Iberia Rising: A Lusitannan AAR

[Reverend Joe]

it came out as I intended...
Sorry. :hide: But growing up with a construction worker as a father gave me a habit of telling off-color jokes at the most inappropriate times.

On a serious note, I will be curious as to how Iberia will be able to hold onto most of Southern Gaul. Uniting Iberia is one thing, but even a feat like that should require a few generations to guarantee continued stability and prevent the new state from fracturing before it matures. Now, the "Confederacy" also holds sway over large swaths of land that almost certainly have an unequal partnership, a problem only exacerbated by Atu's dislike of foreigners. So, how do you plan on resolving this problem... or do you plan on resolving it? :uhoh:

[General Appo]

That´s one big Greek alliance. I see the Casse are almost done in their conquest of the Isles, when they are finished with it we shall see what happens (imagines Atu´s Gallic conquests being overtaken by newly spawned islanders).

[Chirurgeon]

Sorry. :hide: But growing up with a construction worker as a father gave me a habit of telling off-color jokes at the most inappropriate times.

On a serious note, I will be curious as to how Iberia will be able to hold onto most of Southern Gaul. Uniting Iberia is one thing, but even a feat like that should require a few generations to guarantee continued stability and prevent the new state from fracturing before it matures. Now, the "Confederacy" also holds sway over large swaths of land that almost certainly have an unequal partnership, a problem only exacerbated by Atu's dislike of foreigners. So, how do you plan on resolving this problem... or do you plan on resolving it? :uhoh:

One way is a policy where Atu pays Iberians to immigrate to Gaul and resettle there. This has been going on for years. So the attempt has been made to dilute the Celts in Gaul a bit with Iberians. The best solution to pollution is dillution...at least thats what my environmental science professor said in college. So far the client kings are holding up in the various provinces of Central Gaul.

[Ayce]

Carthage is sure to be destroyed/protectorated, so will we see a Hibernian invasion or are you going to turn your attention towards Rome or Alexandria?

[Chirurgeon]

Carthage is sure to be destroyed/protectorated, so will we see a Hibernian invasion or are you going to turn your attention towards Rome or Alexandria?
I have no quarrel with the Ptolemies. The invasion of Kart-Hadastim is designed to keep them from attacking our ports. However there are riches to be had in Africa...


That´s one big Greek alliance. I see the Casse are almost done in their conquest of the Isles, when they are finished with it we shall see what happens (imagines Atu´s Gallic conquests being overtaken by newly spawned islanders).
Does that happen in version 1.0? Yes the Greeks are doing quite well for themselves.

[General Appo]

Does that happen in version 1.0?

Dammit! It does not. But perhaps you could make it happen? Would be kinda boring if the Casse just sat there for the entire game.

[Wolfman]

Would be kinda boring if the Casse just sat there for the entire game. While the rest of the world is in turmoil the britons sit down to tea and crumpets commenting on how dreadful the weather is.

[Chirurgeon]

While the rest of the world is in turmoil the britons sit down to tea and crumpets commenting on how dreadful the weather is.
I am picturing a bunch of woad warriors drinking tea out of ridiculously small cups


Good to see you continuing. Keep it up.
Be careful not to go to war with both Roma and Kart-Hadast at the same time.
Yes I am hoping that Massalia will draw their ire before I do. Thanks again for your support


Dammit! It does not. But perhaps you could make it happen? Would be kinda boring if the Casse just sat there for the entire game.
you tell me how and I might work in to the story somehow.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Casse will usually have a couple stacks just standing around their capital doing nothing once they've conquered the isles. If you use the move_character cheat to move them to Belgae, they might attack. (I've tried moving them from the isles on many campaigns and have seen them try to take one or both of the Belgae towns before. Never seen them succeed, though.)

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter XLVIII - The Sands Of Africa
588 YAF (225 BC)
The spring winds filled our sails and the fleet left the sheltered port of Gader. Many of the men said prayers as we entered the Pillars of Hercules and hoped our journey would be swift. All of our ships made it and soon we were heading down the coast of what is known as Mauretania. This distant outpost of Kart-Hadastim would be the first place Atu struck. Some of his advisors wanted him to hit the larger cities further east. However Atu felt that he did not want to leave behind anyone that could attack him in the rear. There were untapped resources in this part of Africa that he felt would add to the riches of Iberia. The small town on the coast was the only real center of government for this region. The town known as Sala was about as far from anything as one could imagine. The weather was brutally hot. The armor of the men would become so hot you could almost burn yourself on it. The town was full of Numidians that really did not have any ties to Kart-Hadastim, except via trade. However they did ally themselves with the republic so the town would have to fall. A rickety wall was the only thing between the constructed rams and the poorly equipped natives.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-1.jpg
***
As the heat of summer seared all in sight, Atu gave the order to take the town. He would not have the men suffer in the awful heat any longer.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-2.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-3.jpg

The rams smashed the walls and the Numidians were blistered with stone and javelin alike. They were falling as fast as the temperature rose in this place.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-4.jpg

Soon they were running down the narrow streets to the middle of the city. The heavy infantry moved in. Lutros was now the overall commander for the heavy infantry and he choose which unit would go in first. Atu commanded the overall army but he allowed a few select officers to control their various types of units. After all they spend the most time with the men and would know which units should go where based on morale and experience. The first group of Loricata Scutari went into the narrow streets. Here the Numidians had planned something that sent resolute terror into our men. Barreling down the narrow street were elephants. I had learned of these beasts in my studies at Emporion. I had read that the Persians used them extensively in their various wars. The beasts only had one weakness. The solid iron sofilerum could be used to inflict massive damage but the falcata's the men were using would not work due to the fact that you would have to get quite close. The men tried to hack at the elephants but they swung their massive heads back and forth causing their tusks to sweep at men as a scythe would sweep through wheat. Absolute panic set in as the men were tossed in the air.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-5.jpg

The second unit of Loricata was just arriving in the narrow road where the first one was being trampled in the tight quarters. I spurred my horse passed a surprised Atu and made a desperate flight to my father. I had to tell him what I knew about the beasts. "Father! tell the men to use their javelins!" I proclaimed having winded myself from the aggressive ride. I continued, "You cant beat them up close you must attack them with javelins!" My father and brother looked at me and then at each other. All the while the screams of beast and men continued. Loio nodded at my father and took off running down the street to salvage a desperate situation. I closed my eyes and prayed that it wasn't too late. I looked up and dust filled the narrow street ahead and out of it came the first unit of men sent in. Wide eyed and terrified they ran past screaming to run for safety. I was gripped with fear. Their was silence and all i could see was the dust in front of me. Would the beasts burst forth and trample everything in their path? My answer was clear a moment later when I heard the sound of death. Not of men but rather of the elephants. They fell from the javelins.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-6.jpg
Again quiet surrounded the town and soon a single man emerged from the dust. Had I not known my brother so well I would not have recognized him. Dust and blood covered him in some sort of disgusting Amalgam. He walked up to my father and told him, "the beasts are dead...the town is ours." Cheers went up from the men.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-7.jpg
Lutros told Atu later of my advice and he told me that I yet may be a soldier. I shook my head slowly. "I will stick to my quill and scrolls my lord". I told him politely. He nodded but also realized that I had studied much military history if I knew that detail about the elephants.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-8.jpg

***
The merciless hot days finally ebbed away and the city was scrubbed of the filth of battle. It took all day to drag the dead elephants out of the city. A rich noblemen from Gader was placed in charge of the city and plans were underway to prepare the city for trade. A site for the port was chosen and as soon as the government was established, construction would begin in earnest.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/The%20Sands%20Of%20Africa/WestAfrica7.jpg
On a more personal note I learned that my wife was with child. I truly was happy. I had an urge to travel home to Emporion but realized that I could not leave. The army was preparing to march east. Another town called Lixus lay further down the coast that would open up even more resources. Apparently it is scantily defended and should give us minimal resistance. We crossed a river and turned north towards this city. Living off the land here was very difficult. The amount of flora and fauna were low and Atu had no choice but to use the fleet to ferry food and water to us here in Africa. It was not a particularly challenging logistical effort but it was the first time the Army of Iberia had to rely on supply lines for its needs. Atu hoped to be at the gates of Lixus by the spring. Which meant of course spending another hot summer in front of a city that will resist till the end.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-9.jpg

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Happy days! Another installment. The quest for Kart-Hadast begins!! I had forgotten about the elephants already there. A hard introduction - I should say.

The road to Kart-Hadast will be a long one, reinforcements are already massing in Gader I take it? Will you go for a Lvl 4 type government in Africa? I forgot that Castulo the younger was Atu's age or nearabouts.

@Khazar - an excellent choice in wine sir. And a wonderful way to enjoy the AAR. Cheers!

[Chirurgeon]

Happy days! Another installment. The quest for Kart-Hadast begins!! I had forgotten about the elephants already there. A hard introduction - I should say.

The road to Kart-Hadast will be a long one, reinforcements are already massing in Gader I take it? Will you go for a Lvl 4 type government in Africa? I forgot that Castulo the younger was Atu's age or nearabouts.

@Khazar - an excellent choice in wine sir. And a wonderful way to enjoy the AAR. Cheers!

Yes, and I realized that narrow streets + rampaging elephants = Carnage. I was so shocked at the site of it that I didn't even try to capture it on screen. It looked like some grotesque bowling game. As the elephants ran at the camera the soldiers were thrown at my face. Then they ran amok and did horrendous damage to their own men. So if you get besieged and have elephants...have them run down the road and barrel through everything.
Yes I am using level 4 govts. I need to establish economies. Maintaining the army in Gaul and the invasion force is costing me dearly. Many of the cities in Gaul are not producing very much. Low populations and poorly developed infrastructure is to blame. They are also restless so it has been nearly impossible to raise taxes.
So far Kart-Hadast has not responded from what I can tell. However their cities this far west are not substantial. When I do face them I will no doubt face some of the best troops the world has to offer...*gulp*

[Wolfman]

"barbaric voice on" Fear those pansy merchants from a merchant republic? PAH! I think the armies of Iberia have been through enough to take on any army! Now hurry up and get to carthage! I have to get the head of a Priest of BAAL. It will go nicely next to this Numidian Chieftans rather distinguished cranium. (pulls out neccessary impliments and begins his grisly trade).

[Chaotix]

Keep going, Chirurgeon! The chapter title brings back memories of your old Qarthadastim AAR...

[General Appo]

Hehe, I love that Atu has "Seen the Elephant". After all, he has.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Oh, you're finally making Kart-Hadast pay.
Great chapter title. :beam:

[Ayce]

That's one weird way to take enemy territory (nasty if you include the elephants). Are you planning the world's first (intentional) strategic encirclement on the north coast?

[Africanvs]

Nice installment. So begins the war with Carthage. :)

[Chirurgeon]

Nice installment. So begins the war with Carthage. :)

Yes, Carthage is potentially the toughest opponent yet. If they get their act together and send a decent army.


"barbaric voice on" Fear those pansy merchants from a merchant republic? PAH! I think the armies of Iberia have been through enough to take on any army! Now hurry up and get to carthage! I have to get the head of a Priest of BAAL. It will go nicely next to this Numidian Chieftans rather distinguished cranium. (pulls out neccessary impliments and begins his grisly trade).
Wow I'll bet your real fun at a party...showing off all your skulls and all :) Thanks and I will do my best to get the head of someone important.


Keep going, Chirurgeon! The chapter title brings back memories of your old Qarthadastim AAR...
Yes...that was intended for long time followers of my AARS :)


Hehe, I love that Atu has "Seen the Elephant". After all, he has.
haha I guess your right. I didn't notice that :) Good catch there


Oh, you're finally making Kart-Hadast pay.
Great chapter title. :beam:
:nod:


That's one weird way to take enemy territory (nasty if you include the elephants). Are you planning the world's first (intentional) strategic encirclement on the north coast?
Im not sure I follow you. Mauretania for whatever reason extends really far east. But currently only own one province in Africa. Is that what you are pointing out?

Thank you all I should have another installment up tomorrow sometime :)

[Ayce]

Yes, it looks like you were trying to land behind enemy lines and surprise encircle them, but maybe I'm just too much of a WWII/HoI2 buff.

[Aaldaemon]

Truly epic aar! And those Iberian Lanceari are the stuff of drooling all over my keyboard... You make me wish I had the time to play the Lusitani myself. /applause.

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter XLIX - Lixus
589 YAF (224 BC)
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-1.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-2.jpg
The winter temperatures here felt comfortable and because of that Atu elected to continue the march toward Lixus. This town was similiar to Sala in that it was sparsely populated.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-3.jpg

The governor was so surprised at our arrival it was just him and his bodyguards when the city was besieged. He did not stand much of a chance as the heavy infantry poured into the city center and promptly surrounded the governor and killed him.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-4.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-7.jpg
With the addition of this region it would be a long march East to another area that was considered a capital. Two years and no indication that Kart-Hadast was doing anything about our unchecked rampaging. The Republic was but a shadow of itself it seemed. Spies indicated that Siga, further to the east, has a large garrison and even worse elephants. Atu was worried about that and when we arrive there he has no intention of allowing his men to get trampled in the city. We would wait that city out and force them to offer battle where the men could more easily maneuver.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/The%20Sands%20Of%20Africa/elephants.jpg

***
I had a chance to return home for a few months while the army made summer camp in Africa. My wife had a boy and we named him Dorus. He was bigger than I imagined as he was nearly a year old. The estate was beautiful and Ariadne's family worked the land and made it a wonderful place. The vines and orchards showed vigorous growth and the warm summer winds were a bit cooler here in the mountains. It seemed to pass by quickly. I saw the elders of Emporion at the temple complex. Emporion continued to thrive and houses were being erected as fast as possible. Many merchants now called the city home and trade was burgeoning. The recent acquisitions in Africa would do much good for trade. For a long time the vast riches of that land had been closed since the war with Kart-Hadast began so long ago.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/The%20Sands%20Of%20Africa/WestAfrica2.jpg
***
After saying goodbye to my family and my son I caught a merchant ship that was bound for the port of Lixus near the Pillars of Hercules. The trade ships seem to have the crossing down to a science but nonetheless I still felt tension as we made the journey. I felt better on land. Soon enough I caught up with Atu in late fall as he continued the journey east. Here the land was desolate save for Lions and Elephants. The elephants made for surprisingly good meat. The meat could support many men. It would be several months marching across unforgiving terrain until we came close to another settlement.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-8.jpg

[CaesarAugustus]

It's been a while... I see they're in Africa now! :beam: The "Spanish" Empire is foming some 1700 years early. Let the golden death sweep over Africa! :charge:

[Disciple of Tacitus]

A nice little addition to read over with my glass of Castell del Remei Gotim Bru - which, I guess, comes from not far from Castulo's vineyards.

This slog from West to East (or East to West depending on how you do it) along the northern coast of Africa always takes time - with the massive distances involved. Chirurgeon always has amazing pics to go along with his tales.

I was just musing on how aptly Chirurgeon has captured the Iberian ancestory - as it were. Our first narrator was the son of a Punic Noble, who married a Lusitannan. Our second narrator is his adopted son of Celtic parents who, in turn, has married a woman of Greek origins. Did I get that right? Wow. What good fun.

As always Chirurgeon, Keep it up!

[Wolfman]

'Slams Door and sits down" "Barbaric Voice On" Servant fetch me some wine! "Guzzles down some wine" AHH! much better. This hopefully will help me with my frustrations! So the African invasion continues with great success. Good! My fingers are itching for the wealth of africa!

[Chirurgeon]

'Slams Door and sits down" "Barbaric Voice On" Servant fetch me some wine! "Guzzles down some wine" AHH! much better. This hopefully will help me with my frustrations! So the African invasion continues with great success. Good! My fingers are itching for the wealth of africa!
yes indeed the ports and the mines are particularly apt to increase my treasury


Truly epic aar! And those Iberian Lanceari are the stuff of drooling all over my keyboard... You make me wish I had the time to play the Lusitani myself. /applause.
I havent had to use them yet. Hopefully soon. I want to see what these guys can do!


It's been a while... I see they're in Africa now! :beam: The "Spanish" Empire is foming some 1700 years early. Let the golden death sweep over Africa! :charge:
:charge:


A nice little addition to read over with my glass of Castell del Remei Gotim Bru - which, I guess, comes from not far from Castulo's vineyards.

This slog from West to East (or East to West depending on how you do it) along the northern coast of Africa always takes time - with the massive distances involved. Chirurgeon always has amazing pics to go along with his tales.

I was just musing on how aptly Chirurgeon has captured the Iberian ancestory - as it were. Our first narrator was the son of a Punic Noble, who married a Lusitannan. Our second narrator is his adopted son of Celtic parents who, in turn, has married a woman of Greek origins. Did I get that right? Wow. What good fun.

As always Chirurgeon, Keep it up!
I have done some research. My roommate is a sommelier and has extensive knowledge about the wines of Spain and France. Many less known varietals are grown in the region around Emporion. I can say them but can't spell them lol.

[Ower]

Chirurgeon great AAR love every page of it.
I have a question, what program did you use to capture the video of the battles and to convert them into a more adequate formate size vise?

[Chirurgeon]

Chirurgeon great AAR love every page of it.
I have a question, what program did you use to capture the video of the battles and to convert them into a more adequate formate size vise?

Good to see you Ower. I use Fraps. I think the site is www.fraps.com. Anyway I paid the ten bucks to buy it so that you can choose which file format to save in. If you get the unregistered version you get a file version that you have to convert into jpeg. You can do video captures also but I don't have the spare room on my hard drive to do that atm. Be aware that it captures video and the initial capture is HUGE. every ten seconds of video was like a gigabyte. Make sure you have plenty of hard drive space if your going to do it.

[Ower]

Thx for the hints. And what did you use to convert the vids? I am thinking about a Aedui AAR and want to usme the vids so I can write about the battles.

[Chirurgeon]

Thx for the hints. And what did you use to convert the vids? I am thinking about a Aedui AAR and want to usme the vids so I can write about the battles.

I used windows movie maker...came with my computer. It works well.

