Of Mail and Men - A Saka AAR

[gamegeek2]

Of Mail and Men
A Saka AAR

As I was walking through my grandfather's estate, I was most impressed by the collection of old artifacts there. And I looked among them, finding many old weapons. I know I am of nomadic heritage, but still I am a proud Greek, or Indo-Greek to be more precise. Among the many weapons lay a particularly uniquely shaped piece of armour. When I picked it up and held it to myself, it looked to be that of a woman. I was always told that the nomads had some of those, but I had never seen proof. With it I found a full panoply of cataphract armour, even that of the horse. And, underneath that, a little book, engraved:


ΤΟΥ ΚΑΤΑΦΡΑΚΤΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΔΡΕΣ

ΊΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΓΥΝΑΣ ΣΑΚΑΙΟΣ

When I began to read it, I found that the stories handed down for ages were true. This was my great-great-great-great-great-grandmother's personal journal, and from here the legends originated. Like in the diary, her name is omitted, but her legend lives on. So, Of Mail and Men: Story of a Saka Woman.

Sleep in the saddle. Ride all day. Drink nothing but rain, sweat, and horse-blood. Such is the life of a nomad at war, as I found out one fateful day...

We lived in a simple tent, like most of our kind. Ours was just nicer, as we are nobles. Of course, that doesn't actually mean much: we still eat off wooden plates with wooden spoons and old knives; all that's really better for us is our money, and, thus, our armour. Thoroughout our life, it was move-move-move, once every season or two. We scratch out a living on livestock, horse breeding, and minimal trade, and the idea of a settled life was unheard of except in rumour. Until that fateful day...

I was born of Svaysna, a chieftain who served in the king's bodyguard when called upon, and an elite warrior admired by his people. After my mother died and an unfortunate wound in battle, he was unable to have more children. So he raised me as his son, an enigma even among our people. I grew up riding with my other friends, but when, around the ages of five through seven, the boys and girls went their seperate ways, I was placed with the boys, learning to fight wolves, string the stronger bows, and constant archery practice, along with doing the majority of the hunting (the girls could hunt and shoot, too, but usually they learned more "feminine" skills).

But, the day finally came. Sapalbizes, the Ksha, rode into camp, and spoke of the riches of the lands to the south, of "Baktria" and the "Yavanas" of legend. Their mines, their riches, their armies of men with 20-foot spears. And, most of all, their rolling green fields and farms, where both crops and horses could be raised. From the hungry look in our eyes, one could tell something was afoot. Before lond, our tents were packed, along with our precious few possesions. Any armour to be had was donned, and weapons to be had were carried. The sheep were left forgotten, to graze on the land; we would be back for them later. But now was the time for a new life. Now was the time for war.

[MerlinusCDXX]

Nice... is this coming back (I followed the first installment from a few months ago)? looking forward to see how your Saka empire has grown...

funny, I just got done with a few turns of my newly resurrected Saka game, and the first thing I see is this :beam: :beam:, so have a balloon :balloon2:

[NickTheGreek]

Oh excellent I remember this from the first time around :2thumbsup:

[Hax]

YES!

It has returned! Mwahahahahahaha! Best of luck!

[johnhughthom]

Nice.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter I: New Lands

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Spring, my 14th year of life. Our tribe has met up with many others and moves toward the rebellious eastern lands of the great Yavana Empire. As dissent fosters rebellion there, we are sure to be able to seize new lands there, or so the High King says. But many say that there is a great Yavana host awaiting us there. I think not; such a great empire cannot have great forces everywhere, least of all its most eastern provinces. Besides, why are our raids so successful?

Summer, and it is warmer than ever up in the steppe. But that is short-lived, as we ride through the mountains, where it is high and cool. Approaching the lands of Kangha, we learn that these lands are already under our control and have been for several months. However, these are still old lands, where steppe peoples roam the land, scratching a living off their animals. Where are the new lands?


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Winter freezes us as we enter former Seleukid lands, now ours. We intend to move on to "Baktria", but first must endure the cold winter of the steppes. However, as we are used to it, we can move on, but yet not as fast as we were doing before. The mountains to our rear are snowy white, and the ones in front are human, not rock. The local people speak a language similar enough to ours that I can make out some of it, like "Asa" (our "Asya", "horse") and "bara", a word which we share. Their eyes were filled with terror when we came, and they rebelled, but a stronger garrison put it down, and they seem relatively content for now.


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Spring. The settled peoples are ready for war at this time, and we are on the move towards Baktra. As we are in Baktria, there is not much remaining between us and a new life. However, hardships do happen, and my father is ill. I cannot tend to him, as I was not brought up knowing the herbs like most girls, and as such, we went to a local healer. She seemed suspicious, and I did not trush her, but she did heal him, or so we think. We left her a goat as payment, as she was poor and needed something to live off of.

Summer, and our more southern location brings heat like I have never felt before. As we are at war with Baktria, they send a great host to take our new lands. How foolish, as they have no defense back in their main city! We are delighted by this news, and hope to take advantage of this by dodging their force and sieging their city.

Autumn, and we are sieging Baktra, but dismaying news comes. Baktria's great host has seized Marakanda, and stayed there to protect it. However, we are in good position to strike back by taking their capital city. Not the most fair exchange, but we'll take it, nontheless.

[gamegeek2]

I'd really like some comments to help my next update. I want to never doublepost in this thread, plz ppl

[whatthehell6]

I like it. A little short, needs a little more detail and some more visuals don't hurt. Anyway, just give a little more information, battles and such and I'll be pleased.

:2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Short but good.
Keep it up, I'll be following.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter II: First Blood



I now look ahead at the walls of Baktra. These are not the megaliths we were told of by rumour, just wooden ones. Perhaps those lie in greater cities, but I am doubtful of their existence. The ones in front of us appear 4 meters tall at least, and a foot thick to boot. However, I am confident we can burst this, as we have a machine of our own.

It is nearly 6 meters long, and must be pushed by 6 men to move - on wheels. Operated by our strongest footmen, it can topple the tallest tree in sight with several mighty shoves. Surely it can bust through this "gate" in front of us. But, before we could position this mighty machine for battle, the enemy received reinforcements, many in number, and the garrison in Baktra went forth to aid them.

I burst into the Sah's tent, saying, "Sah, we are outnumbered and flanked by two forces of-", but he interrupted me with a calm wave. The old man stood up, motioned to his guards, and spoke.

"Why do you come to me with this news just now?"

"Because we just found out about it..."

"No," he said. "Because you [I]just found out about it. I didn't know about this either; I expected it." With that, he strode out of his tent, mounted his warhorse, and took off, yelling "To Battle!"


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Within moments the army was assembled and we began to ride and run off to battle. As soon as we were there, we took up our position on a hill and readied for the onslaught of the Baktrian forces. First, the tribesmen rode forth, to scout the enemy. I rode off on my own horse among them, just to see what the Baktrians fought as. And the sight was both wonderous and dismaying:

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In the distance, I saw a forest of what I knew to be spears. Big spears, longer than our longest kontos. The kind only a footman could wield. And capable of running a charging horse through. Reporting this back to the Sah, he motioned to the other archers, who split up, some going with the scout party, but others going left, around the enemy flank. We intended to surround them with arrow-fire and ignore their wall of shields in front.

In the distance, a rain of death began to fall. Our archers were in position, raining down on their flanks. It almost made me feel sorry for them, the arrows falling from every direction, with no sign of ending soon. But, we are nomads. Merciless killers. The word "fair" means nothing to us, nor does the word "honor." What does matter is "victory," and that's what we came here for.


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As we intended, they diverged. This let us fire on their flanks no matter our position, and eventually finish them with a charge or two. These were impressive Yavana footmen, but not commanders. And, more importantly, where was their horse?

And then, flying at us, came a taste of our own herbs; arrows. Several foot archers were struck, and many were disabled by hits to the bow arm or head. So this is what my father talked about, in his account of how he lost his future children. This is why I am his "son." War.


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And yet, it feels so exhilirating, being in a battle, and yet somewhat frightening for a first experience. But no longer: the warriors say that once one has gone through the first, it becomes everyday stuff. I'll have to live to find out...

Every time we try to finish them, they maim our horses and we have to pull out. Every single time; and this is only the first army. What about the next army, rapidly approaching? Time was fleeing our side and joining theirs, and they had brought another one of our weapons to battle...


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We feigned retreat, flanked, tricked, and charged the enemy, but we could not save our lesser nobles. However, in the end, the battle looked like this:


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At the end of the day, all was well. We had won the battle. But there was still a whole war yet to come...

[gamegeek2]

As a note, I like to do my relevant battles as full articles or part of them. Next update will be longer and definitely more detailed, this one was just the first battle and I wanted to get you guys some pics. Tks.

[Tristuskhan]

Congratulations! Let the Nomads rule!

[Subedei]

Third shot from below is awesome! The one the camera is exact above the action! Nice!

[gamegeek2]

Yeah, the vertical shot's a specialty. It was featured in the 1.0 version of this AAR, which ended due to a hard drive screw-up which made me reinstall my whole computer.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter III: Settling Down (If Possible)

Summer, 270 BCE

Baktra is no wonder, but it is quite impressive in size, compared to anything else I have ever seen. However, I feel uncomfortable in it; every day the Hellenes seem to watch us in the streets with mistrusting glares, though the natives look upon us with mixed eyes, fear and adulation both written across their faces. But there is always the threat of a counter-attack, so we sent out scouts north to find out and to keep them busy - we intend to assault them from the north, as well.

My father says it is time to look for a future husband, but none of the men I can find seem to understand me much. Perhaps I am not looking in the right places, perhaps I am just unlucky. But I must continue on with my training, and have little time to spare.

Fall, 270 BCE

Baktria itself is no more. Their last town, Marakanda, has been retaken by its old owners; the Saka Rauka. Us. Their field armies are reduced to a band of brigands, even their "noble" generals are now no more but rebels. Finally, peace; a settled life is ours. The true question is; how do we manage it now?
[/I]

Spring, 268 BCE

I have begun to associate with these Hellenes, and they seem surprised, me being a woman with bow, sword, and spear, far more surprised than my tribal peers. However, their armour is impressive, gleaming iron or bronze breastplates and leg-plates and shields the length of the arm. They speak of legendary "Hetairoi" who accompanied a "Megas Alexandros," who conquered the Parsig Empire in ten years.

