Wine and Blood- A Getai AAR

[bobu]

I am trying to make a decent AAR about the Getai faction.
Difficulty: VH / M


The Feast

- And they have those men who think all day, how did they call them, philosophers! And schools, all kind of them.
- Philosophers? And they just think?
- Yes, can you believe it?
The dacian court in Buridava started laughing at those thinkers which they fiind absurd.
Taras, the Dacian diplomat just visited the Hellens lands and all the men, women and children are gathered around him, listening to every word he says. Zalmogedikos, the king is siting alone on the throne. The slave is pouring him more wine.
- Tell us more, Taras the Traveller, about the wonders of the Hellens! Says Dizo, son of Zalmogedikos.
- Tell us about the women! Say Oroles, son of Zalmogedikos, and brother of Dizo.
- Ah, yes, the women…. Taras has a dumb look in his eyes and he dosen't says a word.
- I think that explains it all, ha ha! Says Dizo and all the court laughs.
- Have you tasted some of their women?say Scorilo, a warrior.
- Yes, I had, and they taste good!
- How about the wine, Taras? Asks Zalmogedikos himself.
- Oh my, Lord, the wine flows trough the Lands of the Hellens like the great Istor trough our lands, they have statues of their gods who reach the sky!
The eyes of the king started shining when he heard about the wine.
- Let us drink, my brothers, for now, our own wine and taste our own women! Let the wine flow trough the Getai throats!
The men cheered their king and shortly they started to dance and feast at their beloved kings expense! But the dancing and the games didn’t go for long because the palace door opened and a group of men came in. Many of them were hurt, covered with blood, and dirty of mud . One of the men, a tall thracian who wears a chain mail armor, his weapon can’t bee seen, steps forward and says to the king:
- My Lord, Seuthes attacked our village and they took all our women and kids away to Kallatis to be sold to the Hellens!
Zalmogedikos rises from his throne filled with anger.
- Those pigs! He shouts! That’s enough! To much that Skorillo and his dog Seuthes raided our northen borders! We own it to these men over her! We own it to our people! Dizo, prepare the army! We March tomorrow to Sarmizsegethusa!
- You don’t want to attack it, right?
- I just want to talk tot hat bastard!
- But father!
- Shut up, Dizo! I refuse to think I raised a coward! Tomorrow morning we march! The feast is over!


The March


Many getai warriors took up the arms and joined their kings army, but they were nearly enough. Zalmogedikos was pleased. He told Oroles to march to Kallatis and see if he can rescue the slaves and also, to collect the tribute, which the Greek colony should have payed a long time ago.
Crossing the Karpathians Zalmogedikos and Dizo advanced to Sarmizsegethusa to have a talk with Scorilo. They made camp in hostile territory but the army was confident. Suddenly a horseman was running towards them and shouting:
- Seuthes! Seuthes is coming! Seuthus is coming!
Quickly, Zalmogedikos organized his army and waited for the enemy. The scout told him that Seuthus's men were armed and eager to fight. Their will be no negotiation after all. The tow armies meet up on a hill. Zalmogedikos put his tow phalnks in front. Their task was to hold the ground. The komatai skrimishers, were on the flanks ready to fire deadly javelins at the enemy and surround them.
Zalmogedikos steps in front of his army and shouts:
- Surrender Seuthus and i shall let you and your men live!
- You will die in those lands you old lunatic! I shall make you regret every step you took on Skorillo’s Land!
After that an arrow flew and hitted a man from the first land in the chest.
- Bastards! he shouted.
- Hold your ground men!
The enemy advanced reckless toward Zalmogdeikos men. The phalnks had no problem holding them up and the komatai quickly surrounded the enemy. Zalmogedikos and Dizo with their tarabostes, flanked the enemy, quickly routing many of them. Southles was killed, and shortly his army started fleeing in terror. It was a clear victory for Zalmogedikos.


Later in the camp, where the soldiers were celebrating with wine, Zalmogedikos decided he will siege Sarmizsegethusa. Even Dizo agreed to it, and the soldiers were most excited . The march continues!

[Ghaust the Moor]

I like the way you tell your story. I will be following this.

[bobu]

Sorry for the lack of screenshoots. It seems my "Print Screen" button dose not work if you press it with the finger. Too bad I founded that too late. Next time i will use my fist, and their will be more screenshoots :D

[Cute Wolf]

Good start... keeping an eye for this

[Vasiliyi]

Nice job bobu. keep this going. Hey, if you really want to learn to do screenshots (with fraps) check out the link in my sig called "writing an aar-a guide" its got step by step directions of how to make screenshots.