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter L - Challenged
590 YAF (223 BC)

For three months we marched through a mostly desolate region. The summers here are simply brutal. Atu pushed the men hard so that we would make it to the next city. The trading port of Siga was not far and he wanted to get there before the incredible summer heat arrived. The whole time we were tracked from a distance. Silhouettes of these mauraders indicated they were Numidian horsemen. Some of the finest horsemen. The Iberian horsemen admired their agility on the mount. They were not heavily armed but they are so fleet that catching them would be nearly impossible.
Siga knew we were coming. By the time we arrived the town had been adequately fortified with scores of native Numidians, Elephants and even some Liby-Phonecian Mercenaries. There was also heavy cavalry. Atu had lines of Circumvallation built and the men knew a large battle would finally happen.
Spies indicated a Kart-Hadastim force was marching this way. Again mostly Numidians with some citizen cavalry and Mercenary troops. It was a far cry from what Atu expected. I too expected a massive relief force with heavily armored, spear wielding infantry. The relief force and the garrison it set out to relieve would be the same size as our own, however Atu knew that the years of training and fighting amongst his men gave him the ever more important advantage of better discipline and better morale. If he used his forces wisely he could carry the day with a minimal loss of men. Atu told me that victory is not enough to beat an enemy...you must preserve your forces in the process. A costly victory is worse than a loss in some ways. In my studies I had read something very similar although I could not remember where I had read it. Ultimately we must not only win but win with minimal losses.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/The%20Sands%20Of%20Africa/WestAfrica10.jpg

Our treasury is stretched to the breaking point. The occupied cities of Gaul were not contributing much to the coffers but it took a lot to maintain them with an army to defend the holdings, and garrisons to maintain order. It would be some time before Gaul would become anything like Iberia. Atu could not afford any more men. The men that made up this army were not the ordinary citizens seeking to defend their lands. The army had transformed into something more professional. The sons of men that fought with the forefathers of Atu were not hunters/farmers/miners/bakers. They were soldiers. These men only had one trade: War. These men would earn their money in monthly earnings and be allowed a certain amount of booty. They were not selling olives or building ships. They made their living at the expense of others. It was an expensive force but one that is very potent.
Atu's brother has a son but Atu has himself never produced a boy. Tentatively, Ebudurius's son is the heir. If something were to happen to Atu before this boy came of age Ebudurius would take command of the empire. I never thought I would utter that word. It is true we have grown larger than our own lands. The very act of protecting our borders has created a huge land. Its potential is as varied as the people that live within the Iberian Empire.
***
At the end of summer a relief force arrived. A senator from Kart-Hadast would lead them into the fight.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-1.jpg

Atu had the men withdraw from the town and deploy on a small hill covered with trees. The vast number of Numidians indicated our lines would be pummeled by javelins. However when they Numidians and the Mercenaries closed in for hand to hand combat, Atu was confident he could break any hope of a victory. There was a snag in his plan however. As we deployed the garrison from Siga began marching to join their brothers.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-2.jpg

Three units of heavy cavalry, a unit of citizen cavalry, and elephants. Our slingers marched through the lines of infantry and I watched them begin to pelt the distant Numidians. Poorly equipped and trained to deal with slingstones they fell in large numbers.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-3.jpg

This provoked the Senator that was leading the relief army into attack. Atu smiled at this because this meant the enemy would not attack with their full strength. The garrison had yet to arrive. The attack began with barrages from the Numidians and soon the front line was being pounded by cavalry charges.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-4.jpg

Our light troops, the Cantrati, were positioned behind the spearmen to offer flank relief. As the battle raged, the garrison arrived and the elephants crossed in front and took a position up on our right flank.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-5.jpg
The slingers had exhausted their projectiles and had since retreated. The Cantrati on the right flank had their javelins still. The elephants were charging toward the right flank of spearmen. Disaster loomed. Atu ordered the Cantrati to bring the beasts down. They launched their javelins skyward with a long arc. The gained speed toward the earth and began to sink into the flesh of the beasts. At first nothing happened as the momentum of the charging beasts kept them heading towards the line.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-6.jpg

Then one by one the beasts faltered. Some made it into the front line of spearmen and fell over. This crushed several men under the beasts. It must have been horrible. The surviving beasts screamed and roared at the loss of their brethren and began a flight away from the battle. All the while the riders desperately trying to gain control of the animals as they rampaged away from the battle.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-7.jpg

With the elephants gone the battle began to turn. More Numidians attempted to hit our lines. Atu ordered the cavalry to clean up the left flank. The heavily armed Lanceri glittered with beast and rider equally armored. The site of so many of those armored horses would have been terrific.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-9.jpg
They moved down the hill and charged into the Numidians attempting to turn our left flank. Men went flying. Many were trampled beneath the heavy hooves of the beasts. The charge of the horses carried them through the shattered Numidians and into the cavalry of the Senator who was rallying the men to continue the fight. It was the last order he would give. Like a great boulder the cavalry smashed into the general and his bodyguard. All I could see was a screen of dust and the sound of the thunder the beasts made.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-8.jpg

Chaos erupted and the survivors began to flee. Our cavalry pursued them until the horses were tired. The men brought the horses back to the trees where they scrambled to get the armor off of the beasts. Several of the horses died from the suffocating protection of their blanket of armor. The horsemasters cursed at their foolishness for pushing the beasts too hard. Water was used to cool the animals and they drank heavily. With the relief force scattered and the garrison having pulled themselves behind the walls, Atu left the cavalry in the shade of the trees and ordered the men back to the siege lines. We had carried the day but lost several horses unnecessarily in the process.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-10.jpg
At nightfall the cavalry returned having lost a few more horses. Atu cursed himself for not foreseeing the stress on the animals. This is why the Numidians rode their mounts bareback. The climate would kill the horses. Atu made the decision not to send the heavy horse in to chase fleeing men. This would be left up to the medium cavalry that would not suffer as much. The heavy horse was only to be used to break units that threatened our flanks or against other heavy cavalry.
Despite the loss the city had not surrendered. Atu made the decision to break the city in the spring. With their forces severely reduced there was no longer a risk of high casualties amongst the men.
***
The winter here was not particularly cold except near dawn of the day. With cooler northern winds, the temperature was moderate and made this desert somewhat hospitable. Atu had a chance to replace some of the horses with new arrivals from Iberia so by the time the spring arrived we would have a full force again. I yearned to travel home but I knew that I would miss the battle for the city if I were to leave. My thoughts were on my wife and my young son just before we stormed yet another city.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-11.jpg

[whatthehell6]

My first post on your thread.

Love your AAR. Lusotannan is my favorite faction so it is good to hear someone else cleaning house with them too. You are an excellent storyteller btw, and I continue to come back and view your updates continuously.

Cheers! And take the fight to the tin isles!

Oh, and don't succumb to giving up on fow. Makes the campaigning much more interesting!

[Chirurgeon]

My first post on your thread.

Love your AAR. Lusotannan is my favorite faction so it is good to hear someone else cleaning house with them too. You are an excellent storyteller btw, and I continue to come back and view your updates continuously.

Cheers! And take the fight to the tin isles!

Oh, and don't succumb to giving up on fow. Makes the campaigning much more interesting!
Thank you for posting. So good to see new people. I love the faction as well. Thank you for the compliments. I have my hands full at the moment with Carthage. Should have an update soon :)

[Zasz1234]

Just wanted to say this is a fantastic AAR. Keep up the good work!

[Chirurgeon]

A nice little addition to read over with my glass of Castell del Remei Gotim Bru - which, I guess, comes from not far from Castulo's vineyards.

This slog from West to East (or East to West depending on how you do it) along the northern coast of Africa always takes time - with the massive distances involved. Chirurgeon always has amazing pics to go along with his tales.

I was just musing on how aptly Chirurgeon has captured the Iberian ancestory - as it were. Our first narrator was the son of a Punic Noble, who married a Lusitannan. Our second narrator is his adopted son of Celtic parents who, in turn, has married a woman of Greek origins. Did I get that right? Wow. What good fun.

As always Chirurgeon, Keep it up!
Found a tidbit on the wine you are drinking:
"This is a rich, opulent red and startlingly good value for money. It spends 10 months in American oak barrels and can be slightly harsh in its youth, but with just a few months in the bottle it loses its rough edges the huge jammy fruit qualities come through."
...Yummy :)

[Chirurgeon]

Just wanted to say this is a fantastic AAR. Keep up the good work!

Thank you sir and I must say I like your signature line :)

[Theodotos I]

Across the Pillars of Hercules! Gotta say, Chirurgeon, this is looking incredible. Nothing quite like seeing the elephant. :laugh4: Check my AAR. I've just proved I can actually WIN a battle. :laugh4:
Keep up the good work.

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Found a tidbit on the wine you are drinking:
"This is a rich, opulent red and startlingly good value for money. It spends 10 months in American oak barrels and can be slightly harsh in its youth, but with just a few months in the bottle it loses its rough edges the huge jammy fruit qualities come through."
...Yummy :)

Usually, those wine reviews are a bit hard to follow, but that one is spot on. My only regret is that now it is gone. :shame:

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LI - Under The Gaze of Atlas
591 YAF (222 BC)

As promised Atu had his men storm the town in early spring. It was not much of a fight. The several hundred Numidians were aptly slaughtered by the veteran spearmen. Even the few better troops perished beneath the banners of Iberia. The city fell and with it another important port.
Capture of Siga:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-1.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-2.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-4.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-6.jpg

Traders would begin working on contracts with Iberian ports immediately. Meanwhile three young men commanded a force that was supposed to relieve Siga from occupation. Our spies would learn that these young men were sons of prominent senators sent to deal with the Iberian "nuisance".
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-7.jpg
I hate to be the one to inform them but we are knocking on the door to their homeland. Slightly more than a nuisance if you ask me. The young generals turned from relief to delay in their tactics. They were outnumbered but did have a large contingent of heavy cavalry.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-8.jpg
Atu pursued them into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. After weeks of harrowing them in the shadow of the mountains the young men took up a defensive position on a hill. Atu was going to have to drive them off the hill. The young commanders were wise to choose such a postion. Our slingers would be largely negated due to the height. Our cavalry would have more difficulty circling around the enemy. And our infantry would have to march up a hill. It could potentially be a bloody contest. Clearly the young men were not entertaining the notion of defeating an invasion force. They only hoped to slow down our armies so that the mother land could prepare an adequate defense. By the fall of the year they had delayed us long enough that we would not make it to Ippone. Atu was trying to use speed in the invasion, and for the first time his plan had been thwarted. Atu ordered our men forward just after dawn on a mild autumn day. The men walked in unison up the hill to meet the men of Kart-Hadast.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-9.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-10.jpg

We never got in missile range and instead the heavy cavalry charged down upon our lines. Men were hurled as if struck by lightning. An explosion of men, dust, blood, and fear enveloped our lines as the cavalry of the enemy charged downhill at full speed.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-11.jpg
It was not enough to break our lines and one of the generals died in the attack.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-15.jpg
Over and over their cavalry charged until the second general perished.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-16.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-14.jpg
The skirmishers that accompanied their men hurled spears and caused grievous wounds The men in the front line were taking a beating.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-13.jpg
Atu ordered our own cavalry into the fray and managed to rout the last general in his attempt to break our men. With their general in flight, Atu had the the heavy infantry move forward to deal with the elite phalanx before us . I had never seen a phalanx before and this was a terrifying prospect. A wall of prickly spears wielded by heavily armored men with incredible resolve would be a daunting task.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-17.jpg
Atu asked one group of infantry to hold down the men while another circled around to their rear. It did not seem like a long time but the elites of this army caused a large number of casualties.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-18.jpg
Finally the heavy infantry surrounded the elite pikemen and ultimately caused them to rout.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-19.jpg
Our cavalry took care of many survivors.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-20.jpg

After the battle was over it was realized that the men were in no shape to continue the march to Ippone. We had many wounded and dead and although the Kart-Hadastim troops were annihilated they achieved their objective. It would not be till next year that we would reach their port at Ippone. The Numidians that lived in and around the mountains had also managed to muster large numbers of warriors in the city of Kirtan. No doubt they would march to the rescue of Ippone. And much to our chagrin the republic had yet another year to prepare for our attack.
My father having seen the devastation the phalanx could cause was rightly worried about the prospect of facing more men just like this.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/The%20Sands%20Of%20Africa/WestAfrica5.jpg
^^Atlas Mountains
***
Having been so far away for so long I yearned to return home but that would be impossible as the fleet could not transport me and trade ships were not in Siga. I missed my wife and my son and prayed that they were ok. For while we were here in Africa news to the north of Iberia was worrisome. In Gaul the Arverni were growing more and more brazen. The former capital of the Aeudi nearly fell in a hard fought battle. Epidurius is doing his best to maintain order and the army in Gaul is exhausted having run from one conflict to another. Yet another threat has developed. The tension between the city of Massalia and our empire finally boiled over when a brash general of theirs attempted to capture Tolosa. The army in Gaul managed to best them but the fact remains that Massalia is taking advantage of the fact that we are spread so thin. Maurading pirates along the coast of Gaul have also damaged trade. They have ventured to the northern coast of Iberia as well. Atu wishes to see the demise of Kart-Hadastim but my have to settle for something less. They have several outposts in the desert and further east along the coast past their capital. These outposts are remote and would take years to capture. Years in a far away land may not be a luxury we have with enemies, old an new, peering into our empire with great curiosity.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-21.jpg

[Aaldaemon]

I can but envy your stamina Chirurgeon. Such a lengthy tale, and a tale able to keep one's interest at that is an impressive accomplishment. I wish I had your drive. /bows.

[Chirurgeon]

I can but envy your stamina Chirurgeon. Such a lengthy tale, and a tale able to keep one's interest at that is an impressive accomplishment. I wish I had your drive. /bows.

Well I thank you sir. Alas I am just a prince in this AAR longevity. MAA is the real king of the long tale! I think his Makedonian AAR has been going since October! For whatever reason I do not grow weary of this AAR. I will run over to your AAR and check it out. With school out I should be able to update more often. Thank you for the continued support. I can't believe I have over 50 chapters in this thing. One chapter per year. As long as everyone continues to read and enjoy I will continue to keep this thing going :)

[Aaldaemon]

Well I thank you sir. Alas I am just a prince in this AAR longevity. MAA is the real king of the long tale! I think his Makedonian AAR has been going since October! For whatever reason I do not grow weary of this AAR. I will run over to your AAR and check it out. With school out I should be able to update more often. Thank you for the continued support. I can't believe I have over 50 chapters in this thing. One chapter per year. As long as everyone continues to read and enjoy I will continue to keep this thing going :)

To be honest, I can't wait to see you go ever farther East... I would applaud you greatly if your Lusitani reached the Indus - although that might be a bit too much? Keep up the good work, and now excuse me, I have to go read the last parts of "Across the Waters" a great aar I somehow missed. :oops:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Another great chapter. Keep it up.

[Disciple of Tacitus]

*sits down, cup of coffee in hand. Looks about for latest update. ... ...* Darn! Well, will check in later. Just got a nice dry Spanish Rose for an evening read. Has anyone heard from Khazar Dahvos lately?

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LII - After The Delay

592 YAF (221 BC)
Winter hardly seemed like winter as the days continued to grow long. Finally when it was clear winter was behind us we made use of the few months we would have to get to our next destination. The important port city of Ippone was the edge of the homeland to Kart-Hadastim. We pushed our way north and crossed a large river. Atu noted that this river would have been an ideal place for a challenge. Yet no challenge came from the Republic. In crossing the river, the road that ran along the coast was wonderfully maintained. The men had never seen anything like it. Stones had replaced dirt and the road enabled the men to traverse the land faster. Only in cities had such roads been built. It was unheard of to place such things outside the city. Regardless it sped up our approach to the port city. It was well defended. Many fine and greatly armored men were here to defend the homeland. Trying to take the city would take many lives. And if the enemy played the game right they could choke up the streets with bristling spears. It would cost us many lives and Atu was not prepared to do that. He hoped to draw the enemy out. South of us in the land of Numidia there were several small armies forming in an attempt to thwart our capture of Ippone. Atu ordered siege lines dug and preparations made for the long hot summer. The fleet arrived and brought rations and other supplies for the endeavor.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LII-1.jpg
***
By the end of the year no real progress had been made to dislodge us. Further north in Gaul the Arverni continue to challeng our hold on their former territory. However the army under command of a noble designated by Eburius was able to stave off their attempts. A massive army now mustered in and around Massalia. Atu's worst fear was that army would become restless and pour into our lands. The quality of the Hellenic troops could very well toss aside our army in Gaul. Should that happen disaster would fall over the lands. A great defeat could cause revolts across the empire. Atu had a dire predicament. Stay in Africa and finish the campaign or return to Gaul to end the Hellenic threat to our lands. Either option had its pitfalls. Atu chose to stay unless the situation unraveled in the north.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/The%20Sands%20Of%20Africa/WestAfrica9.jpg

[Chirurgeon]

Alright so I thought it would be cool to see how the faction has done over the course of time. I've made a graphical timeline of sorts showing expansion of the Iberian Empire:
272 BC - 258 BC
Unification of the Independent Tribes:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/III-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/V-17.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XII-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XIV-16.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XV-14.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XVI-3.jpg

256 BC - 250 BC
War against Kart-Hadastim:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/ChapterXVIII-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XIX-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XX-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXI-9.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXIII-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXIV-2.jpg

249 BC - 242 BC
Celtic Civil War:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXV-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXVIII-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXIX-28.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXII-6.jpg

240 BC - 228 BC
Gallo-Iberian War:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXIV-17.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXV-14.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXVI-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXVII-18.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXVIII-19.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XL-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLII-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLV-14.jpg

225 BC - ?
Second Kart-Hadastim War:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-9.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-11.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-21.jpg
to be continued...

[Aaldaemon]

Aye, stay in Africa, and humble the Puni. Kart-Hadast beckons. :yes:

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Wow. Love the time-line addition. A great idea. Brings back memories. Castulo (the elders) first vineyards, his wife's death, his revenge, the wars to take the Iberian SE coast, the celtic rebellion ... well, all of it. What a great tale. Am happily enjoying it. More coastal pics of Africa!! Much thanks for all your time and effort sir!

