Restoring the Empire -- a Seleucid AAR

Restoring the Empire

An AAR by Husker98


Here’s the quick rundown on this AAR difficulty settings are both on Medium. I attack no one unless A. they attack me B. they are the enemy of my allies or C. their country is about to get wiped off the face of the earth and I can easily gain territories I want. A couple of quick backgrounds on the story before we enter it, Antiochos Syriakos gave up the crown of the Seleucid empire several years before in favor of a modified democracy, only difference in this democracy is that the ruling body, the Assembly, are all either governors or high ranking military officials, the Seleucid empire is in effect ruled by the army. Rulers are elected by the assembly, the individual elected holds the office of Emperor till death…..and if the assembly thinks he sucks he will be removed by assassination.

I accidentally deleted all of my pics for the first 3 or 4 chapters so we are gunna have to use our imaginations for now sorry.



Chapter one the Reign of Antiochos Syriakos





Antiochos sat on his marble throne deep in thought. The day’s meetings regarding the economic and military situation through out his vast empire had been long and grueling and were set to resume after Antiochos him self had called for a break so that his mind could rest. Antiochos was old despite what his heart and mind told him. His body ached from years of war, and ruling the empire his father carved out in the dark day’s following the death of Alexander the great. For too long he had traded blows with those deaf and dumb Ptolomies to the south, and those Parthian cowards north of Ariana, and he still mentally hadn’t recovered from the horrors of the Barbarian war in Anatolia. The constant flashbacks of the death of so many barbarian men, women and children in that campaign haunted him to this day, his only comfort, that fact that did what had to be done to save the Anatolian provinces of his empire from the same fate he bestowed on those Barbarians. Defeating their “Migration” had earned him the title Antiochos Soter, Antiochos the savior, by the locals. His nickname stuck and his victories earned kept him on the throne, but in a surprise move he relinquished his crown and formed the “Assembly”, the ruling body of the Empire comprised of high ranking military officials and influential governors. He wanted to retire but to Antiochos surprise the newly created assembly begged him to stay on the throne till the assemblies authority was stronger, this was not what he wanted, but again he did what the empire asked of him.

The door at the end of the large assembly room bursted open as the hundred generals and governors filed back in. After a couple minutes the noise and commotion subsided and all eyes focused on the small grizzled grey haired Emporer of the largest empire on the face of the known world.
Antiochos inhaled deeply and spoke “before we took our meal break we were debating on what we should do with our extreme north eastern provinces, namely the provinces of Sogdiane and Dayuan, the army is overextended and in some regions non-existent making the provinces difficult to defend against the rising power of Saka Rauka, and those rebels in Baktria, as well as those cowardly Pahlavians. Are there any reasons why we should keep control over these satrapies?” There was a second of several different men giving their opinions before Antiochos raised his hand and all noise ceased. “General Achaios my old friend you are in command of the army of northern Ariana you would know the situation better than any of us please share your experiences”. Achaios, a slender old man covered in scares, stood and croaked “ I have fought Pahlava for decades now and with the arrival of the nomadic Saka Rauka I fear these Satrapies cannot be defended by what few men I have, nor can they defend themselves.” “thank you for your advice Achaios, any opposing opinions?”. “ I do my lord!” a man in the far back jumped to his feet with frown upon his face. “Dammit can’t we all agree over something without someone having to dispute everything? This would all get over quicker” Antiochos muttered under his breath as the man with the frown, Cassandros, royal treasurer and overall manager of imperial finance began to speak. “ Losing these provinces could put a dent in our expected tax revenue in northern Ariana and maybe even cut agricultural produ….THEIR A BUNCH OF NOMADS YOU IDIOT!! THEY HAVE NOOO MONEY IN WHICH TO PAY TAXES AND HERD GOATS FOR A LIVING” roared Achaios from across the room silencing Cassandros immediately and awakening Antiochos who had dozed off. Cassandros, stunned by Achaios sudden interruption sat down promptly as his ears turned bright red.” Well I think that settles it gentlemen the satrapies of Dayuan and Sogdiane are to be abandoned and their garrisons transferred to Achaios’ command at Antiochea-Morgiane, any objections?” The room stayed silent, either because they all agreed or because they feared that Achaios may rip their head off, either way with that issue resolved Antiochos could move on too more pressing matters at hand.

