Red Cross Raids

The Red Cross Raids are the name of the multiple raids in Scandinavia by the Templar Order and the German Imperials against Clan Cølðsøᚤg and other Vikings.

## Background

The Red Cross Raids are retaliatory raids against the Viking Clans due to the constant raids by said Vikings into Europe, where they raided and looted dozens of towns, and killed hundreds if not thousands of people. Several monasteries, churches, and homes were sacked and looted, taking a toll not only on the towns but on the economy of the Order and the Empire.

The Order came up with the idea of retaliation, as a way to exact revenge on the Vikings. They began to develop several new types of ships quickly, designing them for multi-purpose use such as naval combat, boarding, and large passenger capacity for shore invasions. The Order built the newly designed warships in mass quantity, and gave some to the German Imperials to help strengthen the bond between the two nations.

## Timeline

December 15th, 1090, 8:15 AM CET - Order and Imperial Alliance ships leave from a German port.

12:31 PM CET - Alliance ships reach the Swedish coast and begin sacking clans all over.

14:39 PST - Imperial ships find a group of 5 Scandinavian ships, setting them ablaze with Greek Fire.

6:03 P.M. - Not so keen on being put on a lower spot on the political food chain of Europe, multiple clans in turn go at the invading soldiers. Being Vikings, they don't show any mercy towards the foreign men. Germans and Crusaders turn to fight the men, and a great battle begins. Despite being outnumbered, the Vikings absolutely tear through the opposing force, so much so that they actually start fighting amongst *themselves* to get to kill the invaders, Within just an hour, at least 12 clans- all of which have an average population of 70 people- declare war against each other, adding another Viking war for the history books (in case you're wonder, wars in the freelands is common. Nine clans once went to war with each other for a shirt). The Crusaders take advantage of this infighting and force the Vikings back, even killing off one whole clan. Unfortunately, the Crusaders accidently interrupt a band of Berserkers praying to Odin and Thor, royally pissing them off. Before the Crusaders can act, two Berserkers- both who stand almost 7 feet tall, both with bloodshot eyes- literally tear a soldier apart, throwing him onto a blazing alter. Then, the 7 Berserkers- not including the two who ripped the man apart- rush at the other men, literally crushing them with their hammers and axes for interrupting their sacred ritual. Upon realizing that there is a group of Berserkers in the area, the newly at-war clans flee, not wanting to be subject to a slow death. The Berserkers seem unstoppable, tearing through Crusader and German ranks. When the fighting finally stops and the Berserkers are finally slain, almost a thousand (904, to be exact) Crusaders, at least 200 Germans (who were smart enough to stay out of the fray by using their crossbows, for the most part), and nearly 700 Norsemen- and the 9 Berserkers, of course- lie dead on the floor and sea, as well as a few ships set alight. This battle would become known as the Red Crossing, for the Crusaders had finally crossed into an old enemies' territory. Two thousand Crusaders replace their fallen comrades. These new reinforcements begin guerrilla tactics, setting villages alight and running back to camp, making use of natural hiding spots to avoid being caught by hostiles on their way back.

12/30/1090, 1:30 P.M. - With the Crusader's not exactly doing anything and simply sitting in their ports, a few Norse clans band together to get the pests out of their harbor and steal their stuff. Over 800 Norsemen and about 12 Berserkers charge towards the harbor and begin the battle that would be known as the Red Pushback, when the Norsemen tried to defend themselves. Despite their determination and planning, as well as their Berserker soldiers, the Norsemen don't end up pushing the Crusaders out, though they did deal a heavy blow to them. Most (677) of the Norsemen die, mostly from crossbow wounds from the German Imperials, and about 430 Crusaders from the Templar Order are labeled dead, and a few missing, while the German Imperials only suffer 114 deaths. The Berserkers, before finally being killed by a heavy barrage of crossbow bolts, were able to personally kill an entire boat of Crusaders and most of the Imperials that died in the battle (only 12 Germans died from something other than the Berserkers rampage). Many ships- including Norse owned ones- were set alight.

3/4/1143 - After decades of inactivity on the Crusader's part, they decide to just give up and go home. Throughout the years, they never really got off the shore, and vikings kept on attacking them at random points and hindering progress enough that they could never go on the offensive. Clearly having lost, and their king seeming to have forgotten his small raiding party, the Crusaders sail back home, where they encounter no issue. Upon their departure, seven viking clans- including Clan Berhjarta, the clan that actually owned the town before the decades long "war"- immediately go to war over who gets the port town.