Lord Crackbone's Rise of the Dutch

[Lord Crackbone]

Hello there people, first of all my humble apologies for not continuing with my Germany AAR since I found myself short in time and lack the mood to play KoH, that will change however.

Second point, I'm afraid I have to abandon my Germany AAR for now, but I will finish it at one point, I promis I will! ;)

Third point, from tomorrow (or even today) I will start my new AAR, as the title suggests it will focus around the early Dutch Kingdom or more correctly the Gelre Duchy, in this AAR I will try to put more effort in it, constructive critism is always welcome!

I need to go off now, see ya on the battlefield. :)

~Lord Crackbone

PS: A happy new year!

Rise of the Dutch

Period: Late
Country : Gelre
Difficulty: Normal, no pause during combat

Current Objectives (may change):
-Become an economic powerhouse by obtaining the twelve kingdom advantages, preferably by any non-military means.
- Hold the two (starter) provinces at all costs (Flanders and Friesland).

History:
The small Dutch country was in the earlier days a part of the Holy Roman Empire, but as the time passed the Empire became weaker, and weaker and fell apart in many city states by oppuntunistic lords, the Dutch in this case were forced to bow to the rule of the Duke of Burgundy. However as the taxes raised, it brought intense tension with it, the Duke of Burgundy may found out the Dutch will no longer pay taxes, or worse.

[Lord Crackbone]

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8919/300pxthenightwatchbyremsd6.jpg

Chapter 1 : First steps

A cold wind blew off on the Dutch shores, it were difficult days for the small country of Gelre, the taxes the Burgundy collected were effectively crippeling the country’s income.

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Even with it’s king, Louis III, who was a talented man on the economy field among others, the royal coffers still received a negative income, the king asked his aide for a consult.

Advisor: Well sire, the first and most obvious solution would be to rebel.

King Louis III while an excellent educated commander did not believed war would be an solution on the long term so he thought a plan of his own, he also desired the possesion of rare trading goods from all corners of the world and making Gelre a prosperous trading center for everyone.

Louis III: The only way we can succesfully succeed is through operating behind their back.
Advisor: But sire, we lack the funds to hire spies, and we might as well have Burgundy spies operating in the Royal Court as we speak.
Louis III: I will assign my son, prince Robinet, to a mission for establishing a trading agreement with England, and I will also solve the spy problem.

http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kohyt5.jpg
The Royal family.

As mentioned before, Louis III was a talented man except for espionage which could be a problem, so he asked one of his closest and most loyal friends, Count Gillet, to find and purge any shadowly activities that happen in the Royal Court, and above all to protect the Royal Family.

He also ordered his marshal, Count Estienne to fortify the southen Dutch city of Brugge that was located in Flanders, because he noticed relationships with big neighbour France were rather chilly.

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From left to right: Count Estienne and Count Gillet.

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The relationship between Gelre and France.

Ps: Silly me, choosed the wrong uploading option, I can't fix them save for the first picture. :/

[Lord Crackbone]

Prince Robinet was succesful with forging a trade agreement with England, showing his diplomatic skill.

This still was not enough however for a positive income in Gelre.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4033/kohoy1.jpg

Louis III turned to his other neighbour, the renmants of the once great Holy Roman Empire, also better known as Germany.

He undertook the mission with opening trade relations upon himself, however the emperor was not as easily pursuaded as the king of England.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2503/kohav2.jpg

Louis III was quiet for a moment, but he decided to give in eventually with the thought it would be in his county’s best intrest, and to see his daughter regulairly he personally oversaw the trading actions that happend between the two countries.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7647/kohtj3.jpg

Finally Gelre had an positive income! Not enormous but it will do for the time.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7281/kohuk5.jpg

While the coffers were (really) slowly being filled, Louis III summoned count Gillet to his working room.

Count Gillet: You called for me, sire?
Louis III: Yes, I have an important task that requires a person loyal to the cause of Gelre.
Count Gillet: What is the matter, sire?
Louis III: Your mission is to attempt to infiltrate the court of Burgundy and try to disrupt any activity there.
Count Gillet: What is the plan behind this?
Louis III: Burgundy is becomming a force to be reckoned with, the Duke of Burgundy has forged already an alliance with our kin in Germany.

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/9746/kohom5.jpg

And so went count Gillet on a secret mission to prevent Burgundy to become a major force.