There is one who catches my eye, however, and he shares a name with this legendary hero. Alexandros is the son of a local merchant, and he is often off with him to see the Indoi to the south. He sometimes seems lonely, but never sad, but you can often find him selling foreign wares at the market while his father looks for more. He tells me he was schooled in "Athenai," a huge "polis" in "Hellas," but moved here with his father looking for adventure and trade opportunity.

Sapalbizes is waiting for the treasury to recoup after our multi-year migration, so we can begin constructing grand stables, barracks, and trade roads throughout the land, and move on to conquer the world. Such a lofty dream, and I doubt whether either the old man or I will live to see it. But in my lifetime, it shall be seen to that the name of the Saka Rauka strikes fear into the hearts of those that hear it in the lands of others, and pride in the hearts of those that bear it.

Summer, 268 BCE

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Grim tidings, indeed. A revolt occured in Marakanda, and 1/3 of the garrison died in the subsequent fighting. Because of this, half of the citizens of the town were sold into slavery as a price for defiance. The best weapon for keeping law and order is fear, and profits were made with our method.

This has caused a stir in the capital, for we had done the same in Baktra years back, but no real fear has rose among the citizenry. As a precaution, the Ksah sent a messenger through the city to sooth any doubts among the people, especially the natives. From this point, I am affirmed of my peoples' safety in this land. I still walk with my head up and alert, but the constant threat of hateful attacks has ceased domestically.

As for my father's search for a suitor, I told him that I see no need to be married right now. I intend to conquer for myself before I intend to settle. My heart shall see no bounds until it has seen me advance the cause of my people. To war, I say to myself. But not yet.


Autumn, 268 BCE

The Seleukids are coming! The Seleukids are coming! Or so the messenger tells us, as he rides through the streets. They are many, many leagues away, but Alexandros tells me that they inherited the majority of Megas Alexandros' domain; the Persian and Semitic lands. Yet their armies also feature some of the fearsome horsemen that rival our own: the Hetairoi, from whom we get our kontoi.

Every time I see Alexandros, he always gives me a smile and calls me "Amazon," who are a tribe of woman warriors of Hellenic legend. I always smile back, and my feelings for him grow each day. I wonder...

[gamegeek2]

I know it's a short update, but a tropical storm is rolling through the area so I think I'll be able to do another update tomorrow. At least, as long as our power doesn't get wrecked. If it does, I'll update during the week.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter IV: What Does a Nomad Earn?

Winter, 268 BCE
I write with magnificent news: the Seleukids have turned their banners south! Perhaps it was just a fluke, or perhaps they head for the rich Yavana lands to the south and east. Either way, it is good news for us, as we can no longer fund new soldiers, though our economy continues to build. We are almost in the black, and cannot afford a war at the moment, no matter our lust for conquest. Patience, my friend, will be the key until we are once again strong.

Fall, 268 BCE
In the black. Where we have waited for years to be, and the Ksah has begun to reform the place. First, he constructs a "satrapeia," which shall be governed by a man appointed by the king. Secondly, this will allow us to recruit native troops in a new barracks. Thirdly, we finally may build markets and shrines to give us more goods and profit from taxes on trade.

And, lastly, Alexandros and I have finally reached the point of engagement. We intend to marry at the spring equinox, and my father congratulates me on finding a good man at last. However, I don't intend to house-sit like the other nomadic wives. I was born a daughter, but raised as a son and shall fight like one alongside my people as I was meant to do. And nothing shall obstruct that as long as I ride and breathe.

Winter, 268 BCE
The new man, Humarga as we call him, is a well-renowned steppe warrior with much fame among his colleagues. He served as one of the Ksah's bodyguards, and is an old friend of my father's. But the Seleukids are once again on the doorstep to Baktra, and have camped near a crossing of one of the nearby rivers. They retreated into a local town to endure the winter, but we have a spy encouraging the natives to attack the troops:

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Sadly, I hear he has not had much success, but anything to slow their gray banners down is fine by me. Luckily, the spy reports a lack of horsemen in their army, so the fight should be of little trouble.

I also think I may be carrying our Alexandros' first child, but we cannot be sure for several months. I have mixed feelings if it turns out to be true, but I intend to carry on my training either way.

Spring, 267 BCE
Those ever-predictable Seleukids! And at the most inconvenient time, too! Just as the wedding ceremony was commencing, and vows were being taken, the accursed Seleukids knocked at the gates of the city. We opened them, and in came a messenger, bearing a scroll and the banner of the Seleukid king.

"We come forth bearing gifts of war to the Xah of the Saka Rauka" he said. "Lay down your arms and your people will be spared. Refuse, and all Saka occupants of this town will be slaughtered as soon as we break down your walls. By order of the Basileios, Antiochos II.

The Ksah stepped forward, and my father and several of his guards surrounded him. They encircled the messenger and standard-bearer, and the Ksah stepped forward.

"The only Basileios we answer to is this one," he said, pointing to himself. "We fail to understand the words of this usurper you speak of, and shall march his army back to the Basileios himself, half or less in number and running in fear of the sight of us. Guards!"

The guards brandished swords and closed in on the tiny man and his companion.

"No, please don't...anything! I'm just a messenger..." SCHING! SCHING! Splat. And with that, the messenger and standard bearer lay headless on the ground. The king took up the standard, pierced the messenger's head on the tip, and spoke, "Now, who's ready for a fight!"

Cheers erupted from the watching crowds, including Alexandros and I. I bade Alexandros farewell for the moment and mounted my armoured steed, galloping towards my house. I managed to sloppily dress myself in full scale, but added a final touch underneath, a Hellenic breastplate specially outfitted for a woman, a treasure said to have been captured from Amazons. I doubted this, but donned it with pride and rode off to assemble with the rest of the king's entourage.

Before sallying forth, I spoke with Alexandros.

"So long, my fair Amazon," he said to me, almost a tear in his eye.

"I shall see you at sunset," I replied. Right here. Wait for me. And with one last kiss, I trotted off to the gate with the rest of the Ksah's men.


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[a completely inoffensive name]

Saka is the most challenging and rewarding faction in the game, and then it gets even better with beautiful Indo-Saka units. Thank you so much for making an AAR on the coolest faction in EB.

[gamegeek2]

anyone else? I'm updating tomorrow...

[gamegeek2]

Chapter IV: It Begins

Winter, 266
As we prepare for yet another invasion of the Seleukids, we build. Once our capital was moved to Eschate, the natives felt more comfortable and profits began to turn. As such, the first native troops are being trained in this building:

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Spring, 265
Our spy warns us of a Seleukid attack from the south, and a large one, too. But we have been preparing for it, and have trained many strange troops, such as these:

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Alexandros tells me that they are a simple version of the Hellenic warriors to the west, who fight with "linothorax" armour and were once the dominant force on the battlefield. These are men with leather armour, a large hoplon, and an Attikos helmet. Aside from that, they seem vulnerable to arrows, but are sure to be a problem to horsemen in melee. The Ksah hopes to one day build these with scale mail and stronger sheilds, and protectors for the legs. What a sight that would be...

But greater news arrives from the west: a Seleukid town has rebelled!

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The garrison is formidable, featuring many archer-spearmen and some horsemen, but shan't be too much of a problem once we have a real military. We will probably attack the town to the south first.

My first child is now born, and we have named him Alexandros, like his father and "the greatestman of all time." But shall he be a merchant or a warrior like myself? That will be for him to decide, we agree.

Summer, 265

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The rain of hell begins...

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But in the distance, I see shining armour among the Seleukid ranks...

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Is it a retreat?

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Or is it a fluke?

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Yeah, they've got a point...

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Aw, man. That's a long walk...oh wait. I don't have to do the walking!

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They close in, and we scamper!

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Not really a defeat...look at those impressive casualties!

Fall, 265 BC

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We try again to weaken them...

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But it begins to rain. That's not good for our bows...

We waited it out, but the Seleukids advanced and once again caught our archers with their horsemen. Us cataphracts had to ride to the rescue...

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The Clash of the Titans...

The fight was short, but, in the end, we had the initiative and numbers. We slaughtered them, and took their armour to improve our own. It was beautiful, the finest quality scale with iron breastplates and their weapons were made from the strongest of steel. Throughout the fight, you saw cold determination on either side, unfaltering despite the number of comrades that had fallen by your side. But at the last, our horse remained 100 strong, and their was cut in half.

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Cheers erupted from the men, but not because their leader was dead. No, it was because...

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...the reinforcements had come. NOW it was a battle...

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As usual, the horsemen go out first to fire arrows.

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The phalanxes flanked our Hoplitai, but we rained arrows into their back, decimating their ranks. Scream could be heard everywhere, as it was at point-blank range...

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The other was dealt with by a timely charge from the medium horsemen.

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Three months' preparation - then we move south.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nice chapter.
Good luck beating those Seleukids.

[NickTheGreek]

Excellent, very immersive :2thumbsup:

[gamegeek2]

Chapter V: Into the Fire

Winter, 265 BCE
We besiege Alexandreia-Ariana, and have been warned of nearby enemy forces. However, we are confident we can deal with them, and are ready to fight off any attack on our position.

To the north, our spy is caught in a besieged town, while we slowly build our funds while our armies are in the field. Hopefully we may expand our domain so the treasury will grow faster, and so will our forces...x

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As before, the Ksah lined the archers up on the tallest hill, spread apart as to avoid other missiles. The light horsemen went out to molest the enemy, while we stayed behind to guard our own men, along with the Hoplitai.

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But their men this time had better armour, and superior shields to boot. However, they were missing the Hetairoi that devastated our ranks before, and we had no fear.

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The foot archers made orderly retreat, with minimal losses. Us cataphracts stayed behind, as did the hoplitai.

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After a fake charge, we opened fire at point blank range, to clear their long spear men, so we could rule the battlefield. But their large shields offered the resistance they needed to survive. As such, we needed another plan.

