I looked over the terrain of the ambush and started placing my men in a way to crush enemy morale as quickly as possible. This whole conundrum started when some half-wit adventurer from God knows where decided to invade my realm with 500 men and try to take my castle. So, I called upon my levies and my retinue and waited for them to enter to pass through the forested path. I knew they would come this way as I oversaw their movement using my ability to see the world from a strategy gamer's perspective and set up this ambush a few days before they even got here.
My army consists of 175 Heavy Infantry, 87 light infantry, 20 light Cavalry, 150 Cataphracts and 100 Hippo Toxotoi(horse Archers) the latter two were part of the retinue I recruited. Counting my new friend, my Strategos, and myself, which puts us at 532. A force greater in number than the enemy that approaches. Even if the numbers were a little less even, I could tell from a distance the quality of their formation, and there was a morale indicator and unit strength indicator that told me vital information on the enemy as if I was playing a Total War game. Needless to say, the enemy approaching was marching right into their doom was such terrible quality I would say Pajama Boys of Rome I, would route this rabble and to make things more lopsided they were tired from marching from where ever they came from will make this battle quick as Intended to break their morale and cut them down in the ensuing rout.
Despite all these factors in my favor, I will conduct a simple ambush rather than commit to a pitched battle on an open field as suggested by the many military manuals I have read like Strategikon, Praecepta Militaria, and Takitka. Committing to an open-pitched battle could be costly and an unnecessary risk to my already limited army.
I went back into the campaign map and saw the enemy will arrive soon, so I looked to my right and saw my new friend Basil Tzimiskes.
Break
A New Friend - John Doukas contacted an old ally of his in Phocas Tzimiskes, a wealthy merchant and noble based in Braavos. Seeing the opportunity to get an in with the old Romano aristocracy. Phocas offered the services of his son Basil to serve you to the best of his abilities. Basil himself found the life of a merchant was dull and lacked purpose, so he prayed for a purpose till he found it in the idea of fighting for his people who had been decimated and exiled. He swore a vow of celibacy till the day the Romano established itself again.
That...is quite the background. I thought to myself ideally as John spoke about a few other matters that I did not pay attention to till he finally was about to leave.
"This is Basil Tzimiskes. I hope the two of you will get along." John Doukas said to me before exiting my room but not before leaving a small parchment on my desk. The content of that note, if I had to be my guess, was the outcome of my plan to start an account with the Iron Bank. I already knew the result, and a small line of credit of 1000 dragons was established, but first time to entertain my guest.
I turned to my new 'friend,' counted his features, and looked at his traits and stats. Basil was not the most handsome man I had ever met, but he had a severe and imposing look to him. He was a stocky man of shorter-than-average stature as he was around my height, only slighter taller than I even though I was perhaps 3-4 years his junior. He had light-blue eyes, strongly arched eyebrows, and thick sideburns.
I opened his character sheet and found his opinion of me was in the negative. He was definitely the best martial character I had in my court, even better than my current strategos; that alone is a good enough reason to get this guy to like me.
Year 289AC
Basil Tzimiskes
Prestige 50
Piety 354
Culture: Romano
Religion: Orthodox
Age: 18
Skills
Diplomacy 10
Martial 19
Stewardship 15
Intrigue 9
Learning 3
Traits
Skilled tactician
Ambitious
Strong
Stubborn
Robust
Sturdy
Cruel
Celibate
"My name is Alexios Komenous; How was your journey?" I asked with a slight smile.
Break
Basil Tzimiskes
It's been perhaps around 15 minutes of conversation with Alexios Komenous, the Exarch of Mytilene. And he was already growing tired of the conversation. It was pleasant and professional as expected of someone in his position, but it was nothing of interest or substance. There was an airy feeling about him, and his eyes seemed to be able to stare through you. It was like he could judge a man instantly, it slightly unnerved him initially, but he got over it when he started speaking, losing that near mystic presence that surrounded him. Overall he was a bit disappointed with what he saw as he expected him to perhaps be a bit more hardened. The location of the keep hardly did him any favors as it was dangerous being located on the border of the orange shore and the disputed lands.
