[Romani AAR] It began on seven hills...

This is the AAR thread for my EB 1.1 Romani game (H/M with rtw.exe). I had promised myself I'd wait a week or two for the bugs to show and fixes to come out, but when I got home the other day it had finished downloading. Thing is some of the fun went out of my 1.0 game when the Parthians died, meaning I could never have them a major power in the 1st century BC. And while I would like to get my mini-mod starting in 250BC going, that's not going to be a quick project.

Besides which, if I'm honest I have a soft spot for Camillian troops who are kind of cool in their own way. I've discovered my new favourite allied troop as well in the Bruttian infantry.

I'm playing to historical expansion and composition, as per my WIP guide

We open in 270BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II270BC.jpg

The garrison of Taras sallied out to defeat, despite outnumbering the Roman forces at the tail end of 272BC, meaning it was taken in an appropriate year. That task done, 271 was spent making good two armies for the southern and northern pushes. Most important of all was to retake Rhegion and restore Roman honour by punishing the traitor.

In the above I'd just taken Rhegion and the following turn, at the end of the winter of 270 Bononia's garrison sallied out and was handed a decisive pasting.

Of note with the AI factions was Epeiros' brushing the Makedones aside to their capital and Demetrius. I wasn't too happy about that, especially as they seemed set to destroy Koinon Hellenon as well. Something I don't like are superpowers growing in my backyard.

Fortunately Force Diplomacy and some creativity with the console arrested their behaviour. I lumped them with a 50k penalty to stop them recruiting, then took settlements off them. By 266BC they'd gone very quiet indeed:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II266BC.jpg

Then I turned my attentions to Pontos who rushed to an early lead in Asia Minor. Ideally I'd like their new settlements to go rebel again rather than go to any one faction. I've got my usual plan in store for Galatia - I'll gift it to the Arverni this time, though.

I've been gifting money via the console to the Hai and Baktria. I did initially to Pahlava, but they seem to be doing just fine. The Getai are similarly sweeping their region while the three Hellenic factions beat seven shades out of each other.

264BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II264BC.jpg

The First Punic War has begun, although the opening was a bit of a damp squib. A show of force by the Karthadastim, then they high-tailed it back to Lilibeo. I may have to resort to scripting some reinforcements for them, so we have an actual battle or three (how would I do that?).

I'm also struggling financially a little, but that's because I have two full consular legions when I can only really support one. I only make a profit of around 1.5k a turn right now. Warring with my best trading partner hasn't helped matters, either.

I think it would be better if you played alternate history instead of recreating it. So many Roman AARs go the strict route of trying to replicate history. I think its a shame that you abandoned your old AAR just because 1.1 is out. You put so much work into that one. I wish people wouldnt give up on their AARs so easily. Seems they really get going and suddenly Poof! they are dead. Sigh oh well I guess I am just venting. Carry on then!

As I've already said, I'm not interested in alternate history. That doesn't give me any kind of guide as to what I should be doing and I'd either spend a lot of time turtling and building myself up without acting, or rashly going out there and grabbing stuff. I only play EB because I want a historical simulation, and a chance to test out my house rules.

The other AAR was always struggling to maintain my interest after Pahlava died, it was only then that I realised how important it is to keep an eye on the other factions from the very beginning, not just later on.

Dude! Give Pyrrhus his due and give him back his territories.

If you want to stop him pwning the Macedonians fight him! Don't use Force Diplomacy.

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Originally Posted by Banzai!

Dude! Give Pyrrhus his due and give him back his territories.

If you want to stop him pwning the Macedonians fight him! Don't use Force Diplomacy.

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I'm not fighting the Epirotes now I've taken Taras, nor engaging in an ahistorical early war in Greece. I've got war with Qarthadast, that's more than enough to content with, without losing even more trade income.

Besides which, all Makedonia were left with was Mytilene, and I didn't want them abandoning Greece and expanding out into Asia Minor.

261BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II261BC.jpg

Pontos is still expanding at an alarming rate, last turn they took Ankyra, which I gave to the Arverni via Force Dipliomacy. Nothing I have in the region can slow them down, my only spy just died trying to get into Nikaia. I've got two more on their way to try to foment some unrest and hopefully spark rebellions back to the Eleutheroi. If they take Tylis and I can't get it to revolt, I'll give it to Makedonia. What's most annoying is they're not even trying to take Sinope after failing the first time.

I took Messana a couple of turns ago, now things in Sicily have gone a bit cold. Apparently in 257BC or so there's a coming of age in Lilibeo which makes them more aggressive, so I'll wait for that to get the hot war moving. Then once we've had a battle or two, I'll send that stack to Africa.

I've been long-sieging Segesta, about to start again for the final time. Has had the side benefit of culling the Gaesatae who will make taking it hard.

The taking of Messana has helped my economy a lot, now clearing around 4k in profit a year, which I've been putting to good effect building some farms and markets.

nice job so far, trying to control AI expansion looks to be a real pain the ass tho. lol

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Originally Posted by STuNTz2023

nice job so far, trying to control AI expansion looks to be a real pain the ass tho. lol

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Yep, he'd have had an easier time on Medium campaign difficulty instead of Hard for a purely historical game.

259BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II259BC.jpg

My conquest of Italy is now done for a generation having taken Segesta and now holding all Italy south of the Padus.

In the rest of the world, I had a brief scare thinking the Arverni would take Massilia, but it was an army led by a captain and they got mauled. Makedonia seem to have awoken, taking Serdike and now besieging a weakened Tylis. I can only hope they'll kick Pontos off the continent.

Pahlava and Baktria are both growing at the expense of the Seleukids. The Hai are doing alright, I think they're just about to start trouble with the Sauromatae.

Funny people mention the campaign difficulty, I haven't really found the AI lvel of aggressions towards itself any different in Medium, compared to Hard.

its impossible to border anyone and not have them attack you on anything higher than medium - unless you make them a protectorate.

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Originally Posted by thelord

its impossible to border anyone and not have them attack you on anything higher than medium - unless you make them a protectorate.

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I've had fairly lengthy peace with the Aedui in my other game. There was a brief bit of war, but after I destroyed a couple of stacks sent my way, they accepted a forced peace. I also destroyed their barracks in Mediolanium at the time, and later took it.

Similarly the Arverni gave up after a while, although they were always sending spies and assassins to my settlements in Spain. Epeiros gave up on me after a few decades of having their armies trashed. I never went to war with the Getai, although they regularly pestered me for an alliance.

All this said, I did start out using my diplomats to boost the finances of various factions, later switching to using the console. So perhaps this switched my relations into the heavily positive.

In my current game I do have regular token tributes with some factions (Getai, Arverni and Lusotanii presently).

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

As I've already said, I'm not interested in alternate history. That doesn't give me any kind of guide as to what I should be doing and I'd either spend a lot of time turtling and building myself up without acting, or rashly going out there and grabbing stuff. I only play EB because I want a historical simulation, and a chance to test out my house rules.

The other AAR was always struggling to maintain my interest after Pahlava died, it was only then that I realised how important it is to keep an eye on the other factions from the very beginning, not just later on.

