The Royal Council

[MerlinusCDXX]

Phanias Lydikes wearily strides into the council chambers " Well, it seems our worst fears have come to us", intones Lydikes. "We need to coordinate our attacks and suppress this threat quickly, to that end, I offer the training facilities of Hekatompylos for recruitment of troops to meet this threat, until such time as I deem that the population is too low for the city to function properly. I also can personally take my army into Gabiene to reduce the Persian threat there, but cannot move any further away from my territory without incurring the serious risk of leaving it unguarded. Losing Hekatompylos would be a crippling blow to our ability to defend the East, as it is the most developed military base East of the Zagros mountains. I think that we should send another capable man to the furthest east to see to the defense of Aria and Margiana, and should that individual desire to stay in the East, I'm sure a position in the Satrapal service could be offered. I will open the recruitment facilities in Alexandreia-Ariane, with some restrictions, to provide defending troops for the more remote settlements until a proper army can settle the matter more completely. Let the Magistrate note that I second Edicts E2.1, E2.2, and E2.3"

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

well, I believe that the only way we can possible take back our land is if the 1st and 2nd babylonian army works jointly to attack the cities, the phalavans may be able to harass us out in the field but if we fight mostly siege battle we should be able to take them, their horse archers wont do so well in the city streets. Phanias you have experiance in their style of warfare, do you have any advice to give on fighting them? anything could help, as we are going in mostly blind.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

I will extend current Council Session until 10.00 GMT on Tuesday February 10th.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Aye, I second Edict E2.3. It should be an easy task for me and my royal army, and the strategical reasoning behind it is sound.

Another thing I'd like to inform you of is that if no one closer to Babylon than Hermokrates is willing, able and brave enough to volunteer for the command of the 2nd Babylonian Army, it will go to him by default."

Sarpedon turns to Aratos.

"You too speak soundly, my friend. As I promised, I hereby declare Aratos Syriakes, Strategos Epilektos under the Royal Crown, as the new Satrap of Aigyptos, and Alexandreia and Memphis will be under his rule. I will expect you to continue raising the units I have left on the program for my Royal Army, and let them retrain there after taking Petra, should it be necessary.

As for your satrapal army, I will take your words to mean you want an infantry army, seeing as that's the only way to get the units you asked for. Unless I am mistaken, and you wish to have it otherwise, it shall be so, and therefore you can consider my two old units of Thureophoroi, as well as the Iudaioi and Pantodapoi Phalangitai, to be the first units of your satrapal army. Treat them well and don't waste them unless you have to, for they are good and loyal men, and I trust you to take good care of them. Since you agree, nay, you even propose it yourself, I think it is wise to wait with the rest until the Babylonian armies are raised. Such selfless loyalty to me and my kingdom is always appreciated, and I will not forget it." Sarpedon smiles. "Thank you, my friend."

Turning back to the whole Council, he continues.

"The new commander of the 1st Syrian Army will be Alexandros Syriakos. Make sure to lead your men wisely, Strategos. Show us that Aratos' and my trust in you isn't misplaced."

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Basileus if Hermokrates is to be the comander of the second babylonian then do you wish for he and me to create a campaign plan, or do you have one yourself?

[The Celtic Viking]

"That is something that should've been discussed during this emergency session, which I asked you to. All that was agreed upon is that what they took must be regained, but that is obvious. No one offered any plan on how to do it, and frankly, it makes me question this Council. What good is it if it will only state the obvious? Why should we have it if I am still left to make all the decisions? I would not mind doing that, only I have to call these sessions and go through all these bureaucratic formalities when doing it, and if that's the only thing the Council is good for, then we should really question if it's worth keeping.

You can take that as you will, but it had to be said."

Sarpedon turns to Patrokles specifically, and sighs.

"Since the Council did not wish to step in and play its part, I will have to draw the plans myself.

The strongest province they took was without a doubt Persis, Persepolis being the greatest city there. It must be retaken. I think that should fall on the 1st Babylonian Army's shoulders. However, I think it would be wisest to hold off the attack until both armies are raised, and until then the 1st should merely focus on defending our cities against further offensive moves from these rebels.

Permanent Edict E2.4: Once both Babylonian armies are raised, an offensive move to retake Persepolis and Gabai should be launched. If the estimated opposition is deemed small enough for one army to take alone, the 1st Babylonian Army should move to secure Persepolis, while the 2nd Babylonian Army moves to secure Gabai. If the estimated resistance is greater than we deem possible for one army to take on, they should work together to take Persepolis first.

I believe that is a good start. What we'll do after that can be decided when this has been completed."

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Patrokles stands Sir, with all honesty I believe it would be best if the two armies worked together, if the phalavans could take out the cities in one fell swoop then I doubt the armies can act independently. I do agree the key is persepolis, but I believe the two armies must work together, stay close, dont give the horse archers a chance to pick away at us. I think the two armies should march together take Gabai, march on to Persepolis [where we expect the heaviest resistance] take that together. and then, after most of their men have been slaughtered march independantly to take Karmana and Prophthasia. we only have one shot, and I would hate to suffer a fate similar to the 1st lydian. In fact I have thought about it extensively since I learned I was to command the 1st babylonian army and that is the best option I can come up with. It would help if I knew the composition of the troops... but they dont exist yet so Patrokles shrugs
[ ooc: I would make it into an edict... but I already used mine...] [ooc again: and I was serious about thinking about it extensively, spent far to much time in school doing that rather than my work! even made a map!]