View Full Version : Rise of the Danes - Denmark AAR
As I love this game, and I love Writing almost twice as much, I've decided to fuse the two together to create a masterpiece... Of course, because people thought of this idea long before me, I shall simply join in with the rest of the flock... I mean cattle... I mean crowd... Yes, crowd!
Regardless, here are the Rules!
Period: Early
Kingdom: Denmark
Difficulty: Normal (As I'm not an expert yet...)
Objectives
1. Control Norway and Sweden either through Military Conquest or Vassalage
2. Conquer provinces of: Ulster, York, East Anglia, Mercia
3. Defeat France, Germany, Papacy and the Byzantine Empire!
Prelude
In the years prior to the following story, Lord Cnut II of Denmark had raided the British Coasts for loot and paradise. Women were kidnapped and any resistance the British put up, was beaten down and slaughtered in a most magnificent bout of Viking Violence.
Regardless, the British Coast and most of Europe have become wary of Denmark's armies and borders. Sweden and Norway have broken off most bonds of vassalage with Denmark, and have formed kingdoms by themselves.
Indeed, it is up to King Cnut himself to restore an order he wishes...
(Actual AAR up soon!)
Chapter One: Cnut's Plans
In the year 1000 AD, King Cnut II of Denmark was ruling over his lands. His Danish Viking warriors watched over his lands for him, under his guidance of course. In the recent years, he had sent several of his best Vikings across the seas to the west, in order to pillage the towns of Britain.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark1.jpg
King Cnut II was a master of Espionage, and he wasn't half bad at anything else either. However, he had completely forsaken Religion, which he viewed as 'A Troublesome Way of Life!'. Indeed, Cnut II despised every aspect of Religion, and went as far as to execute any Priests he happend to find in his travels...
Cnut II had two sons, and two daughters. He had plans for his daughters, of which would no doubt be effective in gaining access to other lands. However, his two sons were almost at each other's necks. Cnut's youngest son, Cnut III, was popular with the villagers of the Danish lands of Denmark. However, Cnut favoured his eldest and most experienced son, Ottar, as the next king of Denmark.
Ottar was much like his father, being skilled with Espionage, being a good Diplomat and managing to take control of the Economy. unlike his father, however, he was obssessed with Religion, so much so that he had taken up the Catholic Faith even when his entire family advised him against it. Ottar had been severely beaten by his father for it, and yet he was still the Crown Prince, simply because he was a better warrior than his brother...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark2.jpg
At this early point in time, Denmark had a Trade Agreement with the lands of Norway nearby. Cnut viewed this as an able opportunity. He would let the Norweigians believe they were safe, and then he would strike out at their lands and take them for his own.
But, to his other side, a thorn had been struck into his kingdom and he was unhappy about it. Lithuania to the east, across the waters, had been foolish enough to declare war in order to gain popularity with the other kingdoms. Cnut scoffed at their choice to battle with the Vikings, and simply laughed at their demans that Denmark become Lithuania's vassal!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark3.jpg
Cnut also had another problem. Whilst he was currently forced to do battle with the weak Lithuanian troops, and had a mutual agreement with Norway, he truly wanted the scandinavian lands under the control of Sweden, and force the remainder of the Swedish forces to become his vassals. However, Norway and Sweden were at war, and there was a large chance that Norway would take over Sweden before Cnut's army could be moved into action. He could not stop them, because it would ruin his plan to take Norway by surprise. But he could not sit to the side and let them become too big.
He had to find a way to force peace between the two Kingdoms... But how..?
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark4.jpg
But, then his scouts reported news he simply did not wish to believe. Jarl Harald of Norway was marching across the Danish lands towards Sweden! This simply could not be!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark5.jpg
Shortly afterwards, however, there was some good news for King Cnut! His daughter, Princess Gerd, was married to Prince Edward of Wessex! Surely, this would prove fruitful for Cnut, and allow him to take a portion of the British provinces in the future...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark6.jpg
Even more good news followed! Following a collapse in their economy, the Duchy of Lithuania was more than happy to sign a Peace Treaty with Denmark! Things were going well for the Danish King!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark7.jpg
Lord Crackbone
31 Jan 2008, 20:42
It seems very good, keep going. :)
Thank you. It's my first time doing something quite like this, so I might not be the best.
Oh, and I've played on ahead a bit... But, I won't spoil it for ya'. :go:
Lord Crackbone
31 Jan 2008, 21:27
Thank you. It's my first time doing something quite like this, so I might not be the best.
Oh, and I've played on ahead a bit... But, I won't spoil it for ya'. :go:
You're not alone. ;)
Chapter 2: Cnut's Conquest
Afterwards, rumours began to spread. Vikings began to say that Jarl Harald's march into Sweden ended in failure, and that a Swedish Marshal pursued him back to the lands of Norway! Other rumours said that Wessex had lost a province to the forces of Munster. Feeling that his plans to claim lands in Britain were going wrong, Cnut had his other daughter marry a prince of Sweden, and Germany were more than happy to allow the marriage of their king's daughter and Ottar, son of Cnut II, to take place.