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The beauty of alternate history is that you are not chained to what actually happened. The AI does not follow history. You said you quit your last campaign because the Pahlava were killed off. That can happen in EB. Its what makes the game fascinating. The AI does not play by your rules which is why it is easier to adapt to the situations that you are presented with. One of the most enjoyable aspects of AARs is not knowing what is going to happen next. One of the most intense and long fought wars I ever did was when I was Rome and had to face the Macedonian Juggernaut that had taken over everything south of the Danube. It was amazing because I had to come up with tactics to beat them without Legionnaires. I think the AI will frustrate your efforts. Not only will you micromanage your own faction but you will have to do that for the other dozen factions as well. Just trying to save you a lot of trouble later on thats all.

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Originally Posted by Chirurgeon

The beauty of alternate history is that you are not chained to what actually happened. The AI does not follow history. You said you quit your last campaign because the Pahlava were killed off. That can happen in EB. Its what makes the game fascinating. The AI does not play by your rules which is why it is easier to adapt to the situations that you are presented with. One of the most enjoyable aspects of AARs is not knowing what is going to happen next. One of the most intense and long fought wars I ever did was when I was Rome and had to face the Macedonian Juggernaut that had taken over everything south of the Danube. It was amazing because I had to come up with tactics to beat them without Legionnaires. I think the AI will frustrate your efforts. Not only will you micromanage your own faction but you will have to do that for the other dozen factions as well. Just trying to save you a lot of trouble later on thats all.

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It makes the game a lot more interesting for me having to keep an eye on them. Just focusing on your own faction without a view to the balance of power elsewhere quickly turns into a rather boring game of queuing stuff with the occasional battle here and there.

Furthermore, it gives your agents something meaningful to do. Diplomats, spies and assassins are all active parts of keeping the AI factions balanced, rather than just people you occasionally use for yourself.

Plus it stops you rushing out there, which inevitably seems to be involved in people playing "alternate history". It wasn't actually that much trouble in the other game, and I've started earlier this time around.

257BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II257BC.jpg

Just as someone said, in 259BC a Karthadastim family member came of age, and suddenly they became a lot more aggressive. I've been giving them money in the hopes they'll hire a fair few of the huge numbers of mercs washing around Sicily. I've been avoiding hiring any of them myself.

There's a genuine stalemate in Libya between Seleukids and Ptolemies. Baktria are starting to get into their swing. Pahlava are giving the Seleukids a lot of trouble. Epeiros have fully gone to sleep, they're now a Makedonian protectorate and doing nothing. Koinon Hellenon keep attacking the Seleukids in Asia Minor after Halikarnassos rebelled to them.

Well, I would certainly never be able to play a campaign like this, always interfering with the AI´s war, but it´s sure fun to read an AAR about it, so keep it up. I hope we get to see a big Imperium Romanum vs Parthian Empire war in a few hundred years. It´s good to see that the Pahlavans are doing something of their own in 1.1, and not just attacking the Saka´s.

254BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II254BC.jpg

Waiting and gifting of money (via console) seem to have stirred Qarthadast into action! They've now besieged Messana three times, I've got another attack to fend off here. You can't see them because they've just boarded ship, but I've got the Army of Sicily ready to sail to north Africa, which means the client ruler of Messana is on his own. That said he's proven quite capable and though he only has local levies to call upon, they are well-drilled enough.

If anyone is wondering about how Saba ended up with a province in the north African desert, that's some capricious Force Diplomacy from me right there. Since the various kingdoms of Numidia, Mauretania and others don't exist, I figured something needed to prevent Karthadastim hegemony in Africa.

I think Pahlava have over-extended themselves taking Susa, they've run out of steam.

Good work. Though be careful the Pahlavans there, a huge Parthian Empire around 50BC might be nice, but you still want some Seleukids to fight in the Roman-Syrian war.

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Originally Posted by General Appo

Good work. Though be careful the Pahlavans there, a huge Parthian Empire around 50BC might be nice, but you still want some Seleukids to fight in the Roman-Syrian war.

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Indeed, that's why I've not given them any assistance since the first turn pretty much. It looks like they've over-extended themselves and the Seleukids are returning with a vengeance too.

Later in 254BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/II245BC2.jpg

I landed an army in Africa and took Adrumento, which was defended only by a single family member. Next port of call, Atiqa, assuming they can't scrap an army together for a battle.

In Sicily they actually landed another family member and some proper reinforcements. Give them long enough and my army might have gotten back from it's raid (I don't plan to hold either settlement). Pirate sunk the transports, I'll have to raise some more; all the money from destroying their buildings helped lots.

252BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II252BC.jpg

The proconsul Lucius Cornelius Scipio and his army, safely returned from the punitive expedition in Africa. You can see the very tip is red where Atiqa was raided, I expect it to be retaken given I left nothing there.

Once more, the Karthadastim have besieged Messana, the client ruler there is turning into quite an adept general handling these sieges. He always sallies out immediately, and occasionally they stick around to fight. There's loads of mercenaries on the island, but even though I've been giving them 5k a turn they don't seem to be hiring many (do I need to be giving them more?). Hopefully now they can't recruit troops in Adrumento or Atiqa they might do something about that. Either way I have no intention of taking Lilibeo for ages yet. An unintended side-effect of my raid is that it seems to have stalled their westward expansion on the African coast, which is cool.

As for the rest of the world, some cheeky Force Diplomacy relieved Pontos of Byzantion and Ipsos, they're expanding too fast for my liking and just failed to take Sinope again.

There's a stalemate in Greece between Makedonia and Koinon Hellenon. Epeiros are still doing nothing at all, they now have two full stacks sitting doing nothing.

I may have to do something about the Getai eventually, they're not really hassling Makedonia enough and are haring off north.

The Sweboz are doing some serious expanding, fortunately the guard stack has appeared in Noricum in case they get any ideas about attacking my northern border.

251BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II251BC.jpg

I'm quite pleased with myself, because my plan has paid off. I've been gifting the Karthadastim 5-10k a turn in the hopes they'd buy up some of those mercenaries in Sicily, and they did! So we might finally have a proper decisive battle on the island, rather than all these pointless sieges where I sally out and drive them off in the first turn.

I may try to do a more detailed AAR on this battle since it's pretty significant.

Dang how did you lose the hold on north Africa? You had two of their cities occupied! Did I miss a battle?

Ehhh.... he just raided them in an attempt to imitate Regulus invasion of North Africa? Read the AAR, and you´ll see it.

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Originally Posted by General Appo

Ehhh.... he just raided them in an attempt to imitate Regulus invasion of North Africa? Read the AAR, and you´ll see it.

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wow so he is trying to replicate each battle too? Dang thats gonna be tough

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Originally Posted by Chirurgeon

wow so he is trying to replicate each battle too? Dang thats gonna be tough

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No, just the general idea of the various campaigns. I couldn't get a battle in Africa, so had to settle for just raiding two of their cities. Fortunately they did then hire scads of mercenaries in Sicily, so when the army returned from Africa, it was to prepare for a big battle.

The Battle of Elymia 250BC:

The proconsul Lucius Cornelius Scipio had returned to Sicily after a successful campaign in Africa in 251BC. He had sent ahead for reinforcements and resupplies to join him on the island, for he intended to continue the war against Qarthadast on these shores. He spent the campaiging season of 251 marching for Messana and the desparately needed supplies. He heard through scouts and locals that there was a large Karthadastim force in the region, but he had to prepare rather than lead his weary troops into combat again.

