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Irish (Wealthy and Warlike)

1 (7.1%)

Picts (Powerful and Poor)

0 (0%)

Saxons (Numerous and Next to us)

4 (28.6%)

Scotish (Rich and Raidable)

3 (21.4%)

Mercians (Tiny and Tenacious)

1 (7.1%)

Northumbrians (Big and Badass)

5 (35.7%)

Total Members Voted: 10

[USEC_OFFICER]

Oddly enough, I'd thought that you would claim it.

[MonkeyHead]

An opportunity to kill Saxons, with Longbows, as the Viking puppet ruler the King of Dyfed - how could I pass it up?

[USEC_OFFICER]

I've played the next turn.  The Northumbrians may be cowardly, but those Saxons are pretty bad-ass. Must be their Germanic blood or something. Our offensive is barely one turn in, and several fronts have already stalled. Gah.

An opportunity to kill Saxons, with Longbows, as the Viking puppet ruler the King of Dyfed - how could I pass it up?

I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I forgot to put you in the army of Wales. The good news is, wait. That was the good news. Never mind.

[NRDL]

So, essentially, I'd be fighting more battles than anyone else?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

ABSOLUTE WIN!!!

[hostergaard]

Well I will be damned, my glory days as king came and went in a blink! I never expected to become king so fast, sorry about not noticing, I tought it would be weeks.  Send me a pm next time you need me to do anything and I might notice and answer in time!

Secretly an adulterer, aye? Well, I bought my kingdom glory and had a nice time to booth so what can I complain about?

[USEC_OFFICER]

So, essentially, I'd be fighting more battles than anyone else?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

ABSOLUTE WIN!!!

Well you would be, if we didn't lose our only inn to the Saxons. Unlike in Rome and up, you need an actual building to hire mercenaries. And, after a new inn was constructed, not enough money was left over for a respectable mercenary army. *Sigh* Bloody Saxons.

Well I will be damned, my glory days as king came and went in a blink! I never expected to become king so fast, sorry about not noticing, I tought it would be weeks.  Send me a pm next time you need me to do anything and I might notice and answer in time!

Yeah, I've been updating ridiculously fast (for me), so I know where you're coming from. Still, you've lasted for more updates than Sheb, mostly because the Welsh were smashed in no time at all, and the Northumbrians didn't live all that long either. If you want to, I can place you in command of the Royal Army, since nobody is commanding it right now.

Secretly an adulterer, aye?

Yep, though it never came to light. And if it did, you'd only get a -2 to piety, which isn't the worse trait in the world. Plus, look on the bright side: At least you aren't a pedophile! Yeah, it is possible, and of course one of our (minor) commanders is (secretly) one. We honestly need a better screening process for our leaders or something. Most of them seem to either be inbred or morally corrupt. *Sigh* Bloody Vikings.

[NRDL]

Puts on best Darth Vader voice:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[USEC_OFFICER]

Nothing to see here (yet).

[USEC_OFFICER]

Turn 4

Spoiler: I hate you too game (click to show/hide)

Odin damn it. Well, hopefully they didn't bribe anybody important.


Steinar the Peaceful? What kind of pansy name is that? No wonder the Saxons managed to bribe him. Losing a unit of archers is pretty bad, but I'm more concerned about


Yeah, that. Looks like I'm going to have to start the invasion much sooner than expected. Losing East Engle still sucks though, especially since it was the only other province able to produce Viking Raider Calvary, and the only one that could hire mercenaries. Still, Landsmen haven't failed us in the past, so I shouldn't complain too much. Now then, time to


What? Northumbrian rebels I can understand, but Viking units? You know what? Let me check the loyalty of the province here...


Yeah. Remind me how in the hell a province with over a hundred percent loyalty is supposed to rebel? Bloody spies...

