[Epeiros/Pergamon AAR] Heirs to Lysimachos

This is the AAR for my Epeiros-as-Pergamon historical houseruled game. It's a M/M game run with rtw.exe. The aim, once started, is largely to survive until 133BC (when I'll bequeath my kingdom to Rome), and possibly for a time try to recreate the Kingdom of Thrace.

As in my previous game, I'll be monitoring and tinkering with the progression of the AI factions, largely through giving lots of money to the Eleutheroi through the console to slow them down, but also moving armies around.

I'll make no bones about the fact that I've cheated heavily at the start, moving armies around and using auto_win to speed along sieges to grab territory fast. I gave Taras to the Romans in the first turn, and used it's garrison to get Rhegion, which I also gave to them after cheating to build the mines there. I've taken the Illyrian coast which I intend to hold "in trust" (but not expand from) until 229BC, when I give it to the Romans. My original homeland I'll similarly hold until around 200BC, or perhaps right down to 167BC depending on how much hassle it is to administer. I've got them to prevent another faction taking them, and to bankroll my early start, which will be slow and possibly without any expansion for a while.

I also snapped up Pergamon, Nikaia and Byzantion at the start, and built up their regional barracks and first tier mines with cheated money and process_cq. I'm not playing for "challenge", so if you're expecting to see that kind of game you'll be disappointed. It's about a historical simulation, and the cheating at the start is necessary both to establish my "starting position", but also to set me up for later. They've all got client rulers in place, and so won't be faction-able for a while yet.

I'll continue to shepherd the Romans and try to preserve the smaller factions, as well as cause the decay of the Seleukids and Ptolemies, and rise of Rome and Parthia.

As with the other AAR, I'll stick with the style of player commentary on the campaign map stuff, and try to make a "character" level summary on the battles.

The AAR opens with the last of my stolen acquisitions in the winter 270BC:

My early game will probably be a bit dull, since I'll be establishing this core of three provinces by building them up, and just running the other ones as cash cows. I reckon I'll start thinking about expansion in about 250BC, unless the other faction's activities provoke me to have to do something.

My only real houserules at this point are trying not to expand very fast, or indeed at all initially. Need some thought about where I'm going. Tylis and Naissos are obvious targets to complete the Thracian venture, in Anatolia it's Sardis, Ipsos, Side and Halikarnassos, along with possibly Mytilene. But I want to pick my wars wisely.

Nice. But... ya gotta kill of Helenos. That bastard will only cause you trouble. Just send him alone against a rebel stack or something, whatever gets him killed.

Kill him off before he has children? Where is he? To be honest I've not looked at any of my family members in detail, just been using Pyrrhos and Ptolemaios to grab territory.

I've been doing some more thinking, and when I give Illyria to the Romans in 229, I might make my original territory go rebel. They're pretty useless money-wise anyway, though Epidamnos has some mines.

Right now I'm rationalising my current holdings as the creation of a new Hellenic League, I'd welcome suggestions as to what it might be called. Comprises Epeiros, some Hellenised Illyrian tribes, and several city-states, all banded together for mutual protection against Makedonia and the Koinon Hellenon. As well as the Seleukids.

Oh, "Heirs to Lysimachos", i feel so honoured ;)

Earnestly, i'm awaiting how you do with non-romans ;)

I played a fair bit with Greek armies while roleplaying as Pergamon in my other game, so I'm not all that worried.

I'm going to restart the game without taking Illyria, and making my original provinces rebel once I've got that core three. Update soon.

EDIT: Here we go, an alternative winter 270BC, with my original provinces soon to rebel, I hope.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v.../270BCmkII.jpg

Already have armies ready to go for Tylis and Halikarnassos, but they'll be fights I actually play out rather than auto_win-ing.

269BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/269BC.jpg

Original lands are now rebel, so I hold only the three core provinces I mentioned. In all of them I've cheated to build mines so my money won't be completely rubbish. Not at war with anyone, trading with everyone. Focusing on rebel settlements within my orbit, as you can see.

Nice. What are the rebels in your homeland named? I guess Epeirotes or something for those in Ambrakia, but what of does in Epidamnos?

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Originally Posted by General Appo

Nice. What are the rebels in your homeland named? I guess Epeirotes or something for those in Ambrakia, but what of does in Epidamnos?

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It says Illyrians for Epidamnos.

A beginning is a fragile thing...

Pergamon was not a kingdom yet. It was the rump state of a once-mighty coalition of kingdoms and tribes led by Lysimachos. That had disintegrated in the wake of the Diadochi Wars, leaving the city-state at the heart of that kingdom with just a few allies against the might of many other Hellenic and Hellenistic powers.

To the west the Antigonid Kingdom of Makedonia was strong, the city-states of Greece had formed into the Koinon Hellenon. Epirus had briefly flared as a potential rival to them both, but then the death of their king had led to the collapse of the alliance of tribes. To the north the Getic tribes of Dacia were uniting and could threaten Byzantion's sphere of influence.

To the south and east, the great empire of the Seleukids and to the east the rising kingdom of Pontos. Both were real threats to Pergamon's continued existence. There was nothing to do but expand into those buffer zones between Pergamon and the stronger powers. While they might be able to swallow us whole, at least we could make ourselves big enough to choke them.

Conquests in Karia and Thracia

Halikarnassos

Marching from blessed Pergamon, Ptolemaios and his officers and men laid siege to Halikarnassos. They made use of skills hard-won through much fighting with the Successor armies.

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

They built rams and lined up nervously, waiting for the signal to attack.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos1.jpg

Then it began. As the rams did their work, the slingers and skirmishers harassed the enemy.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos2.jpg

The wall and gate were both breached.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos3.jpg

Then the Pergamenes poured into Halikarnassos, slaying all who resisted.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos4.jpg

The fighting continued into the streets.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos5.jpg

It was brutal, hand-to-hand combat.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos6.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos7.jpg

Ptolemaios found a side-street, and led some troops to outflank those blocking the advance.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos8.jpg

His arrival at the rear of the enemy crushed their will to fight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...karnassos9.jpg

Vengeful cavalry rode down anyone too slow to get away, and the fight went to the heart of the town.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...arnassos10.jpg

Only some native Karians remained.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...arnassos11.jpg

The Pergamenes attacked from all sides, but the stalwart men fought on.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...arnassos12.jpg

Ptolemaios joined the fighting in person, inspiring his men by example.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...arnassos13.jpg

And slowly but surely, the brave Karians were overcome.

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

Tylis

Meanwhile in Thracia, Pyrrhos (no relation to the former king of Epirus) attacked Tylis. The fierce Thracian tribes were rich in gold, and would serve as useful troops in Pergamon's armies. But they had to be pacified by the sword, first.

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

There was nothing subtle about Pyrrhos' plan. Smash the walls, storm inside, kill everyone who resisted.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis1.jpg

Pikemen led the assault.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis2.jpg

There was a breakthrough at the gate, the Thracians routed.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis3.jpg

The Pergamenes pressed on into the town.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis4.jpg

Few resisted.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis5.jpg

Then the chief joined the fray. He was slain.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis6.jpg

The last stand was made by some Gallo-Thracians.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis7.jpg

They held for a long time, and claimed the life of young Skymnos.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis8.jpg

But Pyrrhos brought men around their rear, and they were crushed between the two groups.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...geofTylis9.jpg

Victory was had, but at a price.

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

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...me/FMdeath.jpg

The death of one of my Family Members was carelessness on my part, really. I wasn't paying attention to what was going on in that second battle, and his cavalry stood toe-to-toe with those touch Gallo-Thracians for a long time.

268BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/268BC.jpg

There we have a beginning. It'll probably be a while before I expand any further, got some building up of my economy to do, and an army to resist the Seleukids and Makedonians to build. That's not going to come quickly. Indeed I may have to take Kallatis, and risk the ire of the Getai to fund those two armies. I reckon as a port it's more valuable than Naissos.

Galatia is another possible intermediate target, though that will put me in the Seleukid and Pontic firing line. Even if it means Celto-Hellenic hoplites and some good light cavalry.

Decisions, decisions.

Very good, but what of Helenos? The moment you think yourself safe he´ll jump out and destroy your hard-earned kingdom in a snap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by General Appo

Very good, but what of Helenos? The moment you think yourself safe he´ll jump out and destroy your hard-earned kingdom in a snap.

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I killed him off in 271, attacking Dalminion on his own. What's so bad about him? Does he go crazy?

Interesting AAR, but somethingI noticed is that you always fight with guard mode on! Why is that?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Maion Maroneios

Interesting AAR, but somethingI noticed is that you always fight with guard mode on! Why is that?

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For hoplites, it's important to keep formation. Guard mode somewhat aids with that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Maion Maroneios

Interesting AAR, but somethingI noticed is that you always fight with guard mode on! Why is that?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Swordmaster

For hoplites, it's important to keep formation. Guard mode somewhat aids with that.

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Actually I always have whomever is facing the enemy's front with guard mode on. I only switch it off for flankers. Minimises the losses amongst the people pinning the enemy down, and means they won't be tired either.

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

Actually I always have whomever is facing the enemy's front with guard mode on. I only switch it off for flankers. Minimises the losses amongst the people pinning the enemy down, and means they won't be tired either.

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Also when the attackers themselves are on guard mode?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

I killed him off in 271, attacking Dalminion on his own. What's so bad about him? Does he go crazy?

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Both the times I´ve played the Epeirotes he´s gone bloody mad, being virtually impossible to keep in a town or allowed to command armies. Also, you did post in my AAR once, so perhaps you know how he is behaving there. Lets just say that he´s not exactly every stepmothers dream.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by General Appo

Both the times I´ve played the Epeirotes he´s gone bloody mad, being virtually impossible to keep in a town or allowed to command armies. Also, you did post in my AAR once, so perhaps you know how he is behaving there. Lets just say that he´s not exactly every stepmothers dream.

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You got something against fat guys, huh? :whip:

No. But when Bacchus is disgust by your drinking habits and your poetry causes physical pain, then yes, I do have something against you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Also when the attackers themselves are on guard mode?

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Yep, I'm not that bothered if you've got two units not really doing much to each other, if I've got someone behind them carving them up. :beam:

I'm currently very tempted to take Krete. It's not all that heavily defended, bar a KH half-stack sitting outside doing very little. I wonder if I'm in danger of blitzing though.

Capture of Kydonia

Simias Klathiatos landed on Krete with a small force from Karia to bring the island into Pergamon's sphere of influence. It was hoped the island's command of the sea-lanes nearby would give Pergamon's burgeoning confederation control over trade routes. His invasion force was smaller than that mustered by the defenders of the island.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...iege1Start.jpg

As the defenders sallied out, Klathiatos formed up his men in a simple battle order. Hoplites to the centre, Illyrian levies either side, skirmishers out front.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...teSiege1-1.jpg

The battle was hard-fought, with Klathiatos' superiority in cavalry being put to good use. He himself clashed with the tyrant's bodyguard several times.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...teSiege1-2.jpg

But it was the Illyrian cavalry who killed the tyrant, Ainesidemos.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...teSiege1-3.jpg

That broke the spirit of the Kretans, and after some clever maneuvering in the town, they were subdued.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...eSiege1End.jpg

265BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/265BC.jpg

You'll notice I've got a nice surplus in the bank, now. That's largely because I have pitifully few units, and all my settlements are ports. Plus my mining income as a result of cheating to build them is about 7500 a turn. Four of my six provinces have mines, too (just Karia and Kydonia which don't).

Rome are expanding ridiculously fast, going both north into Cisalpine Gaul and west into Sicily. I've had to boost the garrison in Patavium in the hopes of slowing them down. Part of it is my fault; I've had to keep adding to the garrison of Rhegion to stop it revolting back to me. They keep stripping the garrison and I don't want to be at war with them. Though perhaps if they actually took it properly, that might make them develop it properly?

And so Kydonia is added to my holdings. It's a bit of a cheap shot in a way, because I know the AI is too stupid to attack it, and likely won't land anything there at all. It never did in the last game I played, not til I used move_character to put a Makedonian army there.

I am now, however a little paralysed by indecision as to where to go next, because in essense I've taken all the easy steals. For the moment I'm trying to avoid war with any other faction, at least til my economy is strong enough to support some armies. I need the trade for now.

If I go for Naissos, which was part of the historical Kingdom of Thrace, I put myself in the path of both the Getai and Makedonia. Neither have taken it, but they're both angling in that direction.

If I go for Mytilene, that throws the Makedonians at me. I could do it the subtle way - send spies to get it to revolt, then snap it up when it's rebel. I'm doing that already with Ipsos, which is flicking between revolt and some semblance of stability as a result of my spy.

Talking of which, Ipsos and Sardis are possibles, but I'd then be at war with the Seleukids. Until I've got a proper army in the region, I don't really want to risk that.

Ankyra is a possible, although I might then be over-extended and exposed to both Pontos and the Seleukids. I think for now it suits me that it's rebel, and has a massive stack there (courtesy of create_unit...).

And then there's Rhodos. In a way I think that might be a good steal, KH aren't brilliant at defending it, and it might weaken them enough to slow down their war against the Makedonians (which they're winning, again). Completes the island chain to Krete, and has that wonder that boosts sea trade.

Thoughts?

um suddendly I'm disliking sieges... , no fun whatsoever ,always the same tactics ...:smash:

btw I'm starting my own historical romani campaign based upon yours :sweatdrop: but I'm a little lazy to post my AAR... heheh I hope I can achieve your goals (I'm also helping the AI it is indeed interesting :laugh4:)

keep up whit the good work... master...:bow:

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Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

um suddendly I'm disliking sieges... , no fun whatsoever ,always the same tactics ...:smash:

btw I'm starting my own historical romani campaign based upon yours :sweatdrop: but I'm a little lazy to post my AAR... heheh I hope I can achieve your goals (I'm also helping the AI it is indeed interesting :laugh4:)

keep up whit the good work... master...:bow:

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Ultimately I use what works, but I also find sieges incredibly boring. So always the same tactics, and I rarely bother to post them either. Open battles are much more interesting.

I always found helping the AI added a lot of depth and richness to the game, the way just playing your own faction lacked. Good luck with it!

I fear that conquering Nikaia already has put you into crosshair of the Seleukids. In every campaign I have played this far, the Seleukids have always gone for Nikaia within a couple of years.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaertecken

I fear that conquering Nikaia already has put you into crosshair of the Seleukids. In every campaign I have played this far, the Seleukids have always gone for Nikaia within a couple of years.

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Pontos were aiming for it originally, but they've got more than enough problems trying to take Sinope and Trapezous. I'm prepared for when that war eventually comes, which is also why I'm thinking I really need to grab the islands (Rhodos, Salamis, Mytilene) for their sea trade and easy defense to build up my economy.

