Maltz
12-04-2004, 09:03
Good day.
Welcome to RTW short stories by maltz. This time, we shall abandon the invinsible horse archers and fight like real braves!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_01.jpg
Time is 256BC, winter. With some crazy enslavement over the past 15 years, the imperial palace in Arretium is finally completed with 80% of its foreign labor. Let the celebration party begin!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_02.jpg
You might associate "winter 256BC" with something else significant. Oh yeah, the plague in Macedonia. However, nobody is talking about the outbreak in the Arretium party. There is no negative growth of pop. anywhere under the red house. No worry.
Loads of Julii-red ribbon strips hang from the wall, under which walks bald Senator guests from Rome. A young man, "Gaius Marius", whose age is reportedly negative 3-digits, suddenly pops out from the rest. Wow, he has an idea of military reform!
"Everybody can join the army, and shave the Gauls' butts!"
The host crowd cheered on this idea, because the House of Julii is currently fighting some hairy Gauls on the north. This summer they just sacked the Gauls' capital with a full stack.
However, Senators from the Rome republic insisted "only noble hands shall shave thy butts".
The party becomes a debate, and a debate becomes a quarrel. Punches and kicks follow.
Flavius Julius, the Julii faction leader and one the current Praetors in the Senate quietly watched all of this. Hm... maybe it is about the time to let the royal red to take over control. The Julii already owns 42 settlements up to this time, 6 times as much as the miserable sum of the other Romans.
I am sure you know Flavius very well - he is probably most people's first dead faction leader. As long as we don't charge him into the SPQR trarii, he shall live a few more years without a heart attack.
Through all the years of fighting, Flavius has earned himself lots of titles. He used to be "the mighty", but after prolonged Senate exposure he becomes a good liar and hense "the cunning".
Actually, Flavius has been preparing this very moment for a few years... He came back all the way from Byzantium, and ordered one of his grandsons to build a "donation tent" just beside Rome. They say those tents are walled in order to prevent burglars...
Flavius lied, no surprise.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_03.jpg
Game setting: VH/VH, no mod, no cheat code, non-restricted camera for picture taking purpose, and no restriction for any kind of AI exploit. ~;)
There are of course ligetimate reasons why Flavius built a fort here. In the cheapest way, he can rely on the towers through many sallies - but that won't be glorious enough for a illustrated story. Here are a few clues:
- The AI always stretch their line long, and try to advances all at once. Usually this tactics is deadly especially when AI has the number & quality advantage. There will be easily a series of forced 1 vs. 1.
- In huge unit size, units takes long time to turn and to form lines, so everything moves, esp. turns slowly, especially infantry.
- AI's horses usually rush out much earlier than their infantry, perhaps trying to flank. From the previous Armenian story we know that just through skirmishing, we can lure out individual Senate general.
A fort is perfect to serve multiple purposes at once. It completely blocks the possibility of AI full-line advance, forcing a two-front fight. However, if opposing an experienced human commander, he/she will simply focus all forces on one end, finishing one side then the other.
Distance means "quite a lot of time" now. The Senate army will be
forced to streth thin and come through a narrow stream, only to be swallowed by concentrated attacks one after one.
The bad news is that we can't really defeat the garrison reinforcement by the same shot. Perhaps we shouldn't be so confident yet. ~D
Over the past few years, Flavius raised a well-prepared & blanaced army.
Principe x 12 (proud Arretium origin)
Velite Gladiator x 1 (a previous gift from the Senate)
Wargod, no sorry wardog x 1
Equite x 3 (from the northern Gaul town)
Barbarian cavalry mercenary x 1 (bought during a rebel hunting trip)
War elephant x 1 (also a gift from the Senate, a "major exotic unit" for blockading Carthage)
Flavius laid out two wings quite evenly, with 6 principe & 2 cavalry units on each side. Falvius also added himself and the elephant to the right, so we know where the major advance will start.
There should be 3 units mercenary reinforcement, some Thracian, Illyrian, and Samnite warriors. Obviously they forgot to adjust back from day-light saving.
Note: On huge unit sizes I have seen much more reinforcement delays on both myself and the AI. I guess the chance of reinforcement delay is related to the total troop numbers?
