The world according to the Koinon

About AI-behaviour in my current Koinon Hellenon campain

Hello everybody,
while playing the incredibly beautiful modification EB 0.8 with really deep enjoyment and pure thankfulness, I would like to join the network of scientists, who are examinating the behaviour of the AI-factions in the game. Anyway, this here is goinig to be a lot of text. I don't post it into the faction-progression thread, because I don't want to annoy anyone with a text-monster.
The idea is as follows:
Every ten years in my current Koinon Hellenon Campain I will turn off the Fog of War and carefully watch over the progress or degress of every faction for one entire year, trying to create a short summary for every nation. Then I'll turn on the fog again, play on, and see what happens ten years later. To show you, what I mean I'll post the first cut, the history of the year 262. If some of you out there are interested in what I'm doing, I'll update soon. So, here we go:

Edit: Overhauled the complete first cut while getting more familiar with using the english language in my writing.

https://img256.imageshack.us/img256/162/hafensp9.jpg

Mod: EB 0.8
Campain: Koinon Hellenon on VH/M as recommended
House Rules: Don't declare war / Assasins only against assassins / No retraining / No reloading / No Blitzkrieg but slow and careful progress


First cut: The year of 262 BC:

https://img260.imageshack.us/img260/...orls262yh7.jpg
The world in spring 262


History of the Koinon so far:
In the first years of the campain, a continuous struggle against Macedonia took place. Koinon conquered Korinth and lost Athens, then retook Athens. Also Crete was taken from the rebels. Then Koinon took Dalmatia and the Eleutieri-Town Thermon. Finally conquered the isle of Mytilene.

While marching on Dalmatia with my main army, a strange thing happend: Almost the whole Macedonian garrison, about 15 Units, left the town and retreated to Pella, leaving the macedonian faction heir in town as easy prey for my king. For several years then this huge army is chilling near Pella doing nothing.

The complete World-Cronology of the year of 262

Aedui:
Spring: The confederation of the Aedui-tribes hold three regions in northern gaul, currently besieging Bratosphorios. They have lost mediolanum to the romans. These brave but often considered as a little bit narrow minded people are still at war with Rome and also with the Avernii. They will probably have a hard time in the near future.
...into Summer: The besieging of Brathosphorios ended in a catastrophy. Eleutheroi Power has caused a serious setback for the Aeduean cause. But nevertheless: A ceasefire with mighty Rome is confirmed.
...into Autum: Hullahup! Brathosphorios is under siege again, now with two armys and a chance of success.
...into Winter: Despereate Brathosphorios-Eleuteroi managed to beat back the Aedui again.
...into Spring: Backlashed Aedui lick their wounds and silently prepare for the years yet to come.

Avernii:
Spring: The Avernii-tribes hold four regions in gaul, including the formerly independent greek colony of Massilia. They are at war with the Aedui and Sweboz (and Pontus, because of their Galatian brothers and sisters in Minor Asia). Peace with mighty Rome is still holding but for how long?
...into summer: Avernian forces layed siege on the Eleuteroi town of Aventicos. But the army seems to be far too weak.
...into autum: Aventicos is still under siege.
...into winter: The siege of Aventicus is given up, wouldn't have been successful anyway. Minor battle against rebels is lost.
...into spring: Silence and undisturbed village-life inside Avernii-borders.

https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/...tuationso3.jpg
Situation in Gaul

Casse:
Spring: The notouriously gloomy Casse-Tribesmenship is still reduced to their capital, surronded by mighty independents. They are still at cold but compassionate war with the Sweboz. To their infinite shame they had one crushing defeat against Eleuteroi in 269.
...into summer: Minor military operations occured in homeland territory.
...into autum: The Casse Faction-leader enters rebel territory, but his forces are hopelessly small.
...into winter: A seriously strong Army with three family members lay siege on neighbouring Ictis, which is defended by huge bunch of seriously angry Eleuteroi-forces.
...into spring: Siege lingers on

Sweboz:
Spring: Still sitting in their strongly garronised Capital, with a huge army led by the king in the south of the region, the fierceful forest sneakers of Sweboz-Confederation are still a frightening rumour in the rest of the world. They are at war with the Casse.
...into summer: No news from deep Germania.
...into autum: Everything keeps quiet.
...into winter: No news.
...into spring: While Roman children are often forced into their beds by a thrilling Sweboz-story, the original foresters still hang around, waiting for their time to come.

Getai:
Spring: Still in their original Region, the brown barbarians of future Romania are surrounded by strongly protected rebel-stettlements, who are even more barbarious than them. They are at peace with everyone but those noisy neighbours.
...into summer: A minor rebel force was crushed by Gatain forces.
...into autum: Getai-Thanksgiving is celebrated in peace.
...into winter: Recovering from thanksgiving.
...into spring: Peaceful times for the Geatai. But who knows, what their gloomy gods may have in mind for them and the rest of the world.

Romanii:
Spring: The young but highly aggressive Imperium is expanding rapidly fast. SPQR conquered the whole italian peninsula except the Epirote Taras, which they are currently besieging. Also the hold whole northern italy, besieging Segestica with a strong legion. They are at war with Epiros and the Aedui. Still allied with Quarthadast.
...into summer: Peace with the Aedui is proclaimed. Avernia must tremble now. The sieges of Taras and Segestica are continueing. Near Rome, a small army is sent on a fleet(!) What could those guys have in mind?
...into autum: The fleet is still enharboured. Segestica-Independents breake the siege and push Roman forces back to northern Italy. But the next army eagerly awaits its turn. Taras is still under siege. Remarkable Roman forces cross the Alpes, heading for the Avernii beseiged Aventicos.
...into winter: Roman forces are beaten out of Taras Region by brave Epirote. Epiros remains in Italy. In the alpes, the struggle for Aventicos goes on. Now it is besieged by a Roman army. The fleet goes for sicily but unfortunately forgot to carry the army with it.
...into spring: More forces are sent into the area of Aventicos. One ist violating Avernii territory. What will happen to those poor gauls?

https://img185.imageshack.us/img185/...orth262bm4.jpg
Greedy northern expeditions of the Romanii

Quarthadast:
Spring: The mighty Phoenicians hold the whole african coast from Tingi to Leptis. They didn't progress in spain and sicily so far. They have no borders with Ptolemaiian Empire yet, but are obviously interested in Kyrene. Quarthadast world traders wisely kept peace with everyone but rebels.
...into summer: No news from Africa.
...into autum: Breaking news: Sicilly: Quarthadast lays siege on strongly garronised independent-town of Messalia.
...into winter: Quarthadast army now left the walls of messalia for sieging Syrakus. But the old Tyrant rules over strong defenders and the Phoenician forces seem to be not powerful enough for this proud hellenic metropolis.
...into spring: Iberian forces are reinforced with Quarthadast elite-troops by boat. Strong army roaming in Iberian rebel territory.

https://img331.imageshack.us/img331/...cily262ae5.jpg
Situation in Sicily

Lusotanii:
Spring: Still reduced to their original homeland, the Lusotanii live their simple but joyful lives. Two medium armys are on the loose in northern rebel territorium. No war so far.
...into summer: A small force is leaving Quarthadast territory, so that the peace may last.
...into autum: No news.
...into winter: Icefishing in the mountain-lakes.
...into spring: Still wondering, what those strangly perfumed people from africa could have in mind.

Hayasdim:
Spring: The mountain-goats of Minor Asia now hold two settlements, because they managed to conquer Kotais from the Independents. No other war so far.
...into summer: No news.
...into autum: Hunting season. The king is amazed and amused.
...into winter: No news anyway.
...into spring: No news, feeling comfortable with sweet mountain life.

Saka Rauka:
Spring: Hideous Saka-Nomads form the deepest and moste wasted wastelands of the known world went south and took one rebel-settlement there. Now they have borders with bactria. Their army is probably the weekest in the world. To their luck, nobody knows that and peace with the hellenic intruders is lasting, although two small saka armys are violating the territorium of those arrogant greeks just for fun.
...into summer: Minor military activitys.
...into autum: No news.
...nto winter: No news due the lack of military. The Saka Forces have left Bactrian Territory.
...into spring: Saka Rauka are slowly building up their forces, grimly awaiting the tasks of the future, when stampedes of horse-archers will loot the rich and civilised hellenic colonys, which now feel so save.

Pahlava:
Spring: Still reduced to their two starting regions, the grandchildren of mighty Kyros, Xerxes an Artaxerxes are baking small breads for now (as we say in Germany). Slowly they build up their still weak army in Nisa. They are in big trouble because merciless and giant Arche Seleukeia declared war on them.
...into summer: A small force of the Arche is crushed on Pahlavii Homeland. Arsarawakarazz!!
...into autum: Another small gang of Arche-intruders is hunted down by Pahlavii Forces. Arsarawakarazz again!!!
...into winter: Trouble's increasing. A defeat against a small Arche army North of Kia is no good news. Another, seriously bigger Seleucid invasion-army seems to march with direction Pahlavia.
...into spring: Pahlavii main forces finally arise from Nisa to defend their homeland against the evil Arche Seleukea. May those wastelanders live forever!

https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/...aarisesax4.jpg
Pahlavia arises against the Arche

Sauromatae:
Spring: Western wastelanders conquered one settlement so far, now holding 5 regions. They are at peace with everyone but those Eleutheroi.
...into summer: No news.
...into autum: The Sauromatian faction leader ist travelling westward into Eleuteroi- Territory.
...into winter: Travelling on, reaching the border now.
...into spring: Those foreign lands seem frightening, so the faction leader retreats.

https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/...atia262dc2.jpg
Sauromation Wastelands

Sabaean:
Spring: The notourious inhabitants of deepest Arabia still hold their homeland-province, which is surrounded by strong independents. They are only at war with them.
...into summer: No news.
...into autum: Sabean Army slowly grows.
...into winter: Still building up their forces and dreaming of a future of (camel)milk an honey.
...into spring: Dreaming on.

