View Full Version : Post your EB empires!
Arthur, king of the Britons
11-28-2010, 19:41
war, war never changes
Fallout reference!
Uhm anyway, that's a great Family member if ever I saw one.
Fallout reference!
Uhm anyway, that's a great Family member if ever I saw one.
The cake is a lie too... So is the Pip-boy
Great, the king is back :crown:
Well, that I would have never expected... only 8? If I had fought that it would have CTDd after
~Jirisys (Not even last night's storm could wake you up:clown:)
Celtic_Punk
11-28-2010, 23:52
lol i'd have hit the checkmark as soon as the screen came up, i wouldnt reload, but itd allow for maximum ctd'ing >:P its not cheating its forgetting game engine flaws
Nah, I don't reload. House rule number 1.
Here are some tactical considerations the Arverni recently learned in my game:
1 - Do not raise an entire army consisting only of levy spearmen.
2 - Do not accept battle with said army against a battle-hardened legion of Carthaginian veterans, no matter if you do outnumber them by a thousand men.
3 - Do not allow the enemy to take the high ground in said battle.
4 - Do not break formation, turning the battle-line into a battle-blob when assaulting the enemy on said highground.
5 - Do not run in panic when javelins start raining down on said battle-blob.
Result; 3200 Arverni dead, 8 Carthaginians dead.
https://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7894/ssbq206arverni.png
you know guys, I understand mass-murder and apocalyptic endings for enemy factions ithe key to EB, but it is time we all got beyond thunderdome....
Mass Murder?! This is..................................(wait for it)
EB
Arthur, king of the Britons
11-30-2010, 00:16
Great, the king is back :crown:
https://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx244/KingoftheBritons/the-king-backup-small.jpg
I think I'll post an update on my Empire when I'm done with my little huge Civil War (Ca 6 years in-game, hopefully not as long IRL)
Earlier:
https://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1656/ssbq207.png
The Republic of Qart Hadasht, Autumn 207 BCE
ROME BURNS!
https://img821.imageshack.us/img821/98/ssbq201romedown.png
After the dispicable death of Bodmelqart, Milkherem Oea took control of the first army, then stationed north of Rhegion. Being in bad shape, it was decided that the army should retire to Qart Hadasht for a second time in order to receive reinforcements. The troops supplied by our loyal tyrant in Syracuse would then move into Rhegion to protect it from the Romans for the following year.
Meanwhile, in southern Gaul, the Arverni have become a major nuisance. Dispite the Second army being stationed here [under command of Gisgo, Sophet since 205BCE], they continue to wander into our territory, laying waste to our countryside and besieging our cities. Worse yet, when confronted by our army in battle, they throw their javelins at us and run away, never facing us directly in battle. The cowards. Being so far away from our glorious capital, Gisgo has had to replace his Africans by Illergetian soldiers and Gauls, in order that reinforcements can be found immediately. These local soldiers are adequate against the untrained masses the Arverni send at us, but we should find ourselves lucky the Romans are too busy in Italy.
Having returned to Italy with fresh troops, Milkherem Oea quickly captures Capua and Arpi, defeating two large Roman legions with minimal losses to our army. At the same time, we land a fresh light army [half stack] in Northern Italy, which succeeds in taking Arretium. The Romans are not yet defeated however, and Milkherem turns his attention to the city of Rome itself, besieging it. This infuriates the northern allies of Rome and they attack our besieging army a total of three times, causing heavy losses to our ranks. Finally [in 203BCE] we are forced to retreat, going back to Qart Hadasht in order to reinforce the army yet again.
In Gaul, Gisgo defeats two large Arverni armies. The first, consisting entirely of novice troops without any missile or cavalry support, charges our army up a hill, resulting in a magnificent slaughter in which scarsely a dozen of our troops are fallen. The second army attacks us at a river ford. While our Illergetian soldiers defend the river back against the enemy horde, our Gallic swordsmen cross the river downstream, outflanking the enemy. Miraculously, the enemy king manages to escape, running through our ranks as if his horse was the legendary Pegasus. His men are not so lucky.
While at sea, the transports carrying the First Army run into the Egyptian fleet, which has been terrorising our African coast for more than 10 years. Its movements are erratic and the money lost from overseas trade is easily repaid from our vast treasury, so the senate decided against forming our own battlefleet. What a mistake! The 300 ships strong Egyptian fleet utterly scatters our transports and it takes the better part of a year for our entire army to return to Qart Hadast. [There are actually two fleets, one consisting of 5 units of Triereis and Pentereis, the other consisting of one unit of Nees Megistai. After this incident, I decided to raise my own battlefleet, however, I am hesistant to spend a lot of money on it and as a result it has been defeated twice by the Egyptian fleet. Although victorious, the Egyptian fleet has suffered serious losses and I am confident I will win the next engagement.]
With the army being retrained, the Romans besiege Capua, Arpi and Arretium and, although their assaults are defeated, our garrison forces [consisting mostly of mercenaries] take heavy losses.
Having finally returned to Italy in 201 BCE, Milkherem Oea engages the army besieging Capua and causes them to flee to Rome. After a lengthy pursuit he catches up to the fleeing forces and engages them outside of the city. Seeing their brothers in trouble, the garrison of Rome joins the battle and is utterly crushed. With no forces left to defend the city, Milkherem and his army walk in unopposed. The people who waged war against us so relentlessly for the past thirty years are massacred, the survivors sold into slavery, their temples looted and burned to the ground. Death to the Romans!
[And, because this is a special occasion, you get a deluxe map.]
https://img571.imageshack.us/img571/264/ssbq201.png
The Republic of Qart Hadasht, Summer 201 BCE
[Notice that hardly anything has happened in the past six years, apart from the conquest of southern Italy. Amazingly, the Seleucids are still hanging on, as are the Bactrians. They even outlasted Pontos, which was destroyed easily by Makedonia. Makedonia is pretty much the only faction that is moving. They subdued the Getai about 10 years into the game, making them their protectorate, then they did the same to the Sweboz 30 years later. They made the Hay a protectorate too, but they decided that didn't like that and declared war a year later. Meanwhile, Pahlava is messing around with what's left of Arche Seleuceia and Bactria, while the Ptolemaioi have dumped 5 full stacks in Cyrenaica, but they refuse to actually attack me. The Romani and Arverni are a huge pain, attacking me every single turn. Without Rome though, I hope that will stop.]
Africanus
12-03-2010, 20:48
133 B.C.
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh241/LVA/RTW/ad9e3f7f.jpg
Still taking advantage of AI passiveness to go at a slow pace. The QH have been reduced to only Tuat. I took Garama and used FD to gift it to the Saba.
My plan of taking Lepki to provoke the Ptolamaoi worked, and I've decided to go after the soft underbelly of their mighty empire. After taking Kyrene they sent one stack after another to try and recover it to no avail. I then brought my African legion over to take Augila and then next Ammonion, which I also gave to the Saba. Leaving Ammonion I was attacked by a full stack and narrowly escaped with a win. Easily the toughest battle of my campaign. I'm currently beseiging Paraitonion, and here come the stacks. :dizzy2:
I still haven't bothered with the Luso's yet. Just when I was going to start war with them, I got lucky and Arse went rebel, so I quickly grabbed it up while avoiding opening another front. They still haven't made any moves, anywhere, since becoming a protectorate so I'll just let them be for awhile.
Things have also been quiet to the north. I'm currently only at war with the Averni and they'll occasionally send a stack my way, but I've had little trouble defeating them. Taking QS's advice, I gifted a couple of Gallic settlements to the Casse, but they haven't done much of anything either. They took one pitiful run at the Sweboz, beseiging a settlement with one unit and were easily repelled.
The Aedui are still hanging on. They did eventually lose back the settlements I gifted them earlier to the Sweboz, but they've been successful at defending Vindobona and Patavium. After 140+ years of peace, they currently have two pitiful stacks menacing Bononia. I hope they don't go suicidal now and decide to attack me.
The KH have been on the move, wiping out Epiros rather quickly after they dropped their protectorate status. However, the Ptoly's have just started to encroach on their holdings, taking Byzantimum and Pella.
Brave Brave Sir Robin
12-03-2010, 22:17
Yuck, ugly yellow death
Earlier:
https://img571.imageshack.us/img571/264/ssbq201.png
The Republic of Qart Hadasht, Summer 201 BCE
https://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6253/ssbq192.png
The Republic of Qart Hadasht, Spring 192 BCE
NEWS OF THE WORLD 201-192 BCE
201: Pacification of Northern Italy. With Rome out of the way, the mighty armies of Carthage meet no further organised resistance and the remaining cities loyal to the Roman remnant are being besieged. Retraining the old army. The scattered units of the old army, which conquered Iberia are collected and shipped to Carthage for retraining.
200: Makedonian conquest of Hayasdan. Having rejected the Makedonian offer of becoming a protectorate, Hayasdan is facing increasingly tough Macedonian attacks. At the height of their advance, the Makedonians hold Hayasdan's Black Sea coast and most of the Caucasus. Training of the African Army. The Carthaginian Senate aproves the raising of an African army, armed in Greek style with a mighty phalanx and heavy cavalry. With the pacification of Italy, Carthage turns its attention to Egypt.
199: End of the Arabian War. Ptolemy defeats the Saba in several large-scale engagements, effectively putting an end to the war that has been raging on Egypt's right flank for the past 5 years. Meanwhile, Saba turns its attention to the other side of Arabia and captures Gerrha. March of the Armies. The Carthaginians send their armies away, the African army to Kyrenaica to defeat the armies of Ptolemy stationed there, the retrained old army to Northern Iberia to subdue the remaining independent tribes.
198: Revolt in Makedonia. Several of Makedonia's northern settlements revolt simultaneously and its Alpine territory joins the Aedui, forcing a war between these two factions. Parthia goes north. In the same year, both the Seleucid and Bactrian 'empires' fall to the Parthians. Not too keen on peace, they declare war on the Saka immediately and begin their advance north.
197: The armies arrive. The Carthaginian old army travels to Iberia, crushing a few minor revolts and renewing old alliances. The African Army arrives in Ptolemaic Africa, marking the start of the Desert Campaign, a tiresome war of attrition in which neither side are able to claim victory. Parthia goes south. Not content with war on just one front, the Parthians declare war on Saba and invade Arabia.
196: Makedonia joins the war. Makedonia declares war on Ptolemaic Egypt, easily crushing the weak garrisons of southern Asia Minor. Having to devide their forces here, they lose the Caucasian territory they conquered here earlier, but manage to keep on advancing to the east. The siege of Mediolanium. Now in complete control of Italy, Milkherem Oea, Carthaginian General declares war on the Aedui after failing to aquire Alpine Gaul through diplomatic means. A lenghty siege begins.
195: Height of the Desert Campaign. As many as 5 Egyptian armies wander the desert between the Nile and Kyrenaica. Whenever engaged by the African Army of Carthage, the Egyptian armies take position on top of a sand dune and turn it into a fortress. Heavy losses are incurred as various inconclusive battles are fought. The Aedui attack. A Massive barbarian army appears out of nowhere, apparently having crossed the Alps and attacks Milkherem Oea's army at Mediolanium. The battle is won, but victory relied entirely upon the African Elephants, accounting for over 30% of the enemy casualties. Sufficient men escape back to the city to dissuade the general from attempting an assault.
194: Iberia Conquered. The old army succeeds in taking the capital city of the last independent Iberian tribe. Carthage now controls the whole of Iberia. Mediolanium Conquered. Their armies defeated, the Aedui give up their city after food stores ran out.
193: Sacking of Gergovia. Sophet Gisgo attempts to put an end to Arverni attacks by sacking their captial. The burnt remains are left to the enemy without contest in order to keep the weak Arverni between Carthaginian Gaul and the Aedui as a buffer-zone.
192: Success in Africa. With Egypts Armies now rushing into Syria to halt the Makedonian advance, now at the gates of Antioch, the African Army succeeds in taking Augila. Raising of the Second African Army. Too many Egyptian armies still wander the desert to leave Augila for more than a year, as such, a second African Army is being raised to relieve the first and to carry on the attack into the Egyptian heartland.
Commentaries
As the weak nations are conquered, the world begins to be devided among the two great alliances. In the west, the Carthaginian-Makedonian alliance (including the Makedonian protectorates the Sweboz and the Getai) and in the east the Ptolemaioi-Parthian alliance (including Parthian protectorate Hayasdan). As the Makedonians hammer away at Parthia's allies and the Makedonian-Parthian border becomes longer and longer, so increases the chances of war between the greatest powers of the world. For the time being though, Parthia has its hands full with Saka and Saba, while Makedonia and Carthage are busy with Egypt. To prevent hostilities between Carthage and Makedonia, both sides have agreed to leave the minor Celto-Roman alliance in one piece as buffer states. Although nominally part of the Celto-Roman alliance, the Casse seem quite content staying on their islands.
A quick, objective and honest overview of the political powers in Europe:
https://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9903/ssbq192political.png
Ibn-Khaldun
12-05-2010, 17:56
Folgore - You have an amazing campaign. I have enjoyed every post about it so far. :2thumbsup:
Cool thanks, glad to hear that! :)
Mass Murder?! This is..................................(wait for it)
EB
you evidently missed my joke :clown:
Earl of Memory
12-06-2010, 07:25
Who am I? ... it's 228 BC, and I'm using ALEX.exe
https://img811.imageshack.us/img811/4329/ebmap.jpg
I bet it won't be hard to know
The_Blacksmith
12-06-2010, 11:46
Arche Seleukia, yep... pretty easy...
Why does Makedonia allways die ?
QuintusSertorius
12-06-2010, 12:35
Arche Seleukia, yep... pretty easy...
Why does Makedonia allways die ?
Because Epeiros should be Pergamon. Remove them from the equation and it's a much more even contest between Makedonia and Koinon Hellenon.
Should be XD
Let Pyrrhos have his moment of glory, at the time he was king of Macedon :P
Earl of Memory
12-07-2010, 04:55
Arche Seleukeia, 228 BC, I like to go slow, very slow.
The previous events:
The makedones were faring quite well, they managed to kick out the KH from Greece, and then they took the province north of Pella, and besieged Byzantium.
Yet they got too ambitious and attacked me with their armies of Mytiline my province of Pergamon (filthy traitors!!!!).
Then, Epeiros invaded and managed to take Pella (since the makedonian armies suffered great losses in Byzantium), and then easily took the settlement up north Pella.
Then KH did something amazing and took their remaining armies @ Rhodos and actually took back Sparte! Never saw that!
With the mines, Epeiros got too powerfull and soon took also Thessaly (but not for long since they lost it), debilitating the makedones further, and the KH took the opportunity to take Korinth and then Athens.
Then I had to deal with invasions from the Parthians, Ptolemies, and Baktrians, which were dealt successfully although many brave persian archer spearmen died, so I completely forgot about the war between the makedones, epeiros and kh, last I saw, the KH were besieging the province next to Athens, last settlement of the once proud Makedonian empire.
On other fronts...
I managed to get an alliance with the Saka, who went to war with Parthia but it's been a stalemate ever since.
The Sauromatae managed to take a few provinces but have stalled and even got their cities besieged by Hayasdan and the Getai.
The baktrians tried to take India but failed miserably, and have attempted to take my eastern cities ever since.
The aedui and arverni went to war early and the romani took this opportunity to eat their territories, and now they're on the brink of destruction.
The sweboz remained a bit passive but have expanded nicely.
The casse have expanded too slowly ( I plan to launch an invasion and surprise them eventually!)
The karthadast remained passive for most of the time but now they launched a surprise attack on the romans and are now besieging their southern cities with the aid of Epeiros.
@Folgore; Epic posts man keep it up. Wont mind an AAR :D
QuintusSertorius
12-08-2010, 23:29
It's 255BC, who am I (it's not that hard)?
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/255BCmap.jpg
Unintended BM
12-09-2010, 00:30
You're Eperios. You should actually play a game as regular Eperios to see how fun they are in their original position.
QuintusSertorius
12-09-2010, 00:46
You're Eperios. You should actually play a game as regular Eperios to see how fun they are in their original position.
Obviously I'm Epeiros, but not actually Epeiros. Who am I playing them as?
There's nothing about unaltered Epeiros that appeals to me, to be honest. It's a historical "what if" that just doesn't do anything for me.
QuintusSertorius
12-09-2010, 02:29
Syracuse I think
Indeed I am, not as easy to spot as it could be with that blocky image. How's your Epeiros-as-Syracuse game going?
going nowhere right now, but final exams are on friday, then I can game!
Epimetheus
12-09-2010, 04:04
There's nothing about unaltered Epeiros that appeals to me, to be honest. It's a historical "what if" that just doesn't do anything for me.
I've see a lot of posters who seem to think that Epeiros became irrelevant after Pyrrhos death, but I think they don't realize the Pyrrhos' son, Alexandros II of Epeiros, also conquered Makedonia a decade after EB's starting period. Granted, he was eventually beaten back, but it shows that Epeiros was still a force to be reckoned with, at least until Alexandros' death.
Unintended BM
12-09-2010, 04:55
The whole game is a histroical what-if.
The whole game is a histroical what-if.
Heh, too true. 'What if there was no diplomacy in the world and there were 0 survivors on the losing side after a major battle.'
Cute Wolf
12-09-2010, 09:01
no diplomacy = let's disslove the UN! XD
BTW, nice Kart-Hadast Empire
Jebivjetar
12-09-2010, 09:06
no diplomacy = let's disslove the UN! XD
BTW, nice Kart-Hadast Empire
Ditto, Jeb!
Now, stop quoting laws, we carry weapons!
QuintusSertorius
12-09-2010, 11:41
The whole game is a histroical what-if.
It is, but some are more interesting (to me) than others. In any case, I'm more interested in historical simulation than alt-history projection.
Fluvius Camillus
12-09-2010, 23:30
It is, but some are more interesting (to me) than others. In any case, I'm more interested in historical simulation than alt-history projection.
I probably play exactly opposite to you.~D
I was just curious, how do you keep a campaign like Kyrene or Syrakousai fun if it's a historical simulation. I mean how can you keep it interesting if you sit around building up, maybe take some nearby towns and have to beat back fullstack after fullstack without progressing. I guess roleplaying around a bit, but that also stays limited to your fantasy. Don't you miss the royal armies? Great campaigns with epic battles against exotic foes or developing a character into an epic conqueror while managing a vast empire?
~Fluvius
QuintusSertorius
12-10-2010, 01:53
I probably play exactly opposite to you.~D
I was just curious, how do you keep a campaign like Kyrene or Syrakousai fun if it's a historical simulation. I mean how can you keep it interesting if you sit around building up, maybe take some nearby towns and have to beat back fullstack after fullstack without progressing. I guess roleplaying around a bit, but that also stays limited to your fantasy. Don't you miss the royal armies? Great campaigns with epic battles against exotic foes or developing a character into an epic conqueror while managing a vast empire?
~Fluvius
There aren't a lot of repeated full-stack battles, because I don't play on VH campaign difficulty, only M which moderates things some. But I find once you get beyond a half-dozen settlements or so, it starts to feel more like a game of managing town, and less one of fighting interesting battles. Not only that, if you allow the AI to consolidate into a handful of mega-factions (as in the survivors who've eaten up those who didn't make it), then it becomes a tedious affair of dealing with repeated attempts to swallow you up.
The fun for me comes with defending smaller factions and preserving a balance of power where things go according to where I choose to apply pressure. It comes from preventing Hayasdan becoming the ruler of the steppe, or Makedonia expanding all the way to Germany, or Rome conquering all of Gaul by 250BC. Of sheperding Parthia to become a great power a century after the start of the game, rather than being snuffed out 10 years in by the Seleukids and Baktria.
I keep it fun by intervening all over the place to suit my long-term goals for the game. Siding with the underdog in this war here. Using agents to make two factions fight each other, or slow expansion there. Giving money to a faction to aid their fight against their aggressor. A great campaign for me is one where I resist the ease of the blitzkrieg and move slowly, generally one settlement per war, acting either on the defensive or with justification for why I'm taking it. Often gifting any others I might have taken to other factions to sow the seeds of future conflict and keep things chaotic.
There's also a balance between good battles, and so many that fighting them becomes a chore. Three major battles in one turn, then peace for ten or so is cool. Three major battles every single turn, boring for me.