[bobu]

The fall of Sarmiszgethusa

Zalmogedikos and his army marches to Sarmiszegethusa. The king has 60 years. He is eager to die as soon as posible. After all he deserves the peace and happines which Zalmoxis will grant him. But as far as he knows, he’s still alive, and as long as he can drink wine, he will drink wine, as long as he can kill, he will kill. Dizo, also awaits his father death. When he’ll be king, all the dacians will be united under one flag, and the world will tremble at the glory of their nation! But Dizo knows, that his bigger brother Oroles will be king, and not him, unless something happens to his dearest brother wich is marching with a smaller army to Kallatis.
Oroles and Taras, the diplomat have reached the greeks and thus, the shores of Pontus Euxin.
- You go, Taras and talk to them. Tell them about our army stationed closley to their walls. Tell them t ogive back the slaves and also the gold. I’ll be waiting here.
And so Taras eneters Kallatis alone. The greek colonie has florished along the years and it’s a strange mix of thracians, getai, greeeks and schitians. Filled with traders woch spend their days on the docks and in the market shouting: „Fiiiishh come get your fiiishhh! The best ther is!”; „Oranges, almonds, figs, from Greece! Juicy and fresh!” or „Wineee, the finest wiine in Thrace!”. Taras stooped near the wine trader. He was clearly a nomad. You could tell that by the smell and by the long mustache he was wearing.
- A nomad trader? HA! says Taras.
- But, good sir, I’m no smelly nomad! I’m a hellen!
- From where?
- From Chalkis!
- Ἡ φύσις οὐδὲν ποιεῖ ἅλματα!
The trader stared for 10 seconds at Taras, quickly starting to sweat.
- Well? Says Taras amused.
- Well you got me, but keep your mouth shut!
- My mouth usually is shut if I gave it wine.
- Aaa, I see. The trader started laughin’. Very well, my friend have a bottle and get out of my sight!
Taras drank his wine. It was truly a good wine! After that he walked to the king house. They have been expected him. The throne room was filled with gold, even this puny throne was looking better than Zalmogedikos.
- Taras, I’ve been expecting you! Say the Greek king of Kallatis. Please, have a sit at the table, we’ll talk later!
- I’m afraid my good Lord, that we don’t have time for this. You were supposed to pay us a tribute, sire. But we did not get any money. And also word has reached us that you bought slaves from Skorillo. Getai slaves. That si mostly unpleasant. We demand the slaves and the gold!
The king was filled with anger eh shouted at the diplomat that the slaves we’re his property which they bought honestly and he shall give no gold away, because it’s the payment of his own work and no smelly Getai shall have it. Taras was dragged out by the guards and beaten outside the walls.
Tara stalled Oroles how the negotiation worked. The whole army cheered, because now they have the chance to fight with those blasted Greeks. Oroles besieged the town. For the moment he decided to wait.

***

In the meantime, Zalmogedikos, besieged Zarmiszegethusa rulled by Skorillo. Skorillos army wasn’t bigger then his enemy, but they had elite archers. This thing did not scared Zalmogedikos and he starved Skorillo’s troops in the autumn. But he’s patience did not lasted trough all the winter so he ordered his troops, which in the meantime built tow rams, to assault the city.
The archers fired volleys of arrow over the palisade and made many casualties among Skorillos troop especially among the drapanai falxmen. One of the ram caught fire. But it didn’t take long and the gates we’re breached. The phalanks fought bravely at the entrance and successfully drove the komatai skirmishers away. The battle then moved on the streets and Zalmogedikos and Dizo with their tarabostes joined in. Dizo and the king fought bravely, killing every enemy in their path. Zalmogedikos to show Zalmoxis he si worthy of death and Dizo to show his father he is worthy as a king. From now on, the battle was easy and Sarmiszegethusa was occupied.
- Men, say Zalmogedikos, this was our victory. I am still alive, as you can see. Zalmoxis demands many brave deeds before he’ll grant you peace. But let’s raze the sorrow from our hearts with the blood of the Gods: with wine and let’s dance till the ground has holes in it and. Tell the bards to sing so beautiful that we will forget we’re alive and till we’ll forget our sorrow!
- Hail Zalmogedikos! Hail! Hail Hail! Shouted the few soldiers that survived.


