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Thread: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

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    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Thank you :-)

    This dispute between Ivomagos d'Aler and the house of Belenos oi Lugos is necessary, for I have great plans in which the Hellenic and many other factions all around the known world will play even more important roles than they had until now in this AAR.
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    Many thanks to Hooahguy for this great sig.

  2. #92

    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    awesome...can't wait to read it!

  3. #93
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR


    Of savage tribes and glorious empires



    Chapter 10 – The Second Gallic War



    In the year of 246 BC fundamental changes of politics in the Hellenic world have been made. During the last decades, the mighty Koinon Hellenon arose like a phoenix from the ashes and conquered Peloponnesos, Thessalia, Makedonia and even parts of Thraikia and Mikra Asia. They subjugated the Makedonians and forced them to give up their sovereignty. The Koinon Hellenon were a very rich people, who carried on commerce with all peoples in the worlds, even the Celts in Gallia. A huge part of the Celtic wealth was founded on trade with the Hellenic peoples.

    .

    In Gallia two alliances struggled for supremacy. On one side there was the League of the Arverni, composed of the tribes of the Treveri, Sequani, Segusiavi, Haedui, Aulerci, Saluvii, Rhaetii, of course the Arverni themselves and also the Italic people of the Liguri. Furthermore, the Roman Republic was subject to the Arverni.

    On the other side there was the Principality of Mediolanum, who led a great campaign with the purpose to exterminate the League of the Arverni once and for all and to take over control in Gallia. Supported by the tribes of the Veneti, Pictones, Tarbelli, Volcae-Arecomici, Bituriges, Bellovaces and Nerves, the Principality of Mediolanum presented itself to be a worthy enemy.

    The very rich Principality of Mediolanum and its allies had all advantages on their side. Not only did they surprise the Arverni, they also took advantage of the new political order in Greece. They forged an alliance with Makedonia and through that got access to the Hellenic rulers. Induced by Mediolanian diplomatists, the Koinon Hellenon declared war on the powerful king of Epeiros, who controlled southern Italy and the whole eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. They even managed to convince the Ptolemaioi to cancel their alliance with Epeiros. In response to this declaration of war, Epeiros had started an invasion in Sicilia in order to punish the Hellenic citizens of Syrakousai there.


    This war promised to shake the world and consumed a huge amount of the Hellenic peoples’ resources. The direct consequence of this fact was strikingly decreased Hellenic trade to the Arverni.

    But at the moment the Arverni had other problems than decreasing trade with the Hellenes. War had been brought upon them. The second Gallic war had begun and would end either with the ultimate control over Gallia or extermination. So the Arverni’s governors and client kings prepared their cities for defence and adequate health care, for they expected many injured warriors.


    Mediolanum, who had planned this for years, acted swiftly. Not long, and their armies laid siege upon the cities of Massalia and Viennos. They also tried to take over the lands of the Helveti, in order to provide a possibility to lead armies over the mountains and attack the lands of the Sequani.


    While the east was under attack, Ivomagos D’Aler, who had returned to Cenabum, his new capital city, prepared for a counterstroke in the west. The small armoury in the city was upgraded, so more soldiers could have access to good training.


    In the year of 245 BC, Ivomagos and Riankiadoc led an army of over 23’000 men onto the land of Armoriae, which was populated by the tribe of the Veneti. Unlike their Italic namesakes, the Veneti in Armoriae were better known for their fishermen than their warriors, so Ivomagos expected to defeat them quickly.

    He split his army in two parts. Personally, he led the heavy infantry, consisting of 6’000 Bataroas, 1’200 Solduros and 1’600 Uirodusios and of course his bodyguard of 800 Brihentin. Unlike other Celtic peoples, the Arverni never had used archers so far. Ivomagos decided to be the first Arverni king to use archers instead of slingers, so he added 2’400 Massalian Toxotai to his army. Though he caused the death of Belenos oi Lugos, he shared his preference of Graeco-Celtic troops in his armies.