I don't shape single characters into epic conquerors; I rotate my generals to prevent any one becoming too powerful (and a threat to the Faction Leader who stays in the capital to govern). Partly because I don't like inactive FMs languishing around doing nothing, and partly because I find the Warmonger trait really annoying when there are long stretches of peace.
Earl of Memory
12-10-2010, 09:49
I agree that fighting about three major battles per turn is boring, specially when it's your most veteran army commanded by your best general fighting a bunch of levies lead by a mere captain. Things get interesting when the enemy sends his elite stacks and you only have a 'low/medium' quality army.
In my Seleukid campaign I just recently captured Kyrene and proceeded to take the southern province (all good and well) but then I saw a full stack of Karthadastim with two GOLDEN chevroned Elephants, three silver chevroned elite african phalanx a couple of liby phoenician elites, and a few numidians and garamantines marching towards Kyrene (which I left defended by only a peltastai and two units of akontistai). My poor fellows died like flies :( didn't even killed all of the elephants.
My best defense there were two spies who managed to make the province revolt twice, and debilitated that stack. However, I had no chance to take Kyrene back since two full stacks showed up and one besieged my province south of Kyrene. I held the province with heavy losses... I was fighting a fullstack of 6 Sacred Band+ 6Elite African phalanx and a couple of other lower units, using mainly peltastai and a few pantodapoi phalangitai, and an almost depleted chariot. Yet my chariots won the day, thank god I had them there!
Meanwhile the other fullstack went north to take Kyrene back though... such a relief for the moment.
I intend to unleash hell against those treacherous Khartadastim!!
QuintusSertorius
12-10-2010, 14:13
I don't know, I find all-elite armies just as tedious as all-levy ones. I'd just like even vaguely feasible armies recruited by the AI. Even more than that, I'd like them to just hold a line during a battle, none of the formation mods seem capable of that.
Well, Eb2's recruitment system will fix that first problem.
QuintusSertorius
12-10-2010, 15:06
Well, Eb2's recruitment system will fix that first problem.
That is very welcome news indeed.
blader1176
12-11-2010, 02:00
Alright guys, I thought this thread was really cool and I just wanted to put up a little thing on my own campaign as Saba. I'm currently streaming it live on Justin.tv, and if you could please follow my channel (you have to make an account really quick first) it would be greatly appreciated.
blader1176
12-11-2010, 02:03
Here's the link, couldn't post it before because or post count requirements to post a link. Here it is: http://www.justin.tv/bloodthirstycatfish and my youtube channel is https://www.youtube.com/user/BloodthirstyCatfish
Earlier:
https://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6253/ssbq192.png
The Republic of Qart Hadasht, Spring 192 BCE
https://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2366/ssbq182.png
The Republic of Qart Hadasht, Spring 182 BCE
Commentarii de Bello Gallico
I mentioned earlier that Gigso in 193 sacked Gergovia in an attempt to stop to Gallic incursions into Carthaginian territory. Initially, this turned out to be very successful, with three peaceful years in which saw not a single Arverni on Carthaginian lands. Gisgo, Sophet and commander of the Second Army, stationed in southern Gaul, decides to use the relative peace to retire, being already 60 years of age. Abdeshmun Oea, son of Milkherem Oea [conquerer of Italy] and commander of the Old army in Iberia takes over command of the second army, while Gisgo returns to Carthage. The old army is shipped back to Carthage to retrain and recieve a new commander.
On the other side of the Alps, Milkherem Oea's first army, after having conquered Italy, is relieved by an Italian Garrison army, comprised mostly of Italian Hastati. The latter being sufficient for the defence of Italy, the first army is shipped to Carthage.
The Year of Death
In the spring of 190 starts the year of death. It starts with the death of the Carthaginian client king in Emporion, which city is thereafter immediately and mysteriously hit by an outbreak of the plague. Fortunately for Carthage, this plague helps cull any rebellious sentiments and the territory of Emporion is added to their vast empire. In the summer dies General Milkherem Oea [Hero of Messina, conquered of Italy, destroyer of Rome], followed swiftly by Sophet Gisgo [vanquisher of the Arverni]. Both die in Carthage, having recently retired from a life of war and conquest. The senate elects Milkherem's son, Adbeshmun Oea, as the new Sophet. Meanwhile, our Lusitana client king in Oxtraca also expires, sending the province into a brief period of anarchy. Peace is only restored when a new king, backed with Carthaginian money and an army of mercenary soldiers enters the city. In the winter of the same year, a transport fleet, carrying 600 Cretan archers for service in the second African army is sunk by an Egyptian fleet, there are no survivors.
Commentarii de Bello Gallico [2]
The year 190 also marks the end of the brief period of peace. Both the Arverni and the Romans attack the Carthaginian forces continuously in the following five years. Seemingly undeterred by the sacking of Gergovia, the Arverni now attack with armies comprised of nothing but levies. In 189, an army with 2500 slaves makes battle with the Carthaginian Second Army. Armed with nothing but sticks and stones and wearing nothing but a smelly blanket, these slaves are utterly crushed by Abdeshmun Oea and his forces. Only 7 Carthaginian soldiers lose their lives in this battle.
On the Roman side of the Alps the story is much the same. Being in control of only a small section of the Illyrian coast, the Romans can no longer raise the legions of Triarii that terrorised the Carthaginian advance into Italy. Instead, armies consisting of 3000 Illyrian levies are sent against the Italian garrison. Although the Illyrians are strong soldiers, they have the morale of infants and the second their Roman general is killed they run back to their mothers as fast as their legs can carry them. After sending four such armies, the Romans acknowledge the futility of trying to cross into Italy and stop sending armies.
In southern Gaul however, the Arverni continue to be a menace. In [yet another] attempt to stop the attacks, Adbeshmun Oea takes the Second Army deep into the center of Gaul in order to sack some of the cities there, straying into the territory of the Aedui. The Aedui however, are quite different from their Arverni brothers. While the Arverni have been exhausted by the many battles against the Carthaginians, the Aedui have [effectively] been at peace for the past 20 years. When Abdeshmun Oea approaches Bibracte in the autumn of 187 he is attacked by three Gallic armies in as many months. The level of organisation is uncharacteristic of Gauls, as more than 10 000 men, half of them Aedui and half of them Arverni, attack the second army. Although, against expectations, victorious in all engagements, Adbeshmun Oea suffers such heavy losses he is forced to abandon the Gallic expedition completely and return to Tolosa and Emporion to reinforce his army. The Gauls feast and drink to the memory of their fallen heroes, seeing the retreat of the Carthaginians as a great victory.
So much then, for the situation in Europa. Although the maps are no drop of ink different than those of 10 years ago, the past decade has seen great battles being fought, great heroes rise and fall and many, many good men being slain here.
On the War in Egypt
We saw earlier how the First African Army [under Xenophiles, brother of Bodmelqart [unjustly slain]] fought a difficult and inconclusive war in the desert south of Kyrene, culminating in the capture of the Oasis town of Augila. To relieve this army the Second African Army was raised and sent to africa [under Bisaltes] in 191. Meanwhile, the Old Army [from Iberia], had returned to Carthage and after having been reinforced to full strength, was also sent to Egypt [under Ahiram Arsinoe]. As these armies march through Egypt they meet remarkably little resistance. It seems most of the Egyptian armies are fighting the Makedonians in Syria. As the 2nd African Army and the Old Army take Paraitonion and Ammonion, the 1st African Army and the 1st Army are retrained. The 1st African Army is sent back to Egypt, while the 1st Army stays, as a reserve, near Carthage to see how the situation in Iberia develops [it is at this time some of the client kings die and the cities are sent into brief periods of anarchy]. As the situation in Iberia is diffused without help from the outside, the Senate decides to send the 1st Army into Egypt as well.
Thus, in 187, the Carthaginians have four armies marching and fighting their way though Egypt, while most of the Egyptian forces are in Syria. In 189 Paraitonion is taken, in 187 Ammonion and Memphis, in 186 Alexandria falls, followed in 185 by Diospolis Megale and Hibis. In 184 Pselkis is taken, after the largest battle against the Egyptian forces in which some 6000 Egyptians are killed or captured. In 5 short years, the Carthaginians managed to take the whole of Egypt. *
On the War at Sea
The Ptolemaic fleet has ever been a thorn in the side of the Carthaginians. From the very start of the war between the two nations, the Egyptians have been raiding the African coast and setting up blockades of Carthaginian harbours. At the start of the war, when Carthage was mainly interested in Iberia, the problem was small. Only some 10 000 mnai was lost in revenue per year, which the senate deemed an acceptable amount and consequently decided to ignore the problem altogether.
As the empire grew however, so grew the need to ship troops to Europe more and more frequently. When a fleet carrying the first army was scattered near the Silician coast by and Egyptian fleet [in 205 BCE], the Senate decided to build a strong fleet. Being mostly enterprising merchants however, they also decided it should not be too costly and limited the upkeep of the fleet at 10 000 mnai per year [2500 per turn]. Being equal in number, but far from equal in experience and ship-size, the Carthaginian fleet was utterly crushed when it engaged the Ptolemaic fleet in 202. Now confident that the previous battle had weakened the enemy fleet, the Senate commissioned a second fleet even smaller than the first one. It was scattered by the enemy fleet in 200, after which the ships that managed to flee the engagement were picked off by Illyrian pirates. Not a single ship made it back to Carthage.
Enraged by the financial cost of these battles, the senate finally created a real battle fleet, costing a very unprofitable sum of 20 000 mnai per year in upkeep alone, never mind the cost to build such a monster. In 193 the fleet was sent out to locate and destroy the enemy fleet, presumed weakened from the two previous battles. Little over a year later, the enemy fleet was discovered and battle was offered near the cost of Kreta. Outnumbering the Ptolemaic fleet two to one [and with battle odds 3 to 2 in my favour] it was a huge surprise when this fleet was also utterly crushed by the Egyptians.
[Three "crushing defeats" in a row, would you believe it!? Alright, I admit, the first two were largely my fault, but I really should have won that third battle...]
Having now concluded that destroying the Egyptian fleet was too expensive an undertaking, the Senate again decided to leave naval supremacy to the enemy, focusing instead on destroying the Egyptians on land. At about the same time however, it was noted by Carthaginian Generals that the archers of Kreta [long a part of their extensive empire] were archers of exceptional quality. A force of 600 of the [4 units] was raised to supplement the Second African Army, already on its way to Egypt. As Kreta is not too far from the African coast, an attempt was made in 190 to ferry the archers across only to be intercepted by an Egyptian fleet and utterly sunk. Not one to be deterred by minor setbacks, the governor of Kreta simply raised another force of 600 archers and sent them across in 189, after carefully checking that no Egyptian fleets were in range. But, Poseidon clearly favouring one side over another, the Egyptian fleet stormed across the mediterranean and again destroyed the archers and their transports.
As the African Armies were now left without missile troops altogether, the Senate of Carthage was again forced to intervene with a fleet. This time, no expenses would be spared, as the fate of the African invasion might rest on the safe arrival of the Cretan Archers. A fleet of 100 Quadriemes was raised, at the cost of 25 000 mnai per year. Finally, when the fleets of the two nations engaged for the fourth time in 187, the Carthaginian fleet was victorious.
But the Egyptians are a most cunning people at sea. As the Egyptian fleet retreated, the Carthaginians swiftly followed, along the African coast into the Red Sea canal. It was here that the Egyptians sprung their trap, while the Carthaginians pursued one fleet towards the Red Sea another fleet was sent into the canal from the other side. Attacked from both sides, the Carthaginian fleet managed to fight off the attack, but with heavy casualties, forcing them to retreat to the port of the recently captured province of the city of Memphis. Trapped here for more than a year, when the fleet tried to break through the Egyptian fleet into the mediterranean in 184 it was completely destroyed.
And so, after twenty years of fighting, after four battle-fleets, numerous transport fleets and 1200 Cretan soldiers dead, after hundreds of thousands of mnai, either lost through naval blockades or through the raising and keeping of fleets, the Egyptians still reign supreme at sea!
On the War in the East
Having already discussed the state of affairs in Europa and Africa, I feel it necessary to spend a few words on the developments in Asia. It would seem, from looking at the current map and that of 10 years ago, much has changed, but this is nothing more than an illusion.
The Makedonian advance into Syria is stagnating, Antioch having fallen in 190 and subsequently nothing having changed. Battles are still being fought here, but no one side can gain the upper hand. In the Caucasus the war is more dynamic. Constantly cities are changing hands and the Hayastan are holding on fanatically, much against the world's expectations.
In the far east, the Pahlava managed to destroy the Saka by killing the entire royal dynasty. It would seem they would quickly annex the north-eastern territories and turn their attention west, but in fact, they have been struggling continuously against revolts among the eastern populations. Their armies roam the mountainous land here all the time, moving from one village to the next. But when a settlement is conquered and the army moves on to the next settlement, it immediately revolts. There has not been a single time in the past 10 years where the Pahlavan empire had not some sort of rebellion on its hands.
Final Notes
The main contest in the next ten years will be the race between Makedonia and Carthage to see who can reach the Phoenician homeland. Although the Carthaginians have expanded rapidly in the past decade, they will have to secure their holdings in Egypt before they will be able to move on east. Makedonia might not have been able to move into Syria much in the past decade, but with the profitable nile no longer a part of the Egyptian empire, they will crumble sooner or later. Should Makedonia take control of Tyre before Carthage and should they be unwilling to give it up, a most destructive war will surely follow.
* In 182 BCE, I have the following armies in the field:
- First Army [Theodekles], Diospolis Megale, Egypt
- Second Army [Abdeshmun Oea], Souther Gaul
- Old Army [Ahiram Arsinoe], Pselkis, Egypt
- First African Army [Xenophiles],Alexandria, Egypt
- Second African Army [Bisaltes], Memphis. Egypt
- Italian Garrison Army [no commander], Northern Italy
Also, my apologies for this enormous post. I didn't think it would get this long...
blader1176
12-11-2010, 19:32
Wow Foglore, that's awesome. I didn't read the entire thing, but it's really cool.
Awesome Foglore! I read the whole thing and loved it! Keep it up! :2thumbsup:
blader1176
12-11-2010, 22:30
Also, I've realised that on campaign maps, nobody ever controls the center of the Arabian Peninsula or the Sahara. Is that just barren/not conquerable land?
QuintusSertorius
12-11-2010, 23:20
Also, I've realised that on campaign maps, nobody ever controls the center of the Arabian Peninsula or the Sahara. Is that just barren/not conquerable land?
There's no province there.
Well, this is a follow-up to my post (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?126246-Post-your-EB-empires!&p=2053222370&viewfull=1#post2053222370) from awhile back.
https://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/Thanatos_Helem/Getai144.jpg
20 years have passed and though I did get the Saba to agree to a peace, it was short-lived. They waited right until I got bogged down in a war against Baktria, and then attacked my Arabian possessions. This may only be able to end with the conquest of the entire peninsula.
But good God, does it take a long time to get armies around Arabia. The last couple years against the Baktrians have been a stalemate just because half of my armies were marching their way down the Arabian desert.
The Ptolemies stuck to their peace, but unfortunately lost all their holdings to the hungry Baktrians who thought they could steamroll over my eastern possessions. The Carthaginians are being no kinder to them now that the Ptolemies are a strictly African faction. Libya and Upper Egypt are gone, so now all they have are Nubia and Ethiopia. I don't know how long it will be before the Carthaginians also decide I'm easy prey, but thankfully Alexandria and Memphis are two of my most well-populated well-armed fortresses. If they attack, I may be able to hold them off indefinitely.
I realize that since I've taken Anatolia from the Ptolemies all those years ago, Getic and Thracian troops have been rarities in my armies. My armies are vastly composed of Greeks, Persians and Caucasians with the occasional helping of Arabian cavalry and Celtic mercenaries.
Also it's weird how peaceful Western Europe and the Steppe have become.
Italy is still a mess. It's a three-way struggle between the Aedui, the Greeks and the Carthaginians.
If I can ever manage having more than a year or two of peace, I'll re-shift my focus on Eburonum and those other western objective I need to claim to win the game.
Also, I've realised that on campaign maps, nobody ever controls the center of the Arabian Peninsula or the Sahara. Is that just barren/not conquerable land?
There's no province there.
In game terms they are both part of the Eremos ("wilderness") province. And yes, they represent worthless and unconquerable desert areas. The capital province (Terhazza) cannot be reached without cheating, nor are you supposed to try as it used to store script markers.
@Folgore; Have a :balloon2:
The_Blacksmith
12-15-2010, 12:03
Mighty Pahlava Blitz
Sadly i dont have any screenshots...
Its around summer 252 and Antichous Soter and Antichous Theos found out that some guy just conquered their empire all the way to Tarsos and Sidon... sadly they both died...
I have 2 Massive Mercenary Phalanx, Kaukasian Sparabara and Horse archer armies lead by Tiridates and a Dåhå called Damdamen with each 7-8 command stars
Sadly the troop building in Persia is taking forever eventhough it only took me a year capturing it...
The Ptomlys just found out that they would give it a shot. trying to drink the Arsacid Empire in large cups... and they have been soundly beaten 1 army vs 4-5 full stacks
Resulting
Parthia>Yellow death
Onwards to Jerusalem and fortify....
The Hasadyan are turtling
The Pontic Are braindead, so are The Baktrians
and The Saka has two settlements i REALLY want
Fluvius Camillus
12-15-2010, 12:12
Mighty Pahlava Blitz
Sadly i dont have any screenshots...
Its around summer 252 and Antichous Soter and Seleukos Theos found out that some guy just conquered their empire all the way to Tarsos and Sidon... sadly they both died...
I have 2 Massive Mercenary Phalanx, Kaukasian Sparabara and Horse archer armies lead by Tiridates and a Dåhå called Damdamen with each 7-8 command stars
Sadly the troop building in Persia is taking forever eventhough it only took me a year capturing it...
The Ptomlys just found out that they would give it a shot. trying to drink the Arsacid Empire in large cups... and they have been soundly beaten 1 army vs 4-5 full stacks
Resulting
Parthia>Yellow death
Onwards to Jerusalem and fortify....
The Hasadyan are turtling
The Pontic Are braindead, so are The Baktrians
and The Saka has two settlements i REALLY want
As a Seleukid fan I have to nitpick that it's Antiochos (II) Theos, not Seleukos.
What is Arsaces I up to (Arschak ê Arschkanig)?
Lol @ the reference.
What are the Baktrians and Saka? Allies? I guess the towns you really want are Marakanda and Alexandreia-Eschate?
~Fluvius
The_Blacksmith
12-15-2010, 12:59
@Fluvius
I have both of those settlemets... as i said... this went VERY fast im missing the one above the starting position and Choas, the one above Makanda
Arschak ê Arschkanig is resting in Seleukia after captuing about 12 settlements...
i've Managed to keep both Saka and Baktia my allies... i think ill might post a picture later
Africanus
12-15-2010, 15:15
113 B.C.
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh241/LVA/RTW/88639320.jpg
Currently at war with the yellow death and the Luso's. I vanquished the QH in 115 B.C. and as I expected, I was immediately set upon by the Luso full stacks at two different settlements in Iberia. But of course I've had years and years to prepare for them, and their six full stacks are now down to two. :laugh4:
I've booted the Ptoly's out of Africa without much trouble, gifting Augila to the Saba. I also took and gifted them Petra, but it quickly rebeled back to the Ptoly's, and they've been staunchly defending that area ever since, with wave after wave of stacks. I'm trying to keep a Roman core with a historical composition to my two legions there , so it's been constant ferrying reinforcements from Italy.
They've also been knocked back to Asia Minor, as I took Serdike and the KH took Byzantinum. I had something funny happen outside of Pella, when I marched my legion just shy of the gates and ran out of movement points. I was the attacked by a Ptoly relief army during the AI turn, and after wiping them out along with the Pella garrison, I thought I could just march right into my new settlement. But alas, the KH swooped in during their turn and took it without a drop of blood! :laugh4: Not wanting to go to war with my new allies just yet, I've let them have it.
I've still stayed out of northern Gaul, and after gifting two settlements to the Casse I was hoping they would do something, but they've done nothing but march their full stacks around Brittania (Do they ever build a ship and sail across the channel?) . The Sweboz finally got around to taking Viennos from the Casse, so I'm expecting to be attacked by them soon now that our common border has grown larger.
