The Basileus is crazy

[General Appo]

It wasn't clear, or maybe I missed it, but does Pyrrhus still rule in Epeiros as well (you say he withdrew the garrisons but the AAR doesn't mention whether the cities there then rebelled or were taken by any of the other factions after his withdrawal?)
I always wondered about the possibility of taking Pyrrhus - the leading military strategist of the time - to conquer Alexandria and Ptolemaic Egypt - the strongest (I think!) economic area of the time? If he could pull that off, and establish his economic base as well as having his military power in hand, Epeiros would clearly be a force to reckon with for a long time to come (and would certainly be a legacy to leave his sons to work with going forward)!
Maybe you have somewhat similar thoughts - starting with expansion in Syrakousai and Krete? Leaving each son a separate base of operations to expand from?

Actually (as mentioned) Pyrrhus ordered them given away for free to the Thrakians. His diplomats couldn´t find any pure-blooded Thrakians, but decided the Getai were close enough, and so now Getai controlls all of Epeiros and Illyria Hellenike. They´re building huge armies in those two cities, and will hopefully use them soon.
As for planning ahead, I tend not to do that with these kind of campaigns. I´m just role-playing after their traits (okay, maybe I´m exaggarating Pyrrhus a bit) and havn´t planned what will happen when Pyrrhus dies, except that Helenos will probably become king and continue his daddy´s crazy crusade for wine and bearded women.
As for taking Egypt, that seems kinda smart, so definitely won´t be Pyrrhus next action. More likely he´ll go for some isolated backwater province with no use what so ever. But I´ll have to play and scout a bit more before I can tell any more detail.

Edit: Just like to add, that the army in the screenshot is actually my only one. The samnites and Brettians were disbanded after the battle and a unit of Thorakitai recruited, apart from that all I have is Alexandros and his bodyguards. So I only have 8 units at the moment, plus the 3 ships you get from the start.

[General Appo]

Chapter 3: He had a dream...

During one late night when Pyrrhus and Helenos were (as usual) drinking each other under, over, inside and atop the table, Pyrrhus suddenly got a brilliant idea. A masterplan that would ensure him complete domination of all the world and as much wine and bearded women he´d like. Eager to tell everyone about his plan, he ordered his guards to wake everyone in the city and gather them in the agora. After much rumbling and scuffing, several thousands of Rhodians had gathered in the emptied agora and were gazing sleepily at Pyrrhus.
Standing tall atop a marble podium, his eyes shined in the moonlight, and the torches cast strange shadows across his face, and the Rhodians were mighty impressed by his presence, many believing that it was one of the gods that had stepped down from the Olympos to speak to them.
Suddenly, the figure started to speak. In a deep clear voice, carrying across the entire agora, he proclaimed:
-"I have a dream" and then slumped from the podium collapsing in a pile of unrecognisable bodyparts. Realising that it was just Pyrrhus, the people wandered home again, hopefully to catch some sleep before the sun arose and signaled the start of the new day.

The next morning one of Pyrrhus captains asked what the dream had been he had planned to tell everyone about. Suffering from an enourmous hangover, having no memory of the nights incident and feeling like being an ass, Pyrrhus screamed that the captain bloody well knew what the dream was, to which the frigthened captain replied that of course he knew what it was.
Pyrrhus who was getting increasingly curious, ordered him to find out what the dream was by midnight or he and everyone else would be hanged.
The captain hurried from his masters presence, and summoned the other captains of Pyrrhus army and the most powerful of the local Rhodians. These held a long meeting to decide what they would tell Pyrrhus that his dream had been about. First someone proposed that he´d dreamed about jumping of a cliff, and though everyone enjoyed the idea they finally agreed that even he wouldn´t fall for that.