New update coming soon. Thank you for your comments:D

[Vasiliyi]

Hey, you should definatly keep the shots. Trust me, screenshots are what keeps your views up and it really helps the reader picture things. One thing i may add though is that you should disable the banners and the green arrow markers. The screenies would look way better. Anyways, nice work. I look forward to more.

[bobu]

Battle of Tylis



On a rough piece of papper this is what Brasos write:



My „dearest” king,



So, Koson, I hear that you are now my king, and by default, the best king there is. I have no idea how you managed to poison your father and to fool the council, but since you did, I might well answer to you. Her me good and pay attention, ”king”. I have 30 men with me and we all are hungry, thirsty, tired and we stink like shit, so you’d better send us some supplies and troops. And, yes I failed. Laugh all you want, cause I’m ashamed to be alive, but this si not the problem. I have retreated far north, but I’m still hungry and not even near our lands.
I know you are eager to hear about my defeat, so as my king, I have to satisfy your thirst for laugh. The ram was dragged to the gates. It was hard advancing trough snow, blast it! As always, the skirmishers pined the enemy hearts with javelins to their back bone.

I was sure I would obtain victory. My men were killing, at least I was sure. I am young and I still trust my eyes, although I was standing far away from the broken wall. So I approached. It was a shook to see my spearmen decimated, and running like cowards. At least the falxmen stayed and died like I should also have died.

The snow was red, men with their gust out we’re screaming and trying to run from the battle. I personally slew them to ease their pain and to fasten their way to Zalmoxis. I charged with my tarabostes and succeeded in driving the enemy in the center of their town. I saw the komatai and the spearmen behind me, but I couldn’t find the courageous falxmen. I did find them when I looked at the ground. Their bodies we’re enjoying the cool snow and their souls… well I have no idea about their souls. The fight got really intense at the center. Me and my men we’re killing every enemy that we could see. But soon our eyes filed with blood and fear started eating us like worms. I was looking for my horsemen but I realized I was alone. I was terrified and started running.

Unfortunately I had my horse so their arrows didn’t hit me nor their sword cut me! But the shame is big, and I don’t even have wine.
But mark my words, Koson, I shall kill those Thracian bastards, I swear it on my king and on my gods!


The scribe read the letter, and said to Koson that the assault on Tylis had failed and that Brasos congratulates the new king and drinks in the honor of the old one.

[bobu]

War has this effect on people



“ I don’t remember being such a hot day before. Do you?“ Cotys was lying half naked in the green grass. His belly was covered with flies but he didn’t mind. He continued looking at the blue sky. “ Why so silent?” he asked. Stra was standing up, looking worried. Seeing that his friend do not bother to respond, Cotys closed his eyes. “My dear old friend”, suddenly Stra spoke, and his voice was a little nervous. Not knowing what to say, Cotys started laughing. Laughing is a great way of escaping pathetic situation like the one seen before. The fear of saying something stupid is vanquished and the awkward moment passes, because from a laugh you can’t say that the person who you talked to, took your words as a compliment or he is just amused. Either way is good. And Stra started laughing too. Cotys was starting to feel strange. Since when did his friend become so sentimental? War has this effect on people: it makes you love life even more, and so you enjoy every aspect of it as you still can. But Cotys and Stra are not mere peasants who never wiled a weapon before. They survived the battle of Kallatis. They endured hunger, pain, the lack of wine, coldness. “Do you want to go back?” Cotys asked. “Do I have any other options?” Stra replied. “But do you WANT to go back?” Cotys insisted. Stra smiled and said a simple “Yes”. The two men started laughing and soon they we’re chasing themselves trough the field like children without a worry in the world.
War has this effect on people.



Koson will soon walk to the throne and sit on it for the rest of his life. On his head, the crown will rest. In his hand the sword will kill.. better! But now, Koson is in the middle of the crown, with a big jar of wine in his hands. He was yelling and dancing on the table. The music was loud and the new king was kissing every women that was unlucky to be on his way, till he finally found his wife which struck him over the face. The men started laughing, but Koson wasn’t upset at all. He embraced his wife and gave her a gross kiss, rich in spit. But suddenly, Koson sees Brasos staying far from the big crowd, laughing at the king. “Brasos! Where is Tylis and the lands of the Odrysai?” asks Koson and all the people start laughing. “I have lost it on the way, sire!” says Brasos joyful raising his jar up, but inside he was burning, a urge to kill Koson started to bloom in him. The king didn’t stopped “ When you were running away!” the king was lying laughing on the table. Brasos drags his sword out and the noise of the steel rubbing against the belt covered the other noises, and all the guests stood still looking at the two opponents. “What is this, Brasos? Do you want to fight me?” Koson gets up on his foot, draws his sword, he was staggering a little and being to drunk, he fainted. Brasos turned his back to the crowd and said loud: “I piss on your king!” and he left.
The guards and the priest putted the unconsciousness body of Koson on the throne. When Koson woke up, he found a crown on his head and a throne under his ass. He quickly grabbed another jar of wine and raising it said: “Hail me!” The crowd responded “Hail, you!” and the fresh king jumped from his throne into the dance ring, again kissing women, drinking wine, and dancing till he fainted again, and this time, he didn’t woke up till next morning.

