1159 This will be a year of recovery, I can feel it.
The Archbishop of Rostov will hopefully take care of Trpimir soon and then everyone can just kind of
chill.
My court, especially Gagik, remind me I am not very old at 44. But the fact remains that I am the last living sibling of 13. That makes me feel old.
Of course; nothing can go well for me for long:
The Tribe of Cuman have attacked my vassal, the Count of Bilyar.
My advisers needed to go far to find someone with information on the Cumans.
Koza of Cumans. Thats their leader. He is a 51 year old pagan swine. The problem is he has 23 or so vassals in a realm spanning over a thousand miles north to south.
Oh, and over one hundred thousand men at his command...
But, no one ever claimed I was wise.
I've gone to war in support of my vassal.
With the Archbishop of Rostov busy sieging Rostov I have sent for Helene Countess of Smolensk to raise her levies.
She will act as my main front against the pagans.
The province of Sharukan is near Smolensk
Rather than wait for the Cumans to come to me, I hope to strike them hard, fast, and first. Perhaps I will be able to gain an early advantage and walk away with a favorable peace.
Kellinikos, Archbishop of Rostov, has sent word that the province of Rostov is back under his control.
There was no word of Trpimir's fate. That is for the better, my wife is deeply concerned and I fear for the worst.
The Countess of Smolensk's marshal is marching on Sharukan with just under 10,000 men.
May God give them victory.
Intriguing news from the east...
Helene's men have arrived in Sharukan and laid siege to the local small castle. The odd part is that they encountered no resistance from any field armies. And their scouts reported no sightings of relief armies on the way...
The Sharukan garrison surrendered to the Countess of Smolensk’s troops.
Her marshal is advancing to an area known as Desht-i-Kipchak.
Reports indicate a formidable castle defends the region, but no enemy troops have been spotted… yet…
I am truly confused.
The Cumans seem to be letting my army ravage their lands without putting up any sort of a resistance. Our records indicated that Koza could raise more than one hundred thousand men to fight for him but we have yet to see a single fielded army.
The marshal of Smolensk has sent word that he captured the Desht-i-Kipchak castle.
They stormed the walls at the crack of dawn and took the defending garrison by surprise.
Boris Rurikovick, the marshal of Smolensk, still has just under 8800 capable men in his army.
It is evident that the Cumans have an army fielded somewhere, though, for I’ve received news that Bilyar fell to the Cumans
I am going to attempt to broker a peace deal, now.
I am offering the Cumans Bilyar and the return of Desht-i-Kipchak in exchange for Sharukan and 500 gold.
I am willing to lose Bilyar considering its geographical location. It is completely surrounded by Cuman lands. But I do not just want to give it up for free especially after showing Koza that I am not to be messed with by taking two of his provinces. But I understand I cannot get too greedy and demand more than I deserve, so Sharukan will suffice. It is on the edge of the Cuman tribe’s influence, and thus more easily defended by me…
I have instructed my retainers to fetch me at once when word of Koza’s response has arrived.
Word of the Cumans came; just not the message I was hoping for.
Boris, in Desht-i-Kipchak, has sent word that 10,000 Cumans are en route to his location. Koza himself leads one of the two incoming regiments. May God give Boris strength and victory.
I am plagued with bad, and awkward, news.
My vassal Kuman, Count of Padua, has gone to war with the Kingdom of Order of Santiago in faraway Iberia... This is an issue I cannot be bothered with. My western holdings are becoming more of a menace than they are worth.
Cuman forces have engaged Boris:
The Marshal of Smolensk’s message indicated that an advance regiment of about 6000 has taken to the field. Boris claims to be fielding just over eight thousand capable men. He is confident for his army is made up of more men-at-arms and knights.
Fate is turning for the worst in Desht-i-Kipchak
Cuman reinforcements, the bulk of the previously scouted army, have arrived to make battle.
Boris is now outnumbered five to three.
I’ve met with my court to discuss our options. Basilakios, my marshal is confident that the Archbishop of Rostov has enough men to reinforce a retreating Smolensk army and then hold a position in Sharukan, or Rostov at worst.
Gagik informs me that the Smolensk regiments are being sustained by the Countess Helene’s treasury, so my finances are actually quite secure. He says we should be able to support any domestic forces for a long enough period to put up a decent fight near my core domain… But he advises against me sending any of my demesne regiments far from our borders, the cost of supporting them on a long journey would be extreme.
Andronikos is confident that Smolensk and Rostov will stand with me during a prolonged conflict, but he cannot say the same of Vidin and Dioclea. My sons should support me as well.
For now I will wait and see the outcome of the battles in Desht-i-Kipchack.
As I have partially expected, Koza refused my peace.
Now that he has his armies in place and sees that I am only fielding two diminished regiments, he will likely attempt to wage war until he can achieve a dominating position.
Of note is a brief and rather vague message from the Countess Helene, though: Apparently Koza has withdrawn some of his units from battle with Boris…
Victory against the Cumans!
God must be with us for we have achieved a victory in the face of many enemy armies!
Boris reports over 2000 men lost, though… He estimates his force to be no more than 6300 strong, if that. The Cumans have fortified positions surrounding the region, too… Boris will not last long without relief.
As such, I am sending a new peace request to the Cumans. Our victory in Desht-i-Kipchack has emboldened me, and I hope to bluff Koza into thinking I have commited more troops from my core domain by demanded a personally favorable peace deal, again.
I am willing to trade Bilyar for Sharukan and 500 gold.
Koza has declined the peace offering.
Several other small Cuman tribes are joining their King against me, too.
Boris reports enemy regiments marching on his position from the north and south.
The new entrants to the conflict are Cuman vassals located east and north of Bilyar.
As is I will have enough trouble facing Koza’s demesne troops in Sharukan area. If these new enemies were to march on Rostov or Smolensk, they would could potentially catch my vassals off guard and from behind…
I need to make sacrifices.
I am going to offer Koza peace again, but this time I will yield my claims on Bilyar, Sharukan, and Desht-i-Kipchak with no indemnities paid.
Somewhat good news from the east:
Koza King of Cuman has accepted my peace. The problem is that I have gained nothing out of it, and lost Bilyar... My wife is also not so happy, for her son was the Count of Bilyar...
But, I am no longer at risk of being overrun by Pagans.
Also of note: my vassal in Padua seems to have made peace in his little war...
A sad day today. A day of remembrance and mourning.
My long time trusted and skilled steward Gagik Cherven has passed to God's domain.
His son, Zebislav has inherited his claims and wealth
Zebislav is my niece's spawn. Gagik's only other son (with his past wife) died in 1139.
My wife, Kyranna, is skilled with money.
She is currently my Spy Master, but that is easily changed.
My daughter, Eudoxia is equally skilled in intrigue as my wife
She will be my new spy master, allowing Kyranna to take Gagik's place as Steward of the realm.
My marshal, Basilakios is 39 and unmarried.
He comes from an unknown family, but the man in charge of your military must be shown respect.
Anastaso is a new widow...
Perhaps I can help her get over the mourning of the loss of her late husband, Gagik.
I have the two married!
Finally! Peace and prosperity is coming to the realm!
The state of Serbia is improving- the realm is more stable. My vassals are also expressing less disloyalty! I am finally getting my opportunity to let the Kingdom relax...
Zebislav, heir of Gagik needs an education.
I will have him trained in the army. I can never have too many good soldiers.
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Topic: Let's Play Crusader Kings Deus Vult (Read 137863 times)