After rushing to get the Marion reforms as quick as possible in my previous Romani campaigns, I decided to try and time them in this one to 107 B.C.. Of course with so much money, most of family members are fat and lazy, and the ones that are S/C/V are almost all Optimas, so I've failed miserably in that department. I don't see them coming for quite a while, which is fine because I think I prefer the Polybians anyway.
In this screen from my last campaign (which I stopped at the same year I'm at now), I've already had the Augustan reforms. I must say, going slower has been much more enjoyable. Of course I've also gotten very lucky with AI passivity so I've pretty much been able to move at my own pace with few surprises.
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh241/LVA/RTW/a64d9391.jpg
FriendlyFire
12-15-2010, 20:41
I started a new H/M Hayasdan campaign using the cities mod, which limits the growth of most cities and removes roads from the steppes. Here's the situation in 201 BC:
https://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab296/FoECarthage/Empires/Hai201.jpg
Currently at war with:
The Seleukids, who for a long time have sent armies from Syria seeking in vain to retake their heartlands: the river between the Seleukid city of Antiocheia and the Hai city of Edessa runs red most years. They recently switched strategy and started besieging Trapezous, so my faction heir came down out of the mountains to take the old Pontic lands from them. Now that he's started he'll probably keep pushing into Asia Minor.
Pahlava, who attacked me as soon as we shared a border, and have sent a constant stream of armies to besiege Gabai. They're still allied with Baktria and have declared a ceasefire with the Seleukids, in order to give me their full and undivided attention. When my faction leader tried to move beyond Gabai, his royal army was utterly defeated by a stack of Pahlavan cataphracts. He therefore stopped eastward expansion until the first set of Persian reforms are done. Meanwhile my armies huddle behind stone walls and rely on slingshot and arrows for their defense.
Currently allied with:
Epeiros, who couldn't quite finish off either Makedonia or the Koinon Hellenon and are still regretting it.
The Romans, who are doing quite nicely and have Marian troops to play with. The Lusos have just started exploding, which will probably let the Romans grab some weakened Gallic towns before they too have to face the Iberian flood.
The Ptolemaioi, who are stuck in desert wars with Saba and Carthage. I'm carefully avoiding a shared border, and will leave Antiocheia in Seleukid hands for as long as possible, just to reduce the chance of the Ptolemaioi war machine turning its attention to the north. My biggest worry is that one of the Seleukid border towns will rebel to the Saba and then be conquered by the Ptolemaioi, leaving me with a shared border.
The Sauro, who are really hampered by the cities mod (small towns and no roads).
I'm also neutral with and bordering Pontos, who are concentrating on walking an army all the way round the Black Sea to the Bosphoros, and the Saba, who are busy trying to reinforce towns that rebel from the Seleukids and Ptolemaioi. Neither Pontos nor the Saba will ally with me because they're both at war with my Ptolemaioi allies, but I pay them regular tribute just in case it helps.
Having been dirt-poor for most of the game, I've taken most of these lands on the cheap. A typical early Hayasdan army had levy phalangites for the main line, Caucasian archers to thin down skirmishers, Scythian horse-archers to harass and chase routers, and whatever local troops I could find as flankers. Mercenary Babylonian heavy spearmen are my current favorite, since they can slaughter cavalry with their spears, and smash elite phalangites with their armor-piercing maces. They'll be first on my list to recruit when I complete the next set of Persian reforms in Babylon and Seleukia. And I'm just beginning to experiment with Armenian cataphracts and armored horse-archers, which I'll probably need to take the offensive to Pahlava.
QuintusSertorius
12-19-2010, 23:56
243BC in my Epeiros-as-Syrakousai game:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/243BC.jpg
This one actually works fairly straight, since in reality Pyrrhos was the ruler of Syracuse for a bit before he got bored and went elsewhere. I reason this as him leaving his sons in charge, and they managed to hold on to power. I killed him off immediately on taking Syrakousai at the beginning, and also offed Helenos at the start.
I've just completed a little war with the Karthadastim, the first Punic War in which Rome did very little (they were also at war with them, but after a half-arsed attempt to take Messana seem to have given up on Sicily). They started it, having taken Messana in about 251, they came for me in 247. Four years of war (including three proper battles in the field and two sieges) and Sicily is now mine. Now things are consolidated, I plan to interfere in Hellas and Asia, sending armies by boat to enforce my vision of how things should look there. Building up my economy to support that army right now.
Rome are my allies, and I'm giving them 200 mnai a turn to hopefully leave me alone. Their garrisons in the south are pretty thin, and they've not sent anything my way in a long time. Bar agents - a diplomat and assassin arrive every other turn and I kill them all with my crack squad of cutthroats. I have been using the cheats to constrain their northward expansion; repeatedly adding troops to the garrisons of Segesta and Bononia. They're currently at peace with both Gallic factions, though once they eventually take Cisalpine Gaul that will all change.
I have a navy now, spent the better part of fifteen turns hunting down all the pirates (and there were a lot of them, they'd driven all the other navies out of the sea).
Map in focus:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/243BCmap.jpg
Pahlava are a surprise, back in about 265 they were down to two provinces and facing extinction. Then I started feeding them money via the console, and they've turned it around. Baktria were in a similar place about 20 turns ago, I spawned a full stack in Baktra which was under siege to a tiny Saka army and now they've splurged.
Longer-term I'm going to take the Karthadastim islands, maybe Emporion and draw Rome into Hellas by fair means or foul.
A lot of the map is still rebel, but that's because I regularly give them several hundred thousand mnai via the console.
The_Blacksmith
12-20-2010, 01:47
Im sorry to break in to your lovely campaign Quintus, but i have to ask... who owns Ankyra?
and, just a little idear i got? how about taking some greek city states like Kyrene and Aetolia? (presuming they are not KH or Ptolymaric now)
QuintusSertorius
12-20-2010, 02:17
Im sorry to break in to your lovely campaign Quintus, but i have to ask... who owns Ankyra?
The Aedui have Galatia. I think that was some Force Diplomacy in the 260s after it kept hovering on rebellion but not quite tipping over.
and, just a little idear i got? how about taking some greek city states like Kyrene and Aetolia? (presuming they are not KH or Ptolymaric now)
I'm tempted by Kyrene, but I've taken it in so many migration campaigns (and played with it as my starting point) that it might seem too familiar. Both Kyrene and Thermon have massive garrisons, so are pretty safe for a while.
Aitolia might be an interesting break from the usual routine, I'd be holding the ring against both Makedonia and Koinon Hellenon. Perhaps I could reason an invitation of assistance? I do want to intervene in Hellas at some point, though I think I'll wait for someone to take it first, rather than displacing some rebels.
Jebivjetar
12-20-2010, 09:13
Jebs' Parthian empire, 153BC
My recent activities in this campaign:
-destroyed AS by taking their capital-city Maracanda
-invaded Asia Minor, captured Ancyra and gave it to my allies, Aedui
-sent two stacks onto Egypt for purpose of capturing Alexandreia and Memphis
https://img585.imageshack.us/img585/6219/153pahlav.jpg
My greatest general in this campaign:
https://img132.imageshack.us/img132/406/leaderzb.jpg
Diplomatic relationships:
at war with Baktria, Makedonia, Ptolemaioi and Saba
allied to Aedui and Saka
You and wolf swapped avatars? Seriously people I cant recognize without the avatar....:dizzy2:
Nice empire btw. Why are the sister lovers still alive?
Jebivjetar
12-20-2010, 22:26
Nice empire btw. Why are the sister lovers still alive?
Thanx, Lazy O :)
Against the sisterophiloi (^^) i fought for years now, but i haven't invade their homelands because i was very busy fighting AS, Pontos and Makedonia respectively. Now i finally have meet the requirements for a brand new major engagement and the Yellow Fellows suffer already. I've just beaten them around Alexandreia twice and the gates to Egypt stand open before my mighty Pahlavans. ^^
You and wolf swapped avatars? Seriously people I cant recognize without the avatar....:dizzy2:
Nope, i am Cute Wolf. Can't you recognize me? :clown:
QuintusSertorius
12-22-2010, 03:32
Back to Pergamon, and it's good to be back. This is definitely the migration that works the best. 262BC and we've just surprised the Seleukids, after breaking off the alliance the previous year.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/262BC.jpg
I have spies and assassins at work in Mytilene and Ipsos, but I doubt they'll come to much even though neither has a governor. Having taken Sardis, I'm done with expansion for a while. I'm avoiding the exploit of taking the islands (Krete, Rhodos, Kypros), at the very least until I can actually build a navy. That means taking Mytilene, since I think it's the only naval port nearby.
The world:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/262BCmap.jpg
There's been actual movement in Gaul, both factions have taken stuff despite my pumping money into the rebels. I've found that giving Galatia to one of them tends to paralyse them, so this time around when the time comes I'm going to give it to the Casse, since they never do anything anyway. Might still give them the Belgae lands, especially if they'll do nothing once they have them.
The Lusotannan are more active than I've seen them, and the Romans are chomping at the bit to get into Gaul. Successfully dragging them into Sicily, right now they have an FM besieging Messana which should kick off a war with Qart-hadast.
I love all your empires!
specially love your role-play QuintusSertorius :)
I'm gonna post here too when my Spartan Led KH Campaign becomes big enough to be considered an empire.
Cheers!!
QuintusSertorius
12-24-2010, 03:33
Cheers, Valion. I'm half-tempted to start writing an AAR again, though not sure whether that would increase or decrease my enjoyment of the game. Might also be a lot of time where I'm just building up my economy, or meddling with the nearby powers. Some of the latter might be interesting, I guess.
Cheers, Valion. I'm half-tempted to start writing an AAR again, though not sure whether that would increase or decrease my enjoyment of the game. Might also be a lot of time where I'm just building up my economy, or meddling with the nearby powers. Some of the latter might be interesting, I guess.
If you ever write a AAR again do inform us :)
I also spend a good amount of time building up my economy, and so far here is the result of my game.
KH - VH/M
https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/Teutonia10/260.jpg?t=1293291799
12 Years into the game all of southern Greece is mine and 2 terretories in Asia Minor and also my far western territory Massilia. Honestly this was the hardest campaign i played in EB, I'm at war all my neighbors except the Romani but i fear that war is also on its way since Massilia is in the way of their expansion. Makedonia constantly attacks me(which is fun :D) and as you can see in the pic Pyrrhus is a serious pain in the arse since when i fight him his soldiers are like rocks and dont route.
Most of the action happens in the mainland and Asia, the Seleukai weren't happy when i took a city of theirs. thankfully the Averni arent in the mood to attack Massilia.
Curiously my Faction Leader still lives and even bore another son 2 years earlier while being Flaccid lol, although why is it that its so hard to get him command stars? He's already seen the elephant with all the time he spent dancing with the Makedonians but he's nothing compared to the 10 Star walking death of Epirote.
Well thats about it i'l probably annoy the Romani soon so that i can have more fun fighting battles.
QuintusSertorius
12-29-2010, 02:46
252BC with Pergamon on M/M (with City Mod "b"):
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/252BC.jpg
The war with the Seleukids was concluded (without FD!) in a ceasefire whereby Pergamon kept Lydia. Feeling the need to posess a navy, yet lacking any ports deep enough, Pergamon intrigued with an independence faction on the isle of Lesbos, and moved to support an insurrection there.
It's now a client state of Pergamon, ruled by one of their own worthy oligarchs.
Pictured is the army of Pergamon, largely mercenary, and stationed outside the city.
The world:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/252BCmap.jpg
Makedonia have suddenly switched with KH. For a time it looked like they were going to be steamrollered, then in the last two or three years they've been energised. Possibly by losing Mytilene.
Way out east, the Saka are splurging. For some reason Baktria don't seem capable of holding them back. Pahlava seem to have gone to sleep. Pontos are still doing nothing.
The First Punic War rumbles on really slowly in Sicily. Qart-hadast have more than a full stack there, but haven't tried to do anything with it.
The Arverni have suddenly kicked up a notch in Gaul. I've dispatched a mercenary army to help the Aedui out a little.
FriendlyFire
12-29-2010, 17:42
https://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab296/FoECarthage/Empires/CarthageInvasionFleets.jpg
Pontos empire, H/M using BI.exe with the cities mod - but I'm posting it mainly for the scary Carthaginian naval invasions. They've wanted Tolosa in southern France forever, with a couple of family members wandering up there from Iberia in the early game. Then they switched focus to Italy, sending two full stacks who conquered as far north as Rome before being pushed back to Sicily (and who received no reinforcements, just like in real life!). Now they're busy squashing Gaul via naval invasion - the first wave took Tolosa and Burdigala from the Arverni, and Massalia from Rome. This is their second wave of troops arriving in three fleets.
Also scary: Pahlava just wiped out Baktria (the only faction to die so far), and took Saka Rauka as a protectorate. Rome was doing ok - I was impressed that they managed to push the Carthaginians out of Italy - but I think they'll have problems against these full stacks. As Pontos, I'm fending off weak attacks from the two Ptolemaioi remnants (which I've carefully maintained as border states with Pahlava and Carthage), still allied with the Hai, in a cold war with the Sauro, and am now invading Hellas after the treacherous Epeirotes broke our alliance and attacked. Makedonia still holds out on Chalkis, but I'll probably have to declare war and wipe them out soon, just to protect the flank of Athenai. The Koinon Hellenon have carved out a little empire in Iberia, using just three local light troop types: velites, milites, and caetrati. They field full stacks of those led by veteran family members, and carve up the Luso heavy infantry. The Seleukids are clinging on by the skin of their teeth. The big question is who Pahlava chooses to squash next.
Edit - here's a larger version of the world map:
https://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab296/FoECarthage/Empires/CarthageInvasionEmpire.jpg
moonburn
12-30-2010, 01:35
gotta say that that city mod seems extremly impressive imho :| and cartaghe planing and executing a proper invasionis something that woooahhh
i guess that aslong as carthage remains powerfull on the see and hangs on unlike the 1st punic war the romans have trully found a match
QuintusSertorius
12-30-2010, 03:53
240BC (Pergamon, City Mod "b", M/M):
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/240BC.jpg
This is the Hellenic world, Greece and Ionia. Makedon are starting to dominate the scene, though the Getai are on the march too and challenging them. I'm wondering if its time to set foot in Hellas and even things up. Perhaps free the cradle of Greek civilisation from Makedonian dominion?
I'm also recruiting a "marine" force to soak up money, maximum 8 units to stay on board my fleet and strike at places at will. Any ideas for what it should contain? So far I've recruited a unit of Thureophoroi, and planning one of Asiatic Light Cavalry.
The world map:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/240BCmap.jpg
The First Punic War ended with a fizzle. No one has been able to take Messana and the Romans have given up. Pontos and Baktria started to get their act together, as did Hayasdan. The Arverni steam-train rolls on.
QuintusSertorius
12-31-2010, 03:14
236BC:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/236BC-2.jpg
I didn't keep Galatia, I just took it from the rebels and gave it to the Casse. Who have already rewarded me with this cunning little move - ambushes set on the approach road from Ipsos. So hopefully they'll be embroiled in a fight with someone soon. They've already done more than I've ever seen Aedui or Arverni do when Galatia rebels to them. Besides which I think they're earning shed-loads of money in Britain (where they've picked up pace recently), so won't be idle.
There was a brief war with the Seleukids when I marched for Galatia - straight across Phrygia. They attacked me, in one turn I repelled the three full stacks lurking around Ipsos. A couple of turns later, they accepted a ceasefire without any Force Diplomacy! It'll be a few years yet before I want to take Ipsos off them.
In the meantime I want to cause Kappadokia to revolt, or install a client kingdom there. Or both. Or maybe that should wait til after I've taken Ipsos, so at least they have a chance to reinforce.
World map:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/236BCmap-2.jpg
The Romans finally took Messana. Qart-hadast meanwhile took Arse. Looks like that war is going to go on and on.
If anyone is thinking there's a lot of rebel there still, I give them a lot of money via the console at regular intervals.
QuintusSertorius
01-01-2011, 04:26
232BC:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/232BC.jpg
The war rages on in Sicily. The Romans have finally taken the war to the enemy, and might even kick the Karthadastim off the island. They're also besieging Bononia, and so might start down the Illyrian coast in time.
For my part, my family is getting a little thin. I've got five FMs, the youngest is my new FL who's 40. I've resorted to hiring mercenary generals out of the client kingdom of Mytilene for the time being. I also have a load of female children (five to be precise), and just the one male who was born this year (to the FL).
In the world meanwhile:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/232BCmap.jpg
No one seems able to resist the Saka. Baktria have lost their capital, though they did try to retake it recently (and have dithered with several armies around that Seleukid city encircled by their land, but not attacked). Pahlava are doing bugger all. Pontos are doing nothing. Hayasdan keep trying for Kabalaka, I might have to FD them Karkathiokerta to start them warring with the Seleukids.
The Aedui have turned the corner and are now driving the Arverni out of Gaul. The Casse are working out nicely in Galatia. They now have an FM there, who is gathering a full stack to go alongside the full stack in Ankyra.
Greece is a stalemate.
Paltmull
01-01-2011, 20:51
Makedonia (H/M, City Mod a), 218 BC:
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire3.jpg
Fluvius Camillus
01-02-2011, 01:03
Makedonia (H/M, City Mod a), 218 BC:
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire3.jpg
Looking good! You got the reformed phalanx too I presume?
~Fluvius
QuintusSertorius
01-03-2011, 04:14
I was quite pleased to get a proper battle, rather than a boring siege, to conquer Phrygia:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/BattleofPhrygia230BCHV.jpg
Reinforcement battle, but I waited for them to combine. Mine wasn't exactly an elite army, neither was theirs. My slight superiority in cavalry was telling (two FMs plus two lights v their two FMs plus one heavy and several depleted lights).
The second FM is actually a recruited general, rather than an Epirote/Pergamene FM.
Asia Minor is now thus in 228BC:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/228BC.jpg
I swear the rebellion stuff is bugged. I had a swarm of assassins around Mazaka constantly destroying barracks, temples and baths, but it never stayed low enough to cause unrest. Having the same with Salamis, despite the lack of a proper garrison and dropping order as low as 20%, there's never any unrest.
The Seleukid AI seems to be cutting its losses in Asia Minor; second time I got a ceasefire with regular diplomacy and offering nothing in return.
The world:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/228BCmap.jpg
I looks on there like I've got a long slice of Anatolia, but I don't hold Galatia, the Casse do. Unfortunately their blue faction colour is similar to mine.
The Romans finally took Sicily and Bononia, but they're now at peace with the Karthadastim. Baktria retook their old capital (Saka appear to have been halted). Pahlava and Pontos are still idle.
vollorix
01-03-2011, 09:44
I remember terrorizing Taras held by Romans while playing Carthage where public order dropped down to zero, but no rioting or rebellion, and the AI must have had taxes at least at "high" due to no growth. Same was happening to Bononia. But when playing Aedui i always used to manage Bononia to revolt to me.... really strange.
Btw: it must be kind of hidden trait since it´s getting more and more difficult to infiltrate a settlement with a family member after several turns, especially those of Eleutheroi. And Assasins have a 1% chance to kill a careless general ( up to -5 security ) with almost no influence - how comes? There is a limit of 10 "stars" for the killers, and if one even can´t get rid of some "trusting fools" with "expert assassins", what are they good for, except for sabotaging the poor AI? ^^
@QS: nice victory, and what was the enemy army composition, if i might ask?
QuintusSertorius
01-03-2011, 17:42
I remember terrorizing Taras held by Romans while playing Carthage where public order dropped down to zero, but no rioting or rebellion, and the AI must have had taxes at least at "high" due to no growth. Same was happening to Bononia. But when playing Aedui i always used to manage Bononia to revolt to me.... really strange.
Btw: it must be kind of hidden trait since it´s getting more and more difficult to infiltrate a settlement with a family member after several turns, especially those of Eleutheroi. And Assasins have a 1% chance to kill a careless general ( up to -5 security ) with almost no influence - how comes? There is a limit of 10 "stars" for the killers, and if one even can´t get rid of some "trusting fools" with "expert assassins", what are they good for, except for sabotaging the poor AI? ^^
I know there's a bug whereby multiple spies actually adds to order (making rebellion less likely). But sabotage rarely seems to work, even when you've got five or six assassins at work destroying stuff.
Which as you say begs the question as to what the point of assassins is, since they're usually useless against all but the most unimportant of enemy FMs (and never while they're in a settlement).
