City of Protis: A Massalian AAR

[Megas Methuselah]

City of Protis

This is new, isn't it? For whatever God-knows reason, EB won't start up right now. I think I'll have to re-install it. Whatever the case may turn out to be, I did my best to scrape things together, though the pictures are there only to help put the image of violence in your mind. I'm pleased to bring you, the City of Protis: A Massalian AAR.



Introduction: A New World

Massalia: a new, savage world of rising Hellenism. Sorrounded by Celts, Etruscans, Romans, and Carthaginians, this unknown city managed to forge a harsh existence through dangerous trade enterprises, true to their Greek heritage. Descendants of the first Greek and Ligurian settlers of the region, the people of Massalia supplied the greedy barbarians to the north with civilized goods from the equally greedy, albeit enlightened people of the south.



In honour of the founders of the Massalia, Protis of Phocaea and his Ligurian wife Gyptis, the Massalians did what they could to maintain independance from their numerous enemies. The Celts, though militarily strong, were divided in a bloody civil war. The Etruscans, although cultivated and civilized, existed as a swarm of independant city states, much like the old motherland of Hellas: it is mainly because of this division that they were able to be absorbed by their former vassal, Roma. Praise be to the Gods that the mighty Carthaginians were so far away and concerned with other pressing matters than a costly war with Massalia.

The Gods. Yea, the Gods play with the fortune of men. How else could this humble, unstable city contain within it such a glorious and celebrated destiny?

King of all the Gauls

It has been 360 years since the first Greeks from Phocaea followed Protis to settle in this new world. Since then, the people have intermingled with Ligurians, Celts, and even more Greeks driven west from the destruction of the Persian Wars. However, less than 50 years have passed since Epeirot exiles of the Makedonian invasion conquered the lands by the sword, and claimed what was theirs by right of conquest. The 4th king of Massalia, a descendant of the famed Molossian Pyrrhos, is an usurper who killed his elder brother for the throne upon the death of their father.



Seeking to take the anger of his horrified subjects elsewhere than himself, the young king quickly drafted together large armies and completed the conquest of Italy started by his father. Furthermore, he drove his troops into Gaul and smashed aside the Celtic hosts. Being declared a military genius and saviour of the Hellenic cause in the west, the young king quickly married an aristocratic descendant of Protis upon his return to Massalia, and cemented his position on the throne of the city.

The people, amazed at the ambassadors sent to the king's court from many exotic countries, decided that their king was a good man. No, a glorious man! His name was Herakleon Aiakides. In a solemn ceremony, followed by a great festival, the young king's conquest of Italy, and especially Gaul, were acknowledged as feets of genius. In his honour, the people bestowed upon the king a new name and title: Herakleon Gallicvs, King of all the Gauls!

[Megas Methuselah]

This may just end up being a ridiculous dissapointment if, following a reinstallation of EB, I'm not able to load my Massalian game and begin the first chapter of the AAR.
"It's in the hands of God now." Lol.

EDIT: I still have to get used to getting the pictures done better.

[QuintusSertorius]

Which faction are you using as the base for your game?

[Chaotix]

Nice start. Hope the save works out.

And Quintus: Looks like KH- only they have the Ekdromoi Hoplitai seen in a few pics.

EDIT: Argh, I didn't read the whole thing. Frodge, what did I bet you, my... KH?? Well, I guess you get a balloon

[Frodge]

I see your KH and raise you Epirus, thats who i think he's playing as

[overweightninja]

I see your KH and raise you Epirus, thats who i think he's playing as

"However, less than 50 years have passed since Epeirot exiles of the Makedonian invasion conquered the lands by the sword, and claimed what was theirs by right of conquest. The 4th king of Massalia, a descendant of the famed Molossian Pyrrhos, is an usurper who killed his elder brother for the throne upon the death of their father."

Seconded ;)

Interesting idea btw, subscribed to this one (not that I'll ever have chance to check but one day I'll catch up :D)
Chrz

[Megas Methuselah]

Yeah, I'm going with Epirus. As of now, I'm re-installing EB. Cross your fingers.

EDIT: Yeah, my savegame won't load. Srry guys, but maybe it's for the best. I have a large amount of homework to write.

[Fish-got-a-Sniper]

wouldn't it be better to use KH so you have access to those Massilian hoplites?

[overweightninja]

wouldn't it be better to use KH so you have access to those Massilian hoplites?