But that means pissing off KH, Egypt and Makedonia to do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

But that means pissing off KH, Egypt and Makedonia to do it.

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Pissing off Makedonia shouldn't be too much of a problem. As soon as you take Mytilene, they will be forced to walk along the northern shores of the Aegean Sea to get to you, and they will probably head for either Tylis or Byzantion first. The problem for them, though, is that there's a bridge just after they have crossed into your territory, a bridge they will have to cross if they want to reach any of your cities. If they capture Serdike however, they will have the opportunity to go through the mountain-pass there, making defending your territory alittle more difficult.

Process_cq in Rhegion to add happiness buildings, or remove the population.

EDIT: Oh, and perhaps you should repay those debts you made in the beginning. ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaertecken

Pissing off Makedonia shouldn't be too much of a problem. As soon as you take Mytilene, they will be forced to walk along the northern shores of the Aegean Sea to get to you, and they will probably head for either Tylis or Byzantion first. The problem for them, though, is that there's a bridge just after they have crossed into your territory, a bridge they will have to cross if they want to reach any of your cities. If they capture Serdike however, they will have the opportunity to go through the mountain-pass there, making defending your territory alittle more difficult.

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Thing is, there's quite a lot of space before they'd get to me, and I have watchtowers, so I'm not as worried about defending the passes. Also they seem to have their hands full with KH and struggling to hold on to what they have, so perhaps the response will be slow.

You're right that taking Mytilene will only give them one point of attack, though. Same as taking Rhodos will do to KH.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Process_cq in Rhegion to add happiness buildings, or remove the population.

EDIT: Oh, and perhaps you should repay those debts you made in the beginning. ;-)

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Think I'll have to reduce the population. Annoying thing is the only buildings I put there are some mines and military pacification. I wonder if, because I conquered it first, the original buildings have become keyed to my faction?

Repay my debts? Whyever would I do that? :laugh4:

There's over 100,000 in money spent on mines.

Masterless men

Pergamon's ruling council had voted overwhelmingly in favour of bringing Rhodos into the fold of their confederacy. It would provide command of the sea lanes in the Aegean and link up nicely with Kydonia. But in the meantime there was a more pressing concern, masterless men, no doubt demobilised mercenaries lurking around the road between Pergamon and Nikaia, raiding merchants.

Alexandros saw this as an excellent opportunity to train the men he intended to use for the invasion of Rhodos.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ttle1Start.jpg

Despite having to fight uphill and through thick forest, greater numbers carried the day, and Alexandros' army was beginning to be welded together as a fighting force.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle1End.jpg

263BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/263BC.jpg

Alexandros and his army were shipped across by friendly pirates, and have begun the invasion of Rhodos.

Roman advance seems to have been checked for the past few years. They still keep trying for Messana, and have a lot moving northwards but I doubt they can manage Massalia, Mediolanum or Patavium yet.

Nice AAR you've got here Quintus, as was the case with the Romani one. have you considered renaming your faction and changing the colour to actually "make" the Pergamenes, so it doesnt jus appear to be Epirus in Asia Minor?

Lol, "friendly pirates"? Quite convenient. :laugh4:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frodge

Nice AAR you've got here Quintus, as was the case with the Romani one. have you considered renaming your faction and changing the colour to actually "make" the Pergamenes, so it doesnt jus appear to be Epirus in Asia Minor?

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Well I have changed their name, just not the colour. I'm not sure what colour I would use in place of that green, to be honest. In EB2 they're a light blue, but that wouldn't contrast well with the sea on the campaign map.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Lol, "friendly pirates"? Quite convenient. :laugh4:

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Well, they are Lembioi. I've got just one fleet which has been busy killing pirates when not transporting my armies to the islands.

Feeling a little guilty about what you said earlier, I've taken 42k off my treasury this turn, which is equivalent to the amount spent on mines for Byzanion, Nikaia and Tylis. I haven't "refunded" the money for Pergamon's mines since it's my capital and I gave up Epidamnos which had mines. So I figure that's a fair swap.

I've got loads of money all of a sudden, now I've got Rhodos and Mytilene. Just got richest faction last turn!

Rhodes

Alexandros proceeded with the invasion of Rhodes, assured by a delegation of disaffected aristocrats from the city that it would be easy to find a place to land. His arrival brought out the local militia.

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

The battle began with a race for the high ground outside the city.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle1.jpg

Alexandros got there first and waited to rest his men.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle2.jpg

As the lines met, some of the enemy levies were routed immediately. Alexandros moved his hetairoi to loop around the flank.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle3.jpg

The battle separated into several individual fights.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle4.jpg

For his part, Alexandros routed those facing him.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle5.jpg

Meanwhile one of his young officers duelled with the garrison commander.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle6.jpg

Soon the whole force had been put to flight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle7.jpg

The garrison commander fled.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle8.jpg

Most of his men who could had already escaped.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...dosBattle9.jpg

And Rhodes was taken.

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

Envoys were sent to the Koinon Hellenon, and the league accepted the new state of affairs. At least for now until a time emerged when there might be advantage in ousting the new rulers of Rhodos.

Mytilene

Taking advantage of Makedonia's pre-occupation in the Peloponnesus, Pergamon sent an army to kick out the Antigonid ruler of Lesbos.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ame/War262.jpg

After a swift assault, the garrison was overwhelmed. Once again ambassadors were dispatched and a peace treaty recognising the city's capture signed.

260BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/260BC.jpg

My profitable little empire. I even had enough to pay back some of the "debt" from the start, 42,000 that I spent on mines early on. I got Richest Faction this turn, with a surplus of about 60k before I took the money off.

Time is near when I attack Sardis, but first I need to build an army. I have the core of it sitting in Mytilene, but it's going to be a multi-settlement effort to recruit all the parts I need.

I've just about stalled the Romans in Patavium, they've already taken Massalia. They seem to be struggling with Messana, though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

Well, they are Lembioi. I've got just one fleet which has been busy killing pirates when not transporting my armies to the islands.

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Right, haven't been playing hellenic factions for a long time (since 0.81 actually), so I didn't remember their fleet types. I thought you had role-played moving your armies with the move_character command.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Right, haven't been playing hellenic factions for a long time (since 0.81 actually), so I didn't remember their fleet types. I thought you had role-played moving your armies with the move_character command.

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Until the invasion of Krete, I had been. After that I decided it was about time I built some ships, so used them to attack both Rhodos and Mytilene. Plus I didn't want to hit that landbridge bug in Mytilene.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

Until the invasion of Krete, I had been. After that I decided it was about time I built some ships, so used them to attack both Rhodos and Mytilene. Plus I didn't want to hit that landbridge bug in Mytilene.

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Is there a landbridge bug in Mytilene?

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Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Is there a landbridge bug in Mytilene?

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I don't know if it's strictly a bug, but in my old game when attacking across it, reinforcements caused it to freeze on starting the battle, probably because there as nowhere for them to actually enter the battle.

Galatian Raids

The countryside around Nikaia had been ravaged by a band of Galatians out for plunder and slaves. Responding with the newly-raised Army of Anatolia, Alexandros Aidakides caught up with them not far from the settlement.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ttle2Start.jpg

They were even in numbers, but Alexandros' superiority in cavalry and his men's good spirits carried the day. With relatively few losses, the Galatians were decisively beaten.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle2End.jpg

257BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/257BC.jpg

Fighting those Galatians was a nice bit of practice for the army that's going to take Sardis. They're actually over-spill from Ankyra after I had my useless FM Pyrrhicos attack them. They came out and followed. Still haven't managed to kill the bastard off, he's Dull/Uncharismatic/Langorous and Disloyal to boot. I could recruit a general who's more use than he is.

