Vytautas the Great was the greatest and best known duke of the Great Duchy of Lithuania (GDL),

(today Lithuanian Republic). He reigned from 1392 to 1432. Through these forty years GDL became a very large and strong country, covering about 967000 km. It spread from the coast of the Baltic Sea to the deep Black sea. GDL controlled territories which nowadays belong to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. In XV century the Teutonic was the biggest problem for GDL. Lithuanians were pagan so it was a great pretext to start a crusade and usurp the lands of the heathen. There were many fights, especially near the west borderline. Lithuanians were christened later, in 1387, by duce Jogaila and Vytautas. In 1410 the Grunvald Battle (It is a Polish territory now) crusaders were smashed and their force has disappeared, opening the way for the Great Duchy of Lithuania to collaborate with the western Europe countries. It was a big defeat for the Teutonic and one the greatest battles in Lithuanian history, although Vytautas men presented only half of the army; Jogaila, king of Poland, was Vytautas ally. When Vytautas reigned, cities like Vilnius, Kaunas, Trakai, Grodno, had expanded a lot. GDL became an educated western country. Vytautas also annexed Samogitia (Lower Lithuania), fought against Polish hegemony. Vytautas also invited Tartars to live in his country. They joined his army. In 1430 duce Vytautas the Great had to be crowned (he would have become the second king in the Lithuanian history) but it wasnt meant to be. He died in October 27, 1430. The two following stories are fictional:

PART 1 : Europe (very hard)

After the Grunvald Battle crusaders are finely defeated and Vytautas can collaborate with the Western Europe but the countries arent very friendly. Soon the strongest rulers in Europe formed a coalition and Vytautas understood that a big war will begin sooner or later. It was obvious that Vytautas couldnt fight against the strongest lords alone. Presently he found a trustful ally The king of Sweden. Sweden sent a part of its army and some goods but just then Europe declared war and Vytautas had to struggle against the whole continent. It seemed that he was fighting a losing battle

Mission: Vytautas the Great (human) against:

Richard the Lionheart King Philip Pig duce Truffe Snake Rat duce de Puce Gold: Vytautas the Great - 3500

European lords 3500 Starting goods: 100 wood, 48 stone, 10 hops, 2 iron, 5 pitch, 8 wheat, 35 bread, 25 cheese, 20 meat, 30 fruit and 5 bows. These features are enabled: Low walls, perimeter, square and round towers, stables, ballista, mangonel, oil smelter, small gatehouse, killing pits, dig moat, drawbridge. Apple orchards and hop farms. Well, water pot, church, cathedral, bad things. Armorers workshop Catapult, trebuchet, fire ballista, knights, swordsmen, pikemen, crossbowmen, slaves, Arabian bows, slingers, horse archers. Staring date April, 1412

Part 2: Asia (hard)

Almost twenty years have passed from the beginning of the war in Europe. Now the whole continent kneels before Vytautas the Great, but the Asian rulers arent satisfied with the situation in Europe at all. Soon Vytautas faces powerful attacks of rovers and Arabian armies. Vytautas realizes that another campaign must be started and he gathers a huge army. Unfortunately Vytautas dies in 1430 and Asian rulers think that the danger has disappeared. Although the army lost its leader, Vytautas name lived in the hearts of his men.

Mission:
Kill the strongest Arabian rulers: Caliph the Scorpion, Emir Omar, Wazir the Terrible and Nizar the Silent. Gold: 2000 Troops: 657 Starting date June, 1432

Note: Dont expect easy playability in the missions. Space and resources are very limited. Dont restart the missions! Quit the mission and then play it again.

In part two you will see the starting gold in the upper left corner, although it doesnt matter because you receive your starting money anyway. The minimap may look inaccurate and disproportionate, but you will find two other pictures which look more realistic. Sincerely, AZ ViTrAzhAs