[Chirurgeon]

Aye, stay in Africa, and humble the Puni. Kart-Hadast beckons. :yes:
Yes it does. I hope to stave off the re-emergence of the Arverni and the audacity of the KH in Massalia


Wow. Love the time-line addition. A great idea. Brings back memories. Castulo (the elders) first vineyards, his wife's death, his revenge, the wars to take the Iberian SE coast, the celtic rebellion ... well, all of it. What a great tale. Am happily enjoying it. More coastal pics of Africa!! Much thanks for all your time and effort sir!

Yes I thought it would be cool to do that periodically. It brought back memories for me as well. I can't believe the journey these people have taken over the last 50 years or so...incredible.

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LIII - Divide and Conquer
593 YAF (220 BC)
We did not have to wait long. In the heat of the summer the army that Kart-hadast had encamped in Numidia broke camp and stormed toward us. By the Autumn they had deployed behind our lines. Atu realized that he must fight the enemy from two separate directions. He knew the men inside the city were better trained and equipped than the mostly Numidian relief force from the south. However he could not ignore them. In a meeting with his advisers it was agreed that the forces would be split and placed into two lines. There were alot of trees in the area so gaging th exact location of the enemy was not possible. The morning of the battle Atu awoke his men and began to divide his forces. In all the military books I had read this was a controversial subject. However it was necessary under the circumstances. The Army of Iberia had another advantage: Experience. Many of the men we were facing had only been recently pressed into service. This meant we had the advantage of morale. Arguably that advantage is greater than numbers alone. Atu took our spearmen and tasked them with holding off the Numidian relief forces. The Cantrati would deal with flankers. The men facing the city's garrison would be our heavy infantry supported by the veiled warriors of Asturia and Cantabria. Our cavalry would be in the middle so that they could respond to breaches or opportunities.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-1.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-2.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-3.jpg
The men were confident as the daylight became stronger. Then from beyond the trees from whence the garrison came great arrows flew threw the sky and began to pepper the lines. Men were tossed like little girl's dolls. Some of the men were impaled together and died connected by a great arrow. Some of the men though the gods were hurling javelins. Clearly this was not the case but nonetheless it was terrifying. I had read about the machines that could hurl great bolts at men they could not see. These Balistas were a Greek import and would no doubt cause havoc amongst the men. Our slingers were out in front pelting the garrison as they strove towards us. The men held their line despite the invisible enemy barraging us from a great distance. Soon the Balistas slowed down their assault and both relief army and garrison converged on our lines. Atu had been off in his calculation and as the enemy emerged from the forest he had to re-orient his battle lines. Now instead of two parallel lines the lines formed a V. The enemy poured into the bottom of this V and was attempting to hack their way up both flanks.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-4.jpg
It was a brutal fight where all the men converged. Soon however the enemy had committed all their men to the fight and Atu ordered his cavalry out. I watched them storm off and take a position above the enemy mob that was slowly eroding our convergence of men. The veiled warriors and Cantrati were busy securing the top of the V and kept the enemy from getting between the lines.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-8.jpg
With our reserves committed and more distant than the heart of the battle, the cavalry would have to decide this match. I watched as Atu gave the charge order and the horses began their descent towards the enemy mob. The collision was terrific. Bodies were tossed with great force and the momentum of the horse nearly plowed into our own men who were desperately trying to keep the enemy at bay.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-6.jpg

With the relief general keeping his men motivated, they did not rout. Atu ordered withdraw of the cavalry and they realigned themeselves again. They charged a second time and the collision was just as bad.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-9.jpg

This time it worked and the enemy began to flee. Even the commander had enough and quit the field. Soon the enemy was running away en masse. Our cavalry were tired from their efforts and Atu wisely had them retire for the day. The men were jubilant for they had bested yet another attempt to stop our invasion.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-10.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-11.jpg


Panic would be setting in no doubt. With no army left to protect Ippone, the gates were thrown open and Atu strided in as a conquerer of one of the great cities Kart-Hadastim had. He had much of the population killed. He installed one of his lanceri cavalrymen as a governor and marched East out of the city to a bridge that led to the real heart of the republic. With the bridge under our control the enemy would have to drive us off of it and they would not be able to get around to relieve Ippone. Replacements were being brought up to the main army and the sick and wounded were left in the city of Ippone. With control of the bridge Atu could relax a bit and plan for the final push into the heart of Kart-hadastim. Atiqa, the capital, and Adrumento were the only major cities left. The islands of Sardinia and Corsica were still in their control. Atu had a plan to take those as well. Atu's son in law was in charge of our reserve army and in logistics of getting supplies to us. As mentioned previously it is difficult to find adequate food here as the populace is unsympathetic and the lands not as fruitful as say Gaul. At least the Massalians have agreed to quit the fighting. It seems the Greek population of that city has convinced the Celtic constituency to lay off the warmongering. We shall see how long this lasts.
The fleet had delivered some new men and supplies and with it came letters for many of the young men fighting. Including one for me. Dorus is now seven and has been enrolled in the academy in Emporion for over a year. He seems to do well in the environment and my wife has done much to help his studies. The estate is also doing well as my father in law has maintained it quite nicely. Dorus even wrote me a small note which made me cry as I read it. It was a mixture of happiness and sadness. Happy because I have a bright son that is growing up to be a wonderful child. Sadness because I am not there to witness it.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-12.jpg

[Aaldaemon]

Between those chain veiled infantrymen and those cataphract looking lanceari, I have to say the Lusotani have the best look "barbarian" roster. If they had any decent archers, they would be perfect. :yes:

Seeing that you're coming ever closer to Carthage proper, I'm eagerly awaiting to see how you will write about its conquest. :yes:

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Happy days! Half way into a Boddington's, I find a new update! Sometimes, life ain't that bad.

[Chirurgeon]

Happy days! Half way into a Boddington's, I find a new update! Sometimes, life ain't that bad.

Man you and Atu should do shots together sometime :)

[Chirurgeon]

Between those chain veiled infantrymen and those cataphract looking lanceari, I have to say the Lusotani have the best look "barbarian" roster. If they had any decent archers, they would be perfect. :yes:

Seeing that you're coming ever closer to Carthage proper, I'm eagerly awaiting to see how you will write about its conquest. :yes:

I agree there are few cultures that have so much at their disposal. Arguably the Belaric slingers are better than many archers around the world. I will include a picture of my army in the next update

[General Appo]

Great work. I say besiege Qarthadast for as long as possible just to really make them suffer. Then when you finally take the city destroy everyone and everything inside it, raze all buildings and let it rebel. Then take it again, and repeat 5 or 6 times. Eventually there´ll just be 400 people left in the city, and then you can abandon it for good. That´s the proper way to treat an enemy.

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LIV - A Surprise Move
594 YAF (219 BC)
Normally we spend the winters encamped and save our marchin for spring. Arguably the weather is so mild here that you could march in all but the hottest months. Most assumed that Atu would stay until the signs of spring were upon us. This year he behaved quite the opposite. A small enemy force had made a camp further down the Republican Road that led to Atiqa. Without warning on a cool dreary winter morning Atu ordered we break camp. There was a feverish pitch of activity as the men began to take apart their skin tents. The people of Iberia were very efficient and had a simple camp that could be broken down quickly. Soon we were marching and marched several miles before setting up a new camp. Dawn the next day we would break camp again and march Eastward. The coast was rocky with mountains arising to our south. Soon we were marching in a very narrow stretch of land that had the sea on one side and towering mountains on the other. It was in this area that the smaller army attempted to check our advance. There were trees on either side of the road but for the most part it was flat and would provide an excellent site for a battle.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-1.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-2.jpg
The enemy was small in number but had some impressive troops. Men clad in all silver armor that was elaborately decorated held magnificent spears and a brilliant silver shield. These were the elite guard of Kart-Hadastim. They also brought giant Elephants with towers on the top. These towers held men that shot arrows. A truly intimidating foe these were. However Atu already knew that the great beasts despised slingers.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-3.jpg

As the battle commenced the elephants marched toward our lines. Arrows peppered the men and most were not injured by this. The slingers let loose several barrages that began to make the elephants mad with pain. Soon the elephants were bleeding from hundreds of places as the lead stones found the flesh of the beasts. Enraged several tried to throw the towers off of them. Many fell over in torment and others were apparently killed by their riders.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-4.jpg
The remaining elephants went off into the forest bellowing all the while. With the elephant threat removed, Atu had his men march forward. Another surprise was in store for us. Machines that hurled giant arrows before were now hurling giant stones. Like a Cyclops on a mountain these stones were hurled at us and caused chaos in the lines as they hit us.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-7.jpg

Atu ordered the men to charge the enemy lines. He brought all of the men close to the enemy and with this closeness brought an end to the stone throwers.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-10.jpg
Apparently they are not accurate and could kill their own men in addition to us. Soon the spearmen were engaged with the infantry in front of them. Atu ordered the Cantrati around to the flank of the enemy and they charged.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-9.jpg
The Kart Hadast army was too small to counter the flanking attempt and soon they were surrounded. Their men began to break rank. Slowly at first and then in a giant rush they started running East. Our cavalry were deployed and they cut down many of the fleeing soldiers.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-11.jpg
The battle had been won but it was curious that the enemy had not sent a greater army? After eating the elephants and salting the meat we picked up the trail once again and made rapid progress east.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-12.jpg
By the fall our journey brought us to a great port and city. As we came over a hill we saw the city below us. It was beautiful and massive. Even from here the stone pillars of the temples poked skyward. A monstrous wall surrounded the city that was no doubt full of guards. I had never seen anything like it. Our spies indicated that the city contained years of supplies and plenty of fresh water. The men set to work well out of range of the towers of the city in an attempt to surround the city. After a week we had the city enveloped and sentinels were placed to alert us of an approaching relief army.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIV-13.jpg
Atu had a very tough decision to make. Waiting the city out would take years. It would give Kart Hadast time to rally a response to the siege. Capturing the city would be faster than waiting. However the quality and number of the garrison was unknown. The very real problem of getting past the walls was a perplexing one. The people of Iberia were not siege masters. Rams were considered elaborate siege devices. However a ram would never breach these walls. Ladders had been used before to storm cities. However the sheer height of these walls would preclude any use of the ladder. It would however be possible for the men to dig a tunnel under the wall and causing it to collapse. However how would you do that without the wall crushing the men? Another option would be to build a giant tower that could be rolled to the wall and a gate that could allow you to enter. However the terrain was very rough in front of the wall and there was really no one in the army with a knowledge of how to build such a thing. Atu decided to wait to see if a relief army showed up. At least he could fight on an open field and be able to maneuver his men. By the time of winter it was determined that no such relief army would come. Kart Hadastim was less than a weeks march and had its own substantial garrison. Should those men attack us It could make for quite the battle. Should they lose however it would be the undoing of the Republic.

[Chaotix]

Great job, keep it up and destroy the Qarthadastim!
I just had a thought: what if, during the pillaging of Kart-Hadast, which will inevitably happen, Castulo the First's family (brothers?) were to be killed along with the rest of the inhabitants?
:wizard:
^ ----- ^
Castulo Iberians

[General Appo]

But Castulos father lived in Iberia, and I don´t remember there ever being mention of other siblings living elsewhere. Some distant family might of course be there, but nothing really noteworthy.

[Chirurgeon]

Great job, keep it up and destroy the Qarthadastim!
I just had a thought: what if, during the pillaging of Kart-Hadast, which will inevitably happen, Castulo the First's family (brothers?) were to be killed along with the rest of the inhabitants?
:wizard:
^ ----- ^
Castulo Iberians
Although the idea is good there is nothing really tying Castulo to Kart-Hadast. He was too young (or not even born) during the first war. Castulo's brothers would be like a hundred years old if they were still alive :). I think the biggest problem is going to be getting inside the city. I tried to show that the Iberians would not have had the engineering where with all to construct siege towers and the like. I like the Dragon and th Wizard smily.


But Castulos father lived in Iberia, and I don´t remember there ever being mention of other siblings living elsewhere. Some distant family might of course be there, but nothing really noteworthy.
Yes indeed. Atu won't have the luxury of hanging out on the beaches of Africa for very long. A disaster is looming.

[General Appo]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OGM GOMGOMGOMGOMGMGOMOGMGMGGMG GOMGMOG GOMG OGMGMOMGMO!!!!
A disaster?!?! Oh no!

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Getting ready to go watch the Spain v Russia game - nice coffee in hand - and to my good fortune - a new installment!
@ Chirurgeon - I always have a beverage in hand whilst checking my EB Forum. Part of the relaxation process. If I'm lucky, its a nice glass of wine/beer. Otherwise it's usually coffee. Beverages are best enjoyed in the company of good friends and good conversation - sometimes I have to settle for the EB Forum or playing EB. I win either/any way!

[Theodotos I]

Gotta say I love the campaign map(faction progression) pics. That looks good. I did something similar for my private enjoyment during my Pahlavan campaign. Amazing how it grows.

[Aaldaemon]

A disaster??? I love disasters. :yes: Bring it on!

[Iron Fist]

Hey! I'm one of those lurkers who has been looking around the forums about 2 years but your AAR made me to go active and say some good words about AAR. In my opinion it's the best so keep up the perfect work!

[Chirurgeon]

Hey Iron Fist thanks so much for commenting. I have a special place in my heart for Lurkers. Oh and your in luck I have another update coming up in just a few moments :) Sorry for taking so long I kinda took a break from EB. Summer is in full swing so I should have regular updates :)

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LV - Playing Into Our Hands
595 YAF (218 BC)
We spent the spring staring at the enormous walls of Atiqa in Africa. Really there was no way to breach the walls. We simply had never encountered anything like this. Fortunately the enemy decided to play into our hands. A relief army from the south marched up and with two smaller armies decided to challenge us for control of the city.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-1.jpg
Atu deployed in the traditional fashion. He made use of a hill so that the enemy would be fighting uphill. Again they brought highly armored and trained phalanx. We used every advantage possible. As the men took their postions the enemy led by a prominent senator named Aderbal formed up the forces defending Kart-hadastim. Fortunately for us the three small armies that wished to pry us off the city never unified before they confronted us. Perhaps it was arrogance or stupidity but Atu knew it would not end well for the enemy. Aderball moved his cavalry to the far end of our right flank. Atu saw a golden opportunity. Aderball had isolated himself from the rest of his men and better yet our cavalry might be able to charge him before he could withdraw. Atu had the Iberi lanceri and medium cavalry line up at the top of the hill opposite of Aderbal. He ordered them to charge and what a charge. With the beasts moving downhill nothing short of a mountain would break this charge. The collision was almost palpable even from a distance. It sounded like thunder rolling out amongst the hills.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-2.jpg
^^I wish you could have seen this as it happened...I have never seen a charge so devastating
Horse and men alike were tossed. The enemy died nearly instantly. Aderbal was no more and the men he led began to panic.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-3.jpg
The battle was over and our cavalry swept the field clean. Some infantry stayed to try do some damage to our lines but soon they lost faith and fled.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-4.jpg
The garrison arrived in the valley below and the cavarly again smashed into the unprepared men. More chaos and death ensued and soon there were very few enemies left.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-7.jpg
When the dust cleared and the cavalry returned the whole army marched back to Atiqa to find a city that was unguarded. The city elders allowed access to the city in exchange for their lives. Most of the population was put to the sword. Atiqa had fallen to Iberia and now wholesale panic set in for the capital of Kart-Hadastim.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-9.jpg
It was a joyous time indeed. But for every joy the people celebrate there is always something to re balance the equation. Traders and messengers alike from Gaul had arrived and told of a great offensive being undertaken by the Arverni. Cenabum had fallen to the Arverni. The new Verrix was hammering away on our border cities and the Army of Gaul had been apparently beaten. Eburius asked Atu for permission to make a new army to challenge the Verrix. However the campaign here in Africa had sapped much of the gold from the treasury. However with West Africa turning a profit another army was feasible. Atu sent the message back to Eburius in Emporion. By the time of the winter winds it was learned that the Verrix himself now commanded a great field army that was hell bent on capturing Bibracte and a smaller army had set up siegeworks outside of Viennos.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-10.jpg
Atu placed hope in Eburius that he could hold off the Gallic Horde until he could personally arrive to deal with the Arverni once and for all. The work here in Africa was not yet finished. The great capital of the Republic lay but a weeks march away. The senate was scrambling to put together a force to defend their lands. Hard fighting was still ahead.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-11.jpg

[Theodotos I]

As always, just when you think they're beaten into submission. :laugh4::laugh4: Seems to me, this happened to you with the Seleukids when you turned from Seleukia to go after Hayasdan in your last AAR. A lesson, my son. :beam: Always destroy your enemies completely.
Anyway, looks good. I would have loved to have seen that cavalry charge. I just posted up a new chapter of my AAR, so I keep the ball rolling. Long live EB!

[Chirurgeon]

As always, just when you think they're beaten into submission. :laugh4::laugh4: Seems to me, this happened to you with the Seleukids when you turned from Seleukia to go after Hayasdan in your last AAR. A lesson, my son. :beam: Always destroy your enemies completely.
Anyway, looks good. I would have loved to have seen that cavalry charge. I just posted up a new chapter of my AAR, so I keep the ball rolling. Long live EB!
LOL wow that was fast. Well I kept the Arverni Around because I knew that If i shared a border with Germania they would probably attack me. I wasnt expecting my army defending Gaul to be defeated. Of course when they show up with like a full stack and 5 groups of naked fanatics it never really goes well. Looks like I will be fighting the Arverni once again. I just know that the Germans are going to attack me even though I am allied with them. Ill check out your AAR too :)

[Aaldaemon]

Therefore, I conclude that the Gauls must be destroyed.