I think my policy of stealing one settlement at a time from factions who are too busy to respond is entirely in keeping with the way a small, but aggressive kingdom might behave. Next target, which I'm training my army for is Sardis, which is apparently very rich. Course that'll also start things with the Seleukids, who won't be impressed. But it's necessary to link my lands up, and start creating a boundary between me and them. Ipsos might quickly follow, depending on how the campaign goes.

They're already trying to provoke me, leaving units blocking access to Halikarnassos. Gits.

Rome is already starting a conquest of Gaul, I had to boost the garrison of Gergovia to stop them steamrollering the Arverni. They seem to have given up on Sicily, and not even moving an army to Corsica would make them take the settlement.

255BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/255BC.jpg

Sardis and Salamis are now mine! The former wasn't well-defended, the latter they shipped the garrison away to fight in Syria. Amazingly the Seleukids accepted a ceasefire (with no conditions) without FD. The Ptolemies on the other hand needed some FD action to accept it. Hopefully the loss of Salamis should impact their income some; major port with mines.

Ipsos and Side are next possible targets, but not for a while. I think I need to spend some time digesting all these new holdings before rolling on any further.

Quintus I have a question :sweatdrop:


I'm trying to use add_money to help the AI but I'm nut sure if I'm doing it right, this Is what I write
add_money "Koinon Hellenon" -40000

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

Quintus I have a question :sweatdrop:


I'm trying to use add_money to help the AI but I'm nut sure if I'm doing it right, this Is what I write
add_money "Koinon Hellenon" -40000

---

You need to use their rtw faction names (have a look at the bottom of the descr_strat.txt - it tells you what every faction is called.

Syntax is thus: add_money greek_cities, [amount of money up to 40000, with a minus if you want to take it away]

252BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/252BC.jpg

The sharper-eyed amongst you might notice two things that are different. Firstly, my faction colour is now a rather fetching purplish-blue. No more confusion whenever I fight Gallic rebels, as happened in that last battle so half the time I couldn't tell which were my units and which the enemy's.

Second, Roma have taken Alalia and Messana. Not on their own, I'm afraid, they're still trying to expand into Gaul. Combination of FD and a move_character'd raid, then gifting them sorted it out. I've also moved some of their armies to Sicily, I'm hoping when I reload the "new" AI will use them to attack Syrakousai or Lilibeo, not march back into Italy.

Otherwise I'm just quietly building up my economy and defenses. Nearly all my settlements now have stone walls, and most blacksmiths. When I kick into war mode again, I'll be ready to churn out lots of troops.

Just bribed a Greek army to join me; mostly to weaken them so they don't wipe out Makedonia, but it handily gave me some troops I'd actually use. Not cheap at 26k, but still worth it.

The only faction I see a need to hurt right now are the rampant Ptolemies. Perhaps it's time to mount an assault on Side? Or perhaps just a raid (ie capture, destroy all buildings, leave) on Side and Tarsos? Possibly follow that with spies once it revolts back to the Ptolemies (or I give them back) to make them go rebel?

Starting to get thoughts of taking some distant locations while I'm chilling in my main location. Like Syrakousai, or Kyrene, or the Bosphorous. Would they be too hard to hold, given the distance?

I assume, you are using rtw.exe like you did in the romani campaign after you tried BI? Perhaps it would be beneficial to use BI this time, so the romans could start oversea operations on their own and you would perhaps have a bit of a challenge to defend your islands (which would be non-existant with rtw.exe)?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lysimachos

I assume, you are using rtw.exe like you did in the romani campaign after you tried BI? Perhaps it would be beneficial to use BI this time, so the romans could start oversea operations on their own and you would perhaps have a bit of a challenge to defend your islands (which would be non-existant with rtw.exe)?

---

Yep, rtw.exe, I was less than impressed with BI in my other game, so went back to the original. Same goes here, I'd much rather port AI armies about with move_character than rely on them to have a clue where they should be attacking. Besides if I do use BI, they'll often undo the moves I make for them by simply shipping troops back out again.

I'm more than open to ideas from people as to who might invade my islands and contest for control of them. I'm tempted to snatch some rebel stacks to simulate unrest amongst the local peoples anyway.

Only the Ptolemaioi would attack your islands, if they needed. But we're not so far yet, I think.

Actually, I was also thinking about the Bosporan region for expansion, colony-style or something. You might have some fun fighting the Sarmatians should they dare attack you. Sounds like a good relief from fighting Hellenic-style troops all the time. Kyrene sounds like too much Ptolies-backyard, and Syrakousai should be the Roman/Carthaginian playground for now.

Capture of Pamphylia

The kingdom of the Ptolemies had the audacity to send an assassin to Sardis, in an attempt to kill Alexandros. Moving quickly to avenge this insult, he gathered the army and marched to invest Side.

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

It was swiftly taken and more Greeks added to the confederation.

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

Now Alexandros pondered on something bigger. Perhaps a raid against Aigyptos itself, or Syria. Something to send the message that Pergamon was not to be trifled with, no matter how mighty you may be.

250BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/250BC.jpg

So I took Side. I've started making for Naissos, if only to have something to do, maybe I'll start a war with the Getai and eventually take Kallatis? Besides it's about time I had an army on that side of the Hellespont, and doing something with it. Makedonia are too weak to attack, I could intervene in their war with Greece, but that might tip the balance too far over the other side.

Alternatively I could scour up some stacks from Egypt and let them combine so I can actually fight them. Or go to Syria and start pillaging there. All this consolidating leaves you feeling like you're sitting on your hands, and I think rushing the diplomats in after I've taken something doesn't give the AI a chance to respond.

What you see there is my standard army; a core of classical hoplites, Celto-hellenics on their flanks, peltasts on the wings and lots of cavalry.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Only the Ptolemaioi would attack your islands, if they needed. But we're not so far yet, I think.

Actually, I was also thinking about the Bosporan region for expansion, colony-style or something. You might have some fun fighting the Sarmatians should they dare attack you. Sounds like a good relief from fighting Hellenic-style troops all the time. Kyrene sounds like too much Ptolies-backyard, and Syrakousai should be the Roman/Carthaginian playground for now.

---

Not a bad idea, attack it, stick some type IV governments in and as you say try fighting horse-archers.

I'd be glad of some battles though, to be honest. Both the Ptolemies and Seleukids are so busy fighting each other in Syria that I'm all but ignored, apart from the odd assassin.

From my understanding, Pergamon wanted to conquer Anatolia but not necessarily Kilikia and Syria. If I were you, I'd go after AS and Pontos before invading Europe.

By the way, quite the unique AAR here. Keep it up!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

From my understanding, Pergamon wanted to conquer Anatolia but not necessarily Kilikia and Syria. If I were you, I'd go after AS and Pontos before invading Europe.

By the way, quite the unique AAR here. Keep it up!

---

I must admit, I am starting to feel that Side should be the limit of my eastward expansion. I don't think Kilikia was part of the old Kingdom of Thrace. Thinking I might send spies to Kilikia just to add some more rebel buffer between me and AS, along with weakening Egypt some more. I'm liking Galatia as a buffer between me and Pontos - at least until they get their act together and beef up some.

That's really my justification for going west - Naissos and Kallatis were in that old kingdom before it fragmented. Wouldn't want to take anything else in Europe, and I'm deliberately leaving the Makedonians unmolested. They're suffering enough at the hands of Koinon Hellenon as it is.