Ptolemaoi:
Spring: Diadochii-war with equally strong arche seleukea is on the loose. The self-proclaimed followers of the great Ramses conquered 4 regions so far. They are increasing their power, wisely keeping peace with everyone but the Arche Seleukeia.
...into summer: A mighty Ptolemaian Army is operating near Seleukean Antiochia. Arche does not dare to atack it.
...into autum: Small Ptolemaian Armys sneak around weakly garrionised Antiochia. The big one goes eastward into the mountains.
...into winter: Avoiding to meet the Arche. Only minor military operations.
...into spring: Still sneaking around preparing for the incredible battles to come.

Arche Seleukeia:
Spring: Diadochii-war with nearly equally strong Ptolemaian superpower is on the rampage. Arche Seleukeia lost one region to someone in the past, but obviously reconquered it. The kollossal Empire also fights against weak but brave Pahlavia.
...into summer: Several military operations, but nothing decisive happens.
...into autum: The Arche Seleukeia seems to have no real concept to deal with Ptolemaian tactics. Nothing remarcable happens. Are the rumours true, who describe the great Seleukos and his followers as the "mentally disabled Mammouths of the east?"
...into winter: Aggression against Pahlavia, no actions against small ptolemaic forces.
...into spring: On goes the Pahlava-invasion, but resistance is arising from Nisa.

https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/...sorwarsuz5.jpg
The confusing business of sneaking around eachothers toes

Pontus:
Spring: Small kingdom of pontus holds two settlements incl. the former rebellish town of Nikaia. These hillbilly hellenes are fanatical hating their gaulish neighbours in Ankyria, so their symbolic war with far away Avernii will probably go on for ever.
...into summer: Evolved speeches on galatian stupidity are performed by minor philosophers on pontic augoras.
...into autum: Pontus has trouble fighting small rebel-forces. One defeat on Home-Territory.
...into winter: No remarcable news.

Baktria:
Spring: Far out hellenic colonists conquered one settlement so far, hold 4 Regions and sent strong armys on the way into the unknown east. No war with anyone.
...into summer: Fairytails of the hideous Saka-Rauka, who seem to be half man, half horse, are performed by professional travelling storytellers. The success in unbelievable.
...into autum: Hoho! A seriously big bactrian Army violates Seleukid Territory. War may be the result, that would be very dangerous for the Arche. Meanwhile another force progresses into eastern territory, direction independent Taksashila.
...into winter: The Bactrian Army definetely threatens Alexandria Ariana. War seems to be inevitable. Maybe a hope for Pahlavia.
...into spring: Still no war, but how long will the dull but mighty Arche ignore those provocations.

Epiros:
Spring: The Epirotan League didn't conquer or loose any settlement. Epiros is allied with the Koinon Hellenon. Faction-Leader Pyrrus stands on the coastline with his strong army for several years, staring desperately across the sea and waiting for a ship to bring him to italy. But no ship came yet. War with Rome and Macedonia is going on.
...into summer: The legendary Pyrrus smashed an army of daring eleuteroi into tiny little peaces. Maybe this coincidence will wake him up.
...into autum: No, it won't, not this autum.
...into winter: All of Epiros is chanting hurray, because finally great Pyrrus started moving. His target seems to be Serdige, an Eleutheroi Town in the Northeast. Pyrrus already has left Epirotean territory.
...into spring: Now the second main Epirotean army is marching northwards too! What's happening up there? Koinon spys will carefully watch the doubtful movements of our hellenic „friends“.

https://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9803/tarasjr7.jpg
Taras under serious pressure

https://img278.imageshack.us/img278/...sappersxx9.jpg
Pyrrus disappears...


Makedonia:
Spring: The successors of the great Alexander experienced seriously bad times, loosing everything to the Koinon except pella. They have been a strong and dignified enemy in the first years. Then they retreated from Delmatia with their main military forces and remained passive from that point but refused peace with the arrogance of the clincally depressed. They also are at war with Epirus.
...into summer: No news.
...into autum: No movement.
...into winter: No news. Desperately awaiting the final the forces of mighty Koinon King.
...into spring: Still waiting, but yet not for long.


https://img256.imageshack.us/img256/...inon262dg1.jpg
The Koinon Hellenon in 262



So, I hope, this was not too boring. As I said, if someone is interested, I'll soon post another cut, examinating the history of the year 252. This mod is so deep and beautiful, I just don't know how to thank the developers for their skilled voluntary work.

Sincerely, yours Quirinus Kuhlmann

Thanks again QK. Enjoyed the faction report. :2thumbsup:

i'm impressed ya mapped all that its useful for the coding to see where their supposed to go.
Romans expand so much faster then most its kinda disappointing
strangely enough me as the Getai and then the Averni have them at a bottleneck in my current name, both of us holding a city on the PO

Very interesting scientific approach! with a nice humouristic description style ;)

What this shows clearly is the dumbness of the AI. It also shows, thanks to your way of putting every thing in perspective, how this dumbness can actually create interesting events, like the Parthian "guerilla resistance" against the mighty AS...

I'll be reading the next one with interest :)

Thank you for the positive feedback. I'll update this one before next weekend. Some of the smaller AI-Factions seem to proceed a little better during the last years. Already I'm looking foreward to turn off that fog of war again.

Now here comes the second part of this tiny scientific project. Getting more familiar with the use of screenshots, I added some more of them this time. I hope you like it and hereby give you a warm and humble welcome to...

The Cronology of the world according to the Koinon Helenon Pt.2:

The Year of 252

https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7861/hafenjm6.jpg

Prologue: What has happend to the Koinon during the last ten years

As the years went by, times of struggle and warefare came upon the potentially glourious confederation of the greek poleis. In 260 our former „friends“, the Epirote League, declared war on us without reason. But since the Koinon is controlled by a caring, godlike human entity (me), those probably not even greek traitors could be beaten back to where they belong. After one heroic victory in the mountains of former Macedonia the Epirote capital Ambrakia was easy prey for a Koinon-army led by two young and
doubtful characters. The young king himself, who is beyond all doubt, then whipped the main forces of the enemy whith calm compassion in the battle of Tylis. Civilisation will soon be brought into this no longer barbarian settlement. Now, in spring 252, epirus is reduced to two minor regions on this side of the adria and their stronghold Taras in Italy. Koinon owns the greek mainlands from Ambrakia to Byzantion and our real goal, bringing culture and freedom to the greek settlements on the coasts of the black see, which are ruled by ridiculous tyrants by now, could be taken care of in the near future. But also Italia could be a possibility.

But now let's have a look on those peoples, who are not caressed by human craftsmanship, who are led by this merciless demiurg called „artificial intelligence. Let's have a look on...

The rest of the world in the year of 252

https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/...p252jpgtk7.jpg
The world, Spring 252

Casse:
Spring: The Casse Tribes are still in a humble situation. Whole Britannia lies there, ready to be conquered, but guardened by incredibly strong independent lunatics. Casse family members sit there inside their hometown of Cassemorg, discussing plans and trying to improve their weak army. They feel comfortable in their hatred against phoney Sweboz and Aedui, whith whom they are at a cold but fierceful war.
...into summer: Still Britannia lies there...
...into autum: ...to be conquered...
...into winter: ...but is guarded by incredibly strong indpendent lunatics.

https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9609/cassesh1.jpg
Casse in Spring 252, the humiliating memory of 269 still alive in their minds


Aedui:

Spring: The glory of the Aedui-Confedereation decreased a little bit during the last years. Still at war with the Avernii, they didn't manage to kick the indignified asses of those worthless homunculi, who bowed their knees to the arrogant inhabitants of the italian peninsula. Exhausted by the successless struggles with independ towns like Bratosporios, their forces are weaker then they used to be.
....into summer: Oh holy beard of Belenus! Aedui-Confederation marchs on Bratosporios again!
...into autum: The probably fifth siege is layed on Bratosporios. Or was it the sixth. The king does not really remember.
...into winter: The siege goes on. But trouble arises in the south. The fallen Ex-Gauls from Avernia seem to plan something big. Three armys at the borders make it feel uncomfortable to be a free gaul these days.

https://img85.imageshack.us/img85/94...osagainnh4.jpg
Bratosporios one more time, summer 252


Avernii:
Spring: The glory of the Avernii-Confederation decreased more than a little bit during the last years. That's because their king fearfully decided to be a humble klient to the Roman Empire. Many lifes are saved due to this decision, but every single head and beard of independent gallia has been shaken in disbelieve, confronted whith those news. Also, their continuous war with at least independent Aedui is on stagnation, maybe because of shameful head- and beardbanging troops.
...into summer: Beardbanging goes on.
...into autum: Serious troop movement onto rebel-town Tolosa.
...into winter: This movement only has been a trick. Now all the Avernii forces are gathered at Aeduan borders, maybe to feed the history of this so called war with a little blood finally, so that Avernii people would forget about being Roman marionettes at least for a while.

https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/...nvasiongd8.jpg
Avernii forces (hopefully) prepairing for invasion, winter 252


Sweboz:
Spring: Notorious Sweboz Forest Berserks are of an unfriendly kind and therefore at war with Casse and Avernii. But because the are still sitting in the legendary „village with the long, long name“, upon which barely no foreigner has ever put his trembling eyes, this war keeps being cold. Hope is extracted out of one mighty sweboz army, operating against mighty western eleutheroi.
...into summer: Sweboz main army destroys a small rebel-band near the capital. Meanwhile in the south, a seriously bigger force from Gawjam Silengoz spams swebian territory. Maybe the chance to put a spell on this now quite defenseless village?
...into autum: No. Eleuteroi retraeted again. And Sweboz gather round their capital.
...into winter: Due to roman expansion into the north, those strong Eleutheroi seem to be no longer enemys but protectors of our fierceful forest berserks.