Meanwhile, the economy was slowly but surely growing, Louis III soon ordered the construction of a hunters post, however, Flanders was in a serious disadvantage compared to Frieseland when it comes to construction buildings (Flander’s 2 opposed to Frieseland’s 8), so it would take some time.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1896/kohce4.jpg

In the meanwhile, Louis III noticed that the French lost two provinces to Gelre’s close and friendly neighbour, Palatinat.

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3020/kohse7.jpg

Encouraged by this, and hoping to take profit from Palatinat successes Louis III ordered a letter, he quickly wrote, to deliver to the French king.

Messenger: What is in it, sire?
Louis III: A declaration of war, from now on we are at war with the French!

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3512/kohfm3.jpg

Louis III quickly wrote a message to Estienne to attack the province of Normandy, and mumbled some words to himself.

''And so it begins...''

[Lord Crackbone]

Chapter II: Overthrow thy neighbours

Estienne, who was spending his time training his ‘’soldiers’’ was interrupted by a messenger from the king, who delivered a letter from him, and read it.

Estienne: You’ve got to be joking...
Messenger: I’m sorry, milord.
Estienne: Very well then, captains! Assemble the army! And meet me outside the town gates!

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/169/koh2te9.jpg

Captain: Milord, what is the matter?
Estienne: We are going to invade Normandy, in France.
Captain: But milord! We are barely over 100 men! And most of them are unexperienced peasants!
Estienne: I’m aware of this, but it’s a risk we must take. The king informed me this could be an excellent oppertunity to take some land.

And so, after a long walk, Estienne and his army crossed over the border and came across the scout Estienne send just before they marched in.

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8100/koh3kl4.jpg

Estienne: What is the situation, soldier?
Scout: Not far from us I saw an army from England.
Estienne: That’s strange, as I recall England is not at war with France at all. And not even with other countries further away, regardless, any information else?
Scout: No milord, nothing else of importance to report.

And so, they continued their journey till they finally reached their destination! They took the liberty to take some well deserved rest when Estienne decided to launch the assault.

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The assault was going to be less smoothly then Estienne fist thought however, the city had two squads of excellent well trained town guards, supported by one squad of peasants.

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Estienne: Captain?
Captain: Yes milord?
Estienne: I want you to take one squad to take care of the peasants, while I take the rest and deal with the town guards.
Captain: Yes milord!

Apparantly his plan made the French a little nervous and they decided to make an all-out charge on Estienne’s group, who didn’t expect this but tried to keep his head cool.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5311/koh7ze5.jpg

Estienne quickly ordered his men to make a more narrow formation, increasing their fighting abillity.

Meanwhile, the seperate squad of peasants did what they were told to.

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The enemy, who had an low opinion of those ‘’Dutch peasants’’ and thought they could make easy work of them were suprised that they fought with such courage, and when their spirit went down, those of Estienne’s rised.

And after a furious fight, Estienne and his men were victorious, and quickly rushed to the other group’s aid.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/7056/koh9vs8.jpg

In the end, Estienne prevailed! He felt more confident now when leading troops into battle.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8150/koh10qz8.jpg

Battle in Normandy in France

Result: Normandy conquered by Gelre
Casulties: Gelre: high, only around 20% survivors
France: No survivors, fought till the bitter end

The victory quickly reached the court of Louis III who was pleased, however he did not realize his actions have bad consequences when the ambassador from Britany came in with two of his guards.

Ambassador: I’m sorry to bring you this news, despite the respect we have for you we are bound to an oath we must honour.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1201/koh11xg4.jpg

Ambassador: When you surrender Normandy back to our friends in France, my lord is more then willing to make peace with you.

Louis III refused the offer but he knew Estienne’s army was too weakend to make an effective stand if an enemy army would appear, he had to think of something!

[Lord Crackbone]

Robinet suggested to his father to improve relationships with Germany and Palatinat.

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7425/koh13mf2.jpg

Louis III was suprised by the Germans who offered him a non-aggression before he could do the same to them.

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Advisor: Sire, may I remind you the hunters post have been finished in Flanders?
Louis III: That’s some good news, thank you.

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/1895/koh17vv0.jpg

Meanwhile in Normandy...

Captain: Milord Estienne!
Estienne: What is the trouble, captain?

The captain took a deep breath and explained on what he had received from scout reports.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2114/koh19db6.jpg

And that was just the tip of the iceberg compared on what he had seen more!

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/945/koh18ak9.jpg

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9591/koh15mo4.jpg

Estienne: Three armies...
Captain: What are we going to do milord?
Estienne: We retreat under the cover of darkness back to Gelre, there is no way we can defeat three armies, let alone one.

