To Synedrion (The Royal Council)

[The Celtic Viking]

"I never ever claimed you wanted 50% of his forces to stay. You did, however, suggest that 50% of his core soldiers would be left behind. That is what I have argued against. Do not strawman me."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: you clarified what you meant earlier OOC by saying "a couple of levy hoplites or something". The core of Antigonos' army is made up of 2 phalangitai deuteroi and 2 hoplitai haploi. That's 50%.

"You still, also, avoid Pyrrhos' son like a cat avoids water, nor do you take into the account the losses our soldiers will suffer from Pyrrhos' assault. With his son coming in with reinforcements, he will likely outnumber Antigonos' even if we give Antigonos the survivors from the siege - if indeed there will be any. Coupled with the losing 50% of his core in Thessalia, it would be far from favourable terms you'd have Antigonos fight on. I fear having it your way would spell disaster."

[/Bean\]

Theophilus remains standing to answer.

I make no suggestions, Agathangelos. I am merely saying that the Thessalian levies should garrison Thessaly, while the rest of Antigonos' army moves north. The only time I mention the 'core of his army' is to say that it is small due to the past war with Pyrrhus. I say nothing about leaving them behind.

You seem to searching for enemies on both sides, Agathangelos. You may be forgetting we are trying to work together to defeat a common enemy. I can give little assurance to the people of Pella or to the rest of you; we face huge numbers of enemy troops, and reinforcements are still not here. However, what I can do, as a former military commander myself, give my analysis as to what I would do were I Pyrrhus, and had his forces at my disposal.

We do not, of course, yet know the exact composition of the enemy armies, though we can guess. We do know Pyrrhus has brought back the veterans of the Italian campaign, battered and bruised and much smaller than the number that left, but well trained. He is also supposed to agreed a treaty with the Illyrian king Pleuratus, which must have bolstered his manpower considerably, not to mention secured his northern borders. All that, coupled with what units he may have been able to muster from Epirus on his return, leads me to believe we may be facing around ten thousand men, possibly more.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

(OOC: Added a zero to EB numbers [x10])

Our forces in Pella, with the added reinforcements from Thessaly, will be around half that, which in my opinion should be plenty to either disuade Pyrrhus from attacking, or to lead him to lose so many men he is forced to pull out. Either way, once Antigonos arrives, we should have enough men to comfortably defeat both Pyrrhus and his son's reinforcments.

If I were Pyrrhus, I would be tempted to try and take Pella as quickly and painlessly as possible, but I would be well aware of Antigonos marching north. This may lead Pyrrhus to make an unplanned and inadequate attack on the capital, while moving the bulk of his army south to engage Antigonos before he can reach Pella and combine his forces with that of Pella's garrison. Such an inadequate attack would be far simpler to repel than that of a fully fledged siege, of which personally I do not believe Pyrrhus to be capable of.

[The Celtic Viking]

"'Searching for enemies on both sides'? What on earth are you talking about? I am simply telling you what I think of your suggestion. It's funny that you think not agreeing 100% with you is 'not working together' and that that somehow makes us 'enemies'. If that's really how you think, then perhaps the Synedrion is not the place for you.

Like I've said before, I think you're seriously underestimating Pyrrhos if you think victory will come that easily. What we have in Pella are levies and psiloi. The garrison of Thessalia is the same but with one cavalry wing as well. That may be good enough to deter Pyrrhos with his current forces, but with the reinforcements, the tide will have turned once again. Since Antigonos would only bring more levies, it would be tough enough as it is. But leaving part of his force in Thessalia will only serve to worsen the situation! Antigonos will need every man he can get because, even though I have not fought a battle yet, I pride myself to know enough that if you go against a battle-hardened and experienced force led by a highly capable and experienced commander with only levies, you'd better make sure that you at least outnumber them.

You can speculate and hope he underestimates the garrison all you want, but that does not mean it must be so. It can turn out completely differently, but hey, if you can spout potential scenarios, why can't I? Suppose that Antigonos would do as you wish, and Pyrrhos marches full strength on him instead of bothering with Pella. If that were to happen, Antigonos would be truly screwed. He would not even have a fighting chance! After Antigonos is beaten, we would be completely at Pyrrhos' mercy.

