Thassalokratia- A Carthaginian AAR

[Vasiliyi]

Brothers


Hamalcar reached Mastia earlier this morning. He had much to say
to Hasdrubal. Reaching the city wasnt difficult. The whole city revolved
around its port so the road was well paved and protected. When Hasdrubal
heard of Hamalcars arrival he quickly prepared a fine meal as a welcoming.

As two brothers neared each other they got of their horses and ran to each
other. They embraced and gave their greetings. They had much to talk
about, not seeing each other for years. Hasdrubal was assigned by the
council to manage Spain, which kept him very busy, and Hamalcar had to
defend Sicily from Heiro, the king of Syracuse.

They were very close to each other before parting. Riding, sailing, playing
together every day. They grew a great fondness that doesn't happen very
often. Soon they reached the palace entrance.

"What brings you to my humble home brother?" Hasdrubal said, not being
able to withhold his smile.

"Humble? Your palace is much better than mine, Iberia is rich and beautiful.
Sicily, is well, Sicily." Hamalcar said with a bit of disgust finishing the sentence.
"Mago has insulted me in Kart-Hadast. They elected Hanno to lead the army.
It should have been me, I have plenty of experience for it."

"What is it you would like me to do brother?" Hasdrubal said without hesitation.
He always agreed with Hamalcar. In fact he even defended him whenever he
was wrong as well.

"One day, I will be Shofet. I need to know that I have your support." Hamalcar
said sitting down for the meal.

"Support for what? Who would dare stand against you?" Hasdrubal replied, being
a bit puzzled.

"Its not that, Its just there are some policies that i believe in that some
of the council doesn't."

"You have my word. I am your loyal friend and brother." Hasdrubal said to
him. Hasdrubal has always been a bit naive. Being the youngest in a royal
family, he didn't always receive the attention he wanted, allowing Hamalcar
to exploit this. Nonetheless, Hamalcar did love his brother.

"Good, I'm glad I have you brother." Hamalcar said frankly.

They went on talking into the night. They talked about politics, trade, Rome,
Iberia, Africa, and the wealth that could be extracted from it. In the morning
Hamalcar left for Sicily, being assured that he had support somewhere in the family.

[Vasiliyi]

Coward

Hanno walked into the tent that Muttines was in. Muttines turned
quickly to meet Hanno's gaze. The tent smelt of blood and sweat.
Some of the bodyguard were upset that this man was still alive.
Hanno sat next to the wounded man on a makeshift chair next to the cot.

"Danel, leave us." Hanno said to his friend and bodyguard.

"Yes sir." Danel responded and promptly left the tent.

"Speak dog, what do you wish to tell me." Hanno said to Muttines.
He poured himself some wine.

"He charged at us foolishly. We numbered no more that 3000 light
cavalry. He charged us with about 200. Head on. He was actually
first in line. I saw him fight. Did you know him?" Muttines was enjoying
this, rubbing in whatever dignity he had into Hannos face.

Hanno looked away for a moment. He didn't return his gaze to him right
away. He looked as if he was remembering something. "He was my brother."

"Explains a lot. You fought well today, I give y..." Muttines started to
reply but was cut of by Hanno.

"How did he die." Hanno said, his voice shaking a little.

"That was a bit rude. Do remember you are speaking to a King."
Muttines said looking at Hanno with proud eyes.

Hanno moved so quickly he frightened himself. He leaned over Muttines
and clutched him by his fine cloths and shook him.

"TELL ME HOW MY BROTHER DIED!" Hanno yelled, enraged at the
arrogance of this man. A vein was vividly seen on his forehead.

"We flanked him, he fled with a handful of bodyguard. I ordered a
volley and they all fell. His horse ran, but we captured it. It nearly killed
me today by trampling me. Ironic isn't it." Muttines laughed a bit at the end.

Hanno's face turned red, little beads of sweat started appearing on his
forehead. He let go of his grip and walked over the the other end of the tent.

"He was a coward." Muttines finished speaking.

The words pierced Hanno straight to the heart. He was completely
speechless for the moment.

