Tales from the Shepherd Empire -A Lusotannan AAR

Your doing pretty good right now. The only problem is some grammatical errors but other than that your on the right track. Keep it up!

Yes, the only problem is that is an little dificult to read and understand but since my english is not the best I cant complain :juggle2:

Yes yes i can quote from an old school report from an English teacher

"Dominic Has the ability to write fun, interesting Stories and prose. He Fails however, to grasp an understanding of basic grammar and punctuation thus ruining a high standard of literal work" :laugh4: :laugh4:

I usually write these and get them finished before i go to bed so when im proof reading i skip over some stuff but i've written the new chapter up and i can proof read it once i get in from work and stick the pictures to match.

I thought maybe my AAR was a wee bit to Text heavy and that people would be put off by all the writing. I tend to go on a bit too much about background information and get descriptive of things that don't really need much attention making the AAR move at too slow a pace for some peoples liking.

Tales from the Shepherd Empire
Chapter 6 - First battle for Celtiberia
Mastia was quiet the smell still lingered. On sometimes of the burning embers of former houses but mostly the smell of bodies. Even though the last bodies were burnt a week ago it still filled every cavity of the spacious city. Rotenanko was please his grandfather had taught him the city language. It was nothing like any of the languages he had heard before and he had heard quite a few. Greek, Iberian, Euskadi the Latin of the Romani tribe, it sounded not to dissimilar from the various Celtic languages that he had heard countless times. Discussing terms with his new citizens, they were prepared to be allies but he also knew that in the first sign of a landing from the foreigners they would quickly revolt. He wasn’t too worried he had heard that one before back in Gader no ship had ever arrived. He had declared himself king and with that had entered the other tribes full rights into the confederacy taking preference over the Carthaginian men. It had quelled any question of leadership and the massive slaughter of the majority of the Carthaginians had also shut the more rebellious elements of Lusotannan up.
https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...stiacentre.jpg
It was always clear that there was a final obstacle in claiming the title of king of Iberia. The high centre of Iberia had been occupied by some of the hardiest of Celts. The Arevaci and their allies the Belli had been staunch defenders from further attacks into Iberia and had in a few instances stood alongside the Lusotannan against the same people which were now considered Lusotannan themselves. Even though Tantalos and Latronos had sent diplomats to the Arevaci and a promise to stop raiding was made it still occurred in Edanti, Cantabri and Carpetani areas under Moskon, the most feared raider in the land. This was something these people demanded an end to. It had always been Rotenanko intentions however, to force the Arevaci under his control.

Wealth had arrived in the Lusotannan Kingdom experienced generals, experienced soldiers and experienced governors. with a new powerful army It had never been any better. News had returned from north of the barrier, the world was a truly huge place. It would seem the Aeudi had nearly won the Gallic civil war. The story was they were the rightful rulers of the region and the usurpers; the Averni had rebelled against a sign of weakness in the face of invasion of Belgic gauls. The Romani lived on a land just to the east of the eastern sea. It stuck out like an arm reaching into the centre of the sea and clutching at all the trade that flowed along its serene waves. Many Romani visited the eastern coasts. They were not liked, very arrogant and condescending of Lusotannan ways even the Carthaginians hated them
https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...e/246BCMap.jpg

Rotenanko had never known defeat heading towards the great fort of Numantia he ignored the warnings he was ready. He was going to achieve the dream of his grandfather and father the final piece in the puzzle was about to be complete. As he got closer settlements were deserted it was strange. The whispers of men were heard, shadows moved in the forests along the many trails that lead up the hill to Numantia. Now even Rotentako was scared the supply trains were ambushed and before people even knew what had happened the men faded away, they knew he was coming and they were waiting. Upon reaching the Numantian plateau it became very clear very quickly that they were prepared for him. Two armies were waiting, one inside the fort and one outside. Rotenanko told his men to pull back away from the city he was not prepared for this. A massive roar billowed out from the fort ahead. The march back became a trot then a gallop then a full speed charge as the roaring behind them never stopped. It followed them down the plateau and even when they were clear from the highlands horns could still be heard a mile or two away.