Doesn't look like that's relevant anymore
Defo if another Massalia AAR comes up though...let me know if you ever decide to start again Methuselah ;)
Chrz

[Philip of Massalia]

Hi Methuselah !

When I had time to Mod, I did myself (in RTR, a few years ago) a campaign starting with Massalia. I hope you can resume your story and if you can, send me your Mod. I'd love to try it again with EB this time

Edit : Massalia was reputed for its fine aristocratic republican institutions. It was managed by a council of the more wealthy family heads I doubt they would have accpted a king.

They did not change a lot since anyway

[Megas Methuselah]

Thx for the info, Phillip. I'll remember that. Btw, I was using Celto-Hellenic Hoplites as my mainline infantry. Those pictures I used were just very old ones that were really here simply for eyecandy.

[Aaldaemon]

Gah you wet my appetite for trying to do something similar. Wish I had the energy to mod a faction... maybe I'll try to play a Galatia game in the future, should be simple to bring one of the Gallic factions over.

[Megas Methuselah]

I. Struggle for Vellika

Celto-Hellenic troops and Iberian auxiliaries pray to the Gods for glory, honour, and protection. It is 365 years since the founding of Massalia (235 B.C.), and a Massalian army under the command of Boiskos Kropios is besieging the Lusitannan town of Vellika in the northern reaches of Iberia.



At this very moment, two Lusitannan forces converge upon the Massalian army, ready to make battle. At best, it is a desperate attempt to relieve Vellika in this costly war. Massalian scouts not only spotted the barbarians across the river to the south, but have also found the location of even more Lusitannans approaching from the north, amongst the forest. There is also one last force, the very distant garrison at Vellika, which can reinforce the Lusitannan troops, possibly in time to change the outcome of a battle.




Boiskos Kropios is a Thesprotos by birth, an Epeirote. However, like many Epeirote nobles in the Kingdom of Massalia, he has been raised both in the civilized center of Massalia itself, as well as the northern, barbaric lands, where his father is the lord of Avaricum. One day, as his father's eldest son, it is his hope to take over the lordship of Avaricum his aging father currently holds.



It is with eager smile that Boiskos orders his sorrounding troops to form a battle line facing the river to the south, as well as leaving a reserve force to eventually deal with the distant Lusitannan warriors approaching from the northern forest.

Although Herakleon Gallicvs, King of all the Gauls, has stated that the goal of the invasion is to "...bring Hellenic culture to the savage barbarians," Boiskos intends not to enlighten the Lusotannans with civilization, but to reduce them all to the level of slavery and death.



Knowing the enemy will be slow to cross the river, Boiskos barks a command, ordering the Gallic archers forward to pepper, harrass, and thin the ranks of the advancing Lusitannans. After all, there's no need to have to kill a barbarian within the range of his smell. Having to endure his stench while watching him die is completely unnecessary. It's best just to watch him die.




As the barbarians at the river are being shot down, the ones at the northern forest advance with surprising eagerness and speed, and manage to reach the rear of the Massalian line. Boiskos, caught unprepared and in a panic, orders three units of Celto-Hellenic Hoplites to engage them.

The hoplites, hardened veterans of Herakleon Gallicvs' campaigns in Gaul, advance forward and loose their javelins, before impetuously charging into the Lusitannan ranks.




A savage battle erupts, with barbarians fighting semi-civilized barbarians. The sounds of spears clashing against armour and flesh, as well as men crying both their battle-cries and their screams of anguish, are easily heard by the Massalian troops praying at the circle of stones. Knowing they would be needed, these men ask once more for the Gods' protection before marching to the sound of the battle.



Much to Boiskos' horror, a famed Lusotannan general charges straight into the fray, crying wild screams of encouragement to his loyal warriors.



As the Massalians start to question their likelihood of victory, the men from the circle of stones finally arrive at the battle and smash into the ranks of the northern Lusitannan warriors. The Iberian mercenaries do what must be done and cut down the barbarian general's bodyguards with their trusty falcatas.



Soon enough, the Lusitannan general finally lets out one last scream before being slaughtered, clutching the sword in his hand even in death.



The warriors loyal to him, although horrified at the death of their leader, still intend to fulfill their vows made unto him. Grimacing at their apparently approaching deaths, the Lusitannan warriors squeeze the handles of their swords and fight on 'till death within full-view of a heartless, snarling Boiskos Kropios.



