The Basileus is crazy [Archive]

General Appo

05-10-2008, 12:03

Greetings. This is not as much of an AAR as an experiment by me. I´ve started a Epeirote campaign and I´m doing some crazy stuff, much of which showes up in this AAR. However I´m not so much strictly following the actual happenings in the game as I am inspired by them, sometimes I might change them a bit in the story. I don´t know how long I will keep this up, probably for as long as I feel like continuing this campaign. There might a great shortage in screenshots, mostly because I suck at them, but I´ll try to get in some.
Anyway, I´m role-playing that Pyrrhus is totally crazy, and at least one of his sons as well. I might cheat a bit sometimes, either for me or for the AI, depending on what the situation demands. This is one of my first attempts at an AAR, and not to be taken seriously. As I said, I´m just experimenting a bit. Also, keep in mind that I wrote this in about 30 minutes and had indeed no intention to write an AAR when I started writing, it just happened. Anyway.

In the year later to be known as 272 BC, Pyrrhus of Epirus stands with a great army unthreatened outside the capital of his arch enemy, the vile Makedonians. But instead of once and for all destroying this menace to all the world, Pyrrhus makes a public declaration that he cannot leave a war half-finished. Needless to say this has every man west of the Tigris rolling on the floor with laughter.
Anyway, Pyrrhus quickly sent messengers to the Romani, and promises them the city´s of Magna Graecia in return for that the Romans makes peace with him and let merchants from Pyrrhus domains enter their harbours again. The Romans happily accept, but are a tiny bit dissapointed when it shows that about half of the city´s of Magna Graecia weren´t actually Pyrrhus to give, as they were controlled by those awful Roman deserters in Rhegion. When the Romans protest and claim Pyrrhus didn´t uphold his end of the bargain, he simply points out that since the men in Rhegion were dressed, spoke and acted like Romans he assumed they were in fact Romans, and that it is now the Romans problem. Still disgruntled, the Romans accepted this explanation.
While this was happening Pyrrhus had gathered all his forces, even the town garrisons, on a few ships laying in the harbour of Ambrakia. He then sets sail for the great city of Syrakousai. After a few peaceful months at sea they reach their destination, and surrounds the city. His old general Hiero, now ruler of the city, is taken by complete surprise, but after a quick debate with the locals decides that the great stone walls of Syrakousai should be able to withstand anny assault from Pyrrhus army, and so refuses to open the gates for him. Pyrrhus is enraged, but extremely lucky as well. For there are some in the city who do not agree with Hiero´s way of goverment, and would rather see Pyrrhus regain control of the city. These men contact Pyrrhus and promises to sabotage the eastern and northern gate in return for a hefty reward. Pyrrhus gladly accept, and so on a warm summer morning he wakes up to see the gates broken before him.

Quickly he sends forwards his Hoplites, confident that they will crush any opposition inside the city. However, on the other side of the gates await a force of hoplitai who are easily able to hold back Pyrrhus hoplites, and from the walls the Peltastai and Akontistai throwns javelins in the hundreds at the unarmoured men, and from the great towers all sorts of missiles are fired.
Pyrrhus, seeing his men in great need sends forth his Illyrians, and these men are able to stabilise the line and start pushing the Syrakousaioi back. Meanwhile Pyrrhus taken his three sons Ptolemaios, Alexandros and Helenos and their picked bodyguards with him around the walls. They enter the destroyed northern gate, where a unit of spearmen awaits. These Thureophoroi are quickly driven back though, as hundreds of heavily armoured men and horses crash into their ranks. After a quick chase after them Pyrrhus enters the maze of the city street, looking for his old friend and general. Suddenly he sees some red cavalry in the distance, and as he orders his force towards it he recognise the face of Hiero in the first line of this unit. Pyrrhus charges the cavalry, and despite hailing from the city of Taras, famous for it´s cavalry, these men are no match for Pyrrhus and his sons. Somewhere in the struggle Hiero falls from his horse and is trampled to death.
Over at the eastern gate the situation is desperate. The enemy hoplites have been all but defeated, but all the hundreds of men upon the walls have come down and are now pushing the remaining Illyrians and hoplites back. Pyrrhus hears the struggle continuing, and decides to come to the rescue of his men. As soon as he and his great number of heavily armoured cavalrymen appears around the street corner the enemies realises their doom, and flees towards the city center. Most of them are cut down before they are able to escape.
Most of his army is still waiting outside of the city, since with Pyrrhus and his sons gone there is no one to give orders to them. Soon however Pyrrhus orders his Illyrians to clear the walls of the city with defenders, and when the Galatian mercenary´s sees the Illyrians wawing from atop the walls they believe they can no longer stand still and wait, and so rushes into the city, ready to plunder. First however, the remaining enemies must be taken care of. A second unit of hoplites approached the eastern gate, no doubt looking to reclaim it. the few ramining hoplites of Pyrrhus engaged them, while the vicious Galatians flanks them and cut them down with great speed.
Now Pyrrrhus sends orders for his phalanxes to enter the city, and after a long march these decends upon the city center where just a few enemies await. After a desperate struggle with the phalanxes, Pyrrhus and his sons plus the Illyrians who had come down from the walls, then final defender is put to rest. Pyrrhus had lost almost one third of his army, but in return gained one of the greatest city´s in the world.

https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/namnls-1.jpg
The carnage at the eastern gate

Angered at the city´s refusal to open its gates, Pyrrhus releases his soldiers, and for several days terror rules the city, as the children are cast from the walls, the men cut down, the women raped and the animals eaten. Or was it the other way around? Anway, Pyrrhus and his two favourite sons Ptolamaios and Helenos quickly descends into an abyss of drinking, womanising, throwing up and other hobbies worthy of an Basileus and his sons.
His second son, Alexandros however, does not follow his fathers guidance, and so in all but word becomes the true ruler of the city, as he oversees it finances, buildings and all the other boring things that a city this size requires.
Pyrrhus only comes out of his dark pit every once in a while to give the most strange orders. All the Galatians and Illyrians shall be released from service, the elephants he had brought with him shall be sold to a local circus and most of the remaining hoplites shall be settled on the best land to be found.
Needless to say, Alexandros is outraged, for his city is left almost undefended, even though the Poeni are gathering a great force in their stronghold of Lilibeo, undoubtly to subdue all of Sicily.

Next time Pyrrhus pops out of whole he delivers even stranger orders, for the demands that all his territories back in Hellas shall be given away for free, to the Thrakians! Shocked, Alexandros still obeys his father, and sends out diplomats to find some siutable Thracians. The diplomats have a hard with this task, but finally enters the lands of the Getai, a half-threacian people who controlls a great area and whose mountains have made them rich with gold and silver. The Getai are overjoyed when the diplomats tell them the happy news, and quickly sends a few dozen men to ensure the loyalty of the Epeirotes and Illyrians. These have already decided that any ruler must be better then Pyrrhus, and so accept the new ones with little protest.
Back in Syrakousai, Alexandros manages to broker a peace with the Poeni, as he promises that his father has no intention to conquer the island, and the Poeni, having great troubles with rebellious Numidians back home, accepts, and so a temporary peace ensues.
Soon enough Pyrrhus pops up his ugly head again, this time to let his second son know that he intends to inavade the island of Krete. When Alexandros asks why Pyrrhus simply throw a vine bottle after him and shouts something about Minoan women and his Alexandros dearly departed mothers heritage. Alexandros simply sighs and gathers the few armed men remaining, and puts them upon a few ships. Shortly after Pyrrhus, Ptolemaios and Helenos boards the ships, and sets of towards the island of Krete, leaving Alexandros in Syrakousai. The entire city joins Alexandros in his celebrations, and prays deeply to Poseidon that pirates or storms will take the fleet.

Now at last Alexandros can get to work with improving the city. He orders the construction a greater temples, roads, ports, markets, sewers, gymnasions, just about everything that sets Greeks apart from the barbarians. He even builds a great Academia, where great minds from all across the world gathers. Being something of a philosopher himself, Alexandros regularly joins the debates here, and often wins the day, but always though superior argument rather then fear of reprisal, for Alexandros is truly a benevolent governor, satisfied with ruling this city and it´s surroundings. He was always accompanied by a renowned philosopher and his favourite poet Theokritos Syrakousios. In his service he also had many knowledgable clerks and skilled armourers. To honor him the people appointed him to the position of Emporiarches, superviso of trade, a task he handled galantly.

While Alexandros and the people of Syrakousai prospered however, Pyrrhus and his two favourite sons were suffering aboard the ships, as the wine was running low. Finally they reached the island of Krete, and set ashore a few miles from the city of Kydonia. Scouts reported that an army from Sparta was camped in the west, were it had been sitting for quite a while now. Dismissing these news a burp, Pyrrhus orders his men to begin the construction of a ram to knock down the wooden gates of Kydonia. While the ram was being constructed Pyrrhus toured the area looking for more wine, and happened upon a band of Kretan archers, who claimed that they were more then willing to join his army and aid in the slaughtering of their fellow Kretans. Pyrrhus was reluctant at first, but after the leader of the Kretans said that he knew of the location of a secret wine cellar, Pyrrhus happily allowes them into his army.
Soon the ram is finished, and begins battering upon the wodden gates. Pyrrhus Kretans fires over the walls and kills many defenders, so when the gates are finally down Pyrrhus and his sons simply storm the city and killl all those who oppose him. Once again he releases his soldier and a reign of terror holds the city for a few days, while the men are thrown from the walls, the women cut down on site, the animals raped and the children eaten. Or was it the other way around?

Anyway, the Spartan army still remains camped on Krete, showing no intention to leave. Angered at this, Pyrrhus prepares to forcefully remove them. News arrive to Krete that Athenai has fallen to the armies of Makedonia, and seeing the inevitable victory of these and the vileness of the Spartans Pyrrhus makes peace with the Makedonians and allies himself with them, to bring down the Spartans and their allies the Rhodians.
Will Pyrrhus be able to defeat the army of Sparta, will the Poeni keep their word or take advantage of Syrakousai´s weakness, and most importantly, will the Getai actually ever do something with their new territories?

Edit: Added some paragraphs to make it easier on the eyes. Glad you like it.

artaxerxes

05-10-2008, 14:22

ROFL:laugh4:

I like it very much

Ibrahim

05-10-2008, 22:33

I got to have whatever Pyrrhos is on:inquisitive: :laugh4:

Chaotix

05-11-2008, 04:08

Great AAR, and hilarious! If you could, I think it needs moar pics.

General Appo

05-11-2008, 09:36

Thank you for tour nice comments. My problem with pics is that my lousy picture handling software somehow fails to make my screentshots into the designated size, which means that they´re either so big that everything´s extremely fuzzy or that there´s a lot of white space on the edges. But I´m working on it.
I should have a new chapter out in a short time,I´ve written almost exactly to the point where I´ve played, but I´ve got almost the entire afternoon free for gaming and maybe some writing.

Hax

05-11-2008, 10:40

Use Fraps!

It's free!

It's good!

It won't eat your brain!

www.fraps.com

General Appo

05-11-2008, 11:09

Then tell me how to get rid of that annoying shit in the corner!
Besides, that´s not my problem, my problem comes when I begin cutting my pictures. I know, I really suck. Anyway, got to play now.

Emperor Burakuku

05-11-2008, 11:41

Don't think if you can, but the pictures will be clean (without the annoying shit in the corner).
BTW dude, strangest AAR I've ever read, but very funny! :laugh4: Congrats!

Timidus

05-11-2008, 13:28

General Appo

05-11-2008, 13:48

I´ve tried with the screenshots, but I just can´t get it to work good. How do you pros edit your screenshots? When you delete a part of a screenshot, how do you remove the white shit that comes up behind it? I can´t even make the one screenshot I put in smaller. ve been trying to for 2 hours and I´m damned tired of it all, so I´m sorry for the lack of screenshots. I had some damn nice battle ones. I guess I really should use Photoshop or something like it, but I don´t have it right here. Maybe in a week I will.

Chapter 2: The Battle of Yrtakina

After procuring some Samnite and Brettian mercenaries Pyrrhus prepares to defeat the Spartan army. His scouts report that only the personal bodyguards of the armies general are of the famous Spartan kind, the rest are normal soldiers from Sparta´s allies and subjects. Also, his scouts reports that this general is no other then Areus Agiados Lakedaimonios, the King of Sparte. His death will surely resonate thoughout the entire Hellenic world, and perhaps at last remove Pyrrhus from his position as the laughing stock of the entire Mediterraenean.
Near the old city of Yrtakina the two armies met in battle. Equal in numbers, Pyrrhus intends to use his superior cavalry to first defeat the supporting troops and then use his heavy infantry and phalanx to defeat the enemy hoplites.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/namnls34-2.jpg

Pyrrhus arranges his army and moves towards to enemy, who eagerly awaits him. His Kretans begin to fire upon the enemy skirmishers who have strayed to far from the main line, and Pyrrhus his sons ride them down with ease. As Pyrrhus maked his way back to his infantry he is shortly pursued by the Spartan hoplites, and when these turned to get back in line the Kretans unleashed a volley right in their back, killing several and wounding more.
As the Spartans and their allies struggles to reform their lines to face Pyrrhus advancing infantry the Kretans continue to deal horrible casualties to their ranks, and the Akontistai runs forth to throw their javelins. Pyrrhus leads his cavalry behind the enemy lines and rides down the enemy Kretans while the Samnites and Brettians falls upon the Spartans left flank engaging the hoplites there. The Spartans pursues the Akontistai until suddenly these unarmoured men shows courage unheard of for many years, and turns and charges the legendary Spartans, cutting with their small knives.
Inspired by this act of heroism the phalanx comes to the aid of the Akontistai and starts pushing their long pikes into the Spartans line.
Seeing all this Pyrrhus splits his cavalry, sending Ptolemaios and Helenos to aid the Italians while taking his own bodyguards to charge the Spartans.
The Kretans have now run out of arrows, and drawing their short swords attacks the hoplites on the right flank, renewing the Italians spirit. As the cavalry falls upon the hoplites backs they flee but are chased to death. Only the Spartans still stand, honoring their mighty ancestors. But soon enough the last Spartan is cut down, and a member of the Akontistai slits Areus throats while he still fighting. Truly a great victory, Pyrrhus loses few men, and most of these can be easily replaced amongst the local population. The Spartan army however, had been completely eradicated.