What we should do is to send the infantry and most of the psiloi from Thessalia to Pella, while the cavalry joins Antigonos' army which marches north. We levy up new soldiers in Thessalia and leave Krateros to defend the south against the Greeks. Not one soldier from Antigonos' army should be left behind."

[Maion Maroneios]

Antisthenes stands up, a slight expression of worry painted on his face

Synedroi! Let us keep our heads cool, there is no need to argue and throw lines at each other! We are supposed to be united, remember?

After a brief moment of silence, Antisthenes continues by facing Theophilos

Dear Theophilos, allow me to disagree with your ideas. First of all, as Agathangelos correctly stated, we cannot underestimate the geniosity of Pyrrhos. As confident as one can be, only the sight of Pyrrhos is said to turn the bravest men into trembling cowards. He is a man with a great reputation, and the main reason why even some of our fellow Makedones have turned over to the side of the Epeirotai, favouring their rule and accepting Pyrrhos as their "true" Basileus. I just hope there is no such person amongst us today...

Several moments of awkward silence pass, after which Antisthenes speaks again

So, as I said, the only way to effectively counter Pyrrhos, seems to be if we pull all our forces to the north. Krateros and Alexandros, of course, will be left alone with a rather small force to defend against those pitiful Southrons, though it seems as those with some military experience believe it's enough.

There is one last matter that I wish to attain. Namely, a very important factor that we should never forget or underestimate. And by that I mean divine will. If it isn't the gods willing for us to survive, then we simply won't. But never, ever must we forget how we got here and pay our respects to the Olympioi. After all, when all human means have failed, they are the only ones that can truly help us.

Antisthenes sits down again

[The Celtic Viking]

Agathangelos rose.

"Well spoken, Antisthenes. I agree with every point you made. With all this said, I think the discussion stage is over. Now for the edicts..."

A part of the garrison in Thessalia shall move, transported by our fleet, to reinforce Pella.

Antigonos will march south with his whole army, taking with him the Thessalian cavalry that is currently a part of the Thessalian garrison. He will then confront Pyrrhos and kick him out of Makedonia. Krateros will remain in the south under control of our southern military forces, and Alexandros will stay to aid him.

If edict E1.2 succeeds, and Antigonos is successful, peace shall be proposed to the Epeirotai.

War taxes should be commenced immediately to help pay for the war effort.

Agathangelos stands silent for a few seconds, thinking.

"Oh, yeah..."

New soldiers should be levied in Thessalia to replace the men leaving for Pella, and in Pella to further help the garrison stand against Pyrrhos.

"I think that covers it all."

Agathangelos bows and sits down again.

[/Bean\]

I second all these Edicts, and I thank the Synedrion for the patient and civilised manner that this emergency session has been conducted in. Let us now spend our time preparing the defences of Pella as best as we can, send our scouts out to find the exact numbers of Pyrrhus' army, and trust our victory to the will of the Gods.

[The Celtic Viking]

OOC: Yes, they do.

[Iskander 3.1]

I second all these edicts as well, and the fleet is standing by to transport our troops.

[HunGeneral]

I second all these edicts.

[Maion Maroneios]

Antisthenes stands

I second all edicts, except 1.5. I believe we do not have enough coins to do that.

He then sits down again

[/Bean\]

If not, we will have to look at leaving a small number of men from Antigonos' levies to garrison the city. We cannot let Thessaly fall into Pyrrhus' hands while we are distracted at Pella.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Losing Thessalia would be an insignificant loss compared to losing the only field army we have, and our Basileus with it. I'd rather we sent less men to reinforce Pella and simply trusted Krateros to help Thessalia if it comes under siege."

[Hotseat_User]

Antipatros Lamiakos, this time without travelsuit, walks in the hall.

Wise men, comrades of our basileus.
Voice told me from the situation in this emergency session. I'll second all those edicts, even if I have my thoughts, like Antisthenes, that Makedonian money will not last forever and we have to spend every mnai at the right place.
Just tell where me and my shadows should have our eyes on - we will see it soon. And you shall see it also!
May divine be with us.