https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/...llworldyg1.jpg
THe small but precarious world of the mighty foresters


The Roman Empire:
Spring: The Roman Empire finally is starting to looke like a real empire. Proving a filthy kind of utilitarianism, Roma stopped the glorious war against the Epirote League, leaving Taras to them and concentrating on expansion into the north. Forcing servile Avernia into Clienty Roma now controls not only Segestica and Aventicos, but incarcerated into two more northern settlements. Also, it has no enemys but the Eloitheroi by now. It seems like, that the only forces, who could stop the Roman expansion, are the mighty, but still allied forces of Quarthadast and this tiny traditional-hellenic powerhouse called the Koinon Hellenon.
...into summer: Roman peace in the north of italy. The Empire keeps on boasting with its incredibly strong armys in the area.
...into autum: Roman lust for north expansion arises again. From Segestica, a full army besieges the village Vindobona. But, haha. Vinobona-rebels are of a brave kind and destroy the well-shaved intruders. But for Roman forces, this backlash unfortunately is a minor one.
...into winter: North expansion becomes incredibly strong. What the hell do the romans look for in those strange little villages. Maybe take a bath in the north sea? But whats that? A Roman Full army is put on a fleet near arretium. Only a few miles away from the phoenician isles. Will Quartadast Empire finally be betrayed?

https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/...pansionqf3.jpg
Imperium Romanum invading the north in autum 252


Quarthadast:
Spring: The Phoenician Empire is still on a good way. Beloning to the four super powers of the world, they expand in every direction. In Iberia they now controll the rich Mineur-Town of Sucum-Murgi and have borders with weak Lusitania. In Sicily, they conquered Messalia and shipped in a powerful army, to take care of the mighty Syrakus. Alliance with Imperium Romanum should soon be an issue of the past an nobody knows what will happen then. But the real thrilling news are as follows: Megalomaniac Quarthadast leaders have declared war on the equally mighty Kingom of the Ptolemaii. In the far east of the Empire, serious armys are marching onwards Kyrene. Notourious sand wars take place in our times.
...into summer: Invasion of western Ptolemaiea proceeds....
...into autum: ...and makes a break for a little picnic in the desert.
...into winter: ...this desert seems to be comfortable. On the other side of the world, Quarthadast forces become busy in Iberia.

https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/...siciliaey2.jpg
Sicila 252

https://img80.imageshack.us/img80/35...tpicnicij4.jpg
Picnic in the desert, autum 252


Lusitania:
Spring: Those guys are earthbound farmers of a really peaceful kind. Living in harmony with their neighbours, they are truly wondering, what these strange merchants from africa are doing in the neighbourhood all the time. Nevertheless, if someone would dare to bother mighty Lusitania, his corpse would not leave the iberian peninsula in one piece (said the King during his last speech on the market-square of Oxtraca)
...into summer: Holidays.
...into autum: Harvest time.
...into winter: Time for thrilling ghost-storys in front of the warm chimney.

https://img86.imageshack.us/img86/5964/lusitaniafp0.jpg
Meanwhile down at the ranch


Sabaeans:
Spring: Still threatened in between serious independent kingdoms, the Sabae made a serious improve, because the people of the town of Merou decided to rebel to their side. This is, however, what rumours say. Maybe Sabaean ecomomy now is able to pay for troops to ged rid of the rebellish neighbours. But maybe the new neighbours, those strange eggheads, who call themselves Ptl 'eh Me'yau, will cause trouble in the future, because Sabean alliance with their nemesis, the Sel 'oi 'kayau pisses them off.
...into summer: Minor military operations.
...into autum: Troops gather near the capital.
...into winter: Something is going to happen! Whole forces left the capital, to go on war with eleutheroi.

https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/...nuprisepx5.jpg
Saba uprising, winter 252


Saka Rauka:
Spring: The Leader of the red eastern steppe nomads still proclaims in every speech, that one day Saka horse-archer-stampedes will rule the world, or at least whip the asses of those arrogant miscplaced greeks in the south. But every ordininary nomad and nomadess from the tent next door knows: Saka rules only exist due to the laziness and desinterest of mighty Bactrian empire. Its probably not worth the money to conquer those endless infertile steppes.
...into summer: No news.
...into autum: Sheep-shaving season.
...into winter: Horse-shaving season.

https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/...baktriatg3.jpg
Badly made satellite picture of Saka Borders, spring 252


Baktria:
Spring: Bactrian Kingdoom is on the rise. While war with the arche was finally avoided, Bactrian controll was put upon Gava-Haomavarga and the empire definetly puts his nose into the east, where, as the travellers say, the world ends in a big black gap. But between Bactria and this gap lay the rich exotic towns of Sulek and Takashila. Two mighty bactrian forces will hopefully take care of them in the near future.
..into summer: Bactrian forces are defeated by a seemingly strong invisible enemy near Gava-Haomavarga. Stagnation at the eastern frontiers. Bactrian diplomat threatens the Arche.
...into autum: Bactrian diplomat threatens on.
...into winter: The invisible enemy strikes again. No other news to be reported.

https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/...kashilaik7.jpg
Baktrian forces, expressing, that they could have Takashila, if they only wanted to.


Pahlavaa:
Spring: To the big surprise of the hellenic world, those strange purple people of the east managed to do well in their desperate war against the endless monolith of the Arche Empire. Feuilletonists still discuss, if the reason for this is to be searched in Pahlavi trickyness or the commonly known stupidity of Arche Leaders. Nevertheless: Pahlava managed to bite the town of Antiochea Margiane out of the soft belly of the successors.
...into summer: A small Phalavii-force seems to be interested in the weakly garrisoned Arche-town of Asaak.
...into autum: Minor troop movements.
...into winter: Purple people wait for the enemys, who may come. They feel well prepaired and so they are.

https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/...iempiresr2.jpg
Pahlavii Kingdom on the rise (possibly)


Arche Seleukea:
Spring: After being humiliated by pahlavian dwarf empire, Arche Seleukea is in an uncomfortable position. Still leading a world war against uprising ptolemaian powers and threatend by bactrian neighbours, decisions have to be made. And really: While the ptolemaic newspapers speak of the „collapsing brainless elephant from Antiochea“, a more than frightening Arche Army led by a decent nobleman lays siege upon the key town of Tarsos, trying to divide Ptoly-Kingdom into two peaces. Meanwhile in Zadrakata, the Arche Faction Leader sits there and asks himself, why his face looks so...Phalaviesque...and who his real father might have been. Maybe someone from out there in the purple wastelands of the enemy?
...into summer: Oh incredible shame! The battle of Tarsos is lost, the decimated stack retraeted. But in Mesopotamia new hope arises, as Arche now lays siege upon the town of Seleukeia, that has been robbed by those stinky pseudo-pharaones.
...into autum: Ups and downs of sucessor wars! A great victory in a huge battle at the gates of Antiochea one the one hand, the inbearable shame of being kicked off the walls of sweet home Seleukeia on the other hand. But in minor parts of the world, the Arche acts quite smart. The weak Eleuteroi mountain settlement of Phraaspa is besieged only days before the arrival of a Hai Army, that had the same idea. An Asaak is reinforced.
...into winter: Oh filthy customs of war! A nobleman of the Arche is killed near Jerusalem by a notorious ptolemaian master-assassin. Revenge will be sweet as the girls of still occupied Seleukeia. Tarsus is besieged again.

https://img174.imageshack.us/img174/...leukeiayo7.jpg
Sweet Seleukeia will be ours again

https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/82...eleaderqu8.jpg
King of the Arche wondering about his roots

Ptolemaii:
Spring: Ptolemaian Kingdoom looks back upon two victorys against rebels in the far west, now owning the desert citys of Augila and Kyrene. But maybe these could have been Pyrrus-style victorys, because they called those patheticly bad-perfumed banausii from Quarthadast into the country. Maybe they could bring the uprising aegyto-greek super-power into real trouble, because Arche Seleucea is no teethless tiger too. An Tarsus...uhhuh.
...into summer: Tarsus hurray! Brave defenders defended bravely. And a full army operates near Antiochea again. But uhhhuh, the desert provinces, and my, my, Seleukeia. Nevertheless, this „rotten kingsize-bubblegum of an empire“ (Alexandria-Times) will be defeated.
...into autum: Yes, the ups and downs of warfare. This one is going to last really long. Meanwhile, the Quarthadast desert-picnic is carefully whatched by a strong defensive army.
...into winter: „Drunken seleukid playboy killed while swallowing fishbones. Worthless accusations by the Arche. Our great Pharao: Tssk,tssk, Fishbones, hoho.“ (Alexandria times) But, uhu, poor and brave Tarsus again.

https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/...sorwarsps3.jpg
The battle of Antiochea (Pharaos forces gonna loose)


Hayasdim:

Spring: Hai nobility still leads a life of hunting, fly-fishing and Eleutheroi-strangulating in their beautiful mountains. The town of Mtsketa is still not in their hands, but the garrison their seems to be seriously weakened. Times of glory and power however still lay in the future.
...into summer: And the future still is quite foggy.
...into autum: Whole Arche Seleukeia and certain hai dissidents laugh at the delayed Phraaspa expedition.
...into winter: Life punishs them, who are delayed.

https://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5982/haidelaij2.jpg
Hai delay


Pontos:

Spring: The tiny Kingdom of Pontos is celebrating victory in this times. Reason: Finally the extremely important town of Sinope is freed from filthy „independent“ tyrannis. Now Pontic wealth can be improved by see-trade with the Koinon Hellenon, and maybe, yes, maybe those hygiennically questionable and hairy guys in Ancyria can be led to new tasks inside the Pontic mineur-business.
...into summer: Gaul-hunting season is opend. The pontic main force goes Ankyria!
...into autum: Hussa! Ankyria is surrounded, but strongly defended.
...into winter: No more hussa! Nearly whole pontic army is crushed by the galatian sword. But this will be not the last world to be spoken according to this issue.