    Massalian Toxotai

    Riankiadoc led the light infantry, composed of 4’000 Gaelaiche and 4’800 Lugoae, and the light cavalry, composed of 2’000 Leuce Epos. Also he had a bodyguard of about 750 Brihentin. Other than the Lugoae, who counted as militia, the Gaelaiche were the lightest spearmen of the Celtic warrior class. Preferably they were used against light cavalry or to throw javelins against the enemy, while standing behind a line of heavier soldiers. Riankiadoc, who always enjoyed a good fight and spilling blood, could not wait to go to war.

    Arverni Gaelaiche

    The Veneti responded to this invasion with sending an army of their own. They gathered over 27’000 men, but 16’000 of them were not warriors but mere farmers, fishermen and craftsmen, barely armed and armoured. The core of their army consisted of 7’000 Lugoae, 1’200 Iaosatae and 3’200 heavy Neitos.

    Veneti Neitos

    Ivomagos ordered the attack as soon as they arrived. He wanted to catch them still tired from the long march. The Arverni attacked from two directions. Ivomagos arrayed his heavy infantry in the north, while Riankiadoc approached from the east.


    Ivomagos deployed his part of the army in Celtic manner. One main battle line, while his naked warriors stood first and foremost and insulted the enemy. His Massalian Toxotai arrayed behind the battle line.


    When the enemy approached he ordered his archers to fire at will.


    Ivomagos held his warriors back. They should not attack to the very last moment. He wanted the enemy to tire and being decimated trough the archers, before he attacked. With this tactic he also gave his brother-in-law the time he needed to array his army. When the Veneti saw Riankiadoc’s army, their heavy infantry turned east and marched towards him.


    This was exactly what Ivomagos wanted them to do. Now that their heavy infantry was separated from the light units, he personally surged forward and, bawling his war cry, beckoned his warriors to charge. Already decimated by the archers, the enemy did not stand a chance. Most of them were naught but mere civilians who were lightly armed with knifes or shortswords. Alone the horses tramped down hundreds .


    Before their heavy infantry reached Riankiadoc, Ivomagos already chased half their army down the hill. When Riankiadoc saw that, he ordered his men to charge. Watching thousands of their men rout and die behind them, the Veneti heavy infantry got confused and their whole battle formation ended up in utter chaos. Riankiadoc, laughing like a maniac, charged amidst the enemies and swang his sword. Every time he killed an enemy it made his eyes light up and let him maffick. Many cried for mercy, none was given.


    The result was a clear victory, causing the death of 23’000 Veneti. The Arverni lost about 400 warriors and another 120 were injured.


    While in the west the Arverni remained victorious, in the east things did not look that well. Mediolanum still besieged Massalia. They raised the siege they laid on Viennos, when they saw, that the garrison was too strong, but instead of Viennos they besieged Bibracte now. Apart from that, they tried to claim the lands of the Helveti again.


    The rich Principality of Mediolanum even could afford to supply its troops during winter. Ivomagos also was well supplied, but did not reach the city of Darioritum before snow fell and had to camp at the edge of the great forest.


    But not only Mediolanum caused Ivomagos headache. His uncle, Amminos oi Lugos, adopted a young man called Fergalos moc Lannildot. Amminos was a very old man, and had one young son called Faros oi Lugos. Though he was old, his mind was sharp as a knife, and he had the presentiment that something was wrong with his younger brother's death. Amminos adopted Fergalos, for the old man felt that he soon would die, and wanted to know his son to be protected by someone he trusted, after he was gone.


    Fergalos moc Lannildot was born into the tribe of the Sequani and was a quite talented leader. If he lost a fight, it was more likely because of bad luck than lack of talent. He would be the right man to protect his family from Ivomagos d’Aler and his high ambitions.

    But not only Ivomagos had high ambitions. In early spring 244 BC, the Mediolanian nobles Lugort oi Lemovicae and Mandubracios oi Sinoa decided to attack the city of Massalia. They mobilised an army of 23’000 warriors and sounded charge. The Massalian client king Tincommios moc Gobannitio had gathered 19’000 men from the countryside before his city was besieged. While his light and medium infantry already stood on the walls to defend the city, his heavy Massaliotai Hoplitai and his personal guard had to be armed and armoured first. So the whole heavy infantry assembled at the great armoury in the center of the city.


