Stories Thread

[Celtic_Punk]

Just outside the 1st Syrian Army fort East of Sinope

"! It's bloody cold!! Why can't we just go back to Galatia?!" Cried Achaikos, jogging on the spot.
"Quit your whining you dirty Greek. We just got here!" Laughed Cunobelinus
" cold... trees... country..."
"You just don't shut up do you Achaikos? Quit yer bloody whining. You are my best friend in the entire world. But even now you are starting to tick me off. We are here for a reason... Lets enjoy it?Cunobelinus picks up some snow and throws it at Achaikos
"Ha ha ha, Ok I guess so.. I figure, War is 2 things... 80% boredom and 20% excitement. The trick is to be prepared for that 20%, right?" Achaikos theorized.
"Maybe, quit it with the philosophy, lets have some fun! Achaikos was hit square in the forehead by Cunobelinus Ha-ha-ha! Thats 2! I'm winning!"
"Alright alright... whatever you say... but for that one, I'm not going to save you stupid ass if you need it in Sinope!"The two young men continue throwing snowballs at eachother for quite some time before they are interrupted by a scout

"SIR! No evidence of Pontic forces around Sinope, It seems we have a clear run to the city! Also, Nolon was able to enter the city and the garrison is just the Pontic King. We heard that a force West of Sinope is moving east, and could possibly reinforce the King."
"Hmmmm, We move now! We don't have time to wait for Alexandros and Anyon here. We'll make seige and wait for them there, but we must be quick to prevent that Army from digging in the city, or else they will hold the walls, and we will never get in. Achaikos, prepare the men, tell them we move out at dawn. The young Commander smirks Alexandros better hurry his ass up!"

[GMaximus]

Ankyra, Streets

"Isn't it great, Polymarches, to trod around the city we won by our sweat and blood? Glorious conquerors enjoying the fruits of their work." Mikithion sighed, leaning back on his horse. Lysimakes was nowhere to be seen - the old man was not a warrior, and he had stayed behind in the camp, wandering off to collect some herbs as the battle raged. This only made Mikithion less worried about his herbalist, as the old man seemed to be protected by the Gods during his wandering. On their road to Ipsus, for example, Lysimakes wandered off away from the group during the night, and returned only next morning, when Mikithion had lost all hope of meeting the old herbalist again.

Polymarches simply nodded. The Spear Carrier seemed to be in a good mood - he was a man of battle, and the storming of Ankyra apparently made his week. To the point he actually allowed Lysimakes get away with wandering off and not comming to battle without any grumbling, something his Hellene lord made note and approved of.

"I wonder how is Alexander doing in Seleukeia... He never struck me as the diplomatic sort, but he seems to really enjoy traveling a lot." The Spear Carrier finally grumbled under his nose. This time, it was Mikithion who did not answer.

After a moment of silence, Mikithion and Polymarches made their way to the gate that the Peltastai under Mikithion had battered open. Slowly, Mikithion dismounted his horse, walking through the still open gate. Plymarches followed, also dismounted. The battle was just won, and no one had even moved the ram away yet.

"Send someone to congratulate Kleronomos Sarpedon of this victory and his slaying of the Pontic general - if rumors have it correctly, he killed the fool himself. And find Lysimakes - I'll be at ease to know the old man is fine." With those words, Mikithion dropped on the grass, leaned against the wooden wall and moved his helmet on his eyes, falling asleep soon after. Polymarches could only shrug at such an odd choice for rest and go off to carry out the orders. He dealt with it quickly, then immediately returned to watch over the sleeping Mikithion - after all, there was no telling what the Keltoi that still inhabbited this town could come up with.

[Alerion]

At the border to Ptolemaoi Territory, south of Sidon

Strategos Theodoros Syriakos moved around in his command tent, waiting for the messenger he called. His bodyguard was stationed outside and suddenly a man opened the entrance to state: "He's here, Sire."

Theodoros looked up: "Well, let him in, Akhaios." The bodyguard nodded and guided a young man into the tent. The messenger bowed before his master and asked: "Sire, where do you need to send me? Seleukia?" Theodoros shook his head and smiled. "Nowhere, young Alexander. I just need your clothes."
"My clothes..."
"Yes, Alexander, your clothes. The Royal council is coming together for the regular session and I need to be there. I cannot let the Egyptians think that the leader of this army has left it. They might take that chance to attack and though I fully trust my captains here to be able to defeat some Ptolemaoi swine I'd regret not having the chance to slaughter some myself. You have about my stature and therefore are going to replace me here." Theodoros approached the boy and gave him a pat on the back. "You will live the life of a Strategos for some time. You are lucky." He smiled. "Of course you will not be in command here, but it will look like you were. Anytime you are outside this tent, you will behave as though you were me. Captain Sositratos will command the army while I am gone. Any questions?" Alexander looked like as though he wanted to say something but he couldn't think of what so Theodoros just continued: "Wonderful. Now let us exchange our garments."

As soon as it was done Alexander was dressed in the armor of a Seleukian general and Theodoros himself looked just like a little messenger. "Now, where is your horse, Alexander?"
"My horse, Sire?" Theodoros sighed. "Yes, Alexander your horse. Do you think any enemy would believe that I would give my trusty warhorse to a lowly messenger? No offence meant." Alexander nodded, finally understanding his face lightened up: "I will watch over your horse with care. Mine is right behind the tent of your personal servants. It might not be as glorious as yours but it will carry you swiftly to the council and back here."
"Great. Now let us go outside, so you can order your servant to deliver a message to Seleukia." Again Alexanders face took the form of a question mark and Theodoros was just about to sigh again when the boy understood. He smiled and the two of them walked outside where Theodoros bowed before his 'master' and then moved to the servant's tent, took the horse and rode off into the northeast, all under the watchful eyes of ptolemaoi spies.