https://img226.imageshack.us/img226/...sgalat2xz4.jpg
THe main pontic army at the gates of dawn


Sauromatae:
Spring: The by far biggest of the nomad- federations seems to be calm an peaceful in the last years. But whatch out, hellenic tyrants of the coast. Sauromatian military has increased, gathering in Tanais and increasing the bloodthirst by celebrating gloomy dinner-partys of extreme intensity, where no greeks are allowed.
...into summer: Still party time.
...into autum: No time for hangover...
...into winter: ...when you gonna be drunk again anyway.
https://img239.imageshack.us/img239/...bordersvl3.jpg
Sauromatae borders


Getai
Spring: Neighbouring the great Koinon-Epirus wars, Getan forces did well to take hands on the town of Serdike. Now the brownies from behind the seven hills have two regions under control, still divided by the Eleutheroi-stronghold of Naisos. Getan diplomats sat themselves on the right horse, as the are on war with Epiros and allied with the Koinon People, who seem to be in touch with the gods of fate.
...into summer: On vacations.
...into autum: Sometimes it's wiser to do nothing but to act.
...into winter: Who knows what will be, will be....

https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8052/getaigo2.jpg
Wintertime behind the seven hills

Epiros:
Spring: The last ten years have been a dramatic period in the History of Epiros. In the beginning they invaded the barbaric hinterland with great success, led by their legendary King Pyrrus. Then they freed Taras from Roman threat, using two big armys, which all of a sudden simply appeared out of the blue. But, as Pyrrus died somewhere in the mountains (nobody knows where or how), megalomanic and inexpierienced leaders made two fatal decisions: Ceasefire with Rome and war on their greek brothers from Koinon. The results of that smeary betrayal are as follows: War is nearly lost, and unthreatened Rome starts to be a superpower that, one day, could put an end to the freedom of all hellenes from Bactria to Athens.
...into summer: A huge Epirote army is thrown into the adriatic see by Koinon Hellenon. Oh shame.
...But ho! Another full stack appeared in Italia, meant to give a thrill to Rome, but refuses to. Oh shame on that decadent greeks again.
...into winter: Hrm. Strong Koinon forces dicovered near Epidamnos.

https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/...sepirusja7.jpg
Epirote Army ready to be thrown inside the adria by mighty Koinon

Epilogue:

As times passes, the hellenic culture of Koinon seems to create characters of highly evolved doubtfulness. A good example is this brave general, who seems to start a serious career as a dirty old man at the age of only thirtyone. Look at his traits and look into his eyes, and you'll see what I mean:

https://img446.imageshack.us/img446/...7154064vs7.jpg

Generally, a hard decision is made: Epirus will be wiped off the greek mainlands. Maybe then they are forced to go on war with Rome. The black sea tyrants must wait. Their time will come anyway. And if Rome should try to expand into greek territory, we prefer to fight them back by ourselves.
So, now it's time to lay that foggy curtain upon the surface of the world again.


https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/...nempiretg2.jpg
THe Koinon mainlands, winter 252

Hope you enjoyed. Merry Christmas to all of you,

yours Quirinus Kuhlmann

That was a lot of fun reading QK! Great work! Don't tire yourself out too much - we want to see how it all ends, but I'm afraid when the patch gets here you will want to start a new one with it instead.

This is planned as a slow and long run, so I'm shure, that you'll be much faster in creating the patch than me in in progressing with this campaign. Hmm. If the patch provides serious changes according to AI-behaviour, maybe it would be interesting, to replay the campaign to the point, where it's gonna be then, and then analyse the changes of situation for the factions.

This was great reading, I love the style, keep it up! Theres alot of humor in there too, which is great.

So, here is the third part of my little excursion into the world according to the people of the Koinon Hellenon. Our subject now ist the year of 242, a year, which is hopefully going to be quite thrilling, as I noticed, when I turned off the fog of war a few minutes ago. I'm forced to write that in a hurry, because I'm eager to play on. So, here we go:

Cronology of the world in 242

https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5765/hafener0.jpg

Epilogue: Short summary of Koinon-Activitys during the last ten years:

As told in the last chapter, the Koinon King proclaimed the task to throw all remaining Epirote-forces on this side of the adriatic sea into the very same, reducing Epirus to Taras and forcing them to finally go on war with Rome again. But after the western General in Charge, a certain Ponponios Hyperteleatos, took the town of Epidamnos, he decided to take a long rest and concentrate on his duties as supervisor of women in the local Gymnasion. So Epirus still holds Dalminion, but isn't a real danger for us anymore.
Anyway, the King, sitting far away in Tylis, was not too interested, because his firstborn son came of age and he wanted to show the world to him. So a big expansion projekt was emerged onto the tiny tyrant-ruled poleis around the pontic sea. Though fiercefully defended, Kallatis was conquered by a Koinon Elite Army led by our king. Then the kings son celebrated his 20th birthday and so his time finally came. Aided by an elderly general, the young prince victoriously crushed a fierceful Eleuteroi-Army near Chersonesos and added this settlement to the other free members of the Koinon. But then he made a big mistake. Left alone by his grown up apprentice, he conquered the proud city of Pantikapeion and was not accepted by this traditionally independent people at once. Grown up in the village of Tylis and not able to respect and deal with the complicated culture of a real polis, he got mad and simply put those equally free greeks to slavery. Now it's a big surprise to him, that everybody, including his father, hates him for acting like that. Anyway, he's going to be a great man in the future.

https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/...bumpkinte5.jpg
A Country Bumpkin'...

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/4...bumpkinkz4.jpg
...sometimes does not know how to behave..

Meanwhile in minor asia, brave people of Halikarnassos made a revolution against their tyrant and joined the mighty Koinon by free will. Unfortunately mighty Arche Seleukeia only waited for a good reason to declare war on us. Now Halikarnassos is under Arche-siege and our Faction Heir finally has to put an end to his comfortable life in Rhodos. Aided by the first unit of spartan hoplites he is going to show our new relatives from Asia Minor, that they are welcome in the happy family of the Koinon Helleon.

https://img201.imageshack.us/img201/...nhoplityj9.jpg
Here they are at least:

But now let's have a close look an the rest of the world:

https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/54...rthwestth2.jpg
Map of the northwest, Spring 242

Casse:
Spring: Since the youth of now greybearded King Barae the history of the Casse-Tribes was a never ending story of fights against the neighbouring independents. Monuments of shame and honour are spread around their beloved hometown, ready to be watched by visitors from all over the world. But because of those damned pirates ruling the sea, nobody comes, and so Casse keep on struggling in splendid isolation, dreaming bloodful dreams of conquering at least only one more settlement on their craggy, unexplored island.
...into summer: They dream on...
...into autum: and on..
...into winter: and on.

https://img201.imageshack.us/img201/...edreamska8.jpg
Casse dreams

Aedui:
Spring: If the reports of Koinon-spys are true, Aedui besieged Bratosporios for the 6th, 7th and 8th time during the last decade. But because they always overestimate the skills of their troops, the besieging armys were always to small and Chief Caradog, Major of Bratosporios is declared as best Eleuteroi-wall-defender of all times by the United Organisatin of Local Despots (UOolD). Aeudi tried also to gain control of Avernia-ruled Vesontio a few years ago but were pushed back . Meanwhile far away the gaulish inhabitants of Segestica bravely stood up against the mighty and evil SPQR, trustfully offering their fate to the Aedui-Confederation and now waiting for troops from Central-Gaul to come and protect them. But until now, no single Aredui-warband showed up at the horizon.
...into summer: The 9th siege is layed on Bratosporios, but this time a huge reinforcement army marchs onto the town. Caradog is not amused.
...into autum: Reinforcments hide in the forest, not reaching the town yet.
...into winter: Because of the bad weather, reinforcements retreat to Aedui Mainland, leaving the 9th Bratosphorios besieging force alone in the snow. Caradog in fact now is amused.

https://img404.imageshack.us/img404/...ssummerho1.jpg
Bratosporios again

Avernii:
Spring: Ok, true, the Avernii tribes are now adressed as „homunculi of the red pomaded beard-shavers from over the hills“ by Aedui-Druids for over one decade. But anyway, they live a quite peaceful life as client-kingdoom of the Romans, calmly improving their military and economy. No need to expand northwards, as Roma probably would not like them to become too powerful. Some old warband-members may still shake their beards, but the young party people of Massilia are startig to shave them instead. Lets hope, that Roman greed will be satisfied in the north for a little bit longer, so that Massilia youth can party in peace for a while, laughing about rumors of smelly Aedui-intruders, who are easily pushed back to where ever they might belong.
...into summer: Huge campfires on the beach of Massilia.
...into autum: Still nice campfire-weather.
...into winter: Indoor parties.

https://img405.imageshack.us/img405/...ongholdqg4.jpg
Avernii-Stronghold

Sweboz:
Spring: As told in the last chapter, the independent forest-tribes surronding the notorious warlocks of the north are no longer enemys but protectors of the Sweboz Tribe, because of constantly intruding Roman legions. But that may soon become an issue of the past. Gawjam Hattoz is nearly in the hands of Aemilius Blasio, and a guy called Gaius Iustus Scipio is on the loose with mighty forces, willing to be called "Scipio Swebicus" soon by his phoney Roman friends in the Senate. Gloomy Sweboz warcraft will send him to his ridiculous gods anyway, shold he try to walk on.
...into summer: By the hammer of Thor, trouble emerges, because Gawjam Hattoz fell into the smeary hands of that Blasio!
...into autum: By now that Romans seem to keep calm. So do the Sweboz.
...into winter: No attacks or defeats yet.

