Iberia Rising: A Lusitannan AAR

[Chirurgeon]

Ah war. It is enough to drive away the pain of loneliness this aching heart feels at the moment. I can almost taste the blood of mine Celtic Enemy! snatches Chirurgeon's wine while he isn't looking Correction: You were drinking a Pinot Noir until moments ago!

haha very funny. The next chapter is much more action packed. A very busy year for Iberia

For lack of a better chapter name- Chapter XLI: A New Chapter!
Great update, though. Has Atu decided on an heir yet?

And a baloon for your 40th chapter!

Thank you for the baloon. I kept trying to think of a name and for some reason that one seemed appropriate. After all we have a new narrator and a new king. Atu's heir is his cousin Epidurius. However they are roughly the same age. However neither has produced a male heir. Although Atu managed to have four girls...what are the odds of that

A new king and the conquest of Gaul! Keep it up!
Btw, do you intend to keep playing this v1.0 campaign until a certain point or just until you grow tired of it?

I am not tired of it yet. There are more conflicts ahead. I am glad you guys are following the progress of this AAR. It means a lot to me :). At some point I will install 1.1 but not till this AAR is over. A lot more action ahead so buckle your seatbelts!

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter XLII - A Heavy Blow
Spring 582 (231 BC)
As the snows melted into the Earth, it became clear to the Carnutes that we were not leaving and they could not wait for a relief force. At dawn on a crisp spring day they emerged from the gates.


Their numbers vastly reduced and their strength weakened.

They nonetheless wanted to challenge our lines. Atu placed the Caetrati in front behind our slingers and waited for the enemy. Cenabum's inhabitants knew this was a suicidal mission. Their army would fail but they had to fight. Emaciated men with their armor sagging on their bodies mustered enough strength to charge one more time.

The Caetrati filled their ranks with a storm of javelins. Although the naked men were incredibly strong, they were suseptable to the javelin. By the time they arrived at the front lines, much of the enemy had been decimated. Although the survivors fought ferociously.



They would not last long. The final blow came when Atu ordered the Caetrati to retreat through the spearmen. As they turn and ran the spearmen sent a wave of javelins into the remaining men. All hope was lost for the enemy.


The fled en masse to the town. However our cavalry was not going to allow that. They pursued the enemy and cut them to pieces leaving no man to survive.




The city, with no army to defend her, surrendered. Atu again put the fighting aged men to the sword and sent many women and children into the realm of slavery. With Cenabum captured and the Druidic holy site along with it, we moved south. Again crossing the Liger river we headed into central Gaul. The heavily defended and fortified city of Avaricum lay before us. This city had great walls and a huge garrison. We were outnumbered. There was no way Atu would try and take this city. Rumors of a relief army spread through the ranks. Would this be the great battle for Gaul? Would there be a great challenge to our invasion? So far the Celtic peoples had provided tepid resistance to our rampaging men. Atu prepared the best he could for a big fight. That of course meant a lot of drinking. I hoped that when the time came that his drinking would not distract him from his fighting and command ability.
***
With the Siege lines in place and some time I took the liberty of traveling to Emporion again. My Greek teachers and other scholars were very impressed with the tales of my journey. An even greater academy existed in Massalia. Because it had joined many of the other Greek Cities in a sort of alliance, the number of Greeks traveling to Massalia had exploded. My advisor's in Emporion encouraged me to continue my studies and share my own documentation with the great writers and philosophers there. I was hesitant but assured them that when the war with the Arverni was over I would travel there. Who knows maybe I could bridge the chasm that had opened up between our peoples.
***
One of the more distant relatives of Atu had assembled a force and was preparing to launch an invasion of the Belaric Isles. It was hoped that by capturing this port the attacks on our shipping interests would drop. Also gaining the port of these Islands would give access to the entire western sea. I spent the last few weeks of winter here in Emporion. I enjoyed the relative warmth here and dreaded traveling back to the dismal cold of Gaul.

[Chaotix]

Nice, sounds like a huge battle in the next update! By the way, did you change your capital to Emporion? That's what I'd supposed from the way Atu "made it his home". It's a nice choice, too, right between Iberia and Gaul.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nice job.

This kind of reminds me of my old Romani campaign when I invaded Gaul. I did a similar sweep around north to Cenabum then south and north again along the Rhine (I was trying to copy Caesar's wandering in Gaul). I didn't get any resistance from Gaul in that fight until I had taken 2/3 or Gaul and was marching north along the Rhine.

