3rd Legion - Roma's Bulls

[Kushan]

Does converting to BI add anything significant other then naval invasions? Been debating on switching but don't want to start my Rome campaign over again unless its worth it.

Kush

[Ludens]

Does converting to BI add anything significant other then naval invasions? Been debating on switching but don't want to start my Rome campaign over again unless its worth it.

The A.I., both on the battle map and in the campaign, appears to be somewhat improved, but don't expect a huge differences.

[Obelics]

very good start with this aar count, im trying the romans too, and im curious how you will progress in it, and how it will go with your legion. Concise and effective and some very nice shots! (cant remember when i fought my last fort battle, i have to try the eb forts)
keep it up with the red bulls mate salut!

[Boyar Son]

When is the next insallment coming out?

And I hope the 3rd will go to Spain and Africa, and fight faction leader led armies that are somewhere around 14-16 units including elephants that will decide the fate of a city or the fate of the army.

Not to much to ask...

[CountArach]

lol, well I've got the game open on my other computer, so probably this afternoon or tomorrow. As to an invasion of a worthwhile place, I would look a few chapters in the future ;)

@ Kushan - I highly recommend doing it. The naval invasions alone are worth it. Thee battlemap AI is a lot better, and I believe the reinforcement AI is as well.

@ Obelics - Thanks mate! It means a lot coming from you. As you know you were one of the people who got me interested in AARs in the first place.

[Cheexsta]

Does converting to BI add anything significant other then naval invasions? Been debating on switching but don't want to start my Rome campaign over again unless its worth it.

Kush

Switching to the BI.exe is savegame compatible...

[CountArach]

Chapter 6 – Third Battle of Sardinia
261 BCE – Spring to 257 BCE – Summer – The consulship of Gaivs Atilivs Regvlvs and Gnaevs Cornelivs Blasio

Father,

It is I again. I am sorry if you have been concerned about my health, but there is not much worth telling you in recent years. As you know in 259 Cnaevs Cornelivs Blasio was elected consul and Cnaevs Scipio Asina was elected Praetor. He was put in charge of Sardinia, and we were the legion assigned to him.

We learnt in the autumn after that that Cornelivs Blasio had captured the city of Lilibeo with the first and second legion. So the war in Sicily was over in 259. The men there were freed up for other theatres, yet for some reason unfathomable to me high command chose not to capitalize on this. Yet we in the field did not mind. Each of us was given a free Punic slave, which you have undoubtedly received by now.

Then a year later, in 258, we finally left the island and moved north to capture Corsicum.

Very little happened there that is worth mentioning. Suffice to say we took the town fairly easily.

Yet something interesting did come out of it. The Senatores in Rome noticed our efforts, particularly that of Scipio, so much so that they granted Scipio the title Africanvs. He would bear that in his name for as long as he was to remain alive.



Yet our departure from Sardinia was not a permanent thing. We received word, once again, that Sardinia was under assault. I am starting to believe that the island is not worth the men we have lost on the island. Since we arrive we have lost a third of our legion. Many of my friends have perished since arrival. These Carthaginians have much to answer for.



This time the leves arrived much faster, and we were able to depart within the year. We engaged the enemy just outside the town. The garrison of Karali made our numbers almost equal with that of our enemies. Our enemies are a mixture of elite units and citizen militia. Surely their people must be getting tired of this war.



So deployed in our formation and advanced. I had not noticed just how many Hastati had died recently. There were almost none of them left, though the deployed resolutely and determinedly in front of us. I was determined not to let these guys die.

The enemy split off in two parts. The majority of their army deployed opposite us, yet a few units were detached to attack the garrison of Karali.



The enemy started to advance towards us. We unleashed our Pila on them and many of them dropped, yet some of the enemy charged anyway. The Samnites engaged them. I am so glad they are on our side now. I have nothing but respect for those who subjugated them.



Yet it seemed that some of the enemy had chosen not to charge. They started to redeploy to both sides. So, sensing their weakness, our centurion, Marcvs Frontinivs, ordered the charge.



We engaged some of the Libyans. These people are not the same as the standard Punic citizen we have fought, they are different. These people can fight and have much better equipment.



I pushed towards the front and was determined to get a kill, yet the enemy brought support up before I could. Some of their Numidian skirmishers had charged us. These barely armed and barely armoured people could hardly even think of standing up to us, the pick of Roma’s crop.



