AAR: Me, Floris | Completed | Chapter 60 & Epilogue posted (19-09-2015)

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COGlory: Thanks! The armors look really much better with that mod. I'll certainly use it in the future, and once I use it, I'll link to it from the first post.

Bratislav: Ah, that way! No, that would be too hardcore for me, and I want this AAR to continue for a little while longer.
 
Chapter 5: The feast
20 May 1257

Dear Diary,

I went to the feast in Praven. Even though it was a lot more sober than I was used to in The Hague or any other European court (there wasn't even a minstrel playing a lute!), it was still fun, in a way. There was a lot of ale, which helped with that part. For the rest it was, just like home, mainly a political gathering of counts and their daughters. Since I hadn't penetrated the inner circle of the nobles yet, all I could do was enjoy that ale. But after quite a lot of beers I became more daring, and approached the counts. I spoke to three of them: Clais, Mirchaud and Stamar. Seeing my elevated state, they were of course glad to let me promise to take up some errands. I got stuck with the following missions:

- Count Clais asked me to deliver a message to count Delinard. The moment I woke up, I thought: 'Not again!'
- Count Stamar wanted me to hunt down the notorious Euscarl the Black, who is currently residing in Nomar.
- Count Mirchaud wants me to bring three Nord trained footman as prisoners of war.

But that's not all: I had met count Delinard earlier, and I had promised him to take out some bandits hiding in the forests. Also, I still had to deliver the taxes to count Klergus. A busy month lies ahead of me!

At the feast not only noblemen were present: also young and lustfull women strolled around in the hope to find a future husband. They were all 19 or 21 years old, quite old to still be a maiden. In Holland I married when I was 14, a proper age to get your responsibilities. But I was too drunk to be surprised by this fact. I must admit: I made a fool out of myself. Being drunk, I tried to say to five different girls that I admired them most of all. The first four waved me irritated away, but to my surprise the fifth, lady Gaeta, was actually quite pleased by my manners, drunk or not. This can be interesting for the future: a political marriage will ensure my holdings in this kingdom. But that's for later.

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The feast in Praven is joy and fun, as you can see.

Seeing the tasks that lied ahead of me, I decided to go to Nomar first, and look on the road for tracks that could lead me to the bandit's hideout. I did spot some bandits, but unfortunately my food supply ran out, and I was forced to leave them and go to Uxkhal to replenish. So I quickly went to Nomar, where I easily found that criminal and eliminated him. I reported back to count Stamar in Praven. One mission down.

While I was in Praven, I paid a visit to lady Gaeta. She had even sent a messenger after me to call me to her: she longed to see me. I don't know what her problem is, falling in love with the most drunken man at the court, but I profit gladly from it. Sooth her with a poem, visit her once in a while: in a few months she will be totally nuts for me. I'll see what this will bring me. Before I left the city again, I quickly fought in the tournament held there, but was defeated in the first round. Again.

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I pay a visit to lady Gaeta in Praven.

I still hadn't found a trace of those bandits, so I decided to bring the letter to count Delinard. He was a lot more easy to find than count Haringoth: I knew that he was residing in the city of Uxkhal, and when I got there, he was still there. I think I like therefor Delinard better than Haringoth: at leas I can find Delinard easier.

The bandits were still nowhere to be seen, so I rode on and on, until I came to the village of Ibaran. There I heard the peasants complaining about regular raider attacks. They asked my help: if I could only train a few of them to withstand the attacks, they would be able to defend their village in case of a raid. I decided to help them. During the training, I heard about a Swadian lord fighting a Nord noble. When I sent some scouts ahead, I learned that both jarl Marayirr and count Rafard were fighting each other, so I decided to jump in and help the count. Together we had three times the amount of troops as the enemy. I used my horse to charge around his army, and ride-by attack many of his archers with my axe while the rest of our troops engaged them on the front. This tactic worked splendid. Even though jarl Marayirr escaped, I managed to capture one Nord footman. I intended to hunt down the other two I needed, but that soon proved unnecessary: right after my victory, the kingdoms of Nord and Swadia made peace.