During all this bloodshed, Boiskos had not forgotten the Lusitannan warriors at the river. Knowing they were already weakened by arrow fire, he ordered only two units of Celto-Hellenic Hoplites to drive them across the ford and take control of the opposing bank. The hoplites broke through their enemies and easily took control of the ford.




However, the day is not done yet, as the garrison from Vellika finally arrives at the bloodbath. The numerous corpses do not sway their intentions to drive the Massalians from their lands, and so they grimly advance forward.



Knowing the more brutal part of the battle is over, Boiskos sends his surviving soldiers against the outnumbered garrison, and hopes to completely annihilate the warriors.



The Lusitannan warriors meet the savage, albeit exhausted charge of the hoplites with a savage charge of their own. The soldiers on both sides start another wave of death.

Boiskos, realizing the Lusitannans were fresh and high in morale, quickly sent troops to flank the barbarians, hoping to break them in one more savage charge.



Despite their heavy warcries and bravery, the hoplites and Iberian mercenaries were unable to break the barbarians. Boiskos finally took his own companion cavalry wheeling around the Lusotannan flank in a last attempt to destroy them. Grimacing, Boiskos rose to unexpected heights of honour and charged forward in a great display of Hellenic courage to finally run down the barbarians of Vellika.

The Massalians had won.

* * *

After marching in triumph in the undefended town of Vellika, the Massalian army of Boiskos did what was theirs by right of conquest and put the population under the sword and chain.



Boiskos Kropios himself set an example and eventually whelped a bastard with an Iberian slave in the town.



Herakleon Gallicvs, King of all the Gauls, will no doubt be pleased with this complete victory. Of that, Boiskos, was sure. He would hopefully rise to great heights within the Massalian heirarchy and, in time, be given lordship over a much glorious city than his father's Avaricum.

* * *

Kingdom of Massalia, reign of Herakleon Gallicvs, 365 years after the founding of the city (235 B.C.):



NEXT: II. The Western March

[Megas Methuselah]

I had to edit some files for my saved game to apparently load. I don't really understand how it did, but whatever the case may be, it did. I love this campaign.

Comments are welcome.

[Chaotix]

Nice AAR, and great pics! Can you perhaps post a screenshot of your mini-map with the next update so we can see your empire?

[Megas Methuselah]

Sure. Thx for the comment.

EDIT: I'll just edit a minimap in at the end of "Struggle for Vellika."

[Aaldaemon]

Very impressive empire you have there. Seeing the Green Death take over the West brings a smile to my face.

[Frodge]

I likes, i'm glad to see you got this working

[Reverend Joe]

Great AAR so far; I love how you have "humanized" the characters -- well, character. It's an important building block to making a good AAR to allow our character's traits to show up in the story; in this case, allowing Boiskos to come off as an arrogant ass, rather than heroizing him.

One thing though: in the future, could you crop the sides of your pictures a little? People like me, who are stuck on an old 1024x768 monitor have a harder time reading AAR's like this because the pictures stretch the text out beyond the sides of the monitor. You don't have to cut off much; just somewhere between 1/2-1 inches.

[Megas Methuselah]

II. The Western March



It is 365 years since the founding of the city(235 B.C.), and the Molossian Herakleon Gallicvs, King of all the Gauls, has levied a fresh army from the heartlands of the kingdom and sailed to the Massalian colony of Arse. With him, he brought along a Chaon by the name of Megakles Orraitas, the eldest of four brothers. His father is an important man, the Lord of Roma, and the young nobleman is eager to start his military career and prove his worth to the King of all the Gauls.



Upon hearing news of Boiskos Kropios' sacking of Vellika, the king decided to march west into Lusitannan lands and strike the barbarians before they can recover from their defeat. His spies have reported that a populated stronghold lies in the mountains, from where the Lusitannan can control the sorrounding lands.

With the young Megakles Orraitas impetuously urging an immediate attack, Herakleon orders a direct advance to the fortress. A Lusotannan army, hearing word of a nearby Massalian army, attack at once, eager for blood and glory.



Despite Megakles' hope for a glorious charge and immediate rout of the enemy, the king is an experience general and knows better than to commit to such a foolish attack. Hoping to take away the advantage in combat the Lusitannan host has in a forest, Herakleon Gallicvs assembled his army in a clearing.