[Roka]

Nikanor Kybiosaktes is sitting in the garden of his house in Hieroselyma enjoying a jug of wine with his most trusted friend, and mentor Phillipos

"So Niko, you have clearly impressed the Basileus." Phillipos said, draining his up of wine
"Yes, my friend, it would seem that I have. I just hope i can repay the trust he has shown in me by leading the men well." Replied the Makedon.
"You'll do fine my boy...."

[YouHaveRecieved]

Personal Journal of Phormion Epiphaneion Armeniakon, Winter 262 BC

I am starting this journal in hope that one day it will be read and remembered by historians of the future and my families name be remembered throughout history. I am Phormion Epiphaneion, Strategos of the Arche Seleukeia. Around a month ago I was promoted to the rank of Strategos. I suppose it was because of my growing public awareness and my skills in running little towns and villages.

My family can be traced back through the ages. My grandfather, a Macedonian, fought for the Megas Alexandros during his war against the Persians. He was young then and quickly rose in ranks and quickly became one of the highest commanding officers of the cavalry in the whole army. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately depending on how you view it) he broke a rib where his own armour had punctured a hole in his chest. It wasn’t life threatening but he decided it was the end of his military career. At this time he was a middle aged man of around 30, so he went to the biggest city furthest away from his old life, Babylon.

Two generations later and I am the heir of the Armeniakon’s family name. My father lives out the rest of his days in Babylon, reading histories of wars and battles. Like his father before him he was a commander of me, this time leading the Phalangites. He ended up lower in rank than his predecessor but respected all the same.

I on the other hand, failed all school classes my father sent me to, seemed too dull to warrant a place in a military school. Instead I was left to run the family armourer business in which I succeeded well in. My father worked hard to get me elected as a local magistrate and eventually I moved up to take charge of a minor area near the mountains in Assyrie.

The region held local election for a Strategos and I won by a convincing margin. I inherited a handful of seasoned veterans for bodyguards, all of them big and imposing. The only I have came to know well is my clerk, who I had sent to Seleukeia to act as my scribe. I was surprised when he returned a few days later with a message from the Basileus to attend the Royal Council.

This is where I am now, sat in a backroom of a brothel with a prostitute asleep next to me. Tomorrow I ride to Edessa, gather my troops and ride for Persepolis.

[navarro951]

Inside the 1st Lydians Fort...day before their last battle.

Panaitolos' captain kneeled before him. The captain treated Panaitolos' knee wound. After finishing up, he bandaged the knee and sat next to the General.

"Think well make it out of this one General?"

Panaitolos chuckled"I think you and I both know well be living with Hades by night tomorrow."

The Captain turned to the General. He looked out on his men readying themselves for their last fight.

"So you request for mercenary troops was denied huh?" the captain inquired

"Yes, but reasonably so. I can imagine our rider was told something along the lines of "he got himself in this mess he can get himself out". Its too bad he probably wont make it in time to deliver the news. We may never really know."

The captain turned away from the general. Now viewing his troops as well.

"I had the men pack one item of importance to them and had the items snuck out to get to their families."

Panaitolos nods...

"Very good of you. Their will be many more widows soon, and it will be nice for their sons to have something they were here with." Panaitolos Sighs... "I cant decide now whether I came here for glory or for my men or for my country. Its not the same when you know you face death."

The captain unsheathed his sword. He ran a cloth across bringing it to a clean shine.

"I think tomorrow the answer to that will be simple. We will fight for us. You will fight for me, and I for you. And each man will have his last brother here at their last triumph."

The general turned to his captain...

"Suppose we will be remembered? Will their be a point here?"

"We will remember each other in the after life. Even their we will give our enemies hell."

They laughed and fell to silence, watching the sun fall behind the edge of the world. And Panaitolos breathed in his last whiff of truly peaceful air....

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Event 3: Rise of Persia!
Rules

The Old Magistrate, Aristenos, rushed through the corridors of the palace. He was frightend and his face looked pale. Almost near the Council Hall he stopped to catch his breath and then entered the Hall.

"Strategoi of the Council! I come bearing some shocking news! Persian rebels in Persepolis, Gabai, Karmana and Propthasia have taken to arms and overthrown our governors, killed our garrisons and declared themselves enemies to our kingdom!

I wish was all, but those Persians have accepted Pahlava as their protector and one Member of Pahlavan Royal Family have been named the King of Persia! I don't know what his name is but he should reach Persepolis soon,
and to make things even worse..." Aristenos stops and sighs... "these rebels have assassinated many of our Strategoi."

"The slain are many, but amongst them are the former satrap of Persis, Andromachos Syriakos, who had his heart pierced as archers bombarded his camp with arrows at night, were amongst the first to be murdered, but almost immediately afterwards Polyxenidos Lykikos and Apelles Iliou Troikou had their throats cut by some hired blades while they were inspecting the defence of Babylon. Anaxarchos Kyrrhestikes Syriakes were next in line when he swam in the Tigris river, while Hamaktyon Nikopoleos Syriakes was poisoned in Damaskos. Lastly..." Aristenos makes another pause... "Lastly the Basileus' own brother, Theodoros Syriakos, was murdered in Phoinike while he was hunting. He got separated from his bodyguards, and by the time they got to him, he was already dead: pierced repeatedly by many swords."

Aristenos lowers his head and shakes it lightly.

"May the gods show mercy on us, for we might be seeing another Rise of Persia!"

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Story is written with The Celtic Viking