"You come into my country, take our precious fields, build your palaces
and temples on our sacred ground for years. You enlist our young men
into your armies to fight for your greed. So that you can control somewhere
else to do the same there. No, I the King of Numidia shall not allow you to
do that to my people." Muttines continued.

Hanno stepped out of the tent to get some fresh air. The sky was clear
and you could see so many stars.
"Is everything alright?" Danel asked.

"Yes, just fine." Hanno replied and turned back into the tent.

Hanno stood above Muttines and spoke. "I will keep you alive. You will
witness many atrocities in your lands. I will extract all the wealth from
your people. I will burn your cities, destroy your temples, kill your priests,
disgrace your women, kill your fleeing men. No one will be spared. People
will understand what it means to defy the power of Kart-Hadast. And when
is all said and done, I will take you to Kart-Hadast to sell you to the slave
traders, where you will row a boat for the REST OF YOUR PITIFUL AND
FILTHY LIFE!"

Hanno had to take a deep breath after saying that. Muttines nodded and
turned around in his cot to stop facing Hanno.

Hanno looked at the man for a moment and then left the tent. He still had
much to do. Before the night was over he had buried his brother in the
exact spot that he died on.

[Vasiliyi]

I do apologize for the lack of pictures in the last couple chapters, but the chapters are crucial to the story. Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy it.

[the man with no name]

It's okay dude. I like ur story

[Cyrus]

I luv this AAR! Keep it up man!

[Africanvs]

Great last few updates! I like the way you are setting up the feud within the Carthaginian family, and building a story for all the characters. Great job. :)

[Vasiliyi]

It's okay dude. I like ur story

Thank you very much. Im glad your enjoying it.

I luv this AAR! Keep it up man!

Much appreciated! Stay tuned for some more drama!

Great last few updates! I like the way you are setting up the feud within the Carthaginian family, and building a story for all the characters. Great job. :)

Yes, i wanted to keep suspense within the story by setting up the feud early and letting it build. Also creating a multiple point of view within the aar so that the good guys dont always seem like the good guys and vice versa.

[SwissBarbar]

more more more

[I of the Storm]

Great story so far!

...but...

[picky]isn't it Thalassokratia?[/picky]

[Roka]

keep it going

[Vasiliyi]

Great story so far!

...but...

[picky]isn't it Thalassokratia?[/picky]

This is true, but Carthage is a naval power and there will be plenty of reference to the title. Please hold tight and watch the story unfold.

[Vasiliyi]

Ok, i have my coffee brewed and my house is empty of distractions. Time to write the next chapter. Enjoy

[Vasiliyi]

Eshmunamash



My name is Eshmunamash. I grew up in the village of Kirtan. When I was a boy, my father taught me many things. He taught me about the great empires that existed around us, he taught me how to read and write, how to ride, but most importantly how to wield a sword. My father fought for the Kart-Hadast in a land called Iberia. There he was promoted many times for his bravery. My only hope is that I would be able to make him proud.

We marched to meet the enemy in the fields around Kirtan. The sun was high in the sky, scorching the earth. I marched ahead of the line. I was fearless. Who were these men who took our king? When my father heard of us going to war with Kart-Hadast, he broke inside. He stopped eating, wore a burlap sack and put ashes on his head. It was such a shame for me, I loved him. I was quickly drafted to serve under the local ruler and we marched to meet the enemy.

When we came upon the great host, many men were terrified of how their armor gleamed in the sun. They were a site to behold, but i didn't fear them. The greatest weapon was a mans heart. The greatest armor was a mans fearlessness. I was dressed in pure greatness today.

We got near the enemy and formed our lines. We heard the our leader blow his horn and we charged the enemy lines. They let loose their volley of javelins. I dodged them and hit the enemy with my shield first.


I was sad to say few men followed me. But still, i prevailed in killing a man. My first kill. I didn't have time to celebrate as i had to parry an attack from the enemy spear man. These men fought strangely, locked in formation, they protected each other with their shields, unlike our way of fighting. It didn't matter, another man fell to my sword.

More of my brothers charged now, seeing my bravery. I swung and blocked to the best of my ability. but soon men started fleeing and i turned around to rally them.