Ooops, wrong thread. :laugh4: And, yes the Germans will attack you without fail... they've always attacked me whenever I had a western border with them, no matter what faction I was playing... I look forward to seeing them crushed as well, :yes: but first Carthage and the Gauls. :yes:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I'm still lurking this AAR.
Another good chapter.
A war on two fronts = :thumbsdown:

If you wipe out the Arverni and are afraid of Sweboz, you should put up some forts at the crossings of the Rhine. If the AI didn't place watchtowers in stupid places, you can almost completely block the Germans, and the AI doesn't like attacking forts to start wars. Just be careful of the Rhine delta area, where they can cross like a land-bridge.

[Chirurgeon]

I'm still lurking this AAR.
Another good chapter.
A war on two fronts = :thumbsdown:

If you wipe out the Arverni and are afraid of Sweboz, you should put up some forts at the crossings of the Rhine. If the AI didn't place watchtowers in stupid places, you can almost completely block the Germans, and the AI doesn't like attacking forts to start wars. Just be careful of the Rhine delta area, where they can cross like a land-bridge.

Yes indeed the damn Arverni are complicating my plans with Africa. However I think I can hold them off with losing maybe one or two of their cities. I removed all Gallic structures from the cities I captured in Gaul so It is going to take some time for them to rebuild. I still want to capture Corsica/Sardinia before going back to Gaul. If things deteriorate over the next few years I may have no choice but to move swiftly back to the old battleground of Gaul.
Good advice with the border forts. There is one minor detail though. They already own a province on this side of the Rhine. Thats one of the reasons I didnt make the Rhine my border in Gaul. Sweboz had moved in and captured it earlier in the game. So stopping them from crossing the Rhine is Irrelevant. They already have. They also have 5-6 full stacks wondering around their lands. Thanks for keeping up with my AAR MAA. I will take some time and read through all the ones I normally read and try to catch up. Anyway I'm off for dinner. have a good one :)

[whatthehell6]

Summer is in full swing so I should have regular updates :)

This makes me happy :2thumbsup:

Anyway, keep up the good work, hope you can contain those stinky Gauls until you destroy those sea-lovers, the Karth.

You keep writing them, I'll keep :book: them.

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Happy Days! A fresh cup of Coasta Rican Coffee and a new installment! And I'm off for a week to Denmark and Sweden, and one thing I'll be missing is your AAR, Sir! Well, more to read when I return, I suppose. Much thanks and keep up the good work!

[Theodotos I]

LOL wow that was fast. Well I kept the Arverni Around because I knew that If i shared a border with Germania they would probably attack me. I wasnt expecting my army defending Gaul to be defeated. Of course when they show up with like a full stack and 5 groups of naked fanatics it never really goes well. Looks like I will be fighting the Arverni once again. I just know that the Germans are going to attack me even though I am allied with them. Ill check out your AAR too :)
Never been online when you were posting before. :laugh4:

[Swordmaster]

This AAR needs more updates!

:whip:

[Chaotix]

You beat me to the post, Swordmaster! What's going on, Chirurgeon? We haven't heard from you (updates, posts, or otherwise) in a while now. Are ya working on an uber-update? Or maybe you downloaded 1.1 and are working on a new AAR... Hope to hear from ya soon, this is a great AAR, wouldn't like to see it finish w/o an ending.

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Tacitus is sad. Just returned from a week in Denmark and Sweden - as a sidenote I must say that Copenhagen is a wonderful city - and no updates. I can only imagine that Chirurgeon is rightfully busy - perhaps spending some time laying on a beach - don't you live in Florida somewhere, Chirurgeon? Well, as sad as i am, I understand that life sweeps you up and I won't mention that I am sad anymore. Hope all is well and let us know the latest when you have time.

[Reverend Joe]

He hasn't even been online for almost two weeks... I hope something didn't happen.

[Wolfman]

I just caught up on this. Excellent! It just keeps getting better and better!

[Chirurgeon]

Never fear my friends...I come to you at the turning of the tide :) Anywayz I took a break from EB but I am ready to have a go at it again. Update tomorrow :)

[Chaotix]

Phew. I thought this AAR was gone for good! Good to see you back, Chirurgeon!

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Yaaaaahhhhhhhh! Chirurgeon is back!

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LVI -Routing The Giant
596 YAF (217 BC)

Grim news from the north. Bibracte had fallen and Eburius had not had the time to bring a new army together. It would be another year before the Iberian Empire would be able to challenge the re-emerging threat of the Arverni.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-1.jpg

Fortunately events have gone to our favor here in Africa. Our campaign here in Africa is complete. After two battles the great city of Kart-Hadast has fallen into our hands.
On the great plains surrounding the city our brave warriors took on our enemies with great energy. It was a hard fight and, although we lost men, the enemy lost far worse. An aura of desperation was palpable as the enemy saw their forces melting away. Everyone did their part. The front line troops absorbed the initial blow. The heavier troops used discipline to keep the lines intact. The cavalry routed the enemies cavalry and our elite reserves guarded against flanks. Although Atu was not smiling he could not help but to be extremely pleased with the result.
Battle of Kart-Hadast:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-2.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-4.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVI-9.jpg
After a final desperate pitch to oust us from their lands the capital fell to our forces. Many of the senate was captured and killed for their relentless attacks upon our lands. I myself had no personal connection to the city, however Castulo the elder did. This was his city. His father was a prominent senatore and his house was in the temple district. I searched for days to find it. The city was the largest amalgam of manmade structures I had ever seen. And yet each building, house, and temple often had trees or gardens. This made for a wonderful blend of human and nature. In the fall many of the fruits were ready for harvest. Many of the citizens were culled after the capture of the city. A trusted noble from Mastia was put in place to rule the city. Many of the soldiers took up residence in the glorious estates that permeated the heights above the temple district. With the senate broken and its members either dead or fleeing there were many wonderful estates to choose from. Having found Castulo's original house I learned that it had been given to his sister and her husband. Here they reared a family, but save for a few slaves, no one remained. This city must have been a site to behold when it was full of its citizens. By the end of winter many nobles had traveled from Iberia to set up winter homes and to attend to the needs of this massive city. Trade would finally resume after what seemed an eternity of war.
Atu indicated he would be leaving for Emporion in the spring. A large garrison was arranged to guard the city and a relief army would be stationed within a seasons march of the great city. I would have time for reflection. It would take a long time to journey back to Iberia. I wished I had seen Kart-Hadast before it was ravaged. However after the loss of Sicily and her colonies in Iberia, Kart Hadastim was a relic. New powers were emerging. Far to the east the Ptolemies of Egypt reached their hands far across the lands. They had conquered vast stretches of the world. Atu wanted to make sure they did not become our enemies so he secured trade with them. The Romans of Italia were moving their forces out of Italy and into Dalmatia. The Greeks had annexed many lands into their fast growing empire. This worried Atu greatly. One of their colonies, Massalia, was right next to our lands. Although peace existed for many years now it was tenuous at best. The Greeks were expansionist and no doubt saw our empire from a viewpoint of great envy.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Yea! Chirurgeon is back.
Good to see you made Kart-Hadast pay...

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Yeah! Chirurgeon is back! Glad to see Kart-Hadast finished. Amazing how long this tale has gone and no sign of the cursed Romans. A bit of luck really. Well, nothing beats a morning cup of Costa Rican Goodness and another installment from Chirurgeon. Many thanks.

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LVII - Massalia
597 YAF (216 BC)

The Greeks of Emporion and the Greeks of Massalia had many close ties. Emporion was a colony of Massalia and the families and traditions of the two cities intertwined. The hostility of late from Massalia had finally boiled over again. Atu had never wanted to attack Massalia because of the strong ties. But like two brothers that are always fighting this must come to an end.
We had stopped in Sardinia and Atu had plans to annex the island for our interests when he recieved word that our envoys and even children were now hostages in Massalia. One of these hostages was my son. Because of the strong ties to each other, it was routine for the nobility to send their children to the academy of Massalia. I, like many other of nobility, sent my nine year old boy to the city's academy. In my naivety i assumed an era of peace had ensued between us. For the first time I feared the worst. My brother consoled me as much as he could. He had assumed overall command of the heavy infantry. My father was now one of Atu's closest advisers. He was never far from Atu's side. Even Atu portrayed concern for my son and the many other Emporites that were trapped inside.
Inside Massalia another struggle was ongoing. This city was caught between two people as well. There was a strong Celtic population within the city and they had allied themselves with the Arverni. With the resurgence of the Verrix and their recovery of lands in Gaul, this internal conflict within Massalia had apparently reached a tipping point. Massalia officially allied themselves with the Verrix and they subsequently launched an attack against Gergovia. The Celts apparently had the upper hand in the political world of this city.
Atu, upon hearing this, was furious and we were ordered to break our seige of Karalis and prepare to sail to Massalia. Apparently the Massalians had betted that Atu would be too busy dealing with Kart-Hadastim. They lost that bet. With an invasion underway we made the sail to the coast near to Massalia and disembarked. The familiar rugged landscape mixed with great beauty greeted us once again.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/Provence.jpg

We camped near the beach and with the dawn set ourselves north to the city.
Its stone walls greeted us and their massive garrison ensured near defeat or massive casualties. Atu elected to wait the city out.
We did not have to wait long. Before the winter winds descended upon the lands, a small army marched down the hill from the city to engage us. No doubt they hoped that the garrison would join them as well.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-1.jpg

Our frontline spearmen were pushed forward to engage the Greeks. Both lines stopped short of each other. Atu rode forward and with my father at his side greeted the Greek general. Introducing himself the two men conversed in Greek.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-2.jpg
After a few minutes Atu trotted back to me. I leaned over to my father and asked what they talked about. Lutros told me that the Greeks were not fighting for Massalia. They were fighting for their own pride. Massalia was overrun with war driven Celts. Celts that wanted to destroy anyone and anything that touched Iberia. The Greeks of the city hid in fear and silently hoped this day would happen.
Although the Greeks fought valiantly there was not enough of them to really hurt our lines.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-4.jpg

They retired and fled back to the city. Their leader unfortunately was killed in the attack however.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-5.jpg

As we watched them flee we heard the war horns of the Celts mixed in with the lighter horns of the Greeks. The garrison of Massalia was coming. They marched down the long hill toward our lines.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-6.jpg

We occupied a smaller hill at the bottom of the large one that the city rested. Each of our flanks were draped over the hill so that the flankers would have to march up hill. Our frontline spearmen were out of javelins and had been somewhat battered by the heavily armored Greeks and Massalian hoplites that attacked us initially. They had two lines of infantry descending upon us.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-7.jpg

Their lines were longer than ours and as a result they began to attack the flanks of our spearmen in earnest. I witnessed a great collision of forces as the spearmen did everything in their power to stop the wave of the enemy from washing over them. Soon the left flank was crumbling. The men were overwhelmed and the men routed.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-8.jpg
Atu urgently sent in the Cantrati light infantry to thwart any more flanking maneuvers. However this meant that now our right flank was exposed.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-9.jpg

I watched my brother run in front of his men. He knew that the spearmen would not hold for much longer. This battle would come down to the finest soldiers. Our heavy infantry was poised.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-10.jpg

My eyes turned to Atu. He scanned the front lines. The spearmen were getting hammered. Another unit on the right was edging backwards. Several officers having been killed the individual units were suffering from lack of leadership. Atu turned to his signaler. It was a maneuver that we had practiced endlessly. The spearmen in the front had to trust that Atu would not let them die. Atu had to promise to withdraw them before all hope was lost. On this day he did just that. The signaler let loose a series of hornblows that echoed off the hill in front of us. The spearmen turned and ran for our lines of heavy infantry. The Massalians took this as a retreat and they ran with a fervor after the retreating spearmen. The enemy lost its cohesion. I watched my brother with his sword raised high. As the medium spearmen broke contact with the enemy and the enemy ran toward us, he threw the sword into the ground a few feet in front of him. With the Falcata swaying back and forth in the earth and picking up the sunlight it was a beacon for all the men. Starting on the left where my brother was standing the heavy infantry began to hurl their solid iron sofilerum into the air.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-11.jpg

The black streaks raced toward the enemy at a great and precise speed. Like a wave the men under his command began to loose their weapons. The effect of all those metal spikes flying through the air had a dramatic effect on the enemy.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-12.jpg

Huge holes began to open up and their enthusiasm turned to fear as their fellow warriors were impaled. Many units began to doubt this attack and turned around toward the city. Mostly the levied Celts of the city ran away. The Greeks fought on. they ran headlong into our heavy infantry and brutal hand to hand combat ensued. The golden armor of our men began to turn crimson as the fighting raged. Atu nodded to his cavalry commander who stampeded off with his men to the right flank. Although my view was hidden by trees I knew what was happening. The quickly demoralized men of the enemy became panicked as the massive horse thundered through the woods and into their ranks. Men were thrown like toys and chaos erupted.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-14.jpg

The entire garrison was now fleeing for the relative safety of the city.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LVII-16.jpg
With so many of their men dead and scattered Atu had a much easier fight on his hands for the city. We resumed the siege and as winter set in he vowed to storm the walls as soon as the snow melted.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVII-17.jpg

[Chirurgeon]

Yea! Chirurgeon is back.
Good to see you made Kart-Hadast pay...

Thank you sir and I can see that your AAR is progressing nicely as well.


Yeah! Chirurgeon is back! Glad to see Kart-Hadast finished. Amazing how long this tale has gone and no sign of the cursed Romans. A bit of luck really. Well, nothing beats a morning cup of Costa Rican Goodness and another installment from Chirurgeon. Many thanks.

Well fortunately the Romans have set their focus on the East. Yes I enjoyed a hearty cup of Italian Roast coffee myself :) Enjoy the update :)

[johnhughthom]

Nice to see you back Chirurgeon, I have been lurking silently through this AAR and thought I should pipe up to make sure you know people do enjoy reading it.

[Chirurgeon]

Nice to see you back Chirurgeon, I have been lurking silently through this AAR and thought I should pipe up to make sure you know people do enjoy reading it.

Thank you for posting. It really does help to know people are following. Of course I look at the views and see that for myself. However it is nice to hear it in person :) Thanks

[Chaotix]

Nice update! Can you post a mini-map pic so we can see how much you (and the Arverni as well) have conquered?

[Chirurgeon]

Nice update! Can you post a mini-map pic so we can see how much you (and the Arverni as well) have conquered?

Done. :)

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LVIII - Mother and Child
598 YAF (215 BC)

The survivors of the battle of Massalia holed up behind the city walls. Atu would not allow them to hide any longer. As the spring winds washed over the lands he ordered the ladders to the walls.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-1.jpg
My father advised his son on the fine art of capturing the walls. I watched my brother lead his men into the killing ground in front of the walls. I could barely watch. Soon however the Lusitannan flag was waving over the gatehouse and the spearmen cheered and ran towards the gate. They stormed through, smashing all resistance as they ran through the city. It was not much of a fight. By the time they reached the town square ther ewere only a handful of men resisting. It was over quickly. The Greeks who were hiding slowly emerged from their houses. Atu calmed them and told them their town would be theirs again. Massalia and Emporion were united again at last. Mother and child. It was joyous for everyone. My son had been hidden in the basement of the Academy during the brief battle. Ironically he had no idea who I was. I cried for many reasons. I cried because it was the first time I had seen him since I was born. And I cried because my worst fears had not come to pass. Atu had most of the Celts culled and gave many prominent posts to the Greek constituency of the city.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-4.jpg
Trade was immediately resumed and now Massalia became a very important city in our expanding empire.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-2.jpg
Atu now had another pressing issue to deal with. Our agents informed us that the Arverni had a sizeable force besieging Gergovia. Gergovia had been under siege for over a year and the city was in a desperate state of need. Leaving behind some men for the Masallians to garrison their city, Atu set to task of relieving Gergovia. We marched hard and long to reach Gergovia but could not get there before winter. Atu pushed the men hard in the oncoming cold. I was miserable. Having spent 8 years in Africa here I was in the brutal cold of Gaul. Atu circled around behind the enemy and the Gauls thought we would not challenge them in winter. They were wrong. The Arverni realized they had been hemmed in between the city and our army.
On a cold dawn the men formed ranks and a spirited rush was made to capture the highground above the city before the Arverni could.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-6.jpg

Unfortunately they managed to beat us to it. But the men were still incredibly motivated and two long lines of men smashed into each other. I watched as the men plowed into each other at full speed and heard the sounds of shield and armor clashing.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-7.jpg

Yelling and screaming could be heard as each man did his part to win the contest. The Arverni had the advantage of height but we had the advantage of better men and more of them. The Cantrati were used on the flanks to keep the enemy from wrapping around the spearmen.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-8.jpg

Atu also used the Vascii warriors to truly inflict damage to the lighter troops on the left flank.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-10.jpg
The battle could have lasted longer but suddenly the Celts began to run for their lives. After the battle was over it was realized that the garrison from the city had stormed out and attacked the Celts in the rear.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-9.jpg

As the day turned into the night most of the Arverni were hunted down. Their leader, Caradog oi Lugos was never found.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-11.jpg

Young Dorus had accompanied me on the journey and was absolutely mesmerized by the battle. I kept him away from the disgusting aftermath. I used the time over the last six months to get to know the son I had never seen. We got along well and we shared our love of academia to propel our relationship. He adored his grandfather, Lutros and my brother as well. With the battle over and Atu waiting to move until spring I took the time to travel to the estate outside of Emporion to again be with my wife. She had aged no doubt but we still had a bond. Young Dorus missed her immensely. But he wanted to travel with me in the spring to see more battles. I told him when he got older I would allow it but for now he had to stay in school. He was a child...and children had no place on the battlefield. The estate was gorgeous. The vines, although bare, were larger than I remember and the olives were doing well. The basement of the house was adorned with all sorts of dried fruits and vegetables. Herbs hung from the beams and made the house smell a bit like summer even though it was the dead of winter.
I spent the remainder of my time here at the estate and learned that in the spring, Atu would be marching for the city of Viennos. While we saved the city of Gergovia from Arverni control Viennos had fallen. We would again have to cross the Rhodanus river and capture a city that we had already captured again. Atu knew that time was of the essence. Truly the Arverni would be mobilizing massive armies to wield against us. This was especially true because the King of the Lusotannan commanded our forces.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LVIII-12.jpg

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Time to push to the Rhine? :2thumbsup:
Be careful of those Romans, now. And what about what is left of the Carthaginians? Do you have enough forces left there to hold onto your African conquests?