After some more debate they finally agreed, Pyrrhus had dreamed about capturing the island of Kypros. This was beneficial for everyone involved, apart from perhaps Pyrrhus.
The Rhodians wanted Pyrrhus away from their island, but they were also worried about the Ptolemais who had almost monopolised sea trade in the Levant. The conquest of Kypros by friendly forces would undoubtly start shifting the balance back to the Rhodians.
The captains wanted an easy target to plunder, rape and loot, an rumours said Ptolemy II had left the island almost undefended. The fleet would then deter any Ptolemaic attempts to retake the island.
When the captain told Pyrrhus of the nature of his dream, he was first very skeptical and unwilling to attack the territory of his ally and childhood friend Ptolemy. When the captain pointed out that Kypros was a large producer of wine however, Pyrrhus determination wavered.
The captain presented a compromise. If Ptolemy truly was such an good and faithful friend and ally, then he wouldn´t mind giving Kypros over to Pyrrhus would he? Pyrrhus agreed with this and sent an envoy to Alexandreia demanding Kypros to be handed over. Strangely enough, Ptolemy refused, and Pyrrhus was rightly shocked, and broke all ties with the Ptolemies, while striking a deal with their arch enemy the Seleukids to forever fight the Ptolemies.

Before the invasion of Kypros could begin however, Helenos requested he´d be allowed to enter into the olympic games that were soon to begin. Pyrrhus gladly agreed and wished to go there himself and participate, but his captains convinced him that wine was very sparse at the games. 51 years old and having serious back problems, this was probably the best for him.
Both Alexandros and Ptolemaios entered into the games as well, were they all meet for the first time in years. Ptolemaios and Alexandros embraced each other as true brothers, but Helenos was a bit more hesitant, mainly because he didn´t know which one of the two Alexandros he saw he should hug.
Amazingly, Helenos managed to not completely embarass himself during the games, though it was his oldest brother who accomplished the most amazing feat.
After many hours of hard training on Krete Ptolemaios condition and speed was excellent, and he won several of the running races, bringing great honor to himself and his scattered people.

Soon however things calmed down and everyone sailed home, and Pyrrhus and Helenos set sail towards Kypros. Before they left Pyrrhus had randomly chosen a Rhodian to act as ruler of the city. Luckily, this man showed to be of a competent sort, a local man of lower nobility named Attidas.
With him on the ships Pyrrhus brought not only many of the 50,000 amphoras with wine, but a unit of slingers from Rhodos. These men were famous for their prowess in battle, and with their half-cuirasses were better suited for melee then other slingers.
Soon Pyrrhus landed in Kypros, and surrounded the Ptolemais center of operation, the city of Salamis. Guarding this city was quite a large army, almost equal in numbers to that of Pyrrhus. It consisted almost entirely of skirmishers however, Akontisai and Hippakontisai, good assets to an army no doubt, but almost useless alone against an enemy.
Confident of victory Pyrrhus troops stormed the gates the moment the ram was finished, and the Thorakitai cut down the unarmoured man in short time.
An undramatic battle, it ended when a stone from the Rhodian ranks killed the Ptolemaic commander and his troops surrendered.
Needless to say, they and most of the population was cut down and then raped (yes in that order, not the other way around) while many houses were burnt and then looted (yet again, in just that order). With this organised opposition ceased across the island.

Now Pyrrhus had time to gather himself and his troops, and reflect upon the news from across the world.
In Hellas the Spartans had launched a surprise attack and liberated most of the Peloponnesos from the Makedonians, and the Illyrians under Getai command had invaded Aitolia, though the city of Thermon still stood firm. When told these news Pyrrhus asked who the f*uck the Getai´s were. When informed they were a Thrakian tribe ranging from north of Thrakia Hypertera he asked what the f*ck they were doing in Aitolia and why the f*ck they were commanding Illyrians. It seems Pyrrhus had no memory of giving his homeland to the Getai for free, and he was quite upset when he heard about it.
In other parts of the world things were taking a turn for the unexpected as well. Rumours were widespread that the Seleukids had lost much territory to some nomads who claimed to be the inheritors of the Persians, truly a ridiculous claim. All was not bad for the Empire of Seleukos however, for the regions of Adurbadegan near Hayasdan and Gerrhaia Arabia on the coast of just Arabia had fallen to their armies, and the Ptolemaic city of Tarsos was under siege from a great army of theirs.