Rotenanko stopped the men were petrified and the in the distance above a thicket of trees a large army came down. The noise never stopped the supply trains long abandoned. His day of judgment arrived Rotenanko knew this would be the stand of the Lusotannan and he recognised the banner on the hillside. It was Moskon he had a fearsome reputation and led the best army in Iberia and it showed. Rotenanko spoke to his men he had to reassure them and he did well the men let out a war cry that rivalled any Arevaci horn the skirmishers were sent under cover into the thicket maybe they could tell what exactly Rotenanko was dealing with, Calvary, heavier spearman and infantry. The charge came and steel clashed The skirmishers had been caught on the right and a brawl had broken out towards the left the enemy Calvary tried to flank the troops Rotenanko anticipated this it was failed attack and the left flank stood firm not only that but the Lusotannan left had the advantage now he order them to try and out flank the left side of Moskons army trailing back to the right he glanced over the battle line and saw Moskon. He gestured at him “your next” he was heading the opposite way Rotenanko had to go to the right bolstering the troops moral as the full weight of Moskon’s army bore down on them.
https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...skonBattle.jpg
Looking around Rotenko saw nothing but carnage the blood fuelled screams and roars of men falling and rising, killing and being killed. It had rained recently and the mud he stood on had churned up into sludge his arms were shaking in looking around all he could see was Gader and Mastia the screams of women and children his closest bodyguard griped it tight. “Sir are you ok? It would seem our left is winning and a chance has opened up to our flank on the right WE CAN DO THIS!!!!”

Rotenanko was spurred on by these words he suddenly realised that he was here by the will of the gods and his chance was now with a roar he led the men around the mass of sprawling skirmishes and Arevaci spearmen in the distance he could the left flank and it was curling up into a ball and absorbing the enemy fighters unit by unit beyond that fleeing Arevaci fighters of the He hadn’t even realised while looking at this he was charging head long into the back of the right flank fighters. He took a sharp intake of breath and looked to the sky the vultures hovered over head he was smiling. He sliced the head of a man clean off as his horsed shattered the spine of another The rage returned he surged into the crowd slaying many Looking around he saw some of his own men fleeing. He carried on but it was becoming apparent his men on the right were now all fleeing. The rage stopped and towards the left he saw the snowballing left flank move closer they would not reach him in time. Then in the corner he saw Moskon with 15 men behind he was in a V formation and heading his way He pulled the bodyguard out ignoring the fact his own right flank was crumbling and headed to Moskon. Moskon saw him and smiled the pace was picked up.
https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...letheclash.jpg

”RAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
“LUSTONAAANNNNNNNN”””” Moments from impact the men looked at each other and for Rotenanko time slowed down sword raised the horses screaming Moskon had a lance and he raised it at Rotenanko chest Rotenanko looked in his eye Moskon looked back smiling It was the look fighters gave each other on the battlefield the moment when you realised you were going to die. Rotenanko froze unable to move he watched as Moskon lunged forward he could hear the screaming of Carthaginian massacres they got louder and louder till he looked round too horses screeched as he saw two of his own bodyguard collide directly with moskons horse The sound was immense all around screeching horses and armour cracking the very force had killed both the body guards and Moskon Flew up above Rotenanko’s head, his lance shot off into the air he fell to the floor and the crunch of his bones was heard clearly. Rotenanko was motionless it was like a Wave had crashed upon a rocker shore as his bodyguard simply slammed into Moskons. Moskon was still moving shaking rapidly his eyes rolling back in his skull Rotenanko cut into his head and brain fragments covered his eyes. He swiped at them unable to get clear vision with the noise around panicked him and the shaking started.

”Moskon is DEAD Hooray for Rotenanko King of IBERIA!!!”
Looking around he saw men fleeing all over the place the snowball was closer to his left and to his right the fleeing the skirmish had broken lost without his close guidance. It did not matter now it seemed that Moskon death had made the right flank of the Arevaci falter they too started to break and the battles lines disintegrated into a mess as men fled left right and centre both Lusotannan and Arevaci Rotenanko smiled he knew what was going to happen next it was the only cure to his fits of rage With a quick blow of the horn the tribes would quickly know which side won the hunt began.
https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...tlethehunt.jpg

:2thumbsup: :balloon2: I'm speechless

Wow....just....wow......