[Chirurgeon]

Time to push to the Rhine? :2thumbsup:
Be careful of those Romans, now. And what about what is left of the Carthaginians? Do you have enough forces left there to hold onto your African conquests?
Yes the Rhine indeed. Not all the way as the sweboz have one province on this side. I am allied with them currently but you know how rocksolid alliances are in RTW. Yes I have a weary eye on the Romans. I dont have alot of spies in their territory but last I checked the KH and them were in a stalemate war for Dalmatia. I have a full stack in Africa with a fleet that can be used to shuttle men back and forth out of the harbor of Mastia. So far they have given minimal effort to reclaim their lands. I have a good general in the area that has alot of command stars.
The damn Casse have been blockading my ports on the Atlantic. But usually a bunch of pirate ships own them everytime they do it LOL. Kinda funny to see. The Arverni have grown more powerful than I realized. They have three full stacks at the moment with several of those damnable naked guys. This won't be easy.

[Theodotos I]

Whew, you've been busy since your return from sabbatical. Looks good, from a quick glance. But I told you to wipe out those Arverni when you had the chance!:whip::whip:

[Chirurgeon]

Whew, you've been busy since your return from sabbatical. Looks good, from a quick glance. But I told you to wipe out those Arverni when you had the chance!:whip::whip:

Yes Yes you are right but had I done that I would have been at war with the Sweboz no doubt. And likely not made it to Africa until more recently. Oh well right. I liked the fact that the re-emerged. How many times in history does a repressed culture rebel to regain their lands? This is an example of that. However another interesting note here is that the province that had been controled by the Sweboz on this side of the Rhine is now in the hands of the Arvernii. I believe its the Belgium area of the map. I truly can push the Arverni to the Rhine now.
As we will learn in the next chapter however a new development has occured which will complicate things.

[whatthehell6]

The Romans attack???

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LIX - Mizuku Lusotanakum
599 YAF (214 BC)
Eburius Lusotanakum, the son of Latronos and brother of Atu, is the heir to the throne. However he and Atu are no more than a year or two apart in age. The last of the Lusitannan, Mizuku, has come of age.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX.jpg
In a grand ceremony in Emporian the young Mizuku became a crown prince and a worthwile addition to the family. As I write, the nobles of the city are courting their daughters to him. It is essential that he choose a wife that is of a great breeding nature. He is not like his father. Although he dislikes strangers he takes an affinity to anything Greek. In fact he has traveled to Massalia to begin a more advanced education that mixes military tactics and governance. In a few more years he will be ready for command. Atu and Eburius have both invested time with the young man. All hopes are placed on his ability to lead.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-2.jpg
The future of the Empire could be quite volatile. There are many things for a new king to deal with. The raiders from the tin Isles, suppressing the rest of the Arverni, containing the vicious Sweboz confederacy, and dealing with a new threat. Agents have learned that the Arverni have signed an alliance with the tribes of the Italian Peninsula.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-3.jpg
Their capital city has become their overall name. The Romans as most call them are willing to do just about anything to advance their cause. The tribes of the Alps have provided fierce resistance to Roman expansionist efforts. But the Romans are persistent and will wear them down. Should Rome suppress those mountain tribes there is a good chance they will turn west. Many believe that this alliance is allowing the Romans to have direct confrontation with us. Rome does not have to actively declare war, nor will they look like the expansionists that they truly are. They instead will look like allies honoring an alliance. I fear Massalia may bear the wrath of these Romans. Our agents are monitoring the Italians and their allies for any threat they may pose.
As spring revealed itself we marched to the city of Viennos and blocked their crossing of the Rhodanus river. By early summer we were challenged for that control. The fools tried to cross a bridge and were filled with a barrage of spears and javelins. It was a disastrous move for the Arverni. They lost a warlord and many soldiers. And worse yet they lost the city they had fought to regain. In the years I have been following the army I had not witnessed such one sided carnage.
River Massacre:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-4.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-9.jpg

With Viennos secured and the Arvernii reeling from another defeat, Atu had the army recross the Rhodanus river and head north. It was late Autumn by the time we started seeing the grainfields that fed Bibracte. Agents would learn that the garrison was massive.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-10.jpg
We were outnumbered for sure. However Atu felt we could capture the city based on our superior training and experienced. Most of the garrison were levied spearmen from the countryside. Most had not seen combat. They were also poorly armed. They carried a shield and a spear. With the Roman threat looming and a long campaign ahead of him Atu made the decision to try and take the town in the spring. Unless of course the Arvernii could rally a relief force in the interum. The men knew this would be a bloody struggle. From the walls to the streets there would be resistance. For now the men had the time to hone their skills and make javelins. I watched the Slingers sit around fires melting lead into small balls that would inflict wicked wounds upon the enemy. Atu hoped to use them to thin out some of the men on the walls. Considering their lack of armor this was possible. Everyone was on a knifes edge. A great battle loomed before us.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/LIX-11.jpg

[Ower]

Wou this will be bloody, especialy if with the Naked guys on the Walls taht will by definitly bloody.
I am rooting for you although I am curently playing the Aedui :D

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Wow. Prolific upon your return. Is another generation being groomed to take over the writings? Or will he become a warrior? Hmmm. As always, enjoying your masterfully spun tale.

btw, how does one get those campaign map showing your and the AIs expansion? I should like to keep track of my current campaign (Lusotanni of course!!)

[Chirurgeon]

Thanks for following guys. I just crop the minimap on the bottom left of the screen. We shall see about takinng up the writings. Dorus is only five years younger than Mizuku the last of the Lusitanakum line. I should have an update tomorrow :)

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Well, this is embarassing ... er... I mean ... which program do you use to get those "screen captures"? A beginners intro if anyone has the time. Much appreciated.

[Chirurgeon]

Well, this is embarassing ... er... I mean ... which program do you use to get those "screen captures"? A beginners intro if anyone has the time. Much appreciated.

A little slow on the update...sorry about that. I use a program called FRAPS. You can get it at www.fraps.com. It is free to use but if you want to use jpeg files to upload to the site here you will need to register it. I think its like 10 bucks. Well worth it. Otherwise you will have to convert all your screenshots into jpeg before cropping them. I did this at first and it took a very long time. You can also do videos using the program. I just don't have the hard-drive space to store them until I can edit them. I hope that helps :)

[Bootsiuv]

Chiruregon, I'm glad to see that you're still writing great stories. Fantastic work as always. :)

BTW, Disciple of Tacitus, I made a quick guide to posting screenshots about 9 months ago, it was in this section of the forum.

I can't be bothered looking for it now....I know I wrote it last October. Hope that helps. :)

[Disciple of Tacitus]

@ Bootsiuv and Chirurgeon - thanks for your help. Found your "how-to", Bootsiuv. It is just in time for my campaign. 262 is coming up!

[Chirurgeon]

duplicate post

[Chirurgeon]

Duplicate post

[Chirurgeon]

Hey everyone I will be out of town all this week so expect an update next week...sorry to keep you all waiting but I am at a friends Condo in Miami for the next week :)

[Warmaster Horus]

Being off the Org for 6 months deprived me of your writing, Chirurgeon!
Awesome stuff, and what dedication!
Take your time for an update. I've only read the first and last entry, and I need time to read the rest!

[Ayce]

I smell slaughter! :viking:

[Chirurgeon]

Being off the Org for 6 months deprived me of your writing, Chirurgeon!
Awesome stuff, and what dedication!
Take your time for an update. I've only read the first and last entry, and I need time to read the rest!

Glad to see you again! I wondered where you went. Thanks for stopping by :)


I smell slaughter! :viking:
update forthcoming...


Chiruregon, I'm glad to see that you're still writing great stories. Fantastic work as always. :)

BTW, Disciple of Tacitus, I made a quick guide to posting screenshots about 9 months ago, it was in this section of the forum.

I can't be bothered looking for it now....I know I wrote it last October. Hope that helps. :)
Good to see you again Bootsiuv. I missed your insight :) Hope to see more of you.

[Hooahguy]

i was up until 2:00 AM reading your AAR, catching up.
amazing stuff! keep going!
youll notice i started up as well....

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LX - Heroic Deeds
600 YAF (213 BC)

Six hundred years after the founding of Kart-Hadast in Africa we find ourselves in familiar territory. Bibracte stands before us with a massive garrison. Atu fulfills his promise and attacks.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-1.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-2.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-3.jpg

At dawn on a cold spring morning the heavy infantry march for the walls. Before the attack the men had their usual confidence. As they marched through the mist towards the walls you could hear the arrows coming from the walls. I watched as the heavily armed men walked into the fire. Here and there a man would fall and another would rush forward to take his place holding the ladders. Alas the men had their ladders in place and began to climb. Our slingers tried to hit the levied half naked men on the walls but few fell. The stone crenelations protected them.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-4.jpg

We watched from a distance as the men began to hack their way into the sea of defenders on the wall. I would learn later that the wall had no room to maneuver. The enemy fell because they could not move to another spot. The crowded conditions favored the enemy because we had difficulty coordinating the attacks.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-5.jpg
Atu hoped to have the walls captured by noon. However after the midsun began to descend he became worried. Soon cheers went up from the wall as the Iberian flag was raised above the gatehouse. Atu ordered the spearmen through the gate. With our heavy infantry high on the walls they could see the main road that led to the top of the hill and the center of the town. I followed the spearmen I wanted to climb the wall to see the street fighting for myself. I found my brother. He had a wound on his shield arm but it wasn't too severe. He smiled when he saw me. I saw Atu and the rest of the cavalry pass throught the gate behind the spearmen. The enemy had delayed us greatly and worse, our scouts reported a relief army approaching the city. It was equal to our own. If we could not capture the city before they got here we would turn into defenders instead of attackers. With the men exhausted and our numbers low it would not be a good scenario. The towers on the walls took aim at their former owners. The bolts skewering the defenders as they formed a mass in the street. The spearmen hurled javelins and even our heavy infantry threw their sofilerum into the fray. The losses for the enemy were frightening. The walls, where i stood, was a slippery crimson mess. Every foot was covered by a body or its blood.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-6.jpg

The true color of the stone I stood on was unknown. Although the losses were terrible for the enemy there were so many it was taking a long time to hack our way into the heart of the town.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-8.jpg

Their leader could be seen on horse pushing the men into our lines. He knew they would die but it bought him time.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-9.jpg
Atu saw the slow progress and became impatient. He sent the veiled warriors around to a side road that was much less defended. I watched as they marched off. Although they are great warriors, their armor encumbers them. It would be some time before they reached their destination. The dust choked the air and scene in the streets was utter chaos. We pressed further and further into the town but the sheer number of enemies slowed our progress.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-12.jpg

The shadows grew long. It would be dark soon. The veiled warriors were attacking on the edge of the city square. Their leader was felled but somehow crawled to safety before he was finished off.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-11.jpg
As the sun set, the familiar sounds of Celtic horns could be heard. It was the relief army. They would be here within the hour. Atu knew that it would take most of the night to capture the city. Would he withdraw and save the army? Or would he fight and die a hero? My father talked him out of the latter in favor of the former. We left the city. Our retreat was not pursued by the enemy as they were spent like us.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-10.jpg
Although most of the wounded had to be left behind. As darkness fell we snuck away across the river and made it to the reserve camp. It was the first time we had lost a battle.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-13.jpg
Many of the men were upset. Some were seen crying. Others were outraged at the apparent loss of their companions in vain. I knew that Atu would perservere. However the Arverni had done exactly as they needed. They stopped our mighty army.

Others including the Romans would no doubt take note of their accomplishments. Atu feared that the Romans would strike Massalia. He ordered an army of light troops that could be easily replaced with a heavy emphasis on slingers and other missle troops, to be places on the only known crossing of the Rhodanus(Rhone) river south of the great mountains. Atu hoped to contain the Romans. Should they break through all of Gaul and Iberia would be vulnerable. They could move their armies north and crush us with the help of their allies. This was truly a perilous time. However we are not alone. The Sweboz confederation in the far north is not happy about the Roman expansion. They have offered to help us in our fight.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LX-16.jpg

[Zasz1234]

Awesome, good see this is still going. An interesting turn of events. IS the sun going to set on the new empire of the Lusotannan?

[satalexton]

mmm maybe I should shart a Luso campaign too... but I don't like the idea of having only simple mines and dirt roads..... =[

[Chirurgeon]

i was up until 2:00 AM reading your AAR, catching up.
amazing stuff! keep going!
youll notice i started up as well....
Well thank you so much Hooah! I am honored that you sacrificed sleep for an AAR. I have read your latest installment on your long thought dead AAR and I am quite happy. Keep up the good work my friend.

Awesome, good see this is still going. An interesting turn of events. IS the sun going to set on the new empire of the Lusotannan?
That is yet to be determined. The Romans have not actually attacked me yet. Although now would be a good time because of my vulnerabilities. Stay tuned!

[Warmaster Horus]

Nice update, as usual. Keep going!

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Great news! I'm having a cracker of a birthday week and that just polished it off. A bit of SmithWoodhouse 1995 Late Bottled Vintage Port, a bit of dark chocolate and the latest update. Happy birthday me! Cheers, good sir!

[Chirurgeon]

mmm maybe I should shart a Luso campaign too... but I don't like the idea of having only simple mines and dirt roads..... =[
Well I must be honest it hasn't really affected gameplay that much. The sheer number and quality of the Iberian troops is staggering. They have it all.


Nice update, as usual. Keep going!
I will :) Just finished another chapter


Great news! I'm having a cracker of a birthday week and that just polished it off. A bit of SmithWoodhouse 1995 Late Bottled Vintage Port, a bit of dark chocolate and the latest update. Happy birthday me! Cheers, good sir!
Happy birthday indeed. I should have another update up in a few. I am glad I was able to celebrate it with a new chapter.

[Chaotix]

Keep it up, Chirurgeon!
A question: Have you set any goals on what you want your empire to look like by the end of the AAR? Do you have any custom "victory conditions" for yourself?

[Chirurgeon]

Keep it up, Chirurgeon!
A question: Have you set any goals on what you want your empire to look like by the end of the AAR? Do you have any custom "victory conditions" for yourself?
Thank you sir. Well I do want to achieve Victory conditions for the Lusitannan. Its very interesting. I have to raid the italian Peninsula down to Rome...Raid the North African Coast to Carthage...Raid a big chunk of Gaul...and most interestingly have homeland in Ireland. I have Gaul and Carthage covered...however Italy is going to be really hard. The Romani have been building in all of italy since early in the game. They are well established and have no enemies except the Sweboz and those independent regions with massive stacks are keeping things interesting in the Alps.
I anticipate that they will attack me soon. I hope to have the Arverni dealt with at that time. But if I share a border with the Sweboz I just know that they will attack me...even though we are allies and have the common enemy of the Arverni and the Romani!! I let the game situation dictate what happens. I would like to see the "victory" screen though :)

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXI - Resilience
601 YAF (212 BC)

For the better part of the year we skirmished with the Arverni. We would send troops across a bridge close to the town into their farms and burn as we went. They would drive us out. This played itself out for the early part of the year. Then Atu after midsummer's eve crossed the river in force. We took up a position directly south of the city and he began to lay siege. By the time winter was upon us the Arverni were hemmed in. The Garrison was less than before and they had no large army nearby. The Verrix had gone north to deal with a Sweboz raid across the Rhenus river. It was the right opportunity to strike.
In the dead of winter Atu ordered the men to attack.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-1.jpg

Snow swirled in the skies above the city. The men had prepared for the cold battle by lining their boots and putting wool under their armor. It restricted their movement but it made them very effective at keeping warm. As the sun came up the crunching of thousands of feet in the snow caused the enemy to clamor to their positions on the walls. Not many men stood on those walls and it was not long before the men began to climb them.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-2.jpg

The result this time was not as drawn out. Before the height of the sun reached the sky we had broken the wall defenses. The Iberian flag again flew over the gatehouse as it had a year before.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-3.jpg

Again the spearmen poured into the city. They ran headlong into the mob that had congested the streets.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-4.jpg

This time Atu had a surprise for the mob trying to slow us down. As soon as the walls were captured the Slingers took up a position on them and began hurling their stones into the enemy mass. The casualties from this had to be high. Although difficult to tell due to the chaos of the fight soon the two warleaders in the town stormed into the fray. Desperately trying to slow the tide against them, they became embroiled in the fight.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-5.jpg

Trapped and fighting desperately they fell. This caused panic amongst the defenders.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-7.jpg

The enemy ran for the center of town. They were pelted in the back by slingstones. Our own troops were exhausted but they pursued the defenders up the hill and into the narrow street in front of the town.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-8.jpg

Atu had moved several units of heavy infantry to a side road and had them charge the town center. This caused the enemy to be caught in a pincer grip.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-9.jpg

Panic ruled the day and as a result we won the town. Bibracte had fallen.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-10.jpg

The deaths of the men that died in the first battle had been avenged. Much of the population was put to the sword. Atu prepared for another offensive in the spring. This would take us to the city of Cenabum. Home of the Carnute tribes these people had endured our conquest and had now rejoined the Arverni.
Mizuku having finished his tutelage in Massalia was now ready to learn command. At the age of 19 he has been wed and will hopefully produce several heirs to the throne of the Lusitanan. With a relative calm I left the winter camp and made for Emporion. I planned to spend a moon's cycle with my wife and our wonderful estate. No doubt my son who is 13 now would wish to see me. I saw him briefly last year after the loss at Bibracte. Having him around helped me to deal with the loss. Dorus was no longer enrolled in academy in Massalia. The risk was too great should the Romans attack the city. He seemed to be unfazed by the ordeal some five years ago but that I think is due to the extreme protection and comfort the Greeks gave him during the Siege of Massalia.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-11.jpg

[Theodotos I]

That's a lot of territory you've covered in sixty years, Chirurgeon. But let me guess. This AAR will end with the end of the Lusotanakum line. That seems to be your pattern. . .