On reaching Messana late in autumnus, the proconsul was struck with an ague, and ordered his troops to build camp and set his subordinates to preparing the men for next season's campaign, while he convalesced in the city of Messana. The client ruler of Messana hosted the ailing general, regaling him with accounts of the numerous attempts the Karthadastim had made on the city, and giving him the true story of the rumours that he had personally turned the tide of one of these battles.

By the spring of 250, Scipio and his army were ready to march, new maniples and a detachment of cavalry arriving from the mainland to bring his consular army back to full strength. Unfortunately he was still stuck with the drunkard Kaeso Claudius Nero, foremost among the tribunes and a thoroughly bad influence on all those young men. His uncle had ensured he was placed with Scipio's army for two reasons; in the vain hope military service might reform his wayward nephew, but failing that he might at least cause trouble for Scipio and slow the ascendancy of that man's star. For if this campaign went well, all might recognise that Scipio was becoming the First Man in Rome.

Yet in spite of his trepidations about vipers in his midst, the army left promptly with the melting of the snows on Etna's lower slopes. It was not until summer that contact was made with the Qarthadast army, on the southern coast several miles from the Karthadastim city of Lilibeo. Scipio halted and made his camp close to the shore.

The Qarthadast, led by the young Hamalcar were content to wait in their camp opposite the Romans, but his hand was forced by a rash captain Abdosir who was eager for some glory and frustrated by the progress of the campaign in Sicily. Hamalcar had only recently hired a large contingent of mercenaries, a mixture of Iberians, Ligurians, Gauls from several tribes and some Hellenic spearmen, and hadn't yet had time to properly integrate them into his army. But he was faced with losing Abdosir's men, which included elites recently transported from Kart-Hadast, and possibly risked another main stealing the glory. For Abdosir had a grandfather on the Council of Thirty, and an ancestor who had been a suffete. So reluctantly he joined battle in support of the hot-headed captain.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle1.jpg

Hearing from his scouts that there were in fact two Karthadastim forces approaching his camp, Scipio had his army march out into battle order barely a mile from the tents. He anchored his left flank on the shoreline and deployed in the traditional triplex acies.

In the consilium the night before, he had stressed to his legates, tribunes and centurions the importance of strict discipline, for restraint, not battle-lust would win the day. They had to be wary of the superior enemy numbers and keep the men in hand. He said this not out of cowardice, for he had won the corona civica for gallantry outside the walls of Taras twenty years before, but because he knew what an over-enthusiastic soldier might do. As a general, he must look to the preservation of the whole and beyond the chance to win personal accolades. Nero had insisted that he be allowed the position of honour on the right wing, and given he was a pompous Claudii, none would dare gainsay him. So Scipio granted his request, hoping the man would at least be sober on the morrow. Thus Scipio personally commanded the centre, Nero the right wing and a praefectus sociorum with some allied cavalry the left. Scipio retained a body of Campanian cavalry in reserve where he could direct them to where they were most needed.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle2.jpg

The smaller Karthadastim force marched in from the north, with the larger coming in from the east. Scipio ordered his officers to give the command to ground arms while they waited to see what the enemy would do. He was concerned in particular to see if this smaller force would wait for reinforcements, or simply attack.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle3.jpg

The reckless Abdosir sent his scant force forwards, leading the light horse personally.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle4.jpg

His Iberian light troops were harassed at range by the Roman archers, losing a number of men as they approached. They charged the ala on the right wing, clashing with the Bruttians who stood firm. Matching the Qarthadast captain in impetuousity, Nero charged his horse forwards, his friends following as they slammed into the Iberian's flank. It was too much for the tribesmen, who broke and ran. Heedless of discipline, Nero and his companions gave chase, ignoring a rider from Scipio ordering them back into line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle5.jpg

While this was going on, Abdosir and his cavalry made for the Roman lines and his infantry struggled to keep up and maintain their formation. Abdosir came under a prolonged shower of missiles from the Roman skirmishers, losing half his force. At the critical moment, Scipio sent his Campanian reserve forward, and they broke the will of the Karthadastim cavalry.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle6.jpg

Abdosir made good his escape, leaving the rest of his detachment to their fate, and the well-drilled Campanians broke off pursuit. By now the elite African pikemen had engaged, but looked warily over their shoulder at the fleeing captain. The Campanians charged into their rear, and that was it. They ran in all directions, tossing away weapon and shield in their haste. And thus it was that the first Qarthadast force was disposed of. Scipio allowed the allied skirmishers to give chase, cutting down many of the pikemen in their headlong flight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle7.jpg

He gave the order for the rest of the army to wheel and face the threat of the larger army.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle8.jpg

Hamalcar had drawn up his men in a single line, but dared not march towards the Romans. He was having language problems communicating with some of the new contingents, and decided to stay put. Feeling buoyed by their easy victory, the Romans advanced to meet their new foe.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilyBattle9.jpg

Yet still they could not provoke the enemy to attack, so they marched still further, taking care to dress their lines and hold formation. Eventually Nero halted his pursuit and turned back for the Roman lines.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle10.jpg

Some Ligurians and Iberians were provoked by Roman taunts, and charged without orders.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle11.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle12.jpg

But the Iberians particularly suffered from several volleys of javelins, and the survivors turned and ran. Scipio sent his trusty Campanians forward once more to mop up the survivors.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle13.jpg

Unlike Nero, the decurion in charge of the Campanians knew his business. When some formed up Greeks and pikemen charged, he turned his cavalry around and made for the safety of the infantry lines.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle14.jpg

The pikemen attacked the left flank of Roman line unsupported, and thus some allied skirmishers were able to slip in behind them. For now the praefectus held the rest of his force in reserve, trusting the fighting skill of the Bruttians to keep them safe.

The skirmishers charged.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle15.jpg

Then the centurion commanding the nearby principes decided to finish the matter.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle16.jpg

Under this onslaught, not even the tough pikemen could prevail, and although some chose to fight to the bitter end, their gesture was futile. Once again the Campanians were ordered forward to finish them.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle17.jpg

The principes were ordered back to their place in the line, and for a few minutes there was a lull in the fighting.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle18.jpg

Then Hamalcar, despairing of controlling his armies, gave the command to attack. He engaged the Roman left and centre, but his own left wing refused to join the battle, and he haraunged the chieftains to little avail.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle19.jpg

More troops were fed into the combat in the centre, and for a time it was a desparate fight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle20.jpg

Meanwhile on the Roman left Gallic warriors tried to turn the Roman flank, stopped only by the allied skirmishers who had already done so much this day. Their stand allowed the Greek and Campanian cavalry to slip around the fighting line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle21.jpg

In the centre the Ligurians broke and again the Campanians capitalised on their despair. The Bruttians wheeled around and hit the Iberians engaged with the prinicpes on their flank. They also gave up the fight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle22.jpg

The Greek cavalry charged the read of the phalanx to little avail, and so withdraw and re-addressed, trying the Gauls instead. At the same time the principes in the left legion, without any opponents marched to the rescue of the left wing.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle23.jpg

It was their arrival that turned the tide, the Gauls losing heart.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle24.jpg