https://img85.imageshack.us/img85/74...zsummerzp2.jpg
Roma ante porta westfalica

SPQR:
Spring: The rapid expansion of SPQR in the far north didn't go on as rapidly as it used to during the last decade. The further the expensive legions intruded, the more fierceful and hostile the enemys became. And, to make irritation complete, stupid barbarians in Segestica threw away Pax Romana and revolted to some powerless gaulish cretin-confederation. That was enough for the senate to make a certaind decision. Guys like Gaius Iustus „Swebicula“ Scipio must now think twice, before they hire another warband for their so called „legion“. The decision was one of the most earthshaking decisions in the history of world so far. SPOR finally started the first punic war.
No longer will the Safot Softim bQarthadast be the only power to conquer rich Sicily in front of the noble-grown noses of Roman noblemen. War is declared and Messana is besieged. Sicily will be Roman or it will be not at all.
Also these annoying greeks in the south can no longer feel safe. Rome already sent a provocative army into their small but well-protected territory. Maybe Epirote tradition in Italy will be cut soon.
...into summer: While the victory of Gawjam Hattoz is barely noticed by the senate, real roman war machine marchs southwards, threatening both Greeks and Phoenicians.
...into autum: Minor backlashes: In the northeast a legion is destroyed by Eburonum-Independents. The siege of Messana wasn't succsessful due to brave Qartadast-defenders. Still no war with Epirus.
...into winter: Because of the influence of Gaius Iustus Scipio, the Senate decided to put priority in nothern expansion again. Lucky Epiros, lucky Qartadast.

https://img156.imageshack.us/img156/...salpinawp6.jpg
Northern part of the Empire

Safot Softim bQartadast:
Spring: Wise Qarthadast Leaders managed to stop the silly sand-wars against the Ptolemaii a few years ago. Unfortunately they forgot to call back their armys, so that hostility with the aegypto-greks could break out again at any time. In Iberia they took the town of Arse and in Sicily they reinforced their troops. Then Qarthadast art of diplomacy was executed on the great stage of the global playground. Roma declared war on the Aeduii? Ok, next year Qarthadast declared alliance with those poor northern buggers, just to annoy the arrogant Romans. And finally it worked. Finally Rome betrayed „poor“ Safot Softim. Oh how sweet the revenge will be, oh, how unbelievably elephantesque the celebrations will be, when finally the huge temple of mighty Baal will be inaugurated right on top of that capitol-hill.
..into summer: Alliance with Epirus is declared, while huge Qarthadast armys march along the african coast to join the punic war.
..into autum: Siege layed on Emporion in southern Iberia. Reinforcements for sicily are delayed. Still no sand wars.
...into winter: A march onto Syrakuse could bring the hegemony for the Phoenicians on Sicily next year.

https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/...ywinterxg4.jpg
Sicily situation in autum, after pushing back Roman intruders

Lusotanii:
Spring: While their allied Phoenician neighbours start to act as real global players, the peaceful bull-fighters of Lusotania keep on keeping on with their joyful village life. Nobody disturbed them in the last 30 years, and so it could go on, if you ask them.
..into summer: Bull-stinging season.
...into autum: Calf-training-time again.
...into winter: Cattle must be brought into shelters.
(No screenshot nessesary)

https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/...apsabynpt8.jpg
Map of Arabia, Spring 242

As'Sabyn wal'Jau:
Spring: The last decade would be remembered as the years of the great breakthrough of the conquering lions from deepest Arabia. The towns of Carmanc and Tarna finally had to surrender to brave Sabyn 'Jau forces and now are facing a great future as nucleus of an uprising desert empire. But on the other side of the red sea, at the shores of the nile, betrayal is committed by the inhabitants of Meroe. For reasons, that will stay in the dark, they kicked out the Sabyn garrison and proclaimed independence again. Revenge will come over them like a conquering lion from deepest arabia.
...into summer: Several 'Jau forces on the loose in the desert on both sides of the red sea.
...into autum: Desert exploration.
...into winter: Strong forces march onto Sabata to enlarge the Jau-powerhouse.

https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/...aempireyn1.jpg
Sabyn 'Jau on desert expeditions


https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/...rtheastno1.jpg
Map of the north-east

Saka Rauka:
Spring: Still hunting the evil steppe-rabbit with their compound-bows, which are beyond compare, the Saka Tribesmanship stays where it is. Every few year spys return form Bactria whispering the three words („still too strong“) into the hairy ear of the king.
...into summer: „still too strong“
...into autum: Minor Saka forces leave their hometowns.
...into winter: Minor Saka forces sneak around the settlement of Gava-Saka.

https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/...kasneakna4.jpg
Saka sneaking around Gava-Saka

Baktria:
Spring: The Bactrian policy of provocating the allied Arche Seleukeia to declare war is at the heap. Two big blue armys are trampeling down Arche vegetable fields near Alexandria Ariana. How long will Arche Seleukeia stay calm? The Bactro-Seleuceian alliance seems to be inofficially in tatters by now.
...into summer: Retreat of the big blue armys. Maybe a trick?
...into autum: ...but maybe they are interested in Pahlavia instead.
...into winter: Two armys stand near Pahlavii-borders now.

https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/...retreatjv1.jpg
Baktria retreating from Arche, picking on Pahlavia?

Pahlava:
Spring: No territorial progress or degress in the waste land. But King Phraotes developed the army, supervizing the training in his honourable person himself, as you can see below.
...into summer: Spy-stories of a huge Arche-army at the sothern borders came to the ear of the King.
...into autum: The arche force disappeared, but purple alert is kept up by Phraotes.
...into winter: Bactrian wars are a sincere possibility for the near future. But Wastelanders are prepaired.

https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/...rainingpx8.jpg
King Phraotes gang of wasteland-juggernauts


https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/...ellenicpc4.jpg
Map of the central hellenic world

Arche Seleukeia:
Spring: Ups and downs for the still mighty Arche Seleukeia: Finally they got hold onto Tarsus and so managed to cut Ptolemaian empire into two pieces. On the other hand, Ptolemaians got hold of sweet Seleukeia and Damaskus, so Arche empire is also cut into two peaces. The real winner of the great sucessor-wars so far seems to be the rest of the world.
Also Arche is stagnating in the Pahlavii-whipping-projekt and constantly picked on by the Bactrians. To declare war on the mighty Koinon Hellenon in such a precarious situation could be the overture of a tragedy beyond description.
...into summer: Halikarnassus is besieged, new hope at the Pahlavii-borders.
...into autum: Halikarnassus is now an Arche town. But from the sea, a Koinoin army appeared and layed siege on it. Maybe that war was not a good idea. Victory against Ptolemaians at the gates of Bostra.
...into winter: Halikarnassus is lost again. A new inner-greek war will rise on minor asia. Just to piss off the Koinon, Arche allies with their new Sauromantian neighbours.

https://img214.imageshack.us/img214/...abostrakr8.jpg
The enclave of Bostra

Ptolemaii:
Spring: Now that Tarsus is lost and borders to the minor asian parts of the empire are cut, one could mean, that Ptolemaian gods had chosen another peoples to watch over. But wrong! The subjects of the „Pharao“ are doing quite well in spite of that painful defeat: They won the first sand war against the Qartadast, reconquering the lost Kyrene, they still hold the great Seleukeia and they took Damaskus, another key-town formerly owned by the „megalomaniac mammouth from Mesopotamia“, which seems to be seriously wounded by now. Meanwhile, sea trade with asia minor is doing quite well.
...into summer: With nearly 60000 inhabitants Alexandria is for shure the true center of the world.
...into autum: Minor defeat against Seleukids at the gates of Bostra. But nothing serious.
...into winter: Still there is an annoying Qartadast force at ther gates of Kyrene. But peace has to be kept, till the Arche is sunk.

https://img247.imageshack.us/img247/...eatradeti5.jpg
Glourious Ptolemaian sea-trade

Hayasdan:
Spring: The Hai-delay in Phraaspa ten years ago was not as bad, as it looked like, because Seleukeian allies didn't take the town too. Now it is starved by an unprotected Hai-family-member and will surrender or sally next month. So maybe we'll see Hayasdan Empire grow soon.
...into summer: Heyho! Hai crushed a rebel-army near Mtskheta, crossed the bridge and layed siege on that town. Two armys perfectly worked together, fulfilling that task in a brillant way!
...into autum: Phraaspa seems to be the Hayasdan Bratisporos. Siege is broken and layed once more. More hope in Mtskheta, which is threatened by a real army.
...into winter: Mtskheta is ready to be picked from the tree of Hai-glory.

https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/...summer1uz3.jpg
Pepairing....

https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/...summer2wo1.jpg
...to cross the bridge....

https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/...summer3tq6.jpg
...and take the town.


Pontus:
Spring: Pontus has, to put it simply, seriously entered the club of hopeful middle powers in the last years. Finally the pontic forces managed to put an end to gaulish druidism in the centre of the hellenic world. Ankyria-Druids are very occupied in pontic mineur-business now. Also the town of mazaka fell to pontic power, so the the former hillbilly-hellenes now seem to be the greatst power in minor asia.
...into summer: Threatening armys are removed from the Koinon-borders. What are they in charge of?
...into autum: Who knows?
...into winter: Pontus seems to be interested in the independent town of Trapezus. It is stronghly defended, but anyway, Pontus whipped the gauls too.

https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/...usnovusuf9.jpg
Pontus-Novus

Sauromatea:
Spring: Sauromateans seem to be satisfied with life in the giant eastern plains, that they controll. Anyway they have unwelcome new neighbours now. The strange „Kunn'On“ greeks led by a badly reputated man called „the oil-eating slave-trader from tylis“ by local greeks is now in charge of the colonists of Pantikapieon. The Sauromateans, who are passionate slave-traders too, will superstitiously watch over the new concurrent.
...into summer: Finally, Sauromatean forces are trying to expand. Siege is layed on the town of Gelonus, probably to sell the inhabitants to the Kunn'On.
...into autum: No news, siege goes on.
...into winter: Gelonus is in Sauromatean hands now. Those Kunn'On greeks were not interested in the inhabitants, but the ones from Sul 'Uk 'Ja bought them all.

https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/...omautumkd3.jpg
Threatening Gelonus

Getai:
Spring: Nothing new behind the seven hills, but hmm. The Getan ceasefire with epirus and constant activities of Getai diplomats in front of Koinon Poleis are at least a little bit irritating. But they probably won't dare. Won't they?
...into summer: Won't they?
...into autum: Not this autum.
...into winter: Getan army marchs on independent Singidunum.

