Re: Wolves of Zalmoxis (Getai AAR)
Chapter 1: Soft in his old age?
In the spring of 272BC the Getai were ruled by the great warrior Zalmodegikos per Buridava. The nation of Getia was small and surrounded by other tribes, each of which posed a potential threat to the kingdom. Getic military might had kept its borders safe for years now, but in such conditions expansion of the kingdom would have been a major task that could backfire and result in its destruction.
Zalmodegikos was now 60 years old and was beginning to tire of war, despite the fact that his cammanding skills were second to none of his generals.
Scuffling for defence of the nation had grown tiresome for him and he saw it as futile at his respectable age. He saw the wealth of his northern cousins in Sarmiszegethusa and decided that the Getai deserved to be well off. Economic and diplomatic matters became the focus of Zalmodegikos's rule from this point.
Zalmodegikos's adopted son Oroles was a young and bloodthirsty general, at the time camped with an army to the north of Getia. He had proved himself to have much skill in battle against the Skythai and was eager for more victories to repel them and further Getic renown. However, Zalmodegikos had other plans. Seeing most of the country's money being drained by its many men of arms, he planned to disband Oroles' army, along with most of the nation's warbands. The young warlord was recalled to the capital and his men were mostly given back their civilian lives. Their swords were laid down... for the moment. The Skythai were given a ceasefire officially, which was welcomed because their warriors were needed to fight weaker enemies than the courageous Getai.
To the south of the nation lay Makedonia, enemies of Getia. However, between Getia and the sons of Alexandros lay the Dardanoi and Odrysai. These tribes were home to formidable warriors, particularly the men of Tylis and so the Basileus decided this war was of no real use. Peace between the Makedonai and the Getai was negotiated, but only while the other two tribes were granted safety from the proud hellennes. This would soon become irrelevant however, as the Basileus of Epeiros would soon overrun the northern lands of Makedonia.
By the autumn of 272BC, the Basileus' economic aims were taking effect on the land. Roads had been completed, linking the villages to the whole of Getia and its neighbours and allowing wealth to flow through the nation. Much of the population was uncomfortable with the lack of war and its spoils though. This feeling did not turn into discontent however, as Zalmodegikos was dearly loved for his service to glorify Getia. The warriors' loyalty was soon rewarded, as their king ordered an attack on the pitiful Triballi to the south in order to boost the nation's funds.
In the harsh winter that year, the strong men of Getia attacked the Triballi. The day was bitterly cold, but the Getic warriors did not care, being strong of heart and body. Diales, the enemy king was known as a clever commander, but the brave Dizo per Rekidava did not fear the army that outnumbered his own.
After the Getic forces had advanced, Diales made the foolhardy mistake of charging head-on into the brave Getic warriors, resulting in his ridiculous death at the hands of our spears.
The warriors of our country fought hard, slaying many of the Triballi, but the enemy wore thick hellenic armour and were defending with courage. When Dizo fell to his demise the brave Drapanai made a frenzied last charge on the well armed and armoured Thraikoi, but eventually realised their lives were best put to use in a battle they could win.
The Triballi had successfully defended their homes from Getic wrath through their expensive equipment, but at a great loss to both sides. The Getic army was slaughtered the next day in one last stand at the border between the two lands. With its army dishonoured and obliterated, Zamlodegikos became stirred to hatred for the Triballi.
The country was beginning to feel wealth through its new enterprises, but the Triballi needed to be crushed soon to teach them who the greatest warriors really were.
In the spring of 270BC the Basileus of the Getai led a newly-mustered army of courageous men against the weak Triballi in revenge. What ensued on that day was no battle however. The Triballi were slaughtered until only 400 remained.
Zalmodegikos' army set alight the entire town of Naissos and pillaged all that could be found before leaving it, a smouldering symbol of what happens to those who spill Getic blood.
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Originally Posted by Zalmoxis
Generally far more people read an aar thread than respond in one. I liked the way you roleplayed the early attacks on rebel settlements. I always have trouble thinking of them as more than "rebels", so they only got a sentence or two in my aar.
and 
even. I had the two of you mixed up. 
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