1.x AI Faction Progression Thread

[Tellos Athenaios]

Ok first of all the only reason why the Aedui own Liguria, Aemilia and Ventia is that the SPQR caused a ctd. And a quite repeatable one to boot. So I teleported my diplomat, used some cheat money and bought the Romani out of those territories. Built the most apporpiate govt levels I could, and then gifted these regions to the Aedui. (Forced, actually.)

Restored the money balance -> CTD gone (?).

In this small span of time between the 'acquisition' of these territories and our war, the Aedui might just have inflicted the most humiliating string of defeats on the Romani. The Romani did have full stacks with elite and regular infatry and generals and whatnot in the region, the Aedui had to manage with levies and whatever military they had in Mediolanum and Massalia. The result is that the Romani no longer have elite stacks, and that when they chased the Aedui faction heir and another general the old king escaped. In fact, the Romani who attacked him with one of the elite armies lost by far more men than the Aedui did. And the Celtic world finally hit the first reforms. (250 BC, actually)

Anyways I'll make up for that by conquering some Aedui towns: when I gifted those regions I got a transgression warning, and I figure I be the first to start this war, while the Sweboz are more or less brain-dead.


In Mikra Asia a stalemate exists; but in the Fertile Crescent the Seleukeis are about to collapse. But perhaps Palmyra & Saba will divert Ptolemaic forces long enough...

The town of Palmyra has seen quite a bit of action: originally conquered by the Seleukeis, then conquered by the Ptolemaioi they had had enough. So they decided to call themselves Saba. Neither the Saba (who lost their single biggest customer in the process) nor the Ptolemaioi were too happy with that. The Saba made it absolutely clear to the ursurpers in Palmyra they were not amused, and hence Palmyra now counts as Eleuthera again.

However this saw some vulture-like diplomacy here as well:
1) The Saba lost their biggest client which happens to be the most feared Empire of the World.
2) The Seleukids offer an alliance, so the Saba gladly accept (one potential problem less for them)
3) The Merchants in white, plotting for world domination by means of proxies (the Carthies who lost bad against the Eleutheroi on numerous occasions) offered an alliance also. This means that the Saba are now an official member of the grand Seleukid-Carthaginian anti-Ptolemaioi coalition. Officially the Carthies still abide the peace-treaty signed after the fall of Kyrene to the Ptolemaioi; but it seems that is only because they lack serious armies which aren't stuck chasing desert jinns.

In the Far East the Baktrians declared war upon the Seleukeis, this very turn actually. I guess that's pretty accurate, actually.
The villages/towns of Xiyu and Sogdiane are hotly disputed: Xiyu was taken by the Saka who lost it to the Baktrians only to take it back and lose it yet again. Sogdiane rebelled early on from the Seleukeis, only to be taken by the Baktrians who subsequently lost it to the Saka who lost it to the Baktrians again. But then the Saka retook the region, and ever since they have been busy defending it from Seleukid wanderers, Baktrian agressors...

However these few years definitely were the years of the Hellenic Leagues. The Epeirotai and the Koinon declared an alliance, and are now busy kicking the Makedonians out of Thermon. About one full stack of eager Hellenes from the south await their turn; two more from the north are marching at Thermon also.

Finally there's the little succes story of the Parthians who are currently besieging Sousa.

[Fondor_Yards]

My 1.1 EB campaign, on 1.5 RTW with no other changes but the few I made myself. Forgot/too lazy to take pictures before this.


222 BC


200 BC


190 BC


181 BC


Casse: Have just kinda sat there, very slowly taking all the british isles.

Aedui: Took half of Gaul, made peace with the Averni and became Rome's protectorate. Just kinda sat there till the Lusitannans curb stomped them. Currenly about 5 years past this last SS, they are gone.

Averni: Made peace with the Aedui and took forever taking the other half of Gaul. Was able to hold their against Rome's limited attacks, but were weaked so weren't able to hold off their allies the Lusitannans forever. Just like the Aedui they were wiped out and the Iberians control all of Gaul now too.

Lusitannan: Slow start, but once their won their war with Carthage they became very strong and very agressive. With their allies Rome, Carthage, and Macedon they rule the Western half of the world in what I like to call the "Informal Anti-Me Alliance."

Sweboz: As you can see, did nothing for 20 years, then took all of Central Europe. Slowly losing a war to the Romans now.

Getai: Their Empire topped off around 208 BC, which is when they happened to go to war with the Romans. At one point they reached from to Ak-Ink to Nikaia. Were slowly losing ground to them whem Macedon came back from the grave, took back their lands, and attacks from the south. They collasped quite quickly. After a few years of stupid AI diplomancy, have decided to hide in their last 2 cities as roman protectorates and hope no one notices them again.

