
____________________
You could say scary, or scared. That light blue bob is knocking their doors
Yes, Temujin and his great mongol horde are coming to Europe. Soon the Empire will face a new challenge; isn't that fun?
I have to be honest: the fact that most of that land is nomad is making their expansion really difficult, so I've needed to make them cheat to make them advance further west. The good thing is that, now that they are reaching settled land, they actually get warscore from something besides battles.
Oh, there could be wars between them about a lot of things, indeed. Everytime I go over there they are killing each other for an excommunication war, some minor count's claim, etc. Boys will be boys, I guess.
Yes! I think. I hope. Hmh.
Ah, but things are not that easy! Sure, Italy may be using this newfound freedom to kill each other -in liberty-, but do not think that they are going to allow the Empire meddle with Italian affairs so easily.
I've thought on creating a Empire tier title to represent a defensive league, with an elective kind of government, to help the new Italian nations to defend themselves from external powers.
Ah, the Italians and Jerusalem. I don't know if the Pope is in good position to be caring about something else than chaos over the peninsula, so KoJ seems quite isolated. After the events of Episode 9, well, some opportunities may arise.
__________________
I'll comment your, heh, Episode 9 comments soon!
Thanks for your dynasty names suggestions!
A long time of introspection after the difficult time spent warring. The conclusion may not be what others want to hear, but then again, what is? Alexander's heir has to go through great lengths to expand Greek dominion.
The Mongols are coming, but then again Belisarios hasn't only thought of his place in the world. The marriage with Hélie in the west could bring another powerful ally - this time to really defend Christendom - should Genghis Khan look towards the riches of the empire.
The Mongols are coming, but then again Belisarios hasn't only thought of his place in the world. The marriage with Hélie in the west could bring another powerful ally - this time to really defend Christendom - should Genghis Khan look towards the riches of the empire.
Work in progress! If you have any suggestion, please post it!
*Writes it down*
Hmh, Sideros. I like your explanation for it. An unbreakable shield, hard as iron, protecting the Empire from within and without.
*Writes a little more.*
A schism within the Imperial family? Now that would certainly complicate things when meeting with the in-laws
Excellent chapter, as per usual. Especially liked the writing and the pace for this chapter for Belisarius's growth as a character in particular, let's hope that things can remain as peaceful as possible against the terror coming from the Mongols.
Thanks! This story is full of schism for sure, and now EVERY Palaiologoi has claims over Belisarios' titles! I'm hoping to see one or two civil wars, hopefully after defeating the Mongols; of course, this is CK2 so I'm expecting 2 civil wars, a Mongol invasion and two jihads at the same time.
That was an aming chapter
Hey, that's... a good idea? I like it, a lot! I'm a bit unsure if Belisarios would claim such direct ancestry, but... Hmh. It could be. After all, only Belisarios' and his children have the bloodline!
*Adds it to his notes*
Eheheh! Believe me, I'll put this one invasion CB well.
Religion its important, but its time for adults to talk about realpolitik
_________________________________________
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions! New episode is coming this weekend, as my studies are taking a big part of my time! See you soon!
Episode 10 - "A Crusade's End" (1238-1245)
1238 - 1245
Episode Ten
__________________
A CRUSADE'S END
__________________
Belisarios Palaiologos was gone.
In his place, Belisarios Argead occupied the Imperial Throne.
Was it true, though?
Was he the Heir of Alexander,
the hidden descendant of the legend?
The Basileus, alone in the room that had belonged to his mother, meditated about his last week decisions. He admitted that it was possible he got carried away for such possibility, leaving him blind to recognize if those scholars that supported his claims wanted nothing more to get the Emperor's blessing and maybe a salary raise. Leaving his family name behind, and adopting one associated with not just one of the biggest names in history but also one of the greater supporters of old Hellenic paganism, could even bring the church against him.
Would his family, his old family, dare to raise a finger against him? It was no secret that most of them were outraged, and many had even abandoned the capital. With every day that passed Belisarios questioned more and more his own decisions, but there was no step back; not for an Emperor. His spymaster would have to be the best to stop any... attemp of assasinations, as they were common before the Palaiologan Restoration, and it was more than possible that it could become a common practice again.
