Will of the Thengoz - An interactive Swêbóz AAR

[Tolg]

(Segmer who seemed to have been lost in thoughts ever since Arnulf mentioned the harbours of the Belgae, suddenly rises and starts speaking, once again addressing only the king.)


"My King, we all say the Gauls are weak. So why are they weak? (He makes a short rhetorical break) Because they aren't united, because they fight against their own people, their own blood, let's not make the same failure!
The Sueni are of no significant importance and the lands to the east aren't worth the endeavors of conquering them. However it is necessary to show the Silengôz that it won't do them any good to defy your power.
Hence I propose: First, let's head south to the lands of our noncompliant brethren and then west to spill the blood and take the towns of the Gauls, before they can regain their former strength.

[SwissBarbar]

The Rugôz has only one eye, but he sees the facts concerning the Celts sharp-eyed and with keen mind.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

(Richemer steppes forward to speak)

My High King i would have to agree with Segmer on this point. The disunity of the peoples beyond the mighty Rhine is a mistake that we should learn from it first and THEN exploit it. I agree that the celts have many nice things, whether they live in Gaul, Briton, or Ebornum. But with so many enemies around our great people we need to stand united and have our homeland secure, before we can even dream of attacking our foes across the Rhine.
(He then turns and stares at Arnulf)
AND AS FOR YOU BOY! You do your King a disservice for not honoring his accomplishments AND his title that he has earned accordingly, and if it were left up to me you would be skinned alive.
(Several Makromannoz roar their agreement)
But it is not my place to make such choices so count yourself LUCKY!

(Richemer steppes back into the crowd)

[Tyrfingr]

*Hêruwulfáz wait for the last discussions to lower, before he once more takes to the stand*

- I have remained seated and listened to your arguments, and I have come to the conclusion that the will of the thengoz is to march south, to force the Silengôz into our fold.

*cheers rises from the crowd. Hêruwulfáz raises both his hands to silence the men*

- However, he continues, I reckon the ambitions of march into the lands of the Belgae. Their lands are rich, prosperous and with many soldiers that could possibly join our ranks. But, they are too strong for us as this moment. I urge young Arnulf to be patient, our armies will march for belgae lands when we are strong enough.

- Now, the task at hand is the subjugation of the Silengôz. They have defiantly denied our generous offers of alliance, they have insulted me and thus they have all of us! I will send out orders to muster an army, capable of handling whatever host of men the Silengôz might throw at us. I will personally lead this army myself and the next time I call to gathering of the thengoz, we shall meet in Silengi land with blood on our hands and their women at our feet!

The first thengoz has been closed

Out of character: To ease the reading of this AAR and keep track of what's said at the thengoz, both for my own sake and others, I ask that all post written "in character" is written either with a different font than Arial (personally, I use the Palatina Linotyipe font) or with Italics.

[Tolg]

EDIT:Can we get a map/financial situation/army size plz?

I wanted to bring this to everyone's attention, without them we might one day tell you to start a war with the grey death when it's the heitgh of its power, our treasury is empty, our armies are being wiped out by invading Casse, Lusotanna and Sauromatae/Saka/Hai and half of our (future) empire is trying to revolt back to the Arverni (who survived in Galatia). lol

[SwissBarbar]

Before leaving the thengoz Arnulf says.

Richmer, you didn't get that to me calling him by his names means honouring him more, than just call him king - a title every foreign dog gives himself. Names are holy. Names are worth more than every title on the world. For its his name that shall be remembered for all times, not his title!!

Turning to the Hêruwulfáz

As you wish, Hêruwulfáz. You know I respect you. I'll be patient.

You know, I am young, I will live long enough to see the Belgae drown in their own blood. I just thought the old daemon Richmer could die of age soon, espeacially when he's trying to skin me alive. I would not be pleased if be broke himself all his old frail bones before he has the pleasure of seeing the Belgae fall, and his daughters getting married....to me! He bursts out laughing.

With that the Heruskôz' leave the thengoz.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

((OOC: Swiss my characters age is only 25 so he's not that much older than yours. If hat was an insult attempt i give it ))

(Richemer turns to hear what Arnulf has to say and then says to him as he leaves)

It is not only a symbol of honor little bastard, but a sign of respect, something that you have NONE of. Of course i wouldn't expect someone who's just out from under his mother's skirts to understand what respect is or how the real world works.
This is what prevents me from skinning you, little bastard. You say that you respect the High King but show NONE of it.
And if you EVER come near my daughters i will make sure to not ONLY skin you alive but also cut your **** off and FEED it to you as you die.