“ Our next order of business gentlemen again regards the troubled satrapies of northern Ariana to inform us of the issues there General Achaois will have the floor.” Achaios rose and slid through the seated generals into the isle and trotted down the isle steps to the wall just too the left of Antiochos, there a gigantic mural map of the know world was brilliantly embedded in the wall. Antiochos repositioned himself in his seat so that he could see what he knew would be a fast and furious presentation. “ Alright” Achaios barked “ my current situation is currently bleak, the army of northern Ariana is a bunch of untrained garrison troops that should never see a battlefield. We are confronted with a serious threat in the Pahlavains they have been busy the past couple years raising new forces and conducting raids against Asaak and Zadarakata. A year ago I rode out to confront a large band of Pahlavians, I hired some local mercenaries to help me persuade them to go home. What I thought was a large raiding force was actually a siege force that attacked Asaak. Luckily before I could arrive that arrogant goat Nessos and his men killed them all. Upon my returned home I constantly received reports of sightings of Pahlavan military forces maneuvering near our border for the next year. I request the creation of an actual army to combat what I think will be an immanent invasion.” With that Achaios walked back to his seat. “Thank you Achaios” Antiochos said with a nod “ let us vote on the creation of a new Army of Ariana. All those in favor raise your hand and say aye, those not in favor remain seated.” The majority, roughly 70-80 men stood and raised their hands while saying aye. “the measure is passed I am appointing Achaios to oversee the creation and training of this army.” “And on too our last bit of business, while we are on the subject of the creation of armies lets discuss the creation of the army of Syria. We voted to create this army in our last session, how is it coming along?” Phillip, the strategos responsible for the training of the army of Syria was a tall scrawny man with dark black hair and a sunken face, he stood and spoke. “We have had success filling the ranks, seven Phalangitai battalions and two Cavalry have been formed and are currently undergoing training, we are currently recruiting the poor to fill our skirmisher battalions consequently cleaning up the streets of Antioch my lord.” Phillip than promptly sat down as Antiochos spoke. “ Impressive but not good enough we need that army to combat the Ptolomies in Sidon and Tarsos NOW. These towns are within a weeks marching distance of Antioch and must be captured to negate the Ptolomies any chance of linking their Anatolian provinces with their Syrian ones, this is their goal and we must stop them understood?” “yes my lord we will double our efforts” replied Phillip. “You had better have this army ready by next campaign season or you will be replaced” Antiochos growled. Antiochos didn’t like this man, he looked lifeless and appeared to have no motivation in life other than to be a pain in Antiochos arse. Antiochos had designs for an invasion on Judea and southern Anatolia, but this moron’s inability to gather and train sufficient fighting force had put his plans on the shelf for at least another season or tow, he had hoped to be able to appoint a commander of the army today but that will have to wait till next assembly.