I don't want them to rebel to me, just to the Eleutheroi. Which I think will only happen if they're being held by their original owner.
@QS: nice victory, and what was the enemy army composition, if i might ask?
They were relatively similar in composition. Both had experienced FMs with large bodyguards (which they used badly). First stack was something like: four full-strength phalangites (mix of kleruchoi and pantodapoi), two or three depleted phalanxes, two full-strength units of Hyrkanian hillmen, a full unit of eastern slingers, a full unit of peltastai, a full unit of Anatolian hillmen, a full unit of pantodapoi (maybe two), then assorted depleted units of some light and medium cavalry and other randomness.
Second stack was: again four units of phalangites (all kleruchoi this time), a unit of toxotai, another of peltastai, two Anatolian hillmen, one of pantodapoi, a unit of Lonchophoroi, and again random depleted bits.
The Celtic Viking
01-03-2011, 17:51
Makedonia (H/M, City Mod a), 218 BC:
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire3.jpg
Compare that to my Makedonian kingdom that's 10 years older than yours (208 BCE for the mathematically illiterate ~;)):
https://img689.imageshack.us/img689/6066/mak208bce.jpg
Needless to say, I haven't been as busy conquering as you, and most of my conquered areas are still only allies or (as in Athenai, and even more so Sparta) just recently "upgraded" to a garrisoned allied state. I'm officially at war with Pontos, Ptolemaioi, Epeiros and the remnants of the Koinon Hellenon, with AS and Saba as my only fully* AI allies. However, the Koinon Hellenon are content with just keeping Rhodos and Halikarnassos (edit: plus Olbia, apparently - didn't even notice that 'till now), and aren't doing a lot. Pontos has acted much the same until about two turns ago when they besieged my Galatian allies. I see only sporadic raids from Epeiros, so there's no real threat from the west.
Other than that, I'm only really fighting to restore the balance in the east, taking Seleukeia and Edessa to give back to the Seleukids. I don't want the yellow death. :skull:
* My type 4 settlements with client rulers get "local autonomy", i.e. the AI controls them.
Paltmull
01-03-2011, 23:48
Looking good! You got the reformed phalanx too I presume?
~Fluvius
Thanks! Actually no. From what I understand the City Mod prevents the March of Time reforms to take place, since no Italian city other than Rome can grow to huge size. I haven't really bothered changning the availiability in some other way, since I think the standard Pezhetairoi look a lot better :P
Compare that to my Makedonian kingdom that's 10 years older than yours (208 BCE for the mathematically illiterate ~;)):
https://img689.imageshack.us/img689/6066/mak208bce.jpg
Needless to say, I haven't been as busy conquering as you, and most of my conquered areas are still only allies or (as in Athenai, and even more so Sparta) just recently "upgraded" to a garrisoned allied state. I'm officially at war with Pontos, Ptolemaioi, Epeiros and the remnants of the Koinon Hellenon, with AS and Saba as my only fully* AI allies. However, the Koinon Hellenon are content with just keeping Rhodos and Halikarnassos (edit: plus Olbia, apparently - didn't even notice that 'till now), and aren't doing a lot. Pontos has acted much the same until about two turns ago when they besieged my Galatian allies. I see only sporadic raids from Epeiros, so there's no real threat from the west.
Other than that, I'm only really fighting to restore the balance in the east, taking Seleukeia and Edessa to give back to the Seleukids. I don't want the yellow death. :skull:
* My type 4 settlements with client rulers get "local autonomy", i.e. the AI controls them.
Damn, you're patient. :O I probably wouldn't manage ten turns playing in that manner, before starting to conquer everything around me.
Fluvius Camillus
01-04-2011, 01:01
Thanks! Actually no. From what I understand the City Mod prevents the March of Time reforms to take place, since no Italian city other than Rome can grow to huge size. I haven't really bothered changning the availiability in some other way, since I think the standard Pezhetairoi look a lot better :P
Damn, you're patient. :O I probably wouldn't manage ten turns playing in that manner, before starting to conquer everything around me.
I hear ye...~D I'll post my Arche Seleukeia soon!
That looks like a big side-effect of the city mod, this probably can by fixed by making Capua available for huge city, for gameplay's sake.
~Fluvius
moonburn
01-04-2011, 06:53
fluvius i keep hearing about the city submod could you point me in the right direction and does it make cdtc more frequent ? i already have alot of problems with vista and eb being almost incompatible ...
Drag0nUL
01-04-2011, 07:36
Slightly on topic: how do you make screenshots? Tried Print Screen+copy to paint, but all I get is a completely black screen.
QuintusSertorius
01-04-2011, 10:14
fluvius i keep hearing about the city submod could you point me in the right direction and does it make cdtc more frequent ? i already have alot of problems with vista and eb being almost incompatible ...
City Mod (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?79775-City-Mod). Comes in two variants, one which just generally reduces growth rates, and one which also caps the size that "barbarian" factions can grow settlements to.
I my own experience, it doesn't make any difference to CTDs. I haven't noticed any more and I've been using it a while. Not even when I hadn't properly installed it (requires a refresh of your map.rwm to work fully).
Slightly on topic: how do you make screenshots? Tried Print Screen+copy to paint, but all I get is a completely black screen.
I use PrntScrn and paste to Paint.
There is a problem with the anti-aliasing setting that turns screenshots black. If you switch AA off (or on) it should work properly. Personally, I use a freeware screenshot program like FRAPS.
QuintusSertorius
01-04-2011, 21:36
A trio of disasters have sparked a crisis in Pergamon. First Ipsos fell to the Seleukids, while the army was off chasing another Seleukid army in the mountains of Kappodokia. The governor and the citizens held out as best they could, but we no match for the overwhelming numbers (I chose not to reinforce the garrison or break the siege, thus dooming them to their fate).
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/BattleofIpsos224BC.jpg
Then that self-same army met defeat in the mountains (I wanted to lose, so auto-calc'd).
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/BattleofKappodokia224BC.jpg
They couldn't retreat fast enough, and the victorious Syrians fell upon them once more in Phrygia.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/BattleofPhrygia224BC.jpg
With Pergamon's army a shell of what it once was, things were critical. In the winter of 223BC:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/223BC.jpg
The Seleukids came for me again, so I figured it was a good time to start losing some. Since the garrison of Ipsos was a couple of units of levy hoplites and a couple of units of akontistai, they were never going to resist the numbers thrown at them, even with stone walls. I also threw away my army by auto-calc'ing the battle, the opposing general's five stars against my zero stars doing the work for me. That was the veteran army I used before, now savaged. I finished the job the following turn, a bare few hundred survived, to be merged into the reinforcements sitting in Pergamon.
I do have another army (who were acting as a cash-soak), but I've put them beyond reach. I'm hoping to engineer the loss of Sardis as well, to retake in a few years.
The world:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/223BCmap.jpg
That horrid colour is Casse's new one so it doesn't disappear against my own. It's the faction colour of vanilla "Armenia".
The Celtic Viking
01-04-2011, 22:15
Damn, you're patient. :O I probably wouldn't manage ten turns playing in that manner, before starting to conquer everything around me.
Well, to be honest it's not so much patience at all. If it was it'd be totally out of character of me. No, what's allowing me to do this is mostly that I play with windowed mode on, while watching/listening to various youtube clips or debates, studying or whatever on the side. Honestly, EB has sometimes been a thing I've done on the side while I've been doing any of those other things.
Hmm. Do I sound like an EB junkie to you? :laugh4:
Paltmull
01-04-2011, 23:35
Makedonia (H/M, City Mod a), 218 BC:
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire3.jpg
Some more info on the empire and its rulers, if it's of any interest :sweatdrop::
Family tree:
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpireFamilyTree.jpg
The former king, Alkyoneus, was the one who carved out most of the eastern part of the empire.
After Alkyoneus' death, eastern expansion stopped for a while at Seleukeia and Babylon, since there simply didn't seem to be any general of the same skill to continue after him. His son and the new king, Aristoxenos, was more administrativiely minded and preferred to stay in Pella; governing from there.
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpireKingAristoxenos.jpg
However, Alkyoneus' cousin, Kallistratos - who had accompanied the king on his campaign, and then remained governing the eastern provinces from Seleukeia - soon stepped forward and began expanding even further into Seleukid territory. After many great victories against several Seleukid armies, he managed to capture Phraaspa, Ekbatana, Susa and Charax. He now governs much of the eastern parts of the empire, something that will surely be passed on to his sons when they come of age.
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpireKallistratos.jpg
The crown prince, Theodas, does despite his good education not seem to be very bright when it comes to administration and governing. To compensate for this and prove his worth he has left for a campaign to sudue the Arabs that have been harrasing the south eastern borders for way too long. Theodas is cruel, scrooge and selfish and it remains to be seen if his subjects will discover this or if he will manage to remain popular, perhaps through military victories. Those Romans have become increasingly disturbing in the west. If Theodas' Arabian campaign is sucessful, possibilities are that the next one will be in Italy...
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpirePrinceTheodas.jpg
Btw: it must be kind of hidden trait since it´s getting more and more difficult to infiltrate a settlement with a family member after several turns, especially those of Eleutheroi.
IIRC the hidden AI-Governor-trait includes a personal security bonus maybe also a public one. I recently saw an enemy FM coming of age and had a chance of 95% to kill him with my elite-assasine and when you begin a campaign most eleutheroi settlements are easily to infiltrate but become way harder to after some turns, so it only can be the ai-governor-trait.
Drag0nUL
01-05-2011, 06:34
This is my Carthage in 246 BC:
https://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/LordBlades/RomeTW-ALX2011-01-0507-12-10-61.jpg
I tried to take it slow and avoid a multifront war so I stayed put in Sicily while conquering North Africa and then pushing into Spain.
Rome however went on a westward expansion on the Mediterranean shore, got to Emprion before me, conquered it, and then attacked my possessions. So I assembled a new army at Carthage under Xanthippos(which you can see at Rhegion in the screenshot) which started making it's way across Sicily and now Italy. That roman fullstack above Rhegion startetis there since like 270 BC when they took Taras (which rebelled back to Epeiros, with some help from me).
The Lusotani are a non issue atm: we attacked romans in Spain together, but then started expanding northward, along the atlantic shore and are currently at war with Aedui (which just eliminated the Arvenii).
Africanus
01-05-2011, 18:10
Not too far off the win objectives now. I finally got the reforms around 84 BC, but I still have only one Marian army. I figured I'd wait until my Polybian armies got whittled down and then replace them with the Marians.
The KH finally attacked me by besieging Serdike, but it came at a most suicidal time for them as I had strong armies in the area to easily repel their attacks, and as they left Greece unprotected, I was able to march down and take all their settlements with little resistance. They've got four full stacks milling around on Crete, but like the Casse, they refuse to build a fleet and send troops to the mainland, even with the bi exe.
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh241/LVA/RTW/13b4f048.jpg
QuintusSertorius
01-05-2011, 18:19
Not too far off the win objectives now. I finally got the reforms around 84 BC, but I still have only one Marian army. I figured I'd wait until my Polybian armies got whittled down and then replace them with the Marians.
Or you could do it in the historical way, and lose them in a catastrophic defeat (as Caepio did at Arausio).
They've got four full stacks milling around on Crete, but like the Casse, they refuse to build a fleet and send troops to the mainland, even with the bi exe.
This part of the AI is bugged, like many other parts of it, but it works even on vanilla. I halved the costs of all ships and now the AI builds many fleets. In my current Casse campaign the Qarthadastim sended reinforcements to sicily and iberia, they only stopped after they captured all of Italy up to the po valley, lost it all to rebellion (with some help of mine) except Lilybeo and now again sended many fullstacks to Sicily and recaptured the island. The KH also has 2 fleets and brought 3 stacks to Sicily to help Syracuse, now they sail 2 half stacks back to anatolia after they have lost Sicily and Rhegion. Sometimes the AI works very well...
QuintusSertorius
01-06-2011, 02:52
219BC
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/219BC.jpg
The war has gone badly, I've lost Sardis and now the capital itself is under siege. Though I do have an army immediately available to break it. Time to retake Sardis too, and slow the Seleukids recent good fortune (they retook Tarsos, and seem to be winning in the Levant).
They took Karia, but then it revolted to KH pretty much immediately (not my doing!).
As a result of losing Ipsos and Sardis, I'm bleeding funds badly. I'll go negative next turn, even after relieving the siege of the capital. Though I do have a massive building queue there, probably 70k in committed funds.
The world:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/219BCmap.jpg
Been doing a bit of FD to liven things up, gave the Romans the islands and Emporion in the hopes of sparking off another war with Qart-hadast. Took Sala and Garama off them to stop their part of the world turning boring. They're doing really well in Spain, the Lusotannan are looking threatened.
Aitolia finally fell to one of the two warring factions. KH seem to be getting the upper hand.
Africanus
01-06-2011, 07:16
Or you could do it in the historical way, and lose them in a catastrophic defeat (as Caepio did at Arausio).
Blasphemy! :laugh4:
This part of the AI is bugged, like many other parts of it, but it works even on vanilla. I halved the costs of all ships and now the AI builds many fleets. In my current Casse campaign the Qarthadastim sended reinforcements to sicily and iberia, they only stopped after they captured all of Italy up to the po valley, lost it all to rebellion (with some help of mine) except Lilybeo and now again sended many fullstacks to Sicily and recaptured the island. The KH also has 2 fleets and brought 3 stacks to Sicily to help Syracuse, now they sail 2 half stacks back to anatolia after they have lost Sicily and Rhegion. Sometimes the AI works very well...
How far along are you? I was getting lots of naval invasions early in the campaign, and the KH even had remnants of two fleets fairly late, but they just sat parked outside of Antioch before I suppose pirates took them out. At least I should get a good battle when I get around to taking Crete!
More frustrating is the Casse doing absolutely nothing the whole game, even after I gifted them some settlements in Gaul.
Africanus
01-06-2011, 07:27
As a result of losing Ipsos and Sardis, I'm bleeding funds badly. I'll go negative next turn, even after relieving the siege of the capital. Though I do have a massive building queue there, probably 70k in committed funds.
You're a man of great patience Quintus. I can't let my armies lose on purpose (or not give my best effort anyway), even if it makes the game more of a challenge. I think my next campaign I'm going to go from VH/M to VH/H to make the battles more difficult.
QuintusSertorius
01-06-2011, 11:55
How far along are you? I was getting lots of naval invasions early in the campaign, and the KH even had remnants of two fleets fairly late, but they just sat parked outside of Antioch before I suppose pirates took them out. At least I should get a good battle when I get around to taking Crete!
With rtw.exe, the AI seems incapable of understanding islands. I've seen KH have ships, and not use them with any sort of consistency to move armies around, particularly off Rhodes and Krete. I gave them the latter in my game, but I constantly have to move their armies from there to the mainland for them via console. Same was true of Makedonia when they had Mytilene. Which besides securing a naval port was one of the other reasons I took it from them.
More frustrating is the Casse doing absolutely nothing the whole game, even after I gifted them some settlements in Gaul.
I gave them Bratosporios in my game, and they took the other Belgae settlement themselves. They've also built up a full garrison and full stack under an FM in Galatia, though they haven't done anything but patrol for the moment.
You're a man of great patience Quintus. I can't let my armies lose on purpose (or not give my best effort anyway), even if it makes the game more of a challenge. I think my next campaign I'm going to go from VH/M to VH/H to make the battles more difficult.
I can only lose on purpose by auto-calc'ing; it's quicker and I can't be tempted to win it. But this is a game that is going to run for a while, so I figure why not. If I'm trying to keep the AI factions within rough historical limits, then I should really apply the same rule to myself.
Statistical bonuses to the AI doesn't appeal to me (which is what you get with higher battle difficulties), same goes increased aggression (and bonus money to all - I prefer being able to give it via console to the factions I consider need it) with higher campaign difficulties. Especially when the increased aggression doesn't come with any improvement in intelligence.
QuintusSertorius
01-08-2011, 02:01
The battle to relieve Pergamon:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/MysiaBattle219BC.jpg
The enemy:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/MysiaBattle219BCarmies.jpg
The result:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/MysiaBattle219BCresult.jpg
For a change the AI didn't throw away their general right at the start. I had to hunt him down with my cavalry, which is why they got mauled.
And retaking Sardis in retaliation:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/LydiaBattle219BC.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/LydiaBattle219BCresult.jpg
Sardis' garrison was rubbish, about eight units of freed slaves making up the numbers. The other army, on the other hand, had two FMs (father and son) and some decent units in it. Needless to say, they're both food for crows. But Doesstos got his revenge on Medikes for the battle in Kappadokia five years earlier.
Not much has changed as a result, just Lydia rejoining the fold. Once I smack down that stack there, I'll declare for peace.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/219bBC.jpg
QuintusSertorius
01-09-2011, 02:30
216BC and all of a sudden stuff is happening.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/216BC.jpg
Pergamon is at peace, but the rest of Asia Minor is all over the place. The Seleukids conquered Bithynia, only for a native revolt to unseat them (my spies and assassins helped). Sort of spoiled their recent ascendancy, look at how much they've pushed the Ptolemies in Syria. The Makedonians were more successful on the other side of the Hellespont.
As you can see, the Casse "Galatians" have laid siege to the Pontic capital. While a Pontic army makes for Ankyra. Double treachery, but the barbarians got there first! Pontus took Trapezous recently, finally getting off their arses.
The world:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/216BCmap.jpg
Can't see it on here, but the Romans just landed a full stack at Emporion. Maybe they're about to start a war in Spain with the Karthadastim?
Saba took Tuat all by themselves. Looks like the Karthadastim might have some competition in their backyard for a change.
QuintusSertorius
01-20-2011, 03:12
I've got a new computer (one on which I can play M2:TW so ready for EBII), and started a new migration campaign. This time, Saba as Palmyra, though I'm keeping the Arabian provinces so I have something resembling an economy. There will be no support from the south, Palmyra stands alone.
In 268BC, this is my immediate vicinity:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/268BC.jpg
The world (note I did a cheeky and evicted Epeiros from their regular holdings and made them into Pergamon):
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/268BCmap.jpg
And a recent defense of Palmyra against the Seleukids (note how crappy my army is!):
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/DefenseofPalmyra1.jpg
Unbelievably, the Ptolemies and Seleukids are now at peace. We'll see how long that lasts, I don't fancy being caught between the two of them.
Hmmm, wont the names be a bit innacurate?
QuintusSertorius
01-20-2011, 14:47
Hmmm, wont the names be a bit innacurate?
They will, but Saba were the closest fit I could manage really. At least they have some recruitables in the region, rather than relying entirely on mercs.
Turns out the Arabian light infantry are better than Pantodapoi. Though virtually everyone is better than Pantodapoi, so not that surprising.
The_Blacksmith
01-20-2011, 22:55
They will, but Saba were the closest fit I could manage really. At least they have some recruitables in the region, rather than relying entirely on mercs.
Turns out the Arabian light infantry are better than Pantodapoi. Though virtually everyone is better than Pantodapoi, so not that surprising.
i accualy enjot having Arabian Light, I use them indread of Akontistai reason being that they have better melee and they have javs... killer combo...
Fluvius Camillus
01-20-2011, 23:07
i accualy enjot having Arabian Light, I use them indread of Akontistai reason being that they have better melee and they have javs... killer combo...
Not to forget they fight with spears in melee, which makes them even more useful!
~Fluvius
QuintusSertorius
01-21-2011, 01:43
i accualy enjot having Arabian Light, I use them indread of Akontistai reason being that they have better melee and they have javs... killer combo...
They're a neat alternative sort of "heavy skirmisher" to peltastai. Better against cavalry, due to the spears.
Not to forget they fight with spears in melee, which makes them even more useful!
~Fluvius
Indeed. I'm planning to splash out on a range of mercs when things have stabilised with my economy; some merc hoplites, some Jewish spearmen (as thureophoroi-a-likes) and some Parthian horse-archers if I can find them. The rest I'll fill out with my regionals (Arabian light infantry and cavalry, Arabian slingers, Syrian archers).
QuintusSertorius
01-21-2011, 03:26
Not long later, here's the sort of crap the AI has started throwing my way:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/265BC.jpg
I wonder if its run out of proper armies in the region. They're at war with the Ptolemies again, no surprise there.