    Meanwhile the enemy marched forth towards the huge white walls of the city they intended to erase. Not many Celtic cities had such massive walls these days, so the Massalians felt quite save behind them.


    But through its proximity to Rome and the wars they fought, the Principality of Mediolanum was known for its ingenuity when it came to sieges. The Arverni never saw a great siege tower before. It must have been quite impressive to watch this monstrosity approaching.


    Since all Massalian archers served in Ivomagos’ army, Massalia only could defend itself with javelins and stones. When the enemy reached the walls, he was received with a rain of missiles.


    The massive city towers even managed to set the siege towers alight. What a great torch to enlighten the enemy’s path to Hades. Many got struck by falling pieces of burning wood.


    When the enemy’s light infantry climbed up the ladders, they found themselves confronted by a massive wall of spears. The Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai tried to push the enemies back and make them fall down the walls.


    The Mediolaninas used a cruel but effective tactic. They sacrificed their light infantry in order to tire the Massalians, and kept their heavy Gaesatae for the final push.


    Finally the Massalian heavy infantry was equipped and ready to march, so they left the armoury and hasted to the battle zone.


    When the Massaliotai Hoplitai reached the walls, they had to recognise the Mediolanian tactic to be very effective, for they’ve managed to push back the Massalians and took a great part of the wall.


    When Tincommios moc Gobannitio saw that, he decided not to send his heavy infantry up the towers and let them being slaughtered by those naked barbarians one by one. Instead he ordered to make a sally and to attack the two Mediolanian generals outside the wall. Those generals were accompanied by heavy cavalry, which was able to make a massive charge, but in the end they stood no chance against the fearsome Massaliotai Hoplitai.


    Soon most the enemy’s heavy cavalry was dead, so their generals decided to seek refuge in flight. Unfortunately both could escape. When they’ve turned and fled, the Massalians climbed up the enemy’s ladders and charged the walls. Since they’ve occupied the ladders, the enemy could not use them to flee and got slaughtered. Of the 23’000 enemies, only about 200 survived the massacre, the two generals included. The Massalians lost about 5’000 men, about 4’000 have been injured or crippled.


    A great victory was won. Massalia was safe – for now. Immediately the Massalian client king ordered his people to lay in further supply, as a reserve for accidents. Furthermore he commanded the recruitment of more soldiers from the landscape, for he did not intend to wait for the next siege, but to strike back hard and without mercy.

    In the same year, something happened that Amminos oi Lugos had foreseen. He died. Now it was upon his adopted son to take care of his child.


    In Viennos the establishment of the large bath house has been finished. It was Belenos oi Lugos, the Gods rest his soul, who once ordered the construction of this building. Though bath houses were nothing new to the Celts, Belenos brought this idea back from Roma and it was the first one to be built by the Arverni.

    In Cenabum a blacksmith took up employment. As the new capital of the Arverni, Cenabum needed to be able to muster and equip the best among the best of Celtic soldiers.



    The fight in Armoriae and the siege of Massalia were only the first two battles that had been fought, and already tens of thousands of warriors had lost their lives. For the Arverni, this war went lucky so far. But Mediolanum and its allies yet had to reveal their most fearsome warriors - the Belgae.


    Known territory in 244 BC
    Last edited by SwissBarbar; 02-03-2009 at 22:45.
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  4. #94
    Member Member Mjolnir's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    And so it begins...



    My AAR: Basileion Bosphorou: a Tale of the Pontos Euxeinos

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    From Antinous:

  5. #95
    Peerless Senior Member johnhughthom's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Terrific AAR so far SB.

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    Rampant psychopath Member Olaf Blackeyes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    LET THE BLOODBATH BEGIN!!!!!!!!
    Nice chapter btw.

    My own personal SLAVE BAND (insert super evil laugh here)
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    You're fighting against the AI... how do you NOT win?

  7. #97

    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    YEAH. LET THE BATTLE BEGINN.

    Arverni! Are you the rightfull lords of Gaul?.... Are there any who dare resist you????..... Then prove there foolishnes! .... Are you ready to fight?!?!... Then bring them Total War....