“Unless there is some other form of business I may have overlooked I believe we are done here gentlemen may the gods bless your families, your troops, and our empire.” with that the assembly stood and filed back out of the assembly hall back outside with Antiochos in toe. A beautiful sunset was shrinking in the distance as Antiochos gazed out over Babylon, the second capitol of the empire and home of the assembly, Antiochos strolled along gazing upwards admiring the pillars that held the roof high above him and enjoying the breeze that blew lazily through the building winding through the pillars and people. The building had been constructed several years ago at his orders to house the newly created Assembly, it was a tall building mimicking the Parthenon in Greece except that the internal chamber was considerably larger. The building was conveniently positioned only a short walk away from his palace in Babylon which was good given his achy joints made walking to far nearly impossible. “Where is the Emporer!!!” Cried a voice from among the crowd. The cried snapped Antiochos out of his trans and focused his attention on a young man running towards him, the man was clearly an imperial courier as he was dressed in light leather armor and a shinny bronze helmet upon his head. “Sire I bring news from Zadarakata!” the courier gasped. “What news kind of news courier?” “War sire the Pahlavans have besieged and taken the city my lord.” Shock overwhelmed Antiochos temporarily, he couldn’t believe it. Yes Acheios had just warned them of the situation there but not during his reign he hadn’t actually lost a city to these sub humans. “Courier bring me general Acheios….NOW” “Yes my lord” and with that the Courier ran off into the crowed searching for Acheios. Antiochos stood stunned, beside himself with rage and sorrow, he couldn’t understand how Pahlavans, a nomadic people, even had the technology to wage siege warfare let alone take a city of like Zadarakata with a garrison of 1400 men. General Acheios had arrived maneuvering in between the crowded pack of people surrounding the Emperor. “What is it my lord?” croaked Acheios. “Zadarakata has fallen to Pahlavians.” hissed Antiochos. “So I have heard my lord shall I ride back to my post to gather a retaliation force?” “Yes Acheios I would do that and I would leave now, and when you get there I would execute whoever you left in command because 1400 imperial troops are dead and an imperial city is currently being raped by mindless barbarians!!” The entire court spread amongst the pillars instantly fell silent, their gazes and worried looks now upon Antiochos and Acheios. “Go….NOW…and bring me the head of the infidel who captured the city and don’t return until you’ve done so.” “Yes my lord it will be done.” with that Acheios turned and jogged with his senior officers and body guard out of the shade of the complex into the fading light of the day.

Interesting and not bad at all.

I suggest using significantly more paragraphs in you narrative. The way it is now it's very hard to read.

Keep it up.:2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by I of the Storm

Interesting and not bad at all.

I suggest using significantly more paragraphs in you narrative. The way it is now it's very hard to read.

Keep it up.:2thumbsup:

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yea sorry bout the current format ill change it quick thanks for reading

Dude thats an awesome start to an AAR. I play AS almost to the exclusion of other factions, so this is gripping for me. Please keep it up! You'll have at least one reader. :)

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Originally Posted by Tudhaliya

Dude thats an awesome start to an AAR. I play AS almost to the exclusion of other factions, so this is gripping for me. Please keep it up! You'll have at least one reader. :)

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Thanks for reading! the AAR will take off soon story wise ALOT happens in the reign of Antiochos on my campaign, it was under him that we had our "Glory years" militarily and financially.

Chapter Two
Revenge

backround This chapter is about the Campaign of Nessos in northern Ariana and the third chapter focuses on the newly created army of Syria and it’s siege of Tarsos in 268 B.C, it will be out tomorrow. The year is 268 B.C. The last assembly was 270 B.C.

Taking Zadarakata

Nessos anxiously wiped the sweat from his brow, as he anxiously looked out over the developing assault of Zadarakata. He had roughly 1500 men under his command and the Pahalava had only maybe 300 but it wasn’t the battle he was worried about, it was Achaios. Nessos new he would be on his way back from the assembly that met every five years, and also knew he would not be happy with him since he was acting commander of northern Ariana and had let this mess happen. It’s not like Nessos could have stopped it, the Pahalvians had launched a well coordinated offensive and he and his men at his headquarters in Asaak had barely been able to beat of an attack on that city as well. Nessos out of his own pocket hired mercenaries and called upon the Hekatompylos Garrison to assist him in retaking the town. They had been here for nearly a year now and Achaios had not arrived yet, thanks mainly to ambushes by bandits and other disgruntled locals, these attacks had lead Achaios to campaign against them for the past two years, thus buying Nessos precious time. But Achaios had successfully defeated these bandits and was now, according to Nessos’ scouts, only day’s away from his siege camp, this information lead him to accelerate his plans and assault the city today, instead of next week.