And he again hides himself, but this time in shadows from some pillars, right behind some older members of the synedron.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Antipatros, we want to know just how many men and of what quality they are that Pyrrhos' son is bringing with him, and how soon he can join his father. There is urgency in your mission, and yet you still must make sure that your information is trustworthy and precise. That is what you have to do."

[Hotseat_User]

Antipatros walks to the middle of the hall, taking a roll of papyros out of sleeve.

I have some bad and some good news.
Phyrros himself, right now camping in our sight, has only his unit of Indian Elephants, a contingent of Misthophorio Phalangitai and a contingent of Misthophorio Thraikioi Peltastai with himself. All of these have some battle experience.
The bad information is, that his son, after my most recent informations has these units in his Army:

And even worser is, that he is maybe just two marches outside close to our great farms outside Pella.

[Maion Maroneios]

Antisthenes stands up, his face showing clear worry

Let us not waste any more time then and continue with the voting procedure!

Maion

[The Celtic Viking]

Agathangelos rises.

"Gentlemen, all edicts have passed and it is now up for us to set it in motion. Krateros..." Agathangelos turns towards his brother's messenger. "... is to initiate war taxes all over our kingdom. He should also see to it that fresh men are levied in Pella and Thessalia. Make sure they are not too expensive, though, even if we can afford it."

Agathangelos turns towards Alkaios.

"Prepare the fleet that is to carry the Thessalian reinforcements to Pella. Make sure they are ready to depart as soon as the men reaches the port."

He now turned to Alkyoneos Argeades.

"Alkyoneus, if you have not begun doing so already, start preparing the defence of Pella immediately. May the gods be with you.

The rest of you already know what to do. Get to it."

Agathangelos nods quickly, then makes a sign. A man runs up to him, takes some notes and runs off. It appears to be a messenger.

[Iskander 3.1]

Agathangelos turns towards Alkaios.

"Prepare the fleet that is to carry the Thessalian reinforcements to Pella. Make sure they are ready to depart as soon as the men reaches the port."

(OOC: Should I just take the fleet to the nearest port where they can board, or should I board the men and return to Pella as well?)

[The Celtic Viking]

OOC: I think it's easiest if I just give you permission to move them, so take the phalangitai & sphendonetai to Pella. The akontistai should stay and the cavalry is for me, as per edict E1.2.

[The Celtic Viking]

Agathangelos coughs.

"Oh, yes, there's one more thing that I almost forgot.

I now declare, on this the 17th of May, 272 BCE, this emergency session to be officially closed."

Agathangelos bows, and then heads out to the Agora."

[Iskander 3.1]

Risto nods
I shall send word with haste to Alkaios that he is to transport all phalangitai and sphendonetai from Thessalia to Pella! (OOC: will do this when I get home tonight)

[johnhughthom]

Krateros' messenger bows low.

Thank you, I will return to Krateros to inform him of the Synedrion's wishes.

The man scurries out of the room.

[The Celtic Viking]

Opening of the Synedrion, 12th Decembre 272 BCE.
This is a normal session.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Members, we have gathered here once again to determine what the next course of action will be for our kingdom. The main problem of the last emergency session was the arrival of Pyrrhos, but with him going off elsewhere - for the gods know what reason - the situation has changed completely.

Instead of having to face of an Epeirotai siege of Pella, we are now faced with a Greek siege of Korinthos instead. Antigonos cannot make it there in time, and according to the reports from Krateros himself, it is questionable whether Alexandros' army is strong enough to counter it. Antigonos have already agreed to send the Thessalian cavalry over to Alexandros, but if they can make it in time and if they then can make enough of a difference remains to be seen. He also sends what what footsoldiers he can spare, which is nigh 2400* men. To replace these, he would call for the phalanx in Pella's garrison to, by ship, be transported up to Thessalia.

Unless a new threat enters our northern lands before that is done, Antigonos Gonatas wish to make a bold move. Since he cannot reach Korinthos in time, he would like to restart his previous campaign to take Athens. If done swiftly enough, it will bring in new income and put us with one less threat to worry about. If he succeeds, we can then decide whether he should move back to safeguard our northern borders again, or if we should risk pushing even further and taking Sparta as well, with Korinthos first of course, if the gods wills it to be lost first.