King Cnut, encouraged by these good events and inspired by the courage of a feeble kingdom like Munster, marched a large band of Peasants into Norway... They began to approach the province of Hordaland!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark8-2.png
Eventually, the siege of Hordaland was a success, and with the marshals of Sweden keeping Norway occupied elsewhere, there was only a small band of resistance troops in the town. Not only this, but Sweden even sent a small band of troops to assist in the siege anyway. Delighted by their assistance, King Cnut decided to give them 1100 Gold Coins... And decided to let them live a little while longer...
Eventually, King Cnut II decided to spare the surviving peoples of Norway, offering them peace in the form of becoming Denmark's vassal. He had raids to commence on Britain, so he would leave Norway's destruction to Sweden for now...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark9.jpg
Prince Ottar was tasked with commencing a series of raids on Britain, brutal slaughtering of villagers and the raiding of local farms would bring fame and money to the Danish Kingdom. Ottar questioned his father's commands, and began to truly wonder if his faith would shine upon him after doing such a violent string of attacks...
Regardless, he was soon on a boat, and neared the coast of Strathclyde...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark10.jpg
Ottar soon began a skirmish with a Lothian Marshal, with an army ranging around the same size as his own. Ottar was prepared, however, and marched north into a wooded area in which the battle would take place. Ottar had his trooops form a line, and two bands of Peasants stood by him and his knights. Here, they waited for the charging Lothian rabble to make contact with the frontline...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark11.jpg
After a long battle, of which morale was on Ottar's side, the Danes forced the Lothian troops into a retreat. As they made their journey back into Edinburgh, Ottar planned to raid the countryside!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark12.jpg
anguille
5 Feb 2008, 10:49
Go Vikings...go! keep on plundering ;)
I myself am hoping that the Vikings have many days of plundering to come... Alas, Photobucket is under maintenance, so I shall have to wait before I can update this!
Chapter Three: King Cnut's Greed
A messenger from Sweden arrived before King Cnut, requesting that he turn on his own vassal, Norway. Cnut was quick to decline, after all, he was gaining gold from his vassal... But when Sweden offered him one of their provinces... How could he possibly refuse their plea for help?
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark13.jpg
Whilst Ottar and a second Danish Marshal took the chance to fortify Jutland before launching a two-pronged assault on Britain, King Cnut marched north to attack the last Norwegian bastion of hope!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark14.jpg
King Cnut took the city with little trouble, slaying the king of Noway in the process. Now, he was a power to be recognised in his lands, yet, the world did not know the terror he was so famous for now. He doubted he would be alive to see the people of Europe fear him, but wished the best for his sons in the future...
A few years passed, and everything seemed to have calmed down. Denmark owned much of the Scandinavian lands and was set to raid Britain once more when trouble arose in Hordaland! A rebel, forvever loyal to his Norwegian King, began to raze the countryside in a coup against the Danes. King Cnut and his son Prince Ottar were preoccupied elsewhere in the Danish lands, and Cnut III was a mere merchant. It fell upon the shoulders of a bare Danish Marshal to take down these troublesome Peasants!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark15.jpg
The rebels were slain in a flurry of Danish-crafted pitchforks. The marshal was commended, but he had hardly won a war, and was sent on his way soon after.
A number of years later, Cnut demanded that his son pillage Britian and bring riches back this time. Ottar refused to obey the command, and stayed within the confines of Zealand. Annoyed by his son, but knowing him to be the next Danish King, King Cnut himself set sail for Britain, alongside the Marshal that had put down those rebels so recently...
Upon landing, Cnut and his loyal Marshal entered battle with the same warrior that had been defeated by Ottar during the first raid.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark16.jpg
After forcing the Marshal to retreat back to Edinburgh, Cnut's forces began to raze the nearby monasteries! Truly, Cnut was as obssessed with religion as his son Ottar. Yet Cnut's obssession was one of hatred!
Luckily for Lothian, the destruction of both of the Monasteries in Strathclyde was enough to quench King Cnut's religious hatred. Afterwards, Cnut signed peace with Lothian... After making them a vassal of Denmark...
Lord Crackbone
6 Feb 2008, 20:26
Burn baby burn!:D
Chapter Four: Rise of Denmark, Fall of a King
Cnut's army then marched north-west, towards the Highlands. They were quick to surprise them with a declaration of war, and forced their Marshal to retreat. Afterwards, Cnut and his troops began to raze the Monasteries there as well...