[Chirurgeon]

That was only true with the Ptolemaic AAR. The Carthage AAR ended because I did beta testing on 1.0 and the Roman one kinda floundered around and I lost my focus. For the Ptolemaic AAR I just couldnt see going on with no more Ptolemies. I guess I could have but I wanted to surprise everyone with the ending of a collapse. When you think about it this AAR is more of a narrator from Carthage who is transplanted here. It is not solely focused on the Lusitannan. As long as the Castulo clan keeps having children then there is no reason to end. Unless of course the Romans or others decide to crush me. I am still enjoying the AAR and I take it you guys are as well. I guess I am like MAA and I don't feel like quitting quite yet.

[Hooahguy]

yay! great update!
cant wait to see more!
and that is one large luso empire youve got there!
btw check out my latest update, if you havent already /shameless advertising :beam:

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXII - Crossing The Liger
602 YAF (211 BC)

As the snows melted and receded and green began to return, Atu took the army out of Bibracte and marched to lay siege to another stronghold of the Arverni.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-1.jpg

I arrived with the army as they were preparing to break winter camp. The men had spent the cold months preparing for another year of campaign. Many were richer since the sacking of Bibracte for a second time. We marched through a beautiful country full of beautiful scenery. Rolling hills covered with many shades of green. Alas we found ourselves at the unguarded river. The Liger ran across much of Gaul all the way to the great sea to our west. It was a natural barrier. However Atu was not to be contained by the river. during the summer we crossed a stone bridge into the land of the Carnutes. As the army crossed the river, Mizuku rode up from Gergovia and officially joined the army. Mizuku was a bit of an enigma to me but he knew me and the family quite well.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-2.jpg

He spoke very highly of what my family had done for Iberia. He knew much of the history of how we had gotten here. We had some time to talk in his tent. Nightly when we would stop he would invite me in for dinner. He was not the heavy drinker that Atu was. He was much more poised and educated. His Greek was as good as my own. He asked me for Castulos original documents. I could see his facial expressions change as he read. He would pause and reflect. "To have known the great Castulo the elder and Tantalos!". I would nod in agreement. He read about Castulos capture by bandits and then following the army of Iberia in its bid to re-unite the tribes. The Iberian noble family had a very interesting history. I am glad to have been part of it. The noble death of Latronos. To have been at the great battle of Numantia! The bridgebuilder Ditalkos who later would see his policy of independence turned inside out. Watching the Celts tear Iberia apart as he had worked so hard to bring it together. The painful banishment of Ambon. And finally the rule of Atu. Looking at Mizuku I could tell he understood the significance of his rule. How would he do. Iberia was as strong as it has ever been. He would inherit a mighty empire. But that empire faced many threats. Being 15 years older than Mizuku I could see the youthful enthusiasm on his face. As Atu approaches the incredible age of 60, youthful experience is what the empire needs.
Cenabum was poorly defended. Few men wished to die this day defending a town they could not hold. The morning mist of the day of the fall of the city concealed a massacre by our army.
Second Fall of Cenabum:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-4.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-7.jpg
Men from the countryside rushed into the city at the last possible moment only to be killed with the inhabitants. The Verrix had traveled north across the Sequana river. There in the land of fierce tribes like the Bellovaci and Caleti. We had never fought these people. I find it ironic that this was Atu's first major battle against the Carnutes. Here we were again. I was the same age as Mizuku when Castulo passed me his writing kit. The fighting in this place was the first time I had documented the journey of the Iberians. Some 20 years had passed since I stood here. But unlike that time we would not be stopping. After the battle and dividing up the loot the army struck north. We crossed through beautiful green fields and great woodlands. By the time winter came we were in front of another stronghold. Our spies revealed that inside was the Verrix himself. The stakes have never been higher.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-9.jpg

[Ower]

Damm. The Sweboz actually took one of the bad as alpine states???? What kind of mashinery their "Reich" has dam it.
You know, those romans have the whole present day Italy in their hands (save for Sardinia) interesting to see.
Cant wait to see antoher update soon ;)

[Chirurgeon]

Damm. The Sweboz actually took one of the bad as alpine states???? What kind of mashinery their "Reich" has dam it.
You know, those romans have the whole present day Italy in their hands (save for Sardinia) interesting to see.
Cant wait to see antoher update soon ;)
They have expanded eastward but the KH are the real Juggernauts in Europe. They have spread north out of the Aegean and occupy lands far north of the Danube. I am crossing my fingers that I can keep the Sweboz on their side of Rhine (yes I can hear everyone mocking me), capture Italy, and prevent the KH from steamrolling me. Right now the KH and the Romani are not at war. They share a large border from the Danube to the Dalmatian coast. Thanks for following :)

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXIII - Into A New Land
603 YAF (210 BC)

We had crossed the Sequana (Seine) River just as the snows began to swirl around us. I think we were all surprised by the sight of it. In Iberia we would be harvesting. Here we had to set up winter camp just outside of Bratosporious. This stronghold was full of warriors ready to fight for their leader. In fact they would not wait for the spring thaw. A relief army came to the aide of the city. Having traveled across a frigid landscape they forced Atu out of winter camp and the men had to form their traditional lines.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-1.jpg

As we moved further and further away from our homeland it has become increasingly difficulty to keep the ranks filled with Iberians. Despite Emporion sending us a steady stream of men it has been difficult to garner enough men from Iberia alone. Atu has been forced to recruit local mercenaries. The men were not welcoming. Mainly they were skeptical of men that would betray their country for gold. These Belgae spearmen were from a tribe even further to the north. They were quite comfortable in the cold. They wore simple pants and no shirt. Their only protection was a wooden shield. They came with spears of varying quality. However they were not the solid iron Sofilerum. I think the men thought them crazy. They had wild red hair and blazing green eyes. The sight of such men would have been intimidating.
Two warlords approached our lines. A formidable number of those insane naked men were present. In this frozen landscape it was a terrific site. As they marched toward our lines I could see Atu and Mizuku both looking for the garrison of the distant city.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-2.jpg
The Verrix was no where to be found. Our slingers were laying down a murderous rain of stones into their lines. They had their own slingers but they were not interested in targeting our slingers. As the distance between the lines decreased I could see the officers of the spearmen cheering them on.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-3.jpg
The slingers retreated between the spearmen. Each man sliding behind another to create rows for the skirmishers to get through. As soon as they were through they lowered their spears and braced their shields in front of them. The Celts began to run at a full clip now. The naked men with their massive swords over their heads screaming at the top of their lungs. They ran into the spearmen along with Celtic axemen and other infantry at a full charge.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-4.jpg
The impact causing ripples in the front line like ripples on a lake from a stone. Some of the spearmen fell down and were killed instantly. Others were simply slid back on the icy soil. It was at this moment that I felt an army of these mad naked men could conquer the world! The spearmen were taking it in the teeth. Like a fist punching into the snow the line was buckling in some places. The dead were everywhere. But somehow they held. The Cantrati charged into the flanks of the enemy trying to wrap around our own flank.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-5.jpg
It was a brutal fight. The fanatical naked juggernauts were winning the fight.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-8.jpg
The Cavalry now charged into the line. The buckling became more severe. However the spearmen did not break.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-6.jpg
The men in the back row were slowly inching backwards as the sheer weight of the enemy pressed on them. Finally some relief came on the right flank. Here the naked men were not as present in number. The cantrati on that side had managed to rout the enemy. However the Spearmen on the left were on the verge of being completely annihilated. I watched as a runner ran to find my brother Loio. In charge of all the heavy infantry he prepared them. His gleaming sword was raised high. All the men had their Javelins ready. A horn blast went up from near me. It was the withdraw signal for the spearmen. As organized and as quickly as possible they ran through the heavy infantry and into the rear of the army. The Celts saw what was happening and tried to close the distance between themselves and the heavy infantry. The enemy was exhausted. They tried to cover the ground but before they could get their they were greeted with a hail of javelins. It was a savage attack that felled many of the enemy. As soon as the spearmen had withdrawn the warlords fled. Perhaps they knew that thousands of javelins would be coming their way. With their leaders fleeing the rest of the army fled as well. We carried the day but it came at a heavy price to our spearmen. Half were dead or so wounded they would not fight again for a long time if ever. Of course the Arverni fared far worse.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-11.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-12.jpg
We had some reserves across the Sequana river outside of Cenabum. However Atu had to hire some more mercenaries to fill his ranks. These Swordsman would be placed on the frontline as well.
With the Verrix trapped inside of Bratosporius and our ladders nearly complete we would attack as soon as spring arose. Due to a CTD I had to Autoresolve the battle. That is why the Garrison is smaller.
The spring came as late as the winter had come early. Atu ordered the men to the walls.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-14.jpg
With only the survivors from the last battle left to defend the city it would hopefully be over soon. The Arverni only left men in their towers. No men were found on the walls. The heavy infantry under command of my brother was not greatly effected by the tower fire so their casualties were low. In a short period of time the gatehouse was seized and the spearmen and mercenaries entered the town en masse. The slingers were placed on the walls and commenced with their accurate killing.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-15.jpg

Again the Arverni made a stand in the streets. However they did not have the numbers or training as in past fights.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-16.jpg

Their only hope, the presence of the Verrix, was shattered when he was impaled on his horse.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-18.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-17.jpg
After that all resolve was lost and the city quickly fell into our hands.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-19.jpg
Despite our success the bulk of the work was left up to the spearmen. Again their casualties were higher than expected and it would take some time before we had replaced them. The good news is that the Arverni were broken and scattered and it would take them a while to recover. We spent the rest of the year rebuilding our forces so that we could press again into enemy territory.
I took some time to travel north to the coast. A spectacular sight was to be had here. Pure white cliffs faced the ocean. I had never seen anything quite like it.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-21.jpg
It was here that I met a number of merchants who talked about the tin isles. They would point to the sea and proclaim that one day's sail could bring you to the land that was rich in many minerals. Mizuku was with me and was quite curious. He was interested in sending an envoy over to the island. I thought that would be a wise thing to do.
For a brutal winter the reward was a mild summer. The days were long and cool. The nights were also comfortable. The men were relieved to have a break from all the marching. Atu wanted to wait till the next year to set out further into enemy territory.

https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-20.jpg

[General Appo]

Setting the mood for an Irish invasion ey? But first you´ve got to finish of the Arverni once and for all.

[Chirurgeon]

Setting the mood for an Irish invasion ey? But first you´ve got to finish of the Arverni once and for all.
yes I learned my lesson the hard way :shame:

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXIV - Our Worst Fears
604 YAF (209 BC)

As spring washed its warm winds across the land, Atu made the fateful decision to lay siege to Bagacos. This city was in the extreme northern part of Gaul with The Rhenus (Rhine) river as its eastern border.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-2.jpg
Many tribes made their home here including the fierce Nervii. Many representatives of the various tribes took up the defense of their capital. With its simple wooden walls, only rams would be needed.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-4.jpg
As the summer commenced, Atu ordered an attack upon the town. The region, informally known as Belgica produced awesome warriors. They would prove themselves on this day.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-5.jpg
Despite overwhelming odds we had to fight up a hill to reach the city center. Often one group of their warriors would stop our entire army.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-6.jpg
Of course it was temporary as even heros died. These men in Atu's eyes were heros. They fought a losing battle against a superior force. Alas their warleader was killed and the town quickly fell to our forces.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-8.jpg
We spent the remainder of the summer here and prepared to move south. There was more land to our south that was loyal to the Arverni. Under the leadership of the new Verrix he had again summoned a formidable force. The Arverni would not go out with a whimper.
Our celebration was cut short when messenger arrived at the camp outside of Bagacos. The Romans had attacked Massalia.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-3.jpg
Atu could be seen wilting at the news. His energy gone he could not endure another war. I looked at Mizuku who took the message from the messenger and read it. The Massalians had held off the siege in a heroic victory but we all knew that the Romans would return.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-10.jpg
The army of the Rhodanus, as Atu called them, would be the only force stopping the Romans should Massalia fall. Made up of levied troops from Gergovia and Tolosa plus heavy infantry from Arse and Emporion it would hopefully be enough to prevent the Romans from crossing the Rhodanus (Rhone). In addition to the infantry several noblemen who had battlefield experience would command the army. Finally a significant number of archers and slingers would be deployed to inflict as many casualties as possible against the Romans as they crossed the river. The senate of Rome will be very upset at the outcome of the siege. Their humiliation will be replaced with revenge. May the gods protect us against this scourge.
The final bit of bad news arrived a few weeks after the first. Kart-Hadastim had rioted and thrown out the garrison. In the process killing the governor and creating much panic. With the fighting here in Gaul and the imminent threat from the Romans, the situation in Africa was of little consequence to our immediate problems.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-9.jpg

At least trade had commenced with the Tin Isles. This would bring much needed income into our coffers.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-1.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-11.jpg

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Wow! I can't even wrap my head around all of it! Casse! Averni! Kart-Hadast! Now the Romani!! eep!! I'll be staying tuned...

[Zasz1234]

Awesome stuff! Keep it rolling. I am loving each update.

[Chirurgeon]

Wow! I can't even wrap my head around all of it! Casse! Averni! Kart-Hadast! Now the Romani!! eep!! I'll be staying tuned...
Yes so many potential conflicts. I have been feeding the Germans money each turn so that they don't stab me in the back and pour across the Rhine.


Awesome stuff! Keep it rolling. I am loving each update.
Yes it has been interesting for sure. Thank you for following and I should have another update today :)

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Good to see you're back and updating regularly.
Keep up the good work. Looks like the AI is really teaming up against you, though. :shame:

[Hooahguy]

wow- very nice- now i see we have a common enemy! good luck w/ the romani!

[muha]

First post here, aweasome AAR. Very well done with an exellent story. Excluding the casual grammatic mistakes here and there, and the screenshots, you got yourself a book being written.


P.S. Why was Massalia under KH control? Last time I checked it was a rebel town.

[Chaotix]

@ muha:

because Massalia's "faction creator" (basically same culture) is the KH, if the Romani or Arverni capture it and it rebels, it will rebel to the KH.

[Chirurgeon]

@ muha:

because Massalia's "faction creator" (basically same culture) is the KH, if the Romani or Arverni capture it and it rebels, it will rebel to the KH.

Exactly. I didn't have a spy in the area but while I was busy uniting Iberia the Arverni probably tried to take control but ultimately rebelled to KH. It sure has made for some interesting plot twists though!

[Zarax]

Long time lurker in your AARs, just posting to express my utter admiration of your work Chirurgeon... Keep the goodness coming!

[Chirurgeon]

Long time lurker in your AARs, just posting to express my utter admiration of your work Chirurgeon... Keep the goodness coming!

Thank you sir :bow: I always appreciate people checking in and letting me know who they are :)

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXV - The Winds of Change
605 YAF (208 BC)

As the spring came Atu called us all into his command tent. All of his advisors were present. My father, Lutros, my twin brother Loio, and many others had gathered. Mizuku stood by his side his face very serious. Atu announced that Mizuku was in charge of the army. He would journey a bit further to the south with us and then he would depart for the palace in Emporion. The men acknowledged the change. They would miss the old goat, but Mizuku had great promise. Mizuku wasted no time. He ordered an attack on a group of Celts that had been harrowing our supply lines.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-1.jpg

They lay in a forest off the main road north to Bratosporius. Mizuku took charge with just the Loricata Scutarum, slingers, and the horse. With great confidence he strode into battle. His armor finely polished and his confidence radiated. He ordered Loio to assault the enemy and he succeeded in routing them.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-3.jpg
The enemy broke with little difficulty.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-2.jpg
Only for a brief time were the units fighting hand to hand.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-4.jpg
Soon the Celts realized they were outmatched. They fled in earnest back into the forest.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-6.jpg

With victory fresh in hand Mizuku ordered the army to return to the road and prepare to capture the capital of Squallra. Vesontio stood defiant in a large plain. Before the gates of the city was an army tasked to defend it. The army had positioned itself in some forest on top of a ridge that ran in front of the city a few miles. Here the Arverni would make their stand. It was a solid defensive position. Although the army was smaller than ours they had good troops. Axemen, spearmen, and the ever present fanatics. Behind them the garrison of the capital could emerge and enter the forest unmolested. This is easily one of the worst possible assaulting positions I had ever seen. Mizuku would not back down. His orders were to march up the hill and right into the forest! Playing into the hands of the enemy. I feared the worst and hoped for the best.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-8.jpg

The spearmen started marching up the hill with their small group of instrument playing men behind them. They rested their long spears on their shoulders. I watched as they marched up the hill their war tunes slowly fading with their details. Soon they approached the steepest part of the slope just before the line of trees on top. Thats when the Arverni stormed out. It seemed to be just the smaller army. I could see from my vantage point the men stopping and bracing themselves. The enemy poured into the lines.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-9.jpg
The Loricata Scutari were already on the march up to support them. The collision caused many of the spearmen to fall and they were tired from climbing the hill. The fanatics did terrible damage to the line as they had the uphill advantage. However their general was felled by a slingstone and soon the enemy was breaking and running for the treeline.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-10.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-11.jpg

Mizuku smiled at the rout of the enemy. The men running as fast as they could for the trees. With the Heavy infantry fairly rested he ordered them to pursue and to take the hill. Loio ordered the men to the top of the hill. They moved as quickly as possible. Atu with the Cavalry and veiled warriors ambled up the hill to take a position behind the heavy infantry. Suddenly there were shouts from the top of the hill and a scene of pandemoniom. Mizuku had been smiling and talking with his advisors casually when he heard the shouts as well. Suddenly there was a sense of urgency and the cavalry took off to the scene.
The garrison of Vesontio had been in the trees all along. They jumped on the heavy infantry just inside the treeline.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-12.jpg
The left flank was taking the brunt of the damage.
Screams and cries were heard as the Celts poured out of the trees and downhill into the heavy infantry. Their momentum was pushing the line all over the place.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-13.jpg
Mizuku arrived and quickly assesed the situation. The left flank needed to be secured. He turned to the veiled warriors and ordered them to charge into the enemy on the left. It was too late. The left side was shattered. The Celts were pouring through.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-14.jpg

