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Not to give away anything prematurely. Those of you that have saught to capture Numantia while its still Elethoroi get a nasty surprise...
@chaotix27: Thanks :) I figure small doses is good.
@tomo: A chapter a day...thats what I promised. We will see If I can keep this up :sweatdrop:
Indeed, you're fast. Very fast.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom0
Keep pounding away on that Celtic scum. :smash:
I was referring to the excellent Carthage trilogy by Ross Leckie. The first book is from the viewpoint of Hannibal, the second from Scipio Africanus, and the third from a fictional geographer. A great series worth rereading IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirurgeon
Great update, as usual Chirurgeon. But might I ask why you took your Romani AAR out of your sig?
The signature only allows so many lines of text. I could not fit it all in. Any suggestions?Quote:
Originally Posted by CaesarAugustus
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Use hyperlinks instead of text + URL. Such as:Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirurgeon
Witness the Rise of Carthage
The Ptolemies: An AAR
Iberia Rising: A Lusitannan AAR
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Tip: In order for them to open in the same window, use the thread or post codes instead of URL:Code:[URL="https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=89425"]Witness the Rise of Carthage[/URL]
[URL="https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=95163"]The Ptolemies: An AAR[/URL]
[URL="https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=98784"]Iberia Rising: A Lusitannan AAR[/URL]
Iberia Rising: A Lusitannan AAR
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:bow:Code:[thread="98784"]Iberia Rising: A Lusitannan AAR[/thread]
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Thank you sir!
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My pleasure! :bow:
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Reading the last few chapters I kept noticing that your character is referring to the Lusitanni as "we" rather than "they". Does this mean that he is starting to consider himself Lusitanni or am I just interpreting this the wrong way?
And of course congratulations for the great update.:2thumbsup:
I suppose he has been in Lusitan so long he has forgot where home is. It has been so long since he lived at home he considers it a holiday.
I was wondering when someone was going to notice that. In my proofreading I found these and started to change it to they then I realized that would be silly. He is tied to the Lusitani through marriage. And his son is part Lusitani. Referring to we instead of they shows his emotional attachment to the culture. He will always be Punic but now he has a real connection with the people he has been following.Quote:
Originally Posted by julius_caesar_the_first
Very cool. I did read a book called "Hannibal" that was quite excellent. Do not remember the author though.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaesarAugustus
Chapter VIII: The Tempest of Battle
Spring 550 YAF (264 BC)
We spent winter quarters of 549 in camp along the Duoro. Here the men could fish and hunt and we add access to clean water. The spring came later than usual and we set out from winter quarters with the city of Numantia on our minds. King Latronos did not know its exact location but it was known to lie on the Duoro. We marched east through more beautiful country. Finally in the late spring we found the city and the King began siege operations.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-1.jpg
Located on a hill this city would be a tough one to capture. The residents were quite prepared. Early in the summer rumors of a huge army under a man named Moskun began to circulate. Your typical rank and file infantryman tends to exaggerate the sizes of armies but this particular one seemed quite large. Manpower for such a force would not be unfathomable due to the fact that so many Celts and Iberians had been displaced to this region. By the middle of summer it was in fact true. Scouts came back to the siege operations, their mounts breathless and sweating. "The Arevaci are coming. They are here. And they are huge." That was about all I heard and it was enough. The king decided it would be wise to pullback to a wooded area outside of the city. This would enable him to use the trees to his advantage. Everyone knew that this was no garrison. These were determined men and armed to the teeth. It would be a long and bloody day.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-2.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-4.jpg
(Unfortunately I have no picture of Moskun and his big ass army)
***
The next morning at dawn, Latronos aligned his army so that the main battle line of spearmen were largely obscured by the forest. There are clear advantages to fighting in a wooded area. One is surprise and concealment. Your enemy would not know how large of a force, and where that force is located. However this cuts both ways. Latronos would be at a disadvantage because he would also not know the extent of the enemy. Behind the spearmen he placed his skirmishers. It was thought that with the numerical superiority that the enemy would descend on us with great speed. This was partially true. Their skirmisher cavalry arrived before our army was in position and a small javelin exchange ensued.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-5.jpg
Soon foot skirmisher much like the ones from Galicia began hurling their javelins. There were some casualties but nothing major. Moskun was looking for a weakness, or at the least the flanks of the battle line. He located the left flank and soon their men began to descend on it. Mostly light, hastily raised, militia. Nonetheless they were a threat because of their numbers. It was at this point that the king ordered a peculiar move. He had all the levied skirmishers move in front of the main line to engage the Iberians as they approached our own main line.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-6.jpg
He also ordered that they hold their ground as long as humanly possible. To men that had small shields and no armor this was a daunting task.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-7.jpg
As the skirmishers moved forward I sat on my mount and began to draw what I could of the battlefield before all hell broke loose.