Unfortunatly, Estienne’s forces made a clear path through the grassland and they were followed by the French army led by Count Nicolas all the way through the castle of Flanders, they had barley time to rest.

Meanwhile the province of Normandy has fallen to the army of Brittany, the defences didn’t even put up a fight, as they saw the enemy as liberators, they will found out they were wrong in time.

Battle in Normandy
Result: Brittiany conquered Normandy
Casulties: Gelre: None
Brittiany: None

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6871/koh20lx2.jpg

Captain: What are those?!
Estienne: Arabic warriors! Captain, prepare as much men you can to fight, I don’t care where you get them.
Captain: Yes, sire!

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/4372/koh21ur1.jpg

In no time, Estienne had an army that was way superior in numbers, but again, most of these were farmers, no warriors.

At sun rise, the battle began...

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The townguards, who are the actual real soldiers were sended first into battle, and caused heavy casulties on the enemy, but on the other hand they were having their fair share of losses aswel, so Estienne had no choice but sending his other men aswel.

The killing went on... and on... the Arabic warriors were proving their reputation as effective killers, for every one of them that fell, they took five of us with them.

Eventually at one point, everyone stopped fighting. As they saw Estienne met Nicolas in the heat of the battle... they fought...

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3449/koh24rj7.jpg

The two were equally skilled with the sword, and it was hard to see who was having the upper hand, Estienne however managed him to give him a punch in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Attempting to kill him failed however, Nicolas quickly grabbed some dust and throwed in Estienne’s eyes, taking advantage of this, he disarmed Estienne and killed him, he then turned to the remaining forces of Gelre.

Count Nicolas: Today gentlemen, this province is now a part of the French kingdom, put down your arms, and your lifes shall be spared.

Naturally, the Dutch troops would attempt to avenge their marshal’s death, but they quickly became disheartend when just when they were about to attack Nicolas another army appeard.

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The soldiers had no choice but to drop their weapons...

Battle in Flanders
Result: Major defeat for Gelre, marshal slain and province captured
Casulties: Gelre: High
France: High
Britiany: None

But the army from Britiany would not just stop there, they quickly raided some of Frieselands villages before quickly retreating, the cowards.

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The loss of Estienne, and two provinces sended a shockwave through Frieseland (the last remaining province of Gelre). It’s said upon hearing the news, Louis III could not sleep for serveral nights, but was determind to recapture Flanders.

He used the money he earned from the trading actions to increase his hold on power (kingdom power increased), and to build a trainingground and a blacksmith for training actual soldiers.

Meanwhile, he noticed France surrendered to Palatinat, becomming their vassel and giving Flanders to them.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9852/koh26ix7.jpg

Louis III: Very smart of them, now we can’t take the province back by force...
Messenger: Sire? I’ve a message from Count Gillet.

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3141/koh29ur2.jpg

[Altair]

That was a hard kick you had with those two armies. I'm waiting with much interest to see what you'll come up with. :)

[Lord Crackbone]

@Altair, I have to admit, I've been never this close to defeat in KoH. :eek:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter III: Turning the tide

Louis III was discussing with the Royal Advisor on directing the war effort.

Louis III: We should concentrate on defending Frieseland for now and building up an army, advisor?
Advisor: Well sire, it’s a good idea to keep following that line for now, do you know Frieseland is a favourable land of breeding horses?
Louis III: I do, I’ve already ordered construction of it.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4601/koh32fw0.jpg

Suddenly, prince Robinet stormed in, crying.

Louis III: What is the matter, my son?
Robinet: The Papal Insitution has been destroyed! And have been replaced by some pagan religion!
Louis III: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!

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Deeply angered by this, Louis III immidiatly decleared war on Genoa, this was welcomed by many faithful Christian countries, even enemies!

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Quickly after the messenger who was supposed to deliver the declearation of war, a scout came in.

Scout: Sire! Jaques (who was responsible for conquering Normandy) has crossed the Rhine river!

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Scout: They are now murdering innocents and plundering the country side! It’s believed he will soon turn to here!

Robinet: Father, let me lead the army against him.
Louis III: And what if you lose and get killed? No, I can’t allow that to happen, I will go.

Despite protests from Robinet Louis III would not change his mind. He recruited many squads of swordsmen, that were now available, and was ready to meet the enemy on the field!