    Nice update by the way. Keeps getting more exciting.
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  8. #98

    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    This is truly spectacular. The intrigue and backround story is incredible. It reminds me of MAAs civil war. I wondered when we would see such a well thought out AAR involving the dueling clans of Gaul. You have built this up to an almost unsustainable suspense which is of course excellent for the audience. There is no prediction upon the path of this story. That is what makes this truly remarkable. Its anyone's guess as to what will happen with these two powerful factions. I also like how you have incorporated the other factions including the Hellenes. I can foresee a major conflict between the old world of the Aegean and the new raw power of the Celts. It should make for an explosive and epic conflict...of course if you choose to go that way :)
    I also love your screenshots. They are epic in everyway. This one really was impressive and truly shows the high level of detail with the men. Seeing Gallic men in a Hellenistic city so handsomely armored and adorned with shiny metal is an impressive site:


    Keep up the good work and please please do not let this go the way of so many AArs and find its way into the halls of the dead

  9. #99
    EB:NOM Triumvir Member gamegeek2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Oh come on can't you check my AAR out? Though I suppose I havent updated in a week...better get my ass of Broken Crescent and play some EB...
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    Rampant psychopath Member Olaf Blackeyes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    lulz

    My own personal SLAVE BAND (insert super evil laugh here)
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    https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=109013


    Quote Originally Posted by Dayve View Post
    You're fighting against the AI... how do you NOT win?

  11. #101
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Wow, I really appreciate your amazing comments, glad you like it. Thank you very much
    Last edited by SwissBarbar; 02-04-2009 at 09:54.
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    Many thanks to Hooahguy for this great sig.

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    Misanthropos Member I of the Storm's Avatar
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    Great! I'm enjoying every update.

  13. #103
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Of savage tribes and glorious empires



    Chapter 11 – Exodus



    Two Belgae Sotaroas crept uphill through the high grass, their bows ready to hand. They were the leaders of a band of archers, that just killed a handful of Arverni light infantrymen. Their hands were dripping wet from the blood of their dead enemies, since they searched their clothes thoroughly for anything of value. When the group came near the top of the hill, the noise they heard from screaming men, clashing weapons and shattering shields grew deafening.


    “Did you expect them to resist so vigorously?”, one of the Sotaroas asked. “No, they told us they were weak”, the other responded, turned around and beckoned his group of archers to catch up. By hand gesture he told them to form two lines. When they were ready, they sneaked to the top of the hill, stood up and for one moment just watched the spectacle that took place in the valley in front of them. At a sign, on the left and the right, thousands of Belgae archers raised from the high grass. Then one of their leaders said “Men, let’s finish this!”.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------


    In the year of 244 BC the Gallic tribes fought each other desperately. An Arverni army, commanded by Ivomagos d’Aler and Riankiadoc moc Drappes, laid siege to the city of Darioritum, capital city of the Veneti. Darioritum was a quite small town and expected to be captured easily, especially now that the main army of the Veneti was destroyed.


    While Ivomagos and Riankiadoc brought war upon the Veneti, their opponents gave their best to make the Arverni’s life a living hell. Especially the tribes of the Pictones and Bituriges surpassed themselves and contracted an unmatched passion of plundering, pillaging and doing murder in the lands of the Aulerci. Outside Cenabum there was nowhere to go without being highly endangered.


    In the south, Massalia just had successfully defended itself by destroying a complete army of the Principality of Mediolanum. Unfortunately the two hostile generals were among the few that could escape, so the client king of Massalia decided to hunt them down, before they could return with a new army. He knew, if they wanted to return to Mediolanum, they had to cross the wood at the border of Massalia. So there it was, where he set his trap.


    Soon he was proved right. The two enemy generals had hired some Iberian mercenaries to protect them, but the Massalians still outnumbered them. When the enemy was near enough, the king ordered the assault. The light Iberians, though they fought bravely, stood no chance against the Massaliotai Hoplitai.


    The heavier Iberian mercenaries were quite tough foes and even could challenge the Massalian heavy infantry. But outnumbered, also they had to abandon the field.


    This time the enemy generals could not escape. The highest ranking of them was the first one to die. His aid soon fell too.