Spoiler: Defence of Reget (click to show/hide)

"Bloody rebels," muttered Sirus. After the invasion of Northumbrian had finished, his army had been sent to Reget. The Scottish had decided to follow in the footsteps of their neighbours, and had stationed a large force near the border. Whether they were planning an attack or merely moving troops to defend their own borders against perceived threats from neighbouring kingdoms was unknown, but no one was willing to take the chance.


Lord Sirus had placed his army on top of a slope facing the rebels. Their warriors would thus tire themselves up from charging up the hill, leaving them open to a deadly counter-charge. Or at least that was the plan. A couple bands of warriors had arrived in Reget to help Sirus combat the rebels, allowing some of his more depleted bands to rest and recover.




The rebel army was a smudge near the horizon, one that slowly approached and resolved itself into a mass of men and arms. As Sirus's archers began to fire, he ordered his two units of cavalry to scatter. He would need them later, but they were nigh useless now.


As the warriors began to clash, the cavalry slipped away.


Several squads of the enemy, spotting the flight of the cavalry, gave chase, and thus greatly reduced the pressure on Sirus's forces.




The battle was long and fierce, but with many of their men on a wild goose chase the enemy found themselves outnumbered, and soon began to run.


The death of their general completed their rout.


The cavalry, seeing the plight of the enemy, turned around and soon became the pursuers.


The rebels were quickly driven off the battlefield, and in the weeks following were hunted down one by one like the animals they were.

Spoiler: Cold War (click to show/hide)

Technically the Saxons were at war with us, yet they made no attempts to invade or attack us. Still, if they are allowing us more time to build up, then why not oblige them? Yet soon the treasury began to dry up, and the only way to get more money would be to pry it from the cold body of the Saxon men.


We've got the largest army, seized the initiative, and we're attacking four provinces at once. What could possibly go wrong?

Spoiler: Everything (click to show/hide)

"Join the army they said. It'll be fun they said," grumbled Egil the Womanizer. Originally the Army of Cornwall wasn't supposed to exist, and it certainly wasn't supposed to mount an invasion. But the province needed to protected from the Saxons, so band after band of warriors kept on arriving. And eventually those bastards got it into their heads that horsemen aren't all that great at fighting, especially in such hilly and forested terrain. And then one thing led to another and, well:


Of course the Saxons had decided to reinforce Wrocen Saetan right before the attack. And not with green troops either. No, these were disciplined and hardy warriors who had seen many a fight and were led by a competent and able general. The raiders, on the other hand, were lead by Egil the Priest, who was Egil's twin brother, though you couldn't tell from appearances. Egil the Priest was a serious and devout man, while Egil the Womanizer was, well, a womanizer.


Egil the Priest was much better at reciting the five tenets of Odin (or whatever the hell he did) than leading an army. Only when the banners of the Saxons began to rise over the hill did he realize that the enemy was upon them.


As a stream of horsemen rode up the crest of the hill everyone began to turn and run to some nearby woods.


With the comforting boughs of trees surrounding them, the Vikings turned to face the enemy, who were hot on the heels of a few stragglers.


Several bands of warriors, seeing that a Saxon prince and his body guards were less than a stone's throw away, charged forward, perhaps with thoughts of ransom in their head.


Egil the Priest, seeing that his men were dangerously outflanked, sent warrior after warrior out of the cover of the woods to engage the enemy.


Yet the Saxon horsemen seemed to be everywhere, and soon Egil's courage left him, and he ran away like a cowardly dog.


His men, seeing his flight, lost heart as well, and ran from the furious onslaught of the Saxons.


All told, only fifty-five men escaped Egil's debacle. Ironically enough, Egil the Womanizer survived, while his brother was captured by the Saxons.

Spoiler: That's more like it (click to show/hide)

The Saxons abandon Mierce as the the New Royal Army approaches.


Unfortunately, Mierce was just recently a Mercian province, so it has already been looted and plundered by those damn Saxons. 50 Florins is a pittance, and we might not get that much gold from taking over the fort. Still, at least the Saxons no longer have that province, so it's better than nothing.