Right now I'm trying to weaken the Ptolemies in Syria, rather than undermine AS any further. If I do too much harm to AS, they won't be much of a fight later on when they've lost land to Parthia and Baktria.

Glad you're enjoying it, wish I had some more battles to report on. That's another reason I'm trying not to expand too fast, I need the AI factions to be able to pose some real opposition.

Raids in Syria and Judea

Kestrinos continued on the mission the Basileus had set him of punishing the temerity of the Ptolemies. Having raided Sidon, he landed on the coast of Ioudea. There he was met by a hastily thrown-together collection of Ptolemaic troops.

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

The battle was a desultory affair, Kestrinos' men lining up to await the attack from the natives.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...deaBattle1.jpg

As soon as the lines engaged, Kestrinos and his cavalry surged around the flanks and charged to the rear, breaking the enemy and putting them to flight.

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

Kestrinos continued the march to Hierosolyma, scouts out ahead wary for the first sign of a serious response.

249BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/249BC.jpg

Bit annoyed with the Ptolemaic AI. Not only did I leave Sidon completely undefended, which they ignored and marched past to attack my much larger force, but I moved a bigger stack close by to merge with some of the other units, and they wandered off!

So now I'll have a rather easy siege, followed by a pitifully easy battle, then hop back onto the ships. So far the Ptolemies have proven to be paper tigers, even more flimsy than the Seleukids.

I took Naissos, but not convinced I'll keep it. I may be a little too far north, even though it's part of Thracia. Perhaps give it to the Getai to strengthen them when I try for Kallatis to get a proper war going.

Still 249BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...me/249BCII.jpg

Mostly because I've just spent the past three hours re-playing from 253BC down, because my two saves in 247BC were corrupted. Not fun.

Anyway, that's my army to collect up the Bosporan cities, complete with lots of horse archers. Anyone have any clue how I use them? I'm well up on light cavalry, but I never fight with horse archers. Get the feeling they're going to be critical to winning that region.

Sidon revolted to the Eleutheroi, Heirosolyma is under siege moments after I gave it to the Seleukids. I'm thinking resupply the army then attack Antiocheia, then give that to the Seleukids relatively unmolested.

Makedonia finally did something right and took Ambrakia. Even if they seem incapable of defending what they already have.

In this replay, Pontos managed to grab Sinope, finally. Romans are sitting outside Lilibeo doing nothing after one siege attempt. Maybe on reloading they'll do something.

A vision of future glory

As Kestrinos Aiakidies slept, he dreamed of leading armies to victory, something that was entirely proper and right for a young Pergamene noble. He dreamed that there was an uprising, a charismatic man had risen among the Greeks of Pamphylia and gathered many disaffected men to his banner. This Termon Herakleios claimed descent from Herakles himself, and his followers numbered in their thousands. At the head of an army, Kestrinos marched to put the rebellion down.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ttle3Start.jpg

The two armies met on a gently sloping plain.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-1.jpg

As the skirmishers traded fire, Herakleios sent some of his cavalry to disperse Kestrinos' slingers.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-2.jpg

They were chased off, and the slingers got back to work whittling down the rebel light troops.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-3.jpg

The skirmishers missiles exhausted, the Pergamenes advanced to meet the enemy battle line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-4.jpg

On the right, Kestrinos drove away clouds of rebel skirmishers. He had arranged his men in a single line, the enemy held some reserves in a second line, but as a result shortened their frontage significantly.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-5.jpg

On the left, more skirmishers were driven off.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-6.jpg

Wary at first, the rebels threw themselves into combat.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-7.jpg

The Pergamene wings closed in.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-8.jpg

Fighting was fiercest in the centre, with rebel cavalry making a frontal assault.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...lBattle3-9.jpg

Kestrinos' hoplites held their ground, though.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3-10.jpg

Kestrinos himself led the charge to the rear.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3-11.jpg

Meanwhile his Karian contingent charged into the back of the rebel line.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3-12.jpg

Kestrinos charged again.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3-13.jpg

Many rebels were now in flight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3-14.jpg

Fighting on foot with his line infantry, Herakleios was not spared.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3-15.jpg

Some pockets of resistance fought on for a time, but were overcome.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3-16.jpg

Kestrinos had done great service for the kingdom. He smiled as he slumbered, dreaming of yet more future glories.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle3End.jpg

Editorial note

This is a "lost" battle from my corrupted save. It had originally been a pitifully small rebel stack, so given that it had a rebel FM with it, I boosted it up to a nearly-full one by mimicking what was already there. Basically a load of levy hoplites, akontistai, some toxotai and a few hippeis. Not a stellar army in terms of quality, but big numbers. Made for a more interesting battle than it would have done, and I was desparate to do something.

I thought given I'd gone to the effort of capturing it, it was a story worth telling.

Campaigning in the Bosphorous

Waking from his dreams of conquest, Kestrinos had more pressing concerns. He'd been tasked by the Basilieu to bring the Greeks of the Bosphorous into the confederation. Sailing from Byzantion with an army of Thracians, Gauls, Scythians and many other peoples, he arrived on the shores of the Black Sea some months later.

His ships had been spotted by the tyrant ruling over these people, and he dispatched an army to stop the invaders.

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

Kestrinos deployed in a defensive formation, taking the right wing himself, and sending Ambrax Orraitas to command the left.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ousBattle1.jpg

The battle began with volley after volley of arrows being traded by the horse archers on both sides.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ousBattle2.jpg

Orraitas charged a Scythian noble and his bodyguard.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ousBattle3.jpg

Meanwhile horse archers and light cavalry tried to circle around the back of the enemy.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ousBattle4.jpg

The leader of the Bosphoran army was caught in the throat by an arrow, and died choking on his own blood.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ousBattle5.jpg

Kestrinos was merciless in pursuing those who fled.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ousBattle6.jpg

Many of the injured were able to recover thanks to the relatively shallow wounds caused by the arrows.

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

246BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/246BC.jpg

That was a nightmarishly difficult battle to follow, or convey any sense of what was going on. There were about four different conflicts all happening at once. Still taking Chersonesus has made conquest of Pantikapaion easy, because it has almost fully-developed barracks which produce troops I use. I can replace those puny Gallic archers with some Bosphoran heavy ones, too. Might ship some of those home if they're a lot better than Kretans.

Makedonia took Ambrakia and are now trying for Epidamnos, but failing. Romans are still contained. Baktria are on the rise. Pahlava are starting to move. Hayasdan finally moved out of one province.

I've shipped Skepas and his army to Kyrene - he's been "banished" from Pergamon. Not long now before the client ruler in Pergamon dies off so I can claim my captial as a factional region and a type II government.

The Seleukid War

It was in 245 that a cowardly Seleukid surprise attack on our glorious capital resulted in war.

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

Wasting no time, Kallistratos Horreonios gathered what troops he could and marched to relief of the government. The Seleukid raiders slipped away on hearing a Pergamene army was coming, and so Horreonios followed them to Ipsos.