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Their ranks folded before our onslaught, and we mercilessly rode their spearmen down. The snap and crunch of bones seemed to echo, but it was just their numbers. However, that was only the first step to rescuing our brave Hoplitai, who held fast in front of three times their number...

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As if on cue, the other spearmen dropped ranks and fled, laying down their lives before the might of the Saka Rauka. Much slaughter ensued, but the persistant sons of dogs had many men left to throw away...

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We moved around the last fight, setting up for the fatal blow...

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The onslaught was too great for the poor levies, and we trampled them beneath our steeds' feet, and speared them on our lances, with the tips showing exit wounds in the flesh. In a matter of moments, all were dead.

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But, alas, their reinforcements arrived, and we were forced to quit the field, victory snatched from our jaws. 'Twas a great victory, and yet 'twas a defeat in the end.

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A true defeat? I think not. As long as we ride, we are not defeated. Especially when they suffer losses like THAT. No, we have only just stepped into the fire, and have barely been burned.

Spring, 264 BCE

We head south again, to raid and pillage. After restocking the arrow supply and re-fattening our horses on enemy rivers and grass, we feel we are ready to move south again. The men are happy, and even the horses walk with a confident spring in their step. Though they are ready for war, we are as well.

Fall, 264 BCE

We crush a foolish sally attack by the garrison of Alexandreia-Ariana and establish control over the vast territory of Aria. Not much else happens as we continue to stockpile funding to construct a better governing facility in Baktra. (note: 2 phalanxes vs. 3 archers, 2 HAs - not a very interesting battle.)

http://www.upload2world.com/pic98/upload2world_8016f.jpg

update tomorrow

[gamegeek2]

Chapter V: Into the Fire (continued)

Autumn, 263 BCE

We march north, to counter the Seleukid dogs that have just gone there. What we could afford to send, we have brought, and we shall stop at nothing to protect Baktra. Alas, we are few in number, but we can wear away at the great gray host with missiles. That, however, will be a process that may yet be too slow.

But my concern does not extend to myself as much as it does to the children. Are they safe, with Alexandros? Or are they already in Seleukid hands?

Winter, 263 BCE


http://www.upload2world.com/pic98/upload2world_239c4.jpg

The new men are locals who have offered to join the cause versus the "Gray Death" for a price. They charged a fair amount, but we needed the troops quickly, if we were to inflict damage on the Seleukids.

We approached them at a walk, as they had no archers or slingers to possibly harm us from afar, and we saw no reason to tire ourselves out. We took up the left, as their heavy horsemen were on their right, and we wished to counteract the only threat to our archers.


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The horse archers moved quickly out of the way as the foot archers began to open fire.


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Their skirmishers were confused by the fire from multiple sides, but most of our archers redirected fire onto the phalanxes in the back, as they were moving perpendicular to us and were somewhat exposed.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic98/upload2world_d0aef.jpg

However, an advance by many spearmen called for all three units to fire a devastating volley into their ranks. Full range away, I could see the impact of the fire, as the advancing body of spearmen left behind a trail of dead bodies.


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But they caught our most experienced men, and a fast-action fight to the death ensued. The archers looked to be on the losing end of it, but the horse archers were on their way to crash into the backs of the levies and ride them down.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic98/upload2world_8f416.jpg

But in the distance, we heard the sound of the drum, and some dust was rising from the earth. Was it more Seleukids? Pahlavan? Haomavarga? Humarga, the governor of Baktra?


http://www.upload2world.com/pic98/upload2world_16ae3.jpg

At last! They had arrived just in time, once again. The archers, now safe from spear threats, began to rain arrows again on the enemy, and we could now begin to surround them with missile fire.


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The Seleukids wouldn't have it, and the Hetairoi ran forward to chase away or slaughter our archers. We wouldn't have any of that, either, and prepared to flank their sole unit of horsemen on the field. We quickly made for the Seleukid horse and smashed into their ranks, lances piercing man and beast alike. The charge didn't work out as well as we would have liked, but it was still effective, killing several men and unhorsing others.


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A confused melee ensued, with our Nizagan stuck in the middle of it all. This was certainly not what they were expecting when they joined to help defeat the Seleukids. However, their people would remember their sacrifice, and some can proudly say they killed a prince's man.


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A heavy rain began to soak the bodies of the dead, chinking on the metal armour of the living and the fallen. We were filled with feelings of both happiness and dismay; now their leader was gone, but our missile plan might fail. A mixed blessing, like the winter we are barely into. However, as we pondered aborting the plan, the rain moved on, and we continued the battle, with the same plan as before.


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Within moments, much of their infantry core is reduced to routers. But many phalanxes remain unchecked, and are intact, with minimal damage to their numbers.


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Yet this does not remain true for long, due to the usual tricks of flanking, missile fire, and pursuing horsemen.


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The result is yet another clean sweep of a bunch of hapless gray fools, and the waste of the lives of fine horsemen. We march west.


Spring, 262 BCE

We defeat the recently adopted Captain Apelles (or so our spy tells us) and move on to the nearby town of Antiocheia-Margiane. The water is good in the nearby rivers, and the grass green and sprouting after its winter coat has been melted off.

Summer, 262 BCE

We took the river town in a swift attack, without rams. Our spy has done us a great service and will be handsomely rewarded. Many of the Hellenes were sold off as slaves, but a great many people were slaughtered in the streets for foolishness of entering them during the battle. This town is full of expert rebels, and we must crush them, as our spy knows them well. They helped him in, and now they help him get a promotion in their death. Such is the business of war, but such helps to end it, too.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic98/upload2world_375cc.jpg

[Senatvs Povlvsqve Romanvs]

A great AAR. Liked it very much:2thumbsup:.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Excellent AAR. What makes it so great is your heavy usage of screenshots accompanied by brief descriptions that are not too bland, but at the same time not too deeply roleplayed, like so many of the other AARs. Its like reading an AAR that unites the splendid screenshots of MarcusAntoniusAurelius' AARs and the superb writing style of Chirurgeon's AARs. Your battles are so detailed in words and screenshots that it is almost like watching a full-length battle video. Amazing. Keep it up.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter VI:

Winter, 262 BCE

Outside of Antiocheia-Margiane, we encounter another Seleukid fool, who brings only his horsemen with him. The Ksah decides to deal with him with just his own bodyguard, a showdown between the two. This result follows what we have seen before:


http://www.upload2world.com/pic98/upload2world_b679d.jpg

A clear victory, and one fewer Seleukid prince to deal with. Their attacks seem to be decreasing in numbers, and this both delights and alarms me. Are they weakening in power? Or do they simply not consider us a threat? Or are they gathering a horde like never seen before, to run over all our hard-earned conquests? If any of the three are true, they haven't seen anything yet.


Spring, 261 BCE

Bad news from the south: Alexandreia-Ariana is under siege by an army several times its number, and the siege cannot be broken. It appears as if we shall lose that province. However, to the north, another Seleukid army approaches, and here we have defenders. I hear that Chach is recruiting reinforcements, as well as Baktra.

The Ksah has given orders to salvage what we can from Ariana, as it is going into Seleukid hands any day now. However, hope is not all lost. To the east, there are vulnerable lands, and we intend to seize them with a mighty fist.

Autumn, 261 BCE

For once, the Seleukids have suceeded at something: taking a settlement. Yes, Ariana has fallen into their hands. But we do not care! We destroyed many valuable buildings before they retook that worthless town, and we benefited more from it than they shall, for those included many valuable law-buildings.

Meanwhile, the gray banners surround our current position, and we prepare for their imminent assault./I]

Winter, 260 BCE

[I]The gray banners headed for Baktra about a month ago, and I had time to relax and visit the children, but also to warn them of the danger headed toward the city. Alexandros says to not worry, however, and that he has a plan.

Also, some old friends have come back to join us, the sons of the men who first took these lands many years ago. They are the Ysaninu Aysna, and they say their retainers are coming, but should not arrive for several weeks, as they had to set up new camps before heading off to war. Our host now comprises a respectable number of archers and heavy horse, and is ready to capture the prosperous lands of Paropamisadai.

To the north, I hear of great migrations of our people into the lands of Dayuan and the Marakanda area. This will bring many to repopulate the devastated town of Marakanda, while Dayuan will now be able to construct a system of roads to simplify everything in that area. Despite the loss of Ariana, the Saka Rauka seems stronger than ever, and is ready to expand once again.

Summer, 259 BCE



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We stand upon the skeletons of thousands of men who have fallen here before, most half-buried beneath a fresh layer of earth. I remember firing my bow upon the hill to our back many years ago, and recognize the face of a young man I slew beneath my horse. The jaw has been cracked by the treatment of hooves, but it is still visible, and remains a haunting reminder to the consequences of warring with the Saka Rauka.


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And no number of Hetairoi can break us, for our horsemen are the best in the world. I am confident of that now. What stands in our path will eventually be removed, through either attrition or a ferocious charge.


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Their infantry take shelter in the forest. We attempt to flush them out with a barrage of arrows, but the trees interfere with this plan.
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Their archers fall for our fake retreat and follow us out of the forest. Now the fun begins :)


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For 'tis not every day that a man will give you a free meal...


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And when he does, bring your friends along with you.


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The enemy retreats, and yet another Seleukid prince has fallen to our lances. However, the gray army that captured Ariana heads now for Baktria. Will they ever learn? :no:

[gamegeek2]

Chapter VII - The

Summer 260 BC

As the Second Southern March begins, we are attacked by yet another mob of insolent Seleukids.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic99/upload2world_956e1.jpg

The battle is short and brutal.


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Their leading companies are reduced to ribbons in a hail of missiles, before we turn our eyes to the greater main force, with many phalangitai and light troops. As usual, no horsemen are present in their ranks. As usual, this turns out to be a fatal flaw.


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We quickly kill off the troops there and ride off towards the grand melee.


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But by the time we get there, the seasoned light hoplitai have finished off the enemy. We clean up the last resistance, and wipe them off the face of the earth.


