Reuniting the Tribes: A Getai AAR

[Hooahguy]

welcome to my newest AAR..... with the Getai....
enjoy!

Chapter 1- The Fledgling Tribe

We are laughed at, but not for long. We are divided, but not for long as well. We are the Getai tribe, dwelling in the town of Buridava, our capitol city.


Our glorious leader of our tribe, Zalmodegikos per Buridava, hails from the Ordes sub-tribe, which used to dwell within our lands before they joined the Getai tribe.
They had a great tradition of war-like people, as well as traders with others, and Zalmodegikos per Buridava will, by the spirit of our gods, will prove to be a very good leader.



And not only is he from the Ordes tribe, so are his sons, the two other leaders in our tribe.

His eldest son, Oroles per Drobeta.


And his youngest son, Dizo per Rekidava.


Many wondered if it was wise to put a father in charge, and then put his two sons in charge as well, as it may bring bad things to happen, but our people wanted it, for those three are wise warriors, as well as good leaders, and that was how it should be.

Oh, forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Dizion per Drobeta, a member of our leaders bodyguard cavalry unit.


I hope to serve with my leader with honor and courage. To serve him better, I am recording the history of our tribe from the spring of 272, the year according to the Makedonians, our enemy to be.

Forgive me once more! I have forgotten to tell you of our leaders’ mission in life! We are to unite the tribes of Dacia, where we dwell now, and Thraikia, where we will soon dwell. We will be also uniting with our brothers to the south, the Makedonians, but they have no honor for heritage! They parted from their Getai and Thraikioi origins and adopted more Hellenic ones! In our eyes, they are traitors, ones to be cut down with the swiftest of knives! But that isn’t the worst part: they have become numerous, and one of their ancestors is rumored to have conquered the world! They are a force to be reckoned with, and that is why we hate them and they hate us. They spread lies about us to the surrounding tribes, about how weak and how few in numbers we are. And the tribes laugh at us. But that will change. We will subdue the neighboring tribes, especially the Thraikioi, who retain their heritage and yet can fight in a terrifying way, unlike those Makedonians, who must retort to dirty Hellenic ways to fight. So we will conquer them, and make them, the Makedonians, pay for what they have done! And when we are through, the tribes will realize that, we, the Getai tribe, are the masters of all who we face.

EDIT: sorry if from now on the screens look a bit squished- s/t is still wrong with the screen.... sorry

[Wolfman]

Yes Finally A Getai AAR!!! Thank you Hooahguy! Heres a whole bunch of Balloons for you!

[Dragunija]

Man,i'll miss yah Baktria AAR.Oh well.But this sounds promising,since i never read tribal-faction AAR.

[Hooahguy]

Chapter 2- The Semi-Reforms

As we geared up for war, our leader, Zalmodegikos per Buridava, realized to have any chance of fighting the Makedonians and their armies with long, sharp sticks that, when used properly, could defeat an enemy thrice their number, was to adopt their style of fighting. But he wanted to retain our heritage, unlike those Makedonians who completely abandoned their old ways.
So he developed a unit based on the Hellenic phalanx, called the Getikoi Stratiotai, or Dacian Light Phalanx. These soldiers would fight in the phalanx formation, but still was equipped in the traditional Getai manner.


He also helped develop a heavier version of this phalanx, with more armor, called the Komatai Thorakitai Stratiotai, or the Dacian Heavy Phalanx.


But they would just be a tool in the shed for our many victories to come. The real power in our forces lies in our ability of our skirmishers and their ability to maintain themselves as capable infantry of the line. First comes our first line of infantry- the Komatai- both capable skirmishers and decent warriors in hand-to-hand combat.


They would be the unit that would fill the ranks for our early days of conquest, for they are cheap and very usable.

The next evolution is the elite of the Dacian skirmishers, armed with a deadly sword over two meters long, which could strike down almost any enemy, and is just as handy with the javelin as he is the sword. He is more armored than the regular skirmishers, as he has a bronze studded vest for more protection, and his sword is longer than the normal skirmishers.


Then would come the elite of the elite. The much-dreaded Thraikioi Peltastai, or the Thraikian Skirmishers. These skirmishers are the descendants of the original skirmishers, and are very deadly. In addition, they, as well as the Komatai, are armed with the deadly rhompaia, a weapon that can cut through almost any kind of armor. This makes them even more vicious.