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The enemy, who were so eager and arrogant (because of their earlier victories) were ready to do battle, and even sended a message containing a taunt in an attempt to crush the morale of Gelre’s army, however, it backfired.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7092/koh36ls2.jpg

Battle in Frieseland
Result: Province defended, Jaques escaped

Casulties:
Louis III: Around 200
Jaques: High

While Jaques got away with some pockets of survivors it was a sign Gelre would not give up easily, Louis III himself claimed he saw a glimpse of Jaques who was shocked, or even showed fear when he saw the Dutch troops fighting for their country.

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Back on the way to Frieseland’s castle Louis and his surviving men were hailed as heroes, and when reaching the palace, he received word that Gelre from now on would be always supplied with horses!

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9590/koh34rn1.jpg

[Lord Crackbone]

The news that Gelre was among the first nations that was able to supply horses was spreading like wildfire, and many kingdoms sended their ambassadors to open trade relationships with Gelre because of it.

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From the far east.

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To the cold north.

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To some closer friends.

Louis welcomed their offers of friendship and therefore organized a feast that day at the palace.

At the next day, with the economy of Gelre increasingly becomming stronger Louis took the liberty of hiring a young marshal and a merchant, the latter was ordered to oversee the trade actions between Gelre and Mamaluks.

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From left to right : Bertram and Hertwig

Louis III: My son told me you were a very capable commander, Bertham. So that’s why I promote you to the commander of all Dutch forces on the field.
Bertham: Oh, thank you sire!
Louis III: Your first mission will be to raise an army, you will receive further instructions from me later.
Bertham: It will be done, sire.

The young marshal wasted no time and ordered a bakery to be constructed. After all, a large army needs food.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6230/koh57pt0.jpg

While Bertham was bussy with his objectives Louis was trying to acomplish one of his own, his son needed a wife, but was unable to find any... till one day...
It was one of the normal days at the German court, or atleast the people thought so it would.

The emperor, Albert II, and Louis were close friends sinds the marriage of their childeren, and Louis turned to him for a consult for his problem.

Albert II: Well my friend, I might have a solution for your problem, you see I have a daughter...

Louis III immidiatly proposed a marriage but maybe he was a little too optimistic.

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/308/koh53mf0.jpg

Albert II: Don’t worry my friend, we only ask a small price for our invaluable friendship between our countries (the request was an alliance offer, missed to screenshot it).

Louis III: I do not see why we refuse your great offer!

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The whole country was celebrating the news of of the marriage of the prince and to a lesser extend the new alliance with Germany.

It was late in the night when count Gillet stormed in the working office of Louis, he looked very tired.

Gillet: I’ve done it your highness, the crown prince, Eudo, of Burgundy is dead!

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Louis III: How did you do that?
Gillet: Well sire, when I was hired I quickly rose in their ranks and soon enough became the prince his personal advisor. I was invited on a huntingparty hosted by him. We became seperated from the maingroup and then I killed him, using my crossbow.

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Louis III: Excellent work my friend! We will destroy them from the inside! Now... go take some rest! You will need it for your next assignment.
Gillet: Yes sire, thank you sire.

[Altair]

Hehe, you pulled it together. Congrats.:go:
Btw, in KOH I got defeated once, when I started with Jerusalem and my two muslim neighbours were allies and both in war with me.:D

[elvain]

great story!

I like you use spies, they are THE SPICE of KoH :)

[Lord Crackbone]

Thanks :D
Sadly I expect the comming weeks I won't be able to update that much, but as soon if I got spare time I will spend it on this AAR.

Thank you for your understanding. ;)

[Lord Crackbone]

Chapter IV: The shadow from the east

The growing Dutch economy did not go unnoticed, it had some nice results. Including the construction of a silvermine(after the bakery was finished)! That would greatly assist us in the war effort.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/350/koh63ce3.jpg

More good news arrived.

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Louis III: We don’t see any reason why we should not accept this!
Ambassador: Excellent, I will report the good news to my king right away.

Immidiatly after the ambassador left, Louis asked his advisor on the latest news in the world.

Advisor: Well sire, in the continent they call ‘’Africa’’ the infidels are tangled in their struggle for power and land.

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Advisor: In Asia Minor and the Middle East things are fairly quiet for the time being.

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Advisor: In the east however, there is a war going on, with the brave christians shielding Europe from the greatest threat ever known.
Louis III: About what are we talking about?
Advisor: Mongols sire, they have come again in an attempt to take Europe, only the knights from the Teutonic Order have the power to stand up to them.