Romans: Their usual powerhouse self, have won wars with both gallic tribes, the Getai, Carthage, Macedon, and Epeiros twice. We were trading partners untill my very last turn, when they decided to seige Tylis.

Epeiros: Took Macedon, but then kinda sat there forever. When Macedon got their balls back and attacked they were saved as Taras conviently rebelled to them from Carthage. Took Arpi from Carthage before Rome took it back. Now lives as another Roman protectorate.

Macedon: Lost Pella to Pyrrhos, but were able to take south greece Byzantium, and Pergamon. Used that to retake Pella and crush Epeiros. Took cities from the Getai with easy till they bordered the Romans. After that war ended for some reason, they allied with them. Probably since they not bordered me. So I kicked them out of Asia Minor, Thrace, and Byzantium.

Koinon-Hellenon: Got kicked out of Greece by the Maks, and did their normal llive off of Rhodos and city rebellions. Controlled Chersonesos, Halikarnassos, Emporion, Massalia and Rhodos at one point. Till they lost them each to being dead, Me, Iberians, Averni, and Me.

Carthage: Pretty meh so far. Took half of Iberia, lost it. Took Sicily after Rome weakened it and South Italy. Lost South Italy. Apparently content to sit around chasing my 2 navies around and send full stack after full stack to die outside of Kyrene's walls.

Seleucids: Actually pretty decent as enemies go, much better then the Ptolemaics anyway. Only attacked me once between 272 and 250, despite me taking Marakanda and Alexandreia-Eschate from them then. Almost feel bad about crushing them under a horde of cavalry. Almost.

Baktria: Made the mistake of attacking me with their starting full stack the turn we boardered in 271 or so. It's loss hurt them badly, as they never attacked my lands again and had only taken Gava-Haomavarga by the time they died in 260 or so.

Parthia: Other then the Seleucids and Saba, one of only three wars I ever started ever started. They had taken and lost a bunch of cities from the Seleucids, and that was about it. but seeing how most of their armies were just full stacks of *much better then my* cataphracts, I decided they had to die now. Finished them off in 251 after some nasty fights.

Ptolematics: Once I took Seleucia, they had Bablyon on the other side of the river. As is their credo, they attacked the next turn, despite our 50 or so year old alliance. Decided the Seleucids could wait in Asia Minor as I drove them into the Nile.

Pontus: They seiged Ipsos. It didn't go well for them.

Hai: Have wisely decided not to attack the most powerful nation in the world. Pontus should have followed their lead. They keep sending spies into my cities and their dipolmates keep doing their little attempt to bribe thing that normally means they will attack, but apparently my massive armies and garrisons are staying their attack.

Sarmatians: Still my ally. Haven't attacked me at all surprisingly, which makes me want to wipe out the Hai to help them out. Don't feel like invading further into Europe yet, so I might go help my nomad brothers.

Saba: They just sat down there in Arabia minding their own business, till I decided to launch a surprise attack at Alexandreia from the south. On the way there my general took all their lands. I've learned two things from this. 1. Saba units suck and die very easily to arrows and/or cataphracts and 2. Their cities are really rebellious.


Currently at war with Rome, Macedon, and Carthage. Rome and Macedon ended their war and allied, probably so now they can both attack me. Rome and Carthage are still techinally at war since Carthage invaded Italy and took 4 cities there, but once Rome took them back they havn't even looked at each other hard. And since Iberia is allied to Rome, it means basicly once the germans fold they will all have nothing to do but build up to fight me at some point.

[Shadowwalker]

Wow! You rule a very impressive Saka empire, Fondor_Yards. At which difficulty level you are playing? And how do you prevent distant cities from rebelling?

[Fondor_Yards]

VH/M iirc. Keeping cities in line has been my biggest problem, since 99% of my towns are of greek culture+80% captial distance thing, mostly just huge garrisons and using the add_population cheat to reduce population to stimulate slaughtering them or moving loyal greeks/indians west or disloyal guys east.

[Olaf The Great]

VH/M iirc. Keeping cities in line has been my biggest problem, since 99% of my towns are of greek culture+80% captial distance thing, mostly just huge garrisons and using the add_population cheat to reduce population to stimulate slaughtering them or moving loyal greeks/indians west or disloyal guys east.

Me want savegame

[Tellos Athenaios]

It's 241 BC and those 8 years (the last update was 249 BC) have seen some massive warfare.

The Aedui quickly lost Amorica and after a lengthy siege their relief forces + the quite massive garrison of Bibracte proved unable to change the course of events --> Bibracte was sacked for some needed cash. (Actually ~6000 Mnai ....) Which means that the Aedui confederation is now without the Aedui tribe...