The Senators' army roughly has the same strengh as the Julii's - ok, ok, weaker than the Julii's. A few turns ago it was a perfect 20-unit army, but perhaps Rome is also crowded with slaves (pop. 31000 at the time!), so they need a few more garrisons.
As expected, the Senate layed out a long line. This battle should be won - as long as we don't let the AI focus on our one end before our the other end arrives.
As soon as the battle starts, the Senate army rushed forward and discovered the bitterness of the arrow tower. They soon backed up a bit to avoid further casaulties - not too disappointing AI performance.
Daylight is short, so we better get going soon as soon as the deployment is complete.
The only longer-ranged unit on the battlefield is our archers, sitting on the back of the real war god - elephants. Flavius sent them out first to harrass the Senate army, trying to elicit some response from the Senators' left.
Great - Some general rushed out with their trarii trailed behind!!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_04.jpg
Let the elephant + cavalry welcome them. Poor souls were routed quickly by easy cavalry manuvering.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_05.jpg
The mobilization of the entire SPQR army soon follows - generally shifting to their left - that is, towards where Flavius is.
This is not good - as mentioned previously. If the entire SPQR army comes, Flavius might be easily outnumbered if they can't rout the incoming stream fast enough.
Oh ya, he had thought about this, and left a secret weapon.
Also, the entire Julii left flank now advances, ready to close up from behind!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_06.jpg
The secret weapon is unleashed! Wof wof wof! Stream of black beast pour into the heart of SPQR army. A suicide mission. Now the SPQR center is confused... they sent their infantry to meet the principes on the right, but their cavalry were busy with dogs. Nobody goes to rescue their left!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_07.jpg
The left SPQR, dreaming reinforcement to come soon, now falls into the trap. Charge time! The war elephants rushed into bodyguard cavalry, followed by flanking actions of Julii's own, plus Flavius covering from behind, avoiding all dangers yet providing morale support for the rushers.
Although two generals were routed in a short time, here comes the world's best trarii with their pointy sticks. In a few seconds, one elephant down, two cavalries start to waver!
Flavius yelled to the guys on the elephants, "Keep charging forward!" While the cavalry men on the right tried to pull themselves out of troubled melee and charge from another angle - success!
Under war elephants' rage, unit after unit of SQPR soldiers wet their pants. Without proper reinforcement, Flavius can now rushing his unstoppable horde to the left. Before that, Flavius has to reach his back for the battle horn...
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_08.jpg
"Don't flee, cowards!"
Things don't look very well on Julii's left. After killing nearly all the wardogs, SPQR has concentrated more than half of their army on their own right, too.
Julii principe suffered greatly from the superior SQPR counterparts, especially when there were some big holes between their disformed lines. It is ok - we have reserves just for this. But they are so slow... come on.
More hope is put on cavalry - always. Cavalry has been rushing for a while...
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_09.jpg
It all depends on how fast Flavius arrives to rescue his left wing. The cavalry horde left all infantry panting behind - no SQPR unit could put up any decent speed bump now!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_10.jpg
Manuever is certainly slow in huge unit sizes. The cavalry finally reached the flanking position. But their charge proved to be too weak - SPQR still holding there!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_11.jpg
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_12.jpg
Let the right wing close in! Even before the elephant, cavalry of the right wing arrived on time and pushed into the remaining SQPR's back, setting everybody on the run!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_13.jpg
Servius Maxentius, the commander of SPQR, was killed at last.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_14.jpg
About one dozen left-over doggies faithfully chased the routers down the field, along with Flavius and the equites.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_15.jpg
Finally, 1500s kills and 500s losses. Fallen elephant among the resurrected... can't be better.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_17.jpg
Rome and Capua fell in the next round, and the House of Julii wins the campaign! Now enters the new era of the Roman empire! ~:cheers:
***
This is a rather easy battle, I guess. There are not many lessons here - perhaps it will be only helpful for the newer members. Oh yes, if you hear the word "major exotic unit" from the Senate mission - go for it! :balloon2:
Thanks for reading. :bow: In case you really feel bored, here is some bonus material:
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/rebel_bridge.jpg
Welcome to RTW short stories by maltz. This time, we shall abandon the invinsible horse archers and fight like real braves!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_01.jpg
Time is 256BC, winter. With some crazy enslavement over the past 15 years, the imperial palace in Arretium is finally completed with 80% of its foreign labor. Let the celebration party begin!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_02.jpg
You might associate "winter 256BC" with something else significant. Oh yeah, the plague in Macedonia. However, nobody is talking about the outbreak in the Arretium party. There is no negative growth of pop. anywhere under the red house. No worry.