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9418/koh60kf5.jpg

Everyone in the room present (mainly the guards) and Louis himself trembled by the very mention of the first word the advisor said.

Louis III remembered his father told him about the earlier Mongol attacks in Europe, previous time they reached parts of Poland and Hungary, killing and destroying everything on their path.

Advisor: Apparantly the old Khagan died and was succeeded by his son.
Louis III: What is his name?
Advisor: Ögedei Khan, sire, but this is only a part of the total empire. This khanate is led by one of his cousins, they call it the Golden Horde.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2914/ogadaikhanwb1.jpg

Louis III: I don’t really like this...
Advisor: We should assist the Grand Master of Teutonic Order, sire.
Louis III: We will, but not openly, you should remember we are still at war with France at Britiany.
Advisor: Sire, what are we going to do then?
Louis III: Let Gillet know I expect him to be ready for his next mission.

As will expect, Louis sended Gillet on a mission to destroy the Golden Horde internally.

It was fairly easy for Gillet to infiltrate the court of the Golden Horde because of the studying he made about the mongols, and secondly with his earlier experience in Burgundy.

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/6139/koh64su6.jpg

[Lord Crackbone]

Louis III summoned Bertham to his working office.

Bertham: You called for me, sire?
Louis III: Yes, how is the progress going on our army?
Bertham: Excellent sire! I’ve finished training of my 5th squad of light cavalry.
Louis III: Very good, we will need them for the comming battle. Apparantly a French army have crossed the border, they are led by count Thibault.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6145/koh67qw7.jpg

Bertham: But sire! I’m outnumbered with 2 to 1.
Louis III: Then reinforce your army with the swordsmen forming the garrison of Frieseland.

Bertham took the suggestion of the king and he felt confident enough now to confront the French.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1724/koh68oh3.jpg

Apparantly the French have a liking for letting mercenaries doing the dirty job, as this army was comprised of a large part of them.

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Bertham ordered his cavalry to stand back for the time being, because of their costs he was hestitant to use them. And the second reason he noticed the enemy had spearmen among their ranks.

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Bertham: Captain, give the order to the swordsmen to advance and engage the enemy.
Captain: Yes milord!

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Under a rain of arrows many swordsmen were killed.

Captain: Milord! The swordsmen are suffering heavy casulties!
Bertham: Send in one squad of cavalry to distract the men-at-arms, the rest take out the crossbowmen! I expect they will break soon after then.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2747/koh72uq5.jpg

The crossbowmen were easily dealt with after a powerful assault by the cavalry, and the morale dropped so badly for the French that Thibault saw it was pointless to keep fighting on and ordered a retreat.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8602/koh73eb8.jpg

Battle in Frieseland
Result: Province succesfully defended, Dutch victory

Casulties:
Gelre: Low-moderate
France: high

Captain: Milord! Will we follow them?
Bertham: No we won’t, our infantry have substained far too much casulties, we return to the castle now.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2528/koh75lh6.jpg

Bertham was hailed as a hero in the palace of the king, and he was rewarded with a chest filled with silver that was availiable now with the finished construction of the silver mine.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/571/koh74jo9.jpg

In the workingroom of the king...

Louis III: You will need it on your next mission. Your job will be to invade the neighbouring French province of Lorraine and if you have the chance capturing it, the province has been cut off by the rest of France, so resistance should be minimal.
Bertham: Sire, this plan seems to be brilliant but how is a chest of silver going to help me on this task? Bribing the town officials?
Louis III: Don’t be absurd, my scouts report there is atleast one mercenary camp in that province. Should you have need of more troops. Search the provinces that border Lorraine for aditional camps.
Bertham: Yes sire..

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1748/koh77nf9.jpg

Captain: Milord, we have arrived in Lorraine.
Bertham: Excellent... now let’s begin by pillaging that village.
Captain: Milord? We have more than enough food to reach the castle.
Bertham: The king expects me to do great things, the goal justifies the means, right?
Captain: Yes milord..

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6140/koh76ga1.jpg

[Lord Crackbone]

Bertham’s decision by plundering a village did not earn the respect of either his men or the king, the former disgusted with such needless destruction.

Captain: We are soldiers milord, not mercenaries.
Bertham: It was nessesary for the greater good of our kingdom, captain.

He did know now, however, how to plunder more effiecently. But instead of using this new knowlege he turned his attention to the castle of the province he intend to conquer.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6851/koh80.jpg

The defenders were catched compleetly off-guard by the attack because of it they didn’t had a large army defending the castle.

