Caravan Orders / Budget
Lincolnshire:
10 land available
-2 land for Knight upkeep
-2 land for peasant levies
-6 land for Caravan trade
East Riding
Battle of the Bog Plan:
In the event the battle is lost, retreat back into Lincolnshire until the end of campaign season. Then have all units heal and return home. If the battle is won, many things happen. Impale any surviving Saxons. He's pretending to be Steapa and needs to act like it. I want our lighter cavalry to rush to the city ahead of the fleeing enemy immediately, followed by our knights and remaining forces. If the gates are closed, storm the walls. If we defeated the enemy in battle, Derfel is capable of deciding the best choice of action, but it is my hope we blooded them and ruined their morale, and got there soon enough, that any remaining forces of the Saxons ran to different provinces. If not, then anybody holding the walls will be outnumbered and already battle-tired. The majority of Linnuis professional forces partook in the Siege of Cheshire, and we already know how to do the whole "take the walls", part, so no need for special orders there. Peasants first, then professional troops. Also, I'm aware of an Auxsylvus retainer trying to rise up the peasants to overthrow the Saxon rulers in the city and to make the way easier for us. If this is so, take advantage and utilize it, cooperating as best we can with the populace of the city.
Misc.
Lincolnshire:
10 land available
-2 land for Knight upkeep
-2 land for peasant levies
-6 land for Caravan trade
East Riding
10 land available
-2 land for Knight upkeep
-2 land for peasant levies
-6 land for Caravan trade
Yorkshire:
10 land available
-1 land for Monastery upkeep
-1 land for Monastery direct land conversion
-2 land for peasant levies
-6 land for Caravan trade
Intrigue: Steapa Rises!
-2 land for Knight upkeep
-2 land for peasant levies
-6 land for Caravan trade
Yorkshire:
10 land available
-1 land for Monastery upkeep
-1 land for Monastery direct land conversion
-2 land for peasant levies
-6 land for Caravan trade
Intrigue: Steapa Rises!
With an Intrigue of 5, Stiora will be in charge for seeing this done.
At the beginning of the turn, Derfel will pretend to take ill, and rumors will be spread throughout the realm of how he has taken ill. Considering he is excommunicated, no priest will be able to issue him the last rights. The Archbishop should be happy, and hopefully at the announcement of his "death" will unexcommunicate the family. Now, Derfel needs to die fast. Nobody will have time to come to a funeral, as rumors of his death will spread one day, and a week later he dies. Uther will not show up to the "funeral", and rumors of his distaste for his father will continue. Stiora, Ceinwyn, Cadarn (grandson) will be at the funeral. Derfel will be burried next to Steapa. In reality, Steapa's corpse will have been uncovered and will be buried again in Derfel's place. Derfel will go into hiding for three days. However, in three days, "Steapa" will rise from the dead, passing rumors of the once and future king that Stiora told the story of at the Tournament of Flowers. Derfel will don Steapa's red cloak and so long as Steapa's armor is still in proper shape, will wear it to battle in leading the army against the Saxon's.
At "Steapa's" rise from the dead, Stiora and all in attendance will dedicate their loyalty to him, for show. He will take control of the army, and make it clear that the Linnuis and Varosean armies, the only true vassals of his grandson Imperator Steapa III, are blessed by God, despite the confusion of the Archbishop, and are going to lead the reconquest of the isle of Britannia against the Saxons. This is a holy war, if it is not a crusade, and it is certainly a reconquest of the Isle of Britannia against the Saxons.
The benefits of faking Derfel's death and rising as Steapa provide more positives than negatives. Obviously, Linnuis armies will not like that their leader died, and will feel as if something bad is going to happen. Three days later, with the rise of Steapa, what they will get is fervent belief in Christianity, a morale-boost that can be used to push them to greater heights. Steapa is a hero, Derfel was a man. It is imperative that the legend of Steapa push them to achieve the goals of this turn, rather than what they would be willing to do for their "duty" to the coin Derfel would have provided to him. This provides me the ability to utilize the Saxon's superstition against them, as well.