Nicely done, Shylence! Keep up the good work!

haha cheers pal. That was an Epic battle Im sorry i didnt get a pic of left flank battles i was concentrating on winning I was out numbered and out gunned. the Moskon charge too it was pretty tense at that point in the battle i was so sure i was going to lose. actually my whole right flank had just broke then. so it was a desperate move that i was sure would get Rotentako Killed.

and while i watched them charging at each other I was :jawdrop: :jawdrop: and it was still 5 mins before some of the other defenders broke after moskon died.

wow. there goes the actual siege i guess? what a battle!

I'm loving it and a great battle congrats with your victory

Nice victory and nice update!!! :2thumbsup:
I had some problems dealing with that celtiberian stack in an old Lusotannan campain... But in my last Cartaginian campain they had to face the most powerfull army I've ever done in an EB campain: 2 units of forest elephants :skull: , 2 units of lancearii (iberian catraphacts, one of them with gold experience :yes:) , 1 of Sacred band cavalry, 1 of sacred band infantry, 1 of African elite infantry, 3 of Gaesatae :laugh4: , 2 of experienced balearic slingers, 2 of Libian Heavy veterans and 6 of Hastati. Poor celtiberians :laugh4: .

That stack is just downright evil LC

Sorry lads was gonna write up this last chapter of the first "book" shall we say its done but i just gotta do the pictures. I ended up getting drunk

Tales from the Shepherd Empire
Chapter 7 - Slaying of the Beast

Oxtraca was now over the horizon a few hours in to the journey Rotenanko started to lead ahead but alone he had been thinking a lot in the past few months. Audanecan the oldest and most senior member of the army next to him rode up beside him.
”Sir you seem quiet the bodyguard had been wondering what the problem is ever since we returned back to Oxtraca to retrain you have seemed slightly distant”
Rotenanko sighed and carried on after a few minutes he spoke
”what do you think about murder?”
”Well it’s a necessary part of battle and war sir You have to kill the person who is out to kill you other wise your life will be very short indeed” he laughed slightly as he ended his answer.
”No I mean outside of battle or when the battle has a clear winner I’m just thinking about all the deaths of the past 5 years”
“Oh you mean in the south.. when you killed that family and some of our men we were not really sure what to make of It” Audanecan was cautious ” You know they call you Rotenanko the Beast now I thought you liked the sense of dread it gave your enemies, sure since the southern cites capture we have been living in a great and peaceful time”
”well remember how we entered those cities Audanecan? remember what happened? was it so necessary? At Gader I was angry we had been betrayed and my father and uncle were killed the area around Baikor was overrun it was the best thing to do at the time but on the road to Mastia I pretty sure we killed nearly 20,000 people women and children I haven’t really been able to forget about those people with the battle at the foot of Numantia I nearly lost it”
”we noticed sir some of the men think your are possessed by a vengeful demon spawned of all the murder either it makes you kill better or it wants to kill you we are not sure perhaps you should consult at a shrine and see what the wise men have to say.”
“I have they just use their potions on me and I have terrible nightmares with them I dreamt we were back at the foot of that hill and how the mud began to start crawling all over the people swallowing them and the screams and it starts to cover me and I try to pull it off but it keeps on coming and it is in my mouth it tastes of blood and I can hear the screams of choking people”

”They show your dreams and thoughts that way you can reflect on such things you must try to fight these things my lord. I have served with your grandfather you know. Back then we were numbering little more then 30,000 and our very existence depended on him in the chaos of those times no one was safe. You do know that your grandfathers family were slain when he was a small child the same to my fathers family. we have found peace now, the very reason such trouble was started was because those people in the cities would throw money with empty promises of glory men would sell our tribe into slavery. That’s what your grandfather was a slave to a noble man in Gader those people did not care for our plight as long as they enjoyed the excesses hey enjoyed while our people blinded by hope of achieving the same life that was never going to materialise. That is what happened to your father he became fat and greedy that is why they could kill him he had conquered the north and was killed by tainted chicken”

” I suppose your right but im not sure I can allow myself to be responsible for all these deaths much longer. Once we have Numantia we would have finally freed our people and secured Iberia minus the small greek-celt town in the north east it is of little use to us I forgot about my familys humble beginnings my grandfather philosophy made sense maybe we are all equal its hard to share out everything equally maybe once the Arevaci see they would be more use joining with us then I set about creating his dream. What was he said. Ermmmm.”

They both joined in “ The pursuit of constant exponential wealth destroys all those around you and sows the seeds to your own very destruction hahahaha yes your grandfather was years and years ahead of his time” breaking into laughter thinking on Tantalos and his many theories.


4 months had passed they now stood before the wall of Numantia inside he could here them chanting away he had raised an army bigger then before and was prepared for what he thought was a huge battle. Unfrotunatly the plan was not going to work as planned.

As the army left Oxtraca the decision was made that heading straight into the Western parts of Celtiberia would probably help to draw out the army from Numantia. Once again it was quiet there was one small problem though it seemed a large village was abandoned but 200 odd men were waiting at the top of the hill taunting the army. Rotenanko's bad side came out during the journey, he decided that he had a demon and a god in him, the beast and the peacemaker. The peacemaker was normally Rotenako’s pilot relaxed, calm and prepared to listen and think over every problem that arose. He had a distaste for battle and that’s when he moved for the beast, he was just as smart as the peacemaker but with him it seemed to be more fluid. Rotenanko was aware when the beast came over him it was like he was watching the battle away like he was watching himself and he watched how without, hesitation without thought, his limbs flailing, his mouth screaming orders almost with a glance of an eye he could direct whole areas of a battle field. The beast was a seductive part of Rotenanko when he came out it was hard to put him away the beast would sometimes lose control his thirst never quenched the feeling that came with splitting the muscle away from organ the soft resistance the bones gave when his sword entered the body of another he could feel which way the bone shifted through his knuckles following the contours of the hilt of his sword. Or like a spear as he gripped it pulled it away from its owner and pulled its owner into where he could disembowel them quick enough for the same pour soul look him in the eye and call him every name under the sun.

This beast let him get distracted by this group of men. It would be simple encircle these men and stick them with each javelin his men carried not a single sword was raised. The beast finished things off by his usual hunt he liked the chase it was the best part of battle the reward for concentrating so hard on wining. His sword was his mouth it sunk in deep and took what it needed from each man, sometimes a head, sometimes the spine, sometimes the lungs or the abdomen. While the beast was in control the peacemaker was unable to evaluate what was happening. The beast would leave in a violent fit draining Rotenako of his strength for 10minutes obviously it was quite clear as the peace maker came back that the whole thing was a diversion. https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...aRearguard.jpg

The army did not want to go into a one on one battle again and Lusotannan could not afford to lose so many men. The plan was to starve the Arevaci into desperation Chasing the small group of men harassing his army let another group steal his supplies the men were desperate not to fight though half of the supplies had gone and it would seem the fort could hold out for Two years.A year and a half later it was too much some of the workers who had help to carry the equipment had https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...antiaSiege.jpgvanished.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...iaStarving.jpg
https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...attlestart.jpg
The call to battle was blown the men groaned weakened by hunger. Rotenanko split the army in half attacking from two sides he thought he perhaps split the defenders in half and proceed to crush them. Harder in practice then in theory the usual javelin throwing competitions began wherever a hole in the wall was made men rushed to fill it and where then brought down by the rainstorm of javelins. Entering the settlement the army that Rotenanko commanded had faired quite well in destroying resistance in the eastern gateway. https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...ntiaArmies.jpg
https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...iaSkirmish.jpg
To the south along where the second army entered, fighting had proved fierce the majority of the Arevaci had headed into the fight there and stemmed the flow of troops inside the city. It would be the most active part of the battle around them minor skirmishes broke out as Rotenako's men took the eastern gateway the southern one was under Lusotannan control but the sheer weight of numbers of the enemy meant it would quickly fall. As the skirmishes ended more and more men were drawn into the fight hemmed in the between a major household and the stockade wall Rotenanko frantically searched for the Enemy leader his name was Avaros a capable leader like Moskon but older so his raiding days were long over the fighting went on for nearly another hour many Lusotannan fleeing in the face of staunch resistance.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...pinneddown.jpg