Moreover, taking no precautions, the king orders Megakles to take a force of mercenaries and hide in a nearby group of trees to spring an ambush when the armies meet. Herakleon hopes that Megakles will prove to be the decisive arm in this battle, perhaps charging into the flanks of the Lusotannans to completely break them.



Meanwhile, the Lusotannan warriors steadily advance.



Soon enough, the barbarians are sighted within the forest ahead of the army. Herakleon orders the Gallic archers to take out their bows and rain death upon the enemy.



Despite this, the barbarians continue their advance, and unleash a savage charge into the Massalian ranks through a hail of javelins and arrows. The newly-recruited Celto-Hellenic hoplites grasp their shields, scream their hate, and do their best to fight back in an attempt to hold the line against the vicious Lusotannan warriors.



Challenges, insults, curses, screams, and battle-cries echo across the field as men shout out in both triumph and death. Megakles reveals himself and brings the mercenaries out of hiding and into the open space of the bloody field.



In a hasty charge, the mercenaries quickly sorround the Lusotannan line and engulf them. The barbarians' will for combat and chances of victory are immediately depleted as they realize the full extent of the danger in which they are now in.

Only the bravest of the barbarian warriors hold their position and fulfill their vows to unhesitatingly fight until the bitter end. Although many of the Celto-Hellenic hoplites let out a groan when they realize the determination of their enemy to fight on, they nonetheless scream one last time before advancing to finish off their admirable foes.



The king brings his companion cavalry into combat to drive the remaining Lusotannan skirmishers from the field as his infantry annihilates the elites. He orders Megakles to accompany him in this task. Soon enough, they charge in and run down their enemy.



The king's hope for victory is soon realized with minium casualties and a total defeat for his barbaric enemies.



Quickly, Herakleon orders a general advance towards the fortress of Baikor soon after the battle. His troops dig in, build rams, and prepare for a long siege.

* * *

NEXT: III. The Cost of War

[Megas Methuselah]

@ Reverand Joe

Hey, thx for the comment and praise. About making the pics a bit smaller, I'll see what I can do about it. I didn't see your comment until I posted this next one.

[Philip of Massalia]

Hi Methuselah

hope you'll resume your AAR soon.

Could it be possible to share your modofication i order to allow me to play Massaliotes?

[keravnos]

Absolutely great AAR. How could I have missed this...

[Megas Methuselah]

Well, this is a nice change. I thought people stopped reading my AAR, due to the lack of comments. It broke both my heart and my will to write. Anyways, I still have the pictures for the next chapter, although I don't really remember what happened. If I get enough support, maybe I'll continue with this.


@Phillip of Massalia: All I did was migrate to Massalia as Epirus and started my conquest from there. This AAR is only a midgame attribute to that heroic journey.

[STuNTz2023]

should continue, many of us read AAR's but seem to forget to post we enjoyed reading them.

[Chaotix]

Look at the views, not the comments, Methuselah. Almost 900 people already had read this AAR when it was still going! I really liked this AAR, by the way. Migration campaigns are always interesting.

[Reverend Joe]

Methuselah, the first thing you need to learn about writing an AAR is that people rarely respond in text. What matters is the number of views; and since you have "nearly 900," I think it's a safe bet that you have produced a good AAR.

Please, keep it up.

[Aaldaemon]

Methuselah, the first thing you need to learn about writing an AAR is that people rarely respond in text. What matters is the number of views; and since you have "nearly 900," I think it's a safe bet that you have produced a good AAR.

Please, keep it up.

I actually believe number of views is a highly misguided way to look at an aar "success". Everytime the author enters his thread or changes the page, edits something etc = view count goes up. There's also quite a lot of people I believe who enter the thread give it a cursory glance and then exit... Other people only look at screenshots, other people just don't have the mental desire to read more than the initial few posts etc... I think the very best way to see if there's enough interest in an aar is through the number of posts adressing your last update... but the community here simply isn't into aars all that much, and they just don't realize that a lot of aar writers need replies to their last updates to get the desire to continue. (I don't deny there's a few authors who don't give a damn about replies and they can drone on on their own forever - but they're very very few) There's nothing worse for a lot of aar writers to put a lot of effort in an aar and then be met by silence. The silence of aar readers kills aars.

[Hax]

IT'S OVER 900!!!

Anyways, I like this AAR a lot. It's a shame that you didn't tell us about your earlier conquests though (in Gaul and Italy)

[Strategos Alexandros]

Great AAR, I'd like to see more migration AARs, at least, judging from this one I would.