Daylight was beginning to fail, and on the right wing Nero was growing bored. Plus his hangover was starting to set in, and he wanted to take that out on someone. He brought up the right ala to attack the Gauls who had refused to move when ordered.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle25.jpg

His ill-advised maneuver turned the right wing into chaos as the Qarthadast cavalry attacked, and a body of Ligurians joined in support of the Gauls.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle26.jpg

On the left flank, the Greek phalanx had had enough, they could see which way this battle was going with the piecemeal command and lack of support.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle27.jpg

Seeing the exodus on the left and centre, the Gauls opposing Nero fled, the tribune giving chase eagerly.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lyBattle28.jpg

Which was to be the last action of the battle as dusk prevented a concerted pursuit.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...yBattleEnd.jpg

Scipio was hailed as imperator by his men, for they had soundly defeated a much larger for and their own casualties were relatively light. Even so, in the interests of preserving his force, Scipio withdraw and marched back to Messana to restock. It was approaching the end of the campaigning season, and there would be more to this war yet.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II250BC.jpg

Great battle man. Too bad they didnt have it together. I notice alot that AI reinforcements will sometimes deploy randomly throughout the field. They will not engage.

Yeah, I was a bit annoyed when the smaller force attacked me, rather than the bigger one having seen how reinforcements sometimes do really stupid things.

I did note that the conditions for Imperator have been made easier, used to need a heroic victory against big odds.

Very good battle!!I like the way you try to recreate the history on such a way

Quintvs, could you upload your save files?

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Originally Posted by alatar

Quintvs, could you upload your save files?

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I've only got the one file; where/what would I upload it to?

Filefront or somewhere.

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Originally Posted by alatar

Filefront or somewhere.

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Alright, it's done. You can get my saved game (packaged in rar format) here.

Thank you very much (It saves me going through the rather boring first 20 years, in fact (as I play like you and generally just press end turn most of the time)).

An interesting AAR, I follow it abit reluctantly though. The historical thing is cool on the one hand, but the amount of force diplomacy you use, kinda feels like cheating to me (even after you explained why you did it, it's not rational it's a feeling) which kinda puts me off sometimes. Well to each his own I always say. Still an interesting read though.

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Originally Posted by alatar

Thank you very much (It saves me going through the rather boring first 20 years, in fact (as I play like you and generally just press end turn most of the time)).

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No problem, hope you have fun with it. Only things I did that are non-standard was halve the size of the triarii maniples (halved cost as well) and install the Force Diplomacy script.

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Originally Posted by Reality=Chaos

An interesting AAR, I follow it abit reluctantly though. The historical thing is cool on the one hand, but the amount of force diplomacy you use, kinda feels like cheating to me (even after you explained why you did it, it's not rational it's a feeling) which kinda puts me off sometimes. Well to each his own I always say. Still an interesting read though.

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I'm not bothered about "cheating" in the slightest, doesn't detract from my own fun, especially since I don't use it for my own advantage. I don't play games because I want the "challenge" of "beating" the game, that does nothing for me. Getting a rough historical simulation is more important a goal.

Indeed my present run of genuine cheating (using the console to give factions money) expressly makes my life more difficult, rather than easier. I get my difficulty from sticking to history, rather than random stuff happening through the engine.

Ive been wondering how you will recreate Hannibal in Italy. Are you going to script it somehow?

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

No problem, hope you have fun with it. Only things I did that are non-standard was halve the size of the triarii maniples (halved cost as well) and install the Force Diplomacy script.



I'm not bothered about "cheating" in the slightest, doesn't detract from my own fun, especially since I don't use it for my own advantage. I don't play games because I want the "challenge" of "beating" the game, that does nothing for me. Getting a rough historical simulation is more important a goal.

Indeed my present run of genuine cheating (using the console to give factions money) expressly makes my life more difficult, rather than easier. I get my difficulty from sticking to history, rather than random stuff happening through the engine.

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Yes I know why you do it, since you had explained already. I was just trying to comment on my somewhat torn feeling about the AAR. As I said earlier it's a feeling I have about it, not a rational argument or anything.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chirurgeon

Ive been wondering how you will recreate Hannibal in Italy. Are you going to script it somehow?

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I've been thinking about that. I don't know how to script stuff, so I'd need help, but perhaps put him in Italy and FD Tarentum and maybe Capua to Qarthadast. Plus give Mediolanium and Patavium to the Arverni or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

I've been thinking about that. I don't know how to script stuff, so I'd need help, but perhaps put him in Italy and FD Tarentum and maybe Capua to Qarthadast. Plus give Mediolanium and Patavium to the Arverni or something.

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Scripting an army is easy.

As for the save file, it loaded, but the traits are all messed up so I'm starting my own campign.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alatar

Scripting an army is easy.

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I literally have no clue whatsoever in terms of scripting. What file would I be editing?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alatar

As for the save file, it loaded, but the traits are all messed up so I'm starting my own campign.

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What happened to them? I've never used someone else's saved game, is that a common problem? Could it be because I zipped it up?

The EB script file.

writing the spawn army bit is very easy.

Then just add a monitor for a number of turns. Look at the EB script file and find some examples of spawing armies.

249BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II249BC.jpg

Only a minor update, I've captured the most significant thing that's happened the past few turns. I've switched to BI.exe, and there's already a result. Makedonia has sent a fleet carrying six units to take Crete. First time I've seen any faction take it with purpose, rather than stumbling some units there, who wander around but never actually take it. The other ship you can see also contains a unit, possibly some naval reinforcement.

No naval invasions from Qarthadast, possibly because they don't appear to have any ships.

Had to rescue the Arverni, they were down to one settlement in Gaul. Wondering whether I need to do something more active to preserve the Seleukids who are losing territory to Pahlava, Baktria, Koinon Hellenon and Pontos. Seem to be containing the Ptolemies, but that's it.

This is an awesome campaign, somehow even better than your one on 1.0; must be the stronger steppe factions. I have to warn you though, since I heard someone on the forums say that gifting provinces to the AI messes with their ability to recruit units in those provinces, so that may be why in your last game the nomads were unable to retain control of territory that you had given them. I haven't heard any hard proof on this, but there does seem, at the very least, to be apparent truth to this, as in my Qarthadast campaign where I gifted Bononia and Arretium to the Aedui. They so far haven't done much so far and it has been quite some time since they got them. Part of it might be that they are still neutral to the Romani, but who knows. Just thought I'd warn you. Someone said that if you let the province rebel, it avoids this problem, and from experience, this seems to work.

Chairman

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chairman

This is an awesome campaign, somehow even better than your one on 1.0; must be the stronger steppe factions. I have to warn you though, since I heard someone on the forums say that gifting provinces to the AI messes with their ability to recruit units in those provinces, so that may be why in your last game the nomads were unable to retain control of territory that you had given them. I haven't heard any hard proof on this, but there does seem, at the very least, to be apparent truth to this, as in my Qarthadast campaign where I gifted Bononia and Arretium to the Aedui. They so far haven't done much so far and it has been quite some time since they got them. Part of it might be that they are still neutral to the Romani, but who knows. Just thought I'd warn you. Someone said that if you let the province rebel, it avoids this problem, and from experience, this seems to work.

