The Hounds of Molossia

[Lord Gruffles]

The Molossian Empire

The year is 243bc. After Pyhrros had conquered Italia and the Hellas (including his rightful throne in Pella) his heir Ptolemaios has claimed Crete, Byzantion (including it's surrounding areas) the territories north of Epeiros along the Ageatic and all but a small Carthaginian force left to quell in Sicilia.

The new heir to the throne, Pyrrichos, first son of Ptolemaios, has heroically rescued Byzantion from an onslaught of attacks from what used to be the Makedonians (who are now securely settled along the eastern edge of Asia Minor.) The city was moments away from being conquered when he and his reenforcments entered the battle to save the day!

Our friends from the time of Pyhrros have included a key alliance with Seleukia. This has come to an ebrupt end as they have betrayed us and laid seige to an ill prepared garrison on the island of Krete. It is only a matter of time before they fall. May the gods grant their speed to Eumedes (second son of Ptolemaios) as he gathers a force in Athenai to rescue Krete.

Key Players and Positions:


Eumedes in Athenai


Pyrrichos in Byzantion


Philon (forth and youngest son of Pyrrhos) in Northern Italia


Helenos in Sicilia (third son of Pyrrhos - his second son, Alexandros was killed in battle fighting a band of rebel Samnites in Italia after the Romans had been vanquished)


Archiades Kermaraios (husband to Ptolemaios' eldest child, daughter Nereis) in the territory north of Epeiros on the Aegiatic coast.



The Molossian Emperor, Ptolemaios

[Lord Gruffles]

In classic RTW AI Diplomacy fashion the Seleukids sued for peace a turn after they put Krete under seige (and after I sank the fleet that took their troops there). :doh:



Of course, I had to manipulate the dumb AI and ask for trade rights and 20k monai as well. They have settled with 16k (I think I'll take it). I used to avoid manipulating the AI and extort money from them like this but EB has changed my ways by giving the AI all that extra cash every turn (so I don't feel guilty now! :thumbsup2 )

I have a suspicion they will put Krete under siege again next turn so shall continue to get my 'rescue' force organized and reenforce Krete all the same. I shall then consider the Seleukids hostiles and plan my mulit-pronged invasion of Asia Minor (and Rhodios to boot).

[Wolfman]

Why do you have Hastati in your Army even though your not roman?

[Lord Gruffles]

First off, hello Fayetteville! (I spent many a summer there visiting my Nana!)

I have Hastati because I conquered Italia and can recruite them from the local/native MICs. Hellenic Phalanx and Roman style Pilla are a devastating combination! In fact, I have recruited more and plan to ship them back to the 'homeland' to fight against the Maks.

BTW, I know my AAR sucks. I have never made one of these and simply wanted to get things out on the table. I hope to use others as inspiration and get a storyline going in the future.

The truth is I'm just loving this campaign so much I want it down in writing for posterity and to share my love with the masses!

[Wolfman]

What are you talking about your AAR sucks? its awesome!!!
P.S. My Nana also live hear thats why we moved from Upstate N.Y.. What did you think of Fayetteville when you visited?

[Lord Gruffles]

Well, she lived at Gates Four (a private golf course community) so it was very nice, indeed. Plus, it usually included a trip to Emerald Isle. So, what's not to love!!!

And thanks for the charity on the description of the AAR. I shall get some progress made on it this weekend for sure.

[Kralizec]

I never gave it serious thought, but I think I'll try a game with general's cam once I get back to gaming.

In my (currently suspended) Epeiros campaign I used spies a lot to cause unrest in Seleukid lands. As long as they bordered me they'd attack Byzantion (my "allies") zealously despite having beaten them back multiple times. I didn't feel like a war with the Seleukids yet because I was still busy fighting the Roman remnants in northern Italy (later on Aedui later also attacked me there, so still no peace...), so I need an Eleutheroi barrier to make and stay at peace- that would be Bythnia, but I also succeeded several times in making Akrya, Halikarnassoss, the Pontik provinces and that Greek settlement in the north-east rebel. Needless to say it didn't take long before my king got the Spy Master and Master of Assassin traits.

I'm surprised not to see any Illyrian thureophoroi in your screenshots, I put at least three of them in a proper army- they rule!

[Lovejoy]

What about giving the ptolemoi some economic help? You should have a huge amount of cash by now. It would keep the selues busy for a while.

[Lord Gruffles]

I'm surprised not to see any Illyrian thureophoroi in your screenshots, I put at least three of them in a proper army- they rule!

I've been busy building mines and infrastructer, etc and haven't built that level of MIC yet I guess. It's definitely towards the top of my 'things to do' list now though. I have hired them as mercs for my war in Sicilia and taking Byzantion. And, don't forget I do have Hastati that work in a similar role on the battlefield.

What about giving the ptolemoi some economic help? You should have a huge amount of cash by now. It would keep the selues busy for a while.

I make about 16k/turn right now. I have some garrisons that are a little too expensive and am slowly downgrading them to get more cash-per-turn. As I stated previously, the Seleukids and I had been Allied until last year (243bc) when they stabbed me in the back. The Ptolemoi are allied to my arch-enemy, the Mynitene Empire. So everything we've done together has been born of the camp 'your emeny's enemy is your friend'. But we are not openly friendly and are not allied. If I could get them on my side I would. Believe me. At this point it's a lost cause as they are fubar'ed in my estimation. We'll see what the future holds.

[Boyar Son]

Lord Gruffles, dont you just hate when other cant mind there own bussinus (the insurgents)

[Lord Gruffles]

hehe