You may ask, “Why is this so important? Why are heavily armed skirmishers so important in your armies, and not the phalanxes?”
Someone asked Zalmodegikos this exact question.
He replied, “The answer is simple. The type of wood which the Makedonians use to build their long pikes with are made from very strong wood that is exclusive to their areas, areas that we do not have access to, obviously. The wood we use is inferior quality, and if our pikes are the length of theirs, ours snaps very easily, like a twig. Therefore, we have to stick to shorter pikes. Because of this we cannot rely on our phalanxes to beat the enemy at their own game. We must use the phalanxes to hold the enemy in place, and as they throw themselves against our spears, our skirmishers, being as agile as they are, will circle around and devastate the enemy from the back with their javelins, and then charge in to engage them in hand-to-hand combat, as they have been trained to do. Thus, we will dominate our foes, even if they do have armies with longer pikes.”
So you see, we of the Getai tribe are famed for our ability to adapt, but not assimilate, as those treacherous Makedonians have done.

Meanwhile, we decided on the first tribe that we would bring under our control: the Crobyzi tribe, a Dacian tribe who also assimilated to more Hellenic ways, just as the Makedonians did. Their town, Kallatis, was lightly defended, so it would be good practice for our leader for upcoming battles.


Their garrison composed of mostly Greek units, but there were some of our brothers in there, showing that that tribe still has some hope of keeping their heritage. But they will fall, whether they want to or not.


Kallatis was governed a pure Hellen, named Sinis, who was able to convince the entire Crobyzi that the Hellen way was the better way. And for that, he will die- we will make sure of it.


But we had some unfinished business to take care of.
We sent out diplomat, Tarsa per Kallatis, to deal with it.
First, we had to make an alliance with Epeiros, the Makedonians sworn enemy. It looks like we found a friend, for the time being.


Then we had to declare a cease-fire with the Makedonians, to ensure that while we were uniting the tribes, they wouldn’t show up suddenly and make a mess of our hard work. Tarsa per Kallatis was able to achieve this, miraculously.


So now, we only had to worry about any roving rebel armies, but no standing armies of either Epeiros or the armies of the Makedonians. And for a short while, there was peace in our land.

EDIT: btw, has anyone seen a noticeable improvements in the graphics?

[Hooahguy]

Yes Finally A Getai AAR!!! Thank you Hooahguy! Heres a whole bunch of Balloons for you!

this is going to be an interesting AR for both the readers and me, since im going to be describing the campaign like a historian, but describe the battles like i (the bodyguard cavalry member) was there, which i was.... you will see soon what i mean.....

[Chirurgeon]

This looks to be challenging but fun...Thracian warriors are some of the finest in the world! Phillip and Alexander used them extensively. Wear them down with javelins and charge in screaming...may the best win.

[Hooahguy]

Chapter 3- the battle for Kallatis

In the winter of 271, all our forces to take Kallatis were ready. In the following spring, Zalmodegikos per Buridava was to march out and start uniting the tribes. But he never got the chance. Two months before he was to march out, he became very ill, and died at the age of 62.


His son, Oroles per Drobeta took over the throne, and he promised to finish his fathers mission of uniting the tribes.


Selected members of the bodyguard unit of Zalmodegikos was transferred over to the bodyguard unit of Oroles. I was one of them.

So Oroles per Drobeta took his fathers army in the spring of 270 and went to besiege Kallatis.



In the summer of 270, he reached Kallatis and promptly put it under siege.


And in the early autumn of 270, he assaulted Kallatis.


Our leader waited anxiously for his troops to get organized, for this was his first real battle. I was in my leaders row, second from his right.


Two units of Komatai Epilektoi pushed the two rams to the walls.


And while that was being done, our archers and slingers opened fire, in volleys so devastating, the enemy’s entire unit of archers were completely annihilated!


Our rams started to ram the walls, and the enemy waited nervously behind their walls.



Finally, when the walls were breached, and our Komatai charged in, came our brothers, heavily depleted from the devastating volleys of arrows and stones.


And with heavy hearts, we engaged them, brother versus brother.


Meanwhile, the enemy general charged his cavalry into our right flank, and a fierce battle started.



Finally, the enemy general surfaced and started to attempt to hack our men down.


On the other flank, our brothers were the first to flee.


And were soon cut down, much to our sadness. Brothers died unnecessarily for a greedy and evil Hellen king.