Battle of the Bog Plan:
East Anglia belongs to the Thetfords. It is the ancestral home of Steapa, and his family. As the previous player who controlled the Thetfords, and as Prince Derfel is ardently loyal to the Thetfords and his written in-game history is that of a hatred of Saxons, it makes sense that the Saxons need to be fought. Notably, the Saxons cannot control a Trade City, as a 0% Tax only makes their already overly-beneficial attributes too strong. If they are allowed to keep it and not fought, then they win. Plain and simple. Secondly, in the interest of House Linnuis and Varosean, a trade city is necessary and the sacking of the city is beneficial. If House Thaon distributed half of East Anglia's treasury last turn, they should not have yet had the ability to distribute the other half. That is 10,000 Coins right there. Beyond that, I have the chance to do to the Saxons what they did to me last turn. Sack their caravans as they head to East Anglia, believing they have a great tax benefit, only to benefit me. This is the only way that I can keep Varosean forces loyal and Rev in the game, and as such it is absolutely necessary for me to attempt it, and why I am willing to lose Yorkshire for a turn if necessary in order to achieve it. Yorkshire, being my personal demense, is more expendable than my vassal's lands.
By strategically planning to find battle in The Bog, we have multiple advantages. First and foremost, the Bog Scouts we have are very knowledgeable about the area, giving us the advantage in not only picking our terrain, but knowing it. The Bog is naturally to our advantage as the majority of our cavalry is Amorican (lighter, medium cavalry) and we have no heavy infantry. Men-at-Arms and Medium Cavalry won this battle for Galbaglinde in the past. We acknowledge that House Thaon does not have a legion to march that will find it difficult to maneuver in the mud, but they do have a suspected advantage in Knights that will find their charges greatly disrupted by the terrain. Below are strategic orders that avoid the tactical part for the battle, which my commander's are capable of making the decision themselves,
Diplomacy:
Gisela Linnuis (15/3, Rep of 3) will be moving throughout the troops in an effort to raise their morale in the coming fight with the Saxons, consistently telling the stories of Steapa the Impaler, and the story that Stiora Linnuis told in the Tournament of Flowers, of Steapa's inevitable return to vanquish the Saxons.
Bricius (5/2/4, Rep of 0) is our monk retainer. He is to travel to the Monastery in Yorkshire (Order of St. Albans) and take the true Cloak of St. Alban's from it, mount it on a standard, and make it a war flag much like an Imperial Eagle. Since Uther is "dead", excommunication no longer applies to the family. Since the family is marching off to war, the Cloak of St. Albans should provide a further morale boost for the mostly Christian army in the fight against a Pagan army. With this, it also brings the possibility of giving some true thought that God may very well be with the Linnuis / Steapa army, and return some needed fervor into Christianity.
ASSISTANCE: House Liangan is sending 2 units of Knights (50% strength) and 1 unit of Scouts (75% strength). Tomás Diarmaid. House Faustus is sending 2 units of Knights under the command of Lucius Floronius Celatus. They fall directly under Prince Derfel's command, and are listed below in the OOB. Thank god for Tomás' rep, allowing him to lead units.
Movement, Intent, and Order of Battle: The army will gather in Lincolnshire. This is for the ease of access into East Anglia, and for the possibility the Saxons attack us. If they do, it is in Lincolnshire, which is why we are gathering there. No march into East Anglia will begin until the entirety of the army has gathered. After the gathering of the army, the Varosean and Linnuis scouts will immediately proceed ahead of the army, into East Anglia, where they will get as close to the trade city and any Thaon forces that they can find. The main army consisting of professional units and peasants will make a direct route for The Bog, our chosen place of battle. The peasants will lead the march, in the hope that the Scouts, unable to entirely hide our army, will do a decent job and the peasants will screen the advance of the professional force, allowing our enemy to underestimate our strength. From here, the Scouts will do their best job of drawing the enemy's forces out by making tactical withdraws back towards the main army (hopefully heading towards, or located at, The Bog). The reason for this is so we can avoid a lengthy or costly siege at the city, and instead draw out the Thaon forces through our withdrawing and hopefully they see only the peasants, and after a victory in the field of battle, take advantage of our light cavalry to rush to the city, taking it and claiming it. The Scouts will purposefully leave the peasants accessible to being seen by the enemy, until battle lines are drawn. I want to use the Saxon's eagerness for battle against them.