Loads of Julii-red ribbon strips hang from the wall, under which walks bald Senator guests from Rome. A young man, "Gaius Marius", whose age is reportedly negative 3-digits, suddenly pops out from the rest. Wow, he has an idea of military reform!
"Everybody can join the army, and shave the Gauls' butts!"
The host crowd cheered on this idea, because the House of Julii is currently fighting some hairy Gauls on the north. This summer they just sacked the Gauls' capital with a full stack.
However, Senators from the Rome republic insisted "only noble hands shall shave thy butts".
The party becomes a debate, and a debate becomes a quarrel. Punches and kicks follow.
Flavius Julius, the Julii faction leader and one the current Praetors in the Senate quietly watched all of this. Hm... maybe it is about the time to let the royal red to take over control. The Julii already owns 42 settlements up to this time, 6 times as much as the miserable sum of the other Romans.
I am sure you know Flavius very well - he is probably most people's first dead faction leader. As long as we don't charge him into the SPQR trarii, he shall live a few more years without a heart attack.
Through all the years of fighting, Flavius has earned himself lots of titles. He used to be "the mighty", but after prolonged Senate exposure he becomes a good liar and hense "the cunning".
Actually, Flavius has been preparing this very moment for a few years... He came back all the way from Byzantium, and ordered one of his grandsons to build a "donation tent" just beside Rome. They say those tents are walled in order to prevent burglars...
Flavius lied, no surprise.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_03.jpg
Game setting: VH/VH, no mod, no cheat code, non-restricted camera for picture taking purpose, and no restriction for any kind of AI exploit. ~;)
There are of course ligetimate reasons why Flavius built a fort here. In the cheapest way, he can rely on the towers through many sallies - but that won't be glorious enough for a illustrated story. Here are a few clues:
- The AI always stretch their line long, and try to advances all at once. Usually this tactics is deadly especially when AI has the number & quality advantage. There will be easily a series of forced 1 vs. 1.
- In huge unit size, units takes long time to turn and to form lines, so everything moves, esp. turns slowly, especially infantry.
- AI's horses usually rush out much earlier than their infantry, perhaps trying to flank. From the previous Armenian story we know that just through skirmishing, we can lure out individual Senate general.
A fort is perfect to serve multiple purposes at once. It completely blocks the possibility of AI full-line advance, forcing a two-front fight. However, if opposing an experienced human commander, he/she will simply focus all forces on one end, finishing one side then the other.
Distance means "quite a lot of time" now. The Senate army will be
forced to streth thin and come through a narrow stream, only to be swallowed by concentrated attacks one after one.
The bad news is that we can't really defeat the garrison reinforcement by the same shot. Perhaps we shouldn't be so confident yet. ~D
Over the past few years, Flavius raised a well-prepared & blanaced army.
Principe x 12 (proud Arretium origin)
Velite Gladiator x 1 (a previous gift from the Senate)
Wargod, no sorry wardog x 1
Equite x 3 (from the northern Gaul town)
Barbarian cavalry mercenary x 1 (bought during a rebel hunting trip)
War elephant x 1 (also a gift from the Senate, a "major exotic unit" for blockading Carthage)
Flavius laid out two wings quite evenly, with 6 principe & 2 cavalry units on each side. Falvius also added himself and the elephant to the right, so we know where the major advance will start.
There should be 3 units mercenary reinforcement, some Thracian, Illyrian, and Samnite warriors. Obviously they forgot to adjust back from day-light saving.
Note: On huge unit sizes I have seen much more reinforcement delays on both myself and the AI. I guess the chance of reinforcement delay is related to the total troop numbers?
