The wandering bard of the steppes.

**johnhughthom** · 01-28-2009, 02:50

It was an intro...

**johnhughthom** · 01-28-2009, 03:51

We return to the tent just as the bard wakes and return to our seat on the floor.

Your ancestors fought just as you do,
On horseback with bow and lance too.
The tribesmen were quick, nimble and tough,
More often than not they were more than enough.

The Dahae were fierce, proud and strong,
We praise them still in campfire song.
The pick of the men rode in small roving bands,
The bow a deadly weapon in such well skilled hands.

The nobles, few in number but heavily armed,
Still too quick for the spears and rarely were harmed.
Loyal to the king their anger was fearsome,
If he was in danger swiftly would they come.

The best of the best,
Somehow better than the rest.
The Kings Royal guard,
Who always fought hard.
Feared by Saka, Indian and Greek,
Every enemy was made to look weak.

These were the men who rode out to battle,
Constantly eager to test their mettle.
An enemy at hand,
Who ruled a vast land,
How could they bring woe,
To such a great foe?
Enemies all around, north, east, south and west,
Such dangers to any leader a test.

And to you Mr desert, heckling my song,
How dare you claim I didn't sing for long?

Once again the bard retires to his bed, seemingly he could only sing in short bursts before tiring himself out.

**desert** · 01-28-2009, 04:12

Mr. Homer would like to have a harsh word with you, o Bard.

<----- Homer

**Olaf Blackeyes** · 01-28-2009, 06:18

lulz this is an awesome war in the making

**V.T. Marvin** · 01-28-2009, 08:06

That is great! This is the first AAR in verses I have ever seen, and maybe the only one actually. Keep it going, it could be a poem on a Homeric scale eventually, if you persist.

Just a friendly advice - DO NOT BLITZ! Make it hard for yourself, waste your opportunities, and let the AI develop. It will be more challenge and fun for you and more drama for us, your readers.

**SwissBarbar** · 01-28-2009, 08:07

This seems to become a great AAR
full of drama, bitter fate and war
the bard is great and not crappy at all
be it in winter, spring, summer or fall
he sings sentimental hymn and cheerful song
incorruptible and in a carping tongue
let us hear more, for that I vote
because this AAR is, let me quote

"The best of the best,
Somehow better than the rest"

**Tyrfingr** · 01-28-2009, 13:00

This AAR does not speak to me,
I hope it dies in a CTD

**I of the Storm** · 01-28-2009, 13:18

A refreshingly new approach to an AAR, very original! I'm really curious how it will develop.

**johnhughthom** · 01-28-2009, 14:21

Originally Posted by Jaertecken

This AAR does not speak to me,
I hope it dies in a CTD

A wee bit harsh there, if you don't like it don't read it.

Thanks for all the encouragement, I have had this idea in my mind for a while now but didn't think I had the ability to pull it off(still don't). I have always thought of bards as a bit cheesy so the songs kind of reflect that. I certainly don't expect to challenge Homer with this AAR...

Originally Posted by V.T. Marvin

Just a friendly advice - DO NOT BLITZ! Make it hard for yourself, waste your opportunities, and let the AI develop. It will be more challenge and fun for you and more drama for us, your readers.

I haven't actually started the campaign yet, I'm considering how to go about it. I may try something other than the usual AS blitz but I'm not 100% what direction I'm going to go. Other strategies hold the possibility of failure and I'm not sure I want my third Pahlav AAR dying an early death.