I'm sure most have noticed this started life as a post for the faction progression thread. I loaded my game up today and realized it was a pretty fun setup for an aar. The Sewboz have a decent chunk of territory, but it's not generally well developed. Several of my generals have the seditious trait, the Roman blindsided me with several large armies, and Sauromatae armies are infiltrating my eastern border (they look small but that's because they're filled with horsearchers... :sweatdrop:), while I was barely holding against the Getai. The rp situation is that the Confederacy grew to great size under a charismatic and powerful leader (Heruwulfaz, who conquered most currently held territory personally), but that things have been falling apart since his death (which is pretty much the game situation as well :clown:).
VH/M
bi.exe
no cheats (exception for toggle_fow for a quick screenshot of the minimap every once in a while)
retraining: A province can retrain a single unit in a turn, or recruit a unit, no retraining full armies.
Taxes: Kept at very high in Sweboz core territories to keep that low population feel from early game.
Plus: A small host of rp houserules I've used so long I barely take note of them (for instance, battles under captains are autoresolved).
In 272 the Sweboz were, at best a regional power, but that would change with the ascension of Heruwulfaz. Heruwulfaz led the confederation against neighboring tribes, bringing ever more of them into the confederation. As his people's territory grew, so did his fame, and every tribe conquered eagerly provided troops on the promise of a share in the loot, as well as a share in the leadership of the Confederation for their own rulers. Heruwulfaz would become known as Waldondz Theudom Alaizom, "Ruler of all Tribes". Even many of the Baltic and Celtic tribes became vassals of his, and all across the Confederation and its vassal states mourned when he died in 228 B.C.
Since then the Sweboz have been under the rule of a succession of shortlived rulers, none of whom would gain the fame of their predecessor. Sweboz land and influence would continue to grow, but in fits and spurts, and in recent years their empire has started to crack at the seams.
Neighboring tribes and nations, sensing weakness in the Confederation's lack of a strong ruler, have attacked. In the east the Getai are barely held back, their archers raining death on German troops, while the presence of horsemen with both riders and cavalry clothed in chain on the northeastern borders frightens the garrisons there. In the west the Sweboz border the mighty Aedui Confederation, who have sent scouting parties but not yet attacked. In the south the incessant raids of the remnants of the Romani have forced the current ruler Leubaweniz to strike at the Po Valley in an attempt to prove to the Sweboz vassal states that the Confederation can still protect them, overstretching his forces while the Romani have managed to sneak two large armies into the very lands he sought to protect by weaking the Italians.
Leubaweniz, current ruler of the Sweboz. Accusations of cowardice and weakness have just finally started to fade away after his successful campaign in Northern Italy, but the overstretching of Sweboz resources caused by this campaign may prove disastrous.
Erilaz, a close compatriot of Leubaweniz, has grown covetous of the riches of the civilized cities to the south. He's been placed in Patavium both in an attempt to satiate his greed and to keep a watch on the Celtic vassals nearby.
Young and ambitious, Segumerjaz was granted rulership over the Alpine Celtic vassal tribes in exchange for his service in conquering them. He would like to see his kingdom gain further autonomy from the Confederation, but unable to withstand Roman excursions on his own he's been forced to call upon Leubaweniz for aid, further tying his fortunes to the Sweboz ruler. On the plus side, he's likely to gain Mediolanum out of the deal...
Brandafusaz is the supposed defender of the eastern tribes, and responsible for the Baltic peoples since their last native ruler died. However, he's become tied up in attempted conquests of Getic land, while behind him Carrodunum is sieged by Steppe peoples.