[Chirurgeon]

Nice, sounds like a huge battle in the next update! By the way, did you change your capital to Emporion? That's what I'd supposed from the way Atu "made it his home". It's a nice choice, too, right between Iberia and Gaul.

Yes the next chapter is battle heavy. I haven't officially changed the capital to Emporion but when Atu is finished in Gaul that might be a logical thing to do. He has to keep a close eye on his newly acquired lands. It would be very difficult to do that in Oxtraca. Thanks for following.

[Chirurgeon]

Nice job.

This kind of reminds me of my old Romani campaign when I invaded Gaul. I did a similar sweep around north to Cenabum then south and north again along the Rhine (I was trying to copy Caesar's wandering in Gaul). I didn't get any resistance from Gaul in that fight until I had taken 2/3 or Gaul and was marching north along the Rhine.

MAA,
Yes I figured by hugging the coast I could sort of surround their heartland. I have not encountered any major resistance until I hit Cenabum. Interesting how they do not send any major armies until they are seriously in trouble. Interesting development as of late is that I sealed an alliance with the GErmans. I am not planning on conquering to the Rhine. Atu's invasion of Gaul was more or less to protect Iberia from the Arverni. I think its safe to say he is at that point. With the Germans as my ally I may very well leave a swath of Arverni territory between me and the Germans. I have been using type IV govts in most cities in Gaul. Thanks for following MAA and good luck on your new, but still old, AAR!

[Wolfman]

Excellent Update as always Chirurgeon! The big showdown between Gaul and Iberia! This is going to be a battle of epic proportions. But i know that as always Iberia and her sons will triumph over the savage foe! not with superior technology but with good old Iberian Determination! Might i give you some advice on battling Gaesatae? Vasci Shock Troops can fight toe to toe with Gaesatae I mean they are the Iberian equivalent of those Naked dudes.

[Chirurgeon]

Excellent Update as always Chirurgeon! The big showdown between Gaul and Iberia! This is going to be a battle of epic proportions. But i know that as always Iberia and her sons will triumph over the savage foe! not with superior technology but with good old Iberian Determination! Might i give you some advice on battling Gaesatae? Vasci Shock Troops can fight toe to toe with Gaesatae I mean they are the Iberian equivalent of those Naked dudes.

you are right and the next chapter employs that when the naked men attempt to flank me.

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Ah - a quiet Saturday morning, a light spring rain, a cup of coffee, and several updates to catch up on - not a bad start to the day! Many thanks for this AAR. I rather enjoyed the "scrolls" from the new chronicilar of Iberia! It was a very interesting narrative device, as one narrator took over from the other. I think I speak for everyone when I say ... a trip to Castulo's grave on his estate in Gader is in order! In honor of his memory!
It feels as if you have moved the capital of Lusotana to Emporium, I've always wondered when people made that move in their games, it seems inevitable as Octraxa is so far West.
Can I ask what level MIC's you have that you are getting those veiled guys? And are they available in 1.1? I am planning my new 1.1 campaign and - due to your most execellent AAR - it is going to be Lusotanna!
And if you are a Pinot drinker, may I recommend the Cycles Gladiator from Napa? For it's price it is an unbeatable wine. Although ... I should be recommending some Iberian wines!!

[Chirurgeon]

Ah - a quiet Saturday morning, a light spring rain, a cup of coffee, and several updates to catch up on - not a bad start to the day! Many thanks for this AAR. I rather enjoyed the "scrolls" from the new chronicilar of Iberia! It was a very interesting narrative device, as one narrator took over from the other. I think I speak for everyone when I say ... a trip to Castulo's grave on his estate in Gader is in order! In honor of his memory!
It feels as if you have moved the capital of Lusotana to Emporium, I've always wondered when people made that move in their games, it seems inevitable as Octraxa is so far West.
Can I ask what level MIC's you have that you are getting those veiled guys? And are they available in 1.1? I am planning my new 1.1 campaign and - due to your most execellent AAR - it is going to be Lusotanna!
And if you are a Pinot drinker, may I recommend the Cycles Gladiator from Napa? For it's price it is an unbeatable wine. Although ... I should be recommending some Iberian wines!!