The last thing that needs to be decided is the economy. We cannot sustain the cost of such a large military that we have right now, and yet we will face great risks if we scale down. Getting deep into debt is ever a threat, and if we do nothing, that is what will happen. We must do something to change this.

This is what you have to debate."

Agathangelos bows.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: * = assuming that 1 phalanx is 120 men strong and then multiplied by 20.

Also, if I need to pronounce the Basilikos Grammateus again, pretend I said Krateros again, and I'll edit it in later. I'm extremely tired right now as well, so give me a break when it comes to spelling or just missing something.

[/Bean\]

Theophilus Diokletes stands.

I thank the members of the Synedrion for their courage and calmness in the face of a very demanding and worrying situation, of which now seems to have been diverted. I of course speak of the Molloson. I do not, however, presume to understand his reasons for pulling out so quickly. I would suggest that Antipatros Lamiakos be sent to determine Pyrrhus' actions.

Meanwhile, I have here a letter of instructions from the Strategos Alexandros Argeades. It follows:

Sirs, it is with anguish and urgency that I write the news that Korinthos has been blockaded by the combined forces of Athens and Sparta, trapping my father, Krateros, the Basileus Grammatikus, inside. My forces, even when combined with my father's Companions, are unlikely to be enough to defeat or even dissuade the Greeks from their task.

I therefore wish to emphasise the need for reinforcements as soon as possible, and in as much numbers as can be accomplished, that the Greek army may be easily defeated while losing as few Makedonians as possible. With so few defenders, I highly doubt the Greeks will waste much time with building the minimal equipment required to storm the walls and do away with our Basileus Grammatikus.

I also hear of Antigonos' plans to repursue the siege of Athens. I, however, wish to place another offer on the table. Perhaps it would be more prudent to wait until we have the information confirmed concerning the whereabouts of the Epirites, lest once again we settle down to a long siege only to find Makedonia is once again up in flames. If the Epirites are nowhere to be seen, then I would agree Athens should be taken. However, if Makedonia is still in trouble, perhaps the Basileus needs to return to defend our homes. Once the Greek army is defeated, as is surely only a matter of time, then Alexandros will be well placed to finish the work Antigonos started. The Athenian garrison is small and incomplete.

I leave it to you, members of the Synedrion.

Theophilus finished the letter, and stood, looking around at the Synedrion for an answer.

[mini]

Alkyoneus swept into the Synedrion, ignored most of the nobles present and directed himself straight to the respresentee of his father.

"Agathangelos. Tell my father he should take Athens now, not later. Corinth can fend for itself, and if not.. We will recapture it, since possession of Athens will cut off the peloponessos from the mainland.
We should even increase our military power, despite our financial worries. If we move in force now, we can sweep via Athens past Corinth to Sparta.
Hit them hard and fast, before they can gather their strength. Until now, we have let others take the initiative...
First Phyrros, who tramped up and down our countryside and made us hop whenever he made a move.
Now, we are hopping on the tune of some band of greeks.

It is time we take matters into OUR hands, and make others hop to the tunes of our flute.
If necessary, I am willing to loan the treasury from my own purse it it would see us through.

I don't believe in half measures, we should go all out against the southern Greeks without dallying.
Then we can turn around and keep Phyrros out of our lands, until our new acquirements in the peleponessos give us the strength to do more."

He looked to one of his servants, trying to remember his name.
"You. Sit here and listen. And you, stand by until the other needs you to run messages to me"

Leaving his two servants flabbergasted, he departed from the Synedrion again. The 2 men left behind looked upon eachother bewildered. What were they to listen to? What should be reported? Where would their master be for that matter.

[Maion Maroneios]

Antisthenes Pellinios stands up and addresses the Synedrion

Synedroi! Remember what we have discussed in our last meeting. The people count on us, we cannot let them down. We have to handle things unbashed.

I have recently decided to take long walks in our Agora, trying to listen to the people's oppinions, ideas and suggestions. Do you know what I got for an answer? Nothing. Utter silence. The people were confused, are confused, afraid, dissapointed. They expect us to save them, though we seem to berely be able to act on our own.