But replacing our dead brothers were Hellenic levies, and they tied our men up for a long time.


On the right flank, the last few cavalry still fought on, with the help of the Hellenic skirmishers.


And the battle raged on the left flank, but the enemy levies were wavering.


On the right flank, the enemy already routed. Only the enemy general and a few cavalry were left.


And soon the enemy general was dead, among the dead of his own men.


We chased the enemy to their town square, where the last three cavalry units made a pathetic charge, along with their Hellenic skirmishers.


Our Drapanai soon arrived and began to slaughter the enemy.


As they were doing that, some Galatikoi Kluddolon came and began to deal with their last unit, a unit of Hellenic levies.


We soon pushed hem back, and methodically killed them.



While this was going on, Oroles per Drobeta rode into the town.


As I rode along with him (I'm fourth from left), I surveyed the carnage. There were bodies everywhere, mostly Greek ones. Then we passed the bodies of our brothers. Oroles paused, said a prayer, and then rode on. We did the same.

At the plaza, the enemy only had a few men left.


But soon they fell, and the town was ours! We have united our first tribe!


When the body count was in, we were very surprised at how few men we lost. This is surly a sign of the gods!


When the town was secured, we learned two things:
One, there was a port for this town,


And two, that this tribe was a tribe that was skilled at making very long, curved swords. Thus, we could now train the dreaded Thraikioi Rhomphaiaphoroi!


With these, our armies will become almost unstoppable!
Our Vasil, as we now call Oroles per Drobeta, will be commissioning several units of these to help us unite our next tribe, which is yet to be decided.


btw, any noticeable improvements in the graphics?

[Wolfman]

I didn't know that the EB team had made changes to the Getai Capital. I thought it was still a little rinky dink town. Good update by the way

[Hooahguy]

Chapter 4- A Request and a Rebuff

In the spring of 269, our Vasil made the journey to the next tribe, along with a handful of picked bodyguards (including me), that he would try to unite: the Triballi tribe, who resides in the town of Naissos.


This settlement was ruled by a Dacian chieftain, Diales, who was a stern ruler as well as pig-headed.


In addition, the tribe was inhabited by brothers, so we were very reluctant to kill any of them.


They also had a couple units of the adept Taxeis Triballoi, which were very good at melee, and were exclusive to the Triballi tribe. Obtaining these soldiers will be very useful when it comes to assaulting walls.


Not only that, the town was a major trading port for the Amber Route, which would bring us more trade and huge financial benefits.


So as you can see, taking this town was of utmost importance. But because they were brothers, we didn't want to take the town by force. When our Vasil, along with us, his faithful bodyguards, came into the town, we could sense that were weren’t welcomed here, judging by the sneers and insults thrown our way. When we arrived at the throne room of Diales, we became very alert, for we had no idea what would happen.
Our Vasil invited him to join us and help unite the tribes- a very simple request.

However, Diales got enraged and yelled at us, “How could you ask such a thing?! We have been independent for many years! Do you think we would join a confederation and simply give up our sovereignty?! I think not! Now leave before I kill you all, you Getai dogs, unworthy of honor! We Triballi are free, and will always be free!”
Seeing as there wasn’t much we could do anymore, we quickly left the town, and our Vasil quickly decided that we would take the town by force. There was no doubt about that.

[Frodge]

I've never tried a barbarian campaign but ypu've just inspired me to do so

[Calypze]

Great AAR.

Strange that you could go and conquer the coastal settlements without problems. When I play as Getai, if I don't quite immediately go north to fight back a roaming Eleutheroi army in the mountain province (which btw has a nice mine), then they'll conquer the starting Getai settlement while the army is away, and I'll be dead!

[Hooahguy]

actually, i did see that rebel army in the north, but it disappeared and just made a reappearance.... i think before i conquer Naissos, im going to deal with that army.

[an_do_89]

I sugest you could take Sarmiszegethusa it has a good mine, and is a good defensive position for your capital, in my campaign is the most developed land.

By th way Good AAR.

[Gebeleisis]

very good m8 congrats :)

[Hooahguy]

Chapter 5- The Battle for Naissos
In the spring of 268 Oroles per Drobeta’s army was completed.


Oroles entered Thraikioi Hypertera, the name of the province which Naissos was in.


While he was doing this, his son, Koson, came of age.


And in the summer of 267, Oroles besieged Naissos.