Ah yes Spanish wine...my favorite is Rioja. Lovely wines from there :) Although the move to Emporion is not official it could happen in the near future. I am getting them from high level MICs from the regions of Cantabria and Asturia.
Well I am thrilled you will be playing a Lusitannan campaign. Make sure to give us some updates :) Although there are some different units available in 1.1 then in 1.0. Some nice Celtiberian infantry from what I have seen. I will look for that wine in the future. So glad to see you again!

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter XLIII - The Beginning of The End
Spring 583 (231 BC)

The new year was upon us and with the men in deep winter camp the enemy decided to challenge us for their great city of Avaricum. I had arrived in camp about a week before the enemy sent a relief force at us. Atu awoke the men and ordered them into battle lines. There was a frightening number of Celts challenging us. Atu deployed the men traditionally. No clear leader was discovered, just a collection of various chieftains and village chiefs that wanted to free their country from our attacks. Again the Naked men made an appearance. They seemed even crazier because it was still the dead of winter and they had no clothes on.


The Caetrati spread themselves out in front of the spearmen. They gave themselves plenty of room to use their swords without endangering their fellow Iberians. Deft with the sword they hacked and slashed the enemy as they poured into their ranks.


The naked men were getting cut to pieces but still they fought on as if they were some sort of enraged animal. There were as many of these fanatics as seen at Cenabum. Their destructive power and sheer reckless abandon is now firmly entrenched in the minds of the men.


Soon the Caetrati were taking substantial casualties and were withdrawn through the ranks of the spearmen. As they withdrew as quickly and orderly as possible the Spearmen filled the enemy with a rain of javelins that caused whole groups of men to collapse under the volley. Still the fanatics ran headlong into the spearmen.


Their great stature and perfect use of their sword, began to inflict horrible casualties on the spearmen. The right flank was taking a beating. The group of spearmen on that flank had been reduced by half. The left flank went virtually untouched. Atu had positioned the end of the line against a farm which physically limited the ability of the Arverni to go around. Now they focused their best troops on the right. With our spearmen melting beneath the assault Atu orderd them to withdraw through the ranks of the heavy infantry.


This was it. One of our cavalry scouts came storming up to the king. "The garrison of Avaricum is coming!", he exclaimed as if it was his last breath. "Good gods" I thought to myself. Our lines had been significantly weakened by the assault of the relief force. The garrison was a bigger force than ourselves! Suddenly I felt vulnerable. The spearmen ran past me. Some were covered in blood. The blood of their brothers that had been hacked to pieces by the naked fanatics. I looked up and saw the last of the spearmen run past me and now the naked men along with some basic spear wielders plunged into the heavy infantry lines.


Lutros and Loio were on the right flank. I feared that they would be killed. I looked at Atu and he sent a messenger to the Dosidataskeli that waited patiently behind the heavy infantry. Their captain motioned for the men to turn to their right and they began a quick march to the right flank. The naked men were focusing all their energy on destroying the left flank. Hacking and slashing their attacks were relentless. They would get stabbed and still they swung their sword. The Dosidataskeli postitioned themselves and then charged the fanatics.


The garrison had yet to get to this part of the battlefield. Many of the other units in the relief force had been virtually destroyed. Seeing these fleeing units might have caused hesitation. The Dosidataskeli unleashed a furious barrage of javelins into the flank of the naked men. This did cause many to fall. Miracoulously some still got up. One had a javelin straight through his leg. He simply turned at the new threat and could be seen screaming. The Dosidataskeli ran headlong into the fanatics.


Superior armor and excellent training enabled our veiled warriors to turn most of the blows from the fanatics. And even these unleashed beasts grew tired.


They had enough. The fanatics fled back towards Avaricum. The Dosidataskeli threw a volley of javelins into their rear for good measure and then moved back to their position behind the heavy infantry.


The garrison was getting close.


Not all of their units had committed. Atu moved up the Spearmen and put them in their original line and waited. Sure enough a number of their men charged our lines after staring at us for a bit.



It was a half hearted attempt and the captain, in an attempt to again crush the right flank, was impaled.


This caused a visible shock from the enemy and they turned and ran. The cavalry was briefly sent after them, inflicting even more casualties.
After the battle the death toll for us was greater than normal. Many men had lost limbs in their bout with the fanatics. With the garrison having retreated to Avaricum, Atu sent orders to Epidurius to send men to replace the ones he lost in this costly battle.