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As I approach the enemy, I circle around them and attack them from behind.

The same moment I received news about the peace, I also heard that lady Gaeta wanted to see me again. Another feast was held in Praven, with another tournament attached. Of course I didn't win it, but this time I advanced to the second round. I hope to one day get to the third, and maybe climb further until I get to the end. Anyway, I rode of course back to Praven, to not only see the lady and fight in the tournament, but also enjoy another big Praven party. This time king Harlaus was present. As I walked through the party, I recounted the mission status for the past time:

- I have successfully delivered the message from count Clais to count Delinard.
- I have successfully killed the murderer Euscarl the Black.
- While I was working on capturing Nord footmen, the war was over and the mission was cancelled.
- I should destroy the bandit's lair, but haven't found it yet. With just a few days to spare, I don't think I will.
- I still need to bring the taxes to count Klergus.

While thinking about this, the king took me apart and told me he had a delicate matter: in Khudan, a Vaegir city deep in their territory, he has a spy. He needs to get the report, and wants me to ride hence and forth to get it for him. This is a great opportunity: maybe he will grant me with land after this. I'll prepare immediately for my departure.

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*****
Gameplay notes
At this moment the game has been updated to version 1.113.
Here is a picture of Floris' current stats:
005e.jpg
 
Nice, to see a great AAR like this. I always used to read the EU3 AARs on ParadoxPlaza, but AFAIK this is the first I've seen on TaleWorlds.
Keep up the good work.
 
I love AARs, nice too see one for Warband. I'm following.

I think your char look pretty badass now with your new armor.

 
mobotium & Bratislav: I won't keep this one for long, because I'll upgrade next chapter to something even better (no, not yet any plate).

Finzi: Thanks! I couldn't find an AAR-section, but this might explain that. Hopefully others will follow, because M&B is pretty good material for an AAR.

Nedews: Great to have you on board :smile:.
 
Chapter 6: The spy
26 June 1257

Dear Diary,

On 20 May I got on a feast in Praven the mission from king Harlaus to go to his spy in the city of Khudan and bring back whatever information he has. This would be difficult, since the city's laying deep in Vaegir territory. I had got a month, so it was feasible to go there and contact that spy. Since there has been a recent peace treaty between Swadia and Nord, I decided to travel to this kingdom. But not after I finished the training of the villagers of Iridan. This was more difficult than I had anticipated: I wanted to learn them how to loose, but they just kept on winning! Why did they need me to train them if they are so good already, I wondered. But still I managed to finish their training in time, since on 23 May Iridan was under attack by bandits. Thanks to the help from those villagers, I was able to drive them off. Unfortunately my horse was killed: the second horse I lost these past two months.

After making the villagers happy, I moved to the Nord city of Tihr on foot: There I bought a new horse, and rode to the other Nord cities of Sargoth and Wercheg. Then I rode along the coast to the last Nord village, Ruvar, to try to sneak behind enemy lines. I first rode towards the training field, to avoid being spot from Bulugha castle. When I was halfway between Mazen and Unidiad, I was attacked by some sea raiders, but despite their aggressiveness, their small bands were no match for my army. I rode on, passing the origin of the river, and rode through the forests towards Khudan. I camped in the woods for a few days, to allow everyone's wounds to be healed. Then I waited till it was night, not to alarm the boyars present in the city. It was time to sneak in.

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I took a long detour through Vaegir territory to avoid detection by hostile armies.

No-one knew me over here, so it wasn't that hard to sneak in unseen. Disguised I walked around town, only to realise that at night everyone was sound asleep. So I went to the market, and kept an eye on all business until it was dawn. Unfortunately I didn't see any profitable deals, maybe because I also didn't see any people around this night. But the next morning I walked around town, and asked the code phrase king Harlaus taught me to every person I encountered, until I met the spy. He gave me the secret reports, which I now only had to hand over to the king. But before I left, I heard about a tournament being held in Khudan, so I stayed a little longer and joined the fight. Of course I was knocked out the first round, but well, I had to try anyway, hadn't I?

