Rule of the Arvern.

[Aenos]

Might be hard to use in that case.. *shrugs* I'll conquer Massilia anyway (if I can that is) as it grants access to the Mediteranean.

[Aenos]

Chapter 2: War with the Aedui; War for Gaul.
The main army had made it’s camp between the two rivers in central Gaul. Aneirin sat in his tent when a devastated messenger stumbled in.
‘H..hail Ve..rrix!’
Aneirin looked up at the young messenger, his clothing was shredded and covered with blood, a fresh cut was visible on his arm.
‘By Lugos! What’s happened to you soldier?’
‘We.. We were attack..ed, milord.’
A short pause fell and the soldier regained himself.
‘The Aedui forces from Gergovia nearly annihilated the relatively small army under Adcobrovatos.’
Aneirin looked at the ground as sadness filled his heart.
‘My son.. Does he live?’
‘Yes, Verrix, he managed to escape after his brave attempt to guard the flanks of the retreating army.’
A slight smile appeared on the Verrix’ face as he heard his son had survived.
‘You may go soldier, though I suggest you to visit the herbalists before you leave for Viennos again.’
The soldier bowed muttering a few words of thanks and left the tent.

‘The cowardly Aedui have attacked our greatly outnumbered army from Vesontio. Only a handful of our men managed to retreat to safety. If our enemies wish to die in battle then I shall gladly bring them that opportunity.’
The face of Aneirin was grim and filled with both anger and sadness.
‘Verrix, I agree, we must meet them in battle. But I don’t think we should do anything rash. They’ve taken a strong, defensive position.’
‘What do you suggest we do then, Belenos?’
‘When I rode here from the south I noticed a small, lightly wooded area. If we can lure them to attack us there we have a far greater chance of achieving victory.’
Amminos, the youngest son of the Verrix, looked a bit surprised at this plan.
‘But if what you say is true, and they are in a defendable position, I don’t see what would make them willing to abandon it and come here, where we have the advantage?’
A few of the other commanders nodded but Belenos grinned.
‘We’re deep in Aedui heartlands, but a few miles from Gergovia itself to be exact, I find it hard to believe that they have not been watching our every move closely. Surely they have some scouts around the camp. Therefore I think that if we make it look like we’ve sent away most of our soldiers they might make a bold move and strike at us here. This is what we need those forests for, if we can station a few hundred of our men there, they will not be seen but still be able to get here in time for any battle.’
Most commanders nodded in agreement and though a few mutters could be heard the cunning plan was accepted.

Two guards sat at the edge of a small forest. They were ordered to watch the small bridge which was the only place within a day’s ride to cross the river. If the Aedui decided to attack Aneirin had wanted to be certain to know. Suddenly one of the guards rose.
‘Look at that hill over there! Might be the Aedui..’
He pointed into the distance. A few minutes passed as they both stared at the distant hill.
‘I fear you’re right, Periadoc, there are too many people moving over there to not be an army..’
Periadoc nodded.
‘Let’s go, we must inform our commander.’

‘Verrix, two of my soldiers just reported they had seen the Aedui coming this way from Gergovia.’
The officer bowed deeply and Aneirin grinned.
‘Thank you for the news. Now go and prepare your men, the long awaited battle will soon commence.’



The Verrix sat on his horse and spoke to his gathered army.
‘Brave men, sons of Gaul! This war has slowly crept over all of our mighty lands, causing many dead and ruining our economy. Rumours tell us that the eyes of the southern ‘civilized’ nations are turning their eyes northward, to us! I fear that if this war doesn’t end soon we might never recover. Therefore, fight with all your strength and know that victory is within our grasp!’
A mighty roar was bellowed by the soldiers. As they calmed down orders were shouted, horns were blown and positions were taken along the forest edge. Slowly the enemy approached. The Arvern cavalry charged forward and threw their heavy spears at their lightly armoured adversaries. Within minutes over 100 Aedui, frightened they hastened their pace and, with a mighty charge, reached the forest.
‘Hold the line! Show them your strength!’
Aneirin shouted at his men as the battle truly began. Then he turned to his son and second-in-command, Belenos.
‘Blow the horn, my son, and give the sign to our cavalry.’
Belenos nodded and the sound of the mighty war-horn was heard by all who fought that day. Within moments the light cavalry, that had been skirmishing since the beginning of the battle, swung around and charged at the unguarded backs of the Gergovian spearmen. Many Aedui died in that minute but when the governor of Bibracte, Dennoros, charged at the light Arvern cavalry they had to retreat and regroup. Aneirin swore heavily and overlooked the situation. His light cavalry had been driven off, his left flank was crumbling and the middle and right were barely any better. Knowing he was losing the battle he charged in himself. Slashing with his long sword, fending off attacks with his shield the Verrix and his personal escort devastated his enemies and strengthened the hearts of his men.



The battle was won and the Aedui military in mainland Gaul had been nearly completely annihilated. Within the following years Bibracte, Cenabum and Avaricum were taken by the armies under Anarein. When he finally returned to Gergovia he had united the main heartlands of Gaul and only the small lands to the south of the Alps remained under Aedui control. Slowly the economy was restored and Gaul prospered.

---

Have to thank the EB-crew for the great generals made for the Gauls, they look great! (and of course everything else is great as well *laughs*)

Well, that concludes the war with the Aedui. I wonder what will come next.. Though the Romani have signed peace with the Epeirotes they seem to expand eastward instead of northward. *shrugs*

[Aenos]

Blimey.. Seems the Romani are now moving at me rapidly..

[Roderick Ponce Von Fontlebottom]

Great AAR dude , one question though, what do you use to post you're pics. Im still unsure about it.

[Roderick Ponce Von Fontlebottom]

WHOOOOOOOOOWHOOOOOWHOOOOOO, 101 hard thought out posts! YAAA

[Aenos]

I use imageshack, it's free and easy to use.

[Aenos]

*gasps* This is unheard of! (at least by me) The Aedui allied themselves with the Romani, the Romani gave them a new province. I thought, whatever. But now that they had two provinces they slowly expanded again. Now the Romani are slowly expanding northward, and every province they gain, they give to the Aedui. Perhaps a second Gaulish war will occur soon! Has anyone seen the AI helping there allies like this before?