The Fall of Alania

The Alans had lived in the plains adjacent to Azaq since before Azaq even existed, and it has enjoyed a relatively peaceful existence. Forever, unbeknownst to the Alans, the Court of Ganbaatar Khan had long been in the stage of conspiring against the people of Alania, in hopes of subjugating them for the glory of the Khanate. Now, with the failure of the attempted invasion of Anatolia in hopes of settling a new home, the Alan tribes have become weakened, leaving them open for invasion from the armies of Ganbaatar Khan and the Azaqden Khanate.

Here come the Mongols...

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Ganbaatar Khan - Khan of Azaq (Azaq)
Bat-Erdene - Prince and Heir of Azaq (Azaq)
Bogd the Brave - Noyan (Commander) of Azaq (Azaq)
Ganzorg - Prince of Azaq (Azaq)
Tolui - Prince of Azaq (Azaq)
Chingis - Cherbi (Leader) of the Keshig (Royal Guard) and Brother of the Khan (Azaq)
Turghun the Quick-Witted - Baghatur (Hero) of Azaq (Azaq)
Catarina the Amazon - Baghatur of Azaq (Free)
Thomas - Orthodox Priest of Azaq (Cybelos/Hellas)

Kuluk Soslan - Chieftain of the Alans (Varasd)
Goar Soslan - Eldest Son of Kuluk (Varasd)
Biorgor Soslan - Son of Kuluk (Varasd)
Borena Soslan - Daughter of Kuluk (Varasd)

OOC: May I ask, would this make you Khaganate?

An Alan tribe:

The people of the tribe have finally crossed the Caucasus as their newly formed realm in Asia was crushed as soon as it was made. Without their finest warriors they had no place to defend themselves and the truth is: most of them were terribly afraid of the retaliation of the Greeks. Chieftain Kuluk was nowhere to be found and many have heard a rumor that he has fallen in a battle, while others told that he was murdered by his bodyguards.
His eldest son, Goar has survived the Battle of the Halys river and took over charge. He has commanded everyone to migrate to the north where the Greeks could not reach them.

The steppes had good grass and the herds were safe. The people were first afraid to move into almost unknown lands without their warriors but they had no choice at all. Finally, they have set up the tents and the place for the animals. The children were playing around as if nothing happened and everyone was busy with work. Then a villager came into the village and started yelling:

"They are back! The warriors are back!" - everyone followed him with great joy to the outskirts of the yurt village to embrace their warriors who returned from war. Finally, they thought they were safe. Obviously, before the first of them realized that these mounted warriors were coming from the West instead of the South, it was already too late to build defenses. All there was left was to pray for the best.

The mighty Army of Ganbaatar Khan was there and there was nobody to stop him...

Varasd wrote:An Alan tribe:

The people of the tribe have finally crossed the Caucasus as their newly formed realm in Asia was crushed as soon as it was made. Without their finest warriors they had no place to defend themselves and the truth is: most of them were terribly afraid of the retaliation of the Greeks. Chieftain Kuluk was nowhere to be found and many have heard a rumor that he has fallen in a battle, while others told that he was murdered by his bodyguards.
His eldest son, Goar has survived the Battle of the Halys river and took over charge. He has commanded everyone to migrate to the north where the Greeks could not reach them.

The steppes had good grass and the herds were safe. The people were first afraid to move into almost unknown lands without their warriors but they had no choice at all. Finally, they have set up the tents and the place for the animals. The children were playing around as if nothing happened and everyone was busy with work. Then a villager came into the village and started yelling:

"They are back! The warriors are back!" - everyone followed him with great joy to the outskirts of the yurt village to embrace their warriors who returned from war. Finally, they thought they were safe. Obviously, before the first of them realized that these mounted warriors were coming from the West instead of the South, it was already too late to build defenses. All there was left was to pray for the best.

The mighty Army of Ganbaatar Khan was there and there was nobody to stop him...