Pyrrhus victory does indeed sends shockwaves across all of Hellas. Not only had the Spartans and their allies lost their king, but a great deal of their army, including many of the precious hoplites from Sparte, those who had undergone the Agoge. Coupled with the Makedonians conquest of Athenai and recent succeses in Ione this boaded ill for the city-states of Hellas, but things were about to get even worse.
After returning to Kydonia and replenishing his forces as well as his wine supply, Pyrrhus announces his next act of genius. Firstly, the he releases the Samnites and Bruttians from his service, but as he refuses to lend them any boats and not merchant vessel would take such unruly barbarians aboard, they reluctantly agrees to settle near the mountain Koutroulis in the western part of the island, where they form a small village named Calbisidoi, but commonly reffered to as "The Black Hole" by the locals, for anyone who approaches the village dissapears and is never heard of again, though how a black hole could do this remains unknown.

Shortly after, Pyrrhus declared his intent to conquer the island of Rhodos, which he has heard is the center of winetrade for the entire Aegean. After training some new spearmen that has begun spreading in Hellas he sets out for the island. Behind him however, he leaves his firstborn son Ptolemaios, who after the battle of Yrtakina has shown himself a responsible young man. Naturally Pyrrhus could not allow this, and tried to drown him in wine and women, but gave up after Ptolemaiois refused to relax, constantly pointing out that half the city was on fire, the wine was strangely green and bubbling, that there was something wierd about the women Pyrrhus offered him, particulary her beard, and other such petty matters.
So Pyrrhus left his firstborn son to govern the island of Krete and instad appointed his youngest son and the only one still following in his fathers footsteps Helenos to his heir. Shortly after, Pyrrhus, Helenos and their army sets ashore on Rhodos.

Quickly surrounding the city, they learn that it is only defended by a an old man, rumoured to be near 100 years old. Pyrrhus dismisses these rumours with a fart and by scratching his mistress beard, and orders the construction of siege machines. Off shore, Pyrrhus fleet spots a few small ships and approaches them for the required questioning and raping, but soon realises that these ships are not ordinary trade ships, but transports shipping a small army to Rhodos. The ships are quickly sunk, and the army relocated to the bottom of Poseidons kingdom. Pyrrhus fleet continues around the coast to blockade Rhodos harbour, bur finds it alrady sealed off by a Seleukid navy. These Diadaochi or whatever they call themselves offers to ally with Pyrrhus, but Pyrrhus still have fond memories of his time in Egypt, where the wine came easy and the women were cheap, or was it other way around? Anyway, Pyrrhus refuse to even see the Seleukid diplomats and continues to wait for the siege machines to be finished.

Before they are however, great news reach Pyrrhus. The old man ruling the city has apparently died of a minor flu, apparently multiple stab wounds in the chest is a side-effect of that horrible disease.
Without the old man to hold them togheter, the Rhodians surrender the city, and promising to deliver 50,000 amphoras of the finest wine within two weeks, Pyrrhus decides to spare them the usual killing, looting, raping and eating.
The loss of Rhodos is terrible news for the Greeks, now only the city´s of Lakonike remains free. Shortly after other bad news reach the Spartans, the small kingdom of Pontos has attacked the Spartans allies in Sinope, obviously seeing their weakness and inability to react in any other then harsh words and useless threats. In Syrakousai Alexandros continues to rejoice in his new life, but is increasingly worried about the Poeni army camped outside Lilibeo growing ever larger. So far he has not forced any of the locals to serve as garrison, but soon it will perhaps become neccessary.

The whole world eagerly awaits Pyrrhus next decision, or at least so he likes to believe. Where will his small army set sail next, what unlucky region he next set his pigeyes upon?

General Appo

05-11-2008, 13:56

It wasn't clear, or maybe I missed it, but does Pyrrhus still rule in Epeiros as well (you say he withdrew the garrisons but the AAR doesn't mention whether the cities there then rebelled or were taken by any of the other factions after his withdrawal?)
I always wondered about the possibility of taking Pyrrhus - the leading military strategist of the time - to conquer Alexandria and Ptolemaic Egypt - the strongest (I think!) economic area of the time? If he could pull that off, and establish his economic base as well as having his military power in hand, Epeiros would clearly be a force to reckon with for a long time to come (and would certainly be a legacy to leave his sons to work with going forward)!
Maybe you have somewhat similar thoughts - starting with expansion in Syrakousai and Krete? Leaving each son a separate base of operations to expand from?

Actually (as mentioned) Pyrrhus ordered them given away for free to the Thrakians. His diplomats couldn´t find any pure-blooded Thrakians, but decided the Getai were close enough, and so now Getai controlls all of Epeiros and Illyria Hellenike. They´re building huge armies in those two cities, and will hopefully use them soon.
As for planning ahead, I tend not to do that with these kind of campaigns. I´m just role-playing after their traits (okay, maybe I´m exaggarating Pyrrhus a bit) and havn´t planned what will happen when Pyrrhus dies, except that Helenos will probably become king and continue his daddy´s crazy crusade for wine and bearded women.
As for taking Egypt, that seems kinda smart, so definitely won´t be Pyrrhus next action. More likely he´ll go for some isolated backwater province with no use what so ever. But I´ll have to play and scout a bit more before I can tell any more detail.

Edit: Just like to add, that the army in the screenshot is actually my only one. The samnites and Brettians were disbanded after the battle and a unit of Thorakitai recruited, apart from that all I have is Alexandros and his bodyguards. So I only have 8 units at the moment, plus the 3 ships you get from the start.

General Appo

05-11-2008, 18:13

Chapter 3: He had a dream...

During one late night when Pyrrhus and Helenos were (as usual) drinking each other under, over, inside and atop the table, Pyrrhus suddenly got a brilliant idea. A masterplan that would ensure him complete domination of all the world and as much wine and bearded women he´d like. Eager to tell everyone about his plan, he ordered his guards to wake everyone in the city and gather them in the agora. After much rumbling and scuffing, several thousands of Rhodians had gathered in the emptied agora and were gazing sleepily at Pyrrhus.
Standing tall atop a marble podium, his eyes shined in the moonlight, and the torches cast strange shadows across his face, and the Rhodians were mighty impressed by his presence, many believing that it was one of the gods that had stepped down from the Olympos to speak to them.
Suddenly, the figure started to speak. In a deep clear voice, carrying across the entire agora, he proclaimed:
-"I have a dream" and then slumped from the podium collapsing in a pile of unrecognisable bodyparts. Realising that it was just Pyrrhus, the people wandered home again, hopefully to catch some sleep before the sun arose and signaled the start of the new day.

The next morning one of Pyrrhus captains asked what the dream had been he had planned to tell everyone about. Suffering from an enourmous hangover, having no memory of the nights incident and feeling like being an ass, Pyrrhus screamed that the captain bloody well knew what the dream was, to which the frigthened captain replied that of course he knew what it was.
Pyrrhus who was getting increasingly curious, ordered him to find out what the dream was by midnight or he and everyone else would be hanged.
The captain hurried from his masters presence, and summoned the other captains of Pyrrhus army and the most powerful of the local Rhodians. These held a long meeting to decide what they would tell Pyrrhus that his dream had been about. First someone proposed that he´d dreamed about jumping of a cliff, and though everyone enjoyed the idea they finally agreed that even he wouldn´t fall for that.

After some more debate they finally agreed, Pyrrhus had dreamed about capturing the island of Kypros. This was beneficial for everyone involved, apart from perhaps Pyrrhus.
The Rhodians wanted Pyrrhus away from their island, but they were also worried about the Ptolemais who had almost monopolised sea trade in the Levant. The conquest of Kypros by friendly forces would undoubtly start shifting the balance back to the Rhodians.
The captains wanted an easy target to plunder, rape and loot, an rumours said Ptolemy II had left the island almost undefended. The fleet would then deter any Ptolemaic attempts to retake the island.
When the captain told Pyrrhus of the nature of his dream, he was first very skeptical and unwilling to attack the territory of his ally and childhood friend Ptolemy. When the captain pointed out that Kypros was a large producer of wine however, Pyrrhus determination wavered.
The captain presented a compromise. If Ptolemy truly was such an good and faithful friend and ally, then he wouldn´t mind giving Kypros over to Pyrrhus would he? Pyrrhus agreed with this and sent an envoy to Alexandreia demanding Kypros to be handed over. Strangely enough, Ptolemy refused, and Pyrrhus was rightly shocked, and broke all ties with the Ptolemies, while striking a deal with their arch enemy the Seleukids to forever fight the Ptolemies.

Before the invasion of Kypros could begin however, Helenos requested he´d be allowed to enter into the olympic games that were soon to begin. Pyrrhus gladly agreed and wished to go there himself and participate, but his captains convinced him that wine was very sparse at the games. 51 years old and having serious back problems, this was probably the best for him.
Both Alexandros and Ptolemaios entered into the games as well, were they all meet for the first time in years. Ptolemaios and Alexandros embraced each other as true brothers, but Helenos was a bit more hesitant, mainly because he didn´t know which one of the two Alexandros he saw he should hug.
Amazingly, Helenos managed to not completely embarass himself during the games, though it was his oldest brother who accomplished the most amazing feat.
After many hours of hard training on Krete Ptolemaios condition and speed was excellent, and he won several of the running races, bringing great honor to himself and his scattered people.

Soon however things calmed down and everyone sailed home, and Pyrrhus and Helenos set sail towards Kypros. Before they left Pyrrhus had randomly chosen a Rhodian to act as ruler of the city. Luckily, this man showed to be of a competent sort, a local man of lower nobility named Attidas.
With him on the ships Pyrrhus brought not only many of the 50,000 amphoras with wine, but a unit of slingers from Rhodos. These men were famous for their prowess in battle, and with their half-cuirasses were better suited for melee then other slingers.
Soon Pyrrhus landed in Kypros, and surrounded the Ptolemais center of operation, the city of Salamis. Guarding this city was quite a large army, almost equal in numbers to that of Pyrrhus. It consisted almost entirely of skirmishers however, Akontisai and Hippakontisai, good assets to an army no doubt, but almost useless alone against an enemy.
Confident of victory Pyrrhus troops stormed the gates the moment the ram was finished, and the Thorakitai cut down the unarmoured man in short time.
An undramatic battle, it ended when a stone from the Rhodian ranks killed the Ptolemaic commander and his troops surrendered.
Needless to say, they and most of the population was cut down and then raped (yes in that order, not the other way around) while many houses were burnt and then looted (yet again, in just that order). With this organised opposition ceased across the island.

Now Pyrrhus had time to gather himself and his troops, and reflect upon the news from across the world.
In Hellas the Spartans had launched a surprise attack and liberated most of the Peloponnesos from the Makedonians, and the Illyrians under Getai command had invaded Aitolia, though the city of Thermon still stood firm. When told these news Pyrrhus asked who the f*uck the Getai´s were. When informed they were a Thrakian tribe ranging from north of Thrakia Hypertera he asked what the f*ck they were doing in Aitolia and why the f*ck they were commanding Illyrians. It seems Pyrrhus had no memory of giving his homeland to the Getai for free, and he was quite upset when he heard about it.
In other parts of the world things were taking a turn for the unexpected as well. Rumours were widespread that the Seleukids had lost much territory to some nomads who claimed to be the inheritors of the Persians, truly a ridiculous claim. All was not bad for the Empire of Seleukos however, for the regions of Adurbadegan near Hayasdan and Gerrhaia Arabia on the coast of just Arabia had fallen to their armies, and the Ptolemaic city of Tarsos was under siege from a great army of theirs.

Many were guessing what Pyrrhus next move would be, but no one guessed that he would do nothing, which might just be why he did just that. He had most of the wine the Rhodians had given him left, and had hired a Scythian band of bearded women to keep him company. For the first time in many years, he was happy and content with his life. The question was if it would remain so.

Parallel Pain

05-11-2008, 21:09

Remove the number (FPS) by going to the FPS tab, in which there's a box labeled "Overlay Corner" with choices for where you put the FPS. Below that is a Disabled option. Click it and no more numbers.

As for picture editing, I just use paint.

General Appo

05-11-2008, 21:59

I use paint to, but how do you cut your images then? For example cutting out the whole lower part during battles, I just use ""Mark form" and then delete that part, but then there´s just a lot of white there instead, and it shows up when I post the pictures, and I don´t know how to make it not show up.

Chaotix

05-11-2008, 23:31

Great AAR! I love the part about the dream. I think... Pyrhhos should become obsessed with the Scythian bearded women and sail to Scythia (Chersonesos and Olbia) to find more... but that's just my idea.

d'Arthez

05-12-2008, 00:22

Great AAR! Quite a bit of absurdist humour.

I was thinking of Olbia as well. Then he can have all the Scythian beared women he wants. But probably no wine. A depressing thought. Or he can sail off to Iberia or Gaul, although Scythian bearded women will be quite scarce there. A tough decision ...

Parallel Pain

05-12-2008, 02:07

I just open multiple paint and cut and paste and carefully drag the margines so there's no white stuff.

Korlon

05-12-2008, 02:33

1. Open screenshot file.
2. Open a new MS paint window, make the available screen as small as possible.
3. Go to screenshot file and select the spot where you wish to put as your picture. Copy it.
4. Go to the new MS paint window. Paste it. The available spot for the info should be bigger now, to accomodate the new stuff.
5. Save it, upload it. Yays.

I suggest getting something better than MS Paint though. It's terrible. I'm sure there are some free photo editing software out there. I happen to have photoshop already so it's great.

General Appo

05-12-2008, 08:49

Thanks Korlon and PP. Yes I sometimes have Photoshop (yes, sometimes) but I am a true noob in its uses.
As for Pyrrhus next move, I think I have an (really crazy) idea, but you´ll have to wait and see. Just remember, he´s getting old (51 years) so he can´t keep sailing around forever. There´s also been some changes in Sicily, but hopefully you´ll read about that in my next chapter, which I hope to have out later today.
Just one thing, sadly I have this thing for the Sauromatae and so I am reluctant to take Olbia from them, but maybe I´ll get over my love for them. Maybe.