The hunt for Avaros proved to be quite demanding of Rotenako's time he was not with the main force fighting at the southeastern section of the wall. There his second army was cut off and quickly falling the battle became confusing in the centre was Lusotannan surrounded by Arevaci they were surrounded by more Lusotannan in turn more Arevaci had them surrounded while a section of Arevaci spearmen stood 20 yards away forming a wall and stopping the fresh Lusotannan fighters from the eastern gateway. Most of the settlement was under Lusotannan control the centre was held but the majority of the Arevaci army was destroying the second army. Finally Avaros had been found in the confusion many of his own bodyguard were slain a small force now protected him they were all cut down by javelin fire. Avaros was now on his own but still shouting orders and keeping the men’s nerves together more skirmishing had broken out in the centre as units came forth seemingly form nowhere wearing down the first army. Avaros’s horse was fast and was hard to catch but once committed to battle the old man feel easily Rotenanko was disappointed Moskon had fallen like a true warrior in glory Avaros was simply speared from his horse by a member of the army glory for that soldier would perhaps promote him to better things and it certainly helped swing the battle. The battle at the walls still went on Rotenanko was helpless he could not commit to such close quarter fighting it would be suicide. Lusotannan units began to link up and co-ordinate attacks and the final flames of the Arevaci army was extinguished. https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...aBattleWon.jpg


Then Rotenanko and his men began to notice some horrifying elements of the fight that had gone on un-noticed as the fight went on upon finding their dead husbands women had killed their own children and began ritually killing themselves the men were going out of their wits trying to stop the mass suicides after two hours things where calmed when the highest commanding Arevaci man named Burzu cooled the slaughter
The beast had never managed to make himself known during the siege of Numantia the peacemaker was too busy trying to keep order it was confusing battle between the streets and the fighting he could not make out what was going on if it wasn’t for his force or captains and runners they proved exception and he was best please with there contribution in the fight he relived them of there duties and sent them back to the various parts of Lusotannan where they hailed from. They were the older generation Rotenanko had a young army with him and sending the experienced captains away was a mistake during the next 2 years of negotiation with the Arevaci men led by Burzu the situation fluctuated until one night almost 2 years to the day. While talking about the redistribution of the wealth using his Grandfathers theory, which the nobles of course detested but the poor and downtrodden workers and slaves thought could work well. During this discussion wailing started to be heard it got louder. Rotenanko shuddered at the sound it was like Gader and Mastia all over aging it was a terrible scene of women disemboweling themselves at the prospect of a Lusotannan ruler. Then it got dark men where shouting “COME OUT IT’S A TERRIBLE OMEN!” Towards the sky the sun began to fade as if something was eating at it the light was fading and it became darker still the sun was now gone and shadow came across the land then flash as the disc of the sky was black but surrounded by burning fires many of the onlookers screamed in pain as the fires burnt there eyes. The wailing was ferocious and chaos had broken out

”BY THE WILL OF THE GODS WE HAVE FORSKAEN THEM THE SUN HAS FAILED WE CANNOT GROW OUR CROPS”
”ROTENATO HAS CONDEMMED US ALL”

With that the suicides started “God Dammed Arevaci women there men must have been the best lovers in the world hahahah”
” Audanecan please this is hardly the time”

Men began to flee Rotenanko held his army steady some of them left after a few minutes the sun came back it was a scary moment but the Peacemaker stood firm this time the women stopped as order returned yet Burzu had gone disappeared with many other people. Two days later The settlement awoke to the sound of the war drum soon the wailing started again even Rotenanko became annoyed “SHUT UPPPP….these women’s love for there tribe is admirable but they may feel my wrath personally”