Ganbaatar Khan

The might Khan sat triumphantly on his horse, for even though he had just crossed into Alan territory his victory had already been ensured. Behind him stand 7,000 loyal soldiers of various faiths and cultures, ready to kill and die for their Khan. The Khan, however, was a wise man who knew that the Alans would have little in the way of able men to defend themselves, and rather than needlessly spill innocent blood, he thought instead it prudent to peacefully annex them. His warriors, though known for their ferocity, viciousness, and brutality would not dare question their Khan. If he was say none shall be raped, or robbed, or beaten, or murdered, then his word was law for he was not like these Western rulers who sat on comfy thrones while their generals won their wars for them, he was not simply a leader. He was a warrior, one of the greatest in the Khanate, and for that reason the respect his men showed him had been rightfully earned.

"Father Thomas, come!" He called for Thomas, a priest and the official representative of the Orthodox communities under the Khan's rule and protection. Thomas had been chosen for his calm and peaceful demeanor when the Mongols came to Taurica, he encouraged his fellow citizens of the city of Symbola to respect and welcome their conquerors and convinced the local leaders to welcome the Mongols into their city, resulting in the city avoiding the destruction and violence that would befall the other Greek cities in he area when the Mongols laid siege to them. His charisma and natural charm, combined with his kindness had earned him the respect of both his city and his new leaders, causing the Khan to personally choose him as the voice of the Greek rite Christian communities in the peninsula.

As the Greek approached him, the Khan turned to him. "These Alans follow the same rite as you do, and so, being a man of the cloth they should listen to you. Ride down to their hovels and tell them they shall not be harmed if they surrender peacefully. You should have to tell them what will happen if they refuse, but if you do, make sure you do not pepper it with niceties, but inform them of the consequences of such a decision through a thorough explanation of the unspeakable acts that will befall them, of which I turn a blind eye to." The Khan smirked a bit, though not a wicked man he was not afraid to do whatever he thought necessary to get what he wanted. "But only if they refuse. As they have few warriors left, they should surrender easily if they are smart, avoiding the need for such a depressing conversation to be held."

The Khan sat upright, his smirk fading as he looked down upon the village. "Go, now, and give them the good news that they have a new liege."

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Bat-Erdene

Meanwhile, to the North...

"Prepare the men, we march on this pitiful village and we will slaughter all who stand in our way." The crown prince, a vile man spat on the ground beneath his horse as his brother Ganzorg approached him. "There is no need, the Alans have lost most of their warriors. They are practically defenseless." Bat-Erdene simply laughed at the thought. "Good, then they won't be able to stop us." Ganzorg shook his head in disbelief. "You would commit such a grave crime? For what? Because you enjoy it?" Bat-Erdene snapped a glare at his younger brother. "You question your future Khan? I will not forget this conversation, brother, and if you think your blood will protect you then you are wrong. This is reality, the reality of war. It is violent and horrifying and if you cannot stomach it, you can go back to your Slav whore."

Bat-Erdene rode off to the front of the army, intending to lead the charge, leaving Ganzorg behind to sit on his mount in disgust at his elder. The Turk known as Turghun the Quick-Witted passed him by, glancing at him smugly. "Ladies don't belong at war, young prince." The Turk laughed as he rode ahead to join the crown prince, while Ganzorg reluctantly followed, shaking his head.

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Bogd the Brave

Meanwhile, to the Northeast...

Bogd was an intimidating figure, standing taller and large than the average man. His size measured his strength and matched his combat prowess, and legendary commander known throughout the ranks of the army of Ganbaatar Khan, he was an imposing character that stood out in a crowd, and a significant lack of social skills. Morale was high, for under Bogd the Brave the men laughed at the thought of defeat.