    Almost at the same time, Ivomagos d’Aler had been attacked by an army of the Pictones, who tried to rescue their Veneti neighbours. They even managed to surprise Ivomagos, who had to fight them only with his heavy infantry and his Massalian archers. Riankiadoc, who besieged the city from the north, could not get there in time. Supported by some troops from Darioritum itself, the Pictones attacked. Ivomagos did not fear them, for they mostly had naught but light infantry. Only the king of the Veneti himself could deploy some heavy infantry. Furthermore Ivomagos arrayed on a small rise. Since it rained, he was sure, that the enemy would have much bother to charge uphill on the wet grass.


    The Greek archers decimated the enemy from distance, so it was no big deal for the Arverni’s heavy infantry to slaughter the rest. Once again, the valour of the Greek troops in Celtic armies was proven.


    The Arverni could win the day without taking much casualties, while the enemy was destroyed and had to give up the city.


    Ivomagos entrusted Riankiadoc with the safeguard of the city, gave him light infantry and cavalry and left the city to occupy the harbour of the Veneti, which was even more important than the city itself, for the Veneti carried on commerce with the British tribes from there. Unfortunately they destroyed most of their ships before Ivomagos got there.


    Now Ivomagos turned his eye westwards. He intended to attack the Pictones and their capital Lemonum, not only because he just destroyed one of their armies, but also to force them to withdraw their warbands from the lands of the Aulerci. But first they all had to overwinter anyway.

    This winter was a very severe one, so ankle deep slushy snow still lay on the ground, when in spring 243 BC an army of Mediolanum attacked the city of Bibracte. The Mediolanian general Dumnacos oi Bragolos had besieged Bibracte for over one year now and could array an army of almost 19'000 men, mostly mercenairies from Italy or former loyalists to the tyrannical Archon of Massalia, who once had been executed by Belenos oi Lugos himself. Before winter came, the Mediolanian army was composed of over 22’000 men, but many died in this hard winter. They should’ve attacked in autumn, but Dumnacos was known to be a very terrible tactician.

    The client king of Bibracte, Brycham moc Eporedemoros, could deploy an army of about 13’000 warriors, mostly Haedui Bataroas and Lugoae. Fortunately Bibracte was protected by a massive Celtic wall. Actually it once was the first Celtic city to have such a wall.


    The Mediolanian army approached with a ram, a siege tower and several ladders. Fortunately they didn’t protect the siege tower, so soon it was set on fire. Also the ram soon burned, so the Mediolanians only had their ladders left.


    Dumnacos once again proved, that he was a terrible tactician and let his complete army march to the walls. Of course they immediately were received by javelins and everything else that wasn’t nailed down and could be thrown.


    The heavy Samnites were the first to try taking the walls, but the Bataroas could repulse them.


    Watching his heaviest infantry being slaughtered, the Mediolanian general lost his nerves and let his whole army attack. What a chaos. There were not enough ladders for all of them, so his soldiers clustered and could easily be pelted with javelins and other missiles.


    What a victory! Brycham moc Eporedemoros let hound his adversary and almost all his bodyguards have been killed. But by ill luck the enemy general could escape with the only 30 warriors that survived the massacre.


    Mediolanum was far from giving up, so as soon as the snow had melted, they laid siege to Gergovia.


    But there was something far more disturbing than that. Just when Ivomagos was ready to march against the Pictones, he receive a message from the northern territories. A huge crush of people had been detected. It seemed that finally the Belgae had concluded to march south.


    Ivomagos was too far away to go there in time with his army, so the northern tribes had to manage this threat alone. But he had a cunning plan how to get rid of his family problems. Why not let the Belgae kill his adversaries? The messenger was sent to the city of Viennos and was ordered to bring a message from Ivomagos to Fergalos mocLannildot and Calpornos moc Ollovico, who watched over the young children of the deceased brothers of Ivomagos’ adoptive father. Ivomagos told them to go north to the city of Vesontio and to organise the resistance against the Belgae.

    Since they could not leave their families alone, for they had to fear, that they would be murdered by Ivomagos’ henchmen, they headed out accompanied by their families and protected by a few slingers and spies.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------


    But the enemy was already closer than Ivomagos thought. The Belgae were known to be the wildest and most fearsome of all Celtic tribes. They colonised the lands in the north and even southern Britannia. All the time they fought wars against the Germanic tribes and remained victorious. Some said, that the Belgians even descend from those horrible Germans. During the last few centuries, there were three tribes of the Belgae that renderd themselves conspicuous.