Drinking some wine, he forced himself to accept this new reality: Now he had resurrected the Argead name from the Antiquity, and without a doubt setting expectations. Still, this was not the world that Alexander was born into, or the one that he left. Belisarios was not Greek, but Roman, and Roman Emperor above all else. How could he prove to his people that he still honored Rome and not some long gone Greek Empire, while still living up to the expectations to any of Alexander's heirs?
Of course, by conquest. Or reconquest, even if it was after half a millenium. He was Belisarios Argead, after all: double the pressure, if you asked him.
The Basileus walked to his council, and demanded his campaign maps. After an afternoon of planning, a new decision was made.
Jerusalem would be under Imperial Rule, or perish.
After all, wasn't the Empire in his right to punch back the Catholics after their failed ill crusade?
News from Sinae, detailing unrest and possibly Civil War -even with the Mongol threat at their doors-, halved the riches brought by the Silk Road, and severely weakening Jerusalem's treasury.
The West was distracted with itself again, with Tolousse invading Genoese trade posts in southern France. A new accord, the Pact of Florence, was born from this external aggression. "Italy will govern and defend itself from now on", they declared, before mobilizing troops to the Alps. Although still independent, they would not let any outsider nation to interfere in Italian affairs again.
Was there any better moment to attack?
Belisarios didn't want to destroy Jerusalem, much less to turn it into an Imperial Province. He wanted the Kingdom to fear loyalty to the Empire, much like Georgia did not long ago, and to keep it as a permanent ally against the muslims hordes. What Belisarios didn't know was that Ase would never give up her independence to what she saw as an expansionist heretic empire, one that would one day come for her head. Beign an ally to the Empire only meant to waste Outremer lives in the name of heresy, specially when most of the world try to destroy them.
With the breaking of the sweared alliances after the Miracle of Jerusalem, the Outremer kingdom had showed their lack of loyalty after some of their lords attacked the Empire from their frontier. Queen Ase had even allowed some of the Shia armies to land on her coasts before marching to Antioch, maybe sharing the point of view of those who tried to seize Constantinople for themselves.
- Savvy Ase, getting a Non-Agression pact with Genghis Khan-
Did she act like that because she feared an invasion from Constantinople?
Ironic. She wanted to save her Kingdom from Rome, only managing to turn it into Belisarios' next target.
_____________________________
The Reconquest of Jerusalem
Roman Invasion of the Holy Land
_____________________________
- By Manzanedo -
War was declared on April 4 of 1238, with Belisarios' personal forces marching south. The Empire had still room to recover, so the Basileus wanted to have his Exarch's levies as reserves in case any of his neighbors had fun ideas.
The plan was simple: Belisarios' forces would march south, leaving no space for the Outremer armies to outmaneuvre them. The first objective was Damascus, which would secure the advance and push Queen Ase back to the core of Jerusalem.
If any clash between the two realms happened, it would be one carefully planned and expected. Queen Ase had no chance, Belisarios said while besieging Beirut.
Sadly, unexpected obstacles would appear: an outbreak of Slow Fever started to cause trouble in both sides of the war, severely affecting the siege camps. Terrible timing, for sure.
Disease was no excuse for battle; in fact, it was a sign that a decisive victory was needed before the Slow Fever could affect the Emperor's armies. So, when the siege of Beirut and Baalbek were done, both armies marched to Tyrus finding Queen Ase's forces leaving the city of Sarafand. The first battle for the fate of the Holy Land was about to begin.
Being led by Belisarios, the center not only managed to hold, but also completely break the enemy line, spliting the Outremer forces in two. The left flank of Jerusalem was left alone, without leaders, vulnerable to an attack from two sides.
With two-thirds of their army in complete collapse and running from the battlefield, battle would not last long. Victory was assured with almost no losses. Being caught without preparation, the Outremer army had suffered a slaughter.
Trying to keep the Slow Fever casualties to a minimun, Belisarios ordered the army to be divided in four units, all of them close to each other but with enough distance to slow any contagion between camps.
Desperate, Queen Ase demanded an assault over the weakest Roman tagma, on Al Mafraq. Five thousand crusaders marched there, where the Roman soldiers held the ground until Belisarios' arrived with reinforcements, forcing the Crusader's retreat after heavy loses.
The castle of Scandalon fell soon after, showing a shameful display of Imperial Discipline the soldiers started sacking the place. Ashamed, they found something that they thought could improve their situation after the Emperor made public his dissaproval. A pair of silk slippers appeared on Belisarios' tent, confusing the Basileus.