The siege was going alright considering the majority of his men were levied militia, not professional soldiers, these men only carried a wicker shield and a spear. His forces had managed to break down the gate and were now fighting in the streets against Pahalava cavalry and archers. The battle had been raging for the better part of the morning and noon would soon upon them. Nessos was located near the Gate looking down the street at bloody battle that was developing; the Pahalavan warlord was a brave and skilled leader instructing his men and fighting viscously at the same time. This warlord was the only reason he hadn’t taken the town earlier today. At that moment Nessos saw him, the Pahlavan warlord, in all his glory riding into battle with his armor glistening I the sun and wielding a mace, beating down and killing Nessos’ men effortlessly. “Commander” shouted Nessos. “Yes sir!” replied his second in command Alexandrios. “Give me your bow”, “Yes Sir!” Alexandrios and Nessos both dismounted and walked through the gate. Alexandrios handed him the bow and stuck a couple arrows in the ground for him. “Not necessary” Nessos thought to himself “this will all be over in one shot”. Nessos drew and steadied himself as he slowed his breathing. He was an excellent archer, he had commanded Archers and Cavalry for Achaios serving him admirably and earning him the command he currently had. But this Pahalavan threatened to destroy everything he had worked so hard for. Nessos released his grip and closed his eyes for a split second. When his eyes opened he saw the Pahalavan General with Nessos’ arrow protruding from his cheek, the Pahalavans actions ceased and he fell from his horse. Nessos’ men quickly pounced upon the fallen general. The Pahalavans men, shocked by their leaders death, fought hard to regain his body but to no avail as Nessos’ men held the line. The battle ended a short while later with the slaughter of the entire Pahalavan force. Nessos and his victorious army then spent the rest of the day cleaning up the mess. They carted off the bodies of the dead into two different mass graves, one for the Greeks, and one for the Pahalavans. They accomplished their tasks and Nessos rewarded his men with all the wine and food they had left in their supply train. Nessos had the party thrown in the town square, the only space able to accommodate his remaining 1100 men, he too was drinking heavily with his commanders and enjoying a beautiful night under the stars. He knew from experience to enjoy it now because the morning sickness was going to be terrible….

Nessos was awoken the next morning to the cold feeling of water on being dumped on his head. He jumped up quickly, maybe to quickly, and hit his head on the low ceiling above him and fell as quickly as he stood back into his bed. “good morning General Nessos” growled a familiar voice. The hairs on Nessos neck stood on end and he quickly knew who it was, he turned his head to the voice dizzily to make sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him. It wasn’t. Achaios himself stood above him, he had bags under his eyes and was filthy with dirt, it was apparent he had rode non stop to reach Zadarakata.
“Good morning my lord please excuse my present state we celebrated deep into the night.” “Its noon General and any commander with an ounce of intelligence would have been on guard for a Pahlavan relief force” barked Achaios. Nessos slowly slid out of his bed and onto the cold stone floor in front of Achaios and stood in attention fearing the worst. “The Emperor wants me to execute the commander who I left in command and this city fall into enemy hands in the first place, but since you managed to retake it I will let you plead your case.” Nessos despite his hangover immediately recited what had happened the past year and a half. “I was attending to my duties my lord when the Pahalava launched and attack on the cities of Asaak and Zadarakata , we believe it was anattack that was years in the making and a desperate attempt to break our frontier defenses.” Achaios appeared to be listening as he paced back and forth with his head down. So Nessos continued, “ me and the garrison of Asaak sallied forth and narrowly defeat our assailants running them into the river and drowning them, I than with my own money hired mercenaries and called upon the garrison of Hekatompylos to help me retake Zadarakata. They complied and sent 1000 men and we spent the last year besieging the town, we took it just yesterday my lord.” Achaios had stopped, Nessos held his breath awaiting his superiors verdict. “You did well Nessos considering the lack of quality troops, and resources you had at your disposal. ill let you live this time, but if you embarrass me like this again general I will not be as forgiving.” Nessos exhaled as Achaios left the room with his body guard, Nessos followed him outside into the bright sun, he squinted his eyes as they hurt painfully. He looked up at Achaios who had mounted his steed, “what are our orders sir?” Nessos squeaked. Achaios looked down at him and growled “ refill your ranks with what ever locals you can find, train your men hard Nessos. Funds from Babylon will soon be at your disposal and I want you to raise an army, an army that will put these Pahalavans back in their place.” Nessos stood stunned as Achaios and his entourage rode off through the city gates and out into the horizon.

Very good so far ill be following this:beam::beam:

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Originally Posted by Mr.Man

Very good so far ill be following this:beam::beam:

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Thanks for the comment! all that read feel free to post what ever you would like to know about my faction or any questions you may have. i'll have pictures for this AAR once we hit the year 265 B.C.

