Saka AAR(s), Research, or something

[vonsch]

Building browser is hardcoded feature of RTW. It was done for RTW and it just cant handle much more complicated EB building structure.
There is nothing that can be done.

I love this AAR. I also love the letter perspective. I hope You will continue it.

I was afraid that might be the case. In that case we just need more documentation. Which is what I'm tackling, sorta, here.

Thanks for the compliment. I intend to play on when I stop researching. And post when it seems right. Adds a bit of more interest to playing from my perspective too.

[LorDBulA]

I dont know if You have seen this.
I think it should help.
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/nomad-gov_chart.jpg

You can find it on our web page https://www.europabarbarorum.com/downloads_patch.html

[vonsch]

I dont know if You have seen this.
I think it should help.
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/nomad-gov_chart.jpg

You can find it on our web page https://www.europabarbarorum.com/downloads_patch.html

Nope, I had not seen that. That should help some. Searched here for it, but not there.

From a glance, it's apparent part of the explanation for the apparent gaps is sheer geography. I need to get out more.


Are the maps of the mixed and nomadic regions current? And anyone know which color is which? I may be blind but I can see no legend.

Aha, testing shows dark brown must be mixed, and the tan is nomadic.

[vonsch]

Okay, based on findings so far, Sulek will never have a wall under Saka control... unless it captures it with one built by someone else. Same for the other pure nomadic regions. The capital, however, is Mixed, so it can take the pastoral track and build wooden walls, farms, and more settled improvements. Which is probably a good idea while "turtling" to build up to support some raiding. That way can build some spears there too, to assist with defending settlements. A spear unit or two greatly improves archers standing behind them. And vice versa.

But it means defending Sulek will always be a mobile effort. C'est la guerre.

It also means, based on my current understanding, that Nomadic areas cannot grow in "population density." The population can keep growing, of course, but if it was a "Populated Area" when captured, it will never rise above that under a nomadic faction to "Densly Populated Area."

There appear to be strategic implications here. In general, holding nomadic regions constantly is contraindicated. If you want to "grow" one, give it away or let it be conquered by another non-nomadic faction. Once they upgrade it, take it back. This applies generally, too, since there is an apparent cap on development at "Densely Populated Area." That's equal to Large Town.

It may be only marginally possible to retain control of cities in any case (we will see) as the Saka (and other nomads, presumably) probably lack the order-creating improvements to manage large populations where there are large culture penalties, etc. And there will be with cities since we simply can't override much of what's there with our own buildings. All we can do is add ours in to somewhat balance things. That's similar to other barbarian factions, and all the new types of improvements in the nomad/pastoral tracks may actually give nomads some advantage over other barbarians in balancing out some culture penalties.

It also shows where I went wrong in my early building in Sulek. I should have gone to nomadism and gotten my horse archer training moved to local. That will be first priority when I get back to it. No more 2 years trips for replacements! And Sulek seems to be where they will be most needed.

[Morte66]

So, am I right in thinking that...

The basic idea of being nomadic on the strategic map -- wander around, sometimes hold cities for a while and sometimes don't -- is pretty infeasible. Well, it's no more feasible for the Saka Rauka than the Romani. You're meant to take regions and (try to) hold them. And you have to keep them for a while and do some building before you can get troops. Some of your government buildings have the word "nomad" in the name, but they pretty much let you build "herds" instead of "farms" as city improvements.

All you could do is take new places and let the old ones rebel or trade them away diplomatically, like players who do "migration" games, only do it lots of times.

[I think RTR7 will run on BI and have hordes. But it's a more centre-weighted map, it pays less attention to outer "barbarians" than EB and more to the middle.]

[vonsch]

259 BC, summer:

My King,

We are inflicted with a plague of farmers. In the spring we hunted those bandits I reported in my last letter. They were nothing more than farmers with pitchforks angered that the herds ate their crops. It seems no one here knows how to build fences. Or walls. The prospects of walls are not good.

I sent Moga out to deal with the farmers, with the two returning troops of riders. Despite the farmers climbing a high ridge to try to avoid them, they easily crushed that minor uprising. But when summer came, as if out of the very soil, another crop of farmers has appeared. They too will be nothing to deal with, but I think we will wait for fall as this heat is hard on the horses.