ORDER OF BATTLE:
Commander: Prince Derfel of Lindum, Patriarch of House Linnuis (5/3/4, Rep of -8)
Commanding: 1st Lincolnshire Peasant Levy, 2nd Lincolnshire Peasant Levy, 1st East Riding Peasant Levy, 2nd East Riding Peasant Levy, 1st Yorkshire Peasant Levy, 2nd Yorkshire Peasant Levy
Prince Linnuis is leading the peasants because I want him to be able to motivate them to stand strong, especially against a cavalry charge, and I want him to be seen with the peasants, drawing the Saxons out. They need to think that this is all the army has to offer and is thus capable of being overcome by what I believe is going to be a smaller force, and their eagerness to kill "Steapa" will be their undoing.
Subcommander 1: Stiora Linnuis, Marshall of House Linnuis (6/2/5, Rep of 7)
Commanding: 1st East Riding Knights, 1st Lincolnshire Knights, 1st Cornwall Knights (75%, Varosean), 1st Dorset Knights (75%, Varosean), 1st Cornwall Medium Cavalry (70%, Varosean), 2nd Cornwall Medium Cavalry (70%, Varosean), 3rd Cornwall Medium Cavalry (70%, Varosean)
Subcommander 2: Lord Uther ap Derfel of Lincolnshire (5/1/3, Rep of 1)
Commanding: 1st Lincolnshire Men-at-Arms, 1st East Riding Men-at-Arms
Subcommander 3: Lord Cadarn ap Uther (5/4/2, Rep of 0)
Commanding: 2nd Lincolnshire Men-at-Arms
Subcommander 4: Tomás Diarmaid (Liangan, 6/5/4, Rep of 3)
Commanding: Bog Scouts, 2 x Units of Knights (50%, Liangan), 1 x Unit of Scouts (75%, Liangan)
Subcommander 5: Edmyg Varosean (5/1/4, Rep of -3)
Commanding: 1st Somerset Men-at-Arms (75%), 2nd Somerset Men-at-Arms (75%), 3rd Somerset Men-at-Arms (75%)
Subcommander 6: Caffel Varosean (5/1/2, Rep of 0?)
Commanding: 1st Somerset Scouts (60%)
Subcommander 7: Fionnuala Eimhear (6/4/4, Rep of 0?)
Commanding: 1st Somerset Archers
Subcommander 8: Lucius Floronius Celatus (Faustus, Unknown skill, Rep of 1)
Commanding: 2 x Units of Faustus Knights
First and foremost, I want a procession of drums to follow the army. The purpose of this is intimidation: if things go according to plan, a battle in a marsh of such legend is going to be intimidating enough. I do not expect a Saxon army of such high morale and accomplished leadership to falter, however, and so I expect them to continue on. Then, "Steapa" leading the army will effect their morale and eagerness to fight what they suspect is a Christian Resurrection and British legend of the Once and Future King. While they begin to march closer and closer to my force, which should have battle lines drawn in a marsh and trees (which will negate some of his advantage in cavalry, and hide true numbers), drums will begin to pound. This should intimidate the Knights, and it should intimidate the horses carrying those Knights. Secondly, further intimidation is planned by having the army, of Celtic blood and origins, to paint their faces with woad in order to intimidate the Saxons. They met post-Roman British, it is time for them to meet pre-Roman British, too, because this is a British island that they are invading. This is not a holy war, but it is certainly a reconquest of the island from a foreign, invading culture.