The Senators' army roughly has the same strengh as the Julii's - ok, ok, weaker than the Julii's. A few turns ago it was a perfect 20-unit army, but perhaps Rome is also crowded with slaves (pop. 31000 at the time!), so they need a few more garrisons.
As expected, the Senate layed out a long line. This battle should be won - as long as we don't let the AI focus on our one end before our the other end arrives.
As soon as the battle starts, the Senate army rushed forward and discovered the bitterness of the arrow tower. They soon backed up a bit to avoid further casaulties - not too disappointing AI performance.
Daylight is short, so we better get going soon as soon as the deployment is complete.
The only longer-ranged unit on the battlefield is our archers, sitting on the back of the real war god - elephants. Flavius sent them out first to harrass the Senate army, trying to elicit some response from the Senators' left.
Great - Some general rushed out with their trarii trailed behind!!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_04.jpg
Let the elephant + cavalry welcome them. Poor souls were routed quickly by easy cavalry manuvering.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_05.jpg
The mobilization of the entire SPQR army soon follows - generally shifting to their left - that is, towards where Flavius is.
This is not good - as mentioned previously. If the entire SPQR army comes, Flavius might be easily outnumbered if they can't rout the incoming stream fast enough.
Oh ya, he had thought about this, and left a secret weapon.
Also, the entire Julii left flank now advances, ready to close up from behind!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_06.jpg
The secret weapon is unleashed! Wof wof wof! Stream of black beast pour into the heart of SPQR army. A suicide mission. Now the SPQR center is confused... they sent their infantry to meet the principes on the right, but their cavalry were busy with dogs. Nobody goes to rescue their left!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_07.jpg
The left SPQR, dreaming reinforcement to come soon, now falls into the trap. Charge time! The war elephants rushed into bodyguard cavalry, followed by flanking actions of Julii's own, plus Flavius covering from behind, avoiding all dangers yet providing morale support for the rushers.
Although two generals were routed in a short time, here comes the world's best trarii with their pointy sticks. In a few seconds, one elephant down, two cavalries start to waver!
Flavius yelled to the guys on the elephants, "Keep charging forward!" While the cavalry men on the right tried to pull themselves out of troubled melee and charge from another angle - success!
Under war elephants' rage, unit after unit of SQPR soldiers wet their pants. Without proper reinforcement, Flavius can now rushing his unstoppable horde to the left. Before that, Flavius has to reach his back for the battle horn...
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_08.jpg
"Don't flee, cowards!"
Things don't look very well on Julii's left. After killing nearly all the wardogs, SPQR has concentrated more than half of their army on their own right, too.
Julii principe suffered greatly from the superior SQPR counterparts, especially when there were some big holes between their disformed lines. It is ok - we have reserves just for this. But they are so slow... come on.
More hope is put on cavalry - always. Cavalry has been rushing for a while...
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_09.jpg
It all depends on how fast Flavius arrives to rescue his left wing. The cavalry horde left all infantry panting behind - no SQPR unit could put up any decent speed bump now!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_10.jpg
Manuever is certainly slow in huge unit sizes. The cavalry finally reached the flanking position. But their charge proved to be too weak - SPQR still holding there!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_11.jpg
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_12.jpg
Let the right wing close in! Even before the elephant, cavalry of the right wing arrived on time and pushed into the remaining SQPR's back, setting everybody on the run!
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_13.jpg
Servius Maxentius, the commander of SPQR, was killed at last.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_14.jpg
About one dozen left-over doggies faithfully chased the routers down the field, along with Flavius and the equites.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_15.jpg
Finally, 1500s kills and 500s losses. Fallen elephant among the resurrected... can't be better.
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/Julii_17.jpg
Rome and Capua fell in the next round, and the House of Julii wins the campaign! Now enters the new era of the Roman empire! ~:cheers:
***
This is a rather easy battle, I guess. There are not many lessons here - perhaps it will be only helpful for the newer members. Oh yes, if you hear the word "major exotic unit" from the Senate mission - go for it! :balloon2:
Thanks for reading. :bow: In case you really feel bored, here is some bonus material:
http://protein.biochem.queensu.ca/~dlee/others/rtw/julii/rebel_bridge.jpg