"I must be boring you, but if you wish to speak, frankly, you just need to ask," He said suddenly.
"You speak the truth; talking about such trivialities is boring as must be how you and your days in this keep must be." Basil responded in kind, bluntly. Inwardly Basil signed in relief as this courtly talk was boring, and he could begin to say how he really felt. But this sort of talk is necessary to engage in double meaning, and hidden messages could be hidden within the wordcraft. It was a skill needed to survive in the courts of men.
"True, the days can get boring, but then let us get to the root of the subject; what is that you want?" he asked, ignoring the slight.
He pondered for a few moments on how to respond. He had a few ambitions that would be dangerous to say if they were being listened to. He learned and saw first-hand, what happens if someone discovers a secret, as the Amorian family was bankrupted and ruined over an affair.
"A position within your court, my Exarch," He said sarcastically and on point as they both knew why he was here.
"I see, but you hold greater ambitions, do you not? But the questions do your ambitions align with mine?" Alexios said as he turned away and opened a map. He gestured to take a look and pointed at Roma. The capital of the Empire, The city that their forefathers started among a small collection of hills that became an empire rivalling and even subjected the Yi Ti for a time. This piqued his interest as a smile nearly showed as their dreams may really coincide with each other. But it was not enough; he heard plenty of grand ambitions and dreams from flowery nobles and merchants who all too often fumbled and crashed in on themselves.
"Roma is over there, and we are here." he pointed to the location of Mytilene. "We have been driven away from our land, and we are located in a foreign land with neighbors as belligerent as our old ones. Yet we lack the strength to rule with majesty that we have come to expect. My dream is to create a place for the Romano to thrive, bring back the glory we have lost, and create a city of the world's desire. Basil, will you help me bring my dream to fruition?"
Basil was shocked, but he did not let that show. He had yet to meet someone who would clearly state their intention with such passion. Their ambitions did line up perfectly. Though he did not know the scope of his ambition, he could say for sure that maybe perhaps coming here was not a waste of time, but it was still not enough. But what about the execution of this plan? He knew there was little chance the exarch would say openly how he planned to go about his way, but at least his heart was in the right place. Though he knew there was more the young exarch was not saying, he could ignore his curiosity about other matters for another time.
"When I came here, my initial impressions of you were not the most favorable," He stated truthfully before continuing on. "But this dream of yours, I believe it is one that I can believe in." He planned to watch and see how capable he was before fully committing himself. After all, the family of the last emperor still lived in Norvos, but they have remained rather quiet recently.
"That's good," Alexios simply replied, and he took a few moments to ponder before, by decree, he said, "Basil Tzimiskes, you shall be a Komes (Count/ Centurion) of my armies and a Patrikios (patrician) of the court."
While promoting someone by decree was not uncommon but to do so on a first meeting no less was rare, and to be given a title like Patrikios was a great honour. Basil began to wonder what his plan was; there had to be some catch. It took a moment to realize what he had done. Clever, he binded me to his cause by granting me a position this high. Rejecting the position could have severe consequences for him and his family's standing with whatever is left of the Romano aristocracy. 'Very well, Alexios, let us see if you can make our dream a reality,' he thought grimly.
"Thank you, my Exarch," he said politely as he was still thinking of the many ways this conversation could turn.
"Do not thank me yet as their many things to be done," He replied.
"Of course,"
"Then, would you like to come to the training field with me?"
Break
Alexios
Training and talking with each other, I have come to realize the ways we differ and have in common. And a friendship of sorts developed, but there was still some distance between them as perhaps there was still a bit of lingering distrust on his part, not that I blame him. This is the world of Game of Thrones, where men can get murdered on their wedding days, and whoremongers are sowing chaos to climb a ladder. Truly we live in a society. If we looked at it from a Paradoxian perspective, since he has the ambitious trait, maybe he thought he could do better than me and start a civil war. By plotting and networking with other like-minded people, but I have yet to uncover any plots against me right, so we will see, we will see.