Joining him were Prince Tolui and Catarina the Amazon, both of whom expressed little respect to their commander's means and methods, which often trudged into territory considered barbaric. Catarina in particular was not used to this sense of brash violence familiar with the steppe peoples, being a honorable woman from Occitania she often felt out of place among the Turco-Mongol warriors and Rus' tribesmen. Though she felt more familiar with the Greek soldiers, their Orthodox faith often had them harboring contempt for her, a devoutly Catholic woman. And yet, despite their different sects she had found a friend and ally in Tolui.

"Do you not object to the savagery with which these men are about to undertake in your father's name?" She asked Tolui, curiously. "It is not that I do not object, it is that I cannot. My words will fall on the deaf ears of our brave Noyan Bogd. He is not a man who listens, he is a man who obeys, like a dog, and I am not his master." They both sighed. "There is no honor in such horrors." Tolui chuckled. "Bogd does not care for honor, only victory." Catarina looked to Tolui. "Do you believe in hell, my prince?" Tolui's expression grew somewhat somber. "I do." He said with sincerity, looking back at her. "And do you think he will be going there?" Tolui looked back at Bogd, who was leading the frontal assault on the Alan village directly ahead. "I'd be surprised if he didn't." He said with deep conviction, as the two looked on toward the slaughter.

Thomas

The priest hadn't wanted this position of diplomat. His life was quiet before all of this, the most excitement the man had gotten was seeing the destruction of the barbarian raids of Chersonesos. The aftermath of the destruction that is, his brother Greeks carrying the bodies of the raiders off, or sending the vanquished as slaves off to be sold in the markets of Constantinople. His life was quiet, he reminisced, he didn't believe it was at the time, he didn't believe that he would ever find a moment of silence back then, but now...

The sound of the hooves of his horse trotting along the stone of the ground broke his thoughts, he had started off towards the Alan encampment without having to think to do so, a result of the skills he had developed with the beast.
The weather had been fair, a small recompense for these Alans' troubles. The priest's magnificent horse rode down the path, its alabaster coat unsullied.

The people of the makeshift village probably wished to not be beset by a Greek again, and they, fairly, raised what weapons they had escaped with, short-swords, pikes, and the like.

Thomas made his intentions clear, showing his pectoral cross to help relax their minds, ultimately, they had nothing to fear from a lone priest, they realised.
The priest was lead to what could be considered the best of the accommodations, he supposed. The tent of a man call Goar, a familiar sounding name, he had swore he had at one time heard his horse cough up a noise quite similar to it, when the beast had watered itself too quickly.

He let the Chief know that if he and his men surrendered peacefully they could "dwell here in safety, down by these quiet waters, with the ability to worship God as you wish, an honor not granted by any other Lord. You need only repent, and your sins will be forgiven, you, and your people will be rejuvenated here, in service of Christ, Jesus." "I will personally see to it that a church is built here, and if the Khan will not have it built out of kindness, I will take what money I have gathered, and build it myself, in God's name, I promise this. What say you, Your Lordship?"

The Alan tribe to whom Farther Thomas was sent has surrendered without any complications. In fact, they seemed to be cheerful - being under the vassalage of the Khan meant that they were safe from a Byzantine retribution coming their way. They have quickly gathered a small stash of gold, jewelry, wine, fine clothes and furs, and sent have prepared it to be given to the Khan once he personally arrives in the village.

However, other tribes weren't so lucky. The armies of Azaq under leadership of Bat-Erdene have began attacking the village. Anyone who had a horse tried to escape but the rest of them tried to put up a fight, even though it was a miserable attempt with no chances at all. Women and elderly grabbed their bows and spears to fend off the attackers but even if they were able to kill one of the attackers they were slaughtered in the next second by another.

A group of people - mostly children - have escaped the village with horses. When they have noticed that a small group of Mongols are chasing them, one of them grabbed a small pouch that was hanging from his side. From it, he grabbed a golden coin, then held it up in the air, as if to trying to show his pursuers. Then, he threw the coin on the ground and also poured almost all of the pouch on the ground too, hoping that the gold, silver, and small jewelry falling on the ground would be more important for the riders than the lives of some children.