One of their nobles was foolishly outside the city travelling along when the Pergamene army arrived. He sent a runner back to the city, and hoped to evade capture.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ttle1Start.jpg

Horreonios and Seleukos Syriakos fought in personal combat, the latter hoping to kill the Pergamene general and cause his army to lose heart.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-1.jpg

The garrison from Ipsos, led by Vahuberz Alloudas Lydikes, were only able to watch the fight. As the advance cavalry came, one Pergamene officer charged out to stop them interfering with the fight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-2.jpg

Syriakos was slain before their eyes.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-3.jpg

Lydikes sent his cavalry to attack. Meanwhile as the lines closed, the slingers and Kretan archers took a horrendous toll on the Seleukid light troops.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-4.jpg

Lydikes charged the Pergamene left, it was down to the Greek officer commanding the left wing to stop him.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...tle1-45jpg.jpg

The Galatians held of hundreds of Anatolian hillmen while the Greek officer struggled against Lydikes' bodyguard.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-6.jpg

They ignored the arrival of a Seleukid phalanx, madded with battle lust.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-7.jpg

The entire Pergamene cavalry, led by Horreonios, charged Lydikes.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-8.jpg

He was cut down as he tried to flee.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle1-10.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...rBattle1-9.jpg

His men in the centre quailed in fear.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle1-11.jpg

Soon the whole army was in flight.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle1-12.jpg

Pergamon was victorious!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle1-13.jpg

245BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/245BC.jpg

Winning that battle killed the garrison of Ipsos, so now the old Persian capital is mine. Which leaves the Seleukids with a very narrow front on which to attack, via Mazaka. Which is likely to be under threat from Pontos and possibly the Hai in short order.

I took Kyrene recently as well. I'm starting to think building up a Pan-Hellenic Empire of all the scattered Greek colonies might be a goal for this game. Syrakousai and Emporion are other possible targets. They'd also give me touch-points in a number of areas and new potential enemies.

Disappointed with the pathetic attack by the Seleukids really, a half-stack army when I've got garrisons the equivalent of about three stacks hanging around? I wonder if peace with them for a time would encourage them to build up some proper armies to attack me? Same goes the Ptolemies, they've done nothing to respond. Now this might partly be because I'm on Medium campaign difficulty, but even so. May have to start creating armies for them to fight me.

I've discovered a rather powerful recruiting combination in some of my settlements. Blacksmith for upgraded kit, type II goverment gives a bonus level of experience, and so does the Gymnasium. So now a lot of my troops can start with two experience as well as upgraded gear!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

I took Kyrene recently as well. I'm starting to think building up a Pan-Hellenic Empire of all the scattered Greek colonies might be a goal for this game. Syrakousai and Emporion are other possible targets. They'd also give me touch-points in a number of areas and new potential enemies.

---

That's not a bad idea. This is one of my favorite AAR's at the moment; I especially like how you just let it evolve organically rather than trying to artificially impose the history of Pergamon onto the situation. I mean, I can understand the interest in recreating historical events, but after a while it gets really boring for the reader, because it degenerates into an FD-fest and it just feels really artificial.

Also, if/when you (re)conquer Epeiros, will you take advantage of the Elites, or just treat it as another regular colony?

241BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/241BC.jpg

Rather ironically, Rome and Qarthadast have just declared a ceasefire, almost exactly at the right time. They did have peace, but then the idiotic Roman AI pulled the garrison out of Lilibeo and it revolted. They've still not taken Syrakousai, so I've still got that avenue open to me to grab it.

I wonder if the Roman AI will get it's Polybian reform now?

In Anatolia the Seleukids were gathering forces, I hoped for an invasion of Pergamene territory, but it turned out they had their sights on Galatia. So of course I have to march to the relief of my "allies" there. I like it rebel, gives me a nice buffer between everyone else and me.

I was rather amazed to see the Seleukids and Ptolemies sign a ceasefire; maybe they want to focus on me. Not doing a very good job of it in any case, the Ptolemies haven't attacked Kyrene, or even moved some forces to mount an attack there.

I'm on the move in the Bosphorous again, after a few years settling Chersonesos, Panta-whatsit is under siege. Not sure where I'll go once that's been taken, but again it'll take some time to pacify.

I think I might start helping the Hai militarily against the Seleukids.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

That's not a bad idea. This is one of my favorite AAR's at the moment; I especially like how you just let it evolve organically rather than trying to artificially impose the history of Pergamon onto the situation. I mean, I can understand the interest in recreating historical events, but after a while it gets really boring for the reader, because it degenerates into an FD-fest and it just feels really artificial.

---

I have had to intervene in a few places, just not often. The Arverni were almost wiped out recently, down to just one province so I teleported a diplomat over to rescue them. Looks like the Romans have stopped trying to conquer Gaul for the moment, though given they've got few places to go but Syrakousai and Patavium (latter of which I keep boosting the garrison of to stop them going that way for a while) I don't think it'll last long.

And I have been nerfing Baktria who keep annoying me by trying to conquer the steppe. I recently took some settlements from them in favour of Pahlava and Saka. They've got all that rebel territory to themselves, they should conquer it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Also, if/when you (re)conquer Epeiros, will you take advantage of the Elites, or just treat it as another regular colony?

---

I don't plan to retake it at all. To be honest I'm not that impressed with Eperios' roster anyway, I chose them because they could be removed and not really change a lot.

Diplomatic maneuvering

Alarming news came in 241 when it was heard that the two remaining Diadochi superpowers, Ptolemaic Egypt and the Arche Seleukeia had not only ended their incessant warfare, but had combined their strength. It could only be a temporary move to deal with the "upstart" in their midst, the resurgent Pergamon.

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

While the Basilieu was interested in this development, it did nothing to deter him from the course of raising Pergamon. He had the armies and the commanders to defeat anything they threw at him, and should they come, the Pergamenes were ready.

However, being a canny ruler, he also made moves of his own. To strengthen position of Pergamon in the region, he made overtures towards the smaller powers. Pontos were non-commital in an offer of co-operation, but the newly-united tribes of Galatia were welcoming to the Pergemene embassage.

Mutual defense and co-operation were agreed, hostages exchanged and bonds made.

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

239BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/239BC.jpg

Some interesting developments with Galatia, which the Seleukids conquered, only to have it rebel right out from under them. Courtesy of one of my spies, of course. The new owners were amenable to me and one diplomat later I have an ally in the region.

The Seleukids have finally responded, sending something like an army. I think I need to add three units to that stack to fill it out before attacking. Some phalanxes? Never a good thing when the (only) two powers you're at war with not only declare a ceasefire, but ally. Maybe I'll have some serious hurt coming my way?

Sweboz have suddenly exploded, either that or I wasn't paying attention. Rome has made the Aedui their protectorate, so hopefully they won't be steamrollering them any time soon. There's been a Seleukid fightback in Parthia. Baktria lost one of their provinces to rebels. Still a stalemate in Greece.

You are using FD, right? Couldn't you give all the arverni settlements in Gaul to the Aedui and rename the Arverni to "Galatia"? Just for the fun of it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

241BC:
I don't plan to retake it at all. To be honest I'm not that impressed with Eperios' roster anyway, I chose them because they could be removed and not really change a lot.

---

I would say that the Chaonion Agema are quite good... and quite beautiful to behold. Pity you're not going to use them. Other than that I pretty much agree... both the hypaspystai and the macedonian peltasts (their other elite units) perform quite badly - you can kill those with principes. :dizzy2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jaertecken

You are using FD, right? Couldn't you give all the arverni settlements in Gaul to the Aedui and rename the Arverni to "Galatia"? Just for the fun of it?