- Weren't those Count Gotfred' personal slippers? -
This would become a trend, as the same army that sacked Scandalon would soon repeat its actions and then send an strange item to their sovereign.
- Calipers, of all things -
But as Damascus finally fell to Rome, disturbing news arrived from the Queen of Cities. No one was sure, but it became known that a group was planning an assasination to the Emperor. Belisarios sighed, as he knew who was behind this: the Palaiologoi. Fearing for the conquest of Jerusalem to not reach a successful end, he pressed the advance, ordering his armies to gather at Jerusalem the city.
A full assault of the seat of the Holy Sepulcre was about to begin.
The siege of Jerusalem was a bloodshed. The Roman themas, originally around thirty thousand men, was reduced to only seventeen thousand. Enraged by the loss of their companions, both Crusaders and Romans fought for every meter of the city, killing civilians and warriors alike. Queen Ase was forced to flee the city, leaving the flourishing capital turned into a pile of burning houses and buildings. Whatever remained from her Royal Guard and armies fled to Egypt, hoping to get some support from the West... and resist, if the Fatimids attacked them in their hour of weakness.
The Seljuks, as always, profited from this change in the Status Quo in the Levant. Like vultures, they took over the eastern holdings of Jerusalem, turning Damascus into a border city, and regaining some space between the Christian world and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Victory, but at a cost. Jerusalem still existed, not having surrended to the Empire, leaving a land without authority and a much larger border to defend. This wasn't the idea Belisarios had in his mind, but neither was unexpected. Maybe he could enter in negotiations with Queen Ase, offer her reparations, her kingdom back... if she converted to the Orthodoxy, of course.
___________________________________
With Jerusalem under direct Roman hands, Belisarios stayed in the Holy City to reorganize the realm and get the support of the local nobles. Lesser rulers were given higher titles, such as duchies and counties in exchange of conversion and pledging their support to the Christian -another way to say Roman- cause. The Outremer lords, a mix of Nordic, French, and Italian peoples, quickly accepted, modifying the power landscape. This was a huge relief for Emperor Belisarios, as his troops were overextended and without any support of the local populace this conquest would turn unsustainable.
After this, there was finally time to rejoice. 603 years of muslim rule had come to an end. The Imperial Eagle, along with the banner of the reborn Argead dynasty, were displayed over the damaged walls of the city. Still, by explicit order of Belisarios, the Estrid banners were not removed; she and her family were still the Kings and Queens of Jerusalem. The Basileus still insisted on his plan, thinking that naming another King or maybe an Exarch would enrage not only the locals, but also the entire West once again.
Still, now with Jerusalem back in Orthodox hands, Belisarios announced the restoration of the Patriarchal See of Jerusalem, outlawed by the Crusaders. Ioustinianos Choumnos, a prominent priest under the Patriach of Antioch, was named as the succesor of Saint James the Just. Churches's bells ringed for an entire hour in the great cities of the Empire, celebrating such event.
Few days later, a massive baptize under the Orthodox faith converted every -surviving- person in Jerusalem, welcoming it back to the fold. While most accepted this because of fear, it was a first step into the right direction. Most of the city was depopulated, thanks to the siege and the fact that Queen Ase had expeled the Jewish people from her kingdom. Belisarios, being much more tolerate, allowed their return to the city and surroundings, news that would quickly go around the world.
Even more would be announced, as Belisarios had planned to make a sort of counter-order to those of the Catholic faith that had been leading the charge against the Empire. While some of the more traditional priests accused this move as blasphemy, the Emperor had made his choice.
The Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcre would be completely reformed, leaving its old ways behind and adopting discipline and martial prowess as alternative paths to reach salvation. While the old clergy would be maintained in the higher ranks of the new militarized order, commanders and veteran soldiers were accepted into their ranks. Their mission: to protect the Holy Land. The Castle of Rammala, now renamed Saint Leandros in honor of the Basileus' father, was granted to the order.
Belisarios felt relief again, seeing how this decision, although expensive, meant another force to secure this new and dangerous border with the East. The Imperial Army wasn't alone in their duty with the support of the lords and the Brotherhood.
Only the Royal Family of Jerusalem remained out of his reach.