No one even heard me. To my great regret I turned an ran too, only to be stopped by what look liked green beasts. They looked terrifiying.

I quickly knocked one down while he wasn't looking. "Who said war was fair?" I told myself. It was something my father taught me.


We looked at each other fiercely and then we began to fight.

He swung first. His great axe coming close to my face as I leaned backwards to avoid the blow. I felt the wind of it on my face.
I didn't wait a moment to attack next going for the neck with my sword. He didn't even know what hit him.

He fell to the ground with a gasp. He looked up at me for a moment and then his life slipped away.


I turned around to see that the enemy line was advancing upon us, enveloping us.

I was sad to say my heart faltered like the rest of the men and I ran. I ran past the green beasts only to realize we were being flanked once more, this time by the heavy cavalry. These were the Gods of war. I ran and watched as they charged our brothers.


It was as if they sky was darkening for them. Truly a terrifying look. What was more terrifying was that they were riding further, closer to us. I was running along some archers when they neared us. One of the horses was frightened and trampled the man next to me.

I fell back on the ground as i watched the man look at me, he begged me to help, but my mind told me to run. So I turned my back to him, my brother being left for the ground to absorb. It wasn't long when the Gods of war caught up to me as well. I look back to see a man dressed in beautiful clothing, swing his sword at me. He must be in charge of all other Gods.


He stabbed me in the back, a wound most shameful to my people and I fell hard on the ground. I yelled with my final breath, "Father how could I win?! I was killed by the God of war himself!" With that I took my last look at this wretched world and drifted away.

[miotas]

marvelous, truly marvelous, i never know what to expect next, keep up the good work

[SwissBarbar]

truly awesome

[Zarax]

Beautiful, subscribing to this AAR.

[johnhughthom]

The screenshots in this AAR really are fantastic, the best I've seen since Hax's Epirote AAR a few months back. That's not to say I'm not enjoying the story by the way, keep it up.

[the man with no name]

[Vasiliyi]

marvelous, truly marvelous, i never know what to expect next, keep up the good work

Thank you, my pleasure is your enjoyment

truly awesome

Thank you very much.

Beautiful, subscribing to this AAR.

Beautiful? Are you talking about the story or the screenies? Either way thank you very much.

The screenshots in this AAR really are fantastic, the best I've seen since Hax's Epirote AAR a few months back. That's not to say I'm not enjoying the story by the way, keep it up.

Thank you very much, although I find it hard that i can be compared to Hax, who has given these forums so much.

Yes, I'm excited as well for more. Keep reading, next update is expected to be tomorrow evening.

[Vasiliyi]

Kirtan

The streets of Kirtan weren't dusty today. No, they were sticky and moist with the blood of its residents. Thousands of warriors and citizens died by the hands of the their enemies. Only the young and the very old lived. Hanno made sure of that. He walked up the main street, if you could call it that to the main lodge of the village. There was a strong stench of burning flesh and a tower of smoke where Hannos soldiers were burning the dead.

Hanno stopped for a moment and look up at the sky. A single vulture was hovering above the village. He watched it hover for a time and then continued into the center of the village. Essentially it was the market for the city but announcements were made here also. If it wasn't bad enough that the townspeople had to witness the death of their own men, and then watch anyone of fighting age get massacred, they were summoned to the center of the village.

Hanno, followed by two bodyguards on each side walked to the stocks he prepared for Muttines. Stripped naked, Muttines was forced to walk through the streets of his own people, shamed for life, only to be beaten mercilessly by men of the elite African infantry. Such was the fate of anyone who stood in the way of Kart-Hadast.

"Enough, bring him back to the tent, have the surgeons stitch him back up." Hanno said. Despite the fact that he hated the man, Hanno regretted telling him that he would keep him alive for the conquest of Numidia. Guilt lingered in his heart for a moment, until he remembered Gisco. Pain tore a deep hole in his heart, for he missed his little brother.

Two soldiers dragged him back along the bloody streets. Hanno watched, disgusted with himself for a moment.