***
Finally the winter snows retreated like the many armies that challenged us. The air grew warmer and soon summer was upon us. On one particularly hot day a relief army circled around behind our siege lines and challenged us from behind. This was a potentially grim situation. Atu was quick to realize that we could be fighting a battle on two sides. This is never a good situation to be in and he knew it. He consulted with his advisor's and after learning that the relief army was fairly small, ordered the heavy infantry, himself, and the Dosidataskeli into a postion to challenge the relief army. The spearmen would form a line to deal with the garrison. He kept the Caaetrati and the cavalry in reserve in order to prevent a flank attack.
The garrison never appeared. Perhaps they did not know about the relief army, or they did not want to tangle in open field combat against us again. Whatever the reason it meant that the relief army was doomed. Outnumbered and let down by the garrison there was a brief battle that quickly went our way. Loio killed his first man this day. Lutros and the rest of his men celebrated. In fact Loio killed three men. He truly was a warrior now.


***
In the autumn, just before the leaves turned their gorgeous spectrum of colors, Atu made the decision to attack the city. Another relief army was gathering and he did not want another battle that could further wither his men. Some of his advisor's thought it would be better to wait the city out. However Atu felt that now was the time to strike.



On a cool morning the ladders were brought to bear on the fortified walls of Avaricum. Slingers and other missile troops took their toll. My father and his group of men were on the far right and did not take the brunt of the attack. A quarter of the heavy infantry had either been killed or incapacitated. This would be a long day.
Finally having reached the walls they began their ascent. The missle troops on the top, having pelted the men from a distance, were no match for the Loricata Scutari. Our best men cleaved their way up and down the walls.


Bodies could occasionally be seen falling from the walls. The distant thud a reminder of the desperate fighting. Soon the walkways and tops of the walls were covered in blood.



The crimson was slippery and men would lose their footing and fall to their deaths below. It must have been horrible. Soon some of the men captured a tower near the gate and killed the archers inside. The bolts were turned to the men on the inside of the town and pandemonion set in as the enemy realized their own tower was shooting at them.


The last of the defenders were killed and the gatehouse was captured. The gate was unlocked and the spearmen poured into the town.


The Celtic rabble descended onto our men and a messy street fight erupted. Cohesion was lost as men became seperated and could not find their group. All the while the tower poured a murderous fire into the Celtic mob. Realizing the chaos, the captain fled towards the middle of the city in an attempt to reform his men.


It worked. The spearmen followed and ran headlong to fresh reserves from the town center. Another brutal fight erupted.


Just as the men were getting exhausted this second line of defense broke. Atu ordered the Dosidataskeli into the center of the city. The survivors had huddled here after having made two different stands. They unleashed their javelins causing much death.


Then they charged. They were quiet and meticulous fighters. Their long spears skewering every man in their way.


Soon the city surrendered. Again the men were put to the sword and the women and children sold into slavery.



The city was now largely empty. Atu had chosen various sympathetic Celtic nobles to act as governors of the cities we conquered. They answered to the Iberian King. This city would be no different. Save for Burdigala and Tolosa all the cities of Gaul that had been conquered were ruled by nobles that were considered trustworthy. It also allowed for the cities to remain a bit autonomous and have the illusion of many freedoms. As long as they behaved, Atu had no problems with that. Swarms of Iberians and others flowed steadily into Gaul to make a profit off this new land. Merchants were finding valuable mines and other resources that had not fully been exploited. The war between the Arverni and the Aeudi had caused these mines to fall into disrepair. Now the merchants were using fresh Celtic slaves to rebuild the mines and begin to turn a profit.
***
As winter descended into Gaul the men crossed the southern part of the Liger river and set up winter camp in an open plain that was easily defensible. The Aeudi tribe's homeland was before us. Although they had been forced to join the Arverni Confederation they would rather fight us then their Celtic brothers. The city of Bibracte was their capital and is still a formidable defensive position. It would have to be captured. They had mainly retreated to the other side of the Alps in Italia, but the Arverni had a sizeable garrison in the city.

^^The date is off in this picture...It should read 231 BC

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nice update!
Is Bibracte going to be the furthest extent of your conquest?
Also, I've noticed that your army is still entirely Iberian, are you using any Gallic troops, "allies" from you client states, other then garrison duty?