The Cantrati were moving up the hill and Mizuku ordered them to stem the loss. With the veiled warriors and the Cantrati working together the enemy was stopped.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-16.jpg
However now the right flank was bleeding. Another unit of Cantrati were ordered into the fray on the right. The Celts were surprised and began to rout on that side. I felt myself staring in awe as our lines were buckling. The spearmen who had already fought once and were still exhausted were ordered to move up and support the faltering line. They ran past me. Many were drenched in sweat. Some were limping or bleeding. I looked behind me as if in instinct. I was plotting my escape route. Mizuku was positioned near the center. His bodyguard throwing Javelins. Then a scream of retreat was heard. The celtic warlord had fallen and their attack was losing muster.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-15.jpg
The element of surprise was slowly fading and the pendulum of experience was swinging in our direction. The fanatics were still fighting with all their normal vigor. However the rest of the men turned and fled toward Vesontio. The line had held. However many had fallen. Finally the last of the enemy fled. The cavalry giving chase for a short distance.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-17.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXV-18.jpg
I walked up to the broken line of men that used to be our heavy infantry. So many dead...so many wounded. Some wounds were severe others were not. I was looking for my brother, when i spied a crowd of men gathered around one that had fallen. My heart quickened. The man laying on the ground was my brother but he was alive. In fact he was angry. His left leg was horribly mangled. Nearly cut off by one of the fanatics. He had made a cloth bandage around his upper leg to stop the flow of blood. Gods he was going to lose his leg! That night he did lose his leg. The herbalist cut it off and left him with a stump. My father and I were with him. I nearly feinted at the sight of it. He had calmed down but he also knew his days of fighting were over. My father who was 63 as I was forty-three made the decision to return home. The great warrior Lutros was going home to Gader to live out the rest of his days. Mizuku wished for Loio to stay with him as an advisor. He agreed. For me it was a relief. Before every battle I would get a horrible feeling in my gut. I was constantly worried about my brother perishing. Although I am saddened that he lost his leg I am relieved that he will not be fighting with the men.
With winter approaching and the Arverni having suffered another defeat I was going to go home. Lutros and I rode together through Gaul. I looked at my father proudly. He had led an amazing life. Castulo the elder had adopted him after his own family was killed. Lutros was just a young man when Castulo the elder took him from Numantia and brought him to Gader. In many ways Castulo the elder was like a grandfather to me. I remember fondly when he would take me into Gader and look at all the old scrolls at the academy. I remember when he bought me the writing kit I still use today. He allowed my whole family to live in his estate. My brother's family still lives there. I in fact was named after Castulo. Lutros was so grateful for the generosity of Castulo he named one of his sons after him. It made me smile. My own son is now 17. I hoped Dorus still had a vested interest in writing. I had hoped he might journey with me in the next year with the Army. It seemed that the legacy of preserving Iberian history had fallen onto my shoulders. My son would hopefully follow me with the same fate.

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Well, someone has to say it ... a Pyyhric Victory! (hope I spelled it right) Good to se the family tradition of preserving Iberian history continuing. Quite stunned to learn of Loio's wound. What an epic battle has been had. I was worried for a moment there! Please keep it up.

[Chirurgeon]

Well, someone has to say it ... a Pyyhric Victory! (hope I spelled it right) Good to se the family tradition of preserving Iberian history continuing. Quite stunned to learn of Loio's wound. What an epic battle has been had. I was worried for a moment there! Please keep it up.

My thoughts exactly. Damn Mizuku and his cockiness nearly had the army destroyed. I was a hairsbreath from losing that battle my friend. I just hope he learned his lesson. Fortunately I have a reserve army but it will be severely depleted after this fight. I will have to get more men from Iberia. The supply lines are getting longer and the fighting is getting tougher. I am surprised at how resilient the Arverni are.

[General Appo]

450 kills by one unit of Caetrati!!? *faints*

[Chirurgeon]

450 kills by one unit of Caetrati!!? *faints*

They are a nasty infantry when you use them to flank the enemy. They use the all metal Sofilerum and have a really high defensive skill. I call them my sword dancers. They are quite nimble...and lethal when used appropriately

[Hooahguy]

lol yeah. the romani do more backstabbing than... romans, i guess....:shrug:
:laugh4:

[Chirurgeon]

School starts back on monday for me...needless to say I will be quite busy. I will do my best to update as much as possible

[Chirurgeon]

I will have an update here shortly. I didnt have school today (or tomorrow) due to Tropical storm Fay. Enjoy!

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXVI - Final Stand
606 YAF (207 BC)

I left with Dorus from the estate to go find the army in time for spring campaigning. As a 18 year old he is truly a man. He was saddened that his uncle lost his leg in the battle outside of Vesontio. We journeyed through southern Gaul and stopped in a variety of places along the way. Dorus was just a boy when he was imprisoned inside Massalia. The Celts of the city had decided that they had enough of their Greek companions and allied themselves with the Arverni. Massalia is still on my mind. Even as we ride another Roman army is laying siege.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-1.jpg
(I guess MAA wants my cities too!!)
The defenders have been resilient and have held out but it may not last. Our army of the Rhone is not allowed to cross the river and engage the Romans. The fear is that they will be defeated and then there will be no defense for our lands in Gaul.
We arrived a few weeks before the main army was to continue its attack on the virtually defeated Arverni. Their loss in the forest outside the city was nearly a victory. However it was their last real significant defense. Although our own forces were devestated by the attack we still carried the day. The Arverni's last hope of defeating our army lay scattered amongst the bones on the forest floor.
Dorus was obviously excited at the site of the army with all the men in their tents. Mizuku had organized the men into more uniform camps. It was an impressive site to see. Usually the different tribes would camp with members of their own tribes but Mizuku organized them by the type of unit. Medium spearmen had their area. The Loricata Scutari had their area. Each type of infantry or cavalry having their own place. Mizuku carried an aura of civility about him. No doubt this is due to the influence of the Greek population and his tutors of Emporion. His military approach has also been affected by the Greeks it would seem. Dorus introduced himself in Greek and Mizuku smiled. They discussed many things and Mizuku immediately took a liking to my son. In another part of the command tent was a Greek cartographer busily drawing maps and the like.
In the time we had before the attack on Vesontio was to begin I walked around the camp and gathered some interesting information. Many of them were speaking Greek. It all made sense however. With so many tribes and so many languages a common language was needed. Earlier Kings had tried to make the Lusitanan language the oficial language but Lusitannan influence fades as you leave Iberia. The Greek language has permeated many settlements along the great sea, and it makes sense that people would use it as a common language. Dorus did not seem taken back by this because he is so young. I on the other hand am astounded at the level of change within the army.
Vesontio was defiant. However the ladders were put into place and the all too familiar battle for the city was underway.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-2.jpg
Loio seemed a bit upset that he could not command the infantry but I for one am glad he is not on those walls anymore.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-3.jpg
Again the resistance was fierce...but futile.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-4.jpg
Their war leader died with his men like any great commander would. I watched Dorus as the battle unfolded. He wanted to see it up close. I looked at him and informed him that there would always be more fighting.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-5.jpg
The last bastion of defense was in the foothills of the great mountains. The Alpes Montes were a formidable barrier to the lands south of their shadow. The last of the Arverni were now trying to hide in its shadow. In a small town nestled in a valley the last defenders of a culture were huddled behind rickety walls. Mizuku ordered the rams forward in the late summer.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-6.jpg
With snow capped peaks behind them the defenders fought to the last. Finally they were all dead and with it all hope of a return of the Arverni.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-8.jpg
Mizuku had finished what his uncle had started.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-9.jpg
We stayed in the valley and the men were sent out to collect supplies for the winter. With the Arverni defeated and the Sweboz confederation as allies I wondered why Mizuku was staying. I had a chance to meet with him and Dorus accompanied me.
King Mizuku had a bold plan. He had no intention of going to Massalia to fight the Romans. Rather he wanted to devastate his enemies on their own soil. The cities of Patavium, Bononia, and Mediolanum were his target. His aim was to ravage those cities so bad that it would take years for them to recover. His hope was that this would draw the Romans away from Massalia. That way Massalia could get some breathing room and organize a better defense of their city. It was a bold plan but the approach would be even bolder. Through the Alpes Montes were passes that could only be navigated during the height of summer. This year was too late to move but in one years time, Mizuku hoped to be standing in Rome's backyard. The fertile Po River valley provided much grain and vegetables to the cities of Italy. Should this land fall into another's hands the chaos and fear would be felt in Rome itself. So as the snow melt begins next year so will our journey to Italy.
Meanwhile in Africa our waning influenced has been undermined even more. Recently a new commander for Kart-Hadast is taking credit for liberating Atiqa and the capital itself. He is raising an army and marching west.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVI-10.jpg
Mizuku would like to do something, but the cost of two standing armies in the field and the financial cost of an invasion of Italy is prohibiting further military investment at this time.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXvi-11.jpg

[Ayce]

Hannibal has arrived!

But he should be hating the Lusotans rather than the Romans in this timeline.

[Chirurgeon]

This is true. Its been interesting to watch because he is storming across Africa reconquering cities I conquered.

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Wow. Such a turn of events. Hannibal lusting to re-conquer North Africa, The Lusotannans eyeing the Po Valley. I don't know which way to turn. Greek as your univerisal language, why not? Keep the Romans at bay!!

[Chirurgeon]

Wow. Such a turn of events. Hannibal lusting to re-conquer North Africa, The Lusotannans eyeing the Po Valley. I don't know which way to turn. Greek as your univerisal language, why not? Keep the Romans at bay!!
depending on how things go I may do more than just keep them at bay. stay tuned!

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXVII - A Bold Initiative
607 YAF (206 BC)
As the spring melt began we began our journey through the Alpes Montes. We moved slowly as our guides wanted to time our crossing of the highest passes with the height of summer. It worked quite well. The Sweboz Confederation had some sway in the region and convinced the tribes not to interfere as they were not our object of conquest. By the height of summer we found ourselves outside the walls of Mediolanum. Once a great city of the Aeudi the Romans had taken it from them. The garrison however contained Celts and Romans. Ladders were constructed but before the attack could begin a Roman army under command of Appius Cornelius Scipio emerged from a forest behind us. Somehow they had snuck around behind our siege lines. Mizuku ordered a withdraw from the city itself and drew up his lines on the edge of a forest.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-1.jpg
The same man that had laid siege to Massalia now attacked us here. His men poured into our lines and apparently in the distance his brother Tiberius was moving quickly out of the city to join the fight. Our front lines held strong.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-2.jpg
Mizuku used the cavalry against the cavalry of Appius and the Roman commander fled the field. Disheartened most fled at this point.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-3.jpg
Some allied troops fought on but our Caetrati took care of them.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-4.jpg
(^^I was shocked at how well the Caetrati did against the Pedites Extrodinaire).

Finally Mizuku repositioned the lines to deal with the Garrison of Massalia. Without the support of his brother, Tiberius's army was destroyed. Our losses were greatest amongst the mercenaries. Men gave their lives and as a result we gained Mediolanum. With their garrison shattered and defenses broken, Mizuku captured the city.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-5.jpg

Traveling with Mizuku was a Germanic chieftain of great size and power. Graznordan was his name and he represented the Sweboz in our endeavor. For several years now Mizuku had been feeding the Sweboz a healthy diet of gold and other treasures as a symbol of our alliance. In yet another gesture he turned the city of Mediolanum over to the Sweboz. I contemplated why Mizuku did this and he gave an interesting response. He not only wanted to defeat the Romans on the battlefied he wanted to beat them diplomatically. Currently the Sweboz are at peace with the Romans. However should the Romans attempt to capture the city of Mediolanum it would give the Romans yet another enemy. It created a very difficult situation for The Romans indeed. I dared to say that Mizuku was turning into a fine commander. Although he is not officially king, Atu is so far gone from his mind and body he might as well be.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-6.jpg
Mizuku was pressing the Romans very hard now. Our relatively easy victory at Mediolanum had emboldened our leader. He ordered the army that had been guarding the Rhone River to lay siege to a city in the turn of the peninsula called Segesta. At the same time we crossed the Po River and laid siege to Bononia. The walls of this city were too tall to be conquered by ladder. A Greek siege specialist was also traveling with the army and deemed it possible to undermine the walls of this city. It was hoped to cause the walls to collapse.

Mizuku did not wait until the Spring. Rome was sending aid and Mizuku wanted to focus on capturing and then looting this city. Time was important and it became urgent to capture the city in the dead of winter. The roads here enabled the Romans to respond quickly to attacks. With snow flurries flying around the men, Mizuku ordered the attack.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-7.jpg
It took days but finally the men reached the walls and they began to fall. Three giant holes opened up and the men poured into the city. Meeting stiff resistance at the breaches and taking fire from the towers our men suffered more than if we had captured the walls first.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-9.jpg
Eventually the men were able to break the defenders and we streamed into the city center. The city was magnificent. Not since Kart-hadast had I seen such a sight. Pristine bricked streets and glorious temples covered the city. Dorus was ecstatic and begged to go to the Library to see the texts. I told him that the Romans would likely not speak Greek, and plus we should probably wait until the city was actually captured. We did capture the city and with it much gold and other treasure.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-10.jpg
Mizuku only stayed for a few days and then the Army was heading North again. His final goal of this campaign was to capture Patavium. He informed me that this city would also be gifted to the Sweboz. He hoped that a garrison in Bononia could hold out long enough to allow him the time to capture Patavium. We risked being cut off if the Romans pursued us across the river. It was hoped they would lay siege to Bononia and give us time to accomplish what Mizuku set out to do. The Romans did not have major holdings to the east of Patavium so the reinforcements would, in all likelihood, come from the other side of the Po River. He hired a number of Celtic mercenaries to guard the river crossing and thwart Roman Progress. He hoped it would buy him valuable time.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-11.jpg

[Chirurgeon]

Here is an updated timeline showing territorial expansion of the Iberian Empire:
272 BC - 258 BC
Unification of the Independent Tribes:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/III-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/V-17.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XII-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XIV-16.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XV-14.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XVI-3.jpg

256 BC - 250 BC
War against Kart-Hadastim:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/ChapterXVIII-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XIX-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XX-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXI-9.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXIII-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXIV-2.jpg

249 BC - 242 BC
Celtic Civil War:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXV-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXVIII-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXIX-28.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXII-6.jpg

240 BC - 228 BC
Gallo-Iberian War:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXIV-17.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXV-14.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXVI-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXVII-18.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XXXVIII-19.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XL-15.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLII-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLV-14.jpg

225 BC - 217
Second Kart-Hadastim War:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLVIII-9.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/XLIX-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/L-11.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LI-21.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LIII-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LV-11.jpg

216 BC -207 BC
The Second Arverni War:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXI-11.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXII-9.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIII-20.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXIV-11.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXvi-11.jpg
207-?
The Roman Conflict:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVII-11.jpg

[Chaotix]

Nice update, and I like the timeline!

Although, I think you made the same mistake with Qart-Hadast as you did with the Arverni- you let them live and now they're coming back to haunt you! I suggest, after you've completely destroyed the Romani, you should go and finish off the Qarthadastim. :grin:

[Chirurgeon]

Nice update, and I like the timeline!

Although, I think you made the same mistake with Qart-Hadast as you did with the Arverni- you let them live and now they're coming back to haunt you! I suggest, after you've completely destroyed the Romani, you should go and finish off the Qarthadastim. :grin:
I think you are right but should I destroy them the Ptolemies would no doubt attack me. The situation in Gaul had deteriorated so much that I had to withdraw my invasion force from Africa. Besides the cities in Africa were rebelling when I left. I did everything I could. I had a full stack in their capital and Atiqa. The Romans have a province along the Danube and I can't imagine going all the way there just because its roman territory. Geography and distance is a determining factor in how far the Iberians are willing to go.

[Theodotos I]

School starts back on monday for me...needless to say I will be quite busy. I will do my best to update as much as possible

School? :inquisitive: Just how old are you? Anyway, amazing to see the progress of your empire of this many years. And I can't believe you've got Hannibal. Green with envy. . .

[thelord]

Brilliant AAR mate! I particularly like Hannibal. How did you do that, with a script? I guess you will be reluctant to kill him then if it took a lot of work. :laugh4:

[Chirurgeon]

@ Theodotus I: I am a teacher not a student. I teach High school Anatomy and Physiology. Thanks for following. Oh I am 34 btw
@ Thelord: He just appeared. Honest. And as far as killing him my colonies in Africa are growing more restless. Hannibal is only fueling the flames of rebellion. With this war with the Romans I am really powerless to do much in Africa.

[Theodotos I]

Yeah, had me going there for a moment. Didn't think I could attribute your writing to a school child. However, on a sidenote, if you're 34 you'd better get busy on that novel of yours. :2thumbsup:

[Chirurgeon]

Yeah, had me going there for a moment. Didn't think I could attribute your writing to a school child. However, on a sidenote, if you're 34 you'd better get busy on that novel of yours. :2thumbsup:

so your saying I am running out of time to write a novel? Rubbish...I could write one if I am 70 if I wish. I look and feel young and thats all that matters :)

[Theodotos I]

so your saying I am running out of time to write a novel? Rubbish...I could write one if I am 70 if I wish. I look and feel young and thats all that matters :)

Just pulling your leg, man. What genre are you going for?

EDIT: This conversation makes me think of that Russian novelist who quit writing after his wife's death. He was only in his sixties. When asked why, he replied, "I am too old to love again, and if I am not in love, at least a little, I cannot write."
He died the following year.

[Chirurgeon]

Fantasy. I have alot of it outlined and working on a map of the world. I wrote some of it last summer but my jump drive got crushed and couldn't retrieve it. Now I will make multiple copies and print out stuff. Don't worry I wasn't blasting you. Just didn't want you calling me old thats all :)

[Theodotos I]

Actually, from what I've seen, you're about the average age of the forum user. Not to mention that we have school teachers all over the place. . .

