Vorian
01-31-2007, 02:36
Note: This is my first attempt to write something like this and I did it at 3:00 in the morning. Please have patience for any spelling and grammar mistakes. English is not my mother-language.
Chapter One: Man of the Hour
Macedon at 273 bC faced a grim future. At the west, mighty Pyrrus threatened to take Pella and the earth was shaking under the feet of his terrifying elephants.At the south, the Koinon was preparing for revenge. Fortunately, spies brought to King Antigonos Gonatas the first good news he had in months. Areus, king of Sparta and elected leader of the Koinon had returned from Crete with no new recruits while his son Akrotatos had left Sparta with a small garrison to hunt down some revolted slaves. Antigonos was on his way to meet Pyrrus' armies, but decided to grasp the opportunity. He immediately sent messages to Korinthos for a surprise attack to be launched. His council was against the idea, since no general was in Korinthos at the moment, and the mighty city garrison
was under the command of a young, inexperienced man, captain Pantauchos of Pharsalla, a Greek town in Thessaly. However the king accepted the gamble. It was that moment when the fate of the Hellenistic world was sealed...
Summer 272 bC
Sparta
The smell of smoke and dead bodies was everywhere in the roads of Sparta. Pantauchos covered his nose as his horse passed through the agora, where the Spartans had made their last stand. Though he didn't like it, Pantauchos had ordered the extermination of three quaters of the population. Personally, as an educated Hellene, he would prefer to leave the once-glorious city unharmed but Macedonia needed money urgently since the coffers were empty. The people of Sparta had paid the price.
Despite his easy victory however, Pantauchos knew that danger lied ahead. Akrotatos had managed to learn about his surprise attack and had returned to the city with a part of his army. The battle was much more difficult than expected and 192 Macedonians lied dead. Fortunately Akrotatos had joined them too. Now Pantauchos had to face the anger of Areus (and his army) who was marching quickly to meet with the second part of his son's army that hadn't managed to reach the city. Pantauchos didn't have any new orders since the closest Macedonian general was in Demetrias 3 weeks away. He had to make a decision...and face the consequences if he failed. At his command his tired army had gathered in the central plaza of the city. Kleon, his childhood friend and companion looked at him, he had lost his right eye during the battle. It was their first war and so far they had no luck, no luck at all.
"What's it going to be, Pantauchos?", asked Kleon.
"Are we waiting here for orders and hold as long as we can, or do we go and face them?".487 men looked at him and silently asked the same question. He looked at the soldiers. Most of them were young, few were the veterans among them. They were almost kids, just like him. He drew a big breath.
"Men, Sparta has no fortifications. We don't have time to build them either. Areus is coming and he has more men than we do. I won't lie to you, my comrades, no, my brothers. We face an almost certain death.
But we have a choice!", Pantauchos raised his voice over the scared murmurs. "Do we stay here and wait to die like rats in a stinky hole, or do we go and face the enemy and die under the sun like men, like proud Macedonians?" Pantauchos looked at his men. Nobody spoke for a moment. Then Kleon, without speaking started to smash his spear on his shield. The companion cavalry joined him and soon all the army was silently doing the same thing, no voices just wood on metal.
Tears of joy came to his face. Greeks were not allowed to cry from pain or sorrow, but they felt free to show their joy with tears.
"So you have chosen. Take your shields. If this is the end, let it be an end worth remembering."
Eurotas valley, 30 kilometers outside Sparta
A cloud of dust was rising in the air as the Koinon armies were marching to retake their lost capital. Messengers were bringing news to both armies since they hadn't merged yet. The hot summer sun, was blinding Areus while he was riding in the front.
"I am too old for this", the old king thought. "And now Akrotatos, my only son is dead." A lone scout came running toward him and threw him out of his trance.
"King Areus the enemy left Sparta and has already engaged captain Menares. He is currently trying to fight them of, but they are too many for him."
"How is this possible?"
"The Macedonian general left the city without being noticed and went straight to Menares. Both our armies outnumber him, but alone he is stronger. Apparently he had complete reports of our numbers." Areus clenched his teeth.
"Who is in command of the Macedonians? Antigonos? Alkyoneus?"
"It's a captain my lord. We don't know his name"
"My son was defeated by a nobody? I just can't accept this", Areus shouted with anger. "My fellow soldiers let us run to aid our comrades and avenge the death of our people".With a loud warcry, Areus' army moved forward.
By the time Areus arrived at the battlefield, Menares had already died and most of his army had routed. The Macedonian captain, was aware of Areus' approach and quickly pulled back and regrouped his army to fight him. Since Areus didn't have any light troops except his own bodyguard, the Macedonians engaged his phalanxes with theirs leaving him outside of the battle, unable to do anything but watch, as the two formations clashed. Leaving him isolated. The Macedonian captain was expecting this and rushed through the gap, one unit of companion cavalry a squad of Thesallian Hippeis.
Areus, saw his enemy coming at him, and anger took over. He raised his sword and galloped to meet with his son's murderer. The two cavalry formations, smashed with extreme force.
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9453/cavalryclashsd3.png
Clash between Areus' bodyguard and companion cavalry
Many men died in seconds, horses were screaming, men were falling down and died under the weight of horses.
