Preferences files vs .sav files?

[Braden]

In a previous attempt at starting a PBeM I placed some House Rules in it but didn’t get any takers at the time (truth though was that I was launching it from the .com).

I had planned to make the next one “by Reign” but that doesn’t seem a very popular method. I, personally, would prefer it as it allows greater Role Play involvement from each player and I’m not personally bothered how long it takes to finish.

There will be some House Rules still and I’ve put a poll out for everyone’s preferred faction: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62441

I will now put one down for various “by turn” options….

…House Rules: I’d better put what I propose down now.

1) NO re-loading, with the exception of a CTD or other game killing bugs. What ever result occurs you stick with. Bugs etc will be discussed on the Out of Character forum.

2) I will retain a copy of the latest .sav file for back-up purposes (it won’t be used by me for any other purpose, its there as a replacement if needed).

3) Update posts are to be placed by each player after their turn end. The next player does NOT have to wait until this is posted to start playing though. Story telling is encouraged but not essential, you want to just put down the bare-bones and stat detail that’s fine. You want to write a full story, including screen shots etc, that’s also fine.

4) There will be an OOC (out of character) and IC (in character) thread. Bugs and technical, tactical advice etc are to be discussed on the OOC thread. Updates etc are to be on the IC thread.

5) Role Playing is encouraged, but in the end, play with any technique you wish and have fun.

Edit – one more thing. Once a faction is decided upon I will attempt to draw up some Glorious Achievement style goals for the campaign that must ALSO be completed in addition to the normal campaign goals. These will depend on faction chosen though as some are easier to come up with whilst others are not (i.e. Greek City States Goal could be “Unite all Greek culture regions and all islands” for example).

Any GA goals will be detailed before the campaign starts so there is no confusion later.

[econ21]

Edit – one more thing. Once a faction is decided upon I will attempt to draw up some Glorious Achievement style goals for the campaign that must ALSO be completed in addition to the normal campaign goals. These will depend on faction chosen though as some are easier to come up with whilst others are not (i.e. Greek City States Goal could be “Unite all Greek culture regions and all islands” for example).

Any GA goals will be detailed before the campaign starts so there is no confusion later.

To save you a bit of work here, you might look at the faction specific victory conditions in Europa Barbarorum. They seem appropriate and characterful. (It's a stunning mod, but if you don't want to download it, I can tell you the relevant goals for the faction you pick.)

[Braden]

That works for me Simon. Next week, once the polls close and I know what faction etc I'll get that detail of you please.

The battle of Massila ford, Winter 261

The man and his army:



The enemy army:



The enemy general:



The first wave of Gauls attacks:



The Gauls make it across the ford before the Romans can deploy:



Manius enthusiastically throws himself into the Roman counterattack, slaughtering the isolated Gallic lead elements:



The battle soon develops into a confused affair, with Manius pushing on deep into the first wave of the Gallic attack. For some reason, half the Gallic army remains on the other bank with their general:



Ultimately, the Roman defenders rout the first wave of the Gallic assault, thanks to the Roman infantry acting as an anvil and Manius’s own cavalry being the hammer:





However, the battle is not over yet: the second wave of the Gallic army advances across the ford:



and throws itself against the hastati:



On the Roman right, a lengthy duel begins between the Manius and the Gallic general:



Gallic slingers charge into the rear of Manius’s escort and for a moment, he thinks he is done for. But then he realises - those are his slingers; mercenaries!



Now, it looks like Manius will surely prevail over the Gallic cavalry:



However, Manius withdraws from the melee and the Gallic cavalry massacre the mercenary slingers:



The Gallic general then pursues Manius and engages him in hand-to-hand combat:



Manius is severely wounded and unhorsed, assumed dead by the Gauls and Romans alike:



Flush with their triumph over Manius, the Gallic cavalry charge into the flank of the Roman infantry holding the centre against the Gallic warbands:



The Gallic flank charge, so soon after the news of the loss of their general, causes a chain rout amongst the Roman centre:



Soon, the Roman army is falling back in disarray with only a handful of brave triarii protecting the eagle:



The Gallic general is filled with bloodlust and wades into the triarii, slaying them left and right around him:



Until the triarii too, run, desperately trying to take the eagle back to safety:



In the distance, a strong cohort of principes can be seen. They are the only formed Roman unit left on the battlefield. These are fine troops - among the best heavy infantry in the entire ancient world.



By their delaying action, they buy time for the some of the rest of the army to rally and regroup:



However, the principes themselves are isolated and soon surrounded:



The morale of the rallied Roman units in the centre remains fragile and they slowly dissolve. The triari defending the eagle rally but then are cut down, with the eagle being claimed by the Gallic general:



The principes on the Roman left are surrounded and outnumbered:


Shamefully, they break:



With the flight of the principes, the heart goes out of the Roman army and it dissolves in a general rout: