The Royal Council

[Incitatus]

Alexandros stands to address the council

Great Basileus, I have received reports of a small band of rebels currently terrorizing the local villages and blocking the road south from Damaskos. I am asking permission to lead out the garrison and meet the brigands in battle. The forces stationed in Damaskos are fairly limited, however, and consist of a unit of levy spearmen and a handful of slingers. My reports indicate that the rebel forces include one regiment of levy spearmen, one regiment of native archers, and one as of yet unidentified regiment. I would be more inclined to fight if I had more soldiers under my command, as a (albeit, very unlikely) defeat would cause serious problems for the defense of the city. If some money could be found I would be happy to wait a season and then meet the rebels, but if not I am confident enough in my abilities to engage them immediately. Of course, if the Basileus does not find me a suitable commander I am sure the rebels will be dealt with eventually, but I would caution against a lax approach lest it find its way into other areas of our work.

[Celtic_Punk]

A young man rushes into the council chambers holding a rolled parchment.
"I have been sent to announce that Master Arrhenides Gedrosianos will be staying with the 1st Syrian Army as Aratos Arethousas Syriakes' lieutenant. All messages or orders should be directed their till further notice. In his stead he sends myself - Euripides - to act on his behalf on council matters."
Euripides takes a seat among the men already in the council chambers.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Sarpedon, my son! It so good to see you here again! What five days are you talking here?

(OOC: In RL you were away for 5 days but in game Sarpedon have been away a year)

Alexandros I give you my permission to use Damaskos' garrison to defeat these bandits. But remember that you have to make it back to Damaskos in this season.

And let it be known that Strategos Epilektos Timarchos Anaias Mysiakes have to either escort those units currently under his command to Ipsos or give the command to a Captain. I think we need to find another way how to destroy those rebels north of Karkathiokerta.

[johnhughthom]

A messenger arrived at the chambers.

Great Basileus, your loyal Strategos Polyxenidos Lykikos requests the use of the garrison of Asaak to deal with a band of cut throats plaguing travellers in the region. The army will be back in the city the same season with minimal losses. Lykikos anxiously awaits your confirmation my lord.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos nods and smiles..

I give Strategos Lykikos my permission. Just let your master make sure that they actually do end in Asaak before this season ends.

[The Celtic Viking]

A year... Sure feels like only five days, though. I guess when you take vacations, time really flies by.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Thanks for pointing that out. That little tidbit completely fell out of my head.

After looking more closely at things, I see that my army only consists of 10 units, while the minimum for a royal army is 12. To complete it, I will add the peltastai in Sardis, but I also request to, once my army returns to me, recruit a unit of Galatian mercenaries. I have always admired their bravery in battle, and they would do a good job for us, I'm sure.

[00jebus]

Can we really afford mercenaries to just sit around in a satrapy in the current economic climate?

If they were being used in a campaign, I could understand, but to just make up the numbers?
Surely a cheaper alternative is avaliable for that

[Ibn-Khaldun]

I will look into it, Sarpedon. You do have the right for two cavalry units as well. I hope that we can find a way how to increase our treasure because every season that pass we have less and less gold in it.

I guess it is a good time to announce that I have ordered Strategos Attalos Peragmou Mysiakes, the Commander of my Royal Army, to attack Sidon and completely destroy it. If possible then Hierosolyma will be next. We need the gold from looting those places if we want Arche to restore it's might!

[johnhughthom]

The messenger from Lykikos bows

Thank you Great Basileus, just to be clear I am seeking permission for next season, Strategos Lykikos knows you are a busy man and wanted to give you notice.

[The Celtic Viking]

Timarchos, your objection is just and fair, but I do not intend to let it to just "sit around in a satrapy". I am well aware of our financial standings, and a rejection would be completely understandable, but it would not be hired now, and the situation may have changed when the time comes. If it has, then it doesn't hurt to have made the request now. If it hasn't, and it is declined, then there's still no loss.

Sarpedon turns to the Basileus.

Father, I thank you for considering my request. I know our treasury is tight, which is why I have also increased the taxes in my satrapy. I will look into my cavalry choices, and get back to you when I have made my decision. Sarpedon bows, then sits down again.

[Celtic_Punk]

A messenger rushes into the council chambers

"My liege, Strategos' Aratos and Cunobelinus from the 1st Syrian have landed on Kypros and established a beachhead. The siege will begin within the next season. More news will come within the month, sire. Do you have any new orders or messages to deliver to them?"

[Ibn-Khaldun]

I just hope they can take the city within the next 6 months and after that they should come to Antiocheia so that the Army could be retrained. But I do have a future campaign ready for them but we will talk about that once Kypros have taken.

That's all at the moment!

Antiochos nods to the messanger..

[Rodrico Stak]

Iskender, servant of Attalos Pergamou Mysiakes addresses the Baselius

My lord, regarding the orders you gave my master, who has sent me hear in his stead as he goes to meet up with the Royal Army, does destroying the city include the training facilities located there? They can be used to train our own troops as well, and so destroying them seems counter-productive.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

That's true.. Barracks should stay unharmed. This raid of yours will make the Ptolemaioi beg for mercy and peace I hope.

[The Celtic Viking]

Father, I have come to a decision: for my cavalry regiments, I would like another unit of Prodromoi, as well as a unit of Asiatikoi Hippakontistai, if possible. Thank you.