These men broke just as easily as all others that we have fought. We turned to our left and saw the Triarii heavily engaged by a mixture of the enemy elites and some citizens. We charged them too.



This time Marcvs Frontinivs and I charged first, we were at the front of the group.

It was the most exhilarating feeling I have ever had, and the start of my new life.

Marcvs and I fought side by side, waiting for some support from our unit. My sword was knocked away early on, yet I started to get under the enemy’s spears and flailed around with my fists. I picked up a dead man’s sword and struck two more of the enemy down. Marcvs went with me to here.

Yet no further.



Just as support arrived, Marcvs was struck. The enemy spears were all pointed at him and they were all striking one at a time. He could not block every blow. I watched as he was struck once in the side, then fell and was repeatedly hit. I had to tear my eyes away as the man in front of me was transfixed through his head.

I had to take charge.

I ordered the men to redouble their efforts, and raising the standard high, I yelled Marcvs’ name up to the Gods. The Principes and Hastati charged once more.

The enemy just fled.

We ran them down.

Mercilessly.

So few of the enemy were left alive, and we had lost very few of our own.





Then Scipio Africanvs approached me.

“Spvrivs Cordivs, I hereby promote you to the rank of Centurion. You are going to be in command of the entire Maniple of Principes. I saw what you did during that battle, and you clearly deserve it. Do me proud.”

So father, I am now a centurion! I have raised our family’s standing. We can be proud of our name once again.

Your ever loving, and newly promoted son,
Spvrivs Cordivs

[Orb]

Great narrative, as usual

[Kushan]

Switching to the BI.exe is savegame compatible...

Wish I would have known that before saving over my old campaigns. Oh well.

Another great entry. I find myself constantly checking this thread waiting for the next chapter. Keep it up :)

Kushan

[Dooz]

Maybe they should call him Scipio Sardinius? Jeez, those Carthies just won't let go of Karali will they? Decent army they brought this time too, and Spvurivs proved his worth. But hey, if he didn't like fighting without a sword at some point, he'd better get used to it as a centurion, heh. He'll be flailing around without one most of the time (I don't know why it isn't fixed, or if it even can be). A hearty congradulations to Cordivs, whose unit again got the 2nd most kills of the infantry. Huzzah!

[CaesarAugustus]

Nice screenshot of the Hastati's face getting skewered! Where do you think you will send the 3rd after Sardinia, CountArach?

[Boyar Son]

Cool

If Syracuse is secured then move to Spain. Got to see some action in Hispania.

And it will be much harder for Spvrivs to be kept alive. Back then it was easy for him to be alive from the indistinguishable (sp?) troops, now we all know which one he is

[Rilder]

Cool

If Syracuse is secured then move to Spain. Got to see some action in Hispania.

And it will be much harder for Spvrivs to be kept alive. Back then it was easy for him to be alive from the indistinguishable (sp?) troops, now we all know which one he is

IIRC he was the standard bearer.

Great aar btw.

[CountArach]

Thanks Orb!

Good to hear Kushan! Always love to hear that people check back every day.

lol, tell me about it Wonderland! They also just landed the remnants of that army on Sardinia, but damn it! I am NOT going back there!

Well, CaesarAugustus, you will have ot find out next chapter

As Rilder said K COSSACK, he was already the Signifer (The standard bearer).

Thanks Rilder!

[Boyar Son]

Ouch... I'm ashamed...

[CountArach]

Chapter 7 – Invasion of Iberia
257 Autumn to 254 Spring – The consulship of Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio and Avlvs Atilivs Calatinvs

Father,

Much has happened, and I can not guarantee that this will reach you, however I must do something to distract myself from my throbbing head.

I keep thinking back to the autumn of 257. As you remember we marched in Scipio’s Ovation. It was amazing, and I can not wait until we march in a triumph, which this man so clearly deserves.

Our auxiliaries were disbanded, having served in our armies for long enough. Some new Samnites were recruited into our armies, as they were judged to have served far better than the Lucanians. In addition our depleted ranks were filled by more good Roman soldiery. I have made it a personal goal to take some of these men under my wing.

We remained in Italy until the spring of 255. Then we departed Capua.

For Iberia.