But as he rode back to Constantinople, a strange letter arrived to his hands. A declaration of war by the Caliph of the Sunni faith... but it wasn't a Jihad, nor a holy war, but a personal war declared only by hatred. The man had no forces able to fight the Empire, but he still did it. Was he trying to prove something to their faithful? It was no secret than almost none even put attention to his words, hence why his previous Jihad was a total failure.
When some minor garrisons were moved to Georgia and Armenia, just in case, a new declaration of war appeared, this time the Seljuks attacking the Cumans over the land known as Alania. But, as this became known for two days, confusing news arrived shortly. Sultan Ahmed II, long antagonist of the Empire, was dead. In his place his son Artuk ruled, someone who didn't really give much hope to the Sultanate.
This declaration of war sparkled what seemed inevitable: The collapse of the Cuman Khanate, and the independence of the Rus.
But this collapse wasn't the only new from the Steppes: Genghis Khan, Temujin, died. The great menace, Lord of Central Asia, had died.
Khagan Babur, younger son of Temujin, had become the leader of the unstoppable horde. Only 16 years old, few were sure that he could be able to maintain his father forces together.
Their enemies cheered, thinking that the menace was gone.
Only time would tell.
____________________Episode Ten
__________________
A CRUSADE'S END
__________________
Belisarios Palaiologos was gone.
In his place, Belisarios Argead occupied the Imperial Throne.
Was it true, though?
Was he the Heir of Alexander,
the hidden descendant of the legend?
The Basileus, alone in the room that had belonged to his mother, meditated about his last week decisions. He admitted that it was possible he got carried away for such possibility, leaving him blind to recognize if those scholars that supported his claims wanted nothing more to get the Emperor's blessing and maybe a salary raise. Leaving his family name behind, and adopting one associated with not just one of the biggest names in history but also one of the greater supporters of old Hellenic paganism, could even bring the church against him.
Would his family, his old family, dare to raise a finger against him? It was no secret that most of them were outraged, and many had even abandoned the capital. With every day that passed Belisarios questioned more and more his own decisions, but there was no step back; not for an Emperor. His spymaster would have to be the best to stop any... attemp of assasinations, as they were common before the Palaiologan Restoration, and it was more than possible that it could become a common practice again.
Drinking some wine, he forced himself to accept this new reality: Now he had resurrected the Argead name from the Antiquity, and without a doubt setting expectations. Still, this was not the world that Alexander was born into, or the one that he left. Belisarios was not Greek, but Roman, and Roman Emperor above all else. How could he prove to his people that he still honored Rome and not some long gone Greek Empire, while still living up to the expectations to any of Alexander's heirs?
Of course, by conquest. Or reconquest, even if it was after half a millenium. He was Belisarios Argead, after all: double the pressure, if you asked him.
The Basileus walked to his council, and demanded his campaign maps. After an afternoon of planning, a new decision was made.
Jerusalem would be under Imperial Rule, or perish.
After all, wasn't the Empire in his right to punch back the Catholics after their failed ill crusade?
News from Sinae, detailing unrest and possibly Civil War -even with the Mongol threat at their doors-, halved the riches brought by the Silk Road, and severely weakening Jerusalem's treasury.
The West was distracted with itself again, with Tolousse invading Genoese trade posts in southern France. A new accord, the Pact of Florence, was born from this external aggression. "Italy will govern and defend itself from now on", they declared, before mobilizing troops to the Alps. Although still independent, they would not let any outsider nation to interfere in Italian affairs again.
Was there any better moment to attack?
Belisarios didn't want to destroy Jerusalem, much less to turn it into an Imperial Province. He wanted the Kingdom to fear loyalty to the Empire, much like Georgia did not long ago, and to keep it as a permanent ally against the muslims hordes. What Belisarios didn't know was that Ase would never give up her independence to what she saw as an expansionist heretic empire, one that would one day come for her head. Beign an ally to the Empire only meant to waste Outremer lives in the name of heresy, specially when most of the world try to destroy them.
With the breaking of the sweared alliances after the Miracle of Jerusalem, the Outremer kingdom had showed their lack of loyalty after some of their lords attacked the Empire from their frontier. Queen Ase had even allowed some of the Shia armies to land on her coasts before marching to Antioch, maybe sharing the point of view of those who tried to seize Constantinople for themselves.