Around this time, noticing the growing power of their Danish friends, Sweden requested a Pact of Non-Aggression. King Cnut kindly accepted... Which was strange... Did the death of so many priests truly make him so happy..?
After destroying the Monasteries in the Highlands, Cnut then agreed to peace with them, but demanded that they pay a tribute of 260 Gold Coins. Reluctantly, they agreed to the Danish demands. Happy with the progress he had made, Cnut and his army began the journey home across the sea... However, Ottar had recieved word of his father's deeds, and was almost certainly, the only unhappy Viking in Denmark...
Ottar, ruling over the land whilst his father was at sea, recieved word that the Emperor of Germany had died. Seeing his wife, the former Princess of Germany, mourn the loss of her father so much, convinced him to decline the claim his own father had to three of the German provinces. Upon arriving on the coast of Jutland, King Cnut was informed of what his son had done. Incredibly angry, Cnut gathered supplies from the province and journied to Svealand, where Ottar was currently battling rebels...
However, it was common knowledge that King Cnut was growing old, and his health was in a mess. During the journey, he died of a heart-attack. In such early days, no Danes were promising field surgeons, and nothing could be done to prevent it... Because of this sad event, Ottar was left as king of Denmark. But he mourned not for his father, but for the people his father had slaughtered so happily. Ottar promised that his rule would be one were Religion could prosper, and where criminals in the kingdom would be the only ones executed!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark17.jpg
PowerHungry
9 Feb 2008, 08:48
Looks good so far. Go King Cnut! Pillage and burn and... eat... sheep?
Chapter Five: Ottar's Religious Quest
A short while into his reign, Ottar recieved some great news from his family's servants! Indeed, he and his wife had been blessed with a son! Ottar knew that it had been the Heavens themselves that had brought this child to him, and wondered if it would be the king to bring Denmark to true glory...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark18.jpg
However, around the same time, he recieved more news that made his blood boil. Indeed, one of his Merchants was found to be a traitor, but his origins were unknown. Ottar wanted to know, so he could deman an explanation from the kingdom he served, but he did not wish to cause the prisoner pain, his faith did not wish it...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark19.jpg
Vikings, who had served King Cnut II loyally and saw no sense in Ottar's rules and laws, tortured the prisoner anyway. Although Ottar was annoyed with them, his temper became a wild fury upon the prisoner confessing who he served... It couldn't be, could it?
But it seemed true. The spy had been hired by Sweden, who was at this point in time, in an Alliance Pact with Denmark...
Ottar demanded a ransom of 8000 gold for the prisoner, and an extra 3100 gold simply as compensation for them breaking their pact. Sweden seemed almost too happy to agree... Ottar then proceeded to stop trading with Sweden, but remain their Ally none the less.
A good few years after all this, Ottar was happy to announce to his kingdom, that his son, Glum, was of an age where he could take responsibility for his kingdom. Ottar hoped he would be an experienced Prince...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark20.jpg
However, Ottar feared his son and wished for his wife to bear another. Indeed, he was frightened, because his son did not partake in acts of Religion as he did. Instead, his soon seemed much more happy with Warfare and Economy... Ottar could not help but feel his son would be much like his father, Cnut II...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark21.jpg
Ottar decided to leave his fears for now, deciding that the time at hand was the time for making History. Ottar had one of his wisest explorers forge a map of the European lands near Denmark's borders. It was easy to see that the land had vastly changed from what it had once been, with once powerful nations having been broken up by smaller rebel-led empires.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark22.jpg
It seemed most of Europe was now in open warfare between several small kingdoms. One thing Ottar could not dismiss, however, was the apparent expansions Poland and York were starting to make. Unless he secured a foothold in Central Europe, Ottar doubted Denmark would last long enough for his kingdom's dreams to come to fruitition.
Around the same time, through both exploration and foreign diplomacy, Ottar heard rumours about something called 'Kingdom Advantages', and how most empires intended to be the first to take control of one. Ottar, upon finding out about these 'Kingdom Advantages', also discovered that Denmark was making little progress towards them.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark23.jpg
However, there was soon more sour news within the court! Another of Denmark's Merchants was apparently a spy from Sweden, and King Ottar was growing exceedingly suspicious, as Sweden seemed to be targetting solely his Trading Economy. He worried even for his brother, Cnut III, who was currently working as a Merchant.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark24.jpg
It did not take long for yet another Spy to be found. This time, the Merchant trading with Poland was found to be a Spy under the employ of Sweden... Ottar was growing exceedingly infuriated by such acts of betrayal from a long time ally of his kingdom...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark25.jpg
Different from the past few times, Sweden needed no encouragement to offer a ransom, of 6600 Gold. However, Ottar was not interested in mere money now. He decided that with this prisoner, he could use it as an opportunity to safely declare war on Sweden!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/Bernado/Denmark%20-%20Early%20%20AAR/Denmark26.jpg