We landed the next year. First of all we unloaded the extra troops we had brought along for garrison purposes. We then besieged Mastia, the primary city in the south east.



Sure enough within a week of us setting up there the enemy army attacked our positions, supported by the garrison of the town. The enemy army was a mixture of citizens and Iberians. However, the garrison of the town was completely different. They were small, but they were all heavy cavalry.



This would be my first battle as centurion of the Principes and I had to make it count. We deployed in battle formation and waited.



The battle started with the enemy coming across the field to us and our skirmishers both clashing. We had superior numbers and that started to tell, but eventually the enemy brought up some citizens to support them, so the skirmishers withdrew to safety behind the lines.



The leves withdrawing offered a reason for the enemy to approach us and charge. As they did so we unleashed hell upon them. Our Pila killed many men in the confused mass.



Those who survived charged us. My men help their ground. I felt a swell of pride in my chest. They were willing to die for me. The God’s know that many would by the end of the day.



As the combat wore on more support was brought up for the enemy and they started to approach the left side of the line where I awaited them. They came and I slew them. They came and they died.



The combat lasted a long time. To our left the Hastati were surviving well against superior enemy numbers. To our right there was madness. The Rorarii, some Samnites and Scipio Africanvs were fighting against a hoard of enemies.

Yet the enemy started to waver and finally they broke. We ran them down, just as we had run down all those who had tried to take Sardinia from our hands.



We still had the garrison to deal with. The enemy, who I am later told was led by one Bisaltes charged our unit first. We had almost no time to prepare.



And I paid the price for not being prepared.



I was knocked down and wounded by a blow to the side of my head. I just remember a huge figure bearing down upon me, something hitting me in the side of the head and then there was just blackness.

I am told that the Principes and my new Signifer Camillivs Scaepio struck forward to protect my prone body. Apparently the auxiliaries and Rorarii managed to surround the enemy bodyguard; however they and their accompanying Iberian cavalry managed to get away fast enough to have half of them survive.

We would have to kill the rest another day.





Well I woke up and was told we had won a massive victory. My wound was only superficial and I was able to walk around a couple of days later. I am writing this two days later again and I still have a headache, but nothing worse than a hangover from Rome’s great taverns.

So father all that we need to do now is take on the city of Mastia.

We will win.

Your son,
Spvrivs Cordivs

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Another great instalment CountArach

[Dooz]

Oo, close call.

On to the city! Let's hope the don't have another large force en route before you have enough siege equipment to attack. City assaults are a bloody afair. Beware Spvrivs!

[CountArach]

Fret ye not! I have 3 rams built and ready for the siege!

I'm going to make sure that Spurius Survives... no matter what!

[Boyar Son]

Spvrivs got knocked down and got up? or was he killed?

Speaking on what actually happened, not how the story says it.

[Kushan]

Even if Spvrivs was "killed" on the battlefield, I'm CA isn't going to kill him off.

Kushan

[CountArach]

He was killed... but it is getting later in this legion's history so I don't want to have to start a new character.

Also as a side note, when Marcus died in the first battle, those are the Hastati Centurion and Signifer shown. Just wanted to advance the plot and seemed like a good opportunity.

[CountArach]

Chapter 8 – Tragedy Befalls
254BCE – Autumn to 252BCE – Spring – The consulship of Marcvs Aemilivs Pavllvs and Avlvs Atilivs Calatinvs

Father,

It has been a busy 18 months and I must say some of the saddest. Let me start at the beginning.

It all started with the besieging of Mastia, the Carthaginian headquarters in the area. Though we had defeated the army and the garrison previously, there were still some of them left.



Myself and my uit were put in charge of one of the three rams. We were to support the main thrust upon the gate from the flank.



Yet Scipio Africanvs had forgotten to put out sentries to look for the relieving army.

And they came up behind us.

Everyone except ourselves and Rorarii formed up in a crude, simple battleline to combat this threat. We watched on.



I am told that the fighting was almost as fierce as some of the fighting in our previous battle. These men were desperate to save their town and the beloved man inside it leading their garrison.



The fighting was over eventually over though and Scipio Africanvs ordered the attack on the city to begin. We pushed the ram up to the walls and knocked them down as fast as we were able.



We advanced through the town and the enemy general came out to meet us, accompanied by his loyal Sacred Band cavalry. He chased down the Accensi who went out to meet him.