Epiros:
Spring: Epirotean luck seems to be in tatters due to the mighty Koinon. Actually they hold the rich mineur-town of Delmatia, which could be easyly taken at anytime and the italian enclave of taras, which is protected by the last two great Epirotean armys. Now, that the Roman koloss gets more nosey in the south, maybe war is inevitable, and for Epirus it will be a struggle for bare survival against an overpowered enemy.
...into summer: Mighty Roman war machine is gathering at the borders, so an alliance with the new friends from Qarthadast is thankfully accepted. Oh, the future is dim in this times!
...into autum: Phh, Roma didn't attack yet, and Epirote forces stay in guardian-mode.
...into winter: Oh, it's a good feeling, when the pressure decreases.

https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/...nsummerxr3.jpg
Epiros situation in summer 242 (looks worse, than it is)

Epilogue:
This was the year, Koinon was involved in the struggles of minor asia by accident. Halikarnassos was won by rebellion, then lost to the Arche-Kataphractoi and then won again. We just couldn't let those Halikarnassos people alone, who wanted to join us at free will. Now we are in trouble, now we have to deal with that trouble, and we will. Who knows, what will be. See you soon, when the fog will disappear again,
yours Quirinus Kuhlmann.

https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/...soslostlc1.jpg
Lost Halikarnassos

https://img405.imageshack.us/img405/...cartoonqx1.jpg
Reconquered Halikarnassus with premiere of Spartan Hoplites

https://img166.imageshack.us/img166/...edtarasxs0.jpg
Slowly Civilization process in Tylis with still barbarian market (where the king's son grew up)

A fascinating thing to read, and a most evocative depiction of the events taking place on your campaign map. I'm looking forward to further tales!

What can I say? Perhaps you would be to make it movie!!!!
Congratulations...

I think, for a good movie the plot is a little bit to complicated. I mean, almost twenty main characters, that would be a movie!
Anyway, I'm glad you like the storytelling. Thank you very much for the posts, which are very welcome to me, because they force me to keep on with this joyful kind of writing.

Ok, here is a little document of my humble efforts using that graphic software called the gimp, which seems to be difficult to handle, but on the other hand it's freeware:

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/69...ardsai4.th.jpg
A confederation of grey beards / The rulers of the world in 242 BC

See you soon!

Happy new year...and we waiting for more...

I whish you a happy new year too! This one will be continued during next week, when my duties will hopefully leave me the time, that it will take.

So here is the fourth part of this chronology, which trys to follow the history of the AI-nations inhabiting the little parallel universe called the world according to the Koinon Hellenon:

The world according to ther Koinon Hellenon: Cut 4 – The year of 232

https://img409.imageshack.us/img409/...ansichtie7.jpg

Prologue: What happened to the Koinon Hellenon during the last 10 years

First of all something very sad, something terrible: Our king is dead. Only 62 years old Akrotatos Erypontidos Lacedaimonios passsed over in 233 abord of a fleet, wich should bring him to Sparta, where he wanted to spend his golden years of deserved retirement. But no! The exhausting journey on the rough pontic sea was too much for the aging man, under whose wise regiment the Koinon Hellenon became a member of the exclusive club of world-powers.

https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/...eadkingiz4.jpg
In memoriam: The King

New king Pergamos Syrakusios unfortunately is an aging man of somehow doubtful virtues. The very first thing he ordered was the declaration of Athena as capital of our federation of free city-states. The Spartans were forced to accept, but a little sugarcube was given to them, which could become a big one in the future. The old king's only son, country bumpkin and notourious slave trader Haymon Eurypontidos Lakedaimonios was inherited as next leader of the Koinon. Currently he is roaming Asia-Minor, where the big things happen.

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Our new King

Asia minor was a location of war, assasination and conquer during the last decade. After we took beautiful Pergamon from a local tyrant, the Kingdom of Pontus declared war on us. Three or four victorys against the weak pontic troops earned us the town of Nikaia, so that the whole Minor-Asian Westcoast is in the hands of the Koinon-Poleis now. This pontic war lingers on untill today, but will be lead in a defensive way, because deep in our hearts we are quite fond of this cute juggernaut-kingdom.
The battles against the seleucids were much harder, but finally we took Ipsos and threw the Arche out of Asia Minor. Then the Ptolemaic Kingdom attacked. Our new faction heir was shipped in from the Krim-Peninsula, where they didn't want him anyway, pushed back the Ptolemaic invasion army and started his career as a serious strategos with the conquer of strongly defended Side.

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Our new heir

Now everybody waits in carefully hidden doubt, what our new king will do, decide or committ next.

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Situation in Minor Asia

But now finally lets start with having a look on the activitys of the people inhabiting the rest of the world:

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Map of the Northwest

Casse

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Casse-King Mowg

Into spring: Bad news for all the Casse-fans out there: The fierceful tribesmanship of the wild and unknown britannic isles had to admit again, that their Euleuthroi-neighbours are even more fierceful than the Casse-warriours. But some good news too, as the brandnew king, a skillful man by the name of Mowg will hopefully change the humiliating history of his people. At least he looks like he will. Maybe something will happen this year!
...into summer: But not before autum.
...into autum: Maybe now, but on the other hand: Winter is near.
...into winter: And oops, there it is (the winter, not the Casse outburst).

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The small world of the Casse

Aedui

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Old King Dennoros

Into spring: Finally serious progress is to be noticed in the Aedui-case: Not only was the 10th siege of Bratosporios a success, free and independent gaulish powers also overwhelmed the defenders of Darioritum in the west. Last but not least the Aedui-Tribes are led by Dennoros, who is the oldest and, in their opinion, also the wisest king in the whole world. No wonder, that a few years ago people of Medilanum and Segestica rebelled to the Aedui-side and no wonder, that the evil windbags from the italic penisula had to commit massacres in those towns to put down Aedui-resistance.
Now a big force is led towards the new northern borders whith SPQR by a skilled warlord. Truly the Aedui are the strongest advocates of northern barbarian lifestyle nowadays.
..into summer: Danger arises in the north. A roman general with a half legion tresspasses the territorium of Bratosporios. But Aedui defences are ready to strike.
..into autum: But what's that? The roman legion, consisting of a general called Christianus an a few hired warbands, now besieges Bratosporios, where the Aduii Faction Heir is completely left alone whith 18000 trembling civilists. And help is far away. Lets hope, that King Donnoros has not lost his mind while aging so much. Something must be done, or all ten sieges were in vain.
...into winter: Finally help is on nthe way, but it probably will come too late.
PS: It's sad but true: In spring 231 Bratosporios is a roman Village. Only about 4000 People survived the siege.

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Danger at the northern borders

Avernii

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New Avernii-King

Into spring: Since more than twentyfive years the Avernii are spoken of as the strongest embarresment for northern barbarian livestyle by underground druids in the avernian hinterwald. They are still humble clients of SPQR and even their new king didn't make any difference. They feel save in the shadow of the giant, but that safety could soon have an end, as Aedui powers are increasing and as a new, white giant, who sits firmly in Iberia, could stretch his fingers onto the rich city of massilia in the near future.
..into summer: Avernii guards do not take notice of two tiny Qartadast exploration-armys, which cross their territorium with direction Roma.
..into autum: Interesting news from up there in Bratosporios.
..into winter: Nothing happend as usual.

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No news in Avernium

Lusitanii

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Last picture of of the unlucky Lusitanian King

Oh listen here boys and girls to the tale that I tell. It's a sad one about some peaceful cow-farmers, who didn't do any harm to anybody but their bulls. Neighbouring the western edge of the mighty Qartadast Empire, they led their modest lives, always believing, that they would easily crush every army, which dared to violate their borders. Then, in 236 BC, this well-educated handsome roman diplomate showed up, kindly suggesting an alliance whith mighty rome. The lusitanian king was, as always, too polite to reject a friendly offer. What he unfortunately had not heard of was the first punic war.
The rest of the story is a short one: Karthago was not amused, siege was layed on Oxtraca, the only lustanian settlement, where the whole nobility had gathered together, the ridiculous wooden palisade was crumbled in a minute and every nobleman of the Lusitanii was killed by Qartadast elite-units. So now the story of the Lusitanian Tribesmanship is a tale of the past and definitely not one of the heroic ones.
But anyway it has a somehow reconciliating epilogue: Only one year after the Qartadast Elite-fighters murdered the lusitanian nobility, simple Oxtraca-people arose with grim and kicked out the phoenician parfumeurs. So now Oxtraca is one of the wild and independent free villages of Iberia. But alas: Never will there be a lusitanian king anymore.