"Basil, I want you to take the infantry and the light cavalry. Position yourself behind that small hill over there; when you hear the sound of horns, engage them from your position. We will crush the enemy formation like a hammer and anvil." I pointed over to where I meant. Basil nodded his and replied swiftly, "Very well, my Exarch."
He began ordering units to take their position. I have scouted out the most optimal position using my tactical overview, which is sort of likes a bird's eye of the battlefield. On that map, friendly units under my control are blue, units under my subordinate command are yellow, Allies of another nation are purple, and enemies are Red. The enemy generals had a red star highlighting their position, making it quite easy for me to spot.
"Justin take the Hippo Toxitoi (horse Archers) are under your direction. When I pull of cataphracts I would you like to launch arrows into their formation, while we are engaged attack the flanks." I instructed.
"I will see to it" he said before taking command of the horse archers.
"Well I hope this goes well,"I said to myself, I was a bit nervous as this would be my first battle, but I knew I had to experience this. This will be only the first of many battles.
My army took their position, and within a few hours, I could see the enemy slowly march to their doom. After a few moments, I pulled the horn to my mouth and blew out the signal to engage. I quickly looked at my tactical overview and saw that Basil followed his order precisely and pinned down the enemy while the Cataphracts under my command charged into the enemy.
I could see the frightened faces of the enemy as my three banda (a squadron of 50 cataphracts) crashed into the thinly stretched enemy line. I followed suit and stayed just behind my soldiers and began to micro some units to destroy the enemy with minimal causalities on my side.
I blew my horn and gave the order for the cataphracts to disengage and then charge again into the enemy. Men who thought it was opening to escape were quickly picked by my horse archers under the command of Justin. Justin's horse archers peppered the enemies flanked as my cataphracts geared up for another charge. With the sound of a blaring horn the units under my command smashed onto the enemy once again but this time the enemy was broken their formation was destroyed and their commander was fleeing the field.
Overall an easy battle, quite lopsided too. Within less than half an hour, the enemy was completely and utterly obliterated as the enemy so far lost 362 KIA, 50 captured, and the rest routed with only 19 deaths on my side.
"Justin, take the quickest horses we have and wipe out those stragglers," I commanded.
"Yes, my Exarch," He said before rounding up a few men to destroy their remnants.
I trotted on my horse to find Basil dismounted and talking to a soldier with a javelin in his hand; I approached, "Did you catch the leader of this rabble?"
"We did; he tried to flee like a coward, but this man-" He pulled over the soldier he was talking to and presented him to me. He looked rather average and was armed in the style of a light infantryman. "-he was able to bring him down before he got away."
"Good, give this man a gold dragon as a reward and burn the bodies. After the bodies are disposed of, get the men ready to march. I want to leave this place within the next two hours. Once we made camp I want him interrogated to see what he knows," I said to him while looking at the battlefield.
"Of course, my liege," Basil said before getting back to work. It's a good thing Basil is such a professional as I was in the mood to joke around or cheer as there were many things on my mind, and I turned those thoughts back to the battlefield.
It was a field of blood and bodies. And I knew that this was only the beginning; nations are built and forged in times of hardship and blood. I saw some pop-ups show up but ignored them for a second and took in the scene. While the enemy lay dead, my men celebrated in good spirit. While some scavenge the enemy like vultures for arms, armor, treasure, or information. An act I would allow, as though the enemy was of poor quality, some of the gear the carried was decent and can be used to furnish my own forces as due to my lackluster treasury some men have to provide for their own equipment.
I began to give a quick prayer to the death of my enemy as I knew that some fight for noble goals like perhaps feeding their family while some others had less than noble intentions, so I will let God judge them and may God have mercy on them. I followed up with a prayer for the men I had lost and then finished my prayer by giving thanks to God. I intend to provide some support to widows and families of those who perish as a way to support the morale of my men. Men rest easier knowing their families will be given support if they die.