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Wow. That was a lot of battles in one update. Will Atu hold the line at the Rhine? It looks like the Balerics are yours? What news of them? And the Carthaginians? And the ever present shadow of the Romans?

[Chirurgeon]

Wow. That was a lot of battles in one update. Will Atu hold the line at the Rhine? It looks like the Balerics are yours? What news of them? And the Carthaginians? And the ever present shadow of the Romans?

Right now the Arverni only have like four cities left. I am going to make them as a buffer zone to the Sweboz Confederation to the north and east of my holdings. Yes a cousin of Atu captured The Belaric isles. Only one unit in the city so not much to write about. Carthage lost Kyrene to the Ptolemies, Sicily to the Romans, and now the Belaric isles to us. They only have west Africa and Corsica and Sardinia left. Rome has all of italy, sicily and is laying Siege to Segesta and Mediolanum. Segesta and Mediolanum are the only two Aeudi provinces left. They will fall shortly and when they do they will have to go through Massalia to get to my lands. It will take a while as there is a full stack of Greeks in that city.

Nice update!
Is Bibracte going to be the furthest extent of your conquest?
Also, I've noticed that your army is still entirely Iberian, are you using any Gallic troops, "allies" from you client states, other then garrison duty?

Atu "hates strangers" so I am roleplaying that a bit by not allowing Gallic men to serve in the army. Likely I will stop at Bibracte. There is no point of going further. I thought about going to the Rhine but the Sweboz have a town on this side of it. Since I have an alliance with them I really don't want to mess things up. However, Kart Hadastim's constant blockading of my ports is really getting annoying. Thinking about increasing my sphere of influence a bit into West Africa...

[Wolfman]

Excellent Update Chirurgeon! It made me feel all warm inside seeing those Gaesatae skewered by Dosidataskeli and turning them into Gaesatae Sausage (hmmm wonder how that taste?) There is only one thing that keeps bothering me. Everytime Castulo the younger speaks i keep giving him an english accent. It's annoying!

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter XLIV - Setback
Spring 584 YAF (229 BC)
The snows melted late this year. Perhaps the gods were trying to slow us down? Regardless upon the signs that Spring had truly arrived, Atu had the army move forward. Bibracte was just on the other side of another river that ran alongside the Liger. It was smaller but nonetheless had to be held in order to capture the city. Having captured the bridge and putting pressure on the city itself we waited for a response. A large group of reinforcements from Emporion were moving north of Gergovia and we hoped that they would be available to us within the year. Our existing pool of replacements were dwindling and Atu grew increasingly frustrated at how long it took for new men to arrive. The further we were from Iberia the more difficult it became to move quickly.
***
During the heat of summer, as the rivers receded a bit from the spring melt, a considerable force of Celts challenged our control of the bridge.


Our scouts indicated that a ways downstream was a shallow area where the enemy could cross. Atu prayed to the gods that they would not find the ford.


Our attention became focused on the other side of the bridge. The garrison joined up with the relief force and they began to pour across the bridge in earnest. Their slingers attempted to thin our ranks and their archers contributed as well. I watched in amazement as the naked men, cavalry, and regular spearmen poured into our lines.


The collision was impressive. So many of their men pressing against the center of the line. Our spearmen could not stop the momentum and I witnessed the men in the back of the line digging their feet into the earth and pushing the man in front of them. They were losing the battle.

Atu saw the developing situation and realized that the center of his spearmen would soon be intermixed with the heavy infantry behind.

He had the men on either side turn and face the enemy and now the front line looked like this: V.

The Celts found themselves surrounded and trapped.

Their commander fell into a morass of blood and bodies. He was the glue that held the men together and now their cohesion unraveled.

Chaos ensued as the men tried to run through our ranks. A massacre ensued. I almost felt sorry for the poor souls. I don't remember a time when the number of dead was focused into such a small area. It was a truly horrific scene.