As Alkyoneus correctly stated, we are dancing to the beat of our enemies. They are playing with us; pulling our strings and making us play a game of hide and seek. First Pyrrhos threatens Pella, we march north to counter him, then he leaves to Epeiros and next thing me know the perfumed fops from the south are knocking on the gates of Korinthos.

Obviously, we cannot sustain any more losses. The loss of Korinthos may not prove fatal for our Basileion, but it will probably leave us in a pretty bad shape nonetheless. Our economy is already pretty bad. As far as I know, we do not have the ability to train or build anything more. As such, yet again, I will agree with noble Alkyoneus we have to take loans.

It is about time we take things in our hands for a change. It has been too long that we, the once most powerful people on the Kosmos, have been battered repeatedly by Usurpers and Pretenders. I know this is hasty talk and my tongue is probably running way ahead of my head, but aren't you all sick of watching our little Basileion crumble in the face of all those enemies, while doing nothing but trying to protect her lands? I say we launch a full-offensive. Take loans, train more soldiers even if this means giving farmers knives and pointy sticks to fight, and throw a full-offensive against the Southrons.

Attacking Athenai should not take too much time. Assault the polis as soon as possible. The Athenaioi, with their silver tongues, will probably persuade the Spartiatai into abandoning the siege of Korinthos to come to their aid. Gonatas, I believe, will be more than happy to give them a good old beating like the old days. Take Athenai and her surrounding poleis, then go for Lakedaimonia. When Southern Hellas falls to our hands, we can face north-west with renewed funds and enough manpower to launch a large offensive.

The days of gory are not gone, sympatriotai. If it is the gods' willing, we can and shall be great again.

All Hail Makedonia!

Antisthenes sits again with a wave of applause of some of the Synedroi

[JbG]

A young man walks into the grand hall, he is calm and poised without a single expression on his face. He thanks the guards, subtly slipping a few coins in their hands. He walks around slowly, taking in the faces of the people around him. Gradually he moves towards an empty chair and with slight indignation takes a seat. Without standing, he rises his voice but without shouting he calls,

'I am Karpos Aiginios, Archiproxenos. I have finally come to speak my mind on the matters that this nation has found itself in. The war against the league in the south must be ended quickly. Once the siege of Korinthos has finished, whatever way it may go, I wish to move to the great city of Athenai and conduct a mutual meeting to agree to terms of peace. I feel this would be the best way to stabilise our country instead of going into countless sieges of the southern states gradually decreasing our coffers. I believe that peace should be once again, be talked about with the Epirites and also with the Ptolomics. We can also try and settle for trade rights, the sea being of great importance once more.

Leaving the statement standing Karpos bows his head and takes a sip of wine.

[Hotseat_User]

The tall person, seen with Antipatros Lamiakos last time, enters the synedron. With slow steps and like impending, the person enters the middle.

Synedroi, I come with a message from my master Antipatros Lamiakos.
He's currently searching for some shipment to Peiraieus in Byzanthion. Time will tell, if he can find a merchant soon.
He may excuses his absence, researching for informations about next targets of the Getai-tribe.
I think, that he will travel to Epeiros next, as our basileus wishs. Furthermore, he informed me, that he wants to spend his budget for employing a young friend of us. With this, we may can observe more movements from our neighbours.

Antipatros sends you his regards.

Slow, the tall shadow leaves middle of the synedron, opting for the agora.

[johnhughthom]

A small man, filthy from a long ride enters.

Lords of Makedon, a message from the Basileus Grammateus.

Friends, by the time this message gets to you you will probably be well aware of my dilemma. My spies were able to get a look at the Athenian/Spartan army before they arrived, I had the opportunity to leave but decided to stay to prevent the locals turning to the enemy. The force comprises of approximately 2500 Spartans, over 3000 ally hoplites of varying ability, 2500 phalanx, 1600 Cretan mercenaries, 1600 heavy peltasts and 3500 psiloi. It would be suicide for Alexandros to engage such a force, we need the Basileus to help. I wonder if the idea to attack Athens and force the enemy to drop the seige and leave has entered your thoughts, if so it's a bad idea they are unlikely to do so as Alexandros blocks their way. May the Gods be with you all.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC I used the 20:1 ratio in enemy numbers