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The Lion of the Levant
This is the story of one man, spurred on by desperation, determination and hope, a man who changed history forever, a man who, leading by example, showed the whole world of the future that was within their reach. A man who fulfilled God's wishes and drove back the unholy and freed the righteous. A man who had left a legacy that would continue for centuries to come. Who is this man? He goes by many names, one you certainly know, the Lion of the Levant.

Prelude
William the Conquer, ruler of England and Normandy, rules his vast territories with a benevolent hand, guiding them towards prosperity. He fathered two children, Robert who was born in 1052 and Richard who was born in 1074. Richard is the result of William's adulterous actions with a tavern wench and is thus scorned by all the royal family. He is so disliked he is not even promised to be able to claim the title of baron, the lowest of all. Richard, disillusioned by his future, turns to aimless adventuring and mercenary work. This is very useful as it hones Richard's skills and turns him into a frightening warrior, a skillful commander and a brilliant tactician and it also gives him connections in many mercenary groups throughout Southern England.

In March 1095, at the Council of Piancenza an ambassador from Emperor Alexios himself is talking to Pope Urban the II, urging him to send military aid to the Eastern Roman Empire to help defend against the Turks. Urban has, along with other Pope's such as Gregory the VII, thought about helping the Eastern Romans for some time however he saw the matter has having utmost importance as the emperor himself was asking for help. in November 1095, the Pope is at the Council of Clermont, it has been going for a few days now. The Pope has readied himself and is prepared to give his speech. He stands before the crowd and begins his firey, impassioned torrent. As it washes over the crowd, a wave of zeal overtakes the room and those in it start to cheer for Urban's idea. He calls for a Crusade, Latin for holy war, against the Saracens, to take back Jerusalem. Although a fair share of religious scholar's, bishops, priests and the like take issue with Urban's idea for martial action in the name of God, especially the idea that martial action can erase ones sins, they are outnumbered by those that support it. He says that those who wish to partake in the Crusade should depart for Jerusalem in late Summer.

Richard hears about the Crusade and decides to join it, in order to gain his father's respect and possibly be able to inherit something when he dies. Richard heads to his father and asks him if he could be granted some troops and funds to join the Crusade. William gives Richard all that he asks for, wishing to be rid of him, and sends him off with his blessing. Richard, pleasantly surprised, heads to many cities all over South England to hire more soldiers for his troop and by April 1096 Richard is ready to head to France. He and his army of about 3,000 troops head to London and board the next ships heading for France.
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