Not much different here three years later:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/Kiero/265BCmap.jpg
My Arverni Campaign M/M 203 BC
The center of my little empire
https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/PQR1/RomeTW2011-01-3011-12-09-01.jpg
Our new pirate hunting force :D
https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/PQR1/RomeTW2011-01-3011-12-29-06.jpg
We're #2! We're #2!
https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/PQR1/RomeTW2011-01-3011-12-54-27.jpg
Don't let the dip fool you, I disbanded all my garrisons for internal settlements and disbanded a few units that took too long to retrain. I lost the equivalent of a fullstack and a half of troops at least.
https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/PQR1/RomeTW2011-01-3011-12-59-87.jpg
Allies: Casse, Aedui, Sauromatae, and Baktria
Enemies: Epeiros, Lusos, Romans
Dead: Sweboz (by me), Pontos (by AS), Makedonia (by Epeiros), Parthia (by AS)
My goals right now are take out the Romans, give the Aedui the western coast of Italy + Sicily, take Iberia and perhaps divide it among the factions I want to see survive, then I'll cripple the Epirotes and give some land to the Getai just for fun.
What's happened so far:
My first action was to remove the Aedui from Gaul proper and unite it under the banner of the Verrix. The Aedui, with just Mediolanum, took all of Northern Italy and I allied with them against the Romans. However, the inevitable happened and the Romans pushed them back to Segesta and that's when I invaded Italy the first time. I sacked my way down to Rome and nearly lost my king in the process, but a series of Heroic victories kept his army from disappearing. I let Rome and Arretium rebel back to the Romans and kept Northern Italy safe from Roman aggression. By the time I managed that I had begun wars with the Sweboz and Lusos since I bordered them. The lusos continually besiege Emporion and Burdigala, but continually fail to take them. Once my king died, his successor (who still lives at age 63) declared a personal war between him and the Sweboz which ended just a few years ago. Early in my game Galatia rebelled against the Arche and went to me. I tried to hold onto it as best I could, but the neverending swarms of grey eventually defeated the local king. It was this event that spurred the AS into action, culminating into two invasions of the Ptolemaic homeland. The first invasion was beaten back for a time even though the Ptolies lost Alexandria and Memphis, and I thought for a few turns that they would actually be able to turn the tide, but the AS was on too much of a roll. They just lost their last African settlement, leaving them with Salamis on Kypros. Which brings us to the present turn. After dealing with constant rebellions Epeiros decided to attack at Segestica and to invade Asia Minor. They currently have only one enemy: me. I resumed my invasion of Italy once my Verrix destroyed the Sweboz and so far I've been dealing with the mini stacks of Hoplitai Haploi and various samnite soldiers.
Molinaargh
02-02-2011, 03:47
Currently playing Koinon Hellenon (M/M) for this AAR (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?132898-Koinon-Hellenon-Athens-X-Sparta-(.org-X-TWCenter)-a-participative-AAR-Athenai).
https://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5245/elol.jpg
The year is 269BC and the nature of the AAR doesn't allow much blitzing.
https://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9283/022md.jpg
These are all the poleis of the Koinon, except for Rhodes.
https://img705.imageshack.us/img705/1839/008yjw.jpg
And this was a battle defeat which stopped us from expanding further north.
QuintusSertorius
02-02-2011, 15:46
Those are tiny looking units, what size are you playing on?
Normal. Allows for quicker battles
QuintusSertorius
02-02-2011, 15:53
Normal. Allows for quicker battles
Meh, I much prefer bigger battles to merely quick ones. That's pretty much my only technical requirement, I'll happily play with little detail to get a neat 1:10 scale on the field.
Romani campaign M/M
https://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7273/mapa2a.jpg
The game system made him faction leader
I find AI quite prophetic
https://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4182/romani.jpg
Molinaargh
02-03-2011, 18:20
Impressive! :dizzy2:
GenosseGeneral
02-04-2011, 15:52
How does a a Roman FM have a "barbarian" portrait?
Brave Brave Sir Robin
02-04-2011, 16:35
How does a a Roman FM have a "barbarian" portrait?
From the name, I take it he is a bribed Saka general. At that point, money should be no problem.
This is my KH empire. The Getai were my staunch allies for almost 80 years but an independent Greek revolt has ended all that :/ Now the stacks I had built up for an attack on the Ptolemys will have to go defend that sprawling balkan border.
The Ptolemys are huge so I have been conducting pirate raids on their coastal cities to soften them up. But now that the invasion is postponed I am going to finally take all of Anatolia. I put it off for ages because it means finishing off the Macedons, which means I will not be able to make peace with any of her allies.
https://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6207/greekempire.png
Paltmull
02-16-2011, 01:29
Makedonian Empire, 213 B.C. (H/M, City Mod a):
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire4.jpg
Who is the dark blue between Hai and Baktria?
Who is the dark blue between Hai and Baktria?
Pahlava
~Jirisys ()
Paltmull
02-16-2011, 15:10
Yup, it's Pahlava. I just don't think that pink makes them look... fearsome enough. :tongue3:
Paltmull
02-16-2011, 17:30
Thanks!
Yup, it's Pahlava. I just don't think that pink makes them look... fearsome enough. :tongue3:
At least they ain't got no pajamas
~Jirisys ()
Paltmull
02-16-2011, 18:28
True that.
https://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5496/rometwalx20110214193451.jpg (https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/263/rometwalx20110214193451.jpg/)
My Empire is falling apart because of the rioting and rebellions.
255 BC lol! Sorry had to post this XD
It's 0 turn with big movement...
Brave Brave Sir Robin
02-18-2011, 06:50
Good lord. Do you fight like 25 battles a turn?
Fluvius Camillus
02-18-2011, 09:51
Good lord. Do you fight like 25 battles a turn?
If you blitz you will end up better, an oversized AI monster which grew too big is far worse. I'd rather blitz too than face countless Seleukid fullstacks.
~Fluvius
QuintusSertorius
02-18-2011, 11:52
This is precisely why I don't play on VH campaign difficulty. Fighting ten identikit battles every single turn is more like a chore than fun.
Paltmull
02-18-2011, 14:43
Makedonian Empire, 213 B.C. (H/M, City Mod a):
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire4.jpg
The empire is growing. After Carthage attacked me, i quickly sent a small elite force to capture Sicily. Anyway, I've been using a tiny bit of diplomacy cheating; making the Ptolemaioi my protectorate and making ceasefire with Carthage. I've given Kyrene to the Ptolemaioi to use them as a buffer.
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire5.jpg
d'Arthez
02-18-2011, 16:57
https://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5496/rometwalx20110214193451.jpg (https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/263/rometwalx20110214193451.jpg/)
My Empire is falling apart because of the rioting and rebellions.
Even without any modifications it might be just doable, if a player is willing to exploit AI stupidity to the max (especially Arcade battles, spies, missile attacks and atrocious defending while sallying). No cheats, (money, move_char or auto_win) have been used.
This is how far I have come. The sole purpose of the game is to see how easy it is to conquer the whole world, allowing the use of every exploit possible to achieve said goal. Not sure if I'll allow moving of capitals to minimise civil disorder problems.
Still need to get Ak-Ink, before the turn is completed. Next turn I will add at least Athens and Chalkis to my empire.
https://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/ddarthez/EB_Turn17.jpg (https://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/ddarthez/EB_Turn17.jpg/)
Paltmull
02-18-2011, 21:23
You did all that in 16 turns?! But... how?! o__o
I personally tried to powergame with all Triarii stacks etc.. and with draining all the mercanies in the region to allow maximum blitzing.
d'Arthez
02-18-2011, 21:47
As I wrote in my post, exploiting every bit of AI stupidity.
I tried the all triarii stacks in the past, but it is not so effective, since it takes a long time to build the necessary infrastructure. Accensi (/ Ioasatae) and spy spamming is a lot quicker.
For instance on turn 1 you can easily take Bononia, if you have the "luck" that a spy opens the gates there. Storm the town. Arcade battles (needed for unlimited ammo), and letting your Accensi pelt the troops before mopping the remaining defenders up with whatever you let tag along (Asina from Ariminum, and I think the Hastati and Principes from the army that is stationed in Arretium at game start), will do the rest. Usually only 3 units, often depleted remain at the town square. Needless to say that such Accensi units end up with gold chevrons. If you are lucky, there is no cavalry left, so you can pelt the remaining defenders and run away when they come after you. If there is cavalry remaining, you need to draw them out, and slaughter them with your own heavy infantry or cavalry.
Still quite difficult, since Accensi have a very poor range. Iaosatae are much better. As an added bonus to this strategy, it is a lot cheaper as well, since Accensi cost a whooping 336 Mnai to train, and 84 maintenance / turn.
I took Ambrakia with Asina, one unit of Curepos, and one unit of Accensi. It was defended by 2,500 troops, so I was outnumbered close to 9:1. Just need a lot of patience to deal with the AI controlled happy cannon fodder.
Cheap? Undoubtedly. The way EB should be played? No. But as I said, if powergaming is your thing, you should be able to produce something similar.
Paltmull
02-18-2011, 21:53
Ahaaa, unlimited ammo. That explains it.
QuintusSertorius
02-18-2011, 23:45
Ahaaa, unlimited ammo. That explains it.
I don't get it, what's the point in playing on arcade mode? That makes for tedious battles of attrition.
d'Arthez
02-19-2011, 01:42
Point was to see how bad the AI is. May as well up the ante, and see how quickly one can conquer the entire map (minus Terhazza of course) if one exploits everything to the max. Different game all together. The fun then is not in role playing, but in achieving WC by a certain date.
Note: this is not meant as a criticism of the EB team. I really feel they have done the best job they could do with what they had available to them.
I feel that one has to come up with a list of house rules, to make play more enjoyable. I tried many, but none had results to my liking. You need dozens of in battle rules as well, since the battle AI in is not the best. To the point that you really wonder how much fun it is to actually engage in these battles as well.
I am seriously tempted to only run auto-calc campaigns. The few I have done have been much more fun than regular campaigns. They certainly take care of any chance of blitzing. That way the AI retains a slight edge, due to free command stars, and its sheer stupidity in battle is not a constant source of annoyance. You may have some surprising wins and losses. A bit more historical in a sense, since the outcome of military engagements sometimes yielded surprising results as well.
As much as I admire your playing style QS (as evidenced in this thread), you have to lose intentionally to get into the positions where you are. I feel that if one has to do badly intentionally to experience difficulties and serious problems, it takes the fun out of whatever challenge one sets.
vollorix
02-19-2011, 12:17
But using autocalc with even, or favourable, odds would normaly get you a crushing defeat on "vh" campaign difficulty - so no need to loose on purpose here ;)
QuintusSertorius
02-19-2011, 15:10
But using autocalc with even, or favourable, odds would normaly get you a crushing defeat on "vh" campaign difficulty - so no need to loose on purpose here ;)
Well, yeah. It also removes the temptation to turn a battle that was supposed to be a defeat into a close victory.
Shadowwalker
02-22-2011, 01:42
EB 1.2 SPQR campaign
difficulty setting: easy/medium
unit size: normal
used submods:
- EB for BI (with unit abilities, although I hardly use them...)
- force diplomacy
- EOM
- unit info cardmod
- RSII strat/battlemap environment
- NO citymod (because it makes cities far away from the faction's capitals much easier to hold)
houserules:
- roughly accurate legions
- legions outside roman territory only with a general that is/was consul
- max. 4 legions (means 2 fullstacks) in Camillan times
- max. 16 legions (8 fullstacks) in Polybian times
- max. 30 legions (15 fullstacks) after Marian reforms
- no use of FD for unrealistic own benefit (getting a ceasefire with a single-province-faction is realistic, getting one with an enemy faction at the peak of its power is not)
Warning: Huge image...
https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/1804/270to155.png (https://img411.imageshack.us/i/270to155.png/)
I'm in 153BC actually and in the meantime the Aedui managed to grab Skandza, Makedonia took Mazaka and Tarsos.
I didn't help any faction so far, nevertheless there are only 2 factions out of game by now (Arverni got subdued by Aedui, the Epirotes had not that much time to regret their betrayal of the alliance they had with Rome...).
The easy campaign difficulty seems not to hinder the factions (except for the Sweboz), the normal unit size makes for a lot of AI flanking maneuvers...
And I experienced something I never had before:
I'm bordering the Getai for almost 100 years now and never was betrayed by them. (Kallatis I simply bought....).
One thing I've noticed throughout all my campaigns is that the Getai never attack anyone. Not me, not their neighbors, only the Eleutheroi. They're the only faction that does it, too.
vollorix
02-22-2011, 08:10
Getai normaly fight the Sauromatae in the most of my campaigns. But with all those Rebel towns around they got enough work to do before they meet another faction, and if it is a Greek faction they mostly loose in autocalc quite badly.
Paltmull
02-25-2011, 22:39
One thing I've noticed throughout all my campaigns is that the Getai never attack anyone. Not me, not their neighbors, only the Eleutheroi. They're the only faction that does it, too.
Getai actually attacked me (Makedonia), but that was after bordering me for about 70 years. This was the result:
Makedonia, circa 200 BC (H/M, City Mod a):
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/EBMacEmpire6.jpg
They were unfortunate enough to attack just before my king returned from his campaign against the Arabs and Ethiopians. In addition to bringing home his veterans, he also brought...
Elephants!
https://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss154/paltmull/ebelephants2_2.jpg
(I did some textfile editing to make African elephants recruitable for Macedon in the same regions from where the Ptolemaioi can recruit them)
Megas Methuselah
02-25-2011, 23:25
This is precisely why I don't play on VH campaign difficulty. Fighting ten identikit battles every single turn is more like a chore than fun.
Whenever Quintus posts something, I always find myself agreeing with him.
Anyways, my game:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=1095&d=1298672453
Arche Massaliotai, 175 BC. It's ruled by a branch of the Ptolemaic family I bribed over from the Yellow Death a few generations ago. The royal family itself is Macedonian, and all the other FM's are Hellenes, aside from a couple Arverni's. I'm actually at 165 BC right now, so this pic is kinda old, but I still have the same lands except that most of Gaul is hellenized now.
QuintusSertorius
02-26-2011, 11:57
That looks like an awesome game, Megas Methuselah, are you playing it as migrated Epeiros?
Pahlava have gone mad!
Megas Methuselah
02-26-2011, 20:43
That looks like an awesome game, Megas Methuselah, are you playing it as migrated Epeiros?
Pahlava have gone mad!
Yep, I'm playing as Epeiros. I modified my game files quite a bit, in terms of recruitment, unit skins, faction names/colours, etc. Whenever a faction looks like it's about to die, I gift it a city in some empty spot of the map and re-name+re-colour them in the data files. This helps ease the wasting of an entire faction slot and keeps any single faction from becoming a major superpower. It's also very good for roleplaying purposes.
Thus, we have the "Maurisioi" in the extreme Northwestern part of Africa, the "Goidilic" in Ireland, the "Helevetii" in the Alps (I need to change their colour, they're hard to distinguish from the Sweboz), the "Bastarnoz" in Hungary-ish, the "Syrakousioi" in Siciliy and southern Italy, Pontus in Sardinia until I find someplace better to put them, the "Indohellenikoi" in India and the "Punohellenikoi" in Northwestern Africa. The Punohellenikoi are my favourite. They used to be the Seleukids, and I gave them Carthage after I wiped out the Carthaginians (I hated them). Anyways, if you look at the recruitment viewer, you'll notice the Seleukids have really interesting recruitment possibilities in former-Carthage. They have armies of Klerouchoi (Hellenic immigrants?) and Pandotapoi (native Carthaginians?) Phalanxes supported by Numidian levies and cavalry. Very exotic. And, ironically, their faction leader's surname is "Phoenike." Made me laugh.
WinsingtonIII
02-27-2011, 21:48
One thing I've noticed throughout all my campaigns is that the Getai never attack anyone. Not me, not their neighbors, only the Eleutheroi. They're the only faction that does it, too.
They do seem to be strangely pacifist, I'm not sure why... Maybe they never get enough of an economy going to go out warmongering (although the economy scripts should prevent that).
I very often see armies of them standing on the same spots in most campaigns. I think the pathfinding there is buggy or something and that's why they often stop expanding after capturing some settlements on the balkan.
Harkilaz
03-01-2011, 19:22
Hello, this is my first post here. I am playing the campaign and battle difficulty at VH (wanted a challenge, never played harder than normal before this)
Sadly, lots of the details are lost in the mist of time. I started this game well over a year ago, stopped playing after a few months, and only recently returned to it, so much of the early conquests of my Sweboz faction is hazy, but I do know the first Faction leader, Swartagaizaz, died in battle in 272, to be replaced by Heruwulfaz.
Under the leadership of Heruwulfaz, the Sweoboz conquered the tribes as far north as Gawjam-Skadzawarjoz, west as far as Bagacos, east as far as Ascaucalis and Gawjam-Silengoz, and south as far as Arctaunon. It was during these conquests, the future faction leader and general, Harkilaz, entered history.
Harkilaz married Leudhabadjo (282-212 BC) the daughter of a Sweboz family member called Athawulfaz, who died in battle in 256 BC.
In 249 BC, after the death of Heruwulfaz, and around the age of 40, Harkilaz took charge of Sweboz military affairs, while the faction leader, Hadaz, remained at home to govern the new Empire.
The Romans, once allies of the Sweboz, had declared war a year or two earlier, and had been massing armies ready for the invasion of Sweboz territories. Harkilaz was ready for them with a hastily built army of mostly levy spearman and mercenaries.
In 242 he ambushed a large Roman army south-east of Arctaunon, utterly annihilating it. He repeated these ambush tactics throughout the 240s and 230s, destroying dozens of large Roman armies. Rome had conquered territory up to Sweboz lands, and with still more armies massing, Harkilaz took the offensive and entered the newly acquired Roman land.From the 220s onwards down to 209, he destroyed many Roman armies, again, superior in numbers and quality to his troops, and had taken the three cities of Vindelicoppidos, Veldideno and Aventicos, and pushed them back onto the Italian side of the Alps. He also became faction leader, after the death of Hadaz in 220. From 242 to 212 BC, he acquired no less than seven famous battles against the Romans, along with the title, 'Breaker of Rome' and many more which didn't get the crossed swords but were still impressive victories none-the-less.
Securing the Alps, Harkilaz built a series of forts to prevent Rome from ever pushing beyond the mountains, and negotiated a peace with the Romans that was to last for over a decade. But in 208 BC, the Audei attacked Harkilaz' army in the Alps. Harkilaz earned another famous victory and completely routed two large Audei armies, then took the offensive, marched into enemy lands and beat the Audei in several large engagements (with another further Famous victory) before storming and taking Vesontio, Bibcrate, Viennos, Gergovia, Avaricum and Bratosporios, earning him the name of Breaker of Celts. During the war with the celts, Rome took advantage and declared war in 194 BC. Harkilaz, now in a position to be attacked by both the Romans and celts, with Rome as close as Massalia, Harkilaz chose to assault the city, beating off a small army that defended the bridge before he captured Massalia. After this, he turned back two large Roman armies, crossed the bridge from Massilia, met up with one of his captains bringing freshly raised forces from the Alps, and smashed the celtic army on it's way to Gergovia. During this time however, many assassination attempts by both Romans and the celts had been made on his life, all of which have failed. He seems to be a very hard man to kill.
This is his position now, guarding the bridge to Massilia, the celts building their forces to the west, the Romans to the east. Neither wants peace, and things are looking grim for the 93 year old general and the Sweboz empire in general. There isn't another promising commander, the best being a one-star commander who just won his first battle but who is seditious. Every other family member has pretty much grown up soft, and those that weren't, have died in battle before having a son. How much will we lose when Harkilaz finally bites the dust.
Here's some pictures of his profile (traits etc), later I'll get some up of the Empire. (He's rubbish at management though, but then he has never remained in a town for a single turn since I released him into the wild!)
Harkilaz:
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0113-27-46-53.jpg?t=1299003859
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0113-27-54-80.jpg?t=1299003857
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0113-28-02-11.jpg?t=1299003860
Unfortunately, Massilia ejected the small garrison I placed in there (great work Harky, not slaughtering the citizens and giving them a chance to rebel) and it's back in Roman hands now. Another assination attempt has now made him paranoid (-1 command) and he's also now a complete drunk (-1 command at 94.) Still, he managed to smash a large Roman army that was coming towards Massilia - the tenth famous battle of his career, killing a further two Roman senators.