Since we have not be fotunate in finding one of those arkiteksmen, we have abandoned the idea of a wall. Instead we are expanding the herds and training more riders. With our own training here, we can avoid the long delays in sending to Chighu for replacements. Moga is in charge of that. It will be good experience. He will also ride out to build towers as we can afford to spare the supplies. Perhaps with a better tower signalling system we can eliminate these farmer uprisings.

I hear word that Chighu is becoming more settled, or is so inclined. Do you think it's that Zeionises is getting old? Or has sitting there in the capital made him lazy? I hear he remains hale, though. Maybe he can build one of those walls.

How are things there in Gava-Saka? Is it growing at all? Is there still more grass than horses to graze it? I hear rumors about of plagues to the west. We should find more healers and encourage the use of purification tents regularly. The evil spirits must be kept away.

We build a trading post this year, in hopes of seeing more silk road merchants. The Altar of Druvaspa has drawn some to trade here. I wonder if it might not be wiser to honor Ssandramata. This business of cities has more to do than hands to do it. Our people are more inclined to ride out than work in. I understand that urge and struggle with it often. But we need more riders, and for more riders we needs larger herds, more feed, more men! And to bear them, more wives and daughters. Ssandaramata bless us!

Your brother and servant,

Oxyboakes



A look at Sulek

Commentary: Growth is very slow. Partly that's due to high to very high taxes, to have some mnai to build improvements. But the nomadic life isn't one to create population explosions often either. I suspect the best strategy is to pump growth more so than trade for nomads. Once the population is up, taxes may exceed what trade would accomplish, but in any case the people are needed for troops also. Even if I had the mnai in the treasury, building a lot of troops would cripple me due to population shrinkage. And trade itself feeds on population somewhat. There is little production and smaller import markets with small populations.

Sulek has the advantage of some pre-existing improvements. Oddly, they will allow me to build more that I could not otherwise. I'm not sure if this is intended, but it does make some sense, so it can be justified. For example, Sulek has basic farms of Eastern Greek style. As a result I can add a granary, which has a Basic Farms prerequisite. If this is not intended, the Saka granary should also test for the existence of Pastoralism. But for now I am assuming it is intended, that the pre-existing local farmers would know how to build granaries and demand/implore the government to do so. I don't yet know if this will have further cascading implications.

The existence of those farms and the roads is part of what confused me about the whole improvement construction business. Another is why Gava-Saka, which is very small, has the option to build a market, which Chighu does not. Both are currently nomadic. Both have traders. Market may be tied to a map resource. Or something.


Uncle,

The farmers have been planted in their own fields. Only Artabones was slain in a fool move to kill one more farmer before he followed my orders to regroup. I return the troops of riders to you and will proceed to the pass with only my bodyguard to see about that tower. I should return in the spring or early summer.

Give Sabina my love, you old goat. When will I have cousins? Tell Honaria I shall be home soon. I pray to Ssandramata we are blessed with a first son by then!

Moga



259 BC, winter:

Uncle,

I arrived at the pass to discover the tower will require more materials and labor than we expected. It will require 4000 mnai, not 2000. I also found yet another band of farmers crossing the border from either the Eleutheroi region to the southwest, or Baktria. We may need to establish a fortress here to guard this pass. That might prevent the disruptions of the herd in the valley there.

In any event, I dare not attempt to plant these farmers with just my bodyguard, though they are confident. Miyika appeared and informed me there were over 300 of them, then he vanished again. He said to tell you that Theodotos remains on maneuvers and has not left that area, but he will continue to watch. So, might you send those two troops of horse archers to the pass? I will meet them on the road partway. I will deal with these farmers then, and return in two seasons if all goes as planned. I expect we will not have the 4000 mnai to hand this year.

Any news from Honoria? And how is Sabina? Are you keeping her well exercised? I want sons, and nephews!

From to top of Hoamavarga-Sulek Pass,

Moga

Did I mention it's rather cold up here?




World Sitrep 259 BC.


258 BC, Spring:

Uncle,

We found those farmers. Or they found us. They somehow managed to completely surprise us in an open field in a high pasture. I really do believe they spring directly from the soil they till. I have no other explanation, unless they are born of mist and morning. In any case, it ended as do most ambushes; one side was unscathed, the other devastated. The problem for the farmers is they got it backwards. Whereever it was they came from, they have apparently returned.