[Chaotix]

Hail, Basileus! I have just returned from Side, which I captured from the Ptolemies and occupied with our own forces. The citizens are not happy, however, and we can only tax them lightly lest they rebel. If Your Excellency wishes it, I will return there to keep the peace. If I may suggest it, roads from Side to Ipsos would make travel in the region much faster.

In addition, the First Lydian Army has taken light casualties (see the battle thread for full details), and I would humbly relinquish it unto Your Highness' control for it to be retrained, if necessary. Then, if Your Sagacity would again deem me worthy, I would lead it to battle against whomever Your Wisdom decides on. I myself would humbly suggest that the city of Halikarnassos is a fine target.

Thank you for listening to my words, mighty Basileus.

And to the noble Panaitolos Ankyrikos:

I apologize for not being here to answer the question you posed, but I was busy with the siege, and alas, I had no servant ready to receive or send messages. (OOC: I haven't checked this thread in a while, sorry). I would be most honored if you accompanied myself and the First Lydian Army. Right now, I believe it is going to be retrained, although that is the Basileus' decision.

[The Celtic Viking]

Hilarion raises his hand and waves it towards Antiochos.

"Great Basileus, first of all I would like to apologize for Sarpedon's absence. He is currently indisposed at the moment, and couldn't come himself, so he sent me to speak for him in his stead.

The message he's bidden me to give to you, milord, is that he feels that he has proven himself as a very capable satrap, and that he has earned the right for a bigger responsibility. He would like to ask that Side and Mazaka should be added to his satrapy, so that they could prosper under his wise rule."

"Not that they fared ill under your rule, of course!", Hilarion quickly added.

There's another thing that he has noticed though: the government in Tarsos is still loyal to the Ptolemaioi! How can this have been tolerated? Surely you must agree with lord Sarpedon when he says that it should immediately be dissolved and replaced by one loyal to us, not our greatest enemies! Also don't forget to do the same in Side as well, now that it is under our control."

Hilarion bows low.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos smiles..

I will think about Sarpedon's request. He have the skills I must say!

The government 'type' in Tarsos will change soon. So, people don't have to worry about that anymore(OOC: Will change it the next time I take the save. That is probably tomorrow 12-13 GMT)

Also, Sarpedon, I will recruit those cavalry regiments to your Royal Army as you requested.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos says to one of his scribes..

Message should be sent to Parthiakes and the First Parthian Army. They should move near Asaak and build a fort there. Soon another Council Session will be opened and then we will see what will be the next mission for the Parthian Army.

[kingsnake]

Akakios Euthymios, Strategos Aratos' representative rises.

"Wise Basileus, I received a courier this morning and I'm pleased to announce that the Strategoi, my lord Aratos Syriakos and Arrhenides Cunobelinus have succesfully conquered the city of Salamis on the island of Kypros.

No enemies survived and the Ptolemaic general, his name Hekesios Hermopolites, was killed in battle."

He handed the documents to a servant, who delivered to the Magistrate.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

It's good to hear that Kypros is ours just as it should have been for long time ago!
I have a new mission for your Lord.
There is a Ptolemaic Army west of Tarsos. They need to be destroyed! So I would like you to take the Army and destroy them! You can use our fleet to transport your Army. I would like for you to wait to autumn before you leave from Kypros though. This gives me some time to recruit some locals to keep public order in check.

[Rodrico Stak]

Iskender, Strategos Attalos Pergamou Mysiakes' proxy in Seleukia between council sessions, stands to address the council.

I have received word that my Lord Attalos Pergamou Mysiakes has successfully taken Sidon. Just over 100 casualties were taken in the assault. His detailed battle report is expected to arrive tomorrow.

[kingsnake]

Great Basileus I receive a new proposition from my lord. Strategos Cunobelinus goes after the ptolemaic army, with 3 phalangitai and the peltastai. While Strategos Syriakes, maintains public order in Kypros.

Or does your higness still want the army to remain a whole so it can return easily to Syria?

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Well.. I allow Cunobelinus to take those units and try to defeat the Ptolemaic Army. But after that I would like him to head to Antiocheia for retraining. After I have recruited some locals to the towns garrison I want Syriakes to head to Antiocheia as well.

I also must say that I'm impressed with the achievements of Syriakes. Two conquests and his promotion to higher rank is almost in reach.

Turning to Iskender..

I would like to know how much money did we earned with this?
This might sound hard but it was needed to be done!

[00jebus]

Some very troublesome news..

Ptolemaioi Army is near Tarsos. About 5 units in it. I ask Sarpedon to allow Timarchos to lead his army against them. It would be bad if we allow them to besiege the town.

Do I have permission to attack?

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos sighs..

Timarchos.. You can attack only if Sarpedon allows you to use his Army. If not then you can't use his army for that.
Also Cunobelinus have offered to attack that army.

[The Celtic Viking]

Sarpedon turns to Timarchos.

Nay, do not engage. Let Cunobelinus deal with the scum.

[00jebus]

Antiochos sighs..

Timarchos.. You can attack only if Sarpedon allows you to use his Army. If not then you can't use his army for that.
Also Cunobelinus have offered to attack that army.

which is why I asked sir...

[Rodrico Stak]

Iskender flips through his notes.

My lord Attalos Pergamou Mysiakes reports that the treasury started at around 3000 or 4000 mnai, but due to a painter's strike everything past that is just a black square. However, my estimate is that around 7000 mnai were made, and perhaps a bit more.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Looks like I forgot to turn off anti-aliasing, all my screenshots are black.

[00jebus]

I'd like to take this chance to congradulate my father on such a profitable campaign, may all others be as sucessful