Chairman

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Could it have been a problem in 1.5 that was fixed in 1.6/BI? I've just changed executable so I'm hoping that's no longer the case. Having said that, Epeiros' AI seems to have gone catatonic, they've done nothing but occasionally recruit troops for the last 20 years, but they haven't marched them anywhere. Now they are in the strange position of being at peace with everyone (and Makedonia's protectorate) but even so it's bizarre.

I have no idea about anything at all beyond 1.5 as that is most that I have, mainly because you don't need anything else to play EB, and I still don't trust Kingdoms. Ehh, what can you do.

Though your point about Epirus does seem strange given their normally super-aggressive behavior in all of the other 1.1 games I have seen posted. It must be a result of having been cowed by the bigger "Alpha Dog" of your Forced Diplomacy. It seems Epirus has met their match :laugh4: .

Hopefully 1.6/BI solved the gifting-province-recruitment problem, but that's something we'll have to wait and see about, which I will be doing most attentively as I follow your fascinating AAR.

Cheers

Chairman

The Battle of Trinakrie, 249BC

The imperator and proconsul Lucius Cornelius Scipio knew his time in Sicily was nearing an end. Already there were whisperings among his officers that someone was preparing a case against him at Rome, and that his enemies were looking to replace him as commander of the war in this theatre. However he had more pressing matters at hand, a Karthadastim army under Hamalcar was raiding the communities in Trinakrie. Given Hiero was a Friend of the People of Rome, it was Scipio's duty to protect these people.

The summer and autumn seasons were spent marching and counter-marching, both armies trying to get a better position. Supply issues forced Scipio to accept battle on ground of Hamalcar's choosing.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...attleStart.jpg

Hamalcar had fewer men, but a better position on the crest of a hill. Scipio deployed his men in the regular triplex acies, using an outcropping of rock to anchor his right flank. Nero was on the left wing with his adherents, no longer able to justify the place of honour after his behaviour outside Lilibeo. Once more Scipio's Campanians were held in reserve at his personal command.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle1.jpg

Hamalcar was confident, and sent his skirmishers forward immediately, trusting to elevation to give their missiles extra stopping power and range.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle2.jpg

Scipio ordered his troops forward. He knew this would be a slogging match of a battle with little subtlety. His men would simply have to brave the storm, march uphill and take the fight to the foe. They were confident in their general and he trusted them to get the job done.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle3.jpg

The missiles began to have an immediate effect, taking a serious toll on Scipio's own light troops.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle4.jpg

Still they marched on closing their files and leaving the dead and wounded in their wake.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle5.jpg

On the right flank, Hamalcar's Greek cavalry charged the skirmishers who fell back towards the hastati.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle6.jpg

In the centre and left, Hamalcar maneuvered, but did not engage.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle7.jpg

Then he ordered his Garamantines forward, overseeing them personally to inspire them to greater bravery. Scipio sent his reserve cavalry forward to shower the lightly-armoured Garamantines with javelins, but held them from a charge.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle8.jpg

On the right, the intervention of Scipio's own allied cavalry drove off Hamalcar's Greeks, even as his heavy skirmishers rushed to their aid.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...useBattle9.jpg

In the centre, more peltasts joined the fray, but the retreat of the cavalry created a gap in the line. The Samnites took advantage of this to outflank the heavy skirmishers. Meanwhile on the right the Bruttians charged the other group of peltasts.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle10.jpg

On the left, a subdued Nero ordered his files of troops forward, attempting to engage the slingers and javelineers on the hilltop.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle11.jpg

Fighting in the centre was fierce, Scipio could see Hamalcar across the dusty field, but schooled himself to stillness. He wasn't a young man any more, his duty was to inspire and observe, not charge sword-in-hand.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle12.jpg

The Samnites arrived behind the peltasts and on the right the allied cavalry withdrew behind the fighting line then marched around the flank.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle13.jpg

In direct contrast to the older man's command style, Hamalcar charged into the maelstrom in the centre, hoping to add the weight of his bodyguard to the press. Scipio held his ground, but sent the Campanians forward.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle14.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle15.jpg

Meanwhile on the right, the allied cavalry charged into the rear of the peltasts.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle16.jpg

Just to the left of the centre, the Maurians broke, unable to maintain contact with the more heavily armed and armoured principes.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle17.jpg

Nero looped around the scrum on the left, charging the rear of another group of Maurians.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle18.jpg

Pressed between the Bruttians, skirmishers and allied cavalry, the enemy peltasts were crushed. They were shown little mercy.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle19.jpg

Some of the more eager members of Scipio's praetoria leapt into the melee with Hamalcar's bodyguard, but the imperator calmly sat his horse.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle20.jpg

Nero, who had been pursuing fleeing skirmishers behind the Qarthdastim line, turned his friends into the rear of the Garamantines in the centre. They collapsed under the pressure.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle21.jpg

That began the rout, in which Hamalcar was pulled to safety by one of his bodyguard, and the general fled the battle.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...seBattle22.jpg

Thus a hard-fought victory was won. But Scipio was already thinking about reinforcements for his depleted force.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...eBattleEnd.jpg

246BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II246BC.jpg

The war continues in Sicily, Scipio has been replaced by Marcus Aurelius Cotta, a senior praetor, and he just celebrated his triumph in Rome. With the death of Gnaeus Cornelius Blasio, the princeps senatus, Scipio is now the First Man in Rome.

The Getai are running away with the northern part of the map, not sure if I should start boosting Sauromatae funds to compensate.

There's a small Makedonian stack in Epeiros, maybe they'll start something there and kick them out of their malaise.

Just below the shot there's a Ptolemaic army who've arrived on Crete to contest the Makedonian attempt to take it.

good story:2thumbsup: !! but one question the battle formations you use are that the historical ones?

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Originally Posted by hrrypttrbst

good story:2thumbsup: !! but one question the battle formations you use are that the historical ones?

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As near as is possible within the confines of the engine. Although I don't place the pedites extraordinarii (don't actually have any) in the right ala as was traditional. You can see my pretty standard arrangement in the second pic (which I originally forgot to attach).

this is quite a good read.

Quintus, in 1.0 I did exactly the same as you for my Romani game. It paid off too well I'd say :wall:

The Carthaginians did manage to put up a good fight for Lilibeo after being given 100,000 mnai and 10 years of 'truce'.

When I defeated them, I landed in Africa and fought many great battles until... I met up an army of a Puno-Iberian(Can't remember his name), who was a veteran of Puno-Ptolemaic wars.

His army was composed of two silver chevron veterans of Elite african pikemen, 2 sacred band infantry, and rest elite african infantry and two libo-phoenicians.

Needless to say, not even my best army could defeat such a monster, and it was quite embarassing and fun, to fight this pseudo-Hannibal.

This AAR is on hold for the moment, with the revelation about the UnitSize bug for several factions. It's non-savegame-compatible, which means a restart in the near future.

Meanwhile I'd appreciate some feedback on the style of this one. Was the campaign description plus major battles a good format to go with? Or was there too much detail on battles?

Better much detail,then no details.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

This AAR is on hold for the moment, with the revelation about the UnitSize bug for several factions. It's non-savegame-compatible, which means a restart in the near future.

Meanwhile I'd appreciate some feedback on the style of this one. Was the campaign description plus major battles a good format to go with? Or was there too much detail on battles?