Chapter 3
Tarsos
268 B.C.

The past year had gone to fast for Arrhidaios Syriakes tastes. It seemed like it was only yesterday he was peacefully in his home watching his children play, and enjoying the everyday tasks of running his border town. How he was now dressed in full war regalia and at the head of the 2100 man army of Syria was beyond him. Arrhidaios had been named general of this army by Antiochos not even a season ago, he had been tasked with the capture of the Ptolemaic port town of Tarsos. Arrhidaios looked out over the small plain in that stood between his army and the town. There where no physical traits worth noting just nice peaceful grass flowing in the gentle breeze. This was prime Phalanx maneuvering space and Arrhidaios knew it. Arrhidaios had chosen this ground because his agent in the city had managed to warn him by way of a currier pigeon that a surprise attack on his camp would be staged today. Arrhidaios guessed that the garrison knew that no reinforcements would be sent to relieve them, this made the enemy more dangerous, they would fight like rats trapped in a corner. His agent had informed him that the enemy garrison intended to assault their main camp early in the morning, just before sun rise. Arrhidaios looked to his left, very slowly he could start to see the first tiny ray’s of sunlight peek over the horizon. He looked back towards the town anxiously, had he received faulty intelligence? Maybe it was counter intelligence by the enemy? Arrhidaios could only guess, but in the mean time he intended to make sure his troops were ready. He rode down the rear of his line inspecting his positions, seven Phalanx units made up his front line, archers supporting them from behind, and two cavalry units on his flanks. At that moment Arrhidaios saw the first signs of life he seen all morning, a flaming arrow streaked from the city towards their lines and the city gates flew open. The enemy troops spilled out at an alarming rate, “ Men! Prepare for battle!” Arrhidaios screamed. As Arrhidaios spoke his men lowered their pikes and began marching in their trademark Phalanx formation towards the enemy. The Ptolemaic troops, wielding only spears and oval wicker shields, stopped in their tracks stunned that the enemy was ready for them.

Arrhidaios rode at a distance behind the centre of his main line, the enemy had formed a long line in response to enemies being prepared. “Halt!!” screamed Arrhidaios. The order echoed up and down the line as the Phalanx commanders stopped and steadied their men. “Let them come boy’s, let them run upon your spears.” The Ptolemaic troops ran screaming at the imperial line, their officers at the front urging them on. The Ptolemaic garrison hit the Seleucid line just as the sun rose over the horizon, the initial impact of the charge failed to faze the green troops of the phalanx line. Dozens of enemy troops ran themselves upon imperial spears, many were just pushed upon the phalanx spears as the rest of their units caught up with the main troop. The battle was a pushing match, Ptolemaic troops tried using their shields to block the blows from imperial troops while their comrades attempted to find a gap in the spears, some even tried to crawl underneath the spears but were impaled. Arrhidaios sat on his horse patiently, waiting, the Ptolemy’s had no cavalry in which to over their flanks. They where sitting duck’s, waiting to be surrounded and slaughtered. “Captain Aeropos!” Arrhidaios shouted. A young skinny man on a white horse rode towards him at full speed. “Yes my lord?” Aeropos shouted over the noise of battle. “Take command of the Cavalry on the right flank, I’ll take command of the left, when you see me and my cavalry charge their right flank you ride on their left, understood?” “Yes my lord!” Aeropos screamed as he turned and rode down the line. Arrhidaios turned and rode left at a gallop with his guard. The wind blew through his cheek plate onto his sweaty face, it felt amazing. He quickly arrived at his destination, a hundred cavalry stood at attention. “Men!” Arrhidaios screamed, “follow me!”
The cavalry men cheered as they urged their rides forward into the direction of the chaos of battle. Arrhidaios had his horse galloping at full, a long line of cavalry behind him screaming. His heart was pumping in his ears and he could hear the deafening noise of his cavalry behind him. He looked across the body of Ptolomies and spied Aeropos riding hard with his cavalry towards the Ptolomies as well, Arrhidaios raised his sword and screamed “No mercy!” The Seleucid cavalry slammed into the Ptolomic flank, they rode over several enemy troops before they were slowed by the sheer number of enemy men. The Ptolomies broke dropping their spears and fleeing back towards the city in headlong retreat. Arrhidaios and his men gave chase, as did the imperial phalanx dropping their spears in favor of their axes and swords running down the fleeing enemy. Arrhidaios was getting ready to call off his cavalry as they were getting close to the city gate, but to his astonishment it flung open as the enemies few survivors ran inside. Arrhidaios capitalized on their foolishness. “Ride! Ride men victory is ours to take!!“ Arrhidaios and his cavalry rode head long through the gate before the enemy could shut it., running over the gate keepers and the retreating men in the process. Arrhidaios looked back at his men raised his sword and screamed “VICTORY!!!”