General Appo

05-12-2008, 19:13

Yaay!!!! I know how to edit and post screenshots in a suitable manner!! Thank you Korlon, your method worked.
Strangely though, I can´t find the screenshots from the battle I was planning to tell you about, I have no idea where they´ve gone, or if they were even registered as taken. I´ll have to look in to this.
In the meantime, to celebrate my newfound ability, here´s some pics from the Battle of Yrtakina (where Pyrrhus kicked the Spartans ass, if you remember).
For those being disturbed by the banners, don´t worry, I have removed them by now. Anyway:

The Kretans begins the battle by firing at the Greek skirmishers.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test4.jpg
Pyrrhus himself attacks the skirmishers.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test5.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test6.jpg

The Spartans are having trouble with their formation as the Kretans bombards them, slaying many.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test7.jpg

On the other end of the battlefield the Italians charge the enemy hoplites.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test8.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test9.jpg

In an act of bravery worthy of their opponents reputation, Pyrrhus unarmoured men attacks the Spartans.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/testA.jpg

"Like the Spartans at Thermopylae!"
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/testB.jpg

Pressed from both sides by Pyrrhus valiant men, the Spartan´s allies breaks rank and flees.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/testC.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/test3.jpg

Soon the Spartans stand alone, and though they fight to their death few of Pyrrhus men falls with them, and soon their King lies slain, slain by the hands of a simple Akontistai.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/TestD.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/testE.jpg

Pyrrhus victory is complete, his army emerges unscatched while the Spartan´s army is annihilated and their King dead.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/testF.jpg

d'Arthez

05-15-2008, 12:12

Perhaps you could forge an alliance then? With the terms being that Pyrrhos gets access to his beloved bearded Scythian women, pays a small yearly tribute, and take Pantokapaion and / or Chersonesos.

General Appo

05-15-2008, 12:16

Hmmm... an alliance is possible, but I don´t think I will take any cities in that area. I have something different in mind, that I will must try out first.
Sadly I´ve gotten hold of an old copy of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and will perhaps be preoccupied playing it for a few days. We shall see.

General Appo

05-15-2008, 19:22

Wohoo!! I discovered where the missing screenshots had gone. I had deleted some screenshots that I had converted to other (less memory consuming) files and so when I took new screenshots they appeared in the missing areas, meaning that there were about 2000 screenshots listed as taken after my latest one. Stupid me not thinking about that. Anyway, here goes:

Chapter 4: Battle of Arkai

The Karchedoi have finally revealed their true intentions, as their army in Lilibeo marched onto Epirote land near Syrakousai. Realising the inevitable Alexandros made contact with the mercenary captains he had silently established contact with during his time in Sicily.
In little time, he has gained a true army of many native Italians and Greeks, ready to fight for Epirote money. The inhabitants of Syrakousai have grown comfortable under Alexandros, but a unit of Phalangite is quickly assembled to secure continued Greek freedom for Karchedoi tyranny.
Outside the small city of Akrai the two armies march up for battle.

https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/namnls-2.jpg

As he prepares for the battle Alexandros if filled with quiet determination. He is no man of war, and would rather govern his lands peacefully. But this battle has been forced upon him, and unless he wish to live the rest of his days in flight from the Karchedoi, he must win this battle. He is confident that his cause is a just and noble one, and that the gods will smile upon him and his army.
Before the battle begins Alexandros makes sacrifices to Zeus-Dodonaios, promising to restore the nearby temple to Aphrodite and amphitheatre in his honor, for the Karchedoi had shamelessly plundered these sites.
Soon after the day for battle has come.

Dressed in his finest armour and arms, Alexandros is truly a magnifient view that his men gather confidence from.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/1.jpg

Arranging his forces for battle, Alexandros prepares for his first battle since the capture of Syrakousai many years ago.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/2.jpg

As the enemies of Pyrrhus and his sons often do, the Karchedoi commander allows his skirmishers to stray to far from the main line, and siezing the opportunity Alexandros charges his bodyguard against the skirmishers, intending to eliminate the enemies supporting troops.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/3.jpg

Unable to stand against Alexandros´s heavy horsemen the skirmishers are driven into flight, and Alexandros pursues them all the way to the enemy line, where the Karchedoi spearmen deters his cavarly, and he is forced to abandon his pursuit.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/4.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/5.jpg

As Alexandros and his men rides around to flank the enemy line, some Karchedoi attempts to pursue him, but Alexandros easily escapes.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/6.jpg

Instead these men seek to flank the Epirote line, advancing up a steep hill in cover of the tall grass, but the mercenary captains spots them, and a contignent of Samnites and Greek Hippeis attacks them.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/d.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/f.jpg

At the same time behind the Karchedoi lines Alexandros engages the lone elephant brought to the battlefield, and with their xyston they quickly fell the beast, though it fells two men from their horses as it falls.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/7.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/8.jpg

Alexandros orders the bruised men to withdraw for the rest of the battle, and then wheels to meet the incoming Iberian cavalry, who with a rain of javelins charges the Epirote men, their commander cheering them on.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/9.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a.jpg

Founding himself pressured by Alexandros men, the commander calls for help, and it comes in the form of levy Karchedoi spearmen and Iberian skirmishers, so called Caetrati, who forces Alexandros to withdraw, but as the Karchedoi returns to the battle line Alexandros drives the Iberian horses and the armies commander to flight, and with his reduced bodyguard attacks the Caetrati.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/s.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/k.jpg

Back near the Epirote lines the battle still rages on, as more Karchedoi joins the fight. Soon the Leukanoi from Brettia attacks their rear and the Hippeis charges one final time before the Karchedoi breaks.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/g.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/h.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/j.jpg

The main Karchedoi force is still intact, but soon engages the remaining Italians and Greeks, and a vicious fight breaks out.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/l.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/eb80e780.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/2c229bf4.jpg

Soon Alexandros, who has driven the Caetrati from the field, returns to the main battle, and his charge sends the enemy army running. Alexandros participates with great vigour in the following pursuit, slaying many of the Karchedoi.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/q.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/w.jpg

When all casualties are accounted for the result stands clear. Alexandros has won a great victory nearly eradicating the Karchedoi army while taking few casualties himself.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/e.jpg

As is not well though for Alexandros, for he fears that this battle was just the begining of a greater conflict. Already there are rumours of another Karchedoi army having landed in Lilibeo, this one is supposed to consist entirely of Iberians.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/y.jpg

But most of all, Alexandros mourns that he must now conscript many of the local Greeks into his army, for he knows that the mercenaries are just a temporary solution.
Keeping true to his word, he restores the temple and amphitheatre at Arkai, the theatre had fell in disuse for many years, and was severely damaged.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/teatro-1.jpg

Alexandros restores it and even attends the first play held there, a comical one mocking Alexandros father and his drinking habits, one which Alexandros thoroughly enjoys.

In Kypros Pyrrhus sends orders to Attidas at Rhodos to create the largest ship the world has ever seen. Pyrrhus himself is unsure what the ship will be used for, but he claims he´s got a "good feeling" about it.
So Attidas begins construction of a true behemoth of a ship, a Nees Megistas with over 40 decks, nearly bankrupting Rhodos in the process.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/i.jpg

News from across the world reaches Pyrrhus.
In Hellas the Getai are continuing their assault on Aitolia, now besieging the great city of Thermon.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/r.jpg

And in Ionia the Seleukids have taken the initiative from the Makedonians, and have surrounded the free city of Pergamon.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/u.jpg

In the Levant, Seleukid forces continues their attacks on Tarsos and Sidon, clearly having put the Ptolemeis on the run for the moment.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/t.jpg

So ends another chapter in the tell of Pyrrhus Aiakides and his sons, an epic tale of glory, brilliance, drunkness, madness and bearded women.

Hax

05-15-2008, 20:49

I love it, Appo.

Can you show us a pic of your..empire? *smirk*

d'Arthez

05-15-2008, 21:16

Very nice update.

I think Pyrrhos will end up in Kyrene. Just to piss just about the whole world off.

General Appo

05-15-2008, 22:42

Can you show us a pic of your..empire? *smirk*

I´ll try to get one in tomorrow. It´s kinda hard to see it, all my 3 regions are pretty small, but I´ll see what I can do.

I think Pyrrhos will end up in Kyrene. Just to piss just about the whole world off.

I had serious thoughts about Kyrene for a while, but now I have a new target for Pyrrhus. I can´t say what exactly it is, but know that it will be a final epic target, or at least he will think so. I´m planning on letting his sons taking over more and more, so you might not see much of Pyrrhus for a while.
Sadly I do not only have Return to Castle Wolfenstein on my schedule, but also a quick trip to the countryside, so I don´t know when I can pop in the next update.

Hax

05-15-2008, 23:01

I had serious thoughts about Kyrene for a while, but now I have a new target for Pyrrhus. I can´t say what exactly it is, but know that it will be a final epic target, or at least he will think so.

Ireland or Scotland! It's not like they haven't got enough drunkards there! =D

Africanvs

05-15-2008, 23:29

Perhaps a female Eqyptian warlord will overthrow the Ptolemai dynasty and become pharoah herself, complete with a beard! Surely Pyrrhus couldn't refuse such a temptation. He could then have a Cleo-Antonian drunkfest in the palace until the Grey Death come a' knocking.

Great AAR, very humorous and it seems you've gotten the hang of the screen shots. Nice job. :2thumbsup:

General Appo

05-16-2008, 06:21

Ireland or Scotland! It's not like they haven't got enough drunkards there! =D

*cough* I have no idea what you´re talking about there, and I certainly have nothing like that planned *cough*
*cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*
*Dies of coughing* :oops:

General Appo

05-26-2008, 21:33

Just a short chapter without any battles or real gaming in it, but some vital plot action. Though to school and football, I´m not sure how much I will be able to write, but maybe I´ll manage to get some more in this week. Maybe.

Chapter 5: The Great Journey

As Pyrrhos got ever more alcoholic in Salamis the gods despaired of him.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab.jpg
Long had they watched over him and aided him in all ways, seeing in him a second Megas Alexandros, but at every opportunity he had betrayed their trust.
Now they had enough, and finally gave up upon him and the rest of mankind, and went back to playing football on Mount Olympos, occasionally raping some innocent girl and poking fun at the Titans in Tartarus.
Only a few gods keept faith about mankind, cheif among these Athena, patron of Athens. She is determined to make Pyrrhos a second Megas Alexandros, one that will conquer to the ends of the world and more, and this time his empire will last for millenias, in a Golden Age of peace and prosperity.

In one of his drunken dreams Athena appears before Pyrrhos and tells him of all this, and he is overjoyed. However he somewhat misunderstands her instructions, and begins the preparations to sail to the end of the world in order to conquer it, and nothing along the way.
Athena simply bangs her into a wall and joins the other gods in passing water upon Kronos, having given up her faith to mankind.

Pyrrhos however sets out with great energy, and swiftly takes the first merchant ship he can find and sets sail for Rhodos, where the great Polireme is being built. He does not even take time to say goodbye to his youngest son and heir to his throne, but simply leaves him a letter, saying the following:

Dear Helenos.

I apologise for my many failures as a father. Know that I always loved you and wished you well, even in my darkest hours.
I am about to embark upon a great journey, to the end of the world, where I intend to set up a new Empire, worthy of the patronage of Athena. I am afraid that I must go alone on this journey, no friends or loved ones can I bring with me, only soldiers to slay those who oppose my rightoues cause.
I will leave most of the wine behind and the Scythian women, for this is a pleasurely vacation, but a most serious voyage that I have set out upon, and I must be focused upon my duties.
I do not believe we will ever see each other again, for my journey will be long and hazardous, and no matter how little I like to admit it, I am an aging man, the prime of my life long gone. I had hoped that togheter we could have built a strong Empire that would stand the test of time, but alas, that is not to be.
I wish you all things good and leave you no orders, for this is now your own life, and your own Kingdom. Perhaps one day you will follow me to the world´s end, and we shall meet again. If not, I shall wait for you in Hades, or the Elysian Fields, if the gods wish it so.

Your everloving father, Pyrrhos Aiakides.

So Pyrrhos set out for Rhodos.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ac.jpg

Pyrrhos soon reached Rhodos, and after a short time of loading supplies and rowers he boarded the great ship, and set sail for his first stop, Krete.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ag.jpg

So begins the great journey of Pyrrhos Aiakides, Basileus of Epirus, Syrakousai, Krete, Rhodos and Kypros. Victor over Makedonia, Rome, Karkhēdōn and the Illyrioi.
The world is moving, history is in the making. All across the known world armies are moving, forces are gathering. War rages on all fronts, but amidst this storm there is one man of calm, one man with a clear goal; to conquer the end of the world, and he will stop at nothing to acheive this goal.
So in this year of the 510th year after the first Olympiad, the third year of the 128 Olympiad, 489 years after the founding of Rome, 558 years after the founding of Karkhēdōn, in the 21st year of Pharao Ptolemaios II Philadelphos, 33 years after the founding of the Pontic dynasteia by Mithradates Ktistes and 57 years after the death of Pyrrhos great cousin, Megas Alexandros, the Great Journey began. And great it would be.

Next chapter: A time of war.

Aaldaemon

05-27-2008, 07:43

Suddenly, the figure started to speak. In a deep clear voice, carrying across the entire agora, he proclaimed:
-"I have a dream" and then slumped from the podium collapsing in a pile of unrecognisable bodyparts. Realising that it was just Pyrrhus, the people wandered home again, hopefully to catch some sleep before the sun arose and signaled the start of the new day.