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These are some of the finest men found in the gray man's empire, I can tell. The Pezhetairoi, the Foot Companions, raised from the backbone of the empire. They stand with proud and determined looks on their faces, the hard lessons of war beaten into them through visible scars wherever they may be. Some are even guarding the rear against our charge. But no matter, for nothing stops us, ever. And, as such, these fine men die beneath our feet, their bodies covered with the mud of the dirt they so determinedly stood upon just 10 seconds ago. And, in a moment, it was over.


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After the fight, the hoplitai regrouped into new units, to diminish the losses of the battle. After that, we were off to the south, to engage another Seleukid prince.


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The fight is not much of a tale: after a few volleys, the enemy realize the futility of their cause and flee.


Winter, 260 BCE

These Seleukid battles grow boring. Today, we fight a mercenary army, across a bridge. At least this will be a shake-up, as not only are their troops better this time, they have an actual commander.


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The bridge gives us plenty of time to empty our quivers and weaken their ranks. However, their mercenaries are still many in number, even when we have depleted our arrow supply. A retreat is probably in order, but the king must give his final word.


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First, he dispatches the Aysna to deal with the Mardians attempting to cross the river.


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However, this is met with strong resistance from the Hyrkanians sent to guard the archers, and the nobles pull out to save their horses from the strong axes of the Hyrkanian hills. You'd think they'd run out of hillmen after sending waves of them at us to be slaughtered for 10 years...


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The Ksah orders a general retreat, wisely seeing that he cannot defeat the enemy without further arrow supplies.

Autumn, 258 BCE

Little Alexandros (II) has grown to be quite the little general, walking around and playing hoplites all day with the other children. Anahitida, our second child, was born during this past year, and both Alexandros and I are proud of our little godess. But that is beside the "serious" matter: Sapalbizes, the Ksah, is ill, and I have been transferred to the guard of a handsome young man named Tavrak, and have been assigned to be his chief strategical advisor.


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He stands barely taller than I am, and is no imposing figure, but his voice is that of a fiery bellow :smg: and his personality is every bit as fierce as the Ksah himself. I have a feeling that this man will lead our people to great things.

However, he has had no schooling, and has little experience in the way of military tactics, having grown up mostly during the Settled Age. He has been receiving what he needs to know in the form of lessons from the old man, but has yet to try out his hand at commanding the army. The Ksah has provided him with all manner of advisors, Hellenic drill sergeants, and even some of his own guard, but it will be experience that will be of greatest value to him. I believe that the ever-present Seleukids would be willing to give him some...

Winter, 258 BCE

This looks to be our toughest battle yet. Yet, with both Tavrak and the Ksah on our side, we ride into battle with an air of invincibility, and the confidence and strength to back it up.

I spoke with the young man before the battle, and he asked me what it was like to be in battle. I told him that it varies from person to person, but that the first time always feels awkward. When he was unsure, I told him not to worry, for every lion always begins as a cub, and that he was the fiercest cub I had ever seen.


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Having spent our arrow supply, we charged in an attempt to kill their remaining archers. However, a band of Dahae skirmishers interfered with our plans. The melee quickly grew furious, and did not seem to be going in our favour, when...


http://www.upload2world.com/pic99/upload2world_34c57.jpg

It was Humarga and his men! And just in time, too, as we were really in trouble. This would provide an opening for us to escape, and the Lonchophoroi withdrew with us.


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Cheering the sight of Tavrak, alive and well, the archers poured fire into the newly open Seleukid left.


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And, off in the distance, the isolated Ksah managed to muster strength enough to defeat the Seleukid general.


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At the mere sight of the returning conqueror, many Persians infantry begin to flee.


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For no man is truly comfortable when a spear meets his flesh, and, as such, more are likely to flee than to meet it head-on. For this, you must give SOME of the Seleukids credit.


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But not all of them.


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[gamegeek2]

Dang. There's so many pictures, they won't all load! That's my new excuse for asking for more posts; it's for practicality, not publicity.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I was worried there that you weren't going to continue. Good to see an update.

[gamegeek2]

Yay, my first AAR with over 1,000 views! Anyways, keep going. Sorry for the inability to load all pics.

[Tristuskhan]

Great, as usual, you deserve tens of thousand views! Keep it going, nomads rule!

[gamegeek2]

Interlude: Alexandros' Real Business

She's gone? OK, good.

Wats up, folks.

See, I'm Alexandros, Aysni's husband, and I'm an Emporios (merchant). Yet, guess where my greatest profits come from? You guessed it, weed.

Yeah, she hates the stuff, but everyone else likes it, and so I can make profit!!!1! So I rip off these desperate free peasants who grow the stuff because it's the most profitable crop, and then sell it to the nobles with their big ass estates, who pay lots dough for the stuff. My homie Chang takes comes by every once in a while to buy some off me to take to China, where the fat ass magistrates there buy it.

Speaking of which, I gotta go talk to some Sarmatians, who passed along some of Xenophon's (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=96984) "Scythian herb" to me. I'll see if they can traffic it past the hard-nosed Parthians (why are we allied with them?) to my place.

Oh, and can you do something for me? Can you make sure my wife doesn't get it on with that hot ass prince she's supposed to "mentor"? 'Cause that sounds kinda suspicious to me. And don't let her find out what my "real business" is, cause she said she'd sleep seperately from me for a month when she gets home (and, like you've seen, she means business). That would suck...

Thanks, dudes :hippie:

-Alexandros

[gamegeek2]

Ok, sorry I couldnt update 2day (it was holiday) but I had to reinstall EB to fix my self-modding (i accidentally screwed something up :wall:). Don't worry, I kept all my saves.

plz forgive my stupidity :sweatdrop:

[gamegeek2]

Chapter VIII - As It Goes On

Winter, 257 BCE

There is one thing about battle that truly bores me. (Me too :no:) It is the feeling that you haven't won anything. And that's the feeling I get from fighting wave after wave of Seleukids. If there are so many, and they can just send another army, why bother? But the same answer returns every time to compel me to fight: For the motherland. For the people.

Spring, 257 BCE


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With that Seleukid force gone, Tavrak and the Ksah have decided that it is time to move out. We head south, to capture rich mining towns. Doubtless they have armed these with imposing garrisons, but it is also doubtless that we are superior in every way but numbers. And perhaps we may outnumber them, too.

(Here I pull off a nice move, moving Tavrak, who had several moves more than his army, closer to Ariana, which was undefended, and hiring mercs to take the city that turn. It's worth the 1000 extra mnai than normal recruitment to take it 2-3 turns early.)

Autumn, 257 BCE

We occupy Alexandreia-Ariana, which had been taken several weeks earlier by mercenary scouts we had sent in advance. Our strategy to shank them ahead of time was a sucess, and we move towards more rich lands to the south, where we may build mines and prosper.

Meanwhile, good news arrives from our Pahlavan allies: they have captured a Seleucid town on the Caspian sea, Zadrakata. From here and the surrounding provinces come the Hyrkanian hillmen we must destroy so often. We can only pray that they will not be replaced by actual foes...

Winter, 257 BCE

We pitch battle with a Seleukid force in south Aria. It looks to be a fight, and they have brought "Ioudaioi" from the western lands of "Babylonia." The usual others show up with the se


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Before the fight gets started, the Asya empty their quivers at the enemy and mutilate their skirmishers.


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However, once the fight gets started, some of our Hoplitai get surrounded and begin to flee. This is surprising, as they have been in such situations before. However, another unit is on hand and heads into the fray, as arrows pour in on the mass of men in front of them. We ride toward their rear to make a charge.


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The multiethnic enemy is thrown into disarray as we withdraw for another charge. The arrows continue to pour in, and their numbers drop rapidly, which raises the hoplites' confidence.

It turns out that they are separating to chase our various groups of missile units, but a series of maneuvers by us, the heavy horsemen, destroys their non-phalanx units, while their phalanxes are off pursuing much lighter and faster units. Arrows pour in on all sides of one of their phalanxes, decimating their ranks. It seems as though one charge will break them, but we take no such risk, as these may be Pantodapoi, but they have the experience and grim determination of Pezhetairoi. The process of attrition will ensure their defeat, and there is no need to throw lives away against superior troops.

A sling bullet strikes my leg, but the greaves below my scale overcoat take the impact, though a strong thump leaves me in pain, and it will not wear off soon. As one of our comrades is struck in the head and falls off his mount, we pursue the poor sods in revenge. As if we needed to; they broke at the sound of thundering hooves and clinking metal. We turn to charge the rear of the newly embattled veteran phalanx, and even these men break at the feeling of cold steel in their flesh. Like their fellows, they panic, and within moments are slaughtered. Such a fate befalls the other phalanx, and the battle is over.


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Tavrak has successfully completed his first "true victory" by himself, but there is much more ahead of him. Nevertheless, I feel he should be "rewarded" for this. (don't tell Alexandros...)

Spring, 256 BCE

Alexandros writes that the giant building in Baktra has finished construction. Here's my sketch of what I thought I'd look like:


https://img227.imageshack.us/img227/342/70636451nc0.jpg

It's so big. And, guess what? With it, the Ksah unveiled his new "Saka" Hoplitai.



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Alexandros says they are like the old Hoplitai, but recruited from all manner of ethnicities, and equipped with scale very much like our own. I look forward to one day having these troops under my command. Perhaps once we return home we'll have the best Haploi put into a unit of these.

And, to the east, we have captured Kophen, a town much like what Baktra once was. The future of the Saka Rauka looks bright. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a battle to fight.

[gamegeek2]

I intend by all means to update today, as long as I don't get packed down w. homework.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter IV: Home Again, Home Again. Oh Great, Now What?

Summer, 256 BCE

The sun bakes the arid Arian landscape, as we rest our horses, letting them drink from the river. This is never the season for campaigning, but the grass has matured, so at least the animals may eat. The men, however, never complain about the reduced number of meals per day; we are all in this, and all suffer equally from reduced rations. This is simply a matter of war, and all in the camp know it equally well.

As I take my turn on watch duty, I note gray banners. Not again.