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Siege of Lorraine
Result: Victory to Gelre, province succesfully conquered from France

Casulties: Gelre: Low-medium
France: Medium-high

The news of the conquer soon enough reached the Royal Court back in Frieseland and other kingdoms, some were more positive than others.

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Bad news from our new province.

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More bad news, Castila declares war on our kingdom.

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‘’Worthless little kingdom eh? We’l see about that!’’ were Louis’ thoughts about it. But he knew Gelre still had a lack of funds and equipment to enter a full-scale war.

Louis III: Is there more news?
Advisor: Yes sire, our actions did not please our overlords, who have an alliance with France. But they are reluctant for now to take action, we should avoid any incidents for now, they have made many friends in the catholic world since they freed Rome.

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Louis III: Is there actually some good news?
Advisor: No sire, other then some mercenaries arrived here recently according to prince Robinet.

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Louis III: I will look into it, they can be to some use. Give the order to count Gillet in the meanwhile to return home.
Advisor: Yes sire!

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[NikeBG]

Good, good, keep it going! :)

[Lord Crackbone]

Chapter V: Much wailing and gnashing of teeth

Count Gillet is summoned into the workingplace of King Louis.

Louis III: Welcome back my friend, and you are still in one piece I see.
Count Gillet: Thank you sire.
Louis III: I’ve kept a close eye on your activities, apparantly, the Mongols made huge advances into Europe, almost even reaching parts of Germany. But then a miracle happend.

A smile appeared on Gillet’s face.

Count Gillet: What kind of miracle, sire?
Louis III: Apparantly, the great Khagan, Ögedei Khan has suddenly died. And the leader of the Golden Horde who is one of the contenders to the imperial throne, returned at once with his armies to Asia. Many conquered kingdoms have taken the opportunity to rebel.

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Louis III: For some reason, I believe we have to thank you for that.

Gillet did not reply, but he still kept his smile on his face.

Louis III: You can leave now, take the earned rest.
Count Gillet: Thank you sire.

As soon when Gillet left the room, an ambassador from Hungary came in with a trade agreement offer.

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The two men shook hands after Louis agreed to the offer, and the ambassador left soon after.

Louis III was thinking for some seconds before calling in his advisor to his working place.

Advisor: Sire, you called for me?
Louis III: Yes, I want to know how we stand on the political field.

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Advisor: As you can see, sire, we are on bad terms with many countries in the south, including our overlords. Sire, I must warn you again that we must avoid any incidents with them at this time.
Louis III: I shall offer the kingdoms we are currently at war with peace... the situation needs to stabilize for the moment.
Advisor: I will send our ambassadors at once, sire.

Ambassadors were send to the following kingdoms: France, Castilia, and Brittany to negoiate for peace, most came back empty handed.

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The demand of Brittany would put Gelre into an even more dangerous position, so it was refused.

Louis III: I want a report on all military activity, anything nessesary to beat off a possible invasion of anyone.
Advisor: Our most recent report shows us that Bertham was recruiting mercenaries to bolster his forces in Lorraine.

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Louis III: Speaking of Lorraine, how are things developed there?
Advisor: It’s far from being a real economic center, sire, however it has much potential that we should exploit quickly.

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Louis III: Hm intresting, I will deal with it. Now back to the millitary part.
Advisor: Yes sire, our kingdom is since lately recognised as a leader on the field of smithing, since the construction of some crucial buildings you’ve ordered to construct.

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Louis III: The enemies of Gelre don’t know what will hit them once we are ready. Any more news?
Advisor: Yes sire, more mercenaries have arived.

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Louis III: Good, let me know if there are any changes on the rest of Europe.
Advisor: Yes sire.

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I'm sorry for not updating lately, was busy among others for preparing for the exams. Even though the latter is comming in serveral weeks I will still try to update atleast one time. ;)

[Altair]

Don't worry, your AARs are so good, you're excused for any delay. :)

[Lord Crackbone]

Hello people, I've got some bad news to inform you about, it's about the AAR (both Gelre and German one). :(

Somehow, a virus managed to slip pass my firewall and it was nessesary to remove and replace the hard drive, losing ALL the files and programs (including KoH) in the proces. There is NO way I can get those files back as much I want to, that brings us, to say the least, a very dissapointing way to end the AAR's I've mentioned before.

I'm sorry people.

[NikeBG]

Oh, that's sad! The same thing happened to me when I was making a KoH AAR and I know how it really sucks. But at least it was a good ride so far and that's what matters! ;)