Once established and ready, the Scouts having lured the enemy and the peasants having provided what the Saxons will believe is an easy target, battle is engaged. I've brought the possibility of superstition, terrain, surprise, morale, and religion providing a bonus for my troops. I cannot stress the importance that the Bog Men play into this campaign, since they know East Anglia and the terrain. Its time they take up homes in the province again. I won't mention troop make-up or numbers, since I'm marching blind here, but my army is far more experienced then that of the Saxons, and also the commanders have taken part in more battles than the Saxin's. Before battle is made in East Anglia, Derfel, posing as Steapa to the troops (he has an Intrigue of 4, +2 to those who trust him, which the army should, so he should be able to pull off an enthusiastic, morale-lifting speech) will speak to the troops. Speech is below:
"But now, It is not as a man descended from noble ancestry, but as one of the people that I am avenging lost freedom, my scourged body, the outraged rape of my kingdom! Saxon lust has gone so far that not our very persons, nor even tradition or oath, are left unpolluted. But heaven is on the side of a righteous vengeance; a horde which dared to fight has perished; the rest are here in their camp, thinking anxiously of battle. They will not sustain even the din and the shout of so many thousands, much less our charge and our blows. If you weigh well the strength of the armies, and the causes of the war, you will see that in this battle you must conquer or die. This is a Celt's resolve; as for men, they may win and profit, or lose and be slaves. May the lightning of your glory be seen and the thunders of your onset heard from east to west, and be ye the avengers of noble blood."
Then, "Steapa" will let loose a blood curling roar much like Steapa did against the Saxons decades ago, and he will then turn back to his army, saying,
"Forget about plunder. Just win, and you'll have everything."
NOTE: Tomás Diarmaid's orders for this battle are simple. I want him TRACKING DOWN the enemy commanders. Time to make an Irishman the next "Saxon Killer". History has shown itself that when a Saxon leader dies or is captured, their army loses heart and morale even when winning the battle. I don't care if he has to cut the horses out from under them dishonorably, I don't care if he has his men swarm outnumbered leaders and then she goes in to finish them off, but
Tomás Diarmaids' main place in battle besides necessary battle tactics is to take advantage of his mobility and kill the main leader of the Saxon army in one-on-one combat, as proven in his capability against Gwenfrewi Heulog.
If the battle is won and the city is taken, numerous good things happen. First and foremost, I want to release my captured prisoners, Cuneglas and Tewdric. Tewdric will be reunited with his mother, Gisela. Tewdric came of age this turn, also, so he will need stats. Cuneglas will be reunited with both mother and father, not to mention younger brother. Notice that nearly the entire Linnuis clan is marching? Lord Liangan, if still in East Anglia, is immediately released for at this time Marc Liangan should be married to Ceinwyn. Caractacus is supposedly sending people down with 1,200 coin for the ransoming of my two hostages. If for some reason they were ransomed before campaign season, send our fastest troops in an effort to overcome the escort taking them back and rescue the retainers. The gold will be in the East Anglia treasury, so we will take that too. But it is imperative to try to get our family members back. As for Marshall Acaddon, this will be a moment of humor. Derfel will not show himself as Derfel until after this moment. Steapa will walk into the dungeons where the Marshall is held, proceeded, however, by an announcer who will claim him as "Steapa the Impaler, The once and Future King, King of Cait, Imperator of Britannia, Scourge of the Saxons, Defender of the Faith". He will demand the Marshall's loyalty, as he is the Imperator brought back to life by God, and true ruler of the Kingdom until his death, in which his grandson, Steapa III, will inherit. If the Marshall gives it, he will stay at court, since he is a man of honor. If the Marshall does not, he will be released to Auxsylvus control when the money is brought as ransom. The next morning, Derfel will reveal himself, saying that all he remembers is being sick on his bed in Yorkshire, and he now awoke in the bed in East Anglia, wearing the Imperator's cloak. This doesn't mean he is the heir of the Imperator, but merely brought back to life after Steapa was no longer needed to liberate the city from the Saxons. Kind of like returning to Camelot to save it and what not.