(With that the Makromannoz delegates leave the assembly area)

[HunGeneral]

Hadubrand watches as the Heruskoz and Markomannoz delegates leave. After a few second he speaks to the other members of the Samânónz as they start to head for their quarters:

"Strange. Both speak of the dangers of disunity bettwen the tribes and yet they start to argue over the title Hêruwulfáz should wear and how he needs to be adressed. Hopefully this will remain a minor matter of debate. Hopefully hey will celebrate together after the battle should we win over the Silengoz"

Another member of the Samânónz suddenly truns to Hadubrand:
"What do you think Hadubrand, which is the right title?"

Hadubrands looks suprised and gives a harsh reply: "Does it really matter? Point is that Hêruwulfáz is the lord of all German tribes with all tribes supporting him. He could be called King of all Germans, High King, or simply King. I would prefer High King which I think more suits the true Leader of all Germanic tribes but I won't complain as long as Hêruwulfáz doesn't find the way he is adressed insulting or beneath his honor.
Even those Foolish peoples to the south who call themselfs by different names but belong to the same peoples have several Kings and all of them fight against eachother and none can count on the support of there own allies or subordinates. I remember back as a mercenary I fougth for one of those so called "Aliances" when several of there "cities" come together to defend there interrests - but they can't make any real decisions, all they can is argue... no wonder no one has been able to unite them.
But enough of these foreign matters. The High King and the Thengoz has decided what must be done. Prepare the men, gater your forces. We march to war under the banner of the Sweboz and the leadership of Hêruwulfáz."

The Samânónz head on and start making plans for the preparations to war.

[SwissBarbar]

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

((OOC: Swiss my characters age is only 25 so he's not that much older than yours. If hat was an insult attempt i give it ))

(Richemer turns to hear what Arnulf has to say and then says to him as he leaves)

It is not only a symbol of honor little bastard, but a sign of respect, something that you have NONE of. Of course i wouldn't expect someone who's just out from under his mother's skirts to understand what respect is or how the real world works.
This is what prevents me from skinning you, little bastard. You say that you respect the High King but show NONE of it.
And if you EVER come near my daughters i will make sure to not ONLY skin you alive but also cut your **** off and FEED it to you as you die.

(With that the Makromannoz delegates leave the assembly area)

hehe, yes, I know, that's his waggish sense of humour I mentioned in his description

[Tolg]

(Segmer had been listening to the argument silently. As he rose to return to his home he thought for a moment how nice it would be if one day he could call his king 'basileus'. - Of course this will never happen, he scolded himself. - And as long as one day he could sit in one of those luxurious, warm Greek houses surrounded by his slaves and taking a warm bath 3 times a day, he couldn't care less.)

[the man with no name]

Is it to late to join(forgive me as I just noticed this thread today)? If it isn't...

Name:Herumannoz
Age:29
Description:6'5, Black hair, Hazel eyes, rather muscular, intimidating(because of his size.)
Tribe:Markomannoz
History: Trained to be a warrior since he was 5, he is a ferocious war machine, ready to die for
the Druhtenoz Theudonom Alaizom. He is the patriarc of his family, married at age 23, he has a son and a daughter, which are twins. At age 16, he joined the the army, coming to be known as a ferocious, battle-hardend warrior.
Traits: Sharp/Charismatic/Vigorous and Unselfish/Optimistic/Loyal
Interests:Wife and children

I hope it isn't. If it isn't...

[Olaf Blackeyes]

I really hope this isnt dead.

[SwissBarbar]

yeah, olaf and I already were having fun ^^

[Vasiliyi]

This better not be dead! I havent had the chance of speaking yet!

[Tolg]

I really hope this isnt dead.

Seconded.

[HunGeneral]

I also hope this isn't dead

[Tyrfingr]

It's not dead, update comes in a couple of hours.

[Vasiliyi]

yay!

[Olaf Blackeyes]

WOOOT!!!!
(Does happy axe dance)

[Tyrfingr]

Hm, the update will have to wait for tomorrow, left the pictures on my other computer. Anyhow, it's not too late to join the thengoz, no worries.

[Tolg]

Looking forward to it.

I can wait as long as I know that it isn't dead. (We're all busy sometimes)

[the man with no name]

Hm, the update will have to wait for tomorrow, left the pictures on my other computer. Anyhow, it's not too late to join the thengoz, no worries.