- Savvy Ase, getting a Non-Agression pact with Genghis Khan-
Did she act like that because she feared an invasion from Constantinople?
Ironic. She wanted to save her Kingdom from Rome, only managing to turn it into Belisarios' next target.
_____________________________
The Reconquest of Jerusalem
Roman Invasion of the Holy Land
_____________________________
- By Manzanedo -
War was declared on April 4 of 1238, with Belisarios' personal forces marching south. The Empire had still room to recover, so the Basileus wanted to have his Exarch's levies as reserves in case any of his neighbors had fun ideas.
The plan was simple: Belisarios' forces would march south, leaving no space for the Outremer armies to outmaneuvre them. The first objective was Damascus, which would secure the advance and push Queen Ase back to the core of Jerusalem.
If any clash between the two realms happened, it would be one carefully planned and expected. Queen Ase had no chance, Belisarios said while besieging Beirut.
Sadly, unexpected obstacles would appear: an outbreak of Slow Fever started to cause trouble in both sides of the war, severely affecting the siege camps. Terrible timing, for sure.
Disease was no excuse for battle; in fact, it was a sign that a decisive victory was needed before the Slow Fever could affect the Emperor's armies. So, when the siege of Beirut and Baalbek were done, both armies marched to Tyrus finding Queen Ase's forces leaving the city of Sarafand. The first battle for the fate of the Holy Land was about to begin.
Being led by Belisarios, the center not only managed to hold, but also completely break the enemy line, spliting the Outremer forces in two. The left flank of Jerusalem was left alone, without leaders, vulnerable to an attack from two sides.
With two-thirds of their army in complete collapse and running from the battlefield, battle would not last long. Victory was assured with almost no losses. Being caught without preparation, the Outremer army had suffered a slaughter.
Trying to keep the Slow Fever casualties to a minimun, Belisarios ordered the army to be divided in four units, all of them close to each other but with enough distance to slow any contagion between camps.
Desperate, Queen Ase demanded an assault over the weakest Roman tagma, on Al Mafraq. Five thousand crusaders marched there, where the Roman soldiers held the ground until Belisarios' arrived with reinforcements, forcing the Crusader's retreat after heavy loses.
The castle of Scandalon fell soon after, showing a shameful display of Imperial Discipline the soldiers started sacking the place. Ashamed, they found something that they thought could improve their situation after the Emperor made public his dissaproval. A pair of silk slippers appeared on Belisarios' tent, confusing the Basileus.
- Weren't those Count Gotfred' personal slippers? -
This would become a trend, as the same army that sacked Scandalon would soon repeat its actions and then send an strange item to their sovereign.
- Calipers, of all things -
But as Damascus finally fell to Rome, disturbing news arrived from the Queen of Cities. No one was sure, but it became known that a group was planning an assasination to the Emperor. Belisarios sighed, as he knew who was behind this: the Palaiologoi. Fearing for the conquest of Jerusalem to not reach a successful end, he pressed the advance, ordering his armies to gather at Jerusalem the city.
A full assault of the seat of the Holy Sepulcre was about to begin.
The siege of Jerusalem was a bloodshed. The Roman themas, originally around thirty thousand men, was reduced to only seventeen thousand. Enraged by the loss of their companions, both Crusaders and Romans fought for every meter of the city, killing civilians and warriors alike. Queen Ase was forced to flee the city, leaving the flourishing capital turned into a pile of burning houses and buildings. Whatever remained from her Royal Guard and armies fled to Egypt, hoping to get some support from the West... and resist, if the Fatimids attacked them in their hour of weakness.
The Seljuks, as always, profited from this change in the Status Quo in the Levant. Like vultures, they took over the eastern holdings of Jerusalem, turning Damascus into a border city, and regaining some space between the Christian world and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Victory, but at a cost. Jerusalem still existed, not having surrended to the Empire, leaving a land without authority and a much larger border to defend. This wasn't the idea Belisarios had in his mind, but neither was unexpected. Maybe he could enter in negotiations with Queen Ase, offer her reparations, her kingdom back... if she converted to the Orthodoxy, of course.