It would be some time before I would know their fate. I suppose when they came running back through the main line that would be my answer. While I waited the fate of the skirmishers, I trotted over to the left flank to see how the king was faring. Knowing that the Iberians had not located the right end of the battle line, in the thickness of the woods, he diverted reinforcements all to the left. These were a sort of light troop but a ferocious one. Expert in the use of javelins and the brutally effective falcata, these men were to be feared. The king and his body guard pummeled the light troops trying to break the left flank.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-9.jpg
Soon the light swordsmen were routing the militia. The situation became quite chaotic and the screams of men running for their lives filled the forest. At this point it is difficult to know what happened exactly. I would later find out that the king, with the support of his light troops pursued the men through the woods and ran into the rear of some Iberians that had engaged the levied skirmishers.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng/VIII-10.jpg
Unbenounced to me or anyone except the skirmishers, there was a brutal fight going on where the skirmishers were somehow holding off the entire center of the main battle line of the Iberians.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ing/VIII-8.jpg
They were bending under the pressure and being pushed backwards towards the center of our line. The appearance of the king with the light infantry, and the subsequent collision in the woods, caused some of the Iberians to break and run back towards the city. Whether this was blind luck, or a strategy is debateable, however the effect was the same. Clearly Latronos saw an opportunity to rout the enemy before they could even engage with our own spearmen, and seized it. However the king with his light infantry eventually ran into more determined foes and wisely pulled back. All the skirmishers began to fall back as well.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng/VIII-11.jpg
During the course of this heroic fight in front of the lines some of the enemy managed to get behind our lines and were now poised to attack the rear of the main line. This could be disastrous. With an unknown number of Iberians and celts coming at the main battle line he could not move those men. He had to take his exhausted skirmishers, light troops, and himself to try and turn the enemy at the rear.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng/VIII-12.jpg
It was going well until an errant spear felled the horse of King Latronos. I witnessed his cold death as spears punched at him on the ground.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng/VIII-13.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng/VIII-14.jpg
At the same time some of the northern skirmishers we had encountered in Galici hurled thier weapons into the rear of the men that just saw the death of their king. It was too much to handle. The men threw down their weapons and ran for their lives.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng/VIII-16.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng/VIII-15.jpg
I heard war screams and the collision of shields and spears as the Arevaci and others plowed into our main line. This was a defining moment for me. Would I abandon the situation and run for my life? Indeed that is exactly what I did. I turned my horse around and made for the river. I passed the men that were fleeing and left the cacophony of battle behind me. I followed the men that escaped to the river and walked until darkness. We made camp and prayed that we could make it back to friendly lands. All I could think of was returning home and seeing my family again.
Nooo! Latronos is dead, his army in dissarray and Lusotana in the gravest of perils. Damn those evil Celts, damn them.
Will Ditalkos be able to take back the initiative, or his all hope lost for the Lusotannians?
Answers to this, and more, in the next episode of Iberia Rising: A Lusitannan AAR!Quote:
Originally Posted by General Appo
Another nice update, yay.
Same EB forum, same AAR thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by The General
Truly, a episode a day is a great and noble achievment, but if some rest is needed then no readers should object.
