Saka AAR(s), Research, or something

[vonsch]

250 BC, fall:

Uncle,

As it happened, Theodotos's move southwest to Haomavarga was a feint. Or he changed his mind. But Haomavarga has been abandoned to the Baktrians all the same. Small loss. We left a band of archers that could not keep up to do their best to hold it, but Miyika reports a smaller army of Baktrians came up the south pass and slew most of them (the rest are fled to the hills) and took the town. We had sacked it as we left, so I'm sure they found little there to feed them. Perhaps the winter will freeze them out.

Miyika also reports that Lokaksema and the two troops of Saka Riders tried, at first, to take the pass northwest, but were driven back by a sizeable Baktrian army, one about half the size of Theodotos's. He tried to ambush Theodotos in the high pass, but failed as the Baktrians swung to the north and avoided the forest. So he again turned northwest and is now moving west towards Alexandreia-Eschate. That smaller army preceeds him, so be wary.

I hear tidings that you have seized Bin-Kath! That will surely give Theodotos pause. He comes for a small town we only recently freed from bandits, and you sieze a city from him!

Miyika also says that he had word from Uncle Oxyboakes of his plans. If Theodotos continues east towards Sulek, he will take what riders he has trained and sack the town and head northwest towards you through the north passes.

I say take the three cities there there along the river. Sack them. Then see if Theodotos begs peace. If not, we can move west. There are other pastures.

I am just north of Baktra. The garrison there is too large for my troops. We intend to move north towards you also, ambushing any Baktrians who stumble over us.

Your nephew,

Moga



Last Stand at Haomavarga



If you must die, take one with you to tend your horses



The Sacking of Bin-Kath







World Sitrep 250 BC


249 BC, winter:

My King and Uncle,

I fear I committed an error. I miscalculated my march and was caught exposed by that smaller army west of Eschate. Some good men died. But it was not a loss, in the end. Despite being heavily outnumbered, we managed to kill their general, and most of their horses. As a result I think I will tempt them to attack again. We can kill a few more. Mayhap even enough to whittle them down to a twig that will snap in the end.

I hear rumor that Theodotos bypassed Sulek and seems to be headed to Chighu. That is not bad news, I think. It give us more time to sack his cities. But perhaps it is yet another feint of some sort. These Greeks are tricksy.

I go to my tent as I am worn from today's battle. It was prolonged. When we ran out of arrows, and had killed all their horses, we led the poor fools afoot a merry chase until they gave up and marched back to their camp. But it was wearying on horses and riders.

I hope to see you soon, perhaps in Eschate? Theodotos is a fool. He should be fighting that Seleucid empire, not us. But we shall profit from his foolishness, and shall drink his wines and bed his daughters!

Next year in Baktra!

Your nephew and loyal subject,

Lokaksema



Killing Baktrian Horses so Good Sakans Can Live to Fight Again!



The Men Called it Victory, I Called it Relief


Commentary: And my two spies in Alexandreia-Eschate got the gates opened, but when we tried to enter the world ended... CTD. *crossing fingers that a reload works.* I suspect it's a memory leak issue. I am running a browser in the background and haven't exitted RTW all day.

Reload worked.


249 BC, Spring:

Oxyboakes,

How sits that stool? I hear you have not yet taken to saddle? Where is our little Theodotos? Weeping in the hills for his lost cities?

Aye, cities. I know by now you have heard tell of how Tavrak and I decided to visit the south, and happened to visit Bin-kath on the way? Well, that was but the beginning. I write this from Alexandreia-Eschate, where Lokaksema has joined me. After dealing that wandering army of Theodotos a slap, he slipped them and rode west to join me in entering the gates here. Our young spies did well, penetrating the city and when we arrived, unbarring the gates. What good are these walls, I ask you, if they cannot keep out barbarians such as us! I fear I am having foul dreams for taking my revenge on Theodotos on these sad people. But we were few and they were very many, so we risked much in not slaying a good portion before they counted our horses and decided we were not enough to rule them. We have burned some of the Greek buildings, but we await Theodotos's reaction before thoroughly sacking the city. It might be a nice prize to keep a while. It has mines that provide good metal. There is a smithy in Bin-kath that could use it to make us some very nice arms, I am certain. If the smith hasn't fled. I should have him chained to his anvil before he things to sneak away.

But that is not all the good tidings. That Hero of Haomavarge, as he has called himself, will choose a new title, I expect. He and Satraces, and the two troops of good Sarmatian riders stole a march north and slipped through the opened (spies are worth every mnai!) of Marakanda. They had a brisk altercation in the square with one of Theodotos's brats and some light horse, but nothing those hardened scrappers couldn't handle with a broken bowhand. So we hold what were three Baktrian cities. Need we more, think you?

The capital looks to be a more serious task. There is an army much of the sort Lokaksema slapped and slipped garrisoning there. I am not anxious to ride horses into a mass of spears in those miserable, muddy city streets. We could, of course, send Moga back north to reclaim 'his' town. I hear rumor of another city to the northwest, but I know it not. It may be Theodotos has a son in an outpost there. Were I sure the capital and Haomavarga were all that are left of his little satrapy, I would dare risk those streets of Baktra simply to finish him for his treachery. To think I wished to call him friend!

I doubt that Moga and Satraces can hold their city. There is rumor the people are mighty angry. I told them to hire some local troops, those spear and archer types, and see if they could keep control. The mines there make it worth controlling as long as we can.

I am dispatching Hasa your way to try to track Theodotos. If he is indeed heading to Chighu, they much be warned to pull up their tent stakes and take to saddle. If that is the case it will serve Zeionises well, that lazy lout. But I shall let him come settle in one of these cities, if he wishes. We can make them our own little satrapies, I suppose.

I must find Miyika and learn what is what. I don't know what we'd do without that man. Invaluable is too faint a praise. I will give him my best horse, I think. Not only does he deserve it, but it will serve me well to have him get about even faster!

Taksashila is not out of our grasp! Be prepared to come this way before long, I think. But first we must finish with Theodotos.

Aryandes


Commentary: Heh, these cities are MUCH nicer for income. Went from about 7000 per turn income to 40000. And that's mostly on low taxes still! Or maybe some of that is the sacking. Still, I know these cities are richer simply because they have mines. Who cares if Theodotos takes some tent city in the boondocks? He's welcome! I just need one somewhere where I can make my horse archers, and Bin-Kath can do that right now. But I think I now have a border with the Seleukids. That's worrisome. I'm not yet that well off, nor sure I can hold these cities against counterattack from Baktra. But this position is much more defensible since each city is one march from the other two. I went from exterior lines to interior lines. Maybe I'll build more riders at Sulek and hound ol' Theodotos to death.



Caution: Spies at Work



Party at Theo's Place!



A Son Sets



Dreams of Blood... and Mnai!



The Heros of Haomavarga in New Conquests



Okay, Now to Pacify this Place!