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Despite their numbers of well-trained phalanx mercenaries, we come out on top. The battle goes long and there are many casualties on both sides. This time, the Hoplitai are decimated before we can mount ranged or melee attacks on the enemy's rear, and we are forced to commit some archers to melee. As a result, our ranks are decimated, and most of the Haploi are killed, as well as our Peltastai. Both fled during the battle. I honestly can't blame them.


Autumn, 256 BCE

It is nearly time to end the campaigning season, but Tavrak has decreed that, during winter, we shall rest in Prophthasia. A fine choice, but I think constantly of our exposure to potential Seleukid onslaughts.

Winter, 256 BCE

We sack the city of Prophthasia and leave the main army to control it. Tavrak and I head north towards Baktra, to pick up a new army and begin the conquest of Indo-Hellas. To the east, I hear, lies the grand settlement of Taxila (Taksashila) and I hope that the new Hoplitai will prove as amazing as they have been described. I also look forward to seeing Alexandros and the children again. One cannot go for so long without the basix of life.

Spring, 255 BCE

So I come home and I see this Chinese guy talking with Alexandros. They're speaking extremely rapid Indo-Greek, so I can barely make out what they're saying, but I notice this:

Chinese Guy (Chang): So, you got the goods?

Alexandros: Yeah, here. (Points to 5 sacks of weed).

Chinese Guy (Chang): Great. Take these silks and spices. They will serve you well in future business. (turns around and looks at the doorway) Holy...

Me: Hey.

Chinese Guy (Chang): Who's this chick in the doorway?

Alexandros: Eh... You'd better go, Chang.

Chang: See ya. (Runs off).

Alexandros: So, Aysni, welcome home...

(slap slap slap)

Me: Damn it, Alexandros! How many times do I have to tell you: STOP SELLING WEED! Now I won't sleep with you for a month!

Alexandros: NOOOOO! PLEASE! ANYTHING BUT THAT!!!

Me: Fine. Either that or come along on our next campaign.

Alexandros: Give me a day to think about that. In the meantime, don't punish me.

One Day Later, 255 BCE

Alexandros: Fine. I'll come with you on your next campaign. But what about the kids?

Me: They can stay at the palace. I'm sure they'll like that.

Alexandros: Do I have to fight?

Me: That's your choice. But if you do, you'd better join the Hoplitai quickly. If not, do something useful, like be a historian or set up deals in villages.

Alexandros: Sounds great. When we leavin'?

Me: Three months. Until then, I'll sleep with you. (giggle). And you can go about your business. Keep the drugs out of the Rauka, though. OK?

Alexandros: Fine. :)

Next Chapter - X: The Conquest of Gandhara (and the Last of the Weed Business. Thank Zeus-Ahura Mazda!)

EDIT: [Oh, and that means for good. Alexandros is actually serious this time. Seriously.]

[gamegeek2]

It seems the only one who ever posts here is me. Update today, but I'll have to try minimize the number of pictues due to high pic-to-page ratio.

[Tristuskhan]

It seems the only one who ever posts here is me. Update today, but I'll have to try minimize the number of pictues due to high pic-to-page ratio.

Count me in!

[gamegeek2]

Chapter X: The Conquest of Gandhara

Winter, 255 BCE
We set out to conquer Gandhara, and march for Kophen this very year. Once we reach the town, we hope to be able to re-gather our supplies and continue on from their. As it is winter, we do not like this as a campaigning season. However, the snow is starting to melt, and the rays of the sun are peeking out like a shy child from behind the clouds. We march onward.

Spring, 254 BCE


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The old man has passed on, at last. In the Hellenic tradition, we have set aside some time to mourn the passing of such a great leader. This has slowed the campaign down, but we should still make it to Kophen before autumn.

As the oldest male of the first heir's family, who died before the Ksah himself, and the most capable man we have, Tavrak has inherited the title of Ksah. He'll still always be my apprentice :)

Spring, 253 BCE

These walls...these towers...these wars. If Baktra was once a wonder to my eyes, these are the new wonder. Alexandros has spoken before of great cities and walls, and says that this is nothing...I can't possibly agree. How many men did they muster to build this! And, if this is "nothing," how grand must the cities Alexandros speaks of be? The only way to find out is to march on. And if I once thought the rams we used on Baktra were big, these towers are enourmous. They can fit 250 men each, and can even move on wheels, despite their immense size and weight! It truly shows what the efforts of mail and men can create, as our empire has demonstrated and will do for as long as I live, and thereafter, until the whole world is ours.

Spring, 251 BCE

At last, we they are ready to end the siege; the two-year siege which has taken its toll on us all. Ready to take the next step into Indo-Hellas. Taxila and its stone walls may be formidable, but if experience has taught me anything, appearances can be decieving. Those towers were mere weapons of intimidation. We knew we could not triumph against their walls, though the towers were tall enough. No, we won through starvation, and now they must come and fight us on our own turf.



http://www.upload2world.com/pic101/upload2world_dd807.jpg


At dawn, we arose from our tents to don ourselves with oil. This was to be a decisive battle, one that would alter the course of history. This was to be the proving ground for the Hoplitai. And, most of all, this would be victory. Victory, untainted and pure. For that is what we came here for, and for that we fight.

But before the Battle, Tavrak thought to say a few words.

http://www.upload2world.com/pic101/upload2world_fb741.jpg




THIS
IS
SPARTA!!!


:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:
:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:
:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:
:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:
:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:


And with that, the battle had begun.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic101/upload2world_dc964.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic101/upload2world_284a8.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic101/upload2world_4d395.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic101/upload2world_7d073.jpg


Funny, but Tavrak's oldest child - Azes, isn't born of his actual wife. So he asked his wife if he could have a threesome. Alexandros and I, however, said no anyways, and instead we moved on with life. Since Tavrak has a family already, he may now freely go campaigning with me again. And guess who just took Aria? Yep, you guessed it. At least I think you did.

So, here we go, with the usual shenanigans with the Seleukids. Except with new troops, and a brand new commander - me. And a new home for my family - Taxila, the grand Indo-Hellenic city. Where trade and the Saka shall flourish forevermore.

[gamegeek2]

I should be able to update Friday, as I have no school on Friday (dunno why, but I'm not complaining).

[redworah]

I remember playing as the saka i conquered absolutely every thing east of persepolis and using bodyguards to conquer 2 1/2 factions the half is arche seleukia

[gamegeek2]

Sorry, my teachers dumped alot of HW on me yesterday. Update tomorrow, though.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter XI: Old Friends, Old Foes

After a many-year march, we made it back east to lands back under Seleukid hegemony. We intended to "free" the people, to bring them from under the gray banners to the red. What we once had in horsemen is gone, replaced by a Hellenic war ethos. But the Xah (he himself changed the spelling) says to not worry, and that many archers are on the way to support us. I cetrainly hope so, for the odds do not look favourable.


https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7214/38579969uo3.jpg

Yeah, I think he's right. We're falling out compared to our old system. Maybe we need to bring back the Saka and less of these Persian wanabees. The Hoplitai are good, though: they're never late. Maybe that's because of their training. At the very least we should get rid of these camp followers.


https://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6388/17980499wg9.jpg

Meanwhile, the unit of Hoplitai with just 2 men remaining advances to take arrows. After five volleys, both men remain standing. Their new armour is every bit as tough as the old, and cheaper to make as well. I hear it's lighter, too. But I'm not replacing the stuff I'm wearing right now: it's the toughest armour outside of Parthia, and it's on the finest horsemen in the world. In the end, all of their arrows are spent in taking just one of the two men down. Honestly, what a waste.

After an hour of cautious maneuvering and a staredown by both sides, we attempt to flank them and kill off all of their horsemen. While trying to do this, we get into a tussle with some mercenary cavalry, apparently made up of Greek settlers from Babylonia. We manage to maneuver past them, however, and engage the enemy general in fierce close-combat.


https://img119.imageshack.us/img119/1919/38262593uf2.jpg

At about the same time, a new influx of troops is welcomed with hearty cheers from the Hoplitai, and the fresh reinforcements begin to fire into the rear of the enemy ranks, disrupting them. At once, all our numbers converge on the enemy, causing confusion in their ranks. But we cannot last forever. And the fight is turning in our favor...


https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2691/58842801jb0.jpg

Good things, I supposed cannot last forever. The Xah is dead. Before he was truly alive, the Xah is dead, at the hands of the gray bastards. Their fate is sealed, their choice made. They will suffer at the hands of the Saka Rauka, and will never be spared a single blow. This is war. Total War. His son by me, the boy who was to be king, is now mine only, the child of a dead father, one who will never forget why his father is dead. And nor will I.


https://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8346/59762134vh1.jpg

And, with that, everything went black.

When I awoke, all that remained on the field were dead bodies. But, in the distance, I could see those brave Hoplitai, tending to the wounded and desecrating the enemy fallen. After it all, there were still men standing. Our men. We had won.


https://img387.imageshack.us/img387/8785/37201898cu7.jpg


"Me cheireis kai xiphos mou Seleukides ekotono" - With my hands and my sword I kill the Seleukids

[desert]

Quick with the screenshot key, aren't you?

Fast as lightning.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter XII: The Fury of the Horde (Part I)

Winter, 255 BCE



http://bpg.sytes.net/Nagazi/images/Image/Other/Caucasian_Ovcharka_Shiraqi_Steppe.jpg

'Tis cold, yet the thickness of my armour and boots protect from winter's blast. The steppe, as always, is harsh, but no longer are we only people of the steppe. Yet this army might suggest it.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_d17da.jpg

So it begins.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_09a51.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_476e7.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_31845.jpg


(Note: I forgot to shoot the battle statistics pic - :wall:)

By the winter, we had plunged into the heart of Eranshahr, and we were nearing the Persian heartland. Ahead lay the town of Gabai, famous for its mines and the poor sod who worked the mines and formed many of the armies we have faced before. No more, though, as the town falls, and is sacked.

http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_aafb9.jpg

Weeks later falls Perseopolis, once the greatest city known to man. Like Alexandros of old, we sack the city too, but do not touch the ruins nor the Tomb of Kyros: such treasures are jewels in the eye of our Xah, and serve our empire better as landmarks, not as gold in the coffers. Nonetheless, it is sacked, and the grand gray barracks like the ones in Gabai are destroyed; if the city falls back into Seleukid hands, they will have to start all over again; these are even more advanced that the ones in Baktra, and can only take longer to recoup.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_9fcc7.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_161bd.jpg

But what's more is this - an unfathomed body of water, stretching across unmeasured leagues; the "Big Water" the Pahlavan and Hellenes have told me of since I came to their land. And now that I gaze upon it with my own eyes, I realize how vast this world truly is. The few Hellenes among our Kataphraktoi say that we are still far removed from Hellas. But my question is: what lies beyond that water, that water that stretches without end, like the land we walk on. But it is not my purpose to find out: my purpose is to fight. To conquer.