Rage was giving power to old Areus. He killed two men while searching for the enemy captain .
"Where are you?", he shouted like a madman. "Who are you? Tell me your name you coward". His enemy finally appeared before him. Areus screamed and attacked him. The Macedonian captain, much younger and more agile easily defended against the old veteran and with his shield he hit him on the head. Areus fell on the ground and the next moment fell a spear running through his chest. His opponent removed his helmet.
"My name is Pantauchos, son of Iason from Pharsalla."
https://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2633/areus2ry8.png
Areus' Death
_____________________________________________________
Epirotan mountains
Macedonian camp
Antigonos was worried about his southern army. He hadn't news for weeks and the rumours were running wild. His anxiety had forced him to stop his campaign against Pyrrus and wait in the mountain passes for news. At last,a tired messenger arrived one night. The war council was gathered to hear the news from the south. It was a letter from captain Pantauchos. Antigonos could remember him clearly, he was a clever young man, whose father had died in a battle against the Gaullish hordes. So he was in command of the Korinthian garrison. Antigonos knew he had ever been in a battle. He started to sweat as the messenger opened the letter and started to read.
"From captain Pantauchos Pharsalios, son of Iason, to Antigonos, son of Dimitrios, king of Macedonia.
My king, may the Gods protect you and may Nike, the godess of victory always has you under her wings. At your orders I marched against Sparta. It is my pleasure to inform you that mighty Zeus
was in our side and Sparta has fallen. In a second battle I was forced to give, the Great God of Olympus smiled on us again and we defeated the Koinon one more time. All the Peloponese peninsula is under you rule and King Areus and his son Akrotatos have gone to join their ancestors in Hades. I am waiting for orders in Sparta.
I wish you good luck on your campaign.
Your faithful servant,
Pantauchos Pharsalios."
The nobles cheered and Antigonos felt deep relief and joy. Everyone was talking about the exciting news and how they should honour this young man. Antigonos stood up and everybody felt silent.
"This young man shows a lot of potential. Thus, I decided to adopt him as my son and give him full authority. He will obey me and my heir Alkyoneus and nobody else. Send the fastest messenger to him. I want to thank my new son."
Far above the camp, an eagle, the sacred animal of Zeus was flying toward the sun. Antigonos watched the bird as it disappeared in t he deep blue of the sky. "This is a good sign", he thought.
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4811/manofthehouryy2.png
Fate's Hand
to be continued....stay tuned to watch as a common man evolves to the most well-known figure of the Hellenistic world. ( I don't know how it will go since I still play this campaign...I hope he doesn't die in the next battle:laugh4: )
Chapter One: Man of the Hour
Macedon at 273 bC faced a grim future. At the west, mighty Pyrrus threatened to take Pella and the earth was shaking under the feet of his terrifying elephants.At the south, the Koinon was preparing for revenge. Fortunately, spies brought to King Antigonos Gonatas the first good news he had in months. Areus, king of Sparta and elected leader of the Koinon had returned from Crete with no new recruits while his son Akrotatos had left Sparta with a small garrison to hunt down some revolted slaves. Antigonos was on his way to meet Pyrrus' armies, but decided to grasp the opportunity. He immediately sent messages to Korinthos for a surprise attack to be launched. His council was against the idea, since no general was in Korinthos at the moment, and the mighty city garrison
was under the command of a young, inexperienced man, captain Pantauchos of Pharsalla, a Greek town in Thessaly. However the king accepted the gamble. It was that moment when the fate of the Hellenistic world was sealed...
Summer 272 bC
Sparta
The smell of smoke and dead bodies was everywhere in the roads of Sparta. Pantauchos covered his nose as his horse passed through the agora, where the Spartans had made their last stand. Though he didn't like it, Pantauchos had ordered the extermination of three quaters of the population. Personally, as an educated Hellene, he would prefer to leave the once-glorious city unharmed but Macedonia needed money urgently since the coffers were empty. The people of Sparta had paid the price.
Despite his easy victory however, Pantauchos knew that danger lied ahead. Akrotatos had managed to learn about his surprise attack and had returned to the city with a part of his army. The battle was much more difficult than expected and 192 Macedonians lied dead. Fortunately Akrotatos had joined them too. Now Pantauchos had to face the anger of Areus (and his army) who was marching quickly to meet with the second part of his son's army that hadn't managed to reach the city. Pantauchos didn't have any new orders since the closest Macedonian general was in Demetrias 3 weeks away. He had to make a decision...and face the consequences if he failed. At his command his tired army had gathered in the central plaza of the city. Kleon, his childhood friend and companion looked at him, he had lost his right eye during the battle. It was their first war and so far they had no luck, no luck at all.
"What's it going to be, Pantauchos?", asked Kleon.
"Are we waiting here for orders and hold as long as we can, or do we go and face them?".487 men looked at him and silently asked the same question. He looked at the soldiers. Most of them were young, few were the veterans among them. They were almost kids, just like him. He drew a big breath.
"Men, Sparta has no fortifications. We don't have time to build them either. Areus is coming and he has more men than we do. I won't lie to you, my comrades, no, my brothers. We face an almost certain death.