"Do not think I will hesitate hurting any of you if you dare to cross me. Let it be known that this city has payed its debt to Gisco." Hanno spoke to the townspeople.

Hanno looked at the townspeople. Old women and children were the majority of the crowd, he did not dare think what was happening to the younger women at the moment. Still, this was war. He hated himself today. He was a governor at heart, maybe a conqueror, not a coldblooded murderer. He started to walk back to his tent when he saw a few soldiers surrounding a man.


Hanno started jogging over to see what was going on. He was pretty sure he killed all the men who lived in the city.

"Get up you," Speaking to the man his soldiers knocked down. "Get away from him." Hanno yelled at the group as he neared.

"Who is this?" Hanno asked his men.

"I don't know lord. We saw him nearing the city from those caves. We sent a few horsemen and captured him." They answered.

"Speak you, If you wish to live. What are you doing here, do you not know that this city has just been cleansed of its male population?" Hanno said harshly, but the latter part he said with disgust toward himself.

"Do you know it is Illegal to kill a citizen of Kart-Hadast without trial?" The man spoke with some sort of accent, but nonetheless in the Punic language.

"You are no citizen of Kart-Hadast, prepare to meet your relatives in hell." A soldier exclaimed back at him and kicked him to the ground again.

"Get away from him!" Hanna saying while getting between the stranger and his soldier. Hanno raised his hand as a threat to the soldier and the soldier backed off.

"Follow me to my tent, it is much cooler in there." Hanno said to the man.

The soldiers started following Hanno but he motioned them off. After a walking a distance the tent, Hanno learned that this man served under Mago in the Iberian wars earning his right as a true citizen. He even managed to tell an anecdote where He saved Mago's life earning him the name Savior within the ranks. The story seemed to good to be true, and Hanno wouldn't have believed it if Mago hadn't told him the story when he was young as a bed time story.

Inside the tent Hanno learned that Akbar, which was the mans name, had a son who had fought in the battle just a few weeks ago.

"I only ask that you leave us be, as we are citizens and have done no harm. My son has only done his duty." Akbar said.

Hanno pondered a moment, realizing this might be his only chance to raise his spirits and spoke.

"You have my Vow that I will leave you be."

"Thank you lord. My only wish is that you would be able to meet me son. He was badly wounded, and left for dead in the battle. He would have died but I found him that night and carried him to the caves. A sharp cut on his back is what knocked him out, a shameful wound, but his sword was bloody, showing that he tried."

"Why did you not participate in the battle?" Hanno asked, exercising his curiosity now.

"I have fought many battles on the side of the Kart-Hadast to know what they fight like. Our men stood no chance. No bravery or fierce charge could have broken your lines. Cunning could, maybe, but that is only if the enemy wasn't smart, and I do not think that of you." Akbar said sipping wine for the first time in years and continued. "No, when I heard King Muttines declare war against your people, I burned my cloths, put ash in my hair and stopped eating. He is a stubborn dead fool."

"He is stubborn and foolish, but not dead. I am keeping him alive." Hanno answered Akbar. "I should have killed him though.

"Please, allow me to do it!" Akbar said as a serious joke.

They talked for a while, enjoying conversations about Mago and telling anecdotes of all sorts until Hanno asked Akbar what he wanted to for a while now.

"Akbar, what do you plan on doing when Numidia is no longer Numidia?"

"I don't know." Akbar said, focusing on something on the floor.

"Come, join my ranks, I will promote you to my bodyguard and you will be treated fairly." Hanno finally saying his proposal.

"I fear I cannot. My son is still healing from his wounds and by the time he is well, you will be very far away." Akbar replied dipping his finger in the wine.

"Then you can stay here and manage this village. I will place you in charge of everything. You will answer only to me and Mago. You will be given funds to rebuild this town, make it prosperous, what do you say?" Hanna replied quickly.

"I am not of noble birth. The people know this." Akbar said solemnly.

"You are a Citizen of Kart-Hadast, that is more noble than being the highest king in all of Numidia." Hanno replied once again, very quickly. He was always good at debating and thinking of answers quickly. It was what made him a good governor and politician in Lepki.