The Arverni took the opportunity to mount a campaign against Lemonum/Burdigalla and so far have succeeded against Lemonum. Burdigalla might prove a bit thougher challenge than expected, though. However, the Arverni managed to capture Massalia with a surprise attack, and despit initial riots in the city - the region is still in Lime Green hands.

The Aedui became/argeed to becoming a (dissapointing) Roman protectorate. But the Romani couldn't keep their hands off the Mamertines, and a *true* first Punic War was a fact. The Aedui obviously chose the side of the Qartadastim allies, and so, recently the Romani have set out for a punishment expedition. (Currently besieging Bononia, while virtually all Aedui forces are located around Aventicos/ the passes to Mediolanium. Clever AI there...)

If I had a more strict roleplaying going on in my campaign I would've said that the Arverni invited me (because they profited most as they were about to collapse against the Aedui but now seem to have fully recovered) to aid them against the Aedui; and the Aedui in turn invited the Swebozez to attack me from accross the Oder. (Because the Aedui were just about fully removed from the Transalpine Gaul theatre; however since the Swebozez 'intervened' the Aedui had enough time to consolidate their borders. So they retain a northern stronghold: Aventicos.) I wasn't caught entirely off guard and a forced march towards the Elbe + a few crushing defeats inflicted on Swebozez invaders ensured I kept my regions....

After some more manoeuvres I was enabled to go on a quick punishment campaign against Denmark & Sweden. Then I took some risk and conquered Gawjam~Rugoz. Another large battle, and now the Swebozez military is in shambles... Currently besieging the capital with ~35% of my forces in the region; the rest is to march South, be refitted and conquer that one rebel settlement next to Bibracte... (And keep an eye on my allies, the Arverni...)

===================================================

On Sicily a real Punic War took place; but the Qartadastim lost the battle for Messana in the end. Not surprising actually, as the Qartadastim forces were vastly outnumbered (the entire Roman war machine was marching south at the time...) With Messana secured the Romani signed a treaty with the Qartadastim and are now free to molest Syrakosai with the (approving) consent of the Merchants in white.

The Merchants in white seem to prefer grand-scheming against the Ptolemaioi and minor campaigns against desert jinns.

============================

In Spain the Lusotannan discovered what a devastating effect old age has on Eleutheroi generals: they don't have kids to take over their duties! So the crafty Portuguese resorted to a long-term strategy: waiting till the enemy dies of old age and their people is left leaderless... But just for fun, only the city of Emporion is constantly harrased by bands of Lusitanian party-goers...

================================

Makedonia held out against all expectations; and now seem to be a bit more than just a nuisance for the grand Koinon of the Koina... Both Epeiros and KH have dispatched forces to deal with the intrusions of Makedonike forces. On the other hand the Makedonians constantly try to subjugate Pergamon, and if they don't then the KH gives it a try from Sardis. So far no luck, though.

Epeiros is a powerhouse; using rather blunt but effective tools nonetheless agains the garrison of Ak-Ink to conquer it. Will be a while before they manage, because the governor is still alive and kicking Thracian Tribal Levies whenever he gets a chance to. But he's got to do that with fewer men each time the Thracian Subjects of the Epeirote throne get back....

In Mikra Asia, Pontos is on the rise - and quite possibly about to fall very far, very far indeed. Not content with warring against Seleukids, and barely managing to contain Ankyra's lust for Pontic gold and silver -- they decided to attack Tarsos. That might be a bad idea, a very bad idea...

Because further East the Ptolemaioi may have been unable to crush 'so-called Saba' - they have been able to finally squash Damaskos once and for all; as well as to reconquer Palmyra and grab Babylon to boot. And the Seleukids don't seem a match for the Ptolemaic forces marching at Edessa either...

===============
Further east, the Pahlava have finally reconquered Ekbatana. And they seem eager to oust Theorodoros Syriakos from his Hyrkanian throne too...

[General Appo]

252 Qarthadastim M/M RTW exe. Some FD.


Been playing a bit behind the back of my AAR readers (mohahaha) and things are getting quite interesting.



Romans: After quickly taking Taras they´ve utterly failed to take Rhegion despite probably about 10 attempts. Its garrison is now so low I almost feel bad about not just sending in a Hoplitai to take the city.
But while Rhegion remains independent, the Romans are doing crazy stuff further north. They took Segesta and Massalia early on, and a few years later Tolosa.
Attacked the Aedui 258 though almost nothing actually seems to have happened in that war yet. While besieging Emporion I (like it befits a true ally) aided them with an army under Hamalcar (yes, Hannibals daddy) and they would never have taken the city without my help. Even when I removed my army from Lacetania after the battle, they still declared war on me for some stupid reason. Now I will make the threacherous dogs pay.

