Reuniting the Tribes: A Getai AAR

[Hooahguy]

Chapter 2- The Semi-Reforms

As we geared up for war, our leader, Zalmodegikos per Buridava, realized to have any chance of fighting the Makedonians and their armies with long, sharp sticks that, when used properly, could defeat an enemy thrice their number, was to adopt their style of fighting. But he wanted to retain our heritage, unlike those Makedonians who completely abandoned their old ways.
So he developed a unit based on the Hellenic phalanx, called the Getikoi Stratiotai, or Dacian Light Phalanx. These soldiers would fight in the phalanx formation, but still was equipped in the traditional Getai manner.


He also helped develop a heavier version of this phalanx, with more armor, called the Komatai Thorakitai Stratiotai, or the Dacian Heavy Phalanx.


But they would just be a tool in the shed for our many victories to come. The real power in our forces lies in our ability of our skirmishers and their ability to maintain themselves as capable infantry of the line. First comes our first line of infantry- the Komatai- both capable skirmishers and decent warriors in hand-to-hand combat.


They would be the unit that would fill the ranks for our early days of conquest, for they are cheap and very usable.

The next evolution is the elite of the Dacian skirmishers, armed with a deadly sword over two meters long, which could strike down almost any enemy, and is just as handy with the javelin as he is the sword. He is more armored than the regular skirmishers, as he has a bronze studded vest for more protection, and his sword is longer than the normal skirmishers.


Then would come the elite of the elite. The much-dreaded Thraikioi Peltastai, or the Thraikian Skirmishers. These skirmishers are the descendants of the original skirmishers, and are very deadly. In addition, they, as well as the Komatai, are armed with the deadly rhompaia, a weapon that can cut through almost any kind of armor. This makes them even more vicious.


You may ask, “Why is this so important? Why are heavily armed skirmishers so important in your armies, and not the phalanxes?”
Someone asked Zalmodegikos this exact question.
He replied, “The answer is simple. The type of wood which the Makedonians use to build their long pikes with are made from very strong wood that is exclusive to their areas, areas that we do not have access to, obviously. The wood we use is inferior quality, and if our pikes are the length of theirs, ours snaps very easily, like a twig. Therefore, we have to stick to shorter pikes. Because of this we cannot rely on our phalanxes to beat the enemy at their own game. We must use the phalanxes to hold the enemy in place, and as they throw themselves against our spears, our skirmishers, being as agile as they are, will circle around and devastate the enemy from the back with their javelins, and then charge in to engage them in hand-to-hand combat, as they have been trained to do. Thus, we will dominate our foes, even if they do have armies with longer pikes.”
So you see, we of the Getai tribe are famed for our ability to adapt, but not assimilate, as those treacherous Makedonians have done.

Meanwhile, we decided on the first tribe that we would bring under our control: the Crobyzi tribe, a Dacian tribe who also assimilated to more Hellenic ways, just as the Makedonians did. Their town, Kallatis, was lightly defended, so it would be good practice for our leader for upcoming battles.


Their garrison composed of mostly Greek units, but there were some of our brothers in there, showing that that tribe still has some hope of keeping their heritage. But they will fall, whether they want to or not.


Kallatis was governed a pure Hellen, named Sinis, who was able to convince the entire Crobyzi that the Hellen way was the better way. And for that, he will die- we will make sure of it.


But we had some unfinished business to take care of.
We sent out diplomat, Tarsa per Kallatis, to deal with it.
First, we had to make an alliance with Epeiros, the Makedonians sworn enemy. It looks like we found a friend, for the time being.


Then we had to declare a cease-fire with the Makedonians, to ensure that while we were uniting the tribes, they wouldn’t show up suddenly and make a mess of our hard work. Tarsa per Kallatis was able to achieve this, miraculously.


So now, we only had to worry about any roving rebel armies, but no standing armies of either Epeiros or the armies of the Makedonians. And for a short while, there was peace in our land.

EDIT: btw, has anyone seen a noticeable improvements in the graphics?