Hahahahahaha. That cracked me up. :oops: Been a while since I had such a spontaneous laugh. Thank you General Appo. :yes:

General Appo

05-27-2008, 08:13

Thou art most welcome.
In the future I will refer to every year as being 4 AGJ, 645 AGJ and the like, to honour Pyrrhos Great Journey. AGJ of course standing for After Great Journey.

d'Arthez

05-27-2008, 23:45

Never knew they had extensive wine production in Ireland or Scotland. Else I REALLY would doubt Pyrrhus his sanity.:laugh4: :laugh4:

As for the bearded womenfolk ...:laugh4:

General Appo

05-29-2008, 20:43

Chapter 6: A time of War

Pyrrhos unexpected departure from Kypros has left Helenos devastated, and so he falls ever deeper into his many vices, gaining reputation as the most despicable man in the entire world, though he is both to drunk and stupid to either notice or care. He also uses this time to gain a truly enourmous stomach, earning him the name Helenos the Fat, something which he does not seem to object to.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ap-1.jpg

The final drop for the people of Salamis comes when Helenos insists on reading his poetry to them, which is so bad that just a single sentence can make a man go mad.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ao-1.jpg

The people of Salamis gets their chance when Helenos is away to compete in the Olympiakoi Agones, during a festival they chase the mostly drunk or sleeping soldiers away from the city, and quickly set about to arm themselves.
Incredibly, Helenos wins the games in the greatest scandal ever to have occured. He was so ill-conditioned the he could not even finish the stadion, and yet the judges awarded him the olive branch. After the crowd acussed him of bribery and started throwing stones after him, he had to be hustled away and quickly boarded the ship back to Kypros.
His brother Alexandros had also participated, and would probably have less for the judges unusal decision.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ay-1.jpg

When Helenos returned to Kypros he found his army camped a few miles outside Salamis, and quickly ordered them to retake the city. First however he contacts some Galatian mercenaries who soon joins his army as they surround the town. The people of Salamis have armed themselves in the only way the can, as Iphikratous Hoplitai, and though impressive looking Helenos´s captains are certain their inflexibilty will be their downfall.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ax-1.jpg

Soon however Helenos grows tired of besieging this backwater town, he wishes to conquer a greater city where he can live in the opulence which he deserves.
This chance is about to present itself to him.

Meantime Pyrrhos has reached Krete, where without even bothering to meet with his oldest son Ptolemaios, he simply loads aboard the prepared soldiers and sets sail again, this time towards Cape Tainaron, the famous gathering place of mercenaries from all across the Hellenic world. Here he hires many men to aid him in his glorious mission, mostly young Galatians and brave Karians, but also some mounted nobles from Thessalia.
When Pyrrhos sets sail Syrakousai, he does so with a great army, worthy of conquering the end of the world.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aj.jpg

Around this time Ptolemaios one daughter, Nereis, have fallen in love with one of Ptolemaios´s captain, an Illyrian named Echemens Aulonites, who strongly shares her love. This man is part of the Illyrian tribe of Autariatai, and his ancestors have long served well in the armies of Epirus, so Ptolemaios is delighted when his daughter informs him of their love.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ar-1.jpg

They soon marry, but not long afterwards Echemenes is called out on a mission.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/as-1.jpg

The city of Halikarnassos and most of the region of Karia was a few years ago captured by the Epeirotes allies the Seleukids, however the region has now declared its independence, and joined the league of Greek cities. As this leauge is Ptolemaios and Echemenes sworn enemy this cannot be allowed.
As so Echemenes begin outfitting an army to invade Karia with, and defeat the threacherous Greeks.
He gathers men from both Krete and Rhodos, including some light artillery. He intends to besiege Halikarnassos and shoot down anyone who attemps to exit the city gates. When Halikarnassos falls, the rest of the Karian cities and tribes will soon realise the inevitable, and swear alliegance to Echemenes.
His plans are disturbed though, for no sooner have his army set up camp before a small Greek force comes to the relief of the city, and its garrison streams out to fight him.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bb.jpg

In Sicily, the Karchedoi armies have temporarily abandoned their attemps at conquering Syrakousai, and insted invaded the northeastern part of the island. Though a combined army from many Greek cities and towns manages to beat them back, they suffer heavy casualties, and most cities are worried for their future. Therefore they seek the protection of Alexandros and Syrakousai, who is more then willing to give it to them.
The major city in this part of the island, Messana, refuses to acknowledge Syrakousai as its master, and conducts raids upon the territory of Alexandros´s allies. This cannot go unpunished, and so Alexandros prepares his army and besieges Messana.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-2.jpg

After a brief stop at Malta where the fearful natives provided him with supplies despite being under Karchedoi control, Pyrrhos have now passed the city of Karkhēdōn and his proceeding along the coast of Lybia. Word has been sent to all Karchedoi cities and allies of Pyrrhos approach, but Pyrrhos travels with the wind in his sails, and the warning arrives to late for many, as Pyrrhos´s army plunders the shores of Mashiliem.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-1.jpg

News from across the world reaches the scattered family of Aiakides. The Arche Seleukeia is doing well for itself, not only having driven the Ptolemaioi from Syria and Phoinike, they have expelled them from their last strongholds in Asia Minor, the cities of Tarsos and Side.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/an.jpg

Rumours are also abound that they have stabilised their position against the nomads in the east, and much land north of Kappadokia and Media has fallen to them.

The up-and-coming kingdom of Pontos has established itself as the major power in the north of Asia Minor, having not only defeated the kingdom of Bithynia but also the Greek colony of Sinope.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/av-1.jpg

The Romani are also doing well, at least against the Keltoi north of them. They have conquered much land, and is in the process of taking even more.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aa.jpg

However they have still not managed to overthrow the Romani turncoats in Rhegion, despite numerous attempts.

So ends the 1st year AGJ, just one single year have passed since Pyrrhos left on his great journey, and already much has happened. There is war on all fronts of the scattered kingdom of the Aiakides, and much conquest awaits.

Next chapter: Sieges and battles.

General Appo

05-29-2008, 20:46

Sorry for the cliffhanger chapter guys, but that´s pretty much were I am right now.
My little empire has gone from peaceful to war-on-all-fronts in just one year, not sure how it happened really.
For those wondering, Helenos actually got most of those traits by himself, I only helped him along a bit. He did get Vogon Poet all by himself.

Hax

05-29-2008, 22:51

https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ao-1.jpg

Epic...just epic.

General Appo

05-30-2008, 06:00

Indeed. Never got that before, except when testing (with cheats).

Also, what is the name of that mercenary place in southern Lakonike? I remember someone said it some time ago, but can´t find the thread.

d'Arthez

05-30-2008, 10:45

Cape Tainaron

Ibrahim

05-30-2008, 12:38

as long as I can laugh still from merely reading post 1, Cliffhangers are ok.
makes me wonder: would a roman AAR titled "the senate is on drugs/LSD" sound as funny?

General Appo

05-30-2008, 14:43

Cape Tainaron
Ah, thank you.

makes me wonder: would a roman AAR titled "the senate is on drugs/LSD" sound as funny?
He, sounds like a nice idea. If I ever get the chance, I might just start one. What could be funnier then the Senate deciding that the Sarmatians have to be conquered while the Epeirotes are still running wild in Italy?

I have the pictures uploaded for probably at leat 3 chapters, but I´ve yet to find time to actually make the chapters. Also, I know I said the next chapter will be named Sieges and battles, but at that time I didn´t think I´d have so many and large battles, so I´m afraid I´ll have to change the name.

Ibrahim

05-31-2008, 04:48

Ah, thank you.

He, sounds like a nice idea. If I ever get the chance, I might just start one. What could be funnier then the Senate deciding that the Sarmatians have to be conquered while the Epeirotes are still running wild in Italy?

I have the pictures uploaded for probably at leat 3 chapters, but I´ve yet to find time to actually make the chapters. Also, I know I said the next chapter will be named Sieges and battles, but at that time I didn´t think I´d have so many and large battles, so I´m afraid I´ll have to change the name.

or the random decision to dress all soldiers like Gaesatae, or worse still, like the opposite sex of what they are supposed to be:inquisitive:
in any case, that poem should have been shown in EB origional-this is so stupid and yet so funny!

General Appo

06-05-2008, 13:00

Sorry guys for the delay, but I´ve been busy. Busy playing other EB campaigns that is.
Anyway, I hope to get some work done this week, especially as I don´t intend to sleep tonight. That´s right, I´ll be working 24 hours without a break just for your entertainment. Somebody give me a medal, and then a cappucino or even better, raw caffeine.

Aaldaemon

06-05-2008, 14:16

Lysimachos

06-05-2008, 14:56

That´s right, I´ll be working 24 hours without a break just for your entertainment.

This is madness! :yes:

Aaldaemon

06-05-2008, 15:00

This is madness! :yes:

MADNESSSS? THISSSSSS ISSSSSSS PYRRRRRHHHOOOOS!!!

:oops: Sorry but I had to say it. Just could not abstain. :embarassed:

Happy balroae

06-05-2008, 16:41

great AAR by the way is indolent lardy arse a real trait or did you add it somehow

Aaldaemon

06-05-2008, 16:45

great AAR by the way is indolent lardy arse a real trait or did you add it somehow

{Indolent_Lardy_Arse} Indolent Lardy Arse

{Indolent_Lardy_Arse_desc}
Not even the danger of battle can inspire this man to rouse himself from his comfortable torpor.

{Indolent_Lardy_Arse_effects_desc}
-4 Management, -20% to Movement Points (reduces the distance armies can march).

{Indolent_Lardy_Arse_epithet_desc} the Fat

Believe it or not, it's a real trait.:yes:

General Appo

06-05-2008, 16:55

Indeed it is. Thank you for your appreciation, it is in return much appreciated.
I must admit, I won´t actually ne working 24 hours. I´ll be forced to take a 2 hour break for my football training, but apart from that, it´ll just be hard work.
Well, I´m off to stack up on some vital pills.

Happy balroae

06-05-2008, 17:02

thanks for telling me about the trait. ive had some lazy generals in my time but none as bad as that.
o and we have the largest number of bearded women in scotland (it might not be something to be proud of but still at least were best at something)

General Appo

06-05-2008, 22:21

Chapter 7: Rain of death

The new man of the Aiakides family finds himself in a sticky situation, as a small greek force of hoplites challenges his army outside of Halikarnassos, and is joined by the city´s garrison.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bb-1.jpg

The Illyrian Echemenes army is unprepared for a field battle, for he had outfitted it with a lengthy siege in mind. As such, it is full of missile troops, archers from Krete and slingers and small artillery from Rhodos. A contignent of Hoplitai and Thorakitai gave the army at least some semblance of a steady battle line, but the only cavalry was that of Echemenes bodyguard, all nobles and companions of the man, outfitted in expensive armour and trained to a fault to deliver a devastating charge. But what they had in quality, the lacked in quantity.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/dfgdfg.jpg

Despite the bad position Echemenes is excited to for the first time ever lead soldiers in a real battle, and not the small skirmishes and raids of the enemies wine supplies that he had conducted back in Epeiros. He prepares for battles and orders his men into position.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-5.jpg

The plan if to first wear out the relief army with missiles and then rout it in time to let the support troops focus on the garrison. The army is ready and eager for battle, awaiting the spoils of victory.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/b.jpg

The light artillery begins the battle by firing their large spears against the enemy Hoplitai, many of them having been set on fire (the spears, not the Hoplitai).
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/c.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/e-1.jpg

The spears are soon joined in the air by the burning arrows of the Kretans and the lead bullets of the slingers.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/f-1.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/g-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/d-1.jpg

As fire rains upon the Hoplitai they steadfastly advances upon Echemenes army, despite losing many men to the lands of Hades.
Soon they have come close enough that the Thorakitai can throw the light javelins towards their ranks, causing many casualties and sending the Hoplitai into disarray.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/h-1.jpg

Echemenes´s Hoplitai are of a better trained and equipped sort than the greeks, and when they charge the enemy almost breaks under the pressure.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/i-1.jpg

When Echemenes and his bodyguard then charges into the Hoplitai and the Thorakitai releases a second volley followed by a devastating charge the greeks flee, and their commander is cut down almost at once.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/j-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/k-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/l-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/m.jpg

Echemenes participates in the following chase with great vigour, but orders his men to prepare to face the garrison.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/n.jpg

The garrison consists almost entirely of unarmoured men, poor skirmishers and Hoplitai, supportive cavalry that barely deserves the name, and worst of all, some freed slaves have been allowed to join the army. Truly this is a despicable foe Echemenes meets, one which the gods will surely see fit to punish with eternal damnation in the deepest pits of Tartarus. But just in case the gods are busy, Echemenes army stands ready to give them the same treatment.
As such the Kretans, the slingers and the artillery all open fire at once, to release a rain of death and fire upon the enemy. One man who has witnessed a mountain bursting and firing hot rock from its belly observes the similarities to that moment. For the poor greeks, it must indeed seem as if they have already died and gone to Tartarus.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/o.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/p.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/q-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/r-1.jpg

The greek commanders urges their men forward in spite of the horrendous slaughter. Their formation completely gone, they simply stumble forward, blinded by the fire and deafened by the screams of agony from dying comrades.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/u-1.jpg

The Hoplitai and Thorakitai watches the enemy move forward towards them, and the Thorakitai throws their last javelins, causing further confusion amongst the enemy ranks.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/v.jpg

As the enemy is unable to find an enemy to engage, the Kretans continue their slaugher of the unarmoured men.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/w-1.jpg

Finally the greek Hoplitai manages to locate the artillery handlers and the Rhodioi slingers, but these put up a fierce fight.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/x.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/y-1.jpg

In the meantime Echemenes is busy riding down the slaves and skirmishers, as the rest of the enemy Hoplitai are driven to flight by volley after volley of burning arrows.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/z.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/54dd3586.jpg

The artillery handlers and slingers fight with incredible ferocity, and are able to hold back the enemy while their own Hoplitai and Thorakitai attacks the slaves and skirmishers.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/c6567f14.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/9cb3bc6f.jpg

The enemy cavalry now seeks to join the fight against the artillery handlers and slingers, but the Kretans spot them and slay many before they even reach their target.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aa-1.jpg

The slaves put up a fight, but in the end they have no chance, and they know it.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab-1.jpg

Echemenes dislodges his bodyguard from the fight against the slaves, and instead rides to the assistance of the artillery handlers and slingers.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ac-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ad-1.jpg

His arrival is most timely and gives the slingers the chance to reform and then charge the enemy again, finally routing them.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ae-1.jpg

All across the battlefield the enemy runs for their lives, but none runs for the doomed city, all aims for the countryside, where they have at least a chance for survival.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/af-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ag-1.jpg

Echemens army stands strong and proud as masters of the battlefields. The army has lost few men, all easily replacable from Rhodos and Krete. The greeks however, have had their entire army and garrison annihilated and now the city stands undefended.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ah-1.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ai-1.jpg

Envoys from the Halikarnassos soon arrives to Echemenes camp to offer their surrender and beg for mercy. Echemenes accepts and enters the city as a merciful liberator rather than brutal conqueror.
Within soon most of the rest of the cities and tribes of Karia have offered their surrender to Echemenes.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/al.jpg

Next chapter: Great Plans and Raiding Mashiliem

General Appo

06-06-2008, 02:04

So, it´s 3 AM and I´m still up, doing my share for the community. What are you doing to help society?
I´ve almost run out of coffee and the sugar pills just don´t have the same effect anymore, I might have to break out the ammonia.