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The third person I asked was the spy. I guess I was lucky.

When I tried to leave the city, I was seen. Many men followed me, but luckily Rolf came up with a plan. I had to leave eight men, but would be able to flee. Unfortunately they caught up with me, and leaving eight more men behind didn't help: I had to engage in a fight with overwhelming odds against me. In the meantime Rolf complained that he didn't like leaving those men behind, with the plan he had devised. Well, no-one can be happy. I wasn't glad with the outcome of the battle, since I obviously lost: I was knocked unconscious, and even though my men continued to fight a little after, I was taken prisoner by boyar Taisa.

He dragged me along towards the village of Tismirr, where he was attacked by a Khergit force. In the heat of battle I managed to escape, but not without loss of money, my nice helmet, my horse, my sword and some velvet I was still carrying. And I also had lost track of my companions and my entire army. I was alone, on foot, and had to run to the Khergit border while the Vaegirs were distracted.

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During the Vaegir-Khergit battle, I managed to escape.

In the Khergit khanate, I ran towards the city of Ichamur, the closest one. There I bought some steppe horses. I might have had some misfortune, but that wouldn't stop me from trading again, now I'm in this northern land. I was already close to Tulga, which sold spice and salt pretty cheap: I knew I could sell that very well in the Sarranid city of Ahmerrad, which sold both iron and tools for a good price. Without men and with those extra horses, I rode really fast. I rode seven times back and forth between those two cities in twenty days, which made a profit of 26,786 denars for me. When Ahmerrad ran out of money, I sold more in Durquba. My loss of men was maybe a terrible thing to happen to me, but it forced me to trade in foreign countries and become rich. In the meantime Swadia made peace with the Vaegirs, and war with the Rhodoks. I also met Jeremius, a very good surgeon, who wanted to help me in the field. I'm glad I let him join my side, since he was even better than Ymira.

After I concluded my business in the north, I went back to Praven to visit lady Gaeta once again. But unfortunately king Harlaus wasn't home: he was fighting in the kingdom of Rhodoks. With my current army (me and Jeremius), I didn't dare to go there, so I just rode between Praven, where I bought ale, and Suno, where I bought wine: transporting liquid is a lucrative business too. But I soon heard that he was heading back to Praven, so I waited there a few days until he arrived. He was really pleased with the reports I brought back, even though the war was over. It was this moment I swore loyalty to his crown, and became a vassal of the kingdom of Swadia. As a reward I became lord of the village Emerin.

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*****
Gameplay notes
It was irritating to not know how many peasants I had already trained: I lost many of the fights and at a certain moment I had no idea anymore if I was almost there or would have to train a lot more.
Here is a picture of Floris' current stats:
006e.jpg
 
This is really great reading! I love it. Have played incredibly much native and mount and blade in general, but here you really bring so much more immersion and roleplay than I have ever imagined was possible. Keep up the awesome work  :mrgreen:
 
Chapter 7: Peace?
11 July 1257

Dear Diary,

On 26 June I swore my loyalty to king Harlaus of Swadia. As a reward, he bestowed me with the village of Emirin. After I had heard that, I went out to have a look at it. I rode through the entire Swadian kingdom, only to find it at the far edge of it, just beside Dhirim. Unfortunately that city was just recently conquered by the Rhodoks. Not the most ideal place to rule over. But well, I had to manage.

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My small village of Emirin was lying almost next to Dhirim. Normally a fortunate location, but not now.

It wasn't too save for me to remain in my own village, so I returned to Praven, where I joined another tournament. This time I was knocked out in the second round. When I spoke to king Harlaus, he told me he needed more men: he wanted six man-at-arms. He would be very pleased if I would train them for him. That would of course be no problem for me: after the king gave me six recruits, I went to the training grounds. There I trained with them until they were all promoted to men at arms. When I returned to Praven, I encountered some bandits. I was only with eight men, while they were with twenty-two. With my axe ready I rode around them, and slew many men by just riding by and slicing them in two. The main trick was to avoid being stopped by someone standing in front of me then I would've been cornered by several men and slain.