---

Perhaps, but I don't think they'd do very well as a one-province faction. Plus where would they go? Mazaka is a possibility, I think the Galatians raided Kappodokia a fair bit, but it's going to be more competition for Pontos who are already struggling to get off the starting block. Plus the Aedui would have no competition and might rampage across Spain and Germany.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aaldaemon

I would say that the Chaonion Agema are quite good... and quite beautiful to behold. Pity you're not going to use them. Other than that I pretty much agree... both the hypaspystai and the macedonian peltasts (their other elite units) perform quite badly - you can kill those with principes. :dizzy2:

---

They phalangites, though, aren't they? And I won't by choice use a phalanx. Plus Pergamon didn't anyway. I have no plans to take my faction back to the Greek mainland, we're staying put. Not sure I've got much interest in further expansion, besides perhaps Syrakousai, for a while either.

The Seleukid War

In 239 a Seleukid army invaded Phrygia. Horreonios was no longer in command of the Pergamene army, having been called to act as governor of Byzantion after the death of the ruler there. The Greek Dexamenos Drytes was left with the reformed army. Reformed because there had been calls from the various Greek communites to lessen the burden they carried in serving in the army. Thus Galatians trained in a Greek manner, and more modern-styled units were drafted in to replace the hoplites of old.

The two forces were about evenly matched in numbers, although Noumenios Gazarinos' force was heavy in light Arabian skirmishers.

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The two armies met in a hilly area of the Phrygian countryside. There was an initial race to get into a good position on the crest of a hill.

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The Pergamenes, with their lighter line troops, got there first. Archers and slingers began to harrass the Arabians.

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Gazarinos tried to break the skirmishing deadlock with a charge from his cavalry.

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They were driven off with some casualties.

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They charged again, and this time were badly handled.

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With them dealt with, Drytes ordered the advance of the main line.

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The Seleukids phalanxes presented a formiddable obstacle as the Pergamene centre closed.

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But then the pike blocks withdrew ten paces. The Pergamenes followed, beginning flanking movements.

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As the phalangites tried to withdraw again, the Galatian hoplites charged and the battle proper began.

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On the left flank, Drytes and some thureophoroi charged Gazarinos and his bodyguard.

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On the right, Parthian spearmen and Scythian axemen halted the flanking movement. They proved doughty fighters.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle2-11.jpg

Gazarinos fought on.

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The Galatian centre was suffering at the hands of the phalangites. They struggled to infiltrate their way past the long pikes.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle2-13.jpg

On the right, some of the Galatian hoplites broke, leaving the Pergamene line open to being enveloped.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle2-14.jpg

But rather than take advantage of this opportunity, the phalangites turned around and marched away, perhaps trying to escape the battle in good order. They were harrassed as they withdrew by fire from the Kretan archers.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle2-15.jpg

His bodyguard slain, Gazarinos tried to flee the battle.

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But his horse was tired and one of Drytes' men killed the enemy general.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle2-17.jpg

The collapse of his army quickly followed.

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And despite some nervous moments, Drytes had prevented the Seleukid invasion.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle2End.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ttle2Stats.jpg

Editorial note

I added a couple of regular phalanx units and some cavalry to the army you could see pictured in the update for 239, made a much better fight than it might otherwise have been. Until the enemy general died, the result was actually in doubt, even though I killed swathes of those Arabian skirmishers. My new army composition is certainly less durable than the old one with all those Classical Hoplites able to hold the centre til the end of time.

The kill/casualty stats, which I don't usually show, make some interesting reading. The Kretans killed silly numbers of the enemy, mostly because they lacked much by way of armour. The Keltohellenikoi, even though they were fighting phalanxes, and even though one of them broke, still managed to get in a lot of kills. Most of course when they broke after the general died, but they endured.

Asian light cavalry as always killed a lot of routers.

238BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/238BC.jpg

The Ptolemies might finally be getting their act together. They're attacking my outpost in Kyrene, had to hire some mercs to fill out what was left of that force. As in the previous battle, I think I'll have to round out that stack with some more troops to make more of a battle of it. I think it needs skirmishers/missile troops and some more cavarly.

Lusotanii are on the move, Pahlava have recovered that province from the Seleukids.

Quintus how do you give settlements to the eleutheroi? cause... in my romani campaign unfourtunately right at the time I send my army to raid north africa n 255 bc , a karthadastim army appeared on sicily (the one from Xanthippos) and captured Sirakusai !!:furious2:

but I could make it rebel cause they had their faction leader there , so it had a massive order bonus , so what I did was to attack , and capture the city and then let it rebel ,but that made it go back to the karthadastim... so I'm not sure what to do now.... retake it and stablish a client ruler (well sirakusai was allied after all) or... let the karthadastim have it , nut sure if there's any other way...

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Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

Quintus how do you give settlements to the eleutheroi? cause... in my romani campaign unfourtunately right at the time I send my army to raid north africa n 255 bc , a karthadastim army appeared on sicily (the one from Xanthippos) and captured Sirakusai !!:furious2:

but I could make it rebel cause they had their faction leader there , so it had a massive order bonus , so what I did was to attack , and capture the city and then let it rebel ,but that made it go back to the karthadastim... so I'm not sure what to do now.... retake it and stablish a client ruler (well sirakusai was allied after all) or... let the karthadastim have it , nut sure if there's any other way...

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I didn't "give" anything to them; did it the hard way with spies and assassins to make it rebel. You need one decent spy in there (I'm certain multiple ones actually add to the order, not decrease it), and a cloud of good assassins to sabotage the buildings that give public order bonuses. I wouldn't bother trying to assassinate the governor, your chances are so slim it's a waste of assassins.

It should rebel to either the faction creator (which for Syrakousai I think is Koinon Hellenon) or else to the rebels. The governor's residence is the usual decider; if the Qarthadastim have upgraded it then it'll rebel to them, but if you get it to rebel again it'll go Rebel.

yep well that's what I meant by giving :sweatdrop: , the hard thing is that karthadast already upgraded the city..., so if I make it rebel twice... it will go to the rebels?

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Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

yep well that's what I meant by giving :sweatdrop: , the hard thing is that karthadast already upgraded the city..., so if I make it rebel twice... it will go to the rebels?

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If they've upgraded the governor's palace it's possible, but difficult.

The Defense of Kyrenaia, Act I

Once a favoured general and worthy nobleman in Pergamon, and a fixture at court, Skepas Thesprotos had fallen out of favour. Tried in a prosecution sponsored by his enemies, he was exiled from Pergamon and took refuge in the Greek communities in Kyrene. It was about as far away from Pergamon as he could go, yet still be surrounded by people who spoke the same language as he did, even if it was with a strange African dialect.

The people of Kyrene were glad to have him, no matter his reputation he was a man of substance and standing who enhanced the community. His knowledge of building projects and military engineering had helped improve the city of Kyrene. Often the council would ask his opinion on matters of state. Then came word that Ptolemaic Egypt was mustering an army to attack Kyrene, felt to be distant enough from Pergamon's sheltering influence to be vulnerable. They hadn't banked on Thesprotos being on hand. Appointed to command Kyrene's levies and mercenaries, he got to work drilling them in the manner of his armies of old.

When the Egyptians arrived, he didn't cower behind the walls, in a display of confidence the armies of Kyrene marched out of their long walls to face the invaders in an open field. They left behind some levies to man the walls and witness what would be done this day.

Thesprotos was outnumbered, his enemy were well-trained, but he had a plan.

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The battle took place on the coast, with a portion of the Kyrene battle line hidden amongst the trees.

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Confident in their numbers, the Egyptians advanced, weathering the hail of missile fire from the Kyrenaian skirmishers.

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The Egyptian heavy cavalry charged the left flank.