Akbar was silent for a moment, thinking of the possibility and the responsibility. Then he spoke.

"I am your loyal servant."

"Good, now lets speak of rebuilding this village from what it is to what it could and will be." Hanno said happily.

They spent the rest of the day and some of the evening speaking funds, advisers which would come from Kart-Hadast itself, and other things of how to manage a city until they became good friends. And so began not only the conquest of Numidia, but also the rebuilding of Numidia in a civilized state.

[Zarax]

Beautiful? Are you talking about the story or the screenies? Either way thank you very much.

Both the story and having a carthaginian AAR.

If you ever want to try a different Carthaginan experience just try extended cultures for XGM, where you will have a carthaginian senate to deal with...

[SwissBarbar]

Very touching story, poor citizens

[Vasiliyi]

Sicily

Hamalcar realized his relationship with Mago has been deteriorating since their father died, but he was sure he could get his point across. He had sailed from Spain to Ippone, stopping for a week to pay his respects to his nephew, then sailed to Sicily only to find out that the Roman republic has laid siege to Messana. This was a direct violation of the peace treaty they had made years before. War was inevitable.


Hamalcar had always hated the Romans. They were a sneaky backstabbing people who kept no promises. This was all the proof he needed. He spent a few days preparing things for war, but not having the extensive armories and manpower of Kart-Hadast he could only do so much by himself. He left his best General in charge, just in case something happened while he was gone once more, and Sailed to Kart-Hadast.

In Kart-Hadast he called a meeting of the Senate to discuss the matters at hand. Mago was present, as was Bomilkar, but neither said anything to their little brother. Hamalcar didn't care. He had enough support in the senate. After everyone gathered, Mago stood and spoke.

"My dear country men, it seems as we have surrounded ourselves with potential enemies. The Roman republic has broken our treaty and has besieged Messana. Let us not be rash in our decision making. The floor is open."

Hamalcar didn't waste one moment to silence and stood to speak right away. "My brothers, my countrymen, are treaties meant to be broken? Are we that weak that we would allow our foes to break the treaties and not have them pay for it? Are we that sick with greed that we fear a war with them? I say, Raise an army, give me generalship, and let me crush those backstabbing fat men who sit in their baths all day. Give me the power to lead our glorious men to victory against our foe, and you will not regret it."

There was much murmur after this remark, no one seemed to have wanted to take the floor right away until Bomilkar spoke. "My dear brother, where do you plan to get the funds for such a glorious army. Our treasury is already wasted from the conquest of Numidia. If we begin a war with the Roman republic, we would lose half of our trading income causing us to go bankrupt."

What Bomilkar said was true, they were in financial trouble from the first army, and a second would bankrupt them. Bomilkar was always a pragmatist, never seeking risks or glory. He tedious in all the work he did, making sure everything was perfect and in order. This made him a good administrator, but not a leader though. He feared blood from birth and was considered a coward during the Iberian wars for not being a risk taker.

Mago spoke next. "Hamalcar, I understand Sicily is under threat, but maybe would should try to appease the Romans. I presume they only take Messana because of all the pirating that goes on around that area. King Heiro hates the Romans just as much as he hates us and would probably go to war with them as soon as they take it. They don't have the man power to besiege Syriakousa, and if they did it would take them a few years before they could even assault it. Lets calm down and write them a letter. I do not want to lose a trading partner in this time of our need."

Hamalcar was enraged. Here he was begging for assistance from his brothers and they were turning him down. His heart sank from disbelief. He had only one choice. He stood up and spoke once more.
"If you think that I am a coward, you are wrong. The Romans are a real threat. They have disciplined armies that dominate the region. If you do not wish to help me, I wish to be reassigned. I would like to be moved to Iberia."

"Brother, do not speak so rashly, we will help you, but you must understand the situation. We lack the funds for.." He didnt finish his sentence before he was interrupted.

"I wish to be reassigned to Gader." Hamalcar spoke, calmly, but a bit edgy.

"As you wish brother." Mago replied, he let out a big sigh at the end.