Lusotannan: Took Tyde, Sucum-Murgi, Carpetania and defeated Moskons Celtiberian army all in the first 5 years. Then besieged Mastia and came damn close to taking it, before I robbed them of half their cities in a lightening 1 year campaign. After defeating all their armies, blockading all their ports and all entrances to my territory plus stationing an army outside their almost unguarded capital I FD´d them to become my protectorate, they´ve remained as such since 265 and are behaving nicely, only taking Pallantia.

Arverni: Got Galatia through revolt at turn 3, have been holding on to it with a vengeance, defeating many Pontos armies. Lost Viennos to Aedui, have mostly been occupied with defending against attacks upon Gergovia by the Dark Greens.

Aedui: Going good, took Vesontio and Lemonum, are very close to taking Bratosporios and Bononia (though the Romans might snatch the later one).

Sweboz: These guys are really worrying me. Not only uniting Germania, they´ve now crossed the Rhine. Hopefully the zombie generals with their armies of the undead in Veldideno and Ebouronum will keep them occupied.

Casse: Best progression I´ve ever seen by them (including when I played them). Not much to say except that they´re kicking ass. Hoping for a Casse Naval Invasion within this century.

Getai: Have done very little after taking Kallatis and Getia Koile apart from a one time attempt to take Tylis.

Epeiros: Kicking ass big time. After kicking the Makedonians out of Makedonia they´ve been teaching a lesson to the Illyrians and Thracians, a lesson about the unfairness of life. Recently took Bysantion and are besieging Tylis.

KH: Nothing special. Liberated Korinthos and have tried to do the same to Demetrias and Chalkis, but no luck so far, though they are getting closer.

Makedonia: I really should rename them and maybe give them a new colour, for these guys aren´t the Maks anymore, they´re the Pergamon Antigonids, they´ve even moved their capital to Pergamon.
Maybe Kalos Argeades should do like Seleukos Nikator and Ptolemaios Soter did, and name his kingdom after himself.
Arche Kalos. Argeadoi. Arche Argeados. Arche Argeadeia. Arche Kaloi. Arche Kalosoi. Nah, all sounds stupid.
Anyway, these guys have taken Nikaia and Ipsos, and are threatening Sardis. However back home in the old country things are looking bad, it´s only a matter of time before the KH or Epeiros takes Demetrias and Chalkis.

Pontos: Big dissapointment. Took Galatia early but of course lost it. Tried to take Sinope and Nikaia, but utterly failed. Kinda dead now, apart from occasional forages against the ex-Maks.

Seleukids: Doing okay. Despite losing Antiocheia early they managed to hold on, and only recently lost Damaskos and Palmyra, but doesn´t look like they´re about to break. Might lose Sardis to ex-Maks but Mazaka´s got a bigass garrison that´ll likely hold of any ex-Mak, Pontos and Ptolemaic attacks.
Holding nicely against Pahlava, even nearly took them out. After losing both Asaak and Hekatompylos they retook them and had a big army marching against Nisa when the Pahlavans defeated it, earning a Famous Battle marker. Few turns later Asaak revolted, and they´be been pretty stuck like that for a while now, with small time skirmishing.
Still allied to Baktria but Saka-Rauka declared war last turn after early ceasfire, yet to see what the Red Nomads will do.

Hayasdan: Getting their asses kicked by my absolute favourite in this campaign, the Sauromatae.

Ptolemaioi: Read Seleukids. Nothing real exiting going on otherwise, the usual Sinai war against Sab´yn, but that´s it.

Sab´yn: Quite good progression. After I raided Kirtan I gave it to them just so I could get in some minor trade from there (inspired by Quintus Sertorius).
Will probably do the same with any other African regions I take.

Pahlava: Read Seleukids, they´ve done nothing but fighting them.

Baktria: Was doing good ´till Saka-Rauka took Marakanda, now seem kinda lost with no real direction.

Saka-Rauka: Been mostly passive to suddenly get creative outburst like the taking of Marakanda and Gava-Saka in one turn.

Sauromatae: Holy geez, I love these suckers. Not only conquering the Slavs and Balts, they´ve moved into Armenia, and are right now besieging Kotais. Have almost taken Olbia, hopefully will soon. Also besieging Gava-Thissakata.

Carthage: Well, I´m playing it slow (or trying to). Slowly took Sicily and Arsé, then blitzed the Brown Shepherds when they betrayed me.
I´m staying away from the African towns, except to raid some and give them to the Sab´yn. Since the Romans betrayed me I might have to attack them. Don´t know what I´ll do, I don´t want to take Italy yet but I don´t think the Romans would accept defeat unless I did something really bad, and I don´t think taking Emporion and sinking their fleet is enough.