[gamegeek2]

I intend to update tomorrow as well, by all means. And the day after that; this explains the short update. I also threw this one together in a hurry, so sorry if it seems a little plain.

[General Appo]

LOve it maaan. But thena gain, I love everything this niht. So I wouldn´t really trust meself on stuff like this right now.

[gamegeek2]

yeah, nice posts. There are 15 "Last Post - General Appo" on this subforum as I type this. After I submit this, that'll change.

anyways, thanks. Since tomorrow's Friday, I'll have a nice big Chapter XII Part 2.

[General Appo]

Ha, I shall take my Last Posts back. And without spamming too.

I´m hoping you let the Sele´s be for the moment and advance east towards India. Saka HA´s against Indian Elephants and Guild Warrios make for some of the best stuff eva.

[gamegeek2]

Yeah. I'll get FD and force a ceasefire, after I romp on some eastern provinces. I have Taksashila though, and am working on a Lv 3 MIC there.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter XII, Part II: Out of the Fire, Into the Unknown

Spring, 253 BCE

Recently, a rebellion occured in Perseopolis, and Satraces had the city evacuated of our soldiers and all relevant building burnt to the ground. We allow it to rebel, but leave it barren and depopulated, a shadow of its once-mighty self. The ruins themselves barely survive our fierce torches, echoing those of Alexandros nearly a century ago.

After capturing the town of Karmana and graciously letting its inhabitants survive, we head east for one last Seleukid town: Pura. We know not where it is located, but we have scouts constantly searching, and local sources are loyal to us. However, in our way stands a formidable obstacle


https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9630/81743889vt8.jpg

We array ourselves in standard battle formation, with the Assabarai on the right, the Kataphraktoi in the middle, and the others on the left. This turns out to be a wise decision, as the enemy army is mainly composed of archers


https://img379.imageshack.us/img379/5225/85873833tr6.jpg

These advance, and the Kataphraktoi advance for a charge or to sweep the rabble off the battlefield. Meanwhile, the Asya open fire from both sides of the battlefield, beginning the process of attritioning the enemy out through arrow-fire, as always with these armies. The ever-deadly combination of arrow and hoof quickly puts the enemy to rout.


https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8789/31531123wr4.jpg

After a quick surround-and-butcher of their phalanxes, the results stand thus:


https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/330/54952649jx9.jpg

The archers may certainly have cut into our numbers, and the brief melee contact between phalanx and horseman took its toll, but 'twas a victory in the end, and it counts no less.


https://img125.imageshack.us/img125/1054/41921112yp3.jpg

Shortly afterward, we defeated a waylaying group of Seleukids with no losses except from our own arrows. Irrelevant, but cetainly good practice.

Fall, 243 BCE


https://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2905/52657281sk9.jpg

After many weeks of searching, we finally located the remote town of Pura, the largest settlement in the land of Gedrosia, the most eastern lands of the Arche Seleukeia.


https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/5669/33558092qz2.jpg

Coincidentially, a ceasfire agreement was reached on the same day. (Yay FD)


The future once again smiles upon us. But none of us have escaped Fate's judgement. That story, friend, is for another day to come.


--- Thus Concludes Part I of Of Mail and Men: A Saka AAR. ---

[gamegeek2]

The Azaean Dynasty


Chapter XIII: The Empire Strikes Back

From here begins the journal of Azes, Prince of the Saka Rauka, in which he records the events and happenings of the empire and his own personal adventures.


- 240 BCE -

Sulek has been captured by our Eastern general, Arta, who has subdued the most western of the Yuezhi tribes that roam to the east. This should stop their activities against our empire, due to their loss of the valuable mines in that region. Now those mines fill our coffers instead of theirs. Meanwhile, an uneasy peace is held between us and the Seleukids, with an occasional army attacking and getting beaten by Satraces and his roaming band of horsemen, who travels with my mother. She intends to retire from active military life in 10 years to go home to Taxila, raise the children, and train the next generation of soldiers that come out of that great city.


- 239 BCE -

In a brutal battle, Satraces is defeated by 3 Seleukid princes and a formidable army composed of many mercenaries as well as the now-common Ioudaioi and, our old friends, the Pantodapoi and Hyrkanians. An account of the battle follows.

The foot archers stood in the center, with horse archers on either flank. Our horse archers advanced early, as always, but a Seleukid general rode out with his men and scattered our left flank.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/2e53ce8b2a.jpg

Seleukid Hetairoi are no match for Saka Kataphraktoi, however, and one of the enemy generals was quickly parted with his head. The situation was quickly growing unfavorable, however, and called for a retreat. A scuffle with more Seleukid bodyguards occured on the way off the battlefield, but the Kataphraktoi made it out alive.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/321c2e72bf.jpg

A rare defeat for the Saka Rauka, and it stings. And worse news still - Seleukid mercenary armies besiege both Gabai and Karmana, as well as Asaak. Though an Indo-Hellenic army moves to reinforce Karmana, it looks like it might be too late; Gabai, however, is almost certainly doomed. I pray that my mother will live until the winter, for she is trapped in Asaak with Satraces.


--- Winter, 239 BCE ---

With two miraculous victories at Gabai and Asaak, our new conquests remain largely intact: only Karmana was lost. Not that this loss is insignificant, but it is far less than what we anticipated. The Battle of Gabai was won by burning the enemy siege equipment; Asaak was saved by Patiyodha from Gandhara and the excellent Hoplitai Hellenikoi that have served us for many years now. All men in both units were recognized for their bravery, as they properly deserve, but the garrison of Asaak is depleted. New troops are being recruited in Baktra, however, and are being sent to campaign against the gray armies to the south. The peace is over, the war has begun anew.

[gamegeek2]

Not gonna be able to update for about a week now, I need to catch up on AtB work; finish up Nabataia and start Bosphoros

[gamegeek2]

Chapter XIV, Part I: The Old Guard and the New Guard


-238 BCE-

Supremacy is established over the region of Aria, as the Seleukid armies there are eliminated, as the first army from the Indo-Greek lands of the Saka Rauka moves west to Parthyaia, where our attention is currently focused. The Seleukid stronghold of Hekatompylos continues to be a thorn in our sides, and we intend to sack the city and pillage its barracks, to make way for our own.

Meanwhile, the poor nomad confederacy of Pahlava renews its attacks on Zadrakata, which it held many years ago but lost to the gray banners. We wish them sucess, but hope they do not grow too powerful, or we will have to eliminate them like we did to Baktria so many years ago; swiftly as the pony of the steppe.

Summer, and Xah Lokaxema has requested that I lead the old guard (and my new guard, ha ha) to the south, to join Satraces. To replace my order-keeping capacity in Antiocheia-Margiane, Governor Moga is recruiting some up-and-coming locals as militia, who take shifts keeping order from day to day. As the Prince, I am fully expected to display the same qualities my father had, and I fully intend to live up to them, but to survive as Xah, unlike my unfortunate father, who fell at the hands of the Seleukids. Never will I forgive those dirty bastards. My future reign would see the end of them, if it meant the end of me, too!

Autumn, and Gabai falls to a spy and and army under the gray banners. Though their stubborness seems foolish, it is admirable of these Eastern Hellenes how persistent they are, and what they try countless times to do, no matter how impossible it seems. A quality once thought to be one of "barbaroi," like my people, who used to raid countless times without ever accomplishing much. No longer; O kathenas esti barbaros allos.

An intruding army requests my attention, and I respond by joining up with the Indo-Hellenic Army, with my bodyguards, Patika, and the Old Guard, as I now call them. We outnumber them, but their army is composed of a mercenary core that has been campaigning against us for many years; many of these men are veterans of the failed recapturing of Asaak. The enemy army wisely realizes the hopelessness of its situation and retreats, and we do not pursue, as our men have come a long way in the recent weeks, and must rest their good feet before we may carry on with the campaign.

Several weeks later, as cold Cheimon arrives, the enemies arrive with them. As we are in something of a desert wasteland here in Parthyaia, the temperature resembles later autumn on the steppes, with the dry air all about us.


Account of the Battle

We arrange ourselves in a sensible formation, with the Pati-iota in front of the various Hoplitai, and the kataphraktoi on the right. Nearby is a large hole-tomb, with passageways and all (from what I can see) The horses take caution to avoid it, as one slip and horse and man fall many feet to their certain doom.

While our archers did their good work, the enemy Hetairoi advanced to drive them off, and we prudently responded by marching the hoplitai forward to ward them off. At the sight of their advance, the horsemen stopped, and the archers were able to continue firing, unmolested by enemies. Suddenly, the enemy ran forward at the archers again, who swiftly retreated behind the wall of spear and shield. The enemies continued on this time, and fine steed and man connected with the wall, and a great cry erupted from the line; several men were impaled in the head, but most managed to ward the enemy lances off with their large shields.

At this time, a great cry of "ΛΕΙΡΕΤΕ" arose from the Seleukid ranks, and some of the horsemen that hadn't made contact yet began to flee the battlefield. However, a few Babylonians failed to hear these orders, and collided with our hoplites. My guards and I rode around the commotion and charged into the melee, and slaughtered many horsemen on our spears, including one of their three commanders. Dismayed by this, the Hetairoi began to flee the battlefield, and we did not pursue, knowing their horses were less burdened than ours. Instead, we turned and slammed into the Babylonian ranks, routing them and winning the day.

