EB2 Playtest: Arverni

[Kull]

Here's a little Christmas present from the hard working EB2 Team to all those who have waited patiently these many years.....a short playtest of the Arverni faction. You've seen eye candy aplenty. Won't it be cool to actually see some of it in action? Here's the sitrep:

Faction: Arverni
Difficulty: medium-medium
Starting Provinces: 1
Starting Army: 4 FMs, 2 Cav, 7 Foot

Strategy: For this playtest I took a quick look at the financial details and noticed the "not unusual" EB1 situation of a poor faction with expenses roughly 4 times larger than income. The EB1 strategy would be to quickly conquer a few settlements (for a total of 3 or 4), and then play defense while recuperating from the huge negative income (a process that can often take many years). That should work right? How different can this be?

Here's the starting position. The capital (Gergouia) has 5 of my 13 units, with the rest sprinkled among three small stacks scattered across the home province of Ikoranda Uolkias. There's a small Aedui stack to the south - we're at war (what else is new?), and they don't care for us much. That's OK, the feeling's mutual. To the east is a small ungarrisoned rebel town - big mistake for those guys. Out of sight in Cisalpine Gaul, my diplomat and spy are off visiting family for the holidays. Put down the wine skins boys, we need you back home! Because somewhere to the north is the Aedui homeland, and it would be nice to see what's going on up there!

[Kull]

Here's my Faction Leader, Aneirin Aruernorigon, and his bad-ass bodyguard of 94 "Fierce Swords". I'd say the town of Lugdunon is ready to join with us, the "Superior Ones":

[Kull]

It's only a village, scarcely more than a few scrawny cows and some old women & children. We'll pass on the crazed looting and incorporate them (relatively) peacefully into the Arverni fold.

[Kull]

Now this is interesting. Some of the farmers in Lugdunon were overheard discussing the upcoming market days in the "nearby town of Uiennos", and sure enough our scouts confirmed the story. However, Diplomat "Barri" (wearing some god-awful duds that will absolutely get him laughed out of the next council meeting) passed through and reports that this particular target won't be easy pickings. At least seven defending units including Bataroi, Savage Riders, Fierce Swords, Spearmen and Noble Cavalry. On the other hand, this is Gaul and easy targets are few and far between. If the Arverni are going to expand the kingdom quickly, the best way to do it is by snapping up nearby settlements. High King Aneirin makes his decision:

"Summon all men from across the land - we will take this town from those Raetic dogs!"

[Kull]

The command from the north is unwelcome news to Belenos oi Lugos. His small army of 5 has been tracking a group of 3 Aedui raiders through southern Gaul and finally is positioned to attack them. But he does not know the composition of the enemy force. His lightly armed group of skirmisher cavalry and slingers could be in deep trouble if the enemy prove to be hardened spear or swordsmen. Casualties could prove heavy, and every man will be needed for the storming of Uiennos. And ultimately, Belenos is "Loyal" and "Reliable". Men with those traits do not disobey the orders of the King! Ignoring the grumbling of his men, Belenos marches them north east toward Uiennos.

[Kull]

Amminos oi Lugos, the leader of the Gergouia garrison, knows that "All men from across the land" includes his troops. There's only two Bataroi in the whole Kingdom, and they'll be needed if the attack on Uiennos is to succeed. Even one of the two slingers will have to go if victory is to be assured. That will strip the defenders to the bone, but it can't be helped. Amminos feels a certain disquiet in his bones, but after all this should only take two seasons...three at the outside.

[Kull]

All available troops are positioned within a season's march of Uiennos, and as Spring nears an end the Financial situation of the Kingdom is - as expected - not the best. We're building a new Arverni Allied government in Ludunon, while in Gergouia a road network is under construction and a new Bataroi is five turns away from joining our forces. Yes debt beckons, but that was ever the need, ever the risk, ever the only option in EB1. So then, so now.....

[Kull]

It is high summer (Turn 2) and the siege of Uiennos has begun. The Arverni have the advantage in units (9 to 7), but the Raetians make up for that in quality. This could be close. In the meantime, where is that Spy! We need intelligence...what are the Aedui doing along the northern border?

[Kull]

Conan arrives in Lugdunon at last, full of excuses as always. King Aneirin will have none of it, "Don't waste my time you lazy cur, off to the North and return quickly with news of the Aedui!" And this he does, but the information is unsettling. An 8 unit Aedui army is only a short distance to the North of Gergouia, but fortunately appears to be fixated on the rebel city of Auarikon. Meanwhile in the Aedui capital of Bibracte, a smaller 5 unit army serves as garrison. Portions of either could prove dangerous to the Arverni capital, but perhaps time is yet on our side. It matters little however - the die is cast, Uiennos is under siege and MUST be taken. But given the size of the Aedui forces, it's more imperative than ever to try and minimize casualties.