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Situation in former Lusitania

Sweboz

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Harjawulfaz, King of Kings

Into spring: Still the Swebian campfires gloom through the spooky forests of the north, but the Roman intruders are getting more and more dangerous. Roma now ownes every village of the Sweboz' western neighbours and if the young consul Blasio, who sits in Gawjam Heruskoz instead of Roma, should fall into a bad mood, the wild forset roamers could get into serious trouble. Meanwhile there are rumours, that in the far east some crazy people of the village of Gordu Neurii decided to lead their lifes in the middle of nowhere under swebian banner from now on. King Harjawulfaz hardly believes this, but silently decides to maybe take a look at this people, if Roma should attack.
..into summer: ..but Roma does not attack yet.
..into autum: Maybe the peace will last.
..into winter: Another year of peace for the whealing warmongers of the northern forests comes near it's end

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The roman danger

SPQR

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Consul Blasio

Into spring: Young Consul Amulius Favonius Blasio has a faible for the north. Somehow he managed to convince the senate to continuously supply him with waggonloads of money, which he spends to engage one gang of those cute and tattooed mercenary spearmen from the wilderness after the other, conquering village after village. And though the brave Independents of the town, that will be called vienna in some far away future, crushed about five roman „legions“ at their walls during the last 10 years he seems to be successful. Two years ago he finally reached the northern sea and now he rests in Gawjam Heruskoz, celebrating wild partys with his personal druids and ignoring the merchants that constantly bring bad news from home.
The news are as follows. Evil Qartadast Empire has conquered the town of Rhegium and now sits firmly in southern italia. Also the worthless intruders whiped out the new Roman allies in Iberia and managed to convince the even more worthless Greeks of Taras to join in the war against Rome. Roman defenders now have to deal with three of those nosey phalanx forces and Jupiter knows what's going to happen.
Consul Amulius Favonius Blasio does not care too much. He is a man of the forests, who has reached the northern sea. Unpatiently he sents the merchants home again. They did not bring as much money as they used to by the way. Maybe he should crush those swebian wildmen to come into a better mood again.
...into summer: Spooky silence at the south front. In the north, Blasius orders one of his generals, a certain Christianus, to explore the lands of the free gauls. Vienna is besieged again.
...into autum: That Christianus seems to be a proper guy. Soon another barbarian village will enjoy roman peace after the inhabitants are all killed. But very, very bad news from the southern front. Something about two battles against Epirus. Blasius isn't even able to listen to the words of the merchant till the end of his speech.
...into winter: Finally Roma reacts and huge armys from the north cross the alps in direction italy. But now that Capua is under heavy siege, the maybe will come to late.
PS: In spring also Arpi is besieged and the retreating roman reinforcements are still far away. Blasio himself preferes to stay in Gawja Heruskoz. Maybe he's afraid of being forced to appear in front of a court in Roma.

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Roman „Legion“ besieging Bratosporios

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Trouble at the sothern borders

Safot Softim bi'Qartadast

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Young Quarthadast King

Into spring: The Safot Softim bi'Qartadast is a giant on the rise. Being the most powerful empire in the world, the Poenicians now fight mighty roma, own the whole iberian eastcoast and definitely stopped the sand-wars against the Ptolemaians. There's only one problem: People generally seem to dislike their phoenician rulers for whatever reason there will be. Good, the rebellion of Oxtraca is one thing, those barbarians are like angry children sometimes. But the revolution of Lilibeo on Sicilia is a more than serious backlash for the Qartadast cause. What, by the beard of the great baal, came in the minds of those people? They are living dead men by now. To take back this key-town and punish the traitors with no mercy will be a priority-one task for the Safot Softim in the near future.
...into summer: Two little exploration commands drip into Roman territorium like raindrops into a rotten house with a broken roof. May they survive somehow and tell young king Hilmilkar, how strong those Romans really are.
...into autum: Good news from Italia. The greek friends of Qartadast seem to do better than expected.
...into winter: Maybe the do a little bit too good.
PS: The explorators in northern italy still play hide and seek. Lilibeo is left alone for the moment. The whole Safot Softim seems strangely passive Maybe the young king is a little bit too young to rule such an empire.

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Lost Lilibeo


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Map of Arabia


As' Sabyn wal'Jau

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Halik Il Watar, Sultan of the desert-desperados

Into spring: Wise and mighty king Halik Il Watar is the ruler of the desert now. These times are good times for the Sabyn Jau. The conquering of Dumatha, which put the giant province of Arabia under their controll also convinced the inhabitants of Meroe and Axum on the other side of the red sea to live under Jau rules again. Halik Il Watar lights his favourite water-pipe and smiles. The great enemy of the Jau, the so called „Pharaos“ of the fertile land of egypt are desperately engaged in their ruinous war whith the Arche Seleukeia and Halik hopes, that this war will go on for ever. Anyway, there is much left to do. Especially the near town of Sabata, which still claims to be independent, is a constantly itching splinter in the toes of the great arabian king. But hopefully not for long.
...into summer: Strong Sabyn Jau forces gather around Dumatha.
...into autum: Huge forces patrol the desert. One of them, led by faction heir Ham Il Yafir, sneaks around a seleukid settlement in northern Arabia, playing a dangerous game whith the allied Arche.
...into winter: The game becomes even more dangerous, because the selekeukid town of Gerrha is strongly garrisoned. So maybe another alliance will be in tatters soon.
PS: In spring Ham Il Yafir retreats, which is a wise kind of acting. He now marches in western direction to stop a ptolemaic army from trespassing the deserts.

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Halik Il Yafir retreats to whip the Ptolemaians


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Map of the Northeast


Phalavii

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Brave King Thruxra

Into spring: Oh, the shame, the unbearable shame. Nisa the beautiful became helpless prey in the claws of evil Arche Seleukeia five years ago. Great king Phraotes died and now young Thruxra has to rule over a kingdom, that could soon be dead too. Already the phalavian steppes tremble under the feet of two dangerous Arche armys, one of them near Kiat, and not much warriors are left to hinder them from marching. Oh people of Nisa, stand up and throw out those misplaced greeks.
...into summer: „Become protectorate, ehemm, hommhomm“, that's what the seleukid diplomat said. He should be happy. that great Thruxra spared his life.
...into autum: Doom aproaches like a mericeless phalanx, as now King Thruxra is besieged by the Seuleukid devils in Antiochia Margiane.
...into winter: And now they built siege equipment. Kink Thruxra prepares to die. The Seleukid army is about five times stronger than the Pahlavii defenders, and there are only wooden walls. And no help comes from Kia, which soon will be the last Pahlavii stronghold.
PS: In spring the wonder of Antiochia Margiane took place. King Thruxra and his men managed to defend the wooden walls, crushing about 2/3 of the selekeukid intruders. This, proclaimed Thruxra later, could only be explained with an interaction of the gods themselves, who this time fought sholder to sholder with the Pahlavii.

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Trouble's approaching


Bactria

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Bactrian Basileus

Into spring: Bactria is on the rise too. A short war with the Aka Rauka resulted in a bactrian victory, the conquering of two northern settlements and the total capitulation if the proud Sake, who are now a completely surrounded client kingdom of Bactria. Also Bactria decided to go east and take the town of Takashila. And another interesting thing happend. Bactria switched sides in the great diadochii wars of it's neighbours. No longer the Arche but now the Pharao is allied with the blue greeks from far out. Maybe Bactrian powers will join in the great war soon, maybe they finally will make the difference.
...into summer: Small Bactrian forces play the old provocing-the-Arche-by-territorial-violation game. But the Arche keeps calm.
...into autum: Huge bactrian forces emerge the waste lands north of the troubled pahlavian Empire.
..into winter: Seleukeian territory is violated again.

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Bactria invading the wastelands


Saka Rauka

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Poor Saka King

Into spring: The formerly proud Saka Rauka are now defeated and forced to live in their reservation of Chighu, hunting the evil steppe rabbit untill the end of their days. Don't you speak to them about that issue, if you meet them.
...into summer: The Saka army leaves Chighu and then returnes. Why not.
...into autum: And out of town and into town again.
...into winter: And even in winter a good walk out of town can be fun.
PS: Finally in spring the Saka forces seem to go on a bigger journey.

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A winter-walk into spring


Hayasdan

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Mher the Lame of Hayasdim

Into spring: The tiny Hayasdan Empire maybe will be a little bit bigger in the future, because Hai armys actually started to explore the sauromatean wastelands north of them. These are the results of a whicked plan created by Mher the Lame, who is constantly in a very bad mood due to his lameness. Now the world waits eagerly for the sauramatean response.
...into summer: Hayasdan troops at the gates of sauromatean Uspe. Will they attack? Meanwhile in the west the Eleuteroi town of Trapezos, a rich trading centre at the pontic coast, is besieged.
...into autum: Uspe is spared this time, but more Hayasdim troops enter sauromatean territory.
..into winter: Now the troops turn east onto the Rebel stronghold of Kabalaka. It will be a hard task, but maybe war with the steppe archers is finally avoided.
PS: Trapezos is now, to the anger of the pontic king, a Hayasdan- town.

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The siege of Trapezos

Sauromateans

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King Phidas of the Sauromateans

Into spring: Sleepy King Phidas of the sauromatean tribes has not yet heard about the plans of Mare the Lame. He is actually much too occupied with the organisation of the great sauromatean fox-hunting festival, which brings him to the edge of his skills as a king every springtime. But wait till he gets started.
...into summer: Hayasdan troops at the gates of Uspe. Will King Phidas wake up?
...into autum: Will he wake up?
...into winter: No, he won't.

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Sauromatean guards at the Koinon borders


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Map of the central hellenic world


Arche Seleuceia

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Theodoros Syriakos, lookalike and pathological hater of the Pahlavii

Into spring: Ups and downs for the Arche during the last decade. Being kicked out of Asia Minor by Koinon Hellenon, the great Empire now concentrates on the two other wars, which it is constantly leading. Still Seleukeia is in the hands of the Ptolemaians, but due to the reconquering of Damaskus, the former Arche capital is now part of a completely surrounded region. If the faithless Bactrian traitors would only ceep calm for another few years, Seuleukan people could finally be freed from the unbearable oppression of silly egyptian ursurpators. Meanwhile the invasion of Pahlavia is going on strongly and soon another noisy neighbour will be calmed down forever.
...into summer: Celebrations all over the Arche Seleukeia. A ptolemaic force is beaten to dust near Damaskus
...into autum: Arche prepares to reconquer Antiochea Margiane from the purple barbarians of the steppes. Their chief will not survive this.
..into winter: Next spring will be reconquering time.
PS: It is reported, but not confirmed, that the King Theodoros Syriakos ate his crimson hat with salt and coriander ofter being informed about the crushing defeat of Antiocheia Marginare.