They then charged the Samnite Spearmen, who quickly started to waver under the pressure. But our much loved Scipio Africanvs held them in line. He offered encouragement and even Roman citizenship to some of them. To think, Citizenship? That oversteps even his bounds.

I led my men through a couple of back streets and came up at the Sacred Band’s exposed behind. We charged them.



They held for a long time and many of my men were killed, but we gave as good as we got.



The result of the battle had never been in doubt. There could only be one result for the 3rd Legion, the pride of Rome.





So the town was ours! Yet, not everything would be simple. The next couple of season invoved us pacifying some of the more rebellious tribes and setting up a system of tribes allied and loyal to Rome. They were happy with this for the time being. However, as soon as Scipio even thought of leaving Mastia there was mutterings of rebellion and disloyalty to Rome.

Scipio came to be relied upon in the city. They needed him to be there to keep the peace and we needed him to lead us to victory once again. It was a dilemma, and I am afraid he made the wrong choice.

He chose to stay within the confines of the town, primarily within the palace.

One morning we found him in his bed, blood all around him and a dagger in his throat.

On his bedside table was a message, written in the foul letters of these Iberians.

We called for a slave, a slave who was what passed for “educated” here. He read the message to himself and laughed.

“It says, ‘Leave now or your men shall all die this death.’ I guess he didn’t get the message.” The Iberian just continued to chuckle to himself the whole time. I drew my sword and slew the insolent wretch where he stood.

So now we were without Scipio Africanvs.

Without hope.

The Tribunes and my fellow centurions all got together and called a council of war on what to do. We agreed to bring the legion into the town. The people would be uneasy and we had to be ready for them.

We did not have to wait long. They came two weeks later.

At the same time in several parts of the town beacons were lit. At least, what looked like beacons. In actua fact they were the tents of the legions being set alight by rioters.

A warning went out to all who were still alive. We were to meet in the palace of the former Governor.

Most of the men made it back in time and we held that for the remainder of the night, whilst the mobs burned our property and what men could not find safety.



We departed the following morning.



Now father, we look to return to Roma.

One man short.

Your loving son,
Spvrivs Cordivs

[Boyar Son]

Those that could not find safety must have been killed, instead of being "one man short".

And are you sure you couldnt have held that town?

Sort of dismayed that all the loss of the city after all the fighting to get it.

[Kushan]

And are you sure you couldnt have held that town?

CA might have been able to, but without a general what is a legion to do?

Kushan

[Boyar Son]

CA might have been able to, but without a general what is a legion to do?

Kushan

Wait for a new general to come of course!

Though of course the army will probably be depleted by the time he gets there.

And I saw your mod for MTW 2 Kushan, great mod is it done? I browsed a little. And do you know where to get patches for MTW 2?

[Dooz]

Wow, now that's intense. He was actually assasinated in-game right? Hell of a twist. Those Iberian towns are indeed difficult to keep under control, especially with a depleted legion and no governor. Maybe if they'd stayed on to fight, Spvrivs might have actually gotten promoted to General himself?

In any case, it's good the men are coming back home, get resupplied and all. Can't wait 'till they get a new commander and go back there for revenge!

[Boyar Son]

Yeah and when they rebel make sure to wipe out entire tribes as Rome did!

Seriously, crucify those filthy barbarians.

[Kushan]

And I saw your mod for MTW 2 Kushan, great mod is it done? I browsed a little. And do you know where to get patches for MTW 2?

Am working on Rise of kings v2.0 now, but I'm waiting for v1.2 before continuing. I'll pm you the link to the v1.1 patch, but v1.2 should be out any day now.

Sorry for being off topic CA. If one legion is not enough, send 4 :P Nothing like good old fashion overkill for revenge.

Kushan

[CountArach]

@ K COSSACK - You think your disappointed? This was to be my big surprise! Gah! What a waste of men. As to being "One Man Short" it was a rteference to Scipio being the only worthwhile man left behind.

@ Kushan - Yes I could have held it, though even with low taxes it was at 70% happiness. I was not gonna tie up the third legion for however many years until I could pump up the garrison. Also being OT doesn't bother me

@ Wonderland - Indeed, the AI really shocked me. All my legions will now be travelling with a spy :P. As to returning to Iberia, I don't think it is worth it. More glory can be found closer to home. *HINT HINT*