In the autumn of 267, he attacked.


The battle started on a bright, sunny day, perfect for the battle. I was privileged to be right next to my Vasil.


We soon started with another barrage of missiles, as we banged away at their wall.


Because of our missiles, all but 36 men of one enemy unit was wiped out.


We first made contact with their heavily depleted unit of Triballoi Infantry.


We soon met brothers, and with heavy hearts again, we began to kill them.


The enemy general,Diales, watched as his men were slaughtered.


And soon the enemy Drapanai joined them, and a fierce battle began on the right flank.


In the center, our Galatians charged the enemy general while under fire.


And soon a brutal fight erupted, especially when our elite Thracian infantry arrived.




And soon their general entered the fray


On the right flank, our brothers, as they did in the last battle, began to flee, but the enemy Drapanai held fast.



In the center battle, our Elite Thracian Infantry were able to go around the enemy and charge into their behind.


In the end, the enemy general didn't even have the honor of dieing with his men- he fled with his remaining men like a coward.


We encountered no resistance until we reached the enemy square, where the enemy Elite Thracian Infantry was.


They caused major problems for us.


But just until our own Thracians were able to flank them.


And as usual, that coward, Diales, watched from the sidelines as his men were slowly getting killed, giving directions that were for naught.


And finally, when there were just a few men under his command left, Diales charged alone into our Thracians, hoping to kill a few of them before he went down.


But he didn't kill any- he died quickly by our Thracians blades.



Just as he died, our forces took control of the plaza, and the town was ours, uniting yet another tribe!


But there was much carnage, mostly on the square.



With the Triballi tribe entering our nation, Oroles per Drobeta decided to take a bit of a rest before moving to the next tribe.

[Hooahguy]

Chapter 6- An Application and Some Unrest

Right after we took over Naissos, the leader of another tribe, Tauronos, of the Carduci tribe, who dwells in the town of Singidunum, asked Oroles per Drobeta if he could join us. We graciously accepted, without any doubt. He had but one request.
“We want a limited amount of autonomy. Other than that, we will serve the confederation well.” We agreed.


But soon, he was killed in battle with some dissenters who didn't agree with what he had done.


Soon Oroles per Drobeta calmed the region down and allowed the people to elect their own client ruler, with our approval. So they chose a man named Duda, who, after we looked into his background, was found to be a trustworthy and honorable man. So we accepted him, and he became the client ruler of Singidunum.


After all of this, we constructed barracks that would allow us to train the Cordinau Orca, or the Scordisci Elite Infantry.


These soldiers were the epitome of the idea of good infantry. They could handle anything that came their way, even Elite Thracians, which is very hard to do. Our Vasil was sure to utilize them well.

[Chaotix]

Nice AAR, Hooahguy, keep it up!
How did you get Singidunum to "join" your confederation, di you bribe them?

[keravnos]

Absolutely great AAR.

Best of luck with it.
I hope it won't perish like the Baktrian did. Don't upgrade your PC until you finish it.

[Hooahguy]

ya- i bribed them- it seemed like a good time to bribe something.....

[Hax]

It is awesome.

Never seen a Getic AAR before, and I like the way you write. Short and sweet. Awesome stuff.

Lot's of good AAR's around.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Great updates.
You've got some nice battle pictures in there.

[O'ETAIPOS]

Very nice one!

but I'm not sure about macedonians they will definitely not want to join "getic unity" and rather prefer theyre own king.

[Obelics]

can i incorporate your idea of making characters speak during battles and such in my AAR? you know, to kind of keep the tradition alive?
much appreciated.

there's no copyright man, you can continue the tradition!

good luck with the Getai!

[Hooahguy]

ok everyone... im trying out Oblics ideas...... look in chapter 5 for new stuff.....
enjoy! (this will be normal, btw- i will be making people speak for the rest of the AAR)

[Geoffrey S]

Itchy Dwarves!

[Hax]

Hahahahahhaha!

Balloon for Geoffrey!

[Hooahguy]

i dont get it.....

[Hax]

Read the AAR:

"The World According to the Koinon", you'll understand then :P

[Pezlu]

The AAR is great, and the newly added text is hilarious!

[Chirurgeon]

Great job man. I liked the added text. Comic relief is always a nice break from death and destruction. I can just imagine what it is like facing those elite troops of yours...I fear pity for your enemies. The two handed sword bearers look particulary brutal.