When I returned to Praven, the guild master of that city was very fond of me. Those bandits had raided many caravans, and were a nuisance all along. He rewarded me accordingly, and pointed out to me that those bandits were not the biggest problem: the war between Swadia and Rhodoks is. They would give a lot to end it. Unfortunately two lords, one on each side, opposes a peace treaty. If I could only convince them to stop their warmongery attempts, the war would end and Praven would be saved from an imminent bankruptcy. In the meantime I sent the six man-at-arms to the king, to serve his needs. He said to me, I quote: 'I don't have enough troops, and I need to get some more. I must attend to this matter before I worry about the affairs of the realm.' I tell you, that king is unfit. I should replace him as soon as possible.

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The war is hindering Praven, and they are prepared to do everything to end it.

I had heard from the king that count Devlian was in Haringoth castle, so I rode there as swiftly as I could and tried to persuade him. Unfortunately, he was deaf for reason, and I couldn't pull a favour: this was the first time we met. So there was no other option than to bribe him for 7160 denars. This was one count down, now I only had to track down count Tarchias of Rhodoks and force him into this peace settlement. That would be a big problem with only Jeremus at my disposal, so I walked around some villages, recruited 10 peasants and trained them on the training grounds until they were full-blown man at arms. It took me three days, but it was worth it.

After the training was completed, I passed the bridge near Haringoth and entered Rhodoks territory. I avoided the small passes with castles like Maras castle and Culmarr castle: instead I followed the river to the sea, and then followed the coastline. I passed the village of Istiniar, and avoided Glunmar. Then I saw Ilvia, but instead went to the city of Yalen. But count Tarchias wasn't there. So I moved on to Jelkala. He wasn't there, so instead I bought quite a lot of velvet, which I wanted to sell at Veluca. While I'm in hostile territory, I can make myself usefull by trading and earning a lot of money. but when I approached that city, half the Rhodoks army was residenting there, including the king. I bravely ran away away, and managed to outrun all those hostile counts following me. But I hadn't had a clue where count Tarchias could be.

After outrunning the enemy army, I noticed a battle raging between the Swadian count Despian and the Rhodoks count Falsevor. I joined in, and proved to be the tip that bounced the balance to Swadian victory. After this victory I proceeded to Uxkhal, where I bought a new horse: a heavy charger. Now my enemies would really tremble before me once I ride towards them. I trembled across the landscape. From castle till castle, I rode to search for count Tarchias, until I suddenly found him close to the village of Chelez: he had just fought with the Khergit noyan Urubay, and was severely weakened. I couldn't have wished for more: I thus approached him.

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When I finally found count Tarchias, he was already weakend. 7 July 1257 must be my lucky day.

When we met, I asked him to stop sabotaging the peace negotiations. He was inspired by my words - and no doubt also by the man at arms standing behind me - but not convinced. So in the end I winded up paying him 1460 denars. I spend quite a lot of money on brides, but the reward was still greater, or so I thought. Before I reached Praven, Swadia and Rhodoks made peace, and the entire operation became null and void. In the end I got no reward! But well, I still got some good soldiers from it.

007d.jpg


*****
Gameplay notes
Here is a picture of Floris' current stats:
007e.jpg
 
Chapter 8: Caravans and a maiden
1 August 1257

Dear Diary,

Today I don't write this entry from my usual tavern room in Praven, but instead from the Nord city of Dhirim, formerly Swadian. It's closer to my own village of Emerin, and the most recent stop of my journey the past month. A little while ago I realised something very important: if I want to take over control in these lands, I need people to support me. not only the nobles, but also the cities. If they side with me, allow me to enter whenever I like and provide me with all the support I need, who are the kings to oppose me? I'll take over Swadia, and if that seems impossible, I'll found a new kingdom.