Finally, at the conclusion of campaign season, all units but the 2 most undamaged of Linnuis Men-at-Arms will return home. Thus, either the 1st or 2nd Lincolnshire MAA, or the 1st East Riding MAA are staying. Also, the Bog Scouts are staying. They are re-locating to East Anglia, this will be their permanent home. This is okay, though, because based off our campaign season expectations (below), we will build many more units in the provinces we are taking these units from. Have them heal.
Varosean units are to heal themselves in East Anglia, as well, and stay there for the winter seasons. They will be finding their pay in East Anglia. And if we lose, at least the Varosean army that will mutiny will find itself in East Anglia, not Lincolnshire, which is where I prefer it to be.
Next, financial matters.
Caravan of 6 land departing from London to Essex traveling to East Anglia
6 land converts to 6000 coins.
Tax rate of 0%=0 coins
Profit=6000 coins
6 land converts to 6000 coins.
Tax rate of 0%=0 coins
Profit=6000 coins
Caravan of 6 land departing Essex traveling to East Anglia.
6 land converts to 6000 coins.
Tax rate of 0%=0 coins
Profit=6000 coins
6 land converts to 6000 coins.
Tax rate of 0%=0 coins
Profit=6000 coins
Caravan of 6 land to East Anglia
6 land converts to 6000 coins.
Tax rate of 0%=0 coins
Profit=6000 coins
6 land converts to 6000 coins.
Tax rate of 0%=0 coins
Profit=6000 coins
Caravan of 6 land departing from Lower Midlands to East Anglia
6 land converts to 6,000 coins
Tax Rate of 0% = 0 Coins
Profit = 6,000 coins
6 land converts to 6,000 coins
Tax Rate of 0% = 0 Coins
Profit = 6,000 coins
Caravan of 6 land departing from Midlands to Lower Midlands to East Anglia
6 land converts to 6,000 coins
Tax Rate of 0% = 0 coins
Profit = 6,000 coins
6 land converts to 6,000 coins
Tax Rate of 0% = 0 coins
Profit = 6,000 coins
Sussex-London Essex-East Anglia
7 land=7000
0%
7000
Kent-Essex- East Anglia
7 land=7000
0%
7000
Hampshire-London Essex-East Anglia
9 land=9000
0%
9000
7 land=7000
0%
7000
Kent-Essex- East Anglia
7 land=7000
0%
7000
Hampshire-London Essex-East Anglia
9 land=9000
0%
9000
All these caravans will be allowed to trade. And then we will take all the coin, each and every one, at a 0% tax. Yeah, fuck you, Saxons. Taking that into consideration, that gives me an income of 59,000 coins.
Then I have an income of 18,000 coins based off my trade caravans alone, providing me a very nice income of 77,000.
My budget will show what to do in the case this comes to pass. Let's just say the monasteries will be built, the tithe will be given, and Rev's troops will be paid. AMEN.
Misc.
Rhian Liangan is hereby released from custody following the signing of our treaty.
Provided we have the income at the end of the turn, Gisela will be married to the Knight, not Ceinwyn. 2,000 will be spent to establish their household. We have another person possibly interested in Ceinwyn. It is more appropriate for Gisela to marry a Knight from East Riding, anyway, since her son is the Lord of it.
In following with the treaty we signed, Ceinwyn will marry Marc Liangan in Yorkshire. Marc will be named Lord of Yorkshire, his family will move into the province until I get
7,500 coins is expected from House Auxsylvus. Supposedly its going to Yorkshire. If it comes, add it to my treasury, since I'm going to be trying to pay off Rev's army with the income from East Anglia. If we do not take East Anglia and the money still arrives, take the 7,500 and spend 6,000 on trying to pay last turn's upkeep and this turn's upkeep for a unit of Rev's Men at Arms, purchasing their services and bringing them over to us. The remaining 1,500 will be spent on our budget for minimal troop upkeep for us, since I guarantee you I won't have any income at all except for my monastery.