Many were guessing what Pyrrhus next move would be, but no one guessed that he would do nothing, which might just be why he did just that. He had most of the wine the Rhodians had given him left, and had hired a Scythian band of bearded women to keep him company. For the first time in many years, he was happy and content with his life. The question was if it would remain so.

[Parallel Pain]

Remove the number (FPS) by going to the FPS tab, in which there's a box labeled "Overlay Corner" with choices for where you put the FPS. Below that is a Disabled option. Click it and no more numbers.

As for picture editing, I just use paint.

[General Appo]

I use paint to, but how do you cut your images then? For example cutting out the whole lower part during battles, I just use ""Mark form" and then delete that part, but then there´s just a lot of white there instead, and it shows up when I post the pictures, and I don´t know how to make it not show up.

[Chaotix]

Great AAR! I love the part about the dream. I think... Pyrhhos should become obsessed with the Scythian bearded women and sail to Scythia (Chersonesos and Olbia) to find more... but that's just my idea.

[d'Arthez]

Great AAR! Quite a bit of absurdist humour.

I was thinking of Olbia as well. Then he can have all the Scythian beared women he wants. But probably no wine. A depressing thought. Or he can sail off to Iberia or Gaul, although Scythian bearded women will be quite scarce there. A tough decision ...

[Parallel Pain]

I just open multiple paint and cut and paste and carefully drag the margines so there's no white stuff.

[d'Arthez]

Perhaps you could forge an alliance then? With the terms being that Pyrrhos gets access to his beloved bearded Scythian women, pays a small yearly tribute, and take Pantokapaion and / or Chersonesos.

[General Appo]

Hmmm... an alliance is possible, but I don´t think I will take any cities in that area. I have something different in mind, that I will must try out first.
Sadly I´ve gotten hold of an old copy of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and will perhaps be preoccupied playing it for a few days. We shall see.

[General Appo]

Wohoo!! I discovered where the missing screenshots had gone. I had deleted some screenshots that I had converted to other (less memory consuming) files and so when I took new screenshots they appeared in the missing areas, meaning that there were about 2000 screenshots listed as taken after my latest one. Stupid me not thinking about that. Anyway, here goes:

Chapter 4: Battle of Arkai

The Karchedoi have finally revealed their true intentions, as their army in Lilibeo marched onto Epirote land near Syrakousai. Realising the inevitable Alexandros made contact with the mercenary captains he had silently established contact with during his time in Sicily.
In little time, he has gained a true army of many native Italians and Greeks, ready to fight for Epirote money. The inhabitants of Syrakousai have grown comfortable under Alexandros, but a unit of Phalangite is quickly assembled to secure continued Greek freedom for Karchedoi tyranny.
Outside the small city of Akrai the two armies march up for battle.



As he prepares for the battle Alexandros if filled with quiet determination. He is no man of war, and would rather govern his lands peacefully. But this battle has been forced upon him, and unless he wish to live the rest of his days in flight from the Karchedoi, he must win this battle. He is confident that his cause is a just and noble one, and that the gods will smile upon him and his army.
Before the battle begins Alexandros makes sacrifices to Zeus-Dodonaios, promising to restore the nearby temple to Aphrodite and amphitheatre in his honor, for the Karchedoi had shamelessly plundered these sites.
Soon after the day for battle has come.

Dressed in his finest armour and arms, Alexandros is truly a magnifient view that his men gather confidence from.


Arranging his forces for battle, Alexandros prepares for his first battle since the capture of Syrakousai many years ago.


As the enemies of Pyrrhus and his sons often do, the Karchedoi commander allows his skirmishers to stray to far from the main line, and siezing the opportunity Alexandros charges his bodyguard against the skirmishers, intending to eliminate the enemies supporting troops.


Unable to stand against Alexandros´s heavy horsemen the skirmishers are driven into flight, and Alexandros pursues them all the way to the enemy line, where the Karchedoi spearmen deters his cavarly, and he is forced to abandon his pursuit.