Meanwhile the Old Royal Army was facing off against the Saxons in Middle Engle.


The army was still lugging around the catapults from Reget, and they were used to great effect.


However the catapult bombardment soon abated due to lack of ammo, and thus the Viking army marched forth to meet the Saxons on the field of battle.


The Saxons too strode forth to meet the Vikings, concentrating their army on the left flank of the Vikings, where the weaker Seaxe spearmen were forming a shield wall in the woods. What little cavalry the raiders had were driven off by the powerful Saxon horsemen.


The two armies clashed with a fearsome clash of arms and armour. The huscarls on both sides tore through their enemies, killing many men.


Yet the Vikings had more huscarls and braver warriors, and soon the thoughts of the Saxons turned to flight.


Even the Saxon general decided to save his own neck.


The valiant warriors perused the Saxons across the field, but then turned back, because the battle had been a hard one, and every man was exhausted.


It was well that they did so, for the bands of Saxon horsemen had finished perusing the Viking cavalry, and had turned back to rejoin their friends. Outnumbered and surrounded, they were quickly dealt with.


The Saxons had once again proven to be  worthy foes.

Spoiler: That's less like it (click to show/hide)

The Welsh army had been sent into Wrocen Saetan, where they met a sizable force of Saxons. Knowing that they had the superiority in range, the attackers advanced to shower the Saxons with arrows,


The Saxon huscarls boldly rushed down from the hill, eager to deal with the bowmen.


Their charge was broken by a scattered unit of peasants in front of the main army, and the Viking landsmen quickly rushed forward to support their brethren.


Knowing about the ferocity of the huscarls, the raider's cavalry charged into their flank, in an effort to disorient or rout them.


However the other Saxon warriors soon advanced to support the huscarls, and a vicious slugging match began.


However it was a match that the Vikings could not win, as poorly armed as they were. Soon their entire army turned to run.


*Sigh*


Another glorious battle for the Vikings.


Luckily the Saxons were kind enough to ransom all of their prisoners back. It cost a pretty penny, but we desperately need the troops.


Unfortunately the ransoms we got from the Saxons were worth much less.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Would you believe that I finished watching all of Stworca's videos after the last update?

Anyways, not much to be proud of here. Those Saxon huscarls are mean, and they have quite a lot them. Still, we're just two sieges away from controlling two more provinces, so hopefully things will start to go better for us in the future.

If it wasn't for the bloody Picts/Scots we would probably have a couple more provinces right now. Maintaining two armies is expensive, especially if they are off pillaging and plundering. However we can't exactly move those armies, since leaving Northumbria open to the Picts/Scots isn't such a great idea.

Spoiler: The Armies of the Vikings (or what's left of them) (click to show/hide)

The men that were ransomed back to us will form the New Army of Wales. I'd like it if they had some more huscarls and cavalry, but beggars can't be choosers.


Lord Xantos's Army. It has been chilling throughout this turn due to the big, nasty Saxon stacks in the nearby provinces, especially in West Seaxe.


The Old Royal Army. Those spearmen really got mauled by the Saxon Huscarls, so it'll need some more infantry before it can fight another field battle. However it should be fine in an assault, especially with those catapults.


The New Royal Army. It's not too impressive, but better than nothing. A unit of catapults is coming from Denmark to help it tackle the fort.


The Army of Northumbria, which is commanded by Sheb. I lied about the title, it's actually the Warden of the Northern Marches. Feel free to put it in ALL CAPS, since it is the kind of title you'd have to yell for full effect (preferably while burying your axe into somebody's head).


The Army of England, which Sirus controls. If the Scots weren't lurking ominously by our border it'd probably be rampaging among the Saxons. Oh well, it kinda needs to be retrained a bit anyways.