___________________________________
With Jerusalem under direct Roman hands, Belisarios stayed in the Holy City to reorganize the realm and get the support of the local nobles. Lesser rulers were given higher titles, such as duchies and counties in exchange of conversion and pledging their support to the Christian -another way to say Roman- cause. The Outremer lords, a mix of Nordic, French, and Italian peoples, quickly accepted, modifying the power landscape. This was a huge relief for Emperor Belisarios, as his troops were overextended and without any support of the local populace this conquest would turn unsustainable.
After this, there was finally time to rejoice. 603 years of muslim rule had come to an end. The Imperial Eagle, along with the banner of the reborn Argead dynasty, were displayed over the damaged walls of the city. Still, by explicit order of Belisarios, the Estrid banners were not removed; she and her family were still the Kings and Queens of Jerusalem. The Basileus still insisted on his plan, thinking that naming another King or maybe an Exarch would enrage not only the locals, but also the entire West once again.
Still, now with Jerusalem back in Orthodox hands, Belisarios announced the restoration of the Patriarchal See of Jerusalem, outlawed by the Crusaders. Ioustinianos Choumnos, a prominent priest under the Patriach of Antioch, was named as the succesor of Saint James the Just. Churches's bells ringed for an entire hour in the great cities of the Empire, celebrating such event.
Few days later, a massive baptize under the Orthodox faith converted every -surviving- person in Jerusalem, welcoming it back to the fold. While most accepted this because of fear, it was a first step into the right direction. Most of the city was depopulated, thanks to the siege and the fact that Queen Ase had expeled the Jewish people from her kingdom. Belisarios, being much more tolerate, allowed their return to the city and surroundings, news that would quickly go around the world.
Even more would be announced, as Belisarios had planned to make a sort of counter-order to those of the Catholic faith that had been leading the charge against the Empire. While some of the more traditional priests accused this move as blasphemy, the Emperor had made his choice.
The Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcre would be completely reformed, leaving its old ways behind and adopting discipline and martial prowess as alternative paths to reach salvation. While the old clergy would be maintained in the higher ranks of the new militarized order, commanders and veteran soldiers were accepted into their ranks. Their mission: to protect the Holy Land. The Castle of Rammala, now renamed Saint Leandros in honor of the Basileus' father, was granted to the order.
Belisarios felt relief again, seeing how this decision, although expensive, meant another force to secure this new and dangerous border with the East. The Imperial Army wasn't alone in their duty with the support of the lords and the Brotherhood.
Only the Royal Family of Jerusalem remained out of his reach.
But as he rode back to Constantinople, a strange letter arrived to his hands. A declaration of war by the Caliph of the Sunni faith... but it wasn't a Jihad, nor a holy war, but a personal war declared only by hatred. The man had no forces able to fight the Empire, but he still did it. Was he trying to prove something to their faithful? It was no secret than almost none even put attention to his words, hence why his previous Jihad was a total failure.
When some minor garrisons were moved to Georgia and Armenia, just in case, a new declaration of war appeared, this time the Seljuks attacking the Cumans over the land known as Alania. But, as this became known for two days, confusing news arrived shortly. Sultan Ahmed II, long antagonist of the Empire, was dead. In his place his son Artuk ruled, someone who didn't really give much hope to the Sultanate.
This declaration of war sparkled what seemed inevitable: The collapse of the Cuman Khanate, and the independence of the Rus.
But this collapse wasn't the only new from the Steppes: Genghis Khan, Temujin, died. The great menace, Lord of Central Asia, had died.
Khagan Babur, younger son of Temujin, had become the leader of the unstoppable horde. Only 16 years old, few were sure that he could be able to maintain his father forces together.
Their enemies cheered, thinking that the menace was gone.
Only time would tell.
Hahaa! Jerusalem is finally back in Roman hands. Queen Ase keeps fighting for independence and Catholicism from her holdings in Egypt, for now surviving against all odds.
I want to thank @mike the knight for his suggestion, as at the end I decided to use it. It took some time to find how to add the Vergina Sun as a custom coat of arms, but I did it and looks awesome!
Now, let's see what happens with the Mongols. With Genghis Khan dead, everything can happen. I was expecting for a great war against them, but you know how CK2 works: nothing is predictable.
That's all for now! Thank you for reading!
Last edited:
Yes!!!!Now,seize Egypt and Cyrenaica!!Then,retake all of Pannonia.Perhaps Justinian’s borders are within reach…
The Mongols are pacified for now with the loss of their Khan, but the Seljuks are going to be very troublesome in the near future. It would be wise to keep an eye on their movements.