It took the rest of the day to stack the bodies and burn them. Atu respected the honor of the chieftain that had been slain and gave him a separate pyre to be burned on. The men curiously did not celebrate this night. There was no drinking, except of course for Atu. He was doing his usual nightly binge. The encounter that happened today was not a battle it was a slaughter. The survivors now huddled in the city of Bibracte in fear for their army had been destroyed.
***
In the Autumn Atu was waiting for his reinforcements to arrive and instead received word of a devastating nature. The reinforcements were ambushed in the mountains of central Gaul. There was only a few survivors. Atu was furious and realized it could take another year before he had enough men to take on the last of the great cities of this region. He waited impatiently and would occasionally go on relentless rants. The men were losing confidence in their leader. He loved ale more than women and had yet to produce a male heir. While he laid passed out on many a night he could have been growing a child with his wife.
***
The snows came earlier than last year. The men looked grim as they realized the next several months would be tough. One highlight of good news was the sealing of an alliance with the distant Germanic tribes.

Far to the north these people were mysterious and many argued they were invincible warriors. Long had they prized the land of Gaul for its great resources. Now the Arverni were squeezed between us and them. With the Arverni so weak would these warriors storm into the land of Gaul and take what they wanted?
Atu hoped to return to Iberia after the falll of Bibracte. The men wanted to go home. Many saw no purpose in fighting the Celts any longer. I tended to agree. Atu had successfully protected her against the Arverni and now with our homeland truly secure, save a few raids on our southern ports from brazen Kart-Hadastim vessels, we would likely be going home. I for one was thrilled. My father was also growing weary of the war and wished to go home to the estate in Gader. Loio would join him there. I had my eyes set on Emporion and wished to make a home there.

[Reverend Joe]

If you end this the same way as the Ptolemaic AAR, that will be just too depressing for me to read. Seeing the Ptolemaic kingdom fall is one thing, but the people of Iberia have a real chance to become a major influence on (your alternate) history, in a much greater way than they actually did. I am very interested as to how this could turn out.

[Chirurgeon]

If you end this the same way as the Ptolemaic AAR, that will be just too depressing for me to read. Seeing the Ptolemaic kingdom fall is one thing, but the people of Iberia have a real chance to become a major influence on (your alternate) history, in a much greater way than they actually did. I am very interested as to how this could turn out.

Thank you for following Joe. The only threat that could destroy Iberia would be Iberia. She is not that big as to collapse under her corrupt weight. Atu is a good leader even if he is a drinker. An heir has been found. Ebudurius has a two year old son. This will keep the crown in the Lusotannan family :)

[Theodotos I]

Looking good, Chirurgeon. This is reminding me more and more of your Ptolemaic AAR with the huge battle chapters. BTW, my AAR is still rolling. Cadwalador did not die! Little late April Fools', friend!

[Chirurgeon]

Looking good, Chirurgeon. This is reminding me more and more of your Ptolemaic AAR with the huge battle chapters. BTW, my AAR is still rolling. Cadwalador did not die! Little late April Fools', friend!

You see that was a little reverse psychology trick I was doing to you. With me saying it was over you wanted to prove me wrong
Thanks for your continued support I will try and read it later today

[Theodotos I]

You see that was a little reverse psychology trick I was doing to you. With me saying it was over you wanted to prove me wrong
Thanks for your continued support I will try and read it later today

Actually the next chapter was already written when I posted "Starvation". I was just holding back on everybody. Good luck, friend.

[penguinking]

I just had to acknowledge the excellence of this AAR! Great work!

[Chirurgeon]

I just had to acknowledge the excellence of this AAR! Great work!

Thank you and welcome to the Forums!

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Another excellent and interesting chapter. They will leave Bibracte intact? Surely the Averni are too weak to cause more problems. Can we get a current campaign map? I should like to see which provinces you have.
It almost sounds as if his father is weary of war. War with Kart-Hadastim? An expansion along the North African coast intrigues me.

[Chirurgeon]

Another excellent and interesting chapter. They will leave Bibracte intact? Surely the Averni are too weak to cause more problems. Can we get a current campaign map? I should like to see which provinces you have.
It almost sounds as if his father is weary of war. War with Kart-Hadastim? An expansion along the North African coast intrigues me.

Thank you for the comments Tacitus. I have been busy with real life so the game has stalled a bit. I should get cracking again next week. Lets see, Loio and Castulo are in their 20s so Lutros is in his 40s. He is older than Atu. He is weary of war but Loio is in his prime. I will post a campaign map in the next chapter. Yes something is going to have to be done about the constant harrassment of Iberian shipping interests in the Med.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Just caught up... Keep it up!

On a side note, in my AAR campaign I was looking around at the Iberian towns. I found that their new faction leader and his name is "Atu [something]" in my campaign.