A vote was cast and before the day was done Hamalcar was already on a merchant ship headed for Gader. He leaned against the wooden railing of the ship and looked out at the sea. His desire for power grew even stronger that day. "I will make you pay for this Mago. I vow this to you." He said to himself.

[Vasiliyi]

Siga

After installing a local ruler in Kirtan, Hanno's army was once again on the move. We moved further west, towards the setting of the sun. There was a large city called Siga there which was our next target.

My name is Philisor. I grew up in a noble family in Atiqa. From birth I was put into school to become an adviser to the Shofet, but my heart was elsewhere. Ever since I was a little boy I played with the boys in the street. We played this game called fight, where we armed ourselves with sticks and what not and we hit each other until one team ran. My father always told me to stop playing games and to do my schooling. He always told me that these games I played would never help me. He was wrong.



Here I stood, on the top of the hill looking down on a very large host of men, marching at us. I was my units first man. In charge of about a thousand men. After finishing school, against my fathers wishes, i enlisted into the royal officer academy where I learned to fight and lead men. My men stood on top of the hill with me, awaiting any orders I issued.

The host neared us and we could hear their native tongue . I didn't understand it, but I assumed they spoke encouragements to each other and insults to us. It didn't matter though. In war the sword and spear was the best insulter.

The enemy then charged our center, which I was in and battle began.
I stabbed a man right away and stood my ground.

These men were very brave and skilled warriors, but we had many advantages over them. I swung my sword and killed another.

My men watched and fought along side of me as I killed these men. The next moment, the enemy charged me and almost knocked me down. I managed to get him off his feet and he looked at me, filled with hate.

I quickly gathered myself and prepared to parry any blow.

I swung my sword low, going for his belly, but he blocked it and attempted to swing.

He missed and i raised my sword high now going for the kill.

I ended the life of that man, but another took his place quickly, realizing i was in charge of the unit by the look of my armor. I feared this man even less than I did the last. He went down quickly after I gutted him. All around me was chaos. Lead bullets from the enemy were flying above our heads, shouting, screaming the clang of metal verse metal resounded on this hill. Another man fell by my sword. Then enemy seemed to run. I watched as they ran down the hill a bit and then they stopped to rest. I ordered no charge yet.

Just as i thought, after a few minutes of both sides catching their breath, the enemy charged again.

This charge lasted a lot less time than the last. I swung my sword at the first Numidian who came at me and killed him.

Blood gushed from his face as he fell down. I looked for my next target and chose him quickly. Will all of my remaining strength I charged him.

He didn't even know what hit him. He fell quickly and the enemy started fleeing. I gave him a quick death, cutting his neck open and letting the life slip away from him.
The day was ours, my unit lost nearly a hundred me, but the enemy lost even more. I'm sorry father but you were wrong, those games did help me, they helped me a lot.

[vartan]

This is wonderful!

[Vasiliyi]

Both the story and having a carthaginian AAR.

If you ever want to try a different Carthaginan experience just try extended cultures for XGM, where you will have a carthaginian senate to deal with...

XGM, thats the extended greek mod correct? Ill have to look into that. Thanks for your comment.

Very touching story, poor citizens

Yes it is, I was a little torn inside when i wrote it. I don't want Hanno to appear as a evil maniac who is bent on killing everyone. I wanted that to be seen in chapter. Hopefully that worked.

This is wonderful!

Thank you very much.

[Zarax]

XGM, thats the extended greek mod correct? Ill have to look into that. Thanks for your comment.

In case you're interested that's the latest version:
http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/cv/XGM-XC_3_1_10.exe

[Vasiliyi]

Thanks for sitting tight and waiting for the next update everyone, its expected to be either tonight, or tomorow morning. Thank you all for reading.

[Elcmar]

This is a pretty damn good read! About halfway through at this point and loving it

[Vasiliyi]

This is a pretty damn good read! About halfway through at this point and loving it

Thank you, Im glad your enjoying it.

To the rest of you, I have had a ctd after a battle and now im trying to recuperate after autoresolving. (I won the battle but with massive casualties) So when all is said and done, ill have an update for you. Thanks for reading.