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It was a good read, too bad it is on hold...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snude

It was a good read, too bad it is on hold...

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Soon as the complete fix is out, I'll start afresh, with just as much entertaining narrative. :yes:

EDIT: It seems that I may have been hasty in assuming I needed a restart. Apparently the bug is only relevant to some faction leaders at the start of the game. If that's the case it's irrelevant to me since they're all dead by now anyway. So this will resume!

I think Makedonia was the only faction with that broken trigger. And the default, when the trigger is broken, is the huge setting. So if you are playing on huge already the fix doesn't actually change anything.

The Second Battle of Elymia, 245BC

The praetor Marcus Aurelius Cotta had been sent to Sicily to replace Lucius Cornelius Scipio. The troops weren't happy to see their beloved commander leave them, and Cotta was a harder man to warm to. He was given to bouts of depression and kept people at a distance. He was a rhetorician and poet of some renown, and that only detracted still further from his common touch. Of plebian nobility, command didn't sit quite so well with him, lacking a patrician's natural air of authority.

Matters were not helped by that palpable aura of authority carried by his quaestor and legate, Sextus Claudius Pulcher. Pulcher was an ambitious and capable young man, clearly on the ascendant.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/Pulcher.jpg

Nevertheless, he was scrupulous and proper in his conduct and made no attempt to undermine his commander's authority. The men were relieved by the unity of command lacking with the imperator's tenure.

After failing to draw the garrison of Lilibeo out to fight, Cotta had marched away towards the slopes of Etna. It was high summer, but he wanted to be close to the Straits of Messana for any communication from Rome. He was hoping to run for the consulship and needed to know the latest.

Unbeknownst to him, Hamalcar was recruiting mercenaries in their droves once more, and received reinforcements and funds from Kart-Hadast. He immediately marched in Cotta's wake, catching up with him on the northern coast of Elymia.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...attleStart.jpg

Although outnumbered, Cotta decided to give battle. He was well-supplied and confident that in the right place they could achieve something. They set up on the lower slopes of a hill, trusting to the steep territory to tire out the Karthadastim. Cotta was in the centre, Pulcher on the lower slopes with a body of cavalry on the right, and some Greek cavalry covering the left at the crest of the hill.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle1.jpg

Battle was joined, the confident Hamalcar advancing to meet the Romans, who simply rested. As the enemy closed, the skirmishers exhausted their supplies of missles, taking advantage of the elevation their position gave them.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle2.jpg

Hamalcar himself lurked on the right of the Roman line, hoping perhaps to turn that flank. With him was a detachment of mercenary cavalry.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle3.jpg

In the centre, the main battle line crept up the hill, pike phalanxes holding the middle of the Qarthdastim front.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle4.jpg

High on the left, the decurion in charge of the allied cavalry walked the horses to the top of the hill so he could survey the whole battlefield. Iberians, Gauls and mercenary hoplites approached the Roman left.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle5.jpg

Hamalcar and his cavalry slipped around the Bruttians covering the right flank. Cognizant of the danger, Pulcher calmly wheeled the horsemen with him to face the threat.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle6.jpg

The enemy advance continued in the centre, Cotta called out some words of encouragement to the men.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle7.jpg

On the right, Pulcher charged, and further up the line the Samnites pressed the Garamantines hard. Cotta ordered the triarii to assist Pulcher and provide refuge for his horses when the inevitable separation came.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle8.jpg

The Garamantines cracked, and the Samnites, showing great discipline halted and dressed their lines.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...miaBattle9.jpg

Heedless of the allied cavalry slipping around them, the Iberians and hoplites made for the Roman line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle10.jpg

The allied cavalry charged home, hitting the Iberians in the rear.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle11.jpg

Meanwhile on the right Hamalcar charged into the fray.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle12.jpg

In the centre, the phalanxes engaged and fierce fighting erupted. Cotta ordered the allied heavy skirmishers to flank one of the blocks of pikes.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle13.jpg

Up the left the Iberians folded.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle14.jpg

While in the cavalry battle on the right, the arrival of the triarii turned the tide, Hamalcar's mercenary horsemen turning tail and running.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle15.jpg

With the Iberians gone, the left ala was now unengaged. The praefectus of the Bruttians ordered the advance to flank the phalanx line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle16.jpg

While the Samnites on the left charged the mercenary hoplites, who suffering under a hail of slingshot moments before decided discretion was the better part of valour.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle17.jpg

The allied cavalry turned and charged a group of enemy skirmishers, who put up some resistance.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle18.jpg

But it didn't last long, and close by the Samnites and Bruttians approached the rear of the elite phalanxes.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle19.jpg

A terrible melee, involving Maurians, Gauls, Liby-Phonecians and Hamalcar himself, was brewing on the right.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle20.jpg

While the left ala continued to infiltrate the enemy line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle21.jpg

The Iberians supporting the phalangites wavered.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle22.jpg

On the right Pulcher led his comrades into the fray once more, spotting Hamalcar and calling out to him in challenge.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle23.jpg

The pike blocks had resolved into two groups and Cotta watched on intently. His allied archers were out of ammunition, and he denied their commander's request to aid the Roman legions in the centre. Against elite pikemen such as these tough Africans, unarmoured skirmishers would be of little use.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle24.jpg

Pulcher was wounded in the arm, and fearing for their friend's safety, his entourage steered his horse clear of the melee and fled to safety.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle25.jpg

Hamalcar charged wildly at the Samnites behind his own line, and his bodyguard was cut down as a result. The man himself took flight, abandoning his men to their fate.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle26.jpg

Worrying about the situation on the right now Pulcher had left the field, Cotta decided to intervene personally, his praetoria following the commander's reckless charge.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle27.jpg

Their commander's act of conspicuous bravery checked the men, who fought on with renewed vigour.

In the centre it was chaos.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle28.jpg

On the right, the polyglot forces there finally caved in once they realised their leader had fled.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle29.jpg

The scrum in the centre continued unabated.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle30.jpg

But word had spread even to the centre of the general's capitulation, and even these veterans lost heart.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle31.jpg

Seeing some of their comrades flee, the other Africans lost hope.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle32.jpg

They ran, leaving the Greek mercenaries to fight alone.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle33.jpg

They didn't fight on for long, and the panic spread.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle34.jpg

Until it became a rout.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iaBattle35.jpg

And finally, the day was Roman.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...aBattleEnd.jpg

245BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II245BC.jpg

Cotta's army continued it's retreat to the Straits of Messana, awaiting both news from Rome and reinforcements. Not a moment too soon, an army of Sardinian and Iberian tribesmen landed near Lilibeo to reinforce Hamalcar's position.

At Rome, the quaestor Kaeso Claudius Nero was cornered by a delegation from some mutinous mercenaries in Corsica. They persuaded him to charter some ships and hire some men to sneak into Alalia and capture the settlement. Ever eager for glory, Nero signed onto the scheme.

Elsewhere in the world, Pontos and the Getai are still expanding and Pahlava show no signs of losing their new holdings. Baktria are also out to get more territory, currently besieging Alexandreopolis.

Nice update. What happened to your world map? It looks like it's flat- like the mountains on it are gone...

243BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II243BC.jpg

I got on with grabbing Alalia, since I should have taken it over 20 years ago. Karali on the other hand is on schedule - in about six years time. Massilia is currently under siege. In Spain the Karthadastim have besieged Arse.

As you can see, there's another army in Sicily, this one is composed entirely of Balaeric and Sardinian troops. Could be painful to fight with all those slingers and archers.

Epeiros is visible on the right, that's the armies they build and do nothing with.

As to the map, no idea what's happened to it.

The Third Battle of Elymia, 243BC

Almost following the footsteps of the imperator Scipio, Marcus Aurelius Cotta marched his forces to Lilibeo and camped not far from the fortressed city's walls. Hamalcar offered battle immediately, and although outnumbered Cotta saw a chance to bring the war towards a close with a decisive victory.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...attleStart.jpg

He drew up his forces in the traditional manner, on the same spot Scipio had fought Hamalcar several years before.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...beoBattle1.jpg

Like Abdosir had been before, captain Thero was eager for glory, leading his veteran pikemen to the Romans.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...beoBattle2.jpg

Cotta sent Pulcher to deal with Thero and wheeled to address Hamalcar's arriving forces.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...beoBattle3.jpg

The numerous Sardinians were content to sit at range and snipe at the Roman lines with their bows. Keen to deny them that advantage, Cotta ordered the advance.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...beoBattle4.jpg

Losses were mounting on both sides, when Hamalcar recklessly charged the Roman line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...beoBattle5.jpg

Chaos reigned for a time, with battle lines becoming confused and men losing track of their comrades. Hamalcar fell, run through by a legionary's spear. With his death the tribesmen who had been sworn to him crumbled. Balaeric and Sardinian alike fled.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...beoBattle6.jpg

Cotta had his victory, but it was a costly one. He would need to strengthen his army before attempting a siege of Lilibeo.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...oBattleEnd.jpg

242BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II242BC.jpg

I took Massalia, and once the road is built I'll install a client king and leave. I'm keeping Segesta until I get my Polybian reform, then I'll give it to the Arverni probably. Not much left in the war in Sicily, haven't seen any reinforcements arrive, most of those have gone to Korsim where they've tried unsuccessful to oust Nero and his gang of mercenary cronies. He destroyed a full stack of akontistai over the course of three seasons while being besieged.

I used some Force Diplomacy to restore some Seleukid holdings, both Pergamon and those taken too far by Pahlava and Pontos. Baktria are next, they've come too far west for my liking. Greece is still a mess but a stalemated mess. The Getai took Singidunum, they're getting worryingly powerful.

241BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II241BC.jpg

Offscreen, Lilibeo is now on a slow-burn siege, I've got a diplomat in Spain to seal the ceasefire deal some time in 240BC. As in as soon as I've taken Lilibeo. Then it won't be long for the Polybian reforms to hit, but I won't do anything about it immediately. Rebuild my armies, sort my economy out, possibly try to secure Emporion. Then later hit that upgrade.

In Asia Minor things have turned interesting. Earlier I used Force Diplomacy to reduce Pontos to a more manageable size. They finally took Sinope, which is good. Meanwhile Koinon Hellenon have re-created the kingdom of Pergamon, as captured.

My minimap is fixed, you can see that Pahlava and Baktria have been pushed back some. I want the Seleukids a viable threat in 40 years time, I don't want to be fighting a Pontic superpower instead like in the last game.

Hayasdan have just started their annoying march northwards again, instead of south against the Seleukids. I've got my diplomatic taskforce on the way to halt them and the Getai's progress into central the Caucasus.

I think gifting the Rebels lots of money every turn is having the desired effect, there are some massive garrisons in some settlements - Thermon has a full stack, for example. We'll see how that goes.

240BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II240BC.jpg

Not long before the ceasefire with Qarthadast, I've just got to collar an army or settlement in Spain. Of two minds whether to let the garrison of Lilibeo "surrender" by FD-ing a ceasefire before taking it, or taking it and then getting the ceasefire.

Some more FD on Baktria who've now been pushed into their more or less historical position. Did some on the Getai and Hayasdan to try to push them out of the Bosphorous and Caucasus. How long it will last remains to be seen. I'm only hoping the improvements that have been made to nomad armies will make the Sauromatae better able to hold on to them.

Sounds like a real headache all this FD...The line between cheating and just playing is blurry. Why not let the AI do what its supposed to do? Ultimately we all know the outcome because we have read the history. Why not let the game spice it up?

Well, there´s enough ahistorical AAR´s out right now, so I say let him do his thing. It is quite entertaining if you ask me. Besides, he claims he doesn´t play for the gameplays sake, but to get a historical simulation.

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Originally Posted by Chirurgeon

Sounds like a real headache all this FD...The line between cheating and just playing is blurry. Why not let the AI do what its supposed to do? Ultimately we all know the outcome because we have read the history. Why not let the game spice it up?

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Because it's my headache and I don't care about "letting the AI do what it's supposed to do" or "spicing the game up" or "what if".

Historical simulation is a vital part of my motivation for this mod, I'm not about to change that. And as I've already said, I couldn't care less about whether or not it's considered "cheating". If I "just played" with my existing house rules, I'd stretched of boring turns between wars with nothing to do but queue buildings. Plus spies and diplomats would be largely pointless, since I'd have nothing for them to do.

239BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II239BC.jpg

Having gotten my Polybian reform marker, I've given Segesta to the Arverni. Hopefully that will stabilise their conflict with the Aedui a little. I'm not going to re-take it again for 20 years, and then probably gift it back to them, along with Cisalpine Gaul at about the same time.

Qarthadast have started war again, I'll have to destroy the army they're sending to Corsica along with the one that's already there, then perhaps kick them out of Sardinia through force to end it properly. One drawback of the BI naval invasion AI is that Qarthadast may be less likely to honour a ceasefire if they can just load troops onto their ships. I'm thinking a naval campaign is in order to stop that happening.

Hayasdan have been checked in the Caucasus, hopefully they'll stop trying to go north for a bit. Getai seem to have given up on the Chersonnesus, which is good. And Baktria on Pura. Pahlava took Zadrakata, but that's not really a problem. Pushed Pontus back to the coast of Asia Minor again. I might gift Saba Qarthadast's other desert province, especially now they're at war with the Ptolemies.

235BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II235BC.jpg

Warring on and off with Qarthadast, which is starting to get annoying. Especially since their invasions consist of pathetic stacks of one and two troops. That's a definite problem with BI.exe, you don't just get stupid land invasions, you get stupid naval ones as well. If this continues, I'm half-tempted to go back to rtw.exe.

My First Punic War is supposed to be over, but I'm yo-yo-ing between war and peace. I also can't beat them at sea, not even quadriremes are a match for their quinquiremes.

Hayasdan seem to have been muzzled. Same Baktria and Pahlava aren't advancing so quickly now. Pontos is on the rise once more.

233BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II233BC.jpg

There are times when I hate being right and now is one of them. Naval invasions were great when we were fighting it out over Sicily. Now we're supposed to be at peace, but as usual the military AI is ignoring the diplomatic AI, and thus Qarthadast have landed a massive army from Spain in Sardinia. The only upside of this is that I get to destroy it before it threatens Arse or Emporion.