+1 Piety
"Alea iacta est," I said softly as my commanders finished reorganizing the men and took to my side.
"Congratulation Alexios on your first battle, It was a stunning victory," Justin said in praise.
"Thank you, Justin, but I have a feeling this is the first of many battles to come."
"Indeed."
"Captains, I would like to be alone for a minute. I wish to sort some thoughts in my head."
"As you wish, my Exarch," They replied simultaneity leaving behind to sort through these pop-ups.
Heroic Victory: +12 Prestige
Nice, some prestige to get access to some crucial decisions, I thought to myself as I went to the war tab, saying I could end a war.
First Adventurer Raid against the Exarch of Mytilene: 100 War Score
The leader of the raid was captured, and he worth…nothing…well I guess no ransom… imprisonment it is, but I'll take the free ducats... I mean dragons and prestige. Right next-
+46 Dragons and +50 Prestige
First Steps - The world is ever-changing with the emergence of new and up-and-coming faces in the Romano world; news of the battle will spread as this was the victory the Romano had in years. Some would wish to use you to rebuild what was once theirs, or would you rather rebuild it for your own sake.
Option 1 - The Angelos deserve to rule! +50 opinion with the house Angelos, Gain Humble and content, lose the trait wilfull, unlock personal combat stat, and unknown future consequences
Option 2 - It is time for a new dynasty to rule! -10 opinion with the house Angelos, Gain Ambitious and Proud, lose the trait willful, unlock personal combat stat and unknown future consequences
Huh, would this battle really get me noticed by the Angelos in Norvos? It was a rather one-sided battle if you could call it a battle. And I guess the Romano people are in a state worse than 1453, as at least in 1453, after the fall of Constantinople, Trebizond, Theodoro, Epirus, and Morea stood though they would soon fall afterward. Looking at the campaign map, I saw no Romano rump states besides what I had, so I guess this was sort of a moral victory. Well, when you further think about I can conclude one thing for sure, that this was just a sad. But as for the two options presented before me.
In my humble opinion, based on the information given to me, the Angelos had their chance, and they fumbled it; I believe with the advantages being in a game-like system has given me, I can outdo them in every matter. There was also the fact that there was an ice zombie invasion coming soon. So the choice was obvious, Option 2. Plus, Ambitious is a better trait than humble or content, in my opinion. So, when or if the Angelos call for their restoration, they can politely go fuck off.
Personal combat stat visualized. Personal Combat Stat can be affected by artifacts, magic, age and injuries, and traits
Baby - 0
Child - 4
Fresh Peasant Levy - 10
Average Knight - 40
Ned Stark in King's Landing- 100
Jaime Lannister, when facing Ned at King's Landing - 130
Peak Robert Baratheon – 150
Peak Arthur Dayne - 180
Personal Combat Stat: 23
So better than a fresh levy but quite bad compared to a knight, fair enough. I already knew I wasn't the best at fighting, and that was a reason why I led from the back. I guess I could spend a bit more time training. Anyway, next tab, please.
Bring in refugees was available well. I passed the 100-prestige threshold, so I clicked the button.
Increases base tax by 1 and provide +100 Dragons
With this money, I built a township and gave the title away to some Courtier. As for the name of this new city... Seleucia in the East sounds reasonable enough. If I remember correctly, there were multiple Seleucias in my old world: Seleucia Sidera, Seleucia on the Tigris, Seleucia in Isaria, etc. There was Seleucia in the bone mountains and Seleucia on the sea in this world. So why not add another one. The next notification is?
Some courtier wants to be my mystikos… let's see 12 intrigue, he's ambitious as well. Well, in times likes these…marry your problems away, and lets see what we got. 29-year-old widow in the Reach….off you go to some merchant family in the reach. I am really too kind.