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Springing from the shadows of the treeline, the Thracian cavalry retaliated. Meanwhile a single elite phalanx block marched forward, as though to tempt the Kyrenaians into something rash.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...eBattle1-4.jpg

Exercising commendable discipline, having dealt with the Egyptian cavalry, the Thracians wheeled around and returned to friendly lines.

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The Ptolemaic infantry milled around as their commander gave contradictory orders.

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Under the cover of the trees, the Thracians slipped around the Egyptian line to carry out their assigned task for the battle - kill the enemy general.

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He and his bodyguard fought hard.

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Seeing the danger to their general, some Galatian veterans tried to chase off the Thracians.

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His blood up, the general charged after the retreating horsemen, unaware that his bodyguard were now all dead, and his Galatians couldn't keep up.

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Outnumbered and surrounded, he didn't last long.

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As the Thracians gave the signal for mission accomplished, Thesprotos ordered the infantry forward.

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He personally led a band of Karians to attack some levy spearmen, who turned and ran without a fight.

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All semblance of ordered lines vanished as the Kyrenaian hoplites charged home.

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The outflanking maneuver by the Asian cavalry sparked a mass panic among the levy troops.

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But the elite phalangites fought on regardless.

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It took a charge by Thesprotos and the weary Thracians to finally break their resolve to fight to the last.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Battle1-19.jpg

It was a glorious day for Kyrene.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...attle1-End.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ttle1Stats.jpg

Editorial note

Once again I had to balance out a hideously unbalanced army, adding some skirmishers and light cavalry to what was an all-infantry force. I did use my slingers to whittle down the general's bodyguard, then he created an opportunity to send some assassin cavalry to get rid of him when he kept lingering at the end of their line with those double-hard Galatians. Took some doing to stay ahead of them, yet kill him.

The cavalry got the lion's share of the kills, mostly in the routs as usual, but it was the Thracians who won that for me. Without killing their general, that would have been a defeat since the entire attacking phase after his death would have met failure with the morale and defense bonuses his stars gave them.

Still, another meaty battle.

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

The unholy alliance is broken, not even my doing, Bostra revolted to the Saba which put the Seleukids and Saba at war. Since Saba and Ptolemies were allies, they chose their side in it. Which means no more co-ordination between them.

237BC:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...Game/237BC.jpg

Looks like I'm about to do the defense of Kyrene again, only this time they've scraped the bottom of the barrel and can't even muster a proper army. Given how mauled my army is, I may not assist them this time.

My economy is suffering of late, largely because the client rulers of Pergamon, Nikaia and Byzantion all died in quick succession. So taxes in all of them had to fall and government type has changed. Plus warring with two of my big trading partners is never good for business. Still leaving it going has meant a proper response, and I'm not done yet.

Elsewhere in the world, I used FD to give the Romans Karali to simulate the mercenary revolt there. I might teleport a spy to Atiqa to make that revolt too.

Just a suggestion: maybe you SHOULD reinforce the Ptolemy army; losing Kyrene could make it easier to make peace with the Ptolemies. :egypt:

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Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Just a suggestion: maybe you SHOULD reinforce the Ptolemy army; losing Kyrene could make it easier to make peace with the Ptolemies. :egypt:

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They never held it in the first place, though of course as you suggest it's on their border. I'll eventually FD a ceasefire with them, perhaps when they're at war with the Seleukids again, but I'm not going to give it up. It was an independent kingdom for a lot of the game's timeframe, so they shan't have it! :laugh4:

I doubt there'll be many more stacks coming my way after a while, I think the loss of Antiocheia and Salamis have affected their economy.

I'm getting a lot of technical issues, so there may well be a restart of this game in the near future if they can't be resolved or worked around.

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

I'm getting a lot of technical issues, so there may well be a restart of this game in the near future if they can't be resolved or worked around.

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Gah... I have the same loading issue you have... I positively hate it - it's usually what kills all my games eventually.

It's amazing that even with all these issues EB can have, it's still the most addictive strategy experience out there. :yes:

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Originally Posted by Aaldaemon

Gah... I have the same loading issue you have... I positively hate it - it's usually what kills all my games eventually.

It's amazing that even with all these issues EB can have, it's still the most addictive strategy experience out there. :yes:

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Thing is before the optimised script, I never had much by way of CTD issues. Sure the occasional, non-repeating ones on the AI turn or after battles on their turn, but not this constant parade of problems.

My wife certainly marvels at my stamina and determination to play.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

Thing is before the optimised script, I never had much by way of CTD issues. Sure the occasional, non-repeating ones on the AI turn or after battles on their turn, but not this constant parade of problems.

My wife certainly marvels at my stamina and determination to play.

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Those last antics with the Pahlava army in Pella have certainly nothing to do with the optimized script; I got the same trouble before I installed it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

Thing is before the optimised script, I never had much by way of CTD issues. Sure the occasional, non-repeating ones on the AI turn or after battles on their turn, but not this constant parade of problems.

My wife certainly marvels at my stamina and determination to play.

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Aye I think so, there's only one problem I do think occurs more often with the optimized script - that is the crash on loading issue - I've had tons of other issues without the optimized script, but the plague of loading crashes truly became incessant when using this new script... could be just a coincidence somehow I guess... but somehow I doubt it.

Which is why I'm going to play a little longer and wait and see, but if I hit another patch of not being able to load up my latest saves I'll start again.

Uninstall, re-install, all the fixes, none of the optional ones and just suffer the slower between-turn loading times. I don't think I'll raid Pella this time either, given how badly the Makedonians seem to have suffered.

But I'm reserving judgement on a restart for now.

Sorry everyone, I've hit the same bug that killed my Roman game. So I'm going to have to start again. Thankfully I wasn't as far in this time...

In two minds as to whether I should start a new one from scratch, or just pick up where this one ended once I get there. In a lot of ways I think a new one would be better.

I'm getting bandwidth warnings from Photobucket (I used 20GB last month), so I think I may have to delete the images from this AAR. There'll be more in my current one, which means the problem will only get worse, rather than better. Not sure opening a new account will help a lot either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

I'm getting bandwidth warnings from Photobucket (I used 20GB last month), so I think I may have to delete the images from this AAR. There'll be more in my current one, which means the problem will only get worse, rather than better. Not sure opening a new account will help a lot either.

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Use ImageShack in the meanwhile, then.

20gb?? What file format are you using. Ive done like four AARs and dont use nearly that much. Although I crop my images which probably helps alot. I must say I have never had the technical problems in my game as you have. Have you changed any of the files or anything?

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Originally Posted by Chirurgeon

20gb?? What file format are you using. Ive done like four AARs and dont use nearly that much. Although I crop my images which probably helps alot. I must say I have never had the technical problems in my game as you have. Have you changed any of the files or anything?

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25GB is the monthly bandwidth limit on photobucket; most of my images are around 300k each (JPEGs) and my average update has about 20 of them. I've deleted all the images from this AAR to save my bandwidth given it's been superceded.

The only things I've altered file-wise is the faction name and colour. Otherwise I've only got the permanent fixes in. All my technical problems seem to have materialised with the optimised script, before that my games were fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

25GB is the monthly bandwidth limit on photobucket; most of my images are around 300k each (JPEGs) and my average update has about 20 of them. I've deleted all the images from this AAR to save my bandwidth given it's been superceded.

The only things I've altered file-wise is the faction name and colour. Otherwise I've only got the permanent fixes in. All my technical problems seem to have materialised with the optimised script, before that my games were fine.

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is the optimized script a 1.1 development?