'Twas a clear victory, with us suffering less than 500 casualties, and the enemies suffering two thousand. [10x figures compared with Huge battle size]


Account of the Follow-Up Battle

Across a rugged landscape stood the same enemy from three days ago, tired from their rapid flight full of misturns in an unfamiliar landscape. They have nowhere to run this time; their back is to the wall, their spears turned for a last-ditch defense doomed to fail.

One of their impetuous commanders, again over-eager to engage the archers, rode out, but was engaged by our hoplitai, who moved to protect the archers, who once again continued to fire into enemy ranks. After a savage beating by the steel-clad footmen, the Hetairoi rode off, only to find vaunted darts trailing them, and, to their horror, piercing their armour at certain points. The enemy stopped to bravely, and foolishly, take the arrows, and the darts got the better of all of them, including one of the impetuous commander.

After all our arrows were spent (and well spent they were), our forces advanced. My kataphraktoi bodyguards were caught off guard by charging Hetairoi, but we outnumbered them. However, these were fine horsemen, not uppity nobles, and they were more than a match for my less experienced bodyguard. However, their commander was killed early in the melee, and, with that, the enemy lost hope. Fine horsemen though they were, they were outnumbered, and they fought on with no hope of escaping. "ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΡΧΗ!" they may have shouted to each other, but it was half-hearted, emasculated, and one by one they fell down, down, down.

After the battle, we marched for a week before settling down in a local town, which looked upon us with a strange mix of awe and fear. They offered us what little they could, for they knew of the brighter future we promised. Some whispered that we had come to kill them all, but those fears were dissuaded. "No," I said to them. "To kill the Seleukids."


-237 BCE-

After moving out from our winter encampment, we meet the last Seleukid army in the region, led by the recently adopted Hermogenes, whom the ever-accepting Seleukid royal family endowed with a bodyguard, though one lacking in much experience.


Account of the Battle for Parthyaia

Due to the low number of enemy horsemen, we positioned our archers on the right and open, so they could have a clear shot at the enemy. As soon as they were lined up and in range, they went to work, raining hell upon the enemies. Among the enemy forces were tribesmen from "Arabia," a desert land to the southwest, Klerouchoi who had been called to service from Hekatompylos to defend the area, and a unit of Huvaka, the last of the old Achaemenid elite horsemen, to compliment Hermogenes and his bodyguard.

The arrows quickly took their toll on the Arabikoi, who had no armour and but a shield and a thick head covering for defense. The arrows buried themselves deep into flesh, and the skirmishers quickly retreated, making way for the phalanxes. Meanwhile, the Huvaka made straight for our hoplitai, and hit their target straight-on and half-ready. However, the well-trained hoplitai easily overpowered the Persian horsemen, who had less armour compared to the Hetairoi that the hoplitai had defeated in the previous battles. However, some of our Pati-iota were in trouble, being pursued by the Hetairoi who had slipped by our infantry. The brave archers drew swords and began to engage the heavy horsemen in melee; the two-handed swords were effective against the heavy armour, but nowhere near as effective as the Hadabara the Seleukids soon found charging into their backs.

Tired of being picked off by arrows, the Arabikoi [is that correct? or is it Arabioi?] charged our superior hoplitai, who began to mercilessly cut them down. The archers shifted to target the phalanxes, who were now exposed to attack while maneuvering. A rout ensued, and pursuit was deemed fruitless, as the light troops can even outrun our now-tired horses, burdened with heavy armour. The skirmishers then rally, seeing that there are no pursuers, and head back to the fight, only to be routed again by the same foes. The phalanxes were promptly surrounded by our now-superior forces, and they routed as fast as the skirmishers. ΝΙΚΗ!

Next: Chapter XIV, Part II: Lock and Key

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I'm not seeing any pictures from a couple updates back.

[gamegeek2]

Yeah, I noticed that too. There's probably a limit to the number of pics per page for users who have bad connection. That's why I did a text-only update.

[desert]

Seriously?

This does not bode well for my AAR.

[gamegeek2]

So, what should I do (IYO, guys)? Less pics or more book-style? I'm gonna have to do book style until next page...

EDIT: Now I can see them. Finally, back to normal!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

The pictures I wasn't seeing, I'm now seeing.

Personally, I prefer AARs with lots of pictures.

Also, with one or two posts you should be on the next page...

[johnhughthom]

I agree with MAA, the more pictures the better. Just thought I would post to help you get to the next page quicker. :laugh4:

[gamegeek2]

Heh, nice. The problem's already fixed, though: I can see all the pics on the last page anyways.

[gamegeek2]

Sorry guys, I've been busy over the weekend. I have half an update done, I'll finish it tomorrow, as the 1st quarter ended and the teachers are busy grading tomorrow. I also have Tuesday off (it's Election Day, go Obama!) so I'll be able to update then as well.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter XIV, Part II: To Fight Another Day

-236 BCE-

A puppet government is established in Hekatompylos. I am to remain in the city until the new ruler is properly accomodated, at which point I shall return to Baktra. The new lands we possess offer many Persian troops, including some the Xah is excited to deploy in his army, namely the "Khuveshavagan" that the Pahlavan to the northwest speak of.

The walled city of Apameia is besieged, to the south, but many Seleukid reinforcements arrive and attack the besieging army, which turns around quickly to fight them.


Account of the Battle by Artemidoros


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_717f9.jpg

Their army features a large proportion of the Alexandrian trademark, the phalanx. This is disconcerting for the infantry-heavy force. However, the Captain has a plan to deal with these irksome walls of spears, and puts it in motion at the beginning of the battle.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_144f6.jpg

The massed enemies are hit by several volleys of arrows by the Patiyodha, and many are struck down by the vaunted darts. However, they still easily outnumber our forces by two to one.

http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_3162a.jpg

But the Patiyodha are intimidated by the superior enemy numbers, and lose all hope, beginning to flee...


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_423d9.jpg

...as the enemy grow farther away, however, they rally and return to battle...


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_18ee2.jpg

...and not all hope is lost. Not while men are standing will the Saka Rauka crumble. The well-disciplined Hadabara leave the infantry to cut down the fleeing phalanx and turn against the enemy's rear, causing devastating casualties and saving many Hoplitai from a grisly fate.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_b7a6b.jpg

But the enemy are too many, and a prudent retreat is called for.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_a5da6.jpg

As these men return from battle, I leave for Asaak, and a gray army interrupts my passage there as well! The army is composed of Pantodapoi levies, though some are arranged and equipped to be a phalanx. The battle promises to be tough, as our numbers are far inferior and it is an infantry battle. It will have to be the Hadabara that decide the day...


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_9a155.jpg

At the start of the battle, our forces split up, in the middle of a grassy field between two forests.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_65ecd.jpg

Both the Thureophoroi and Peltastai are caught on the flank by the powerful phalanxes. The outlook seems grim for the Saka Rauka, as our brave soldiers are cut down by a sea of spears.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_7f9b7.jpg

But a well-timed blow from one of the Thureophoroi kills the enemy captain, and morale improves as the Hadabara slam into the back of the Pantodapoi phalanx.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_1db4f.jpg

But both infantry units begin to rout after a strong push by the Seleukid ranks, and it is down to the Hadabara to rally the men or finish the enemy. The Peltastai flee the field quickly, though, and we begin to carry out the daunting task of destroying the enemy in order to rally the few infantry we still have on the battlefield...


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_f1582.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_a776f.jpg

The encouraged Thureophoroi pick up their standards and march back to battle, and the fight is on once more, as they engage the enemy phalanxes from the front.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_31c04.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_137be.jpg

The brave but greatly outnumbered Hellenic spearmen are slaughtered, but buy just enough of Time's whim to allow one final charge by the Hadabara.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_225ac.jpg

However, it is not enough. Is anything enough to break the back of these accursed Seleukids? Or are we doomed to fight them forever? Today, no. Tomorrow, maybe. For he who fights and runs shall fight again. That does not change.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_12acd.jpg

In the winter, Satraces manages to defeat the same army with a force composed of archers and his bodyguard. He then marches south, but sends many of the Nizagan he brings with him back to Asaak, in order to help me maintain order.


-235 BCE-

The garrison of Hekatompylos sallies forth to defeat its besiegers, but a second army besieges the city. Prophthasia is also besieged by a Seleukid force, but Artemidoros arrives from Ariana with a strong reinforcement army, and this, combined with (late) reinforcements from the garrison, manages to crush the besiegers.

Satraces besieges Zadrakata, hoping to gain access to its valuable mines, but the rams' construction is delayed by a while due to bad weather. However, the enemy sallied to attack our besieging force, and Satraces was forced to retreat due to the enemy's superior cavalry force [gold chevron general] easily being able to crush our archers; the retreat prevented a massacre. In the summer, Satraces adds some Hyrkanian mercenaries to his army and besieges the town again: this time, it is captured.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_e0675.jpg

The city is sacked, and much is looted from it - a total profit of 25000 mnai is made from the sacking of the city. This is a dramatic boost for the war effort, and Satraces is able to add to his already immense wealth from earlier conquest. The city also contains many Seleukid barracks, which are looted and destroyed; the armour is added to our vast collections, and is sure to benefit future soldiers. Also, many former Seleukid slaves are freed in the region, and given work in the mines for a few coins a day; this increases the overall happiness of the population.

At the outset of winter, the Seleukids attack Hekatompylos again, but its defenders succesfully repel the attackers with the assistance of some horse archers. By the time half of their men are dead, the Seleukids realize that retreat is the correct move, not continuing their futile assault. Meanwhile, Artemidoros' force (sans the general himself) recaptures Karmania and its namesake town, Karmana, and establishes a strong garrison there, to hold the town until a government is established, at which point we shall move on to attack Gabai.

[gamegeek2]

Chapter XV, Part I: A New Push Forward

-Spring, 234-

After having their proposal to us about being a Protectorate declined, the Seleukids besiege Zadrakata with an army of light Arabian mercenaries. The besieging army is crushed with no casualties on our part, thanks to bow and arrow doing their duty well.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_92267.jpg

The Empire once again turns a sizeable profit each turn, and the mines' output flows into our coffers. This money is spent recruiting troops and expanding local trade throughout our territories. Though the short-term profits are none, over time these routes will increase in traffic and bring more wealth to our lands, to turn the average man into one enviable by those of other lands. Such is the goal of our Xah, Lokaxema, who has served faithfully as governor in the old Baktrian lands for countless years now.