*does happy dance*

[Tyrfingr]

~ Chapter I ~

(268BC - 264BC)

First Blood

As soon as the thengoz had dissolved, Hêruwulfáz sent words to all the tribes of the Swêbóz to ready their soldiers for war. At the heart of Swêbóz lands, the army gathered. Many of the soldiers gathered were Jugunthiz, young men eager to prove themselves in battle and to their king. Many were also the archers of the forest, sneaky hunters who often accompanied the Swêbóz druhtinaz in battle. As the battle against the silengoz promised large spoils of war, nobels flocked to the gathering. In all, the Swêbóz army counted over 10.000 men and was one of the largest armies yet to be seen in these lands.

The gathering of troops had taken almost all year, and when the first snow started to fall, the army broke camp and marched southwards, for Silengi land. The winter did not last long, and the snow was no more when Hêruwulfáz finally reached Silengoz land.

The Silengi had long been prepared for the Swêbóz invasion and had gathered all their soldiers for this battle for their freedom. Báltház was the name of the general of this great Silengi army, counting nearly 17.000 and outnumbering the host of the Swêbóz by one third. The Swêbóz had barely settled down before the Silengoz broke camp.

The nobles of the Swêbóz placed themselves in the front of the battle, as they were the ones who desired battle the most.Hêruwulfáz, who led the battle from the front had prior to the battle order the younger warriors to guard the flanks, to prevent any enemies charging their backs. As the Swêbóz battle line formed up, it soon became clear that the plan would not stick as the Silengoz threw themselves with furious rage and desperation against the swords and shields of the Swêbóz.

For the carrion birds above, the battle must have looked like a stone thrown into a hornets' nest. The battle line of the Swêbóz was quickly disrupted, the youths who had been so eager broke ranks early and charged the enemy, only to be showered by javelins and arrows.

It was then, when the fighting was the thickest, that rumors started to spread of the fall of the silengi general Báltház. Had he been struck by an arrow? Had he been thrown off his horse and pierced by a Swêbóz spear? No one knew for sure, but the rumor spread like fire through the silengi and soon the strongest of their warriors wearied down, threw their spears and ran.

Hêruwulfáz quickly ceased the initiative and led the pursuit of the fleeing silengi himself, although exhausted beyond imagination. As they pursued the silengi, cheers from behind was heard. The body of Báltház had been found and was paraded amongst the Swêbóz warriors who tore everything valuable from the corpse until it was bare naked. Hêruwulfáz smiled for himself, for by that moment he knew he had won.

The pursuit of the silengi finally ended at the longhouse of the now deceased Báltház. The surving silengi had taken up a desperate last stand against their attackers and fought like madmen, but to no use. Every single one of them was either cut down or caught, taken away as slaves or sacrifice to the gods of war. The battle has ended with great casualties. Half of the Swêbóz army had been killed or severely wounded, but the entire army of the Silengoz had been destroyed, almost 17.000 men lost in a single battle.

The Silengoz was forced into the Swêbóz confederation by brute force. Their villages were burned down, their men of fighting age were killed, their women raped and their cattle was stolen. It would take a long time before the Silengoz would ever try to prove themselves against the Swêbóz again. As a final sign of victory, Hêruwulfáz had the longhouse of Báltház burned down and every house and hut near with it. The smoke rose to the skies and could be seen miles away, even in the lands of the Boi.

It had taken Hêruwulfáz two years from his coronation as Druhtênoz Theudónóm Aláizôm to unite the german tribes, now he was truly the King of All Germans. Words had reached him that Ansurhárjáz, the leader of the Markománnoz tribe, had crossed the northern straits into Skándza with barely 5000 men and defeated the Sueni, an impressive achievement. The tribes of the north now bowed to Swêbóz rule. With his title of High King now secured and imposed on all tribes, Hêruwulfáz once again sent for the members of the thengoz.

[SwissBarbar]

OOC: VEEERRYYYYY NICE

[Olaf Blackeyes]

WOOT!
Nice chapter.

[Tolg]

OOC: Really nice!

Could you give us the strategy map so we can start considering what to attack next?

[Tyrfingr]

Thank you all for the kind words. A strategy map will be presented at the next thengoz, which will probably posted friday morning.

[Vasiliyi]

Awesome!

[Potocello]

This is nice! Awesome AAR guys, i'll be following this.

[the man with no name]

Good chapter. Unfortunetly I'm skiing this weekend so My responses will be limited.