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter LXVIII - Conquering the Po Valley
608 YAF (205 BC)
Mizuku's gamble paid off. The Romans had been sent into a flurry of confusion. Our army of the Rhone had captured Segesta and looted the city bare. Our spies indicated that the Romans did not know where to fight first. Do they try and recapture Segesta or free Bononia. What about our army now laying siege to Patavium? Thats right we marched through the spring and now lay before the gates of this city. It is in stark contrast to the cities south of the Po. Many Celts live in this region and many call this city home. So its no surprise to see the architecture of this land taking on a less Roman style. However the garrison of this town consisted of many Roman citizens.
As the spring ebbed into summer we were attacked by a small relief force. These forces were all controlled by the same family. The Scipios had sent many of their family members to fight for their republic. They met us outside of a forest near Patavium. They were quite irritated by our presence in their lands but they seemed to lack fear. Apparently these people had dealt with invasions. Nearly 200 years before the Celts stormed down the peninsula and captured Rome itself. Apparently their gods saved them from destruction.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-1.jpg
Mizuku was confident in his attack. Lining up the men in our traditional lines he allowed the Romans to pour into our ranks. The men held strong against the smaller relief force. As their men threw themselves upon our lines the large garrison of the city joined the fight.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-2.jpg
At this point our main line had taken a beating from the fight with superior armed men.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-3.jpg
The Romans were hacking our front line to pieces. Mizuku ordered the front line infantry to withdraw to the safety of the rear. My son watched in complete awe as the battle raged. The horn blasts signalling withdraw of the main line shook him back to what was going on. He watched as the lighter troops withdrew inbetween the heavier infantry.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-4.jpg
Our Loricata Scutari unleashed a brutal barrage of javelins into the horde of Romans now descending upon them. It made the enemy reconsider and some of the men gave flight back through the forest to the city. Our cavalry had been unleashed upon their wavering infantry. This caused great panic and with only the generals left on the field they too were hunted down and killed. All told the Romans suffered horribly.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXViii-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-8.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-9.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-10.jpg
With their army in a state of chaos we continued to prepare our assault on the city. As summer gave way to fall and the snows began to work their way through the mountains, Mizuku ordered the rams forward.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-11.jpg
The few defenders were outnumbered greatly and as a result they endured a total loss. The Rams smashed down the gates and our army poured through the breaks like ants into honey. It was over before nightfall.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-12.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-14.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-15.jpg
I talked to Dorus at length and he showed me what he had been writing. He had drawn some sketches of the battle as well. Although not as good as Castulo the Elder it was still very skillful and captured the atmosphere of the fight. I told him that I would be returning to my estate in Emporion to do some more writing, but more importantly attend to the fields, orchards, and vineyards. He had advanced enough and although four years younger than Mizuku he would do well to chronicle the events of our current leader.

[NickTheGreek]

Nooooo! My beloved Romans ~:mecry:. Still Good update Chirurgeon :2thumbsup:

[Chirurgeon]

Do not worry Nick. Mizuku has no inclination to rule all of Italy and Sicily. The culture penalty is generally bad when I occupy "civilized areas" and pretty soon I have some nasty rebellions on my hands. That is what happened In Africa. I could barely keep kart-Hadast and Atiqa.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Absolutely superb update. I have been following all of your AARs. You're without a doubt my favorite writer on any EB/RTW-related forums and definitely the most prolific.

Not often do I get to read AARs where the narrator's factions is fighting against the Romani. So who's the current faction leader for the Romani? I also share Nick's sentiment btw. Romani are my favorite. So far in my Seleukid, KH, and Kart-Hadast campagns I have yet to encroach upon the lands of the Res Publica.

P.S. Kinda weird to have a teacher playing EB, much less writing such marvelous AARs. I simply cannot imagine my Anatomy teacher (also my Academic Team coach) doing such things. I wish you were my teacher! Wouldn't we have something to talk about!

[Theodotos I]

P.S. Kinda weird to have a teacher playing EB, much less writing such marvelous AARs. I simply cannot imagine my Anatomy teacher (also my Academic Team coach) doing such things. I wish you were my teacher! Wouldn't we have something to talk about!

Not weird at all, they're running all over the place. :laugh4::laugh4:

[Chirurgeon]

Absolutely superb update. I have been following all of your AARs. You're without a doubt my favorite writer on any EB/RTW-related forums and definitely the most prolific.

Not often do I get to read AARs where the narrator's factions is fighting against the Romani. So who's the current faction leader for the Romani? I also share Nick's sentiment btw. Romani are my favorite. So far in my Seleukid, KH, and Kart-Hadast campagns I have yet to encroach upon the lands of the Res Publica.

P.S. Kinda weird to have a teacher playing EB, much less writing such marvelous AARs. I simply cannot imagine my Anatomy teacher (also my Academic Team coach) doing such things. I wish you were my teacher! Wouldn't we have something to talk about!
Thank you for the kind comments! Its funny I teach Anatomy. But I don't coach the athletic team. It would be weird to have one of my students on here. But it would be alright :) Thanks for following.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Thank you for the kind comments! Its funny I teach Anatomy. But I don't coach the athletic team. It would be weird to have one of my students on here. But it would be alright :) Thanks for following.

Actually Academic Team is a team representing a school in Quiz Bowl competitions; haven't you heard of either two before/doesn't your school have one? I am not sure if it is qualified to be an "athletic" team (although chess is defined as a sport unless I am mistaken).

Quiz Bowl is pretty much answering questions about history, science, mathematics, literature, as well as arts in competitions between different schools, with each player trying to answer before the other one with his/her buzzer. Its the place where the biggest nerds in the school (like me!) meet, definitely not a good place to be a jock!

About the students, you should definitely do a survey in your classes to see who plays RTW!:yes:

EDIT: About that comment on you writing a book. Considering the astounding quality of your Qathadastim and Ptolemaic AARs (love that plot twist in the end! Reminds me of a very large and interesting book I've read titled "Pharaoh", [Boleslaw Prus, 1896 - you should really check this book out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh_(novel) - it's the most likely candidate for my absolute favorite book] which takes place in the Late New Kingdom of the land of Ta-Kem, with a fictional Ramses XIII being very similar to Zomenes, both in his life and death) you could definitely develop two excellent books based on those AARs, especially considering what is in my opinion, a lack of historical novels about the Antiquity out in the book market.

[Chirurgeon]

Sorry everyone I have been extremely busy with school stuff. I hope it slows down soon so I can get some more EB in!

[satalexton]

nasty kids huh? they have no respect these days D= Like my old man says, some nice slapping with a metal ruler does the trick nicely....

[Theodotos I]

nasty kids huh? they have no respect these days D= Like my old man says, some nice slapping with a metal ruler does the trick nicely....

The Board of Education, so to speak. . .:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

[General Appo]

Very good work.

It appears I have made 35 posts in this thread. Strange.

[satalexton]

The Board of Education, so to speak. . .:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

D= i actually taky my statement back, 2 days after i taught my 9 yr old cousin about EB (the choppy aspects were the only bits he understood)... I spotted him using a metal ruler like a falx....chasing other rotters around... D=

not to mention I had a field day bailing him out...

[Aemilius Paulus]

https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/troyboy1208/Iberia%20Rising/LXVIII-1.jpg

Just noticed this.

That doesn't look right. Notice the words "You are attacked by an army of Roma". Roma? The Gypsies? The Sinti? Definitely not right. Shouldn't it say "You are attacked by an army of Romani" instead of Roma?

[General Appo]

Why? It is an army of the city of Roma, right? An army of Roma.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Why? It is an army of the city of Roma, right? An army of Roma.

Yeah, but by 272 BC, it was no longer just he city of Roma. Not to mention, the people were called Romani. Anyway, whoever calls their country by the name of their capital? Not many of those nations exist or have existed.

[desert]

Technically, the Gypsies call themselves the Romani too. We can tell that it's the Romans anyway.

[gamegeek2]

Lulz, ur right. Sorry. Back to topic...

[Aemilius Paulus]

Gypsy = a mildly racist term. like "negro" in the US, it's degrading

I disagree. Lemme guess, another American huh? Usually only Americans are so politically correct, although Britain is also catching up.The term "Negro" may not be politically correct, but in no way racist. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just that some people confuse it with truly derogatory term "n****r". Not to mention, have you read what has been recently happening to Gypsies in Italy? Horrible. There is a huge wave of anti-Gypsyism (or whatever you call it) sweeping across Italy. People are burning, stoning, defacing Gypsy settlements is common and some Roma are reported to have been killed, with numerous Gypsies assaulted.

Anyway, :focus:!

[Hooahguy]

just dropping by...
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and now i will go back and lurk.....
but btw i am close to getting around to updating my AAR....

[General Appo]

Yeah, but by 272 BC, it was no longer just he city of Roma. Not to mention, the people were called Romani. Anyway, whoever calls their country by the name of their capital? Not many of those nations exist or have existed.


Well, Roma was one of those. Or do you really think they called themselves Italia or something like that? They were the SPQR for gods sake, not the SPQI. There were the armies of Roma, the people of Roma, the Senate of Roma, the glory of Roma, the power of Roma, the empire of Roma.
So yes, I think the Romans called themselves after their capital. Heck, we still do, we call it the Roman Empire don´t we? And yet only like 5% of all people in it actually were Romans.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Well, Roma was one of those. Or do you really think they called themselves Italia or something like that? They were the SPQR for gods sake, not the SPQI. There were the armies of Roma, the people of Roma, the Senate of Roma, the glory of Roma, the power of Roma, the empire of Roma.
So yes, I think the Romans called themselves after their capital. Heck, we still do, we call it the Roman Empire don´t we? And yet only like 5% of all people in it actually were Romans.

I never said that the Romans did not call themselves after their capital. I am not ignorant, and to say that I believe that the Roman Empire was not named after Rome would be calling me even stupider than Paris Hilton. I mean, even she knows why the Roman Empire was called "Roman" and not "Italian"! What I meant to say was that not many other nations called themselves after their capital. Roman Republic/Empire was unique because it started from a very humble beginning of a single village. Most other nations/empires began as a consolidated group of tribes/settlements but not Rome.

[General Appo]

Your initial point being....

[gamegeek2]

Meesa hungry for another update. Not to rush anybody...

:smash::smash::smash::smash::smash:

[Aemilius Paulus]

Your initial point being....

?

Please elaborate.

[General Appo]

No.

[gamegeek2]

Is it dead?

[Chirurgeon]

Thank you all for following this AAR. Unfortunately I had to wipe my hard drive and reformat it. Your countless compliments and endless encouragement enabled this AAR to continue as long as it has. However it is over. When I get a chance I will re-install EB and upgrade to 1.1. Unfortunately I have been extremely busy in real life and that is prohibiting me from working on this. Again thank you for all of your support and I will make a new AAR at some point in the future. Until then enjoy the rest of the most excellent AARs on this site!

-Troy

[General Appo]

Okay. I have recieved so many really bad news in my time as a netizen, that I´ve grown tired of screaming "nooo" and posting dozens of crying smilies.
Instead I will just say that I find this very sad, especially that this AAR didn´t not recieve a natural ending. Perhaps you had some plans for what would happen that you can reveal to us, and then we can fill in the gaps ourselves with our imagination.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Sorry to hear this is dead.

We'll be waiting for your next one.

[Aemilius Paulus]

~:mecry:

That is very saddening to hear. Great AAR anyway. So what are you thinking of doing in the future? Another AAR possibly? However, since you are a teacher, I'm guessing it would very difficult for you to play EB and work on AARs. After all, your AARs of exceptional quality and I'm sure it takes some time to write and compile them.

[desert]

In the words of the Chief, saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad faaaaaaaaace.

There's always next year/summer, I guess.

[Hooahguy]

very sad this is over.....
great gob on this, awaiting your next one....

[Theodotos I]

Thank you all for following this AAR. Unfortunately I had to wipe my hard drive and reformat it. Your countless compliments and endless encouragement enabled this AAR to continue as long as it has. However it is over. When I get a chance I will re-install EB and upgrade to 1.1. Unfortunately I have been extremely busy in real life and that is prohibiting me from working on this. Again thank you for all of your support and I will make a new AAR at some point in the future. Until then enjoy the rest of the most excellent AARs on this site!

-Troy

Good heavens, you and I both. The last two EB 1.0 AARs ending within weeks of each other. Sad indeed. I took a lot of inspiration from you in starting Across the Waters and look to see what you'll come up with next. Thanks for sticking in there, friend. It was a great ride.

[Chaotix]

Ahh, too bad! This was a great AAR, and I'm sad to see it go. If you're still planning on writing more AARs, Chirurgeon, I will always be eagerly awaiting them. Good luck! :bow:

[gamegeek2]

Sad to see it die Like Of Mail and Men v. 1.0. Almost exactly like it (hard drive problems)

Thankfully, v. 1.1 is up and running. And Alexandros will quit trafficking weed.

[Chirurgeon]

You guys are so awesome. When things settle down I will hunker down and do another AAR. I am already doing research for it. Again thank you so much for following...the community here is simply the best!

[penguinking]

You guys are so awesome. When things settle down I will hunker down and do another AAR. I am already doing research for it. Again thank you so much for following...the community here is simply the best!

I loved this AAR, and am sad to see it over. But you said you're already doing research for it... implying you know what faction it will be. What is it? I'm guessing Saba.

[gamegeek2]

I loved this AAR, and am sad to see it over. But you said you're already doing research for it... implying you know what faction it will be. What is it? I'm guessing Saba.

I hope it'll be as good as BerkelyBoi's Spear and Shield AAR from long ago (when I first came to the EB forums here). It was the 1st AAR I read, and it was amazing.

[penguinking]

I hope it'll be as good as BerkelyBoi's Spear and Shield AAR from long ago (when I first came to the EB forums here). It was the 1st AAR I read, and it was amazing.

Indeed, that AAR was one of the best I've ever read.

[Kuningaz]

Damn it, I get back to the forum after 2 months and the first thing I discover is this!:wall: You just have to start a new AAR yours are the best I ever read.

[Reverend Joe]

Well, I'm sorry this is dead, but in all honesty I think it kinda lost its way a while ago. After Castulo the Elder died, I started to have some trouble figuring out what the whole driving force behind writing it was.

And Chirurgeon, how long do you personally think this empire of yours would have lasted beyond this point? A hundred years, two hundred? Because that's the other problem; the confederacy might have been a viable structure if it had remained in Iberia alone, but by becoming an empire I think they would have realistically exposed themselves to their eventual downfall.

[desert]

Do you stop getting rebellions and pirate attacks if you conquer all provinces and destroy Eleutheroi?

[General Appo]

No. Even if you cheat and take Eremos you still get rebellions.

[desert]

Then nevermind.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

You know you follow somthing for 3 months and then it ends :gah2: well i cant WAIT for your next one Churigon RULEZ!!!!!11

[julius_caesar_the_first]

Well after a six month absence I finally managed to read the whole AAR. Congratulations on creating another masterpiece among your other masterpieces. It was amazing. I'm sorry it ended the way it did.
I already look forward to your next AAR.:beam:

[johnhughthom]

Eb 1.2 has been out a while now, I think it is time for a new Chirurgeon masterpiece.:yes:

[julius_caesar_the_first]

I agree:beam:

[Chirurgeon]

Well I never even made an AAR with 1.1. Might have to leap into 1.2 Things will slow down IRL here pretty soon and I can start another AAR. I am going to play 1.2 for a bit and then prepare to dive in. Hope to see you guys soon!

[Mjolnir]

Well I never even made an AAR with 1.1. Might have to leap into 1.2 Things will slow down IRL here pretty soon and I can start another AAR. I am going to play 1.2 for a bit and then prepare to dive in. Hope to see you guys soon!

Another Chirurgeon AAR? Be still my heart.:2thumbsup:

[Mediolanicus]

Whoohoo!

I'm always in for a read, certainly when it's an AAR that's bound to read like a novel.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

IT SHALL RETURN!!!!!!! WOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!

[HunGeneral]

That sounds good. I personally liked all your AAR til now - and I don't think that wil be different with any you should make in the future.:yes:

[Chaotix]

Awesomeness. Chirurgeon the legend, back for another AAR. I eagerly await it!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nice to hear. Welcome back!

[Silence Hunter]

Awesome AAR! I've just spent two afternoons reading the whole story. In my opinion the first part of AAR, while Castulo the Elder was still alive, was the best. So many intriguing plot twists and background events.

Hope you start your next AAR soon as it's definitelly going to be a good read!

[Chirurgeon]

Awesome AAR! I've just spent two afternoons reading the whole story. In my opinion the first part of AAR, while Castulo the Elder was still alive, was the best. So many intriguing plot twists and background events.

Hope you start your next AAR soon as it's definitelly going to be a good read!

Yes the first part was my favorite as well. Thank you for following. I can say this...you will see some familiar faces in my next AAR :)

[johnhughthom]

So it's imminent then, excellent news. :2thumbsup::yes:

There has been a hole in the AAR section with no ongoing Chirurgeon story, I have had to try to fill it by writing my own.

[Chirurgeon]

So it's imminent then, excellent news. :2thumbsup::yes:

There has been a hole in the AAR section with no ongoing Chirurgeon story, I have had to try to fill it by writing my own.

I have much to catch up on my friend. I have been absent for some time now. And yes its imminent :)

[desert]

Hello there, good sir. Allow me to shake your hand.:shakehands:

[the man with no name]

As far as i know this is the first 1 year AAR ever!!!


:jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop:

[Chirurgeon]

As far as i know this is the first 1 year AAR ever!!!


:jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop:
It was fun and a challenge to do that. The only drawback is that I could only play four turns before writing it up. My current AAR is the same way. Thank you for the comments

[gamegeek2]

I'm certain that MAA has been doing the Antigonids for over a year now.

[Chirurgeon]

I'm certain that MAA has been doing the Antigonids for over a year now.

I think you are right. I haven't checked though. It doesn't really matter your format...its whatever works

[the man with no name]

I'm certain that MAA has been doing the Antigonids for over a year now.

Rly?

[Chirurgeon]

Check out the Antigonid Dynasty AAR. Its probably buried a few pages back...MAAs current epic is a continuation of his first epic. I think he is still using version .81 or something :)