At the beginning of July I had a big disappointment in Praven: I was asked to arrange a peace settlement, but when I finally came back, they didn't pay up. Nevertheless I tried to help the folks again. Call me naive, but my revenge will one day be sweet. I promised the guild master on my return to eliminate some looters. Although I fought off a few bands, I didn't find all of them. To be honest, I didn't search extensive for them. I found my relations with other cities more important, after the debacle with the peace settlement.

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Along my loyal man-at-arms and even a few knights I ride into battle to kill some looters.

From Praven I rode to Suno, but they were still not that fond of me. No wonder, I still hadn't given their tax money to their lord, who was now missing in action: he probably spend these days in a prison far away from here. So I moved on, to Uxkhal. They seemed to be ok with me, and asked me if I could escort a caravan to the Vaegir city of Rivalech. Of course I agreed to do that: what could happen on a quiet trip? I only had to ride along and fight off some bandits, heal my wound and move on. Technically that was true. But still it was a more difficult mission than I had anticipated. The moment I entered Vaegir lands, bandits tried to attack the caravan. I fenced them all away, but there was no time for my men to heal their wounds. The moment I defeated the first group of bandits, the second almost immediately jumped on top of us. And the third, and so on. After eight waves of attack we finally reached the city of Rivalech. We made it, but it hadn't been easy.

When I rode back, I passed the city of Dhirim. Since it's neighbouring my own town, I decided to have a look and ask the local guild master what's up lately. He told me that the daughter of a local merchant had been kidnapped, and been brought to Azgad, a small town near Praven. I knew I couldn't trust those Pravens, and especially the king. It had been arranged that a ransom would be paid: they only needed someone to take it there. Who would I be to object to that? I took the money, and rode off, passing Uxkhal once again. There I asked if thy needed a hand too, and heard they needed another caravan protected: this time to Sargoth.

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The guild master of Uxkhal asks me to escort a caravan to Sargoth.

The route to Sargoth was a little out of the way, but well, I accepted anyway. First things first, so I took the caravan and drove them all the way to Azgad. There was plenty of time, so why wouldn't I catch two flies in one stroke? The caravan master did question the route, but after I told him this one was safer than a direct road, he stopped bugging me. He had obviously heard of the trouble I had on my road to Rivalech, and didn't want to get involved in more battles than necessary.

Once we gotten to Azgad, I gave the kidnappers the money without a fuzz. It wasn't my money, and not even my girl, so why would I fight over it? I was just the delivery boy, upping my standing in Dhirim by doing this. The bandits obviously sensed this, since we concluded our deal without any problem. I gave them the money, they gave me the girl. Everyone's happy, especially since I took her on a little tour.

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I had dragged the kidnapped girl along to Sargoth.

Even though I got the girl, I still had to deliver a caravan. I had dragged it along to Azgad, so it wasn't more than fair to take the girl with us to Sargoth. I could have sold her to a slave trader and made some good money for her, but that wouldn't do me much good back home. Dhirim is pretty close to my own village. So I took care of her, and after saying goodbye to the caravan, I rode back to Dhirim, where I am now. The girl is home safely, and a new month has begun I'll await what awaits me this time, since my standing with the cities is not yet perfect. They are still indifferent about me, while they should be hailing me like I'm the second coming. Which I am, obviously, but they need to know that too.

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*****
Gameplay notes
Here is a picture of Floris' current stats:
008e.jpg
 
Great job on your AAR! We don't see too many AARs for MB, and you are setting a great example  :grin: Great for prospective newbies to see what the game is about too!
 
Rahn: I shall certainly keep this up: there will be a lot more chapters to follow.

Anthropoid: Thanks! I noticed that there aren't many M&B AARs, but I surely hope more will follow. The game offers great possibilities for nice stories.
 