Great AAR ! Can't wait for the next chapter ! :charge:

Oh, a Seleucid aar! Awesome! I just love these. So many aars going on in the forums, they are all so hard to keep up with that i have to read them at work... when i should be working! keep writing! Good stuff so far!

thanks for the comments guys! sorry i havent put out a new chapter i've been sick here lately ill get back to work :)

Nice AAR dude. Also i agree you have to got your paragraphs, into more paragraphs, that way it's easier to read.

Chapter 4
Crossroads
267 BC
Location: Babylon

Antiochos sat slouched on his throne in the assembly room. Another days meetings in the brilliant marble room had yet again bored him. Little bothersome things like piracy, bandits, and plague rumors had wasted his morning again for the second straight day. The real work began shortly when he and his military advisors from each of his military sub satrapies would discuss the developing battles on the two fronts of war the empire was waging. The military advisors were more receivers of information rather than advisors, they would gather the battle field reports and messages from the commanders in the field. These men were basically the nerds not cut out for front line service but still had powerful aristocratic bloodlines so they could not be allowed to just be thrown away in battle. The military meetings always happened once every five days and they were the most important to Antiochos. The large door at the end of the chamber swung open and the advisors filed in their armor glistening and their tunics spotless, all six of them slowly walked over to the nearest bench and sat together.

Antiochos looked into the faces of all of them and then looked towards the large rectangular hole in the roof that provided them ample sunlight. He could see the deep blue sky far above him and felt the hot humid Mesopotamian summer surround him, he sighed. “Gentle men it’s a beautiful day and im sure you want to enjoy it with your families so lets get started.” The commander of the military satrapy of northern Ariana may have the floor. A small, squat , and balled man named Parmenion hopped of the benched and waddled out into the center of the circular bottom floor of the assembly amphitheater. He cleared his throat and took out a role of parchment and began reading in his almost unbearable squeaky voice. “ the news I have from my satrapy my lord is good the Pahalava have ceased all offensive operations and have returned to the desert for now. On a more unfortunate note my lord I am sorry to inform you that the army of northern Ariana’s commander, General Achaios, passed away.”

Antiochos heart sunk and he hung his head. Sorrow overwhelmed him but he maintained his composer and raised his head. “How did this happen?” “He died in his sleep my lord, the army physician believes the cause of death is to be blamed upon old age” Parmenion squeaked. “Understood any further news commander Parmenion?”, “there is not my lord”. “We shall mourn the passing of a great leader and friend in our usual Makedonian custom following this meeting, but lets continue shall we?” Antiochos croaked, that had been difficult to say Achaios was his right arm in Ariana and in the eastern empire in general. “General Nessos will be promoted to general and given command of the army up there and his first order is to improve his cities defenses and increase border patrols, and have Achaios body moved to Babylon for burial.” Parmenion nodded his head and scribbled on his parchment furiously, he finished quickly and bowed before waddling back to his spot on the bench and sat down.

“Advisors of the military satrapies of southern and western Ariana now have the floor.” Both men stood, they were twins, both of them were tall black haired and scrawny and young maybe in their mid twenties. Korragos and Ariston were their names but Antiochos could never tell who was who. The man who Antiochos thought was Korragos strolled into the middle of the floor and spoke “ Me and my brother are pleased to inform our lord that our military satrapies are quiet and peaceful but well defended.” with a bow the young man turned and returned to his seat. “The usual news from those satrapies I pray to the gods it stays that way.” Antiochos muttered “ The advisor from Syria may now have the floor.”