As Alexandros and his men rides around to flank the enemy line, some Karchedoi attempts to pursue him, but Alexandros easily escapes.


Instead these men seek to flank the Epirote line, advancing up a steep hill in cover of the tall grass, but the mercenary captains spots them, and a contignent of Samnites and Greek Hippeis attacks them.



At the same time behind the Karchedoi lines Alexandros engages the lone elephant brought to the battlefield, and with their xyston they quickly fell the beast, though it fells two men from their horses as it falls.


Alexandros orders the bruised men to withdraw for the rest of the battle, and then wheels to meet the incoming Iberian cavalry, who with a rain of javelins charges the Epirote men, their commander cheering them on.


Founding himself pressured by Alexandros men, the commander calls for help, and it comes in the form of levy Karchedoi spearmen and Iberian skirmishers, so called Caetrati, who forces Alexandros to withdraw, but as the Karchedoi returns to the battle line Alexandros drives the Iberian horses and the armies commander to flight, and with his reduced bodyguard attacks the Caetrati.


Back near the Epirote lines the battle still rages on, as more Karchedoi joins the fight. Soon the Leukanoi from Brettia attacks their rear and the Hippeis charges one final time before the Karchedoi breaks.


The main Karchedoi force is still intact, but soon engages the remaining Italians and Greeks, and a vicious fight breaks out.


Soon Alexandros, who has driven the Caetrati from the field, returns to the main battle, and his charge sends the enemy army running. Alexandros participates with great vigour in the following pursuit, slaying many of the Karchedoi.


When all casualties are accounted for the result stands clear. Alexandros has won a great victory nearly eradicating the Karchedoi army while taking few casualties himself.


As is not well though for Alexandros, for he fears that this battle was just the begining of a greater conflict. Already there are rumours of another Karchedoi army having landed in Lilibeo, this one is supposed to consist entirely of Iberians.


But most of all, Alexandros mourns that he must now conscript many of the local Greeks into his army, for he knows that the mercenaries are just a temporary solution.
Keeping true to his word, he restores the temple and amphitheatre at Arkai, the theatre had fell in disuse for many years, and was severely damaged.


Alexandros restores it and even attends the first play held there, a comical one mocking Alexandros father and his drinking habits, one which Alexandros thoroughly enjoys.

In Kypros Pyrrhus sends orders to Attidas at Rhodos to create the largest ship the world has ever seen. Pyrrhus himself is unsure what the ship will be used for, but he claims he´s got a "good feeling" about it.
So Attidas begins construction of a true behemoth of a ship, a Nees Megistas with over 40 decks, nearly bankrupting Rhodos in the process.


News from across the world reaches Pyrrhus.
In Hellas the Getai are continuing their assault on Aitolia, now besieging the great city of Thermon.


And in Ionia the Seleukids have taken the initiative from the Makedonians, and have surrounded the free city of Pergamon.


In the Levant, Seleukid forces continues their attacks on Tarsos and Sidon, clearly having put the Ptolemeis on the run for the moment.


So ends another chapter in the tell of Pyrrhus Aiakides and his sons, an epic tale of glory, brilliance, drunkness, madness and bearded women.

[Hax]

I love it, Appo.

Can you show us a pic of your..empire? *smirk*

[d'Arthez]

Very nice update.

I think Pyrrhos will end up in Kyrene. Just to piss just about the whole world off.

[General Appo]

Can you show us a pic of your..empire? *smirk*

I´ll try to get one in tomorrow. It´s kinda hard to see it, all my 3 regions are pretty small, but I´ll see what I can do.

I think Pyrrhos will end up in Kyrene. Just to piss just about the whole world off.

I had serious thoughts about Kyrene for a while, but now I have a new target for Pyrrhus. I can´t say what exactly it is, but know that it will be a final epic target, or at least he will think so. I´m planning on letting his sons taking over more and more, so you might not see much of Pyrrhus for a while.
Sadly I do not only have Return to Castle Wolfenstein on my schedule, but also a quick trip to the countryside, so I don´t know when I can pop in the next update.