Ibrahim

06-06-2008, 02:52

nice new addition. but whatever happen to Alexander Aiakides? I haven't heard of him for a while...

General Appo

06-06-2008, 03:09

nice new addition. but whatever happen to Alexander Aiakides? I haven't heard of him for a while...

His last appearance was in chapter 6, so it hasn´t been that long. Also, his name is Alexand[I]dros[I]. I keep forgetting that all the time when writing about him.
Anyway, he´ll play a major role in chapter 9, so don´t worry.

Anyway, after some hours of work, here´s a small update on the doing of Pyrrhos and Helenos.

General Appo

06-06-2008, 03:10

Chapter 8: Great Plans and Raiding Mashiliem

In Kypros, Helenos abandons his soldiers to continue the siege without him, for he has a great new plan in mind. About one year earlier, Pyrrhos allies the Seleukids had captured the great city of Sidon, and with it the rest of Phoinike, the homeland of the Phoiníkē, ancestors of the Karchedoi.
Now an army of Ptolemaios II Philadelphos was besieging the city, and would surely take it. The Seleukids were desperate not to see this happen, but had no armies nearby that could be spared, and so called all their allies for aid.
Helenos here saw a great many dreams that could come true. Firstly, he would gain a great deal of fame and glory by taking the ancient city of Sidon. Secondly it would be a great blow both the Ptolemaioi and the Karchedoi, both sworn enemies of Helenos, who hated them utterly.
Most importantly however, it would get him away from the dreadful backwater island of Kypros, and make him master of a true city where he could truly indulge in opulence worthy of a man of his great stature.
So Helenos sailed with just his bodyguard to Phoinike, and when he arrives his men make contact with a force of Galatians who swear to fight under Helenos as long as they are paid.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aa-2.jpg
Facing this army the Ptolemaioi forces soon retreat, and Helenos settles in for the boredom that is a lengthy siege.

In the meantime, Pyrrhos and his army has progressed along the coast of Mashiliem, raiding small farms and fishing villages along the way.
Now however Pyrrhos has heard of a much greater target. Captured merchants tell of the town of Ippone, that apparently acts as Karchedoi capital of this region. The town has been left almost unguarded, with just the Karchedoi governor his bodyguard acting as defenders of the town.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-6.jpg
Sacking this town will not only feed and pay Pyrrhos men for much time, but also strike a great blow to the Karchedoi. If they cannot keep even their most distant allies safe then who will join them?

In either case, Pyrrhos and his army makes land near the town. Soon they are contacted by locals disgruntled with the Karchedoi rule. These men realise that Pyrrhos has not come to liberate them, or even to opress them, only to sack the Karchedoi treasury and granaries, and so strike a deal with Pyrrhos. They will aid his army in the assualt on Ippone, and in exchange they will be given room upon Pyrrhos ship when it leaves the shores of Mashiliem again.

Quite pleased with himself, Pyrrhos orders the attack upon the unsuspecting Karchedoi governor.
As a true warlord, Pyrrhos intends to keep his men in reserve, and let the locals take the casualties, as well as the glory.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/b-1.jpg

The town is truly pitifully small, it is a true wonder that such an ancient people as the Karchedoi could possibly let it serve as capital of one of their dominions.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/c-1.jpg

Pyrrhos army marches towards the town and prepares for battle. Pyrrhos is getting ever older (would be wierd if he wasn´t) but still led his picked cavalry bodyguard into battle, as befitts a true Basileus.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/e-2.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/d-2.jpg

The local warriors advances on the town and their slingers fire away a few shoot towards the towns center where the brave but foolish Karchedoi commander has decided to make his last stand, slaying a few of his bodyguard as the local infantry enters the town.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/f-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/h-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/i-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/j-2.jpg

Soon the locals have come marched into the town center, and are throwing their light javelins against the enemy. As battle commences it soon becomes clear that the Karchedoi are doomed.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/l-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/m-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/n-1.jpg

One by one the horsemen are brought down by means of superior numbers, and soon Pyrrhos personally leds the charge and joins the fray.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/o-1.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/p-1.jpg

Pyrrhos fights with great vigour and all his worries and troubles are forgotten as he cuts down the enemy.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/q-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/r-2.jpg

Soon only the Karchedoi governor and less than a handful of bodyguards remain alive.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/s-2.jpg

Pyrrhos attempts to make his way to the governor to deal the killing blow, but it is hard to say who exactly makes the vital strike.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/t-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/u-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/v-1.jpg

The town is easily taken with next to no casualties.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/w-2.jpg

The town is sacked and the entire Karchedoi population is sold as slaves and shipped to many destinations, including Massalia, Sicilia and Italia.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/x-1.jpg

The town is then left to rot as Pyrrhos and his entire army including the newly recruited africans sail onwards, towards the end of the world.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/y-2.jpg

Next chapter: Sons of Mamers

Aaldaemon

06-06-2008, 07:43

When you update, it doesn't rain, it pours. :beam: Two updates in quick succession = win. :yes: I particularly liked the fact you chose to present us an "epic" battle of 1493 men vs 33 men. :beam: Well, it was epic from the Carthaginian standpoint to be sure hehe.

Onwards to the end of the world! :yes:

General Appo

06-06-2008, 07:50

Aaldaemon

06-06-2008, 07:56

Indeed, perhaps I shall meet Abeakos once I get there.
Anyway, I´ll be out in the countryside most of the weekend, so while I´ll have internet access I won´t be playing any. Next week is the last in school though, so we quit early pretty much everyday, and I´ll hopefully have time to write at least one more chapter this week.

He's waiting there, with that dragon grin on his face... but you have to bring Helenos, because that would be the ultimate confrontation - Vogon Poetry vs the Dragon. :laugh4:

Enjoy your weekend! And remember to feature the Vogon some more. :yes:

General Appo

06-06-2008, 08:04

Aaldaemon

06-06-2008, 08:34

Ha, I´m afraid that that is all the existing Vogon poetry at the moment, so unless Douglas Adams is ressurected or I make up some of my own, I´m all out of it.
I could always do like Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings from Greenbridge, Essex, England, though that might be a bit extreme. Plus points if you have any idea what I´m talking about.

I read Douglas Adams a few years back, and it did wonders to my Laughing skill :yes:... so I believe you're talking about the woman who wrote the worst poetry in the entire universe, no? :laugh4:

Happy balroae

06-06-2008, 13:02

i think he is but she died when the whole world blew up so that was ok

General Appo

06-07-2008, 19:38

Indeed. 1+ to Aaldaemon (whatever that´s good for) and one to Happy balroae as well.
Might get an update in later today, we´ll see.

General Appo

06-08-2008, 03:49

Chapter 9: Sons of Mamers

When the great tyrant of Syrakousai Agathocles had died many years ago many of the mercenaries he regularly employed had found themselves out of work, and had decided to settle down in various part of the island. A particular group had decided to settle down in the city of Messana in the northeast of Sicilia.
Not only had they settled down there, but in doing so they had killed or expelled most of the city´s male population, and taken the women for themselves.
They had named themselves the Mamertini after the Oscan war god Mamers, and had truly behaved like sons of a war god, pillaging and looting everything in sight.
Years later they had called for Pyrrhos assistance against the Karchedoi, and had been given some breathing room by Pyrrhos intervention in what historians call the First Pyrrhic Sicilian War.
Now however, years later, they were not so friendly towards Pyrrhos and his kind. Seeing the establishment of a powerful ruler as a threat to their habits of raiding and looting they violently opposed Alexandros campaigns in northeast Sicilia. Even after almost all greek cities and towns had gone over to Alexandros they still resisted his rule, and continued to pillage the lands of Alexandros new-won allies, which called out to him for justice.
Having no choice but to act aggresively, Alexandros advances upon Messana, and the Mamertinoi retreated behind their wooden walls, hoping to disdain Alexandros from attack. Alexandros has no such intentions however, and his army surrounds the city and begins gathering wood for the construction of rams to break down the walls.

While waiting Alexandros contacts some mercenary captains and aquires the service of a band of Samnitoi and one of Keltoi, all young vigorous men equipped as assault infantry, perfect for an aggresive siege.
Soon the rams are finished and the the sun rises over citystreets soon to be littered with corpses. The Mamertines are outnumbered but not by much, and still has some hope to survive the day.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-7.jpg

Alexandros army gathers in preparation for the assault, the men are eager for the treasures and women that are sure to await them inside.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/b-2.jpg

No sounds is heard from inside the city, its defenders grimly ready to face their faith, whatever it might be.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/c-2.jpg

Nor does any sounds comes from Alexandros army, as it awaits his order to begin the assault. Even the horses feels the nervous mood of their masters, and keep quiet.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/f-3.jpg

The Keltoi stand ready with the ram to destroy the gate, and the Samnitoi right behind them.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/d-3.jpg

Suddenly Alexandros awakes from his thoughts, raises his sword towards the clearblue sky and shouts the order that dooms the city. "Attack!"
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/e-3.jpg

First to attack are the Peltastai, who advances and throw their javelins over the wall towards the muffled sound of the defenders preparing for battle.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/g-3.jpg

As many fall, the Mamertinoi learn their lesson and retreats from the gate, scurrying to avoid the many javelins.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/j-3.jpg

The Samnitoi stands proud and ready to do battle, their shields and armour glimmering in the hot sun.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/k-3.jpg

Soon the Keltoi have broken down the gate, and moves in. The defenders are quick to react though, and the two forces soon crash violently.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/l-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/o-2.jpg

More defenders join the battle in an effort to push back the Keltoi and regain control over the gate. Little headway is made though as the tough Keltoi stand their ground and fights bravely.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/p-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/q-3.jpg

The fight rages viciously, many men on both sides falling and being trampled beneath the masses.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/s-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/t-3.jpg

Soon the Keltoi found themselves pushed back by the sheer wiegth of the hundreds of men that assault them, and some are even forced outside the gate.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/u-3.jpg

Alexandros sees this, but is not alarmed. He calmy orders the Samnitoi to man the ram, and break a second entrance into the city.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/v-2.jpg

The Keltoi are broken up into two groups, those pushed outside the gate and those still inside, who are now isolated and hopelessly outnumbered. Still they continue to fight, and take many Mamertinioi with them to whatever afterlife they believe in.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/w-4.jpg

Alexandros orders the Phalangitai forward to support the Keltoi, and those cavalrymen who had ventured outside the city are swiftly cut down.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/y-4.jpg

The Samnitoi goes unnoticed while breaking down a section of the wall, all the defenders to busy fighting the Keltoi.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/x-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/z-2.jpg

Soon part of the wall is down, and the Samnitoi enters the city. Now the defenders have spotted them however, and engages them in fierce battle.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ac-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ad-2.jpg

Alexandros and his bodyguard rides into the city aided by the rest of the cavalry and charges the Hoplitai that are fighting the Samnitoi.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ae-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/af-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ah-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ag-2.jpg

The Thorakitai now enters the city, and aids the Samnitoi.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ai-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/al-1.jpg

This becomes to much for the Mamertinoi who breaks rank and flees, but are cut down by the cavalry.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/an-1.jpg

The Mamertinoi fighting the Keltoi are now attacked in the back, and swiftly cut down. The Keltoi have their revenge for their many comrades which have fallen in the battle.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ao-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ap-2.jpg

Somewhere among the fleeing men the Mamertinos commander is cut down by the cavalry, and his men further demoralised.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ba-2.jpg

The Phalangitai now enters the city to take care of the last defenders which are holding up in the city center.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bb-2.jpg

The Phalangitai shows greats discipline as they refuse to break ranks to plunder the many rich houses that surrounds them, even when the gates to the houses have been left invitingly open.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bc.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bd.jpg

Soon the Phalangitai engages the last defenders, and are aided by the Samnitoi and Keltoi who attacks their rears, and soon enough the last man is cut down.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/be.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bf.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bg.jpg

The battle is won, the city of Messana now belongs to Alexandros. The remaining Mamertines are killed and the city repopulated with any who wishes to live there.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bh.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bi.jpg

Next chapter: Total mobilisation

Ibrahim

06-08-2008, 05:42

"a thrilling account of the battle for Messana, the triumph and the tragedy"

indeed that is a good account. a serious moment and a break in the comedy/stipidity. balances the story out wonderfully. looking forward to the next episode.:2thumbsup:
:balloon2::balloon2::balloon2:

General Appo

06-08-2008, 06:34

Thank you. In the next chapter I will attempt to explain how a small extremely poor and underdeveloped town with 500 inhabitants can mobilise an highly trained army of well-equipped soldiers numbering in the 600 hundreds.
It´s gonna be a hard chapter.
I think I´ve got quite a few battle chapters left to do. But once I´ve retaken Kypros and Helenos is firmly entrenched in some brothel in Sidon I hope to finally get some peace. Though with Pyrrhos on the lose with an army, you never know.
So far nobody has seemed to care about my little conquest of Karia, they´re all to busy figthing each other. Perhaps a chance for further conquest can be found, Echemenes is quite the bloodthirsty type.