Elsewhere in the world, I did a bit more stirring in Asia Minor, giving Karia to the Ptolemies and Sardis back to the Seleukids. Koinon Hellenon were getting a little too settled there, especially since the Chersonesus has rebelled to them. I like the stalemate between them and Makedonia that has resulted in no provinces changing hands there for decades.

I experimented with the BI AI and found it to be better for the most part. But it just wasn't worth it since it always did those retarded naval invasions. Best to use it only for land locked factions. If you got some water next to you then you're going to be at war with any faction that has ships and a reasonably short journey time. You'll have the Ptolemy(sp) kingdom invading none stop too if they take that rebel province on their West. Plus the Greeks will come knocking once they run out of things to do.

231BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II231BC.jpg

Back to rtw.exe, and no more annoying invasions of the puny-armies from Qarthadast. I'm preparing a new Polybian consular army for the Illyrian Wars, I was planning to send two, but I doubt I can afford it. Which means it may be a lightning campaign of fast-grab and suffer lots of casualties.

Asia Minor is all change as usual, the Seleukids seem to have taken an interest in Halikarnassos now the Ptolemies have it. Makedonia took Byzantion off Koinon Hellenon.

Oh, and I did something cheeky in the north African desert - I gave Garama to the Saba.

230BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II230BC.jpg

Just a snapshot of the chaos that is Greece. Makedonia seem to be slowly gaining the upper hand - having just taken heavily-defened Thermon - which is perfect. Means when I start my First Macedonian War in 15 years time, there will be an actual power to weaken. I'll probably use a Greek general from Taras and some assorted Hellenic troops and mercs to fight it, as was the case in the real war. Then maybe kick them out of Korinthos for good. Just hope Koinon Hellenon can survive that long, the settlements in Asia Minor and the Chersonesus should allow them that much.

Pahlava seem unstoppable, the Seleukids certainly seem incapable of stopping them. Perhaps too many wars on too many fronts. I'd like to get Hayasdan to attack them to pull their efforts south, but no idea how I do that. Baktria are now at war with the Saka, who are besieging Baktra. Which should hopefully ease the pressure on the Seleukids a little.

Just offscreen, my Illyrian campaign has begin, I'm besieging Dalmanion and Segestica. I'll take them in 229.

That random mauve blob I think is where the Sweboz gained a Sauromatae settlement through rebellion. Qarthadast look set to get rid of the Sabaen altogether, got a full stack headed for Tuat.

Still I'm quite happy with the game thus far. Baktria are contained, Pahlava don't look like they're going to keel over. The Sauromatae and Saka are tougher (although now Baktria have their eye on the latter, whether that will remain so remains to be seen), even the Arverni seem to be holding their own now they have Galatia and Liguria.

228BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II228BC.jpg

My Illyrian War is in progress (just took Dalmanion, Segestica to follow shortly), but what was more worthy of note was the rebellion in Atiqa. It's only a decade too late, but it'll do. My spy has been there for about 15 years! Rather annoyingly, the Eleutheroi AI then immediately sent the stack out of the city where it can be picked off at will. There's also a spy in Adrumento, although there's just enough troops there to prevent a revolt.

I just had to take Sparta and Chalkis off Makedonia who are growing problematic. A little too soon for me to deal with them directly, as well. Epeiros are still the do-nothing faction. The Seleukids actually took Apameia back all by themselves. They seem to be losing against the Ptolemies of late, though. The Lusotanii have nearly completed their uniting of all Spain, but for the Qarthdastim holdings. I wonder how long before they go to war.

Sauromatae are holding their own and I've just noticed on the map that the Saka have taken Baktra. That's a new one. How long before the Baktrian juggernaught gets in motion and wipes them out is anyone's guess. I'll be keeping an eye on the situation, don't want Baktria gone.

I'm quite proud that it's 35 years (and 140 turns) or so into the game, and no factions have died, and there are still lots of rebel provinces.

226BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II226BC.jpg

Pictured are most of the dominions of Rome, I'm in the process of pulling my two consular armies out of Illyria since it isn't a province yet, just an allied kingdom. Next year Patavium is going to be the target of one of those returned consular armies, with a new commander. Then around 223 I'll be declaring war on the Aedui to take Mediolanium off them.

Elsewhere in the world, all those gifts of provinces and money seem to have stabilised the Seleukids for now. They took Apameia back off Pahlava, although it's now under siege again. They also drove the Baktrians out of Karamana. I gifted them Syria, which they're not doing a good job of defending from the Ptolemies.

Axum becoming Sabaen wasn't me for a change, but a rebellion. Qarthdast didn't seem able to take Tuat back even with a full stack. I think I'm going to gift Saba Mauretania.

Epeiros have stood a full stack just offscreen on the border with Dalmatia. Don't seem to want to do more than that.

Nice progress. In 226 Rome made that important alliance with Saguntum (Arsé) that Hannibal chosed to ignore, I take it you decided not to make a Massilia and take Arsé to keep it as an allied state.
Oh well, just a few years left to Hannibal, did you manage to script him and his army into the game?

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Originally Posted by General Appo

Nice progress. In 226 Rome made that important alliance with Saguntum (Arsé) that Hannibal chosed to ignore, I take it you decided not to make a Massilia and take Arsé to keep it as an allied state.
Oh well, just a few years left to Hannibal, did you manage to script him and his army into the game?

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Massilia I took, because otherwise it would end up Gallic, but Arse I've left alone. The Lusotanii have taken it, so in 219BC I'm going to FD it to Qarthadast and declare war on them. I'll also take or FD Emporion as my base of operations the following year.

Working on scripting Hannibal - he'll appear in 216BC when I can gift Qarthadast Capua and maybe Arpi. That'll stop him running back to Spain.

225BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ts/II225BC.jpg

I'm currently besieging Patavium off-screen with one of the consular armies returned from the Illyrian campaign. The other one will be dispatched to Mediolanium in a few turns. Cisalpine Gaul will soon be mine! Then I might think about retaking Segesta.

Gaul is a bit of a mess. I just took Burgidala off the Aedui and gave it to the Arverni to try to maintain some kind of a balance. Particularly given them just lost Vesontio to the Sweboz, who have crossed the Rhine for a second time now. The Aedui seem able to hold them back, but not the Arverni. What I don't want is the Arverni and Aedui declaring a ceasefire to focus their efforts on the Germans.

I'm tempted to ship an army to take Emporion before the Lusotanii grab it, but I think I'll save that for 218BC.

Used some Force Diplomacy to push the Getai back into Europe proper, they're building up quite a little empire there, what with the Hellenic factions distracted by squabbling with each other. I think they allied with the Sweboz too, we'll see how long that lasts.

I just gave Sala and Garama to the Saba. Now there's Mauretania and other independent nations. If they manage to keep hold of them, I might ally with them when the Second Punic War starts.

Continued good work, I like the idea about Sab´yn in Mauretania. I just checked the RV and they´re only able to recruit Numidians, Garamanatines plus Maures, so you should get a really nice little north-western faction to fight the Carthies there.

will the saba not have a large amount of uprisings and revolts with the culture difference and the distance to their capital?

Culture, no, they're Semitic too. Distance to capital, sure, but I've not seen them lose any provinces over it. They revolt for a bit, then calm down.