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The fortress-city of Antoch, also known as the Crusader City, is the greatest of Bretonnia's settlements outside of its own lands, located on the desert coast of Araby known as the Gulf of Medes.[1a]

History[]

The mighty city and fortress of Antoch was founded at the conclusion of the Crusades when the victorious Old Worlders vanquished the evil and perverted Sultan Jaffar. Disgusted at the evil that they found in Araby, the victorious knights tore down idols, burned whole libraries of dangerous books, and eventually retreated to the untainted lands of Bretonnia and the Lady of the Lake. However, some knights, driven into a frenzy of righteousness by the black-hearted evil and sickening decadence of the Arabyans, decided to remain and build a mighty fortress of virtue that would stand forever against the resurgence of darkness in the lands of Araby.[1a]

Antoch, as their city was called, soon became a refuge for all kinds of adventurers from the Old World, and Old Worlder ships found Antoch a vital staging post that allowed them to take on provisions for the dangerous journey westwards to Lustria or south to the Southlands.[1a]

So it was that a young Knight Errant known as Pierre led an army of veterans from Bretonnia's battles in Lustria to the city, where he eventually became Master of the Knights of Antoch, and Lord of that land. With him, he brought the Staff of Jade, an artifact acquired during the looting of the Lizardman city of Huatl. The staff became a heirloom of the city's lords, a symbol of power and security, and remained so for centuries, but eventually the Lizardmen required the use its hidden powers. Lord Mazdamundi himself gathered an army of innumerable size and led the forces of Lustria to reclaim this most ancient of artifacts.[1a]

In a titanic and bloody battle that would become known as the Battle for Antoch Plains, the Lizardmen were able to defeat the Bretonnian army that rode out to face them, razing Antoch and reclaiming the Staff of Jade. In doing so, their great Mage-Priests were able to perform an ancient ritual, saving the entire world from destruction at the hands of Chaos.[2a]

It is unknown if the Crusader City ever recovered, or was rebuilt after its siege.[2a]

Notable Persons[]

Trivia[]

Antoch is based on the real-life city of Antioch, an Ancient-Greek city in the northern Levant. Antioch was captured by Norman Crusaders during the First Crusade, who founded the Principality of Antioch as a Crusader State, mirroring the founding of Antoch by Bretonnians. While the original city is in ruins, the city of Antakya stands in it's place in Modern-day Turkey.

Sources[]

  • 1: White Dwarf 206
    • 1a: pp. 74-75
  • 2: White Dwarf 208
    • 2a: pg. 94
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