[Chirurgeon]

Chapter XLV - Closure In Gaul
585 YAF (228 BC)

Atu ordered the men to take up position on a series of large hills that overlooked the city of Bibracte. It was a gorgeous vantage point. Clumps of forests with great rolling hills on a sea of grass made you appreciate this land. You could see for a long ways in any direction. As the summer came upon us it was not that hot because there was always a breeze. A small stream was nearby and was a popular spot for deer and rabbits. The hunting was good and the men of Iberia were superior hunters. The army ate well and Atu waited for the enemy to make some sort of move.

It came in late summer. A small relief army accompanied the garrison and they divided their forces.

They marched through the grassy knolls on their way to meet us. It would be a significant engagement.


Again the imposing form of the naked men were ever present. The grasses coming up to their waist the Arverni marched to meet us. Each end of the line became engaged.

Leaving the center of the line untouched the enemy pounded our flanks. The left flank taking a very hard beating. Our slingers poured their deadly rain of lead into the mass of Celts hammering our left flank.

Our Cantrati were used to try and break up the men trying to surround our flanks.

It was a desperate fight on the left. One of our unit of spearmen were nearly destroyed in the mayhem.

Our heavy infantry were prepared for battle. Atu ordered the retreat of the spearmen and the enemy poured into our lines. The cavalry under command of Atu was able to isolate the Gallic cavalry with their general.


Soon a desperate fight for survival was underway in the shade of a grove of trees on our right flank. Moments later the enemy general was slain and our cavalry rejoiced.


The Arverni were terrified and ran for their lives. A few units remained but the Veiled warriors of Cantabria took care of this threat as well.

The cavalry chased down the fleeing men. It was a long ways back to Bibracte and few made it.


The city surrendered. Their elder council decided it was wise to not resist. In fact one of the elders was elected to rule on behalf of Atu. The men were permitted to pillage the town however.
***
With no more armies coming to help and the Arverni decidedly beaten Atu made the decision to return to Iberia. I for one was very happy. One more winter in Gaul and then a return home. Alas I could continue my work in Emporion and plan out an estate for myself. Atu promised me slaves from our conquest and I would use them in the best manner possible. I had a chance to talk with our King, when he was sober. I asked him about the issue of an heir and he was angry. He had four daughters but no boys. However his cousin, who is a direct descendent of the great Tantalos, had a three year old boy. This boy was a Lusotannan like himself. Atu would not permit succession by some other tribe. "We brought Iberia together. Why would I let anyone else rule the lands that we conquered?", I remember him saying. Eventually however this could be a contentious issue. What if the boy is not fit to rule? What if Atu dies before he comes of age? It nearly gave me a headache to think about it.
Atu also wished to move all administrative affairs to Emporion. Oxtraca looked like a dirty village compared to this city. Although he hated strangers, especially ones of a Celtic origin, he did not mind the Greeks. He sort of admired their methods, philosophies, and architecture. Emporion would enable him to access any region of the conquered as well as have a fleet.
Atu wished to put an end to the Kart-Hadastim menace in Africa. Many Iberians lived in their lands. Before the war, Iberians were used as mercenaries and served proudly in their armies. Now Atu may be calling these men to help Iberia. Would these men honor their loyalty to Iberia? It would take alot of time to organize such an expedition. An invasion of Afrcia would be a huge ordeal. A strong fleet would be needed and it would take much time to construct. For now however my thoughts were on the warm breezes of my homeland.

[General Appo]

Yay!! The Arverni have been defeated, and the sunny shores of Africa awaits the conquerors of Iberia and Gaul. Destroy the Carthies once and for all!!

[Chaotix]

So the Arverni Campaign is over, huh? A mighty foe smashed down to a couple of villages next to some ruthless Sweboz .....

When you attack Africa, it'd be cool if you completely destroyed Kart-Hadast, and left it in ruins... teach those Carthaginians a lesson for trying to oppress the Iberians!

[Shylence]

The war council speaks... Hmm i would go east into the mediterrainen and take Sardinia and Corsica. Inhabited by ancient peoples who are descended from the same peoples that the more ancient iberian tribes hail from. Also those islands serve as a base to counter a red menace that grows in the peninsular that dominates the centre of the sea.

A three Way economic war in the western end of the med is about to begin....