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The endless war in Syria.


Ptolemaic Kingdom

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Pharao Leontiskos

Into spring: The great Pharao is sincerely not amused about the losses of Side (to the Koinon) and Damaskus (to the Arche). But tricky ptolemaic diplomacy managed to create a bactro-pahlavii-egyptian alliance against the mighty seleukian foe, and so hope is the air again. The isolated Seleukia will be protected from her former tyrants and also those itchy arabs will be sent back into the desert, where they belong to. Ptolemaic wealth, craftsmanship, wisdom and haute couture will rule the world, once that clumsy zyklopos from Mesopotamia is crumbled into tiny pieces, promised Pharao Leontiskos Traikikos at the gates of the royal palace in Alexandria last week.
...into summer: Celebrations all over the egyptian Empire. A seleukid force is beaten to dust near Bostra.
...into autum: One general-led army approachs those phoney arabs.
...into winter: Nothing serious happens on the mainland, but a Koinon army has landed on the shores of Cyprus.
PS: Cyprus is lost, but the desert expedition, led by a certain Archimedes Soknopaio Nesou accompanied by two more members of the royal family, seems to be quite promising

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The battle of Bostra


Kingdom of Pontos

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Arsames, the worrying warrior

Into spring: Declaring war on the neighbours from Koinon Hellenon was not a good idea for the formerly uprising empire of Pontos. The town of Nikaia and three full armys were lost in the fights against the better equipped Koinon troops and King Arsames Kianos looks like he went through a time of serious worrying.
...into summer: And on he worries.
...into autum: And worries even more, because another pontic army, which approached Nikaia is crushed by Koinon defences.
...into winter: Again Pontos throws a huge army against the Koinons strong defenders. The possibility of a second defeat makes the king feel uncomfortably worried again.
PS: And, to make the mess complete, Hayasdan took Trapezos!

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Being pushed back by the Koinon


Epirotean League

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The new Pyrrhus

Into spring: Finally the decades of shame and humiliation have come an end for the threatened Epirote League, although Phoenicians were needed to bring back the old phyrrhic spirit to the western Greeks. Now, almost 30 years after that dishonourable ceasefire resulting from the death of great Pyrrhus, Epirus is on war with Rome again. It has three strong armys and one strong compagnion, so the situation is not as hopeless as it seems. Maybe even Amulius Favonius Blasio will be forced to return to Italia again.
...into summer: Spooky silence in italia. The mighty phalangites eagerly await the roman attack. For now, it seems like Roma decided to wait too.
...into autum: This autum will be remembered in the epirotean land as the year, when the spirit of Pyrrhus returned. Two mighty epirote armys approached roman territory and two huge battles ended with victorys for Epirus. Roma is in serious trouble now.
...into winter: Now siege is layed upon Capua. If the roman defensive troops will be delayed a little while, this siege could succeed and the Epirote League could have a future again.
PS: Also Arpi is besieged in spring, and the first roman reinforcement legion is crushed. The next year will show, if Epiros is at the gates of dawn or at the gates of doom.

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„Capua, you'll have it better“, painting by the Epirotean King himself


Getans:

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Getan Dwarfmaster

Into spring: Still no news from the gloomy warrior-dwarfes from behind the seven hills.
...into summer: Minor struggles with the Eleutheroi due to alcohol-abuse on both sides as usual.
..into autum: Struggles again, this time won by the Getans.
..into winter: and this time by the barbarians

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Boredom and alcoholism behind the seven hills



Epilogue

The Koinon Hellenon kept quiet this year, only beating back the Pontos and doing an expedition on the isle of cyprus. Even more quiet were the mainlands and the northern borders. So the greatest news of the year for Koinon people was the completion of the mighty temple of Athene in Athenai.

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Athenai as seen from the mountains

And also an old friend from the northern borders wants to say goodbye to you, because due to his lifestyle Ponponeos Hyperteleatos probably will not be there anymore, when in 222 the next cut will show the upos and downs in the world according to the Koinon.

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So say goodby to an aging misogynist womanizer of some international standing and notourious reputation.

See, you,
yours Quirinus Kuhlmann

Extremely interesting still. Though my modem connection has a hard time viewing it all. :grin: Enjoyed it again!

I don't usually read battle reports or threads like this, but that was truly interesting. Way to go mate ~:)

Thank you very much for the feedback, which I really appreciate. I think the game itself is extremely interesting. Even the diplomatical behaviour between the factions often seems to make sense, which is, as you know, very unusual for a RTW mod. I liked the activities around the punic war very much. Qarthadast tried to isolate Roma by forming alliances with her neighbours, the Epirotes and Aedui. Roma tried the same and allied with the Lusitanias. Only one year later Lusitania is destroyed by Qartadast and another year later, Qartadast manages to involve the three mighty Epirote armies in their war (probably by sending a small one to the front and asking Epirus for reinforcement when attacked)
So the Phoenicians seem to act really smart. (While Roma is on the loose in the northern forests due to her crazy Consul Blasio, but that's another story)

Also the trait system is simply amazing. I especially like the smeary and doubtful characters it creates.

The biggest problem for me in the mid-game is, that I earn too much money (I know I could simply destroy the mining centres, but thats not the same) But though my Empire is quite safe now, the game is definitely not starting to get boring.

Currently fundamental changes shake the earth in the Koinon neighbourhood, so the next update will show a world, that somehow turned upside down.

Yes, very nice! Looks like a "Pathe news" AAR to me, which was obviously the point.

Great read.

A question though: How do you manage to monitor so carefully the AI movements? (especially diplomatic ones) Do you have toggle_fow always on, even during changing turns? Man if that's true your patience is Budha-like.

During the year, that I am reporting about, I completely turn off the FoW and watch, what the AI does while changing turns. Then I leave the game with strg/alt/entf and try to write about what has happened, not knowing what the KI will do next. That indeed affords a little patience but to me is very interesting too.
After the year I turn on the fog again and rely on the informations of my spy network all over the world.
As for the diplomacy, you always get the messages. I belive, the diplomacy-system is tuned down by the EB-developers, so that the KI-Factions are not too agressive among eachothers and relationships are quite stable. So most of the messages you get, are really important. And it's quite fascinating: Kathargo was neighbouring the Lusitanians for over thirty years without declaring war. Then you get the message: Alliance of Rome and Lusitanii and immediately the Lusitanian faction is destroyed by Kathargo.
Same whith Karthago and Epiros: Karthago had conquered Rhegium from the Romans and was now neighbouring Epirus, but instead of declaring war to them they allied and soon the longlasting Epirotean-Roman peace was over and Epiros did most of the work for the Qartadast.
This tuned down diplomacy system together whith the social-security script, that supports poor factions with money is one thing I especially like in EB, because it keeps the small factions alive and prevents the world from being a super-power-monoculture. Even the Lusitanians will hopefully do much better when they are worked out in the upcoming patches.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Quirinus Kuhlmann

But anyway it has a somehow reconciliating epilogue: Only one year after the Qartadast Elite-fighters murdered the lusitanian nobility, simple Ombroxia-people arose with grim and kicked out the pontic parfumeurs.

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Ombroxia? :inquisitive: Pontic parfumers? :inquisitive:

ahah! this is somethink between an AAR story and an AI Faction Progression, and the whole think is a sort of very original, creative work.
Great job Quirinos, and thanks for having had a nice eye on my guys, it's strange, reading of Phraotes, Thuxtra etc. i almost had an eye tear. I think this is the evil side-effect of EB. Playing this mod you begin to think to faction you liked a lot as somethink of your own...:laugh4: in my time-frame, phraotes is dead long time ago of old age, as governor and restless-pedagogue:whip: in gava-alanna (he was never king sic!), while thuxtra is still alive as Shahanshah in gava-mazsakat...
Liked very much the images too, they seems a sort of postcards.

great contribute to EB!
salut!

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Originally Posted by Obelics

Liked very much the images too, they seems a sort of postcards.

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Yes, and each sorrounded in the faction's colour.~:)

I really like your funny style of writing, Quirinus. The idea itself is very interesting.

"They were baking little breads" hähähä! Im really looking forward to read how Koinon told Pontos "were the frog has the curls". :laugh4:

Sorry posted twice! Would delete it if I could...

Aymar de Bois Mauri: Thank you for reading so carefully. I have already edited the post, so now the phoenician parfumers are thrown out of Oxtraca, as it has to be. I had a lot of difficulties with the proper spelling of settlement-names, especially the town of Bratosporios was misspelled by me in four or five different ways.
Artaserse: I think, everybody, who read the Waste Land and then stumbles over one of the phalavian armys with a spy, while playing a campaign, wishs them more then good luck in their hopeless struggles against the neighbouring superpowers, especially when the stack is led by a familiar character and contains some Daha skirmishers, phalavian archers and stuff. It's like a different version of the Wate Land, that happens somewhere out of sight, while you are making your own expieriences.
The next update will take a while, because I'm going to Berlin now for about one week. But I want to tell you in advance, that Thruxa has survived the next ten years, but god, must he suffer! I'm glad to hear, that he's much better off in your timeframe.

I highly appreciate your interest in this story. Next update will will show a world, which has turned upside down in more than one way.

Thank you too, Nixalsverdrus, and don't you let those gaulic recruts trample on your nerves too much!

:whip:

I'll have a try.:smash: ~D