However, what I feared as happened now in the east. The Greeks, now protectorate of Epirous, have pushed deep towards my eastern lands, and a large army is laying siege to a rebel town. What choice they make next might very well determine the future of the Sweboz, and my only two armies are facing off against the celts and the Romans to the west and south...
I'll post some of the Empire up soon, but I thought I show you the leading man who's kept Sweboz alive.
Thanks for your time! :)
Arthur, king of the Britons
03-01-2011, 20:00
Wow... I've never seen a family member that old... Good job with that empire and welcome to the org. :)
~Arthur
Harkilaz
03-02-2011, 15:50
Hey thanks! He's still alive at 99. I hope he makes it to the big 100. I do wonder how he manages to keep going, seeing as in every battle he still gets involved. I imagine they carry him about in a chair or something where he can organize what's going on. I doubt he could wear armour and move at that age. When I finish my work, I'll do an update to my campaign. It's getting very dangerous. The celts are building up their forces, and the Romans have swept around the Alps and traveled through Greek territory to get to me. I was hoping the Greeks wouldn't take to kindly to the Roman advance, but looks like they've let them through. Harkilaz has picked another bad trait, he's now become unusual, but on the plus side he just routed a large Roman army led by their faction leader and consul, who was killed in the action (and was also 64 years old!). I think Hark might be losing it in his old age. First he became a paranoid drunkard, and now he drowns spiders. Hehe. I've had a couple of others in my Sweboz Empire who have lived into their eighties, but this is a record for me! :)
Paltmull
03-02-2011, 21:33
Are you possibly playing on alex.exe?
Harkilaz
03-02-2011, 23:13
I don't know what that is? Is it the Alexander expansion? I haven't bought any expansion for Rome TW, EB is doing a wonderful job on its own.
d'Arthez
03-03-2011, 00:21
Alex.exe is the Alexander expansion. Different .exes seem to affect the game slightly. One of the more curious effects of Alex.exe is that characters seem to be unable to die of old age.
It is extremely unlikely that with a regular Rome-TW.exe a character would reach the ripe old age of 99, but it is certainly not impossible.
XSamatan
03-03-2011, 00:23
If you use Alexander and don't juggle with the trait file, all you family members become immortal, they only die in battles.
However, if other FM's die due to natural causes it is just chance how old a character can get.
XSamatan
Fluvius Camillus
03-03-2011, 00:37
If you use Alexander and don't juggle with the trait file, all you family members become immortal, they only die in battles.
However, if other FM's die due to natural causes it is just chance how old a character can get.
XSamatan
Isn't this fixed already? I altered nothing after installing alex.exe and for example Areus of Sparta died in my KH campaign of old age, so did Chremonides.
~Fluvius
fomalhaut
03-03-2011, 07:35
i posted this on the ALEX EAEM release thread but another quirky feature of the EAEM for me was the removal of the native voice acting for all units! still waiting for clarification if this was a bug for me or a feature. id rather have Hannibal die at 16 rather than never hear the native unit voices
Isn't this fixed already? I altered nothing after installing alex.exe and for example Areus of Sparta died in my KH campaign of old age, so did Chremonides.
~Fluvius
The sub-modification package that allows EB to utilize the Alexander expansion engine (i.e., RTW v1.9), by Maksimus, includes the necessary textual changes that remove the immortality of FMs.
Paltmull
03-03-2011, 14:18
I don't know what that is? Is it the Alexander expansion? I haven't bought any expansion for Rome TW, EB is doing a wonderful job on its own.
Never mind then :)
Harkilaz
03-04-2011, 11:24
My Empire is facing some damned hard fights now. There's a war on every front. Carthage, who've been friendly with since the start of the game, has pushed through Spain and has declared war on us, laying siege to Emporium. I can't relieve it in time as my armies in France are at the north edge finishing the off the Audeui, so I've gutted the place and hope my garrison there can maul the army before they all die, while the Greeks have declared war and are attacking my eastern border, and have captured Ascaucalis. I tried to siege it, but was driven off by three more full stack armies. I only have one army there. The other, close to it, is laying siege to Luvaloacta, which the Romans had taken from me. Harkilaz is now 110 and insanely brave... and has spent the last few years campaigning in Italy, sacking Patavium, Arretium, Rome, Capua and Arimnum - completely destroying all the buildings and leaving the cities in ruins... But the Romans have entered France, and have laid siege to Gergovia, and one army is headed for Tolosa. I haven't enough armies to take them all on, but Harkilaz' destruction has enriched me massively! This is going to be a hard fight, but the Sweboz must win!
That family member may, if you can succeed, prove to be the oldest person who ever lived on record (virtual or otherwise, excepting sci-fi games).
Epimetheus
03-04-2011, 22:14
As I recall, if a family member gets old enough (I think the number was 120, but I can't vouch for that), the count will actually reset to 16, and start all over again.
Harkilaz
03-05-2011, 01:17
He's 114 now, but sadly, after his pillage of Italy, (which consisted of a series of large battles and the sack of seven cities - in addition to those mentioned above: Bononia and Segesta, while he took Mediolanum for the Sweboz to hold) he's picked up some bad traits. Hooting and deranged and filthy minded. So now he's a complete raving lunatic who makes owl sounds. Sort of spoils the first 112 years of his life really (I heard from somewhere that if you have a certain amount of money this can affect these sort of traits?). Oh well. I'm sure he'll die soon. He is now decrepit. All those years of constant warfare has finally caught up with him and his mind has snapped. A tragic end...
Lysimachos
03-05-2011, 01:29
But there are family members in your campaign who actually die, right?
Harkilaz
03-05-2011, 01:35
Yes, lots. One other member reached 90 though. The last one to die died from natural causes before he was even 60, poor sod. I'll take a screen-shot of my family tree :)
That family member may, if you can succeed, prove to be the oldest person who ever lived on record (virtual or otherwise, excepting sci-fi games).
He is germanic, perhaps he is the legendary danish/swedish king called Harald Hildetand whom his friends tried to drown in his bath when he had turned a hundred and fifty by piling wood and stones on top of it. Taking the hint that he'd lived long enough he asked them to stop and asked for the chance to die as a king should, in battle. So he send word to Sigurd Ring, the king of Norway and they mustered forces for seven years before they actually met on the field. There he beheld the astonishing deeds of heroes on both sides and were so inspired that he joined the fray, with a sword in each hand he cut a blody path from his chariot (he had trouble walking) and then suddenly is chancelor who were also on the chariot, hit him over the head with a clup, deeming that the old man had gathered glory enough. Hence he died assumingly a 157 years old.
I find it mad to believe men can live such long times. Mad.
Harkilaz
03-05-2011, 13:48
Hehe, sadly he won't make Harald's age. He just died.
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0512-26-03-17.jpg?t=1299329095
Rest in peace, Harkilaz, you earned it. 275 BC - 169 BC, faction leader from 220 BC to 169 BC. The Empire is in mourning. Harkilaz personally commanded around 150 battles (maybe more), the majority of which he was heavily outnumbered. His last gift to the Sweboz Empire was a massive victory against the Roman forces.
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0512-21-46-88.jpg?t=1299329096
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0512-21-35-30.jpg?t=1299329098
This is his profile before he died.
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0820-48-27-68.jpg?t=1299627193
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0820-48-46-25.jpg?t=1299627192
https://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/markdienekes/RomeTW2011-03-0820-49-47-32.jpg?t=1299627191
Ahh he's born before the game starts, that must mean I have him too. Yeah I'm playing a Sweboz campaign as well. You beat me to posting in this thread though (wanted to read through it all fist, which took a while :P..ok ok I skipped some parts, mostly where there were no pictures, I'm a bad person :P)
I must take a look later how he's fared so far, I'm just at spring of 259BC Oh, that means he should turn of age this year...guess he hasn't accomplished much then :P
WinsingtonIII
03-05-2011, 19:08
That is an awesome story about Harkilaz, I've certainly never seen a family member that old. Don't blame him for his bad traits though, if I was 114 and crazy enough to still be fighting in battles, I would have to be stark-raving mad and drunk out of my mind.
Epimetheus
03-05-2011, 20:59
On a side note, Baltic Greeks and Armenians?!
On a side note, Baltic Greeks and Armenians?!
Where?!
WinsingtonIII
03-06-2011, 01:20
Where?!
From Harkilaz's campaign map. Hayasdan has gone crazy in the North, almost wiping out the Sarmations and occupying modern-day Estonia. And it looks like the KH have moved up to the Baltic coast as well and completely taken over most of Eastern Europe. Very unusual.
Fluvius Camillus
03-06-2011, 15:23
From Harkilaz's campaign map. Hayasdan has gone crazy in the North, almost wiping out the Sarmations and occupying modern-day Estonia. And it looks like the KH have moved up to the Baltic coast as well and completely taken over most of Eastern Europe. Very unusual.
It is standard that they go that way when left untouched, it is however, very ahistorical.
~Fluvius
Harkilaz
03-06-2011, 16:12
Yes, the KH have pushed into my borders and taken one of my towns and are massing forces for a further push. Epirous is also their protectorate. Everyone seems to be at war with me. A hard few years ahead...
WinsingtonIII
03-06-2011, 17:31
It is standard that they go that way when left untouched, it is however, very ahistorical.
~Fluvius
I've seen Hayasdan go north, but usually I don't see them make it all the way to Estonia. Just my personal experience. And usually when a Hellenic faction heads up the amber route in my experience it's Makedonia, but if the KH wins that fight it makes sense they would do it too.
Harkilaz
03-08-2011, 12:15
Right - just a small update - since the death of the legendary King, Harkilaz, the fortunes of the Sweboz are going badly - the need to maintain large armies is draining the resources of the Empire heavily. We have managed to hold off the Carthaginians in Lacetania quite well, but have simply consolidated what we have and are trying to defend France. The Romans have just badly defeated my only army in Italy, which were the remnants of Harkilaz's great force, but the new commander, Hailaz, has not got the armies confidence (despite winning a few victories against less able commanders - captains) - heavily outnumbered, they were soundly beaten in Etruria and only a small part of the army now remains, which means Rome now has a free reign at Segesta and Medilanum. The Greeks in the east haven't taken any more places, but have a few armies wandering about. One of my commanders has been protecting the bridge north of Gawjam-Silengoz, where he's had a few battles and turned back some strong Greek armies by killing their leaders in battle and routing the armies, while another large Greek army is headed for Noricae, but has been headed off by my largest army, led by a young 20 year old unproven commander, but who has some quite promising traits. He needs to smash the Greek army and head towards Italy, but he can't risk taking the Greeks on as for the last two or three turns, they haven't moved from the fjord, and I can't risk losing lots of men attacking across a river. Hayasdan has declared war on me too.
While reading your paragraph, I was thinking you still had a good chance of saving the Sweboz. Then I read this...
Hayasdan has declared war on me too.
Say your prayers. I myself have beaten one too many barbarian armies with Hai (and I mean against human players!) Missiles and heavily armoured cavalry, what a mess they make!
Toorstain
03-08-2011, 20:11
Right - just a small update - since the death of the legendary King, Harkilaz, the fortunes of the Sweboz are going badly - the need to maintain large armies is draining the resources of the Empire heavily. We have managed to hold off the Carthaginians in Lacetania quite well, but have simply consolidated what we have and are trying to defend France. The Romans have just badly defeated my only army in Italy, which were the remnants of Harkilaz's great force, but the new commander, Hailaz, has not got the armies confidence (despite winning a few victories against less able commanders - captains) - heavily outnumbered, they were soundly beaten in Etruria and only a small part of the army now remains, which means Rome now has a free reign at Segesta and Medilanum. The Greeks in the east haven't taken any more places, but have a few armies wandering about. One of my commanders has been protecting the bridge north of Gawjam-Silengoz, where he's had a few battles and turned back some strong Greek armies by killing their leaders in battle and routing the armies, while another large Greek army is headed for Noricae, but has been headed off by my largest army, led by a young 20 year old unproven commander, but who has some quite promising traits. He needs to smash the Greek army and head towards Italy, but he can't risk taking the Greeks on as for the last two or three turns, they haven't moved from the fjord, and I can't risk losing lots of men attacking across a river. Hayasdan has declared war on me too.
OK, that sounds like an AAR right there.:laugh4: But seriously, I would totally read "The legacy of Harkilaz" :book:
Harkilaz
03-09-2011, 01:07
While reading your paragraph, I was thinking you still had a good chance of saving the Sweboz. Then I read this...
Say your prayers. I myself have beaten one too many barbarian armies with Hai (and I mean against human players!) Missiles and heavily armoured cavalry, what a mess they make!
Both can be dealt with in the dark forests of my Sweboz Empire!... I hope : /
OK, that sounds like an AAR right there.:laugh4: But seriously, I would totally read "The legacy of Harkilaz" :book:
Would be quite a long read!
Anyhow, small update - Things are going moderately well against the Carthaginians, though we have not moved towards there cities in Spain, they have been defeated in a few key battles (though their elite African pikemen have been making a mess of my armies) and I've also said I'll provide the single Lustonian town still around with military aid against Carthage, as soon as I can turn my defense into offense, I will take back some Lustonian towns and hand them over to them. I've managed to secure peace with Hayasdan (they offered it me, how could I refuse!) and set up trade with them. The Greeks have done nothing, perhaps they are worried about Hayasdan, as they are right next door, while the Romans have been turned back with a great battle. Thankfully, treachery went along way, Hailaz managed to secure the use of 400 Ligurian spearmen under the employ of the Romans, set himself up on a hill and destroyed Cotta's army with the remnants of his own force (still heavy in cavalry) and fresh levies supplied from Medialonum. My last act was to build a transport boat and a diplomat to send over to the Britons to set up trade there too. Anyhow, things are looking better : ) I'm even making some money again!
Zarathustra Baktrios
03-26-2011, 01:13
Hi everyone,
This is one of my first reaction here. I read the forum for weeks now and had great time reading some Empire reports. One thing led to another, here I come to show you my current campaign.
This is my Baktrian empire around 208 BC. I'm taking my time, adding some RP elements, I probably would not be able to do as fast as some of you guys do anyway (Fluvius, I'm looking at you ! :) ). No cheat neither FD at work.
http://uppix.net/b/a/b/134fb059e4aa68cda6ef146140145.png
The Romani used to have the whole Gaul, Sicily and the North of Lusotanna. But war on all fronts seemed to turn them down now. Daritorium went back to Aedui from rebellion, Emporion turned to KH (!?) and Sweboz kept sending fullstack units since they have mutual borders. The worst threat came from Qarthadast, who is litteraly eating their south (Maybe Hannibal is up there in Capua) . I guess their alliance with Lusotanna have something to do with it.
Arverni were destroyed very quickly, probably by Aedui and Romani - I only activate the toggle_fow cheat every ten years or so.
The Koinon Hellenon is our ally since 272 BC, Baktrian society is still deeply moved by hellenistic ideas and we often sent them large tributes when our finances allowed us. They are at war against Getai.
Makedonia was kicked out from the Peloponnese by KH and had only Mytelene during several years. In remembrance of the Great Alexander, Baktria decided to give them a significant amount of minai (which was fairly contested inside the Baktrian Society, since Makedonia ideologically betrayed us by making an alliance with the Seleucids)
Pontos is about to turn to the shadow of what they were. They had a great expansion, claiming for makedonian lands and taking settlements from Byzanthion to Pella. KH did not see it that way.
Hayasadan took a while to take off, having trouble to contain Sauromatae, Pontos and Arche Seleukia but they took advantage of both of their enemies, grasping territories from all directions.
Ptolemaioi is growing softly, having some hard times against the Saba-Seleukia Empire.
Our former great leader Diodotos I took Arche Seleukia's side when war against Pahlava begun in 272 BC. But Seleukia were too greedy and vicious, they attacked Baktria when it was weak and even corrupted one of our generals.
http://uppix.net/1/2/2/6f8930750f477a965d984f4588110.png
Since then, the Marakandaios family is carefuly watch and lots of their heirs are kept away from high responsability tasks.
Diodotos II, son of Diodotos, took a hard decision during his reign. He concluded an alliance with Pahlava, in order to contain Arche Seleukia. Pahlava was very strong at this time, being at peace with the steppes. Even if they suceeded in defending their capital for all those years, they betrayed Sauro and were betrayed by Saka. It was too much for them and without their rage in battles, they would have been gone for long now.
Diodotos II knew that Baktria couldn't fight against the mighty Arche Seleukia with limited - netherless wealthy - settlements. He gave the order to his firstborn son, Agathokles, to go east, pursuing the path of Alexander. Agathokles spent years fighting against rebels and Seleukia but never forgot his promise. When Arche Seleukia focused on Pahlava, he went through wild lands and slowly conquered India. He was 66 when his first son, Plato, became a man. Two years later, he died, living to the young boy the task of ledding the last siege of indian rebels settlements. Plato was unexperienced and had trouble to manage his first command, but the veterans phalanx and baktrioi kataphraktoi of Agathokles were up to the task, giving an ironic "indophonos" nickname to Plato after the battle.
http://uppix.net/2/d/a/4dfea11997054ee2b7d55246d4c0d.png
At this time, near Baktria, a spy saw a way of retaliation for the past general corruption. The governor of Baktra, Plato's uncle, sent a diplomat to set the payback. The seleukos traitor was "oddly" adopted by the Marakandaios family...
http://uppix.net/f/d/2/69c7642b5342013fadbabe03f82ea.png
In order to prove his valour, the traitor Margianikos took two seleukos citys, composing now the south of Baktria, only with spears and arrows - the Baktrios family was opposed to give him the best troops of Baktria, regarding to his past, Marakandaios family accepted it only if their members could be in charge of the Seleukos city.
At now, Plato studies indian culture, fascinated among other things by the Elephants, and is willing to bring some of them to Baktra. In less than ten years, he hopes Baktra could train by herself the war-animals. Arche Seleukia seems to have perceived the threat and has intensified their raids against baktrain western settlements for the past three years.
johnhughthom
03-26-2011, 02:43
Nice looking campaign there Zarathustra Baktrios, good to see all the Eastern factions still alive. I don't think I've ever seen the KH do that well, your gifts have obviously been used wisely. It will be interesting to see a screenshot 10 years in the future, seeing the armies you are fielding would be nice too.
JeffVader
03-30-2011, 18:40
So here is my parthian campaign, 196 BC:
https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5707/parthien.jpg
It's some kind of a dualistic campaign, as the AI factions fight longlasting wars, like the Saka and the Baktrians, fighting for ages over Alexandreia-Eschate (sp?), which made it easier for me to go west and fight the AS until the line Arbela-Seleukia/Babylon-Charax.
The AS and the Ptolemaioi were also fighting intensely, which made it easier for me to go east and destroy the Baktrians and the Saka and take the Indian rebel provinces. I'm at war with Pontos and with the Sabeans at the moment...using chevroned HAs against unarmed desert warriors is like using a machine gun... Hayasdan didn't attack me so far, even though we share a border for a very long time, but they are dueling with the Sauros somewhere in the Steppes.
Very interesting will become the duel between the Lusotannan and Carthage, who destroyed the Romans collectively, but are at war with each other and are fighting fiercely in Italy. The KH and the Getai destroyed Epeiros just a few turns ago, so it will be interesting as well, how things will develop on the Balkan.
Arthur, king of the Britons
03-30-2011, 23:21
Nice going there, chap.
~E
I expertly stitched together my favourite general from my favourite Kart-Hadast game.
https://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7740/abdelmqart.jpg
His story is long and fraught with dangers, as you can tell. Ultimately, it has a basis in my ill-advised attempt to increase my trading empire, but not by conquering Iberia or Italia. No, I would go straight for the ultimate prize: Casse Land.
At this point my borders were modest. I had Sicily, and kept my starting Iberian colonies. I had expanded across Africa, and was watching with interest as the Yellow Death grew to encompass all of Asia. I had also snatched the islands of Kypros, Rhodos and Krete (the Koinon Hellon never really forgave me about Rhodos) Red, brown and yellow factions were all peaceful, or at least incompetent enough to not be a worry.
It was the perfect time to do something stupid and fun.
I built a huge army, and put it on a huge fleet (lots of pirates, you know) along with a sizable array of family members, both the older and experienced (the better to conquer with) and the young and promising (the better to rule with). The army was top quality; heavy infantry, heavy cavalry, Balearic slingers, plus a smattering of Numidian and Sardinian archers. You may already seen the problem.