But we have a choice!", Pantauchos raised his voice over the scared murmurs. "Do we stay here and wait to die like rats in a stinky hole, or do we go and face the enemy and die under the sun like men, like proud Macedonians?" Pantauchos looked at his men. Nobody spoke for a moment. Then Kleon, without speaking started to smash his spear on his shield. The companion cavalry joined him and soon all the army was silently doing the same thing, no voices just wood on metal.
Tears of joy came to his face. Greeks were not allowed to cry from pain or sorrow, but they felt free to show their joy with tears.
"So you have chosen. Take your shields. If this is the end, let it be an end worth remembering."
Eurotas valley, 30 kilometers outside Sparta
A cloud of dust was rising in the air as the Koinon armies were marching to retake their lost capital. Messengers were bringing news to both armies since they hadn't merged yet. The hot summer sun, was blinding Areus while he was riding in the front.
"I am too old for this", the old king thought. "And now Akrotatos, my only son is dead." A lone scout came running toward him and threw him out of his trance.
"King Areus the enemy left Sparta and has already engaged captain Menares. He is currently trying to fight them of, but they are too many for him."
"How is this possible?"
"The Macedonian general left the city without being noticed and went straight to Menares. Both our armies outnumber him, but alone he is stronger. Apparently he had complete reports of our numbers." Areus clenched his teeth.
"Who is in command of the Macedonians? Antigonos? Alkyoneus?"
"It's a captain my lord. We don't know his name"
"My son was defeated by a nobody? I just can't accept this", Areus shouted with anger. "My fellow soldiers let us run to aid our comrades and avenge the death of our people".With a loud warcry, Areus' army moved forward.
By the time Areus arrived at the battlefield, Menares had already died and most of his army had routed. The Macedonian captain, was aware of Areus' approach and quickly pulled back and regrouped his army to fight him. Since Areus didn't have any light troops except his own bodyguard, the Macedonians engaged his phalanxes with theirs leaving him outside of the battle, unable to do anything but watch, as the two formations clashed. Leaving him isolated. The Macedonian captain was expecting this and rushed through the gap, one unit of companion cavalry a squad of Thesallian Hippeis.
Areus, saw his enemy coming at him, and anger took over. He raised his sword and galloped to meet with his son's murderer. The two cavalry formations, smashed with extreme force.
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9453/cavalryclashsd3.png
Clash between Areus' bodyguard and companion cavalry
Many men died in seconds, horses were screaming, men were falling down and died under the weight of horses.
Rage was giving power to old Areus. He killed two men while searching for the enemy captain .
"Where are you?", he shouted like a madman. "Who are you? Tell me your name you coward". His enemy finally appeared before him. Areus screamed and attacked him. The Macedonian captain, much younger and more agile easily defended against the old veteran and with his shield he hit him on the head. Areus fell on the ground and the next moment fell a spear running through his chest. His opponent removed his helmet.
"My name is Pantauchos, son of Iason from Pharsalla."
https://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2633/areus2ry8.png
Areus' Death
_____________________________________________________
Epirotan mountains
Macedonian camp
Antigonos was worried about his southern army. He hadn't news for weeks and the rumours were running wild. His anxiety had forced him to stop his campaign against Pyrrus and wait in the mountain passes for news. At last,a tired messenger arrived one night. The war council was gathered to hear the news from the south. It was a letter from captain Pantauchos. Antigonos could remember him clearly, he was a clever young man, whose father had died in a battle against the Gaullish hordes. So he was in command of the Korinthian garrison. Antigonos knew he had ever been in a battle. He started to sweat as the messenger opened the letter and started to read.
"From captain Pantauchos Pharsalios, son of Iason, to Antigonos, son of Dimitrios, king of Macedonia.
My king, may the Gods protect you and may Nike, the godess of victory always has you under her wings. At your orders I marched against Sparta. It is my pleasure to inform you that mighty Zeus
was in our side and Sparta has fallen. In a second battle I was forced to give, the Great God of Olympus smiled on us again and we defeated the Koinon one more time. All the Peloponese peninsula is under you rule and King Areus and his son Akrotatos have gone to join their ancestors in Hades. I am waiting for orders in Sparta.
I wish you good luck on your campaign.
Your faithful servant,
Pantauchos Pharsalios."
The nobles cheered and Antigonos felt deep relief and joy. Everyone was talking about the exciting news and how they should honour this young man. Antigonos stood up and everybody felt silent.
"This young man shows a lot of potential. Thus, I decided to adopt him as my son and give him full authority. He will obey me and my heir Alkyoneus and nobody else. Send the fastest messenger to him. I want to thank my new son."
Far above the camp, an eagle, the sacred animal of Zeus was flying toward the sun. Antigonos watched the bird as it disappeared in t he deep blue of the sky. "This is a good sign", he thought.
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4811/manofthehouryy2.png
Fate's Hand
to be continued....stay tuned to watch as a common man evolves to the most well-known figure of the Hellenistic world. ( I don't know how it will go since I still play this campaign...I hope he doesn't die in the next battle:laugh4: )