I guess that's the nasty surprise, man that blows as those damn Elethoroi always help if they have big enough number of men:furious3: .Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirurgeon
BTW love this AAR keep it up Chirurgeon:2thumbsup: :clown:
:sobs: King Latranos is dead The King is Dead, Long live the King. :growls and mutters: Now lets get back to the Action and send that celtic Swine back to the Slime pits they come from!
Thank you all for the support. It is not that bad doing it in small bits. The last chapter was pretty intense and took some time but I am several chapters ahead. I have enough stuff written up to post one chapter each day till the middle of next week.
Update again tomorrow morning :)
I guess you can't win'em all. Congratulations for another great update as well as for the great timing:applause:. With all the angry celtic refugees it was only a matter of time until they fought back. The way this turned out it ads a huge dose of realism and a touch of suspense as to what will happen next.
When Carthage and the Lusitanni eventually go to war he will have to make a very difficult choice. I don't envy him at all:no:.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirurgeon
Yes it did add a dose of realism. Tomorrow morning I will put up the next chapter. So stay tuned! War forces people to make agonizing decisions, hence we should avoid it at all costsQuote:
Originally Posted by julius_caesar_the_first
Why is it defeats make AARs so much better? That battle sounded like my worst EB nightmare, I use general cam and avoid forested areas like the plague as it's almost impossible to keep control of your entire army.
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Damn Arevaci! They had cost me a good general too, thankfully while the king was resting in Galaecia and the prince dealing with other matters. What's more, it was them who had ambushed my general heading towards his fief with no hostile intentions whatsoever!
:2thumbsup:
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Oh, King "Latrinos" is dead! But fret thee not, I think Chirurgeon has one neat heir ready to jump in and be even more astounding:clown:
Chapter IX: Reunion
Summer, 550 YAF (264 BC)
Our freedom did not last long. Just before dawn we were discovered and I awoke to a spear tip in my face. I spoke to the man in Punic knowing that the Lusitannan language was probably not the most cherished by these people. Clearly he was taken aback and called the men over and they inspected me. Before the battle I dressed in Punic attire. This separated me from the rest of the men. I also wore my best necklace and of course my family ring. My treatment was the same though. My hands were bound and we were forced to walk upstream towards Numantia. My captors did not speak to us and my Celtic was so weak I had really no Idea what they were saying. I spent that night bound to a tree and slept quite poorly.
***
Early the next day we were awoken and marched into Numantia. It was a formidable presence on this plain by the river. Sitting on top of a hill we were taken to a makeshift prison where I spent the next few days in filth. The men learned that they were to be executed. I kept looking around trying to see if there were others that had been captured. Perhaps the entire army had been destroyed? Save for us of course. Eventually the gate to my cage was opened and I was escorted to the modest but comfortable looking home of the Chieftain. He gave me a quick look over. Before he spoke.
"What is a Punic man of wealth and power doing with an army of the Lusitani?" He demanded.
I had to choose my words carefully. I did not need to upset this man that clearly was on the edge of being angry. "My lord my name is Castulo of Kart-Hadastim. I am a traveling historian documenting the people, conflict, and history of this land."
He grunted. "You must be very busy then." He looked at me again and told the guards to untie me. I was quite grateful.
"I have heard of you Castulo. I took it upon myself to read what you have wrote. My Punic is terrible but from what I can tell you have quite the tale to tell."
He walked around the room rubbing his chin clearly thinking. I felt my eyes nervously following him.
"I read that you had contact with some of our people. A particular merchant named Videllac."
Suddenly I was extremely curious. Why was he saying all this? I had thought Videllac had perished. Somehow the old goat still lives.
"This Videllac is one of the reasons we still have goods flowing into Numantia from the land routes around Arse." He let out a sigh and then explained that the governor of the city of Arse, Epaphos, was a cutthroat merchant who saw the war between the Iberians/Celts/Lusitani as a way of making a lot of money. He was charging a huge surcharge on all goods passing through his territory knowing that the tribes were too weak to resist. Merchants protested and when the people of Celtiberia could not afford the expensive goods the trade dried up. Videllac however knew this chieftain and gave him a break. "Something about saving his ass in a fight or something." He replied gruffly.