Looking out beyond the fort towards the holy site an army stood more men from the hills the same men who had fled when the Lugos had been reborn spurred on to retake the Fort this would be the last stand of the Arevaci. Rallying the Troops Rotenako eased the men’s minds The Lusotannan army easily outnumbered the last of the Arevaci they were nervous shuffling back and forth as Rotenako’s men drew closer.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h...mantiaLast.jpg

After the javelins were thrown the charge began and the Arevaci men fought for a while a noble last stand but a foolish one. Rotenanko looked behind he could see the yet more of the Arevaci women throwing themselves off the stop of the stockade onto the stakes below Rotenanko was disgusted the last 8 years he had seen so much death The mass suicides drove him over the edge as he watched the final fighters surrounded and cut down the men he saw their women throw their lives away rather then be subservient to the Lusotannan the real problem was that Rotenanko wanted the Arevaci on side so much he was prepared to admit them full rights knowing the possible repercussions with the other tribes.

He had personally helped to clear the bodies. The last body was of a young woman she had impaled herself on a stake at the bottom of the wall as he began to pull at her corpse the entrails of her stomach began to fall out onto his feet as he looked down he saw a terrible sight the body of a small unborn infant lay at his feet perfectly form she must have been close to birth he picked up the child and moved to the shrine in the city burring the infant he began to cry a small Arevaci child stood there looking at him she was there praying for her family no doubt wiping the tears away he softly said “where is your father and mother?” in an equal tone she said “my father was killed 2 years ago in a battle with you, my auntie killed my mother when the sun died”
”come with me I will be your father now I will teach you how to fight and question everything in this world when you grow old you can teach the answers to your grandchildren something my grandfather did to me”

Renouncing Violence he vowed he would never fight an aggressive war again he had achieved the dream and had reunited Iberia under a single banner. This was not the celebration he expected the young king began a massive building programme all over the kingdom people prospered trade increased and more of the world was uncovered the region of the distant Greeks was mapped many different types existed these were all the former people of Megas Alexandros the Great conqueror of the eastern world he hoped that he would not die young like Alexandros and leave his kingdom in civil war. So much had been achieved in 35 years.

A truly epic ending, Shylence! Great work!

hahaha If this was a film it would be so corny and everyone on the forums for total war would effectively hang draw and quarter it. It was good fun and ive caught upto where i am in the game now. I can play again! wooohoooo

What Owen said! :2thumbsup: :balloon3:

Cheers Guys ill be on Holiday next week.

So..you will have to wait till wednesday week for the Start fo the next part of our Iberian story

WOOOOOOWW!!!!!!!!
As Owen said I cant find any better word than... EPIC!!!!!!!
Excelent job!!!! Would give an great movie. :2thumbsup:

Hmmmm in the early days of the new Phase of our favortie lil shepherd kings...I keep gettin a CTD pray for me

I was going to write earlier today that this story is still going unfortunatly I have a Unrepentant CTD soooo theres a 70% that i cant write anymore

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Did you try playing without the script for a while and then reactivating it after you got past the date of the CTD?

Hmmmmmmmm maybe but wont that ruin the game??
i think i may have missed the script once but i dunno can anybody tell me what affect on my Faction fecking the script will do?

ok ok quick update CTDS asside

i have been embroiled in a long war with a hated enemy
its taken a while because of the said CTDs
also its stalemate at the moment i was losing for a long time
but the tables have turned i got away by the skin of my teeth on some occasions and sooner rather then later i hope the CTD stops and i can re start my AAR

good luck man...I was following this AAR :)

nopeeee its well and truley fecked there is no way around it.....i will have to finish up the best i can make the ending open though incase my save returns!!!!! and works normally

CURSE THE CTD DEMONS!!!!!!!!:furious:

Have you tried all the fixes and playing without the script turn on for a couple of turns? There is still hope!!! :yes: