The wandering bard of the steppes.

**gamegeek2** · 01-28-2009, 15:47

Jaertecken's just a hater.

**V.T. Marvin** · 01-29-2009, 12:50

When I was thinking about a new campaign last time, I was seriously considering play as Pahlava - my definitely mos favourite faction - again.

I was playing with the idea to try NOT to attack the AS at all, disband the armies and to try to survive with just Nisa and Khiva as long as possible, make them both settled and slowly develop the economy, using the nomadic FMs + surplus FMs to hunt down rebels. Once either AS or Baktria would attack me I would strike back, take the province from which the attack originated and make peace again. If I would eventually conquer Baktra, I would install a TypeIV gov there and role-play an alliance between Pahlavan and Baktrian kingdoms as two independent units, with their own budgets and armies, only occasionally coming to help one another...

In the end I have decided to try a Baktrian campaign first, because so far I have never played for them.
But I will certainly come back to Pahlava again eventually. In fact, I enjoy those poor years at the beginning most. You know, when every single mnai counts and one have to save for years to finally build something, constantly fearing the prospect of a full stack of phalanxes looming on the horizont... Terrific!

**Tyrfingr** · 01-29-2009, 17:24

Originally Posted by gamegeek2

Jaertecken's just a hater.

Say what now? ;)

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 01-29-2009, 19:51

I just read this. Even though I'm not a big fan of peotry, it is a nice start. Keep it up!

**gamegeek2** · 01-29-2009, 21:50

Say what now? ;)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**johnhughthom** · 01-30-2009, 04:39

A few jugs of wines, and fondles of the serving wench, later, we find ourselves slightly the worse for wear. Perhaps our drunken state will make the bards words more palatable to our ears. The room hushes once again as he rises to sing his song.

As I begin our long tale, with a good heart,
Where do I begin? Why right at the start!

The good King Phrapates, honoured and loyal,
Patriarch of a family perhaps to be Royal.
Friend of the Empire, protecting frontier,
Those who once raided, cowered in fear.
Nomadic since birth, he wanted to settle,
As an old man, he wanted to stay in fine fettle.
Fine leader in saddle and also in finance,
He honoured the Gods, no need to do penance.
The Empire was sick, it needed a cure,
Phrapates did help, of that I am sure.
Cities rebelled, no loyalty or trust,
Phrapates helped as he felt he must.
Zadrakata for one threw off Hellenic rule,
Phrapates we know, he was no fool.
He sent his son and men of high rank,
To the rebellious scum, they gave a good spank.

Fighting together, nomad and hellene,
Must surely have painted a friendly scene.
The Dahae were true, no blade to the back,
Their honoured friends they would never attack.
Pontic ruler rebelled and asked for his help,
"No chance in hell, you ungrateful whelp."
The king he did die, his son took his place,
Would he rule with equal poise and grace?
No greater friend did the Empire know,
Surely this friendship would be allowed to grow?

Having painted the scene of the rule of the first Pahlav King in his story the bard once again retires, hoping he has whetted our appetite to learn more of the history of these great people.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 01-30-2009, 04:52

Although they are a good idea for Pahlava, be careful of rebellions, those AS towns may rebel to you and cause AS to declare war on you.

**johnhughthom** · 01-30-2009, 04:57

I've played quite a few Pahlav campaigns and they always rebel to eleutheroi. I'd better watch for that then as I'd like to keep the alliance going as long as possible, it's already kept up longer than any other campaign so I'm expecting an attack any time soon.