A short yet well built blonde middle aged man that went my Philotas stood and walked out onto the floor with several scrolls of parchment, he unrolled one and began reading loudly “ After the successful capture of Tarsos by Arrhidaios and the army of Syria, the army marched back to Antiocheia to assist the garrison in defeating some minor Ptolomic forces. The army spent the better part of the of the summer organizing for an offensive against the city of Sidon. They besieged the town last fall and are currently there now.” Philotas paused as he fumbled with another piece of parchment before continuing. “ Arrhidaios also reports that he has redeployed the Phalangite garrison in Damascus to Antiocheia to help defend the their supply line and the city. We have also received a report from a local governor Syria that these Phalangites have with out orders , destroyed several mountain villages in the north eastern corner of the Ptolomic province of Phoenicia as they marched to Antiocheia.”

“Wait” Antiochos interrupted “What destroyed villages? Why were these men even in Ptolomic territory?”.
Philotas looked through the parchment reading furiously before speaking. “ According to the local governor some farmers near the border saw smoke on the horizon, they went to investigate and discovered a small village on fire. The governor also reports that he and a small detachment rode to the village to discover men women and children killed in a gruesome manner, he also writes that he toured several other villages and towns massacred in a similar manner. He goes on to claim that they have a survivor in custody that claims it was imperial troops that committed the atrocities. The governor is asking that we take action against the acting commander of that force. The governor nor I know why those men marched through there and I have no confirmation if they even did sir.”

Antiochos sat in deep thought, this was a disturbing development, the massacre could have been attributed to bandits. But if it imperial troops who committed the act he would have to take action. “They have a survivor who may not be a reliable source, this survivor is a citizen of the enemy, for all we know these massacres could be just a string of bandit attacks. Inform the governor that we will need to see more evidence, and to transfer his prisoner to Babylon along with any other he may find.” Philotas was writing on a clean piece of parchment furiously as Antiochos spoke. “As for Arrhidaios inform him that I am pleased with his current progress , taking Sidon will go a long way towards forcing the Ptolomies to sue for peace. If he does not receive any envoys from the Ptolomies with in a season of his capture of Sidon than he is to campaign in Judea immediately. That is all Philotas” Philotas still scribbling quickly nodded and walked back to the bench.

“The advisor from the military satrapy of Babylon may now have the floor.” A slender tall young man stood as Antiochos spoke. The slender young man had a beard and looked similar to Antiochos, that was fine by Antiochos because it was his son, Theodoros, his boy had been given this job to test his administrative skills. “There is no news from this satrapy father” the boy spoke as he took his seat.
Antiochos nodded and looked to his last advisor, Laomedon, a tall yet well built middle aged man with brown hair. “Laomedon the floor is yours” Antiochos yawned. Laomedon stood and walked to the center of the floor looked at his parchment and began reading “ There is very little to report my lord just occasional pirate attacks on our merchant vessels and some Galatian bandit problems near Ipsos , other wise all quiet in Anatolia” with a grin and a bow Laomedon returned to his seat.

Antiochos looked up through the rectangular hole out side, the sky was still a brilliant blue. Antiochos despite his being troubled by the passing of a good friend and potential atrocities against innocent people still wanted to enjoy the day. “ Gentlemen” Antiochos spoke “ you have done well, for those of you with orders for our field commanders get them deployed immediately and for those of you with out enjoy your day I will hold you no longer.” The six men stood and bowed before filing out of the room, leaving Antiochos sitting silently on his throne deeper in thought than before. He sighed and lifted himself from his throne, he stood a moment enjoying the silence surrounding him. He slowly walked over to the exit mulling over what he intended to do with his free time. Antiochos could go play his flute, eat a bit, go ride his horse, or stroll around the palace and be a arse to whomever he wished. And on top of all that he still had to decide which concubine to play with tonight. Antiochos smiled as he opened the door and spoke to him self “ why not do all of them?”. he chuckled to him self and walked off into the beautiful Mesopotamian Summer.

I like this AAR. Keep it up.