In Parthyaia, a great Seleukid host gathers once again, to retake the walled city of Hekatompylos. This is no simple matter - our most recent reinforcements in that area have been depleted by the recent siege. However, fresh ones arrive from the northeast, and join Satraces, who moved out of Zadrakata once a client kingdom was established there. After taking several weeks to assemble many locals to help the war effort, he attacks the gray host.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_09c4b.jpg

Account of the Battle by Artemidoros

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At the outset of the battle, the Asya move to circle around the enemy's right flank, to fire shots unimpeded by enemy shields. The few light cavalry that move to stop them are soon cut down by arrows; the Seleukid phalanxes begin to take casualties, but few of them.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_af9ca.jpg

The various Pezotoxotai add their arrows to the hell flying at the Seleukid ranks, and many more men start to fall.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_53523.jpg

Many of the enemy are slaves freed in the Great Rebellion of Persis after the second sacking of Perseopolis by Satraces. They take the heaviest casualties, as they have only their ragged clothes for armour. As a heap of materials is no house, a rabble of men is no army; to muster them as such for war is to throw them away.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_665b7.jpg

Out of nowhere, Satraces charges the enemy general, hoping to kill the man himself. It does not work, but the charge is still effective, and kills many an enemy. The enemy ranks become disordered, as their general flees from combat for safer ground on a hill. Many follow him, but others proceed towards various units.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_e2990.jpg

The scattered phalanxes are easy pickings for the Daha cavalry, who pick several phalanxes off with charges from behind, assisted by their companions, the horse archers.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_05578.jpg

And the enemy general, so confident in his ability to run over our archers, is brought to the ground by the good blades of India, and another prince is laid low by the Saka Rauka.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_0c719.jpg

One by one, the enemy phalanxes are dissassembled and routed by charge after charge, retreat after retreat, and repetition after repetition, the Saka army divides and conquers the enemy:


http://www.upload2world.com/pic102/upload2world_e0784.jpg

[gamegeek2]

Short update, but my time is limited, I'll try to finish Chapter XV tomorrow.

[Maion Maroneios]

Just wanted to say I've started reading your AAR and I think it's very good! Keep up the good stuff mate:thumbsup:

Maion

[Aemilius Paulus]

Just wanted to say I've started reading your AAR and I think it's very good! Keep up the good stuff mate:thumbsup:

Me too!

[gamegeek2]

Chapter XVI: Boom and Bust

- Spring, 233 -

http://www.skimountaineer.com/ROF/Beyond/Damavand/DamavandCone.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_a0d71.jpg

At the very beginning of the season, Satraces defeats a well-equipped Seleukid army complete with well-trained Hellenes, no levies. While this proves a tougher challenge than normal, the good man manages to defeat the foe. However, his Dahae nobles are devastated in a successful, but costly clash with Seleukid Hetairoi. It is impressive that they (and some Assabarai) managed to defeat the Hetairoi, but they were not nearly as resistant as the Hadabara. After the campaign, Satraces writes that he will send them back to be retrained as Hadabara, which have more armour than the Dahae do, and the nobles quickly agree to this plan.

Shortly afterwards, Satraces besieges Apameia, but a Seleukid army arrives to stop him.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_f2ed8.jpg

Instead of fighting it out, Satraces retreats his tired army back to Hekatompylos to reinforce with new recruits from among the locals, while the Dahae and Hoplitai head back for scheduled retraining. However, one of the Seleukid armies is extremely persistent and catches the army in time for a battle. The severely weakened army faces off against a fresh Seleukid force, but manages to defeat the all-phalanx army:


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_e91e1.jpg

Satraces turns around and heads back towards Apameia, but the Hoplitai are sent north for retraining, and some Babylonians are hired to help take the walls. After a short siege, the city and its enormous walls are taken.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_2effc.jpg

As per usual, the Seleukid barracks are plundered and the previous government is destroyed, replaced with a puppet government. Meanwhile, an up-and-coming general in the Arche Sakaia, Arzeiles, moves south to deal with the Seleukid rebels from Persis, who have marched from the ruins of Perseopolis to Ariana, in order to capture the prosperous town. Mercenaries are hired to help stop the rebellion, but the enemy army is enourmous. Artemidoros the historian was one of the commanders in this fight, and details the battle as follows:

http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_cc2de.jpg

The enemy were slaves, and many in number, with a few archers among their ranks, where as my own force was composed of my retainer and a force of archers composed of Saka settlers in the region. Arzeiles' force was composed of his retainer and three units of Hellenic mercenaries, while a force of Hoplitai approached from the south to assist us. However, neither reinforcing force arrived early enough, and Arzeiles was forced to fight the battle on his own.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_482d7.jpg

For the first hour or so, the Peltastai endured volley after volley from the Persians below. However, these arrows failed to penetrate the linothorax armour of the Hellenes, and few fell to the tens of thousands of arrows loosed at them.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_a333b.jpg

As the enemy close in after their volleys, the Peltastai unleash their javelins, and many of the unarmoured enemy are pierced by the deadly missiles, but they keep coming, and slam into the line of skirmishers.

The determined mercenaries do not budge.

It is a bloody struggle for survival, with the enemy desperately looking for an opening between the linothorax and the shield, as the Peltastai and Theurophoroi. The sheer number of the enemy unnerves the Hellenes, but they fight their hardest, emboldened by the knowledge that they, as true soldiers, are superior to the enemy.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_a2ac4.jpg

The entire battlefield quickly becomes a rout, and hundreds of enemies are cut down. Only one unit of the slaves remains.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_ecae8.jpg

These, too, are quickly eliminated.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_3db59.jpg

Myself and my men arrive in time to destroy the survivors.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_ddb45.jpg

It is a complete and utter victory. TO ΜΑΚΕΛΕΙΟΝ ΑΡΙΟΝ. The Massacre at Aria. Nike!


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_c3a2c.jpg

The victorious Arzeiles marches south to deal with a Seleukid threat at Prophthasia, and to his east, another Saka army marches south to Arachrosia, where it is rumored an Eleutheroi stronghold exists, called Alexandropolis, one of many cities founded by Megas Alexandros.


- 232 -

The Seleukids capture Prophthasia, but Arzeiles besieges it right back, and manages to recapture it during by the end of the year in a tough battle against the well-armed conquerors, a mercenary army. In Hyrcania, a similar thing happens, except this time the beseigers are the well-armed mercenaries - the governor, Oxyartes, and his force of levies manage to defeat the enemy on the strength of sheer numbers.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_42928.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_edde2.jpg

Meanwhile, in Arachrosia, the Indo-Hellenic army besieges the now-known town of Alexandropolis, after many months' march south. However, the enemy garrison is strong, and the men decide to starve the enemy out for a bit of time, until Arzeiles arrives to command the assault.


- 231 -

News arrives that the Arachrosian king is dead, and Arzeiles takes full advantage of this occurence, ordering an immediate attack on the town of Alexandropolis.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_b0c64.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_bd9ae.jpg

As the rams set out for the walls, the Patiyodha begin to rain arrows. 40% of our force is composed of archers and slingers, for the enemies in these parts are poor and have a glaring lack of armour. To make up for this, their men have many years of experience, but experience does nothing against an arrow.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_dfc2e.jpg

Two of our rams are set ablaze, but the third one makes it to the walls. This one unit of men will be doing a lot of ramming work today, as the ram moves on to the gates as soon as it is done with the walls.

http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_64204.jpg

Hoplitai pour through the gap and begin to cut down the various Thanvare that face them. A flanking force arrives to add another dimension to the fight, but the first to fall among these new combatants is...


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_378ae.jpg

...their general. But their is little time for celebration, as the mass of enemies poses a significant threat. Luckily for the Hoplitai, the enemy are stopped from surrounding them by their own houses, and reinforcements have time to take the place of those open flanks.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_989e3.jpg

These levies prove fierce opponents, who match our training, ethos, and armour with skill and experience repelling many a Seleukid attack.


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But, in the end, none of it mattered.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_befed.jpg

The brutal combat is carried on in the streets, this time by skirmishers, some of which are Hellenic. These men, too, have seen many a war; it is clear in their demeanor. But beneath their appearance lies fear - fear of what is coming, fear of the inevitable.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_2454d.jpg

http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_89acc.jpg

After the fighting has cleared, the Peltastai move in for the kill.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_861d5.jpg

The enemy bravely fight to the last man, but all for naught.


http://www.upload2world.com/pic103/upload2world_2b95a.jpg

For in the end, it is the Saka Rauka who will triumph.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nice update.

It looks like you're cutting out a nice empire there.

[gamegeek2]

Yeah, I'll see if I can get it up on the Progression Update tomorrow.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

THIS RULES!!!!!!!!!:beam::beam::beam: PLZ MAKE MOAR THREAD@!!!!!!!

[gamegeek2]

Thanks, Olaf. Hope I can update during the week.

[gamegeek2]

Just a quick one: which do you guys prefer in this AAR, the Chirurgeon-style storyteller or the view of the soldier/person on the battlefield?

[Olaf Blackeyes]

to be honest ive always prefered journal/storyteller types of stuff cuz it easier to understand

[gamegeek2]

k thx olaf.

[gamegeek2]

I apologize guys, it seems my saves have been corrupted. Both of them. It looks like I'll have to discontinue this AAR. I think I can start a new one, though.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

Why is svegame corruption becoming such a problem recently. BTW try using the custom battles feature to fight battles and RP them onto the campain map. thats how im playing my AAR due to savegame problems.

[Maion Maroneios]

Sad to hear that, I liked your AAR. I'll be waiting for your next one!:wink:

While what you say, Olaf, may be a good idea, this means he cannot actually progress in the game. This means no camapign AI shots, just battle shots.

Maion

[Olaf Blackeyes]

@Maion this is how my AAR has been progressing for about since chapter fourteen. U just gotta RP Campain map stuff

[gamegeek2]

Someday, if I find time, I'll make some fictional updates. Maybe.