[bobu]

New directions and new enemies




After the coronation of the new king, the Getai council met again to discuss or better say to quarrel and insult each other, like all the politicians do. Koson is sitting comfortably on the throne, but he has a serious headache. The council is full of nobles and there are some Greek merchants who business may depend on the decisions this council will take. All the royal family is present, including Brasos. The one that shines the most is Dizo, son of great Zalmogedikos, brother of the great Oroles, uncle of the great Koson, father of the most irritated Brasos. The council now starts.
Taras rises and after he bows in front of Koson he sais:
“ Hail Koson, and good day to all. I first congratulate Brasos, for his conquering of Tylis. You made up for the defeat. Not many men can make up for their mistakes in the past.”

Brasos rises and bows.:
“Thank you good Taras!”
Taras continues:
“ And I come to question the council: what shall be the fate of Getia? War or peace?”
“We all know that we have an itch down there for war, Taras!” say Koson with his thick voice. The council agree and they decide that war is the way. But where? Should the Dacian army continue his conquest of the Amber route? Or as Brasos and other tarabostes says: in Pontus lies the riches and in Greece. Koson wanted to continue his father’s dream but some of the tarabostes opposed him mainly Brasos and Depyx.
“Don’t you see you fools? My father was right! The amber rout brought us gold and riches! It is easy to fight small tribes than a huge forces of the Helens!” says Koson angry as his headache intensifies. Depyx opposed:
“ My lord, think at the distance our force will have to travel, think at the land we will have to control. It is time consuming and dangerous to send armies in the dark forest of Germany and to reach a sea that we never heard about. It is easy and more profitable to take control of our own sea that is close to us and attack the Greeks who’s cities are full of gold!”
Some tarabostes were agreeing with Depyx, some were supporting Koson’s plan. Dizo hasn’t said a word and all the eyes were focused on his mouth, when it will open their ears will be focused on the sounds that will escape. Dizo didn’t said much:
“ Brasos, you continue to conquer till you take Byzantion, then stop. Koson, since you are the king, take an army to Ak-Ink if you succed I’m sure you’ll conquer the admiration of the council.”
“ Conquering Byzantion will mean war with Arche Seleukeia.” Says Taras.
“ And? Those Greeks will not know what falx hit them” says Brasos confident. “I am not agreeing to Dizo’s plan, but since I have no choice I shall conform at conquer Byzantion!”
“ But remember, Brasos, that I need men for my own campaign, so don’t screw up like always!” said the king.
“ You should worry about your own men, my king, and protect your ass, some of those barbarians fight naked!” Brasos responded.
Koson and Brasos rises in the same time and dragging their sword they were looking at each others blade: the two swords were shining.
“ They want blood”, says Koson.
“ Come and fed yours!” Brasos shouted and his face was red, his heart banging to his chest he waited for the attack. Dizo was a little amused and with calm and anger stopped the fight:
“ So young, and yet so bloodthirsty! He started laughin but his face quickly turned red and he shouted: “Enough with this.. this mockery of our council!” and dragging his sword Dizo hit with the wide side of the blade one time, two times, three times Brasos face till his son fell on the ground. Then with an agility unusual for his age Dizo turned towards Koson, which made a couple of steps back and shouted at the approaching threat warning him with the sword:
“ Stop! I am the king! You can’t hit the…”
“ You little prick! I know you since you were a little hand of meat and soul! This is how you treat me? This is your respect? At this I have been reduced? You little bastard! I shall kill you!” And Dizo attacked the king, but Koson was abele to parry the blow. When the blades touched for the first time, the guards and the other tarabosted rushed at the two belligerents. Taras staid away from the fight. He was having a grim look and said nothing.

[bobu]

What do you think of it so far?