Recap pages are Spoilers Off by default, so in all these pages all spoilers are unmarked. Proceed with caution. You Have Been Warned
Burgundy had seen decades of struggles between dukes under the auspices of a mad king of France, with the Hundred Years War serving as a backdrop to the scheming and intrigues. Said Dukes would also seek to carve out a realm in the Low Countries to the north of them as regional politics put them in the midst of England and France. The player is in control of the Burgundians, the color being Purple. Scenarios
1. A Kingdom Divided
France is currently torn in two by wars even amongst its very people, the Armagnacs and the Burgundy. When the Armagnacs incite a revolt in the city of Liège, formerly controlled by the Duke of Bavaria, John the Fearless rides to the village of Othée, to establish a base and defeat the Armagnacs to show his power to everyone.2. The Wolf and the Lion
Even after the brutality of Liège, the Armagnacs still challenge the rule of John, as Bernard d'Armagnac unleashes an army of mercenary scoundrels, the Écorcheurs, to pillage the countryside, assisted by allied forces coming from Orléans, Bourbon and Alençon. Determined to put an end to this rivalry, John once again gathers troops to stop this opposition. Meanwhile, the British watches the ongoing massacre...3. The Cleansing of Paris
After the Armagnac defeat at Agincourt, the English presence in France has grown stronger, but John the Fearless sees the threat that Henry the Fifth constitutes as he rides to Paris to submit it. To secure his power and further his plans, John seeks allies amongst the many guilds of Paris to infiltrate the city and murder Bernard d'Armagnac before the British arrives.4. Unholy Marriage
John captured Paris, but his audacity eventually costed him his life and was assassinated. His successor, Philip the Good, has now to deal with another threat entirely: the Duke of Bavaria calls Philip's help to deal with his rebellious niece Jacqueline of Hainaut. The ambitious noblewoman has her sights set on the Low Countries contested by the Burgundians, and has sought the help of the Lord Protector Humphrey of Lancaster. Philip has to deal with this dual threat.5. The Hook and Cod Wars
While in France the presence of Joan of Arc is rising the morale of the Armagnacs, Philip still has to deal with the scheming of Jacqueline who has moved to Holland and is supported by the so called "Guild of Hooks", the local low nobility dealing with years-long feuds with the Guild of Cods, composed of merchants. Philip will have to fight his way through the watery land, fighting both the Hooks and the invading British from beyond the Channel.6. The Maid Falls
With the threat of Jacqueline quelled, Philip the Good can now take his attention to the Pucelle. Having failed to take Paris, Joan of Arc and her army are hiding somewhere near Compiègne, a city currently under siege. Philip plans to put an end to her mission there and conquer the city.This campaign contains examples of:
- Achilles' Heel: English in the 5th scenario can be a pain to deal with... but if you manage to ransack his coastal lumber storages Humphrey will have no choice but to call off his invasion.
- Call-Back: Mostly to the entire Joan of Arc campaign... except that this time you play as the "villains", technically.
- Cosmetic Award:
- "The Good, the Bold and the Fearless" for completing the campaign.
- There's also "No Wheels"note , "A Second Hastings"note and "Shut Up La Hire!"note .
- Disproportionate Retribution: In the first scenario, John receive rumors that some of his subjects do not respect him. Cue to him depopulating Liège with extreme prejudice.
- Hired Guns: The English mercenaries in the second scenario. Annoyingly enough, if you don't pay them soon enough after they make their offer they'll side with the Armagnacs. And even if you pay them, their efforts are rarely influential and they insist in getting more and more money as the scenario continues.
- Karmic Death: John the Fearless spends most of his time engaging in acts of cruelty such as massacring civilians, having rivals assassinated and force their sons to publicly forgive them. Little tears were shed when two axemen chopped him dead while he was talking to the Dauphin.
- Keystone Army: In "The Hook and Cod Wars", destroying the castles will instantly grant you all the buildings of that town.
- Kick the Dog: For someone called "The Good", Philip does his share of questionable acts in the name of pragmatism, like taunting a captive Joan and then telling them he pretty much sold her off to the highest bidder without leaving her time to answer.
- Perspective Flip: Joan of Arc fought the Burgundians in her campaign. In this campaign, the player takes control of Burgundy, which culminates in Burgundy capturing Joan ("The Maid Falls").
- Sore Loser: Jacqueline's tirade at the end of the fifth scenario really sounds like those the AI makes in a random game when defeated.
- Tempting Fate: The campaign repeatedly plays the theme of the Burgundian dukes being pragmatists. It ends with the Duke of Burgundy explaining how giving Joan of Arc to the English was just pragmatism. However as anyone who played the final Joan of Arc mission know, her death renewed the French struggle against the English. Ever pragmatic, the Burgundian Duke would switch side to support the French, a decision that would eventually lead to their downfall when his son would die prematurely while fighting Swiss Mercenaries, leaving the French crown free to re-absorb Burgundy.
- Villain Protagonist: More evident with John the Fearless. Philip is much more pragmatic, so he rarely goes for gratuitous atrocities. Unless they're convenient.