Chapter 9: Relations with Dhirim
24 August 1257

Dear Diary,

Today I write once again from my usual room in Praven, sitting in a room next to one of Artimenner and Jeremus. They are debating once again Jeremus' medical skills. Why can't they stop? They know I'm writing in my journal, which is more important than any feud they might have. Anyway, the past month I've been riding hence and forth to improve my standing with the citizens of Dhirim. As the closest major city and a major provider of iron, it's worthwhile having them as friends. So I did the lowest peasantry jobs those citizens could imagine the past two weeks.

It started with driving cattle forward to the Sarranid city of Shariz. Can you imagine it? Me, count Floris IV of Holland, driving cattle like an ordinary peasant? But still I did it, only to get in favour with the local populace. In the beginning it was more difficult than I had imagined, since the cows didn't want to go where I wanted to drive them. But after some practice I knew what to do, and managed to deliver them in that desert town.

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Driving cattle forward can be a tedious task.

After I had delivered the cattle, there were some merchants that required my services. I really felt like a hired blade, prostituting my noble services to the common people. But there is no other alternative, so I'll let it be. I escorted caravans to Ahmerrad, Shariz and Khudan, and killed quite a few bandits on the road. I only couldn't find those desert bandits that had been troubling the merchants of Dhirim. The good thing about these caravans is the possibilities it gives me for trade. And while I was conducting this business, I asked Artimenner to build a school in my village of Emirin. That will raise my status over there, and hopefully my name will be wider known.

After I had escorted all these merchants, I decided to go to Praven. On the road I picked up another caravan from Uxkhal, which I had to bring to Bariyye. When I rode to Suno, I finally met count Klargus again, and paid up the taxes I had inned from Suno. Of course I got my reward, but actually my reward had been the exploit of this tax money. No point in telling him that, so I just gave it to him. With the wars he was glad I paid up: he hadn't expected it anymore, not with him being imprisoned previously.

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Finally, after such a long time, I was able to pay up count Klargus' taxes.

In Suno I was asked to deliver ale to Veluca, and in Praven they had no job for me. The were a little irritated by my misfortune during the previous errand, and didn't trust me enough to sent away on another mission. Aw well, then I'd prove myself to other cities instead. I rode immediately to Veluca to deliver some ale, which was much appreciated by both the local tavern as the people of Suno.

Then I rode on to buy some velvet in Jelkala, and moved deep into Sarranid territory, to go to their farthest city: Bariyye. When I was almost there, marshal Delinard sent a message that he wanted me to report to his army, station near Suno. So after I conducted my business in Bariyye, I rode like hell back to the Swadian city of Suno, to join the army. Joining the army can be a good way to show the nobles my strength. While I rode back, I finally found those desert bandits that had been troubling the merchants of Dhirim.

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Those desert bandits couldn't appreciate my good standing with the Dhirim officials.

On my way to Suno, where the marshal was seen lastly, I walked by Dhirim, where they asked me to escort a caravan to Veluca. I took the merchants, and rode instead to Suno. But first I passed Uxkhal, where I joined a tournament. I managed to get to round four for the first time. I'm getting better, and back up to the strength I had in France. Maybe I'll win a tournament soon. Unfortunately count Delinard was long gone by the time I got to Suno, so I rode on until I got to Praven, where I'm now writing this entry. Tomorrow I'll move to Veluca, to deliver the merchants form that caravan that awaits me outside the gates. These tasks can be a burden sometimes.

009d.jpg


*****
Gameplay notes
Here is a picture of Floris' current stats:
009e.jpg
 
Great idea man, and very well executed! I was actually thinking of doing something like this myself, however, I really doubt it would be this quality  :wink:. Anyway, keep up the good work!  :grin:
 
Big_Mac said:
Great idea man, and very well executed! I was actually thinking of doing something like this myself, however, I really doubt it would be this quality  :wink:. Anyway, keep up the good work!  :grin:
It only gets better.  :wink:
 
Thanks everyone!

Big_Mac: Don't worry about the quality: as long as you're having fun writing it, it's going to be great. So don't hesitate, and just start one too :smile:.
 
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