Then again, the reborn Argead dynasty can likely survive whatever fate punishes them with.
Then again, the reborn Argead dynasty can likely survive whatever fate punishes them with.
One horselord perishes and another takes his place. There is no end to them. While I consider the situation in Sinae grim, it is good to see you got a bit of breathing room considering the new Seljuk ruler's wife seems to be the daughter or sister to the Dragon Emperor . And hurrah for getting Jerusalem back! Just one more seat and the pentarchy's almost fully restored.
As for the Seljuks, perhaps it is time for that empire to be dismantled no? It will secure your eastern flanks if most of them will only be fighting among themselves. Plus a series of emirs paying tribute to tge empire certainly won't be bad.
. And hurrah for getting Jerusalem back! Just one more seat and the pentarchy's almost fully restored.As for the Seljuks, perhaps it is time for that empire to be dismantled no? It will secure your eastern flanks if most of them will only be fighting among themselves. Plus a series of emirs paying tribute to tge empire certainly won't be bad.
It's a gret honou you chose my idea.May the reborn dynsty bring more glory to the Empire ,also i would advise caution with both horse lords especially Babur
Looks like count Gotfred isn't exactly happy with how things turned out... or did he get a good compensation for his losses?
The Argeads are rising, and switched from defence to offence. But even if the Mongols seem weak now, a young ruler does have to prove he is fit to rule...
The Argeads are rising, and switched from defence to offence. But even if the Mongols seem weak now, a young ruler does have to prove he is fit to rule...
No rest for Belisarios. Naturally with the Holy Land restored, it now has to be defended.
While Egypt and Cyrenaica are surely within the Empire's reach, trying to seize Pannonia (now Hungary) could seriously weaken our greatest ally, the Arpads. For now, the European front is secured.
That Mongol heir sure looks good though! Let's see if he lives to fullfil his father dreams to storm Europe!
And about the Seljuks, well, they come and go. They are a permament threat, but thanks to their instability and infighting I doubt they will dare to attack the Empire. For now.
One horselord perishes and another takes his place. There is no end to them. While I consider the situation in Sinae grim, it is good to see you got a bit of breathing room considering the new Seljuk ruler's wife seems to be the daughter or sister to the Dragon Emperor
As for the Seljuks, perhaps it is time for that empire to be dismantled no? It will secure your eastern flanks if most of them will only be fighting among themselves. Plus a series of emirs paying tribute to tge empire certainly won't be bad.
I would certainly like to dismantle the Seljuks but, as I said to Crimson Lionheart, for now they serve as a buffer state between the Mongols and everything else. Unless they reorganize, or someone much more capable takes over, they are not an immediate threat. I'll try to deal with Egypt first, as Christian Morocco is eating Tunis, so maybe the Empire will share borders with another christian realm on the North African coasts.
No, thank you! I reaaally like the new coat of arms, so it was a great idea! The Vergina Star certainly won my heart.
Looks like count Gotfred isn't exactly happy with how things turned out... or did he get a good compensation for his losses?
The Argeads are rising, and switched from defence to offence. But even if the Mongols seem weak now, a young ruler does have to prove he is fit to rule...
Ah, yes, I'm sure Gotfred is going to get a correct compensation for his... slippers. Let's see if I can give him a barony or two to right my wrongs
There is no time to lose while your former family is plotting your demise back in the capital. I'll just say that some high rank officers and governors are together in a dangerous endeavour against the throne, and that could end very wrong!
And yes. The Holy Land, while it means a good boost of morale to the Empire, it definitely stretches its resources. The militarized order of the Holy Sepulcre will not be enough to secure it; Jerusalem needs a king/queen, and soon.
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That's it for now, thanks you all for reading!
I have a problem, though. This weekend we may not have an episode thanks to all the essays, presentations and tests I've done last week and have to prepare to the next. I'll try anyway, but sorry in advance if this AAR doesn't get updated these days!
PS. Plus, I have to edit the savefile so the historical Great Works appear on their provinces! That's going to take some time.
It seems that members of his own dynasty are planning an assassination of Belisarios. Perhaps in this way they plan to seize power for themselves?
This Imperial Schism is going to have far worse effects on society than just a family dispute. Assassination would be a kindness, since should they take Belisarius alive, who knows what torture they have lined up for him.