Aaldaemon

06-08-2008, 10:15

Good going there. You'll think me mad, but I'm starting to like the crab on those green cavalry shields... the crabs of war are loose!!! Beware!

General Appo

06-08-2008, 13:07

Yeah, there´s something strangely cool about having golden crabs on green shields.

General Appo

06-08-2008, 14:16

Chapter 10: Total Mobilisation

When the people of Salamis rebelled from Helenos tyranical rule, they knew that in order to survive they must quickly mobilise, less Helenos soldiers quickly retake the city.
So word was sent to every little village and hermit hut on Kypros, and all that had family or friends outside on the mainland sent for them as well.
Aided by some military instructors and a great supply of arms and armour that Pharao Ptolemaios II had supplied them with all the gathered men began training as Iphikratous Hoplitai, heavy hoplite-like spearmen.
Helenos captains had quickly realised what was happening, and determined to retake Salamis they contacted every man they had ever met or heard of that would fight for payment, glory, pillage or adventure. Soon they had assembled an army far superior to that of the Kypritoi, both in numbers, arms, experience and morals. Surely the Kypritoi were doomed.

A certain captain named Sabon was elected commander of the army, by both Helenos and the mercenary captains.
He soon advanced with army towards the city, and as the Kypritoi hid behind the wooden walls of the city he ordered the surrounding of the city. Content with waiting the Kypritoi out, the army settled down for a lengthy seige.
For more than a year the Kypritoi endured the siege, but in the end they were forced to take action less they all die from starvation. So they assemble behind one gate to attack Sabons army that quickly marched into fighting position when the great noise and rumble from inside the city was detected. So the final desperate battle for Salamis and the freedom of the Kypritoi begins.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/c-3.jpg

Sabons army stands ready to recieve the enemy, with Sabon and his Phalangitai placed comfortably in the back.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/f-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/g-4.jpg

As the Kypritoi begins to exit the gates the Kretikoi archers and Rhodioi slingers fire upon them.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/i-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/h-4.jpg

Soon the Kypritoi assaults some of the Keltoi mercenaries, who fight back with great ferocity.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/j-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/k-4.jpg

Two separate forces of Kypritoi have now engaged the Keltoi mercenaries, but utterly failing to create any sort of battle line that is surely needed if they are to withstand such an superior enemy.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/l-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/m-2.jpg

The Keltoi in the centre are next to be targeted, and soon after the Hoplitai on the right flank, but even now the Kypritoi remains isolated from each other.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/n-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/o-3.jpg

As battle rage fiercely the Karians and Peltastai begins an flanking maneuver to envelop the Kypritoi.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/p-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/q-4.jpg

Soon the Karians and Peltastai release a devastating volley of javelins against the Kypritoi, causing many to give up all hope and flee for the city.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/r-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/s-4.jpg

Those who still stood fast on left flank and in the middle were quickly cut down.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/t-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/u-4.jpg

On the right though the Hoplitai are hard pressed against superior numbers of Kypritoi, but aid soon arrives.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/v-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/w-5.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/y-5.jpg

The last of the defenders are cut down and Salamis taken.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/x-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/z-4.jpg

The army marches proudly into the city, having taken minimal casualties.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/z1.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/z2.jpg

The few ablebodied men still alive were sold into slavery and the poor houses looted, as the army installs an iron-grip upon the population.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/z3.jpg

In Phoinike Helenos is now besieging Sidon, and hoping to take it within a few months.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-8.jpg

In Karia Echemenes has firmly entrenched himself, ready to defeat any incursions upon his land.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/b-3.jpg

On Sicilia the situation in stabilising, as the greek cities and towns are getting accustomed to Alexandros rule. An army of the Karchedoi is however gathering on Karchedoi territory, no doubt to take part in some evil plan of theirs.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/d-4.jpg

And in Africa Pyrrhos continues his sail across towards the end of the world, passing mile after mile of coast.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/e-4.jpg

Next chapter: No clue, as I havn´t played that far yet

And a little bonus:

The known world in 263 BC.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/z4.jpg

Aaldaemon

06-08-2008, 15:11

I want to find out what happens when Pyrrhos reaches the end of the world... will he exit it ala The Truman Show? :dizzy2:

General Appo

06-08-2008, 15:40

Yeah, and then he´ll trash the Tavern. Now that would be scary.

Chaotix

06-08-2008, 16:25

Great AAR!

but... I was wondering how you'd managed to recruit that many mercs. Then I saw that you had towns that were 10000 mnai in debt! I guess it's alright if you're using the money cheat, though, cause it's just a comedy AAR! :laugh4:

General Appo

06-08-2008, 16:43

Ya, as said, I only do it when I have to hire mercs. I have a couple of serious campaigns going but this isn´t really one of them.

General Appo

06-09-2008, 08:51

I feel I need to explain this a bit better.
When I started the campaign I had no intention to use any cheats (except toggle_fow) nor indeed to make an AAR about it. Anyway, after I had taken Krete (by this time I had used no cheats) I did some testing and calculations and found that unless I did some cheating I probably wouldn´t be able to do anything at all for at least 10 years. That´s the price for giving up your homeland for free and migrating.
Anyway, I´ve only used add_money for mercs, no buildings or stuff. I´m trying to draw back on it, but my economy is still a mess. I probably won´t have to use any more mercs in Sicily or the whole Krete-Rhodos-Karia area (got some nice barracks there) and hopefully Helenos won´t find any more. Once Helenos has settled down (or died) I hope to get some peace and get my economy on tracks again (not that it ever was on tracks).
I´ve got to say though, I´m begining to really like the Samnites, incredibly good looking, especially their swords and slashing animations.

Anyway, I don´t know if anyone else has noticed this, but my "empire" has pretty much been parted into three.
In the west, there´s Alexandros kingdom, consisting of the eastern part of Sicily. In the middle there´s Ptolemaois kingdom consisting of Krete ruled by him, Rhodos under the control of the puppet ruler Attidas and Karia under his son-in-law Echemenes.
In the east is Helenos kingdom, which I wouldn´t really call his. Even if he take Sidon I´m not sure the Kypritoi will bow beneath him. Neither the natives nor his army has any particulary good memories of him, and if faced the options to either send an army to rescue him or let him die they might just chose the later alternative.

Reverend Joe

06-17-2008, 03:38

So, is this still alive or what? I just recently decided to read through this AAR, and now I'm hankering to hear more about the ba-SILLY-us (ugh... I can taste bad pun in the back of my throat. :sick:)

General Appo

06-17-2008, 09:36

It´s alive, I´ve just havn´t had time to play any. Will hopefully be able to play later today though, and maybe even write some.

QuintusSertorius

06-17-2008, 09:41

Samnites are cool, I like those a lot. They're slightly improved in the form of pedites extraordinarii for the Romans, but they didn't need much help to kick ass.

Have you thought about taking Kyrene? It's Expansion region for Epeiros, though you'd be fighting both the Ptolemies and Carthage for it.

General Appo

06-17-2008, 09:45

Thought about it yes, but I´m not sure yet. I want to cool down a bit and let my economy catch up, it´s in complete shambles right now. That Echemenes fellow might turn out to be a real bloodthirsty fellow though, but it´s hard to say yet. I don´t wanna leave Karia undefended either.

QuintusSertorius

06-17-2008, 10:11

Fair enough, it might help your economy being a port and all, but that's more upheaval.

I think my next game will be a migrated Epeiros one, I want to play as Pergamon. I find Epeiros the best Hellenic faction to migrate, because after the death of Pyrrhus they become largely irrelevant anyway. Once 167 rolls around, I'll give my original territory to AI Rome and focus on Asia Minor.

As I've already found, the regional Greek roster is more than adequate to building good armies, with a central core of Classical Hoplites. Then it's just a case of recruiting some decent mercenary cavalry and Kretan archers. Plus having the top tier regional barracks so you can get mercenary generals.

General Appo

06-18-2008, 14:27

Chapter 11: A town for the taking

It is now quite fitting to take a quick look at the noble family of the Aiakides, of which Pyrrhos is the head. His three sons have so far produced only one male heir, but time is still ahead of them and that may change.
The one son is Pyrrichos, son of Ptolemaios. 12 years old, he was born in Epeiros, but has no memory of that land. His first memories are from Syrakousai, where his uncle Alexandros took care of him while his father drank himself under the table most every night.
After Ptolemaios settled at Krete, he began to show interest in his son, and sent after a tutor from the academia at Syrakousai. They boy may yet become something great, only time will tell.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/family.jpg

At this time, about 4 years after begining his great journey from Kypros, Pyrrhos passes the Pillars of Heracles, and reaches unknown waters. He orders the captain to take the ship further west, towards the setting sun. but constant storms and lack of supplies beats them back.
Instead Pyrrhos settles for sailing up the coast of Iberia, having decided that the end of the world lies in the north, not in the west.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/namnls-7.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/namnls-8.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aa-5.jpg

At this time Helenos finally orders the assault on Sidon to begin. His army of mercenary Galatikoi has prepared two rams for the assault, and now moves them into place. The Sidonoi have armed themselves as milita units, and even freed some slaves to aid them, but they are still outnumbered and unused to war.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-13.jpg

The city of Sidon had once been a great city, home to the Phoiníkē, founders of Karkhēdōn and great sailors and merchants. After Megas Alexandros conquest of Phoinike however, the cities of the Phoenicioi had fallen into ruin, their inhabitants either dead or having moved to Karkhēdōn and other colonies.
Now Sidon is but a shadow of its old self, but the remainning Sidonoi will die for it in either case.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab-4.jpg

Helenos small army stands ready to assault the city. The Galatians are manning the rams, supported by assault infantry who fight naked in the Keltoi tradition. Some light cavalry has also joined the army, and stand ready with spears and javelins.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ac-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ae-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/af-3.jpg

If for some reason you want to see them without the crotch dots, then this is for you:
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/af2.jpg

Helenos has with some difficulties managed to strap on his old armour, but even so he has decided not to take part of this battle. Rather he shall sit outside and have wine poured down his throat and grapes fed to him by young women while his men die for him.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ad-4.jpg

The Galatikoi begins pushing the rams forward, and soon they are at the gate and the wall, and begin their work.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ag-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ah-3.jpg

The weak wooden wall soon tumbles over, and the Galatikoi throws their javelins at the defenders inside, and as the gate too is broken up, the Sidonoi retreat back to the city centre.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ai-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aj-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ak-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/al-2.jpg

The Galatikoi moves into the city, and begins to move towards the city centre.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/am-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/an-2.jpg

The cavalry is first to reach it, and hurl their javelins towards the enemy.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ao-3.jpg

Soon the Galatikoi moves up, and battle is joined.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ap-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aq-2.jpg

The battle is fierce, with men falling on both sides, but the Galatikoi have the advantage, as more men moves up to aid in the fighting.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ar-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/at-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/au-2.jpg

The cavalry circles around the city and charges the Sidonoi in the back, but is in return attacked from behind.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/av-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aw-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ax-2.jpg

The battle is clearly going in the way of the Galatikoi, but the Sidonoi fights valiantly to their end.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ay-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/az.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-12.jpg

Soon the Sidonoi commander falls dead, and after some final fierce fighting the battle has been won, and the men celebrate.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-11.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-10.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ba-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bb-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bc2.jpg

Again, if you like them without crotch dots, this is for you.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bc-1.jpg

The city has been taken with little casualties, and Helenos is pleased.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bd-1.jpg

Most of the city´s inhabitants are sold into slavery, and those remaining live just as slaves to Helenos and the Galatikoi.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/be-1.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bf-1.jpg

Helenos is quite pleased with his life, as every night he drinks himself under the table in the company of young women.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bg-1.jpg

All is not well though, for unbeknownst to Helenos a Ptolemaioi army is gathering in Ioudaia, likely to take back the city of Sidon. What will become of this is yet to be seen.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bh-1.jpg

Next chapter: Megas Helenos

Aaldaemon

06-18-2008, 15:19

Helenos is my hero! Can't wait for the Megas Helenos part. :yes:

The only saddening part about this update was the fact Pyrrhos did not reach the end of the world... I still have high hopes he will though. :yes: Maybe he'll find the EB dev team designing the new Baktrian general shields. :laugh4:

Swordmaster

06-18-2008, 15:21

If I were playing Casse right now, I'd turn crazy seeing an Epirote ship sailing past. Why doesn't the AI do anything like that?

Aaldaemon

06-18-2008, 15:23

If I were playing Casse right now, I'd turn crazy seeing an Epirote ship sailing past. Why doesn't the AI do anything like that?

The AI doesn't listen to Vogon poetry. :dizzy2:

Lysimachos

06-18-2008, 16:42

Pyrrhos proves to be a really wise man, by deciding that the end of the world is not in the west :laugh4:

Senshi

06-18-2008, 16:46

Holy ....

General Appo, you are killing me...at least my poor internet connection.

You break one of the oldest internet laws, and that in hundred times manner...:

Never ever post screenshots in .bmp format! Compress them in advance with a serious program (NOT MSPaint) to .jpg-format (Paint sucks and makes the picture ugly as hell), use good, free, and simpley programs like "IrfanView" to compress your pics to .jpg-format.

You just renamed the pics to end with .jpg, but that doesn't change anything. They still are .bmp-files and they still are as big as bmp-files...:smash:

This way pictures who are 1.3MB in .bmp-format are now just 200-300kb in size...Another advantage: Your pictures won't be cropped and resized automatically by Imageshack, as you propably uploaded always pictures larger than their 1.5MB-limit...

It's fun to read your AAR, but it takes ages to load the pictures for my poor internet connection (and I'm sure some others too)...

Swordmaster

06-18-2008, 19:42

General Appo

06-18-2008, 21:54

Senshi

06-19-2008, 11:07

Sure.

If you use IrfanView, it's very simple. If you only want to compress a single picture, just open it with IrfanView and then click "File->Save as..." (or you simply press the shortcut: "S").