First Dothraki Raid - Khal Tokko decides to take his horde to raid your lands
Another raid? Seriously where are these people getting the idea raiding me is a good idea? I mean, there had to be plenty of more affluent places to raid than my small holding. Huh well, from the looks of it, he won't be in the area for a few months as he is in the Dothraki sea, but unfortunately, I don't know where exactly this horde is since the fog of war is shrouding my vision. He has at least 1000 horsemen from what I can tell but that was not helpful in the least since that left a wide range of the number of soldiers he has in his horde.
I pulled a book called, The Strategikon and turned to the pages describing the Dothraki and other similar groups are nomad people; sinewy, superstitious, reckless, and committed to a desire for abundance. They are good at horse riding and archery. They typically bring with them many horses allowing them to switch horses when needed. They can stay on horseback for a very long time, but they are not skillful while they are walking, nor hardy in cold conditions where the food of their steeds is limited.
I have a feeling that based on descriptions of them and my knowledge from other sources like the show and books the army is going to be all horse archers and light cavalry, so I think if I fight him, I'm going to ambush him or force him onto a prepared battlefield.
Well, I will let go of levies for a month and a half and then re-raise them when the threat is close enough to begin campaigning against them. I should send spies into the Dothraki sea to get an idea of where they are.
Finally, the last popup, Parquello Vaelaros, has been found dead. What? That was unexpected. I believe the man was Elephant Triach, I believe so I tried to have him assassinated to see if I could create instability in Volantis, but I could not get enough plot power as my treasury was quite limited. So he kicked the bucket. What will happen next in that Free City? I thought to myself for a moment and redeployed my Mystikos (Spymaster) to Volantis to get a better idea of the situation. Though his death was a reminder that things may or may not follow how the show or the books went as I am 89% sure the guy was still alive in the book and maybe in the show. As time passes by things I remembered about the details of the show become blurry and that's why I wrote down the important points but even then small details are slowly slipping away from me.
But despite this and with all those notifications taken care of, I felt some weight on my shoulders as I felt like I had made no progress so far in these years have been here, but now I have taken a real first step toward my goal.
As we marched home, I listened in on the men talking as I was happy. The things said were all positive. A sense of pride had been restored to them; some sang songs and spoke of the glory of how they smashed the enemy, and with them, I felt pride as well. Truly perhaps I did not understand the people's sense of apathy and sense of doom till now.
"Am I really that out of touch?" I said to myself. I apparently spoke louder than I expected as some of my commanders spoke out their opinion.
"Maybe," Justin spoke gruffly yet he did not really commit to an answer.
"Perhaps walking amongst the people will do you some good," Basil added.
"Perhaps," It's almost Christmas, and I have the money to throw a festival; hmm perhaps I shall go and plan the festival for our victory, the welcoming of refugees/the creation of a new township, and for Christmas of course. During the celebration, maybe I could snake myself in to get a better understanding of the citizenry. I knew what my court was like and those who served the castle. And the servants could give me a glimpse of what the broader citizenry thought, but perhaps a more direct approach shall help me. The lingering Dothraki invasion still sat firmly in my mind, though, as I saw the war tab flash brightly, notifying me that my enemy would be coming.
Author's Notes - Longest chapter of this story so far :D
Alexios Komenous
Year 289 AC
Age: 14
Prestige 102
Piety 454
Culture Romano
Religion: Orthodox
Dragons 115
Monthly Income 4.85 dragons
Skills
Diplomacy 5
Martial 6
Stewardship 6
Intrigue 5
Learning 9
Personal Combat Stat: 23
Traits
: Born in the Purple- +.5 prestige per month +5 opinion of Vassals
: Brooding- +1 intrigue
: Conscientious- +1 stewardship
: Curious- +1 learning
: Proud- +.5 monthly prestige -5 opinion of humble
: Ambitious +2 all skills - 5 Opinions with the Same Trait
and + 3 Personal Combat Skill