I too shall return before long. Tell Honoria to prepare!

Moga


Ambushed in the Hoamavarga-Sulek Pass
(No, really!)



The Outcome: Farmers Ambushing Steppe-Riders
(300 light spears, actually)

[vonsch]

258 BC, winter:

Uncle,

There will be a slight delay in my return. The passes were open, you see, and Gava-Haomavarga was just lying there nestled amoung the snowy pines, and the troops were feeling spirited after the ambush in the pass, so we decided to drop in and greet the bandit-king. I'm sending this back now while we hoot and jeer at the garrison to encourage them to come out. Miyika, who always seems to turn up when something is about to happen, says we're overconfident, outmatched and outmanned. He's probably right. But we can hit them hard, then go. Maybe next year, or the following, we can come back with a few more men and see about some new slaves.

Miyika says they have 150 foot-archers or thereabouts, another 100 horse archers, and nearly 100 heavy lancers. That's not counting the 100 or so spears, but who counts those anyway? They are farmers! He says they are all veterans too, though your two troops are more so. Their chief, Pidanos, is more experienced in command also, he insists.

He's probably right. But we can have some fun, then straggle back to our wives. And babies? I'm assuming not, or word would have come.

Tell Honoria I won't be too much longer.

Moga


Opportunity or Idiocy?


The Young Wife who Waits, or does she?

258 BC, late winter:

My King,

I have rather astounding news. Moga, your nephew, took a snow-burr under his saddle and without orders decided to raid Gava-Haomavarga. They were outnumbered, outmanned, and outexperienced, but they made up for it with gallons of gall. What is success in a raid of this sort? From where I watched on the slope north of the town, I thought, for a fleeting moment, they had actually taken the town. Alas, it was a close defeat. They totally outmaneuvered the bandits, climbing a hill when the garrison sallied to fire down on them. With the advantage of range, they made up much of what they lacked in numbers. They slew many. When they ran out of arrows, however, the tale was sung.

Or so I thought. One of the troops ran back east for the forested slopes. Your nephew led his bodyguard in several charges on disrupted formations before fleeing off east also, with the bandit-king's bodyguard in close pursuit.

But the second troop, after feinting a withdrawal also, circled to the south and charged into the town. Unfortunately, the heavy lancers had barely enough time to make it back to drive them off. The second troop should be commended for audacity and bravery. Indeed, they nearly held the square against the heavy lancers. They did slay a small troop of the remaining horse archers who arrived first.

It was a battle to make this old man's heart glow and his hand wish for the heft of a good horn bow.

If the Bactrians do not hear of this and the weakened garrison, perhaps you can send another nephew or two to claim the town? I suspect with their bodyguards they might accomplish the deed. Or with the two troops of good archers refitted and refed, I'm sure it will fall.

I will do what I can to keep word of this from Theodotos.

Ever your servant, but rarely one more filled with pride at Sakan youth!

Miyika


Miyika's Pre-Raid Scouting Report


The Bandit-King Sorties!


The Battle from Miyika's Perch


Troop-Leader of the Second Troop Hears a Whisper of Opportunity


Alas, He Needs a Hearing Aide


257 BC, spring:

Brother and Prince,

I have word of the battle at Gava-Haomavarga. I commend my nephew's audacity and courage, but deplore his unpreparedness. Ah, youth. Put him to some unsavory task for a season to teach him the importance of following orders and planning.

I had already sent you Lokasema and Satraces since word of Theodotos continues to be prolonged maneuvers and training. Perhaps we can steal a march here, and find a way to flank him to the south through the pass. We might yet see our dream of Taksashila before it comes our turns to ride into the rising sun to greet our fathers.

I am tempted to tell you to lead this expedition yourself, but I will leave that to you, who are closer to the point of action, to decide. If you decide to go, choose the best of those three to stay as governor. It's time they learn to rule a province in any case. Don't let the grumbling make you do other than your best judgement though. The young always grumble as you well know by now. As do we old, though we mostly grumble of the young's grumblings.

All is quiet here on the steppe. I do wish our two diplomats would have more success. Mnai is as scarce as snow in midsummer on the steppe.

Tell me, how is that young wife? No son yet? Perhaps you can show her the south.

Aryandes


Miyika's Most Recent Scouting Report