Here you give a name and then choose filetype "JPG - JPG/JPEG Format". A small box should appear to the right of the "Save"-dialog, there's a bar at the top where it says "Quality" and ranges from 0 to 100. Here you can choose the amount of compression you want. The more left your bar is, the more compressed the picture will be in size, but quality will suffer a bit (pixelated effect, unsharp colors, etc.). A usually very good compromise of quality and compression are values between 70-80.

The rest of the options is secondary and not really important.

Now, just hit the "SAVE"-Button et voìla, you have a sweet small picture with the same quality as your .bmp-file.

If you have masses of .bmps (as rendered usually by FRAPS) and don't want to convert them one by one (very time-consuming), you can use IrfanView's "Batch Conversion" which is quite a cool tool.

For that, just open IrfanView, go to "File -> Batch Conversion/Rename" (or hit the shortcut: "B")

In the dialog which should appear you can simply add as many picture files as you want to the lower box (Drag&Drop).

Choose "Batch Conversion" in the upper left corner of the dialog, then choose "JPG" as Option for Batch-Conversion in the drop-down-box below, press "Options" next to it and choose your desired quality.
Choose your target directory in the field below where you want your newly batch-compressed pictures to be saved.

Then, just hit "START" and wait until Conversion is finished :)

Hope that helps as a starter, just play around a bit if you want more options, it's surprisingly simple if you once get the principle used...

And I apologize for my perhaps bad English, that's all we learn at school here:juggle2:

General Appo

06-19-2008, 15:10

Thank you, I believe I grasp it now. It will take a little more time this way, but it is certainly worth it if it can decrease my readers loading times.

General Appo

06-24-2008, 19:59

I am afraid that I will be missing from these forums and all of the internet for a few days, as I have a football (the real kind) tournament coming up in faraway lands (or well, 2 hours away by car lands).

Aaldaemon

06-24-2008, 21:23

Aahhh, I see you're going to play at EURO2008. Just be kind to the Russians, as they're my favorite team left. :2thumbsup:

Seriously, have fun, and remember I _demand_ my MEGAS HELENOS fix. :yes:

General Appo

07-01-2008, 23:06

Chapter 12: Megas Helenos

The Ptolemaioi army stationed in Ioudia has made its move. Under the command of the Makedon Pizas Tanites the army invaded Phoinike, and surrounded Sidon with Helenos and his small army stuck in it.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aa-6.jpg

Though heavily outnumbered Helenos is certain of victory, and proclaims that he alone (and some bodyguards and such of course) shall defeat the Ptolemaioi army.
So, after a few weeks of excessive starving Helenos is once again able to ride a horse and strap his armour on, and so prepares for battle.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab-5.jpg

Helenos and his heavily armoured bodyguards storms out of the gate, to the surprise of the Ptolemaioi army, which expected the defenders to wait quitely within the walls.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ac-5.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ad-5.jpg

Helenos is once again a magnificent figure upon the battlefield, at least at a distance, for once one gets near him, the stench drives away any fiction of grandeur.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ae-4.jpg

The Ptolemaioi forces are thus not arranged for battle, and Helenos can unhindered charge some unarmoured skirmishers.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/af-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ag-4.jpg

Helenos fights as a true warrior, but is forced to retreat when darkskinned spearmen from Nubia arrive to support the skirmishers.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ah-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ai-4.jpg

By now the rest of Helenos army has exited the city, and has arrayed itself before the gates.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aj-4.jpg

The Keltoi cavalry sees a chance and take it, throwing javelins at the enemy as they advance.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ak-3.jpg

Helenos once again falls upon the Ptolemioi skirmishers, this time the Peltastai on the other end of the Ptolemaioi line, and once again retreats when the Nubians arrive.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/al-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/am-3.jpg

Now the Ptolemaioi general Pizas acts, charging his bodyguard against the naked Galatikoi veterans, who charge in turn.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/an2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ao2.jpg

A fierce battle ensues, as the rest of the Galatikoi and the some levy spearmen recruited by Helenos joins the fight.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ap2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aq2.jpg

This becomes to much for Pizas, who is forced to retreat, leaving many of his bodyguards behind, dead or unconscious.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/as-3.jpg

At the same time Helenos and the Keltoi cavalry is mopping up some of the skirmishers that have become separated from the rest of the army.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/at-3.jpg

With Pizas and his bodyguard retreating, Helenos infantry attacks the phalanx. These soldiers are not well trained and as such chaos ensues when they are forced to turn to face the enemy.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/au-3.jpg

Pizas now returns to the fight, and brings with him some skirmishers he has rallied in an attempt to distract the enemy while his Nubians and levy spearmen manuever into position.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/av-3.jpg

The Nubians and spearmen are too slow though, and soon the Keltoi cavalry charges the phalanx in the flank, bringing further disorder.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aw-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ax-3.jpg

It is hard to say what exactly was going on in the minds of the Nubians and levy spearmens minds at this moment, for had they used simple common sense and charged Helenos infantry in the side the Ptolemaioi would surely have won the battle. Instead they marched around in strange patterns with unknown goal.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ay-3.jpg

Helenos charged some of the spearmen that were dangerously close to the infantry´s rear.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/az-1.jpg

Now at last some of the Nubians mustered the courage to charge Helenos infantry, but it was much to late.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-14.jpg

Just a few feet away from the Nubians Pizas was being attacked by two Galatikoi warriors who slew his horse beneath him. He broke his neck in the fall.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-15.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-16.jpg

The Nubians soon realised what had happened, and fled in terror almost before they had completed their charge.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ba-4.jpg

Seeing their allies routing the levy spearmen soon fleed as well, and within seconds the isolated rout had become a big mass of hundreds of men running for their lifes.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bb-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bc-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bd-2.jpg

Helenos and the Keltoi cavalry wasted no time in persuing the routers, and managed to kill most of them while they were still fleeing.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/be-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bf-2.jpg

A great victory had been won against all odds and Helenos and his bodyguards especially had caused immense damage to the Ptolemaioi.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bg-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bh-2.jpg

The army gave a brief cheer in Helenos honor, and he took it as an encouragement. Soon enough Helenos had proclaimed himself the son of both Akhilleus and Zeus-Dodonaios, without explaining how this would be possible.
He also demanded that people treated him with the correct respect, that is bowed down and worshipped him every time they saw him. He began styling himself as Megas Helenos and called himself not just an equal of, but an superior of "my daddy´s drunken, boy-loving, Makedones cousin".

On Sicilia, Alexandros but 12 year old daughter was married to an officer in the army, one who had been borned in Epeiros and carried the blood of the ancient Mollossioi in him.
This man, Kamandros Berenikeus , apparently excelled at nearly all tasks, and Alexandros was happy to have found him, even though Kamandros was less than happy to be forced to spend his wedding night with a 12-year old.
But, he reminded himself, the priestess of Aphrodite in Syrakousai was much more "open-minded" when it came to little adventures than those back in Hellas proper.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bi-2.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bj.jpg

By now, Pyrrhos and his fleet had rounded the peninsula of Iberia, but were still forced to sail along the coast by constant storms and lack of supplies.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bk.jpg

And now, the best part of the entire chapter, the uncensored Galatians! https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/an-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ao-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ap-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aq-3.jpg

General Appo

07-01-2008, 23:17

Hopefully the loading times will be shorter now, as I have believe I have succesfully followed the advice given to me by Senshi.
That battle was actually a lot closer then it looks. I intended to roleplay the battle and just charge Helenos at the closest enemies while the infantry just stood by and watched. In fact I was kinda hoping that Helenos would die and I would lose the city. But no deal, the AI was way to stupid for that to happen. Not only did it refuse to use half of its force until the moments before the entire army routed, their general keept doing suicidal charges and they left their skirmishers unprotected at every turn.
Stupid AI.

Swordmaster

07-01-2008, 23:54

I was afraid this had died, but I'm glad to see an update. I'm still a fan of Helenos :laugh4:.

General Appo

07-02-2008, 10:14

This never dies! It might play dead for a few weeks or months, but it never dies. I´m a busy man, that´s all.

General Appo

07-10-2008, 21:11

Okay, it seems I won´t be able to play any EB at all for... 1 to 3 weeks. Crap I know, but don´t worry, this never dies. NEVER!!

d'Arthez

07-11-2008, 11:59

Bummer.

General Appo

08-13-2008, 13:02

Chapter 13: Betrayal

The somethingt year of the somethingt Olympiad 2198 years before a man named Colin Powell was born began peacefully, with no clues given to the disastrous turn events would take.
At Syrakousai the first great festival, one to truly rival the Panathenaia and Ptolemaia, was held at Alexandros expense, and in Phoinike Helenos first (legitimate) son, Blastos, was born, and proclaimed Helenos heir in all things, with great festivities held in Sidon.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/namnls-10.jpg

The newfound peace and prosperity would not last long though. Last winter had seen the death of Antiochus I Soter and the accension of his son Antiochus II. With the new Basileus came new politics.
Antiochus I had been satisfied to maintain his fathers empire, rather than expand it, and to this end had allied himself with Antigonus Gonatas against the Greek city-states, and had managed to contain the Pahlavan nomads through focusing on garrisoning the frontier borders. When Helenos Aiakides had conquered Phoinike he had been contempt to leave the area to him to defend from the destined Ptolemaioi attacks. His stragies had worked well, and his empire had prospered, but even so his son does not embrace them.
Antiochus II has great plans for the empire of Seleucos Nicator, and the former Epeirotes does not fit into them. He needs the ports of Phoinike in order to challenge Ptolemaios Philadelphus naval supremacy. But he also needed the prestige and treasure that comes from further conquests, and for this the other Epeirote possesion, Karia, suited well. Ptolemaios Aiakides was unlikely to be capable of any counter-attack, and the tribes of Karia would make a fine addition to Antiochus armies.
But Antiochus needed some breathing space if he was to conquer Karia and Phoinike, and to this end a ceasefire was engineered with Ptolemaios Philadelphus, who equally needed time to regroup after Helenos destruction of his main Levantine army and rebellions amongst the native Egyptians.

Neither Helenos nor the conqueror and subsequent governor of Karia, Echemenes, had recieved any warning when suddenly Antiochus armies marched unto their territory, plundering and pillaging, forcing the Epeirotes to withdraw behind their city walls.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/1-1.jpg

As word reached Ptolemaios at Krete of this, he despared. He and his brothers were now at war with almost all the great powers of the world, with no allies able to aid them. The Karchedoi fiercly resisted Alexandros rule on Sicilia, the Greek city-states refused trade with Ptolemaios and Attidas at Rhodos and frequently sent their fleets toward him, and now the forces of Ptolemaios Philadelphus and Antiochus had made peace with each other in order to deal with Ptolemaios and his brothers. With most of the armies disbanded and contact nets left to rot, things had never looked grimer.
In this hour of darkness only the vitality, courage and bravery of the Aiakides and their soldiers would save them from total extinction.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-17.jpg

As no reinforcements could be sent to Echemenes in Karia, his forces would have to fend for themselves. The army having invaded Karia was large in numbers, but not so in quality. Most were levies and light infantry, but even so, greater numbers have often carried the day.
Echemenes had at his disposal a far less numerous force, it consisted of many veterans from the Karian campaign, with Thorakitai and local Hoplitai as its core and Rhodioi and Kretoi light infantry supporting.

Antiochus had ordered his army to take Karia as swiftly as possible, and so assaults were soon begun on Halikarnassos, were Echemenes and his army had been fled. Three major assault parties were equipped in order to make three separate breaches in Halikarnassos eastern defences.
Echemenes accordingly deployed all his infantry behind the eastern wall, and awaited the assault. It soon came.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/b-5.jpg

The city´s wooden walls were bound to fall to the assault parties, and Echemenes knew the battle would be decided by the infantry behind them.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/f-5.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ji.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/s-6.jpg

As the great army approached the wooden walls the Kretoi began firing upon the rams, hoping to set them ablaze.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ad-6.jpg

No suck luck was achieved, and soon enough the assault parties had reached the wall, begining to smash them down while the skirmishers on both sides poured, javelins, stones and arrows over the defences.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/sd.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/sdf.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/asfwtth.jpg

Three separate sections of the wall soon collapsed, and the true battle begun as the attackers poured through the breaches.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/frg.jpghttps://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/tok.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/tyka.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/niko.jpg

The battle was fierce as the defenders fought for their lives to keep the invaders back. The two sides appeared evenly matched, but the attackers greater numbers showed.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bokh.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/qw.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/vvvv.jpg

Even as some attackers buckled under the pressure and fled they gave room for the phalanxes to enter the city and establish a foothold.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/h-6.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/vvvvvvvvvd.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ok.jpg

The dead amassed and Echemenes realised he must do something to save his men.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ytui.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/nnnn.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bb-5.jpg
To this end Echemenes and his cavalry entered the fray at the destroyed gate, momentarily pushing back Antiochus men with great élan.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/nom.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/wert.jpg

Even as Echemenes men left the fight he shouted for the Kretoi and Rhodioi to enter it, bringing further disorder to the Seleukid lines and giving the heavily pressed defenders some breathing space.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bol.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab-6.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/123.jpg

Echemenes now rode around to the eastmost breach, were the enemies were weakest. The very appearance of Echemenes bodyguard was almost enough to send them fleeing, and when they were charged in the flank they fled out through the breach they had previously entered through.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ac-6.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/adf.jpg

Echemenes ordered his cavalry and the men who had held the now fleeing enemes back to follow them through the breach, but instead of following the routers they fell upon the enemy at the gate, trapping the panicking Seleukids and in a chaotic fight cutting them down to the last man.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aef.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/afe.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/art.jpg

Seeing the allies defeated caused the rest of the attackers to flee as well.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/arty.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/56.jpg

The chase was long and ardous, the even more so. Masses of dead were left behind as the army pursued the routers. https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/retfhgfgfhds.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/agggh.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/908tdfhjh.jpg

The battle had been a close run thing, but at the end of the day as the result was overviewed, the Aiakides flag still flew over Halikarnassos as Antiochus plan had been thwarted by the heroic struggle of soldiers from Krete, Rhodos and Karia, led by an half-Illyrian raised in Epeiros and Syrakousai.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bvbvbvbvbvb.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/flag.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/tylenol.jpg

In Phoinike though, Helenos was still under siege in Sidon, and with more of Antiochus armies marching to reinforce the besiegers.