The fleet and army assembled in Kart-Hadast, while a preliminary fleet carrying spies, diplomats and assassins went on ahead. The invasion force was 'finished' when I stopped making a profit.
And so the fleet set off to conquer a poor, barely known land. Ireland, the landing point was quickly conquered, but the Casse rallied and began sending forth huge hordes, presumably the result of being left alone for the entire game. This proved far more challenging than I had anticipated, as their high defense skill meant that their infantry was comparable to mine. Most of my ranged forces were slingers, too. Ultimately the battles had a very ugly cost in men as my heavy infantry slowly pounded down their heavy infantry, and when your closest reinforcements are in a different continent that is not a sustainable approach to war.
At this time, Abdemlqart was a fresh governor of Lepki, a completely unremarkable town. It became remarkable when the Yellow Death turned its attentions from the Seleukids to my own lands. At roughly the same time, the Lusitan and Romani noticed me and began trying to conquer Sicily and Iberia. This is all while I have a huge army and fleet completely devoted to fighting the Casse, plus reinforcements being sent up. I might call it the 'Frugal War'.
The Ptolemies proved the toughest enemy. While the Lusitan and Romani were in sensible locations and thus not too big, by this time the yellow Hellenes had essentially rebuilt the entire Achaemenid Empire, and most of it was pointed at me, specifically Lepki, specifically Abdemlqart. Over the next period he had to fight off numerous armies being sent across the desert, using minimal troops. He fought on the walls, in the city square, at river crossings and on the sand dunes. It was tough, but he managed it.
Over at the Casse, I had finally managed to accrue enough archers and other vital reinforcements and began my final push. Now the war changed completely from a desperate struggle for survival to a full-on assault. Deploying a huge mass of Sardinian, Numidian, and local archers, I would screen them with a thin line of cavalry and heavy infantry. The non-existent armour of these crazy Celts meant that they were very, very easy to kill this way. Sometimes, the entire army would be killed or routed before even reaching my lines. On less fortunate occasions there would simply be too many Celts to kill, and my archers would run out of ammunition midway through the battle, often resulting in the use of very creative tactics. Ultimately though, the Casse were defeated when the last of their family members were killed in one climactic battle, sending the rest of their cities into chaos. Although the island was not halfway conquered, the organised resistance that would push me out was gone and could be conquered at leisure by local soldiers.
The remaining Kart-Hadast soldiers (who had a lot of experience by now, for sure) were sent back by express quinquereme. After being retrained back to full health and being joined by fresh reinforcements, they were deployed to Lepki, a refreshingly close to home campaign for them. The Ptolemies had pushed their luck far enough, and I was about to take it from them.
Abdemlqart was the natural choice for leading this invasion; thanks to the local academy he was a superb governor, and he was exceptionally good at fighting. He had also been made heir to the empire and would do well to earn his share. Plus, it was somewhat poetic that after spending his whole life being menaced with no way to fight back he would now destroy the Ptolemies.
When the invasion force was ready, it set off across the deserts of north Africa. Numerous Ptolemic armies were swatted aside, their stiff phalanxes proving no match for my combined arms tactics. During the sacking of Alexandreia the old Shophet died of age, leaving the empire to Abdemlqart. Around this time he was also lamed, proof that he was a grizzled survivor. To the south in the Upper Nile were further Ptolemic lands, threatening but not dire. To the east and north lay the huge bulk of land stretching from Asia Minor to India. Naturally, Abdemlqart chose the tougher job, leaving the subduing of the Nile to a subordinate.
As the Kart-Hadastim war machine ground across the Sinai, the campaign grew tougher. The loss of Egypt had stung them, and so now the full might of the Ptolemic Empire focused on him. In particular came a local threat: The Ioudaioi Taxeis (Jewish Spearmen) joined the battle. They guarded the flanks of the phalanxes, preventing me from encircling and destroying them. They proved incredibly resilient, able to resist slings and arrows, cavalry charges, even the raw might of my heavy infantry. Ultimately their numbers were too few, but each battle with them present was a struggle.
In addition to the Ioudaioi Taxeis, all the empire came. I had only one large army, and it could only strike in one direction without being overwhelmed. In effect, the invasion was stalled just short of Syria, being mobbed by armies marching in from all directions. To counter this I called up an invasion of all the Mediterranean coast. Using my bases in Krete, Rhodos, and Kypros I trained a large amount of cheap local Hellenic soldiers, and transported them to Ptolemic cities all along Asia Minor. At the same time I used my fleets to leap-frog the approaching armies in Syria and captured a number of key points (that is how Abdemlqart got 'Conqueror of Phoenicia", by the way). The resulting shock of being invaded along an entire sea front caused the defenders to stagger, and with their momentum lost Abdemlqart was able to wipe out the remaining resistance in Syria. Even though the Hellenic invaders were ultimately killed, their distraction allowed victory.
Then came another decision: Turn east, and conquer the greater mass of Persia, or west, to Asia Minor? Abdemlqart decided on Asia Minor, as its closely-packed, rich cities would be far less headache-inducing than the wide expanses of Asia. To prevent the Ptolemies from wiping out his land behind him, he picked a dull, uncharismatic, languorous, selfish, pessimistic, disloyal man. Either he would die, or prove himself acceptable. His job would be to take as much territory as possible, steal everything, burn the rest and minimise casualties while Abdemlqart worked.
Abdemlqart worked well. City after city fell, and even Makedon and Koinon Hellon got into the war when they saw him coming! He even found the Spear of Achilles at some point! Meanwhile in the east whatshisface was having a grand time exterminating Babylon and other such cities. Going as far north as Trapezous (he didn't think much of the Hai), Abdemlqart finished off his conquest of the subcontinent at Ankyra. He wintered there, and then I took the screenshots of his traits (rationing was due to the period spent sieging Ankyra). And then one turn later he died!
Abdemlqart the Lame -
Defender of Lepki
Conqueror of Phoenecia
Destroyer of Ptolemies
Legendary drunk and womaniser
Fighter of a thousand battles
Friend of all
Greatest Shophet
Presumably he died during a feast, outrageously drunk and covered in girls.
Zarathustra Baktrios
04-03-2011, 01:54
News form my Bactrian kingdom (still too small to be called empire).
The world as it was in 208 BC :
http://uppix.net/b/a/b/134fb059e4aa68cda6ef146140145.png
The world as it was in 198 BC :
http://uppix.net/7/8/6/5b9850534a51e12d07adea0eec854.png
The world as it is in 193 BC :
http://uppix.net/1/a/4/5ca6e1a5901d686b369c57a0bfb1b.png
Hannibal's dream
It seems Carthage have done what they wished in real history. The romani recovered southern Italy between 208 and 200, but in less than two years, Qathardast did a blitzkrieg on them. They're now at war with the Lusos and are fighting for nothern Italy and southern Gaul (they took Massilia less than a year ago).
But the Romani aren't dead yet, and they succeeded in recovering northern Gaul from Sweboz and Aedui's rebellion. I'm not sure they'll stay for long, but now as Carthage and the Lusos have a mutual border, they still have a chance.
Casse, Getai, Aedui and Epirote aren't doing a thing since decades. Aedui is now KH's protectorate, Casse is doing Casse, Getai are at peace with all of their neighbors and even if Epirote seems to be safe from KH and the Romani, it does nothing with its three fullstacks units.
The Koinon Hellenon are doing well. They claim for the Galatian and Anatolian lands, and don't give a rest at Pontos and Makedonia. They might begin a war with the AS, which would relieve their baktrian brothers. They're still allied with the Ptolemaioi, so no threat from them within some years.
The Ptolemiaoi are in good way to deal with their oldest adversary, the Saeban. They took one of their major cities and the map has at least four stars with heroic victory to the Ptolies around the town. Here again, there might be an opportunity for Baktria, AS is at peace with the Ptolies, but nothing is written...
The Nomadic Wars
Hayasadan and Sauromatae are stuck in an endless wars, what Hayasadan took Sauromatae took it back the next turns, so Hayasadan took it again, etc.
I was quite surprised by what happened in the north of eastern lands. Pahlava was almost left for dead, at one time they only had one poor settlement, but without conflicts with the seleucids, they crushed Saka and now I doubt Saka'll be able to do the same. To be seen how Parthians will deal the recovery from rebellion of one seleukid city.
Arche Seleukia has made peace with all their western neighbors (minus Hayasadan which is too worry on their northern war anyway). It means rough times for Baktria, the seleukos are devastating our lands and Baktra was on siege for the past decade.
But "their ride goes before their fall", and Plato Baktrios' return from India with elephants will take them for a long ride. Some elephants were left in Baktra in order to be able to recruit some of them. Plato took one of the oldest seleukos stronghold and his freshly new royal army is still on march. The three seleucid generals taken by a sneaky knife might have help Baktria in its struggle.
http://uppix.net/d/9/7/35fdee84fabf863ff7c68133243a9.png
On the south-western, the ex-seleukos traitor, Bagadat Margianikos, is about to take his fith city and no seleukid army seems able to match his small "spears & arrows" army (as it's retrained when a city is taken).
http://uppix.net/7/9/b/85029328e304330630d4709130129.png
Although, regarding to his treacherous flaw, a couple of diplomats never leaves him alone.
XSamatan
04-03-2011, 02:24
Which units do the Romans use?
You'll have quite a nice pick later in the game, which of the 'deaths' do you want to take on first? Ptolies, Carthies, Lusos?
Tyrfingr
04-03-2011, 15:20
(still too small to be called empire).
Allow me to LOL, good sir, for history has shown on multiple occasions that the title of empire is not bound to a certain amount of area covered, but rather to megalomaniac rulers ;) Yours is truly an empire to be proud of.
Arthur, king of the Britons
04-03-2011, 15:39
I concur.
~E
You're ruling over more than one non-Baktrian state. This means you've gone imperialistic (read: mad!)
Zarathustra Baktrios
04-03-2011, 19:38
That's a deal then. Imperialistic mad I am.
Which units do the Romans use?
You'll have quite a nice pick later in the game, which of the 'deaths' do you want to take on first? Ptolies, Carthies, Lusos?
It took me a while to find how to use the move_character cheat with a spy, but I finally did it. They mostly use Lugoae, Gaeroas, Iaosatae, Batacorii and mercenaries, so it seems they're doomed. Carthaginian armies are full of Dorki Leebi-Feenikim Mookdamim, Aanatim Afrikanim Aloophim and Elephants...
I'm not sure I'll go for world conquest, but I guess I will have to take on the Ptolies soon or later ; unless Carthage takes a look at eastern lands, but with the war against Lusos starting, I doubt they will.
Fluvius Camillus
04-03-2011, 22:21
Allow me to LOL, good sir, for history has shown on multiple occasions that the title of empire is not bound to a certain amount of area covered, but rather to megalomaniac rulers ;) Yours is truly an empire to be proud of.
Say what (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_of_Benin)?
Hi everyone,
This is my Baktrian empire around 208 BC. I'm taking my time, adding some RP elements, I probably would not be able to do as fast as some of you guys do anyway (Fluvius, I'm looking at you ! :) ). No cheat neither FD at work.
I am honoured.~D I don't cheat too and I don't recall using FD there. Baktria is indeed on of the most fun campaigns! Have you read my own campaign report? I wrote quite a bit about it.
Good luck with the campaign anyway!
~Fluvius
Tyrfingr
04-03-2011, 23:44
I got a couple of different campaigns going on right now, and this is from my current romani campaign. What is different from other campaigns is that I actually managed to keep interest in the game after 200BC (usually the interest vanishes around the 220s). It's now 188BC and I'm aiming for my first Marians:
http://img.ihack.se/images/1613018704686.gif
A couple of factions has died out - Baktria, AS, Arverni, Epeirus, Hayasdan, and the Carthies has been re-modelled into Numidia after my conquest of Carthage. The parthians and ptolies joined forces and sandwiched the AS. Pontus used to be a huge empire covering the entire Asia Mikra, but foolishly decided to attack ptoley-Tarsos and now...well, killed by the parthians and the greeks who just recently decided to rebel en masse.
FriendlyFire
04-04-2011, 06:30
It took me a while to find how to use the move_character cheat with a spy, but I finally did it.
Easier way for the future: hit F1, then click the ? at the top right of the help window, then do as the advisor says (click show-me-how, then click x to close him). Now you have perfect-spy, which means that any army you can see, you can see perfectly. So all you need to do is toggle_fow, and then click any army on the map for full details. Go through the whole sequence again to turn perfect-spy off.
Abdemlqart the Lame -
Defender of Lepki
Conqueror of Phoenecia
Destroyer of Ptolemies
Legendary drunk and womaniser
Fighter of a thousand battles
Friend of all
Greatest Shophet
Presumably he died during a feast, outrageously drunk and covered in girls.
talking about rolling in p****, and totally hammered. you can't fault him for being a boring character. :clown:
The_Blacksmith
04-19-2011, 15:39
PONTUS CAMPAIGN
243 BC
King Mithadates is still on the throne, after taking most of the Black Sea coast, in 250 BC the Armenians betrayed me and i bumm rushed them and gained some powerfull Kinsmen, some years earlier i kicked out the Seleukids of Anatolia,
the Economy is booming and im laying the last pieces on the regional MIC in Phrygia to get the Medium Phalanx,
the Arveni owns Galatia and have stayed a loyal Allied for quite some time now.
im not sure what to do now, sugestions?
The army you can see there is my Royal Helleno-Trachioi Army
https://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7870/pontus.jpg
Im curreently only at war with the Hai...
It's not a good week to be at war with the Hai!
What do you plan on conquering next?
TheLastDays
04-20-2011, 07:03
Well as I see it you have to judge your own strength... if you are strong enough already you can take on your former "masters" and start picking mikra asia from the Seleukids or you could expand east and get some more money from the greek regions before doing that ;)
Olaf The Great
04-20-2011, 08:55
https://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll80/ArchePersis/Fullscreencapture420201124747AM.jpg?t=1303283868
As you can see here I'm Baktria(or as I like to call it, Basileon ton Baktria, aka the Badass Imperium).
Initially my plan was to take it slow. I would only attack the notinfestedwithelephants settlements around me, snatching a rebelling Seleucid or Saka(who are pretty much glorified rebels) settlement or two using my spies, then grow in Power until I have enough to take India, then turtle again and take over the world. Sadly, and obviously, the suicidal, antagonistic, cheating, warmongering, idiotic, badly designed, and generally unpleasant diplomatic AI claimed yet another victim:Seleukia. They sent endless waves of soldiers at my while everyone else wrecked them. I intelligently stole.a few provinces from them, then FD'd them into passiveness while using character_reset and building forts around all the rivers and strips of land to prevent their armies from herpaderping right into Baktra and jabbing a sword into it's walls. Now obviously I had to FD every other turn or so, but even with that I decided to return my attention to capturing those rebel settlements...but eventually I snapped and took more settlements from the Arche, then FD'd, then took over India and built up...again. Then of course they attacked again, now with a significantly weaker army...so I beat them back to susa and Ekbatana and called it quits there. I kept FDing until I had enough money to sustain three armies comprised of:
Cavalry:1 Super-cat general, 1 armored Elephant, 2 Cataphracts, 2 Baktrian cavalry, 2 Baktrian Horse Archers.
Infantry: 2 Baktrian Agema or 2 Pheraspidai, 7 Thorakitai(Yeah I'm a rebel and used them as line infantry instead of phalanxes.
Missiles: 3 Subeshi Archers(I'd use Indians but I couldn't at that point, though Subeshi archers are pretty damn good.
So with these armies I obliterated the Seleucids, pushing them out of Persia and Armenia. By this point the Pontos had taken everything except Kabalaka(Hai) and Phraaspa(Seleucids) I took Phraaspa, and due to my Alliance with the Hai I attacked Pontos and tried to liberate the cities back to Hayastan. Unfortunately their FM and FH both died somehow and I did it in vain, so I opted to exterminate and pillage the cities then leave, setting up border forts around Phraaspa and Susa to keep the Seleucids out. I had ventured into Babylonia and wanted to take those cities, but then I noticed that if I did that I'd border the Ptolemies, and being smart I opted to avoid that ass fest and retreated back to Persia.
Now, being ROME total war, that didn't last and before long a thin strip of gold was near my western borders and 5 full stack armies were waving their spears and yellow flags at my forts.
At this point I was getting tired of war and my armies were back in Baktra being retrained and replenished and my border cities were being defended by levies. So ...I gave up and just FD'd indefinitely every single turn. That's where I end for now and I'll probably keep FDing unto the 100's BC.
Oddities:After around the 250's the Saka stopped attacking me. The Parthians, despite never honoring my alliances, never ever attacked me even when Margiane and Aria were barely defended.
Note:I am using Jirsys' mod which includes a character speed boost, thus explaining why despite my turtling provinces were taken fairly quickly. Baktra is becoming a huge city in 8 turns and is governed by my faction leader who has probably the best governing traits I've ever seen. His oldest son is a complete idiot so his second oldest is the heir. Thankfully his son is also amazing, so I can see this becoming an unbroken line of badass bookworms with only a few weeds to pull here and there. Baktra has the highest level Academy I can make so far and my young FM's stay there until they're 20. The best warriors will go to govern the western cities while the best governors just..well go everywhere. Baktria, Kophen, and the three cities in India are my major money makers, particularly Pattala due to my heir being the governor. Militarily I have a few Persian-only armies defending the more rebel prone settlements, a traditional phalanx based army in Ekbatana, and a large army of heavy horse archers being trained to take down Parthia and the Saka without failing horribly.
Settlements Lost:Sulek to Saka early on, that was a bad idea anyway and it stretched me out way too much so I abandoned it. Kabalaka to Pontos once, then taken back, then sold to Sauromatae. Armavir and Kotais sold back to Pontos. Takshahila to huge ass rebel stack with 3 elephants that came out of nowhere(that was embarrassing), came 3 turns after I had taken Pattala so you can't blame me.
The_Blacksmith
04-20-2011, 13:02
It's not a good week to be at war with the Hai!
What do you plan on conquering next?
i have allready started pushing the Sauromatae away from the coast and finnished the Hai, and im thinking Mesopotamia now... and then Phonecia...
Arthur, king of the Britons
04-24-2011, 13:03
Nice Baktrian empire you got there :2thumbsup:
Nice Pontic Empire. I'm especially impressed with having only one enemy with so many border provinces. At best I can keep one or two of my neighbors from attacking with some small payments and large garrisons...
Im curreently only at war with the Hai...
The_Blacksmith
05-01-2011, 14:38
Nice Pontic Empire. I'm especially impressed with having only one enemy with so many border provinces. At best I can keep one or two of my neighbors from attacking with some small payments and large garrisons...
Ive figured out diplomacy :D i feel god like :D
Ceasefire
Traderights
7000 mnai
Map infomation
and BING ceasefire with even the Arche Seleukia :D
How long does the ceasefire last generally? I've got a game started where I'd like to have a few turn's peace with the Seleucids without having to send armies sacking and razing across their entire Empire every 5 years or so like I've had to in the past...
Ive figured out diplomacy :D i feel god like :D
Ceasefire
Traderights
7000 mnai
Map infomation
and BING ceasefire with even the Arche Seleukia :D
The_Blacksmith
05-01-2011, 23:18
How long does the ceasefire last generally? I've got a game started where I'd like to have a few turn's peace with the Seleucids without having to send armies sacking and razing across their entire Empire every 5 years or so like I've had to in the past...
Ive had it lasting for up to 30 turns... because i was allied with Makedonia
No luck so far. They appear to hate me too much, even now that we no longer border. I have managed to stay at peace with all other neighbors, surprisingly (as Ptolemy).
Here's a Sweboz campaign I have going, now at 238. The great uniter Heruwulfaz spent his life fulfilling bringing the different tribes into a loose military alliance, but all is not well. Still leading armies after his 62nd winter, Heruwulfaz, as well as one of his younger sons, disappeared in Celtic territory while trying to expand to the south. His nephew Harkilaz has succeeded him as Druxtenoz, but is widely regarded as a sot matched in his appetite for beer (and much worse the "wine" of the soft peoples to the south) only by his appetite for blood. It remains to be seen if he can hold the fledgling alliance together, especially in the face of coming war as the powerful Aedui and Roman factions fight eachother for regional dominance. All eyes are upon him to see if he can avenge his uncle's death, his first test as leader.
https://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4021/sweboz238.jpg (https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/sweboz238.jpg/)
https://img714.imageshack.us/img714/9607/99568620.jpg (https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/99568620.jpg/)
moonburn
05-20-2011, 15:57
herm zim bier comes from bebere wich was taken to the rest of europe by the romans it was an egyptian invention (brewed soup) so technically altough today bier is considered a more northern europe cultural trait during those days particulary in 272 i doubt the germans had acess to bier wine maybe bier only later on in the game probably
Ibn-Khaldun
05-20-2011, 22:42
Wikipedia is not excatly the best source but..