If you're wondering about the Army of Cornwall:
A. It doesn't really exist anymore.
and
B. I'll probably be evacuating Cornwall and razing it to the ground. Vikings get 100% of their money back when they destroy buildings, and quite frankly we need the money. Several ports and shrines will probably be destroyed as well. We'll see how desperate I am.

EDIT: Both of the Royal Armies are free if anybody wants them.

[Iituem]

Pillage Cornwall, then burn it.  That's the Viking way.

[NRDL]

Meh...

I'm never gonna get the mercenary army am I?  Can I please have either of the royal armies, and a character?

If you ever do get mercenaries in the future, would you be so kind as to switch me immediately to them? 

Please and ( in the future ) thank you. 

[Delta Foxtrot]

That's a lotta Scots

You win some, you lose some, eh? Raze Cornwall. I'm sure they would agree if they were in your shoes. Then lets bring the hurt to the Saxons.

[Sheb]

Yeah, it's a pity the scottish and pictish bordersare so well defended, those two armies could be taking the fight to them instead of chilling. Actually, couldn't we try to slug it out with the Picts? Aren't their troops weak, if numerous? Ain't I the WARDEN OF THE NORTHERN MARCHES!?

[USEC_OFFICER]

Meh...

I'm never gonna get the mercenary army am I?

Not against the Saxons, but the Irish will probably feel your wrath. If we get enough plunder from the Saxons, then maybe the Picts/Scottish. In peacetime a lot of the money we get goes to building projects, but I can easily set some gold aside to summon your army.

Can I please have either of the royal armies, and a character?

If you ever do get mercenaries in the future, would you be so kind as to switch me immediately to them? 

Please and ( in the future ) thank you. 

Sure thing.

Yeah, it's a pity the scottish and pictish bordersare so well defended, those two armies could be taking the fight to them instead of chilling. Actually, couldn't we try to slug it out with the Picts? Aren't their troops weak, if numerous? Ain't I the WARDEN OF THE NORTHERN MARCHES!?

Well, fighting on two fronts isn't the best thing to do, but I'll have to check and see how many troops they have away from the border. If their forces are all concentrated by the border, we might be able to slaughter a lot of them¹ and them steamroll up the country. I'll have to check their troop strengths in their other provinces. Actually I think that the Scots would probably be the better target, since their country is hemmed in by the Picts, and the rest of their provinces are relatively unprotected. Of course then we'll have a much larger border with the Picts, along with a border with the Irish, since Ulster is Scottish.<sup>4
1. Unlike in Rome Total War, each side can only have 16 units in a battle.2 Thus having armies larger than 16 units isn't that great of an idea, unless you are the defender or have siege weapons or archers or something.3 Therefore we should be able to kill/route the first stack, and then any reinforcements get a morale penalty from all those reinforcements, thus allowing us to rout them faster. In theory at least.
2. Unless you have more than two factions fighting in the same battle, in which case every faction gets 16 units and damn the consequences. Obviously we'll be lucky if we manage to see on of these battles, and if we do, it'll probably be the Picts/Scots/Irish against us. Lovely.
3. When siege weapons/archers run out of ammo they become pretty useless, so if you have reinforcements you can rout them and get a squad of more useful units. Note that siege equipment cannot move at all, so they can't appear as reinforcements (or something like that).
4. The roots/beginnings of the Kingdom of Scotland came from Ulster if you're wondering why Ulster is Scottish. Historically they're not called Scotland in this time period5, but obviously the game designers decided that they needed to have Scotland as a faction.
5. Ironically they stole the name from the Picts.</sup>

[Sheb]

Fighting on two front may not be a good idea, but an army idling is an army not bringing in plunder money or new province. As Stworca once said: "An army is an investment, an army not fighting is like an idle factory."

The Scots might make for a great target: our navy trumps their, and isn't used right now, so we could cut their forces in two. We don't even have to invade Ulster right now, we can do that once Great-Britain is under control.