"Videllac is but one man that can not supply all our needs. We have a trade agreement with Emporia but the goods we need from Mastia and Gader simply will not come. With the war in the lands north of the Pyrenees it has been hard to get anything. I know that Kart-Hadastim has what we need. I just need a way to convince them to trade."
I was standing there and I felt myself getting irritated. What was he going on for? Where did I come into this discussion.
"The governor of Mastia, Hasdrubal, is a friend of yours yes?" He asked casually
"Well not a friend but he is a good friend of my father." I replied honestly.
"That should be good enough." He smiled and then continued. "Kart Hadastim is at war in two places. They are fighting the Numidians in Africa and the Romani of Italy." It is well known that they are in need of Iron for weapons, shields and armor. The Galici have iron but not to the extent we do. Their mines are not as advanced as our own. I propose to trade our vast quantities of Iron with Mastia. The governor of Mastia, Hasdrubal, will gain much confidence with that Senate of Kart-Hadastim. I want a trade agreement arranged. Videllac has the means to transport the goods and you my friend will negotiate and secure as much silver coin as possible. With fresh coin I can hire another huge army to defeat the Lusitani when they return."
I looked at the man with a quizzical look on my face. "Another army my lord? Your first one seemed quite able."
He looked at me and then at some of the guards in the room. "You have no idea do you?" I sat there quietly. "After your king fell moments later, Mosgun, fell as well. The army was leaderless and so was yours. The two sides beat on each other for a while but eventually it grew late and our army made a retreat back here to the city. The damned Lusitani carried the day!"
I was dumbstruck. I ran away from a victorious army? How did they win? By the gods I should have never doubted the men. I suddenly felt terrible and ashamed. I also felt great pride for the men that prevailed.
First Battle of Numantia Part Two:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-1.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-2.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-4.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-5.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-6.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-7.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ising/IX-8.jpg
Major events during the battle:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ofNumantia.jpg
Video of the Battle:
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...ofNumantia.flv
"Enough of that. That battle is a nasty stain on our history. Videllac is on his way back from Arse as we speak. I understand you helped him find his family?"
"Yes I did". My mind wondered back to that day I helped him dig in the mass grave around his village, looking for his family.
"An honorable thing to do. His family now resides here in Numantia under the eye of the Arevaci. They are safe now."
I smiled to myself as he said this but then my smile faded with the next statement. "Should you think of running away when you get back to Mastia, know that his family will be forfeit. Videllac will lose his family if you betray us."
I felt my mouth go dry as he uttered those words. I have already lost honor by fleeing a battle. I could not endure any more by abandoning a friend.
"I will not abandon you sir. You have my word."
"Very well Castulo. You can use the cottage in the back for your own needs. You must make haste to Mastia with the iron."
"Sir If I may ask another question?"
He nodded. "Of course"
"How do I manage to convince the leader of Arse not to charge an exorbitant amount of silver to pass through his lands?"
He raised his eyebrows. "A good question. I am not sure. Your a smart educated man. This should prove to be a worthy challenge for you"
@Johnhughthom: I had hoped to use the forest to make it chaotic for the enemy. Plus the Lusitani get a combat bonus for fighting in the woods. Might as well give them the best chance possible. Most players of EB are used to winning. So losing is a rare twist. Although in this case I didnt lose. The gods favored me somehow.
@Mouza: yes the Arevaci are a pain but I wanted to roleplay the Celtic defense. I think it worked out pretty good. That battle added so much to the story.
@Selukia: Ditalkos is a much different man than Latronos. This becomes apparent later on.
VERY NICE! that battle had me on the edge of my seat!
Tell me about it!! Had they found the end of the right flank I would have been screwed. I was able to move everything over to the left flank and prevent a catastrophe. I pounded a beer after that battle.Quote:
Originally Posted by hooahguy
Impressive as always! What a battle! it could become a movie!!!! By the way, no cavalry yet?
I haven't been able to train any as my MICs are not high enough level yet. Cavalry will come however. I am only 10 years into the campaign :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Leão magno
Incredible! I was sure that Latronos army would be completely destroyed after his death and the rout of the light troops and cavalry.
Great story, please keep it up.