Beer was spread through Europe by Germanic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_peoples) and Celtic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celts) tribes as far back as 3000 BC,[21] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer#cite_note-20) and it was mainly brewed on a domestic scale.[22] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer#cite_note-21) The product that the early Europeans drank might not be recognised as beer by most people today. Alongside the basic starch source, the early European beers might contain fruits, honey, numerous types of plants, spices and other substances such as narcotic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotic) herbs.[23] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer#cite_note-22)
The Egyptians did drink something like beer, although I've never heard anybody claim they invented it. The drink has been around for thousands of years before the EB period, with forms invented independently in places as far apart as Central and North America to Japan, as well as all over Europe. And it's been associated with northern Europe by Romans and other Mediterranean types (despite them having their own forms of the drink) for over two thousands years, not just today. Just ask Pliny the Elder (writing in the 70s B.C.).
At any rate, Harkilaz has become a "Paralytic" drunk on something. Beer, wine (from grapes or other fruit or honey), fermented cider. Whatever his poison it's made him quite worthless as a general.
moonburn
05-21-2011, 13:47
beer to be beer as to have lucullus wich gaves it it bitter taste but helps the fermentation process ofc everyone had their "soups" and many could/would be stored for later and it would fermentate thus the reason why "beer´s" had fruits and honey and anything that could be added to soup hell in my country we even add meat and fish and all that is atable and some things that are not suposed to be eatable to soup like pork or chicken hooves (it´s suposed to give taste to the soup or even worse a special rock wich ofc added to the rock soup folk tales)
but beer as we consider it today grain soup fermentated in special caskets with lucullus (and ofc a more modern touch the bubbles) was invented in egypt and taken to the rest of europe by the roman legions since it was cheaper then wine and therefore was the drink of choice by the poor since it had alchool (fun factor) but also feed the starving (usefull factor)
i´m not saying there was no alchoolic drinks everywhere i mean even today in prisons they make booze with their spare apples just stating that acussing beer for people´s alchoolic problems is too 20th century
One of the earliest known pieces of writing in history is a recipe for beer from Sumeria.
I have a book that mentions a little about the type of beverages made in ancient Germany. The author talks about beer made from barley and from wheat. I think he's probably lumping together any fermented grain beverage together. That does bring to mind the question of what one would call those drinks. Ancient wine is extremely different from what we think of today but we still use the same word for it.
i´m not saying there was no alchoolic drinks everywhere i mean even today in prisons they make booze with their spare apples just stating that acussing beer for people´s alchoolic problems is too 20th century
It's called "pruno" here. We actually found some at work a while back. I almost couldn't believe someone planned on drinking it, it was so disgusting.
Fluvius Camillus
06-15-2011, 10:55
Info for Walle
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/AS27.jpg?t=1294420124
On the minimap of this epic picture of the historical Antiochos III Megas (bloodline wise, second son of Seleukos II Kallinikos), you can see the most accurate situation of the Romani before the war. Although trashing the Celtic, Lusotannan and Germanic nations (all Germanic nations? No not all, one small town.....) they easily had Epeiros' remnants take over the south and middle of the Italian peninsula. This is around the moment I destroyed Epeiros and found myself at war with the Marian republic, who didn't even hold Rome.
Fighting Marians is a mixed experience, on one side you get exciting battles against hardy legionaires, the other side features STREAMS of vigiles fullstacks. They will rout on contact with contacts and every encounter is a repetitive charge and pursue.
At the moment the Romani are bleeding bad, I am slaughtering them with two Uberelite fullstacks (1 in northern Italy, one in Pannonia and the Alps), another army (retrained from the Qarthadast campaign) just arrived at Mastia. A final fullstack will take a northern route after being retrained. And yes, the Germanic village is STILL holding out.~D
Edit: You are aware of the fact that the AI reform conditions differ a lot from the players')?
~Fluvius
Ibn-Khaldun
06-15-2011, 11:09
I like that all the units in your army are different! Most of the players would recruit only the best units.
Ah Ah I love the little village holding up XD
GL to the Silengoz! (I think they r :P)
Btw gratz for your Anabasis ^^
Fluvius Camillus
06-15-2011, 21:58
I like that all the units in your army are different! Most of the players would recruit only the best units.
As the great tactician that I am, I am a master at combining units for specialized operations. I can show you more if you like (my other 3 armies also are made this way). Since my empire is so vast, I love the Xerxes type idea of the thousands nations descending upon you. I'll have to take a screenshot first.
Ah Ah I love the little village holding up XD
GL to the Silengoz! (I think they r :P)
Btw gratz for your Anabasis ^^
Thanks! The village actually is Arctaunon (Hattolandam in 1.0 and now called....). A strange one indeed, they held out with 4 FMs and a fullstack of troops. The FMs are all 10 command, 3 gold chev beasts. The other troops got killed in one of the 23? sieges they endured.
Maybe I can even rescue them? What should I do with them?
~Fluvius
Thank you for posting this Fluvius! To answer your question, well yeah, kinda. I mean I know they must have have some kind of simpler list of requirements. But the fact that in any of my many many campaigns, I've never even seen Polybian troops, which made me wonder how the hell you managed to fight Marians. Btw, you wouldn't happen to know the exact requirements the AI needs for reaching the different Roman reforms would you?
23 sieges lol!
They sure are worth of living as vassals at least :D
Fluvius Camillus
06-16-2011, 11:14
And I'm back again with the current situation:
The old commander of this army was a lot stronger, this is the first campaign of this man, he leads the army which conquered Qarthadast. The Thraikioi Rhomphaioi spot was filled up by a unit of Triballi in the Qarthadast campaign, that is why this unit is lacking experience.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-42-26-96.jpg
This is the Italian army, I am especially proud of the mix of troops I have in this one. This is the historical Seleukos IV, a lot mightier than the historical one!~D
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-45-43-28.jpg
This is the army which destroyed the Hayasdan, it has just returned from a battle against 200 bodyguard cataphracts and a fullstack inside a steppe town. I still have to supplement some forces when I retrain but you can get a general idea of what it looked like. The leader is the son of Menekrates Syriakos (Seleukos III Keraunos), he is quite treacherous and I am glad Aristos is king and not him.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-46-26-81.jpg
It looks like they are not going to hold out for long, Arctaunon's army has shrunk considerably. A lot of FM's died in battle.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-47-07-65.jpg
The family tree is still going historically correct, as you can see, Theodoros (Antiochos II) succeeded his father Antiochos I Soter. Kallinikos Syriakos (Seleukos II) was the king after Theodoros. His first son became basileus when he died (Menekrates Syriakos, Seleukos III Keraunos historically). His reign was quite longer than in history and although he had sons, I appointed his brother basileus after his death. That was Aristos Syriakos (Antiochos III Megas). He now has two sons, Hyperbas (Seleukos IV) leads the Italian army and show a lot of promise. His brother Hamaktyon (Antiochos IV Epiphanes) is with his father in the army, it doesnt seem like he will surpass his brother like in history but he will be Basileus anyway.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-47-48-73.jpg
~Fluvius
Impressive. Have the Yuezhi showed up yet?
Skullheadhq
06-16-2011, 17:04
And I'm back again with the current situation:
The old commander of this army was a lot stronger, this is the first campaign of this man, he leads the army which conquered Qarthadast. The Thraikioi Rhomphaioi spot was filled up by a unit of Triballi in the Qarthadast campaign, that is why this unit is lacking experience.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-42-26-96.jpg
This is the Italian army, I am especially proud of the mix of troops I have in this one. This is the historical Seleukos IV, a lot mightier than the historical one!~D
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-45-43-28.jpg
This is the army which destroyed the Hayasdan, it has just returned from a battle against 200 bodyguard cataphracts and a fullstack inside a steppe town. I still have to supplement some forces when I retrain but you can get a general idea of what it looked like. The leader is the son of Menekrates Syriakos (Seleukos III Keraunos), he is quite treacherous and I am glad Aristos is king and not him.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-46-26-81.jpg
It looks like they are not going to hold out for long, Arctaunon's army has shrunk considerably. A lot of FM's died in battle.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-47-07-65.jpg
The family tree is still going historically correct, as you can see, Theodoros (Antiochos II) succeeded his father Antiochos I Soter. Kallinikos Syriakos (Seleukos II) was the king after Theodoros. His first son became basileus when he died (Menekrates Syriakos, Seleukos III Keraunos historically). His reign was quite longer than in history and although he had sons, I appointed his brother basileus after his death. That was Aristos Syriakos (Antiochos III Megas). He now has two sons, Hyperbas (Seleukos IV) leads the Italian army and show a lot of promise. His brother Hamaktyon (Antiochos IV Epiphanes) is with his father in the army, it doesnt seem like he will surpass his brother like in history but he will be Basileus anyway.
https://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt22/Fluvius_Camillus/RomeTW2011-06-1611-47-48-73.jpg
~Fluvius
Fluvius is Fluviusing again....
Looking good!
Hi guys! This is the Romani empire in 208BC.
1340
Legions in Asia:
1º Asian legion - Commanded by a five stars general
1341
2º Asian legion - Commanded by my greatest general, Vanquister of Makedonia, Vanquister of Siria, Vanquiter of Helenion Kingdon, Avenger of troia, Cebrated triumphant and faction leader amoung many other titles!
1342
3º Asian Legion - Was been broken down by the heavy casualties. This legion will be replaced by the 1º Italian legion and his command will be offerer to the actual commander of the 2º Asian legion.
With out picture.
4º Asian Legion - Commanded by the second gretest roman general! 10 star general. Vanquister of Cartagians, Vanquister of Sirians (I have two generals with this title... I don't know why...), Celebrated triumphant!
1343
I have more:
2 legions in North Espain.
1 Legion in Africa.
2 Legions in Italy. One of them are going to Asia, so, I'm trainig others in Rome and Capua.
Ibn-Khaldun
06-20-2011, 19:55
You still have Camillan troops?
You still have Camillan troops?
As you can see in those pictures, yes I have.
To use Marian's troops I need to upgrade the MICs and it cost a lot of money... so I up two MICs one in Rome and other in Capua and I'm trainig Marian's troops there. If I up all MIC, my Camilian troops will stay without support, and they are supporting all borders of the empire. I already have one full Marian's legion going to Asia to replace the old 3º Asian Legion.
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=1361&d=1308730396
More:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=1360&d=1308730295
https://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo219/CanOmer/Income.jpg
Beautiful little empire there, CanOmer, makes me want to play a Romani campaign.
Arkeolog4
06-24-2011, 09:03
I completed the Sweboz campaign recently.It's the first campaign I've properly completed, I had done a Qarthadastim campaign before but it was on E/E, I used too many mercenaries, finished on 241 BC...Way too boring so I'm going to do a Qart-Hadast campaign again soon. I love the way it says that I have achieved overwhelming luck in the victory message :laugh4: I also have to say that those Bastarnae Falxmen are one of the best units in the games when flanking! They tear through everything!
1390
My best FM was Ansuharjaz - Uniter of the Tribes, Greatest War Leader, Avid Administrator -
1391
I had to kick Rome's ass in my game because they betrayed our alliance. Well, taking Italy and raiding wonders there got my economy able to support 3 fullstacks - so maybe I should be grateful they attacked. When I was planning to attack the Arvernian-Arvernitic whatever Gaul after my conquest of Italy, I saw Lusotana blitz Gaul in about five years so I had to fight against many fullstacks to take those Gaul settlements. The fighting climaxed near Bibracte, with 3 Lusotannan armies against one of my armies and 2 of my Arverni allies. I have to say that it's good to have allies!
My world in 199 BC for those of you who want to see it:
1392
Sorry for any mistakes I might have made in grammar!
Arthur, king of the Britons
06-24-2011, 11:46
Lovely Swêboz empire Arkeolog4! :thumbsup:
I'll see about posting a map later, but I just wanted to relate this hilarious occurrence from my Qarthadastim campaign.
https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6978/huhrs.png (https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/huhrs.png/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (https://imageshack.us)
Empire currently includes Iberia, Italy, Greece, Egypt, North Africa, Jerusalem, Sidon and the British Isles save one province. No FD and Rome, KH, Lusotannon and Parthia have been removed from the game. Soon to be joined by the Casse. Current Year 204 BC, winter.
d'Arthez
06-24-2011, 22:32
Hilarious Tanit.
Quite common that is in large battles. I have had entire units of cataphracts stuck in them ( Multiplayer battles :inquisitive:)
Pontos VH/M
At first, it was very hard to survive. Seleucids occupied my capital then my people revolted and I got my capital back.
After many bloody years I succeed to unite Anatolia. Now I am creating a naval force in the great port of Antiocheia.
There are too many mines in Anatolia, and I developed many of them. Now I have great income.:)
http://uppix.net/8/1/e/4561f8ff5c2e3ef12dcb4a619648b.jpg
Pontos Elite Phalanx in action:
http://uppix.net/3/0/4/35ae9ffdbce83cd41887d4881fc40.jpg
Quite common that is in large battles. I have had entire units of cataphracts stuck in them ( Multiplayer battles :inquisitive:)
Yes, it's a known bug. It happens in vanilla as well, but for some reason it's more common in EB.
Here is screen from my first game in EB (before I finished one campaign in vanilla and one in BI). Played on VH/VH - Little difficulties at the beginnig but later it was just too easy, AI is just too stupid. No cheats used. 1398
Ibn-Khaldun
06-25-2011, 21:15
You did started the EBBS script, right?
By clicking "Show me how" in right top corner? Sure.
Ibn-Khaldun
06-26-2011, 09:30
Sry, I had to ask because that date is 157. I don't think I never played any campaign that far! Good game! :2thumbsup:
kidpacific
06-29-2011, 01:39
Can anybody just tell me what to do to recruit Kleruchoi Phalangitai?1398
As far as i know, pontus needs lv4 regional MIC to recruit Kleruchoi Phalangitai. You can access the AOR in recruitment viewer.
stratigos vasilios
06-29-2011, 10:28
https://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6281/unledhs.jpg
My 209 BC campaign. Guess who I am! It's pretty easy.
JeffVader
06-29-2011, 15:03
So here is my parthian campaign, 196 BC:
https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5707/parthien.jpg
It's some kind of a dualistic campaign, as the AI factions fight longlasting wars, like the Saka and the Baktrians, fighting for ages over Alexandreia-Eschate (sp?), which made it easier for me to go west and fight the AS until the line Arbela-Seleukia/Babylon-Charax.
The AS and the Ptolemaioi were also fighting intensely, which made it easier for me to go east and destroy the Baktrians and the Saka and take the Indian rebel provinces. I'm at war with Pontos and with the Sabeans at the moment...using chevroned HAs against unarmed desert warriors is like using a machine gun... Hayasdan didn't attack me so far, even though we share a border for a very long time, but they are dueling with the Sauros somewhere in the Steppes.
Very interesting will become the duel between the Lusotannan and Carthage, who destroyed the Romans collectively, but are at war with each other and are fighting fiercely in Italy. The KH and the Getai destroyed Epeiros just a few turns ago, so it will be interesting as well, how things will develop on the Balkan.
https://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6287/victoryyr.th.jpg (https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/victoryyr.jpg/)
And finally i could finish my parthian campaign! At last i destroyed the Hay in the Steppes and the seleucid buffer i had in egypt to not border Carthage! The Sauros didn't attack me so far, what i think is a little bit surprising and so the only enemy i have at the moment is Saba and KH, but KH didn't bother me for several years now, as they are busy in Illyria fighting the Getai and the Lusos.
But the fight in italy is the real beautiful development in my campaign! First the Lusotannan smashed Carthage, until they only had Lilibeo left but then Hannibals successors shipped some elites and elephants to sicily and are now pressing the Lusotannan back north, supported by my spies who help making the southern italian cities rebel to bind the troops.
So it was a really nice campaign and i still have to decide, if i continue or if i start a new one and if then, with what faction.
Arthur, king of the Britons
07-03-2011, 15:30
https://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6281/unledhs.jpg
My 209 BC campaign. Guess who I am! It's pretty easy.
Kart-Hadast. :clown:
Fluvius Camillus
07-03-2011, 22:44
Kart-Hadast. :clown:
It's Hay, fail on you...
~Fluvius
d'Arthez
07-04-2011, 00:56
No one suspects the Casse.
stratigos vasilios
07-04-2011, 06:07
You've caught me! In fairness Seleucids or Ptolmey would have killed each another by now, good to see them both in it. Little surprised at Hai and Epiros though. Sweboz and Getai have fought consistently over Ebrunobrum and have been massacred mercilessly by their roving general, their weight of numbers should win out though.
Arthur, king of the Britons
07-04-2011, 11:03
It's Hay, fail on you...
~Fluvius
Great shame. :shame:
My Pontic empire on H/H, expansion has been checked by a brutal Seleukid onslaught
1464
My Baktrian Campaign,
https://img845.imageshack.us/img845/8298/rometw2011071518292050.jpg
Just recently (about 5 years ago) wiped out the Parthians and Sakae. After that ive been replacing all my level 3 government with level 2. Currently planning an assault into India.
What I do not understand is...
1. Why do mines give me 600 when the description says 2000?
2. What would be the best government type for the indian provinces?
Brave Brave Sir Robin
07-15-2011, 14:55
My Baktrian Campaign,
https://img845.imageshack.us/img845/8298/rometw2011071518292050.jpg
Just recently (about 5 years ago) wiped out the Parthians and Sakae. After that ive been replacing all my level 3 government with level 2. Currently planning an assault into India.
What I do not understand is...
1. Why do mines give me 600 when the description says 2000?
2. What would be the best government type for the indian provinces?
Lol, that's a blitz that Fluvius would be proud of.
As far as the mines, there are three types: gold, silver and salt. Each gives a different amount, gold obviously being more. In addition, depending on how many mines are in the region, the money you make off of them changes. For example, Makedonia has three mines I believe so it makes three times as much as a region with only one. However, the building can only display one amount despite all these variables. Don't ask me why 2000 was chosen but thats why the numbers don't add up.
Indian government are tricky. I usually start off with a type 4, develop the local MIC's so that I can recruit units like the Guild Warriors and Indo-Iranian Heavy Cavalry, and then switch over to a level 2 gov so I can get all the Indo Greek units. I do like to roleplay my campaigns though so this probably takes some 50 years or so, showing how long it would take for Hellenes to move into India and start the cultural fusion that is needed for these units to exist. In any event, I believe you can recruit elephants from either local or native barracks so no worries there.
I dont call that a blitz, im using RS 2 movement points :D .
And no elephants for the AI.
Brave Brave Sir Robin
07-15-2011, 19:08
I dont call that a blitz, im using RS 2 movement points :D .
And no elephants for the AI.
I'm not sure what increase that is but if it gets rid of the winter shutting down your campaigning i suppose you would expand 25% faster.
Id reach Takashila to Marakanda with a fast general unit in 1 turn.
Brave Brave Sir Robin
07-15-2011, 20:59
:dizzy2::dizzy2:
It probably takes me about 8. No wonder you expand so much faster.
As far as the mines, there are three types: gold, silver and salt. Each gives a different amount, gold obviously being more. In addition, depending on how many mines are in the region, the money you make off of them changes. For example, Makedonia has three mines I believe so it makes three times as much as a region with only one. However, the building can only display one amount despite all these variables. Don't ask me why 2000 was chosen but thats why the numbers don't add up.
Salt doesn't give mining income, it's just a trade resource like Grain, Fish or Precious Stones. Only Gold and Silver give mining income and BOTH give 600 for the first level mine and 1500 for the second level. If there are more than one resource in a province they'll add up. I believe Gold is more worth when traded then Silver but I'm not sure.
Never heard a reason why the mining income in the building description is so high (2000/5000) that's CAs fault, IIRC that number was misleading in the vanilla game too.
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