    The Nerves colonised the lands closest to the Germanic tribes. Therefore, they were considered to be the bravest and most frightening warriors among all the Belgae tribes.

    The Bellovaces were the ones who claimed southern Britannia and became very rich through trade. Decades ago there was the great and famous tribe of the Remi, who also populated the territory which now belonged to the Bellovaces. The Remi have been assimilated by the Bellovaces, but still fought in their unique manner in their armies.

    The Eubrones were the only tribe of the Belgae, which once could be defeated by a Gallic tribe. But only a few years after the tribe of the Treveri had subjugated them, they made peace and established trade. Since that day, the Eubrones were good friends and trading partners of the Gallic tribes and therefore did not participate in this war. When in battle, the Belgae fought in Celtic manner and equipment. But still there were some kinds of warriors, that distinguished themselves from the rest.

    The Batacorii were a group of warriors that vaunted themselves on their gruff way of life. Though unarmoured, they still were well protected by their large high quality shields and made good melee warriors. These well trained and experienced warriors often carried some javelins with them, which they threw at the enemy before they charged.

    Belgae Batacorii

    The Milnaht were an extremely fierce kind of warrior. They still wore bronze helmets, sometimes even bronze weapons as back ups and protected themselves with large, bronze rimmed shields, for they almost always fought bare chested, even in winter. One could not tell stories about skilled and fearsome warriors without mentioning their name.

    Belgae Milnaht

    The armies of the Bellovaces were supported by Remi cavalry. The Remi were famous horsemen, brave and powerful. The Remi Mairepos were able to smash through even the closest infantry formations and used armour, shields and weapons of unmatched quality. No other Gallic cavalry could cope with them, but like any horsemen, they were vulnerable to pikes and spears. However, if there ever was a group of warriors, that could turn a losing situation into a victory, it was the Remi Mairepos.

    Remi Mairepos

    The Belgae always were a highly independent people, but now things have changed. In the north the Swêbóz had unified many Germanic tribes and emerged a very strong and capable military juggernaut. The Belage knew, that they could not withstand the Germans for long, since they heavily outnumbered them now. When the second Gallic war started, the Nerves and the Bellovaces decided to join the Principality of Mediolanum, who promised to let the Belgae keep the lands they conquered. So in spring 243 BC those two tribes left their lands and headed towards the territory of the Arverni with more than 300’000 men, women and children. A few weeks later, they reached the lands of the Treveri and Sequani.

    Of course the Gallic tribes knew of the Belgae threat, for no one could keep such a great exodus secret. So the Treveri and the Sequani, supported by an army from the near city of Bibracte, armed every man between 14 and 55 years and marched against the foreign intruders. The Belgae also gathered their warriors and arrayed for battle, while their king and a small part of his army protected the women and children a few miles behind the battle zone. The armies of the Haedui, Sequani and Treveri met the armies of the Remi, Bellovaces and Nerves near the great forest, through which the borderline between their lands was drawn.


    The Belgae deployed their Remi cavalry of over 9’000 men at the left flank, supported by over 6’000 Sotaroas and 10’000 Gaelaiche. Their center was composed of 10’000 Bataroas, over 10’000 fearsome Milnaht, 8’000 Batacorii and almost 4’000 Iaosatae. The right flank was protected by the Nerves, who arrayed 12’000 Batacorii, 4’000 Curepos, more than 3’000 naked Gaesatae, almost 5’000 Milnaht and 5’000 Sotaroas and Iaosatae. Supportet by more light infantry, the Belgae mustered 89’000 warriors.

    The Treveri, Sequani and Haedui arrayed almost 100’000 warriors, but many of them were too old or too young to rival the brutal warriors of the Belgae. When the battle began, the Haedui took the left flank, the Treveri formed in the center and the Sequani protected the right flank. In the early afternoon hundreds of Celtic battle horns raised their sound and with that the greatest battle of their time began, in which both sides fought for the right to exist.


    On the left flank, the Haedui Sotaroas opened fire and their light infantry charged.


    The fearsome Nerves answered to that with sending their 4’000 Curepos who should lighten the ranks of the Haedui with their javelins.


    Then they sent forward their heavy Milnaht, who created a great bloodbath among the light Lugoae of the Haedui. Immediately the Haedui naked warriors, the Uirodusios, charged and could repress the enemy’s attack.


    At the right flank, the Remi Mairepos charged and for a short time caused the Sequani light infantry to rout. But when they sent forth their spearmen, the Remi had to retreat. The Sequani light infantry stopped routing and returned into the fray.


    While the flanks were heavily pressurised by the Belgae, the Treveri in the center managed to push back the Bellovaces’ Milnaht. They fought like heroes, but the heavy Soludros of the Treveri just were too well armed and armoured, while the Milnaht fought bare chested.


    The fight continued until nightfall. When it was too dark to see anything, both sides retreated and reorganised. The Sequani had suffered many casualties, while the Treveri in the center had managed to push back the Bellovaces and fought a sanguinary battle against them. The Haedui at the right flank also sustained great losses, but could hold their lines against the horrible Nerves. This night, no one could sleep, for thousands of injured and crippled warriors cried themselves hoarse on the battlefield.

    At dawn the battle continued. The Treveri had to thin out their lines in order to reinforce the flanks. So when the Haedui at the left flank began to totter under the Nerves furious charge, the Treveri sent their cavalry to support them.


    They even managed to push back the Nerves and persuaded them.


    But the Sequani at the right flank had suffered to many losses the day before, so they could not protect the whole flank and had to shorten their lines. Due to this situational condition, the Remi could hide themselves behind a small hill and outflank the Sequani. They sent about 5’000 archers on top of that hill and their Mairepos hid in the woods. For a moment the archers watched the spectacle that took place in the valley in front of them.


    At a sign, on the left and the right, thousands of Belgae archers raised from the high grass. Then one of their leaders said “Men, let’s finish this!”. The Remi Mairepos surged forward and charged, accompanied by a dark cloud of arrows, in the Sequanis’ and Treveris’ rear. They rolled up the whole line of the Sequani.



    With that, for the Arverni the battle was lost. The Haedui and Treveri immediately sounded the retreat. Their drawback was covered by the heavy infantry and their spearmen, so the Remi Mairepos could not hunt them down.

    Of all tribes, the Sequani sustained the most casualties, since they were the unlucky first ones, whose line had been rolled up by the Mairepos. The Treveri in the center caused the Belgae the most damage, who also had suffered unexpectedly many casualties. All in all it was a close defeat. Without the Remi Mairepos, the Belgians could have lost the battle easily.


    Immediately the Sequani and Treveri evacuated the city of Vesontio, moved away from their homeland and sought refuge in Bibracte and Viennos. When the message of their victory reached the ear of the Belgae leader, he sighed with relief. He was an old king of the Nerves and had organised the Belgae exodus. He didn’t expect to lose that much warriors in this fight, but now he felt lucky, for his people could claim new lands further away from the Germans. In the evening of that day, the whole people of the Belgae left the great forest and marched into uncertain future.




    ------------------------------------------------------------------


    Fortunately this all happened before Fergalos moc Lannildot and Calpornos moc Ollovico could reach Vesontio. When they met fleeing people of the Treveri and Sequani, and learned that just in that moment a great battle was happening, they decided to take advantage of this chaotic situation and turned east.


    They fled trough the lands of the Helveti, who granted them safe conduct. Since they’ve been attacked by Mediolanum several times, the Helveti supported the Arverni whenever they could. A few weeks later Fergalos, Calpornos and their families reached the lands of the Rhaetii, where they supplied themselves with rations. Now they had to decide where to go with the children. Away from this horrible war. They all realised that they had to go far, far away, where Ivomagos could never find them. Now they had their own little exodus.


    Known territory in 243 BC
    Last edited by SwissBarbar; 02-08-2009 at 22:38.
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  14. #104
    Guitar God Member Mediolanicus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Wow, just Wow.


    (I wonder if I should support Mediolanum. You know, considering my name and all...)
    Last edited by Mediolanicus; 02-07-2009 at 16:36.
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  15. #105
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    You can if you want ;-) In my AAR not the Arverni are the only good ones and everyone else are the bad ones Every faction has its own purpose and everyone just wants to survive and secure his future. Also among my Arverni are several "mean" people and also among their enemies are some very good fellas.
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  16. #106
    Rampant psychopath Member Olaf Blackeyes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    HOLY #%##!!!! SUPOR EPIC TITAN BATTLE!!!!!!!!
    (keels over in shock)

    My own personal SLAVE BAND (insert super evil laugh here)
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    My AAR The Story of Souls: A Sweboz AAR
    https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=109013


    Quote Originally Posted by Dayve View Post
    You're fighting against the AI... how do you NOT win?

  17. #107
    Member Member Mjolnir's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    This has to be the largest battle I've ever seen. Was it very difficult trying to control everything at once?



    My AAR: Basileion Bosphorou: a Tale of the Pontos Euxeinos

    Tribvnvs Caivs Aemilivs Mamercvs - BtSH

    Strategos Bithys Nisaias Parthiakes - WotB

    From Antinous:

  18. #108
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    no, because 2/3 of my army was controlled by the KI *G* But it was quite hard to let them fight in a way so that one side did not dominate the other. And it was really annoying to start the battle twice, thanks to a CTD
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  19. #109
    Member Member Mjolnir's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Damn CTDs. Well great work, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next.



    My AAR: Basileion Bosphorou: a Tale of the Pontos Euxeinos

    Tribvnvs Caivs Aemilivs Mamercvs - BtSH

    Strategos Bithys Nisaias Parthiakes - WotB

    From Antinous:

  20. #110
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Thank you very much I hope I can update the next chapter sooner
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    Many thanks to Hooahguy for this great sig.

  21. #111
    EB:NOM Triumvir Member gamegeek2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Nice battle. Our AARs seem to have diverged in path - I'm off sacking Italia, while you're unifying Gaul. As I've just gotten 50,000 from sacking Roman cities, I've hired a halfstack of mercenaries to add to my current forces AND have all my construction queues running once again. Apulia and Campania, here I come!
    Europa Barbarorum: Novus Ordo Mundi - Mod Leader Europa Barbarorum - Team Member

    Quote Originally Posted by skullheadhq
    Run Hax! For slave master gamegeek has arrived
    "To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a desert and call it peace." -Calgacus

  22. #112
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    That's true ;-) But from my next chapter on, there's another special element that will be added to my AAR
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  23. #113

    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    This just gets more and more fascinating...

  24. #114

    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Great job...some of those screenshots are incredible. Again you have us all captivated. I await more!!

  25. #115
    EB TRIBVNVS PLEBIS Member MarcusAureliusAntoninus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Nice chapter and an epic battle.
    You've got some nice screenshots. I like the first one. When I first saw it I thought of a couple of hunters sneaking after some game through the tall grass.


  26. #116
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Thank you very much, my friends
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    Many thanks to Hooahguy for this great sig.

  27. #117
    amrtaka Member machinor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    The last battle screenshot of this chapter, the one with the cavalry hordes ist simply epic. You really got a talent for awesome screenshots! Can't wait for the next chapter!
    Quote Originally Posted by NickTheGreek View Post
    "Dahae always ride single file to hid their numbers, these tracks are side by side. And these arrow wounds, too accurate for Dahae, only Pahlavi Zradha Shivatir are so precise..."
    <-- My "From Basileion to Arche - A Makedonian AAR" Memorial Balloon.

  28. #118
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Thanks The next chapter is coming soon
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    Many thanks to Hooahguy for this great sig.

  29. #119
    iudex thervingiorum Member athanaric's Avatar
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    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    Great AAR and excellent screenshots




    Swêboz guide for EB 1.2
    Tips and Tricks for New Players
    from Hannibal Khan the Great, Brennus, Tellos Athenaios, and Winsington III.

  30. #120

    Default Re: Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

    A very good AAR. Good screenshots, and roleplay elements. I dont play EB, because i play RTW with computer that has not a net connection, but i likely get a new computer on autumn, and then i download it. I hope that you do not grew bored to this story and stop it before it's over!

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