Next chapter: Such father such son

General Appo

08-13-2008, 13:08

Yep, I´m back. I´ve got the next chapter already played planned, and have some ideas about what to do, but we´ll see what happens.
The Seleukids betrayal really pissed me off, I had been their close ally and helped them a lot, and then all of a sudden they betray me and make peace with the Ptolies? They´ll pay for their insolence.
When I was playing I didn´t have a thought that this was actually the year when Antiochus I Soter died (262/261 BC) and his son Antiochus II Theos succeeded him, giving a perfect excuse for a policy change.
Pyrrhos won´t be in the next chapter, but don´t worry, I´ll get back to him (unless he dies, in which case I´ll just try to cover it up).
Anyway, things really aren´t looking good now. Just as I had gotten my economy going I was betrayed by my biggest trading partner, and seeing as neither the Carthies, Greeks, Ptolies nor Sele´s will trade with me I don´t see how I will find money. Oh well, I can always do some desperate measures.

d'Arthez

08-13-2008, 15:34

Anyway, things really aren´t looking good now. Just as I had gotten my economy going I was betrayed by my biggest trading partner, and seeing as neither the Carthies, Greeks, Ptolies nor Sele´s will trade with me I don´t see how I will find money. Oh well, I can always do some desperate measures.
Somehow I sense that Pyrrhos lost his ways and goes all the way to Rome / Kart-Hadast, for a sacking party. He'd be too drunk to notice, until he is there, and we know he can improvise. He would be enraged as neither city can offer him his beloved bearded Skythian women.

Seleukeia will be too far from your base for such an operation.

General Appo

08-13-2008, 19:43

Seleukeia will be too far from your base for such an operation.

For Pyrrhos, yes...:inquisitive:

General Appo

08-14-2008, 13:01

Chapter 14: Such Father Such Son

Despite Echemenes victory the crisis is far from over. Antiochus still has numerous armies near Kilika and in Phoinike Helenos was still under siege. The actual amry besieging Sidon was not a large nor elite one, but great reinforcements were marching to its aid. Some might argue that it was due to the need for haste that Helenos sallied so quickly, but more likely is that Sidon´s wine supply had simply run out after the soldiers ruling on Kypros had decided to their wine to themselves and the Phoinike winegardens had been plundered.
At any case, a battle soon began. Helenos still commanded the same soldiers as during the last battle for Sidon, Galatikoi mercenaries and levy spearmen. Antiochus army consisted of allied contigents from Ioudaia, worshippers of a single god (wierdos) and Peltastai from Makedonian colonies.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-18.jpg

Greatly outnumbering the enemy Helenos army is confident of victory, but still nervous over the rumours of Seleukids reinforcements that might be a hundred miles away or hiding behind the nearest hill.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab-7.jpg

Helenos and his heavy cavalry exits the city first, the army just behind. The enemy withdraw to a better position, but it will do them little good.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ac-7.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ad-7.jpg

Just as the enemy Peltasati have managed to get into position infront of the Ioudaioi the cavalry charges, Helenos in the first line.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ae-5.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/af-5.jpg

They deal massive damage to the Peltastai, and withdraw before the Ioudaioi can react.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ag-5.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ah-5.jpg

Some javelins are thrown after the cavalry, and one man, one of Helenos closest drinking companions, is struck and falls of his horse.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ai-5.jpg

Enraged Helenos charges again, his men following him, and this time they fight ´till the Peltastai flee or die.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aj-5.jpg

Strangely the Ioudaioi just stand idely and watch as their comrades are slaughtered, perhaps there are some hostilities between the Ioudaioi and the rest of Antiochus subjects? At any case, the Peltastai are slaugheted until the final few men flee in terror and Helenos retreats again.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ak-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/al-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/am-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/an-4.jpg

By now the rest of Helenos army has moved into position and begins bombarding the Ioudaioi with javelins.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ao-5.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ap-5.jpg For all the perverts out there. Okay, it´s really not a lot, but you can maybe see a bit of a dick behind the grass. I don´t know, I don´t usually stare hard at such stuff.https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ap2-1.jpg

All the levy spearmen, Galatikoi and cavalry now charged the Ioudaioi from all sides.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aq-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ar-3.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/as-4.jpg

The battle was short but ferocious.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/at-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/au-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/av-4.jpg

The slaugher was immense, the Ioudaioi fell in scores as the screams of the dying mixed with the clash of weapons.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aw-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ax-4.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ay-4.jpg

The pressure became to much and the few Ioudaioi alive fled, only to be hunted down and killed.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/az-2.jpg

Victory had been achieved.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-21.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-20.jpg https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-19.jpg

There was no time for celebrations though, as Antiochus armies were approaching with speed. With no chance of defending their position, Helenos and his advisors took the decision to flee from the city togheter with the army. But while the advisors argued that they should board the ships in the harbour and sail for Kypros, Helenos had a greater plan in mind, a plan that if it suceeded would make him as legendary as his father.
As winter came Helenos ordered the army to tear down the city and burn the crops, and then marched east with it, narrowly escaping the pursuing Seleukids.
Marching past Mount Lebanon and the tributaries of the River Jordan the army arrived at the gates of Damaskus, where the startled garrison closed the gates and called for help.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ba-5.jpg

The reinforcements were still busy in Phoinike where the people of Tyre had refused to open their gates and the city of Karkhedon declared their support for liberty of their ancestral home
Helenos army began the building of siege engines as they prepared for the assault.
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/bb-6.jpg

Next chapter: No fricking idea

General Appo

08-14-2008, 13:06

Yep, that was the desperate measure I was talking about. Destroying every building in Sidon has momentarily gotten my economy on it´s feet. Plus there was no way I´d be able to hold on to it, 3 Seleukid and 2 Ptolemai armies were marching towards it. Better just to risk it all at an incredible adventure, Pyrrhos style!
I actually giften Sidon to the Carthies, maybe the Sele´s and Ptolies won´t attack them. Still at war with all those 3 superpowers though, diplomacy-wise this campaign hasn´t really been my best.

White_eyes:D

08-14-2008, 19:00

Wow, looks grim:skull:....but at least you now have a self-destructing army running behind enemy lines:charge::tnt: that way you can at least hurt them and keep making money....

Oh yes, I remember playing CoH one time and one LONE sniper saved, like half my army...but died when they bought out the tigers...

General Appo

08-14-2008, 22:01

Snipers in CoH are freaky. One MP battle I used just snipers and Tigers to destroy the enemy, snipers advance, kill infantry and AT emplacements, Tigers roll in and shoot up tanks. Nothing the other guy did could stop my snipers. Snipers FTW!

General Appo

09-07-2008, 17:07

Chapter 15: The End is just Another Beginning

As Pyrrhos´s great ship rounded the country of Aremorica they were faced with the greatest armada the world had seen since Ptolemaios Soter and Demetrius Poliorcetes clashed at Salamis a good 40 years ago.
The varius tribes and pirates of the Keltoi had amassed to defeat what they saw as a great threat to their independence, and led by the skilled Veneti they now sailed straight for Pyrrhos ship. It was only due to skillful manuevering that Admiral Agapetos managed to guide his ship to safety, and in the procces he lost most of his crew.

After previous conflicts between the sailoirs and soldiers the latter now refused to aid the former, even when death seemed the most likely consequence of this decision. Even as the great enemy fleet sailed towards them with alarming speed the soldiers refused to offer any aid.

However, Agapetos isn´t known as the greatest admiral of all time without reason. In a series of battles Agapetos defeated many times more numerous enemies, through the use of certain rather shady tactics which have never been satisfactory explained.

https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/aa-7.jpg
https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/a-22.jpg

Despite his no doubt brilliant tactics Agapetos lost his entire crew in these battles and since the soldiers still refused to do absolutely anything except perform rather disturbing experiements on the shiprats and throw up against the wind, he was kinda screwed.
But, with even more enemy fleet appearing on the horizon, Agapetos performed his greatest deed of all. Without any help what so ever he moved the ship several days worth of goodwind sailing in just under 93 minutes.

https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/ab-8.jpg

Temporarily safe he could guide the ship in bit more manageable speed, and plotted the course further north, where a prisoner from the previous battles claimed the true end of the world lay. Just as Agapetos had decided on this course, Pyrrhos exited his cabin for the first time in months (strangely enough no one had entered it either, not even to bring food or empty the pot) and shouted with all his lungs:
"Listen not to the words of this barbaroi, we shall make land right here, and we shall conquer and pillage, wether this be the end of the world or not!"
The soldiers who were royally tired of being caught on a ship cheered and threw the prisoner of the ship, along with most of the supplies and some random stuff laying about.

So the great army finally made it ashore, on the great island of Iouernia. By coincidence or divine intervention, they had landed right next to the great city of Ivernis, the stronghold of all of southern Iouernia.
Before the inhabitants had any clue of what was going on, the army had surrounded the city.

Agapetos was left completely alone with just a single former Gaesate to keep him company on the ship. The Geasatae´s name was Leo, and he was a former Gaesatae after having his vital parts crushed by a falling mast during one of the fleet battles. Too ashamed to join the non-Gaesatae ranks he had befriended Agapetos, and the two now sat all alone waiting for something to happen.

Something soon did happen. The remnants of the great Keltoi armada had followed Agapetos, licking their wounds and cursing his name. Now they had caught up with him, and this time there was nothing to save him. Seeing their options were rather limited, Agapetos and Leo threw themselves into the water and managed to evade the Keltoi.
After a long days swimming the arrived at a extremely steep rock island, where they dragged themselves ashore, and lived the rest of their days eating seagulls and building little stone huts.

https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee276/GeneralAppo/300px-Klosteranlage_Skellig_Michael.jpg

But the most important fact remains to be stated.

Pyrrhos Aiakides, son of Aeacides of Epirus, second cousin of Megas Alexandros, former Basileus of the Molossoi, Epirus, Makedonia, conqueror of Syrakousai, Kretos, Rhodos and Kypros, Overhead of the Aiakidoi, father of two Olympionikoi, Famous Looney, Deadly Foe of Roma, Bane of the Karchedoi, Brother-in-Law of Demetrius Poliorcetes, Participant at the Battle of Ipsos, Stepson of Ptolemaios Soter, Inventor of at Least One Famous Modern Saying, Ruler of Sicily, Conqueror of Eryx, the Last of the Diadochi, The Last of a Greater Breed, the First of a Lesser One, 58 years old and suffering from an 2 years old hangover, now stood on the soil of an unknown island thousands of miles from civilization with hundreds of unruly and unwashed barbarians just waiting to overthrow him and no way of escape.

The fact that wine was unknown here didn´t make it any better.

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General Appo

09-07-2008, 17:08

Bit of a short chapter I know, but it really didn´t fit in with the next chapter I´ve got planned, sooo.... bleh.

satalexton

09-07-2008, 17:46

ur crazy =P

General Appo

09-07-2008, 21:51

That´s probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.

Dumbass

09-08-2008, 20:03

I think you should sail to India!

General Appo

09-09-2008, 07:30

I can promise, I will not sail there..........

Cbvani

09-12-2008, 03:48

I think he plans to march instead.

General Appo

09-12-2008, 10:53

Never! What a preposterous suggestion!
Marching indicates walking in rhytm, something Helenos have never been able to do.

General Appo

10-24-2008, 18:38

Chapter 16: Wretched War

Last time we saw Helenos the Fat, or Megas Helenos as he demands that his soldiers call him, he was besieging the city of Damaskos in Syria Koile. Now the rams needed to knock down the wallks of Damaskos are ready, and the assault begins.

Facing Helenos is just a small garrison of levied citizen. Damaskos had long been removed from the many conflicts of the era, and the city had lived in peace, untouched by war and famine for centuries. Now however, Megas Helenos stands outside its walls, and its citizen tremble in fear, fully knowing the fate of all people defeated by the marauding armies of the rouge family of Aiakides.
The garrison is weak, small and poorly trained, but they are determined to fight until their last breath for their homes, wives and children.

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Helenos orders the advance, and two breaches are soon created, and his troops pour in.
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The cavalry ride unopposed into the city. The women, the children and the old have hid in their houses, praying for the Gods mercy but expecting none from the invaders.
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At the city´s centre, near the temple of Apollo, the men of the Damaskoi have gathered to make their final stand. The Keltoi cavalry bombard them with spears, but Helenos has no patience for games.
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His soldiers quickly spread to surround the immobile phalanx, and then charge from all directions.
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The battle that breaks out is more like a streetfight with deadly weapons, savage Keltoi rushing to the fight without formation, desperate Damaskoi struggling to survive every second, the worst robbers and looters of Sidon that would follow Helenos on his march and Helenos own bodyguard, disowned young men with no future except what they can grab for themselves through war.
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The truth is soon made clear, the Damaskoi stand no chance. One by one they fall, divided and united, it makes no difference.
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The fight turns to massacre as the cries of the dying compete with the clash of weapons and armour and the wails of the women and children who now know for certain what horrible faith awaits them.
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The very last to fall is the noble Aspianas, leader of the Damaskoi. Donned in the traditional silver mask and decorated armour, he fights to the last, but his life is ended without remorse.
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The Damaskoi, are defeated.
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Helenos warriors celebrate, but there lies no glory in victory like this, over outnumbered townsmen untrained in the arts of war and wanting nothing more than peace.
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Helenos victory is complete, his losses few, his bounty great.
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Helenos lets his men lose for 3 days of looting, pillaging and fouler deeds, many of which Helenos too in his corruption takes part of.
As a final insult to the Phoinike Helenos takes a few extra days to raze the sacred city of Heliopolis, sacred to both Phoinike, Aigyptioi and Hellenes, surely drawing the wrath of the gods upon him.
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Few were the buildings left standing, the men left living and the women left untouched when the conquerors leave the city to march further east, into the Syrian desert, towards the oasis city of Palmyra.
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