Thassalokratia- A Carthaginian AAR

[Vasiliyi]

Expected update tonight.

[Vasiliyi]

The council




Mago walked through the halls of his great palace. He walked quickly and nervously. His heart was heavy and sweat was beginning to form beads on his forehead. He walked up to the stairs to an old cellar and looked both ways, just out of habit. With no one there, the climbed down, and jumped to his feet.

Walking another 100 paces toward a lit torch, he stopped when he got there. A guard opened up the underground gate and he entered. He thought to himself how many times he had done this. How many times the council called upon him. Lately, it was quite often.
The council was a secret society. The richest men on this side of the Mediterranean. Exactly 30 of them. They were smart and manipulative and they always got their way. They chose Mago to be Shophet, because he was more submissive than Hamalcar. Hamalcar was shart and quick and witty and they couldn't control him.

He remembered the first time he had meet them. It was during an election, a very close race between him and Hamalcar. He recieved a note and directions of where to go. And so he went. He walked down the into the cellar and toward the torch. The council greeted him and promised him that he would win, if he promised to serve them. Mago wanted the position and hastily agreed. He won by a big margin.

A week before voting time, they started spreading massive propoganda about Mago and his great conquests in Iberia. Plays were written, games were held in his honor. That was when Mago realized he owed these men alot. Ofcourse, he could have won the election by himself, but they wanted to prove to him that they were above the law and all it stood for.

Mago has never actually seen the faces of the Council, but he knew they had agents everywhere. They knew everything, and payed a very high price for it.

He stood there, underground, while the council gathered. They were all directly underneath the great Ziggurat of Baal Hammon, lord of the sky. Mago clenched his fists for his hatred of these men. Yet, he feared them greatly.

"Mago what news do you bring us of your brother?" The questions began.

Mago didn't even look up at who spoke, as he would not see him. It was literally pitch dark and he only recognized the voices, as he had heard them many times before.

"He is doing well, his shipments of gold are arriving on schedule. He is becoming increasingly popular in Spain. So is his son." Mago replied.

"What is his sons name?" Another asked.

"Hamalcar Barca, but they call him Barca because he is very quick." Mago replied again.

"Let us hope he is not that quick, or else he will never be able to please a woman."

The joke was crude, yet the crowd laughed.

"Has he begun his campaign into Iberia or is he waiting?"

"He has begun, but we are not aware of what his movements are." Mago replied again.

There was silence for a moment, and Mago thought they were done for today. Usually if they called him on a moments notice, they just left when the questions were answered. Mago waited some more but he knew they weren't leaving yet.

"Hanno will be returning home soon, will he not?"

"Yes, he is finishing his campaign, and will be in the City of Kart-Hadast before the winter."

"He WILL run for office, do you understand?" The voice sent chills down Mago's back.

"Yes." Mago said, he voice trembling. He hated these men with such a passion.

"Good, you are free to go. Do not disappoint us."

Mago turned around and walked through the gate and started to go back home when he fell to the ground and started sobbing. His wife would miss him for dinner, but he did not care. He sobbed for himself, his father, and any other man who would be elected Shofet. He hated those men, he wished them all very painful deaths. He felt like a used rag, a worthless stray dog. They owned him. His soul was sold.

He lay there for hours on that cold hard stone. His face had stains of tears and under his nose there was crusty snot. Eventually, when he stopped pitying himself he got up and cleaned his face and continued his on with life.

[johnhughthom]

I hope Hanno will have more backbone than Mago when he is elected.

[HunGeneral]

Nice development!

That move with the 30 rich man council was a suprising move.... I like it

This really seems to give the basis for a civil war. Keep up the good work

[Vasiliyi]

I hope Hanno will have more backbone than Mago when he is elected.

Oh, boy will you be surprised with what happens.. Im afraid this is the part of my aar where things get "unhistorical" so it might be a bit weird. But I will try to keep things interesting.

Nice development!

That move with the 30 rich man council was a suprising move.... I like it

This really seems to give the basis for a civil war. Keep up the good work

Well, I work at a grocery store, so while I stock shelves I constantly think about scenes in my aar. So yes, this was not planned from the beginning. You will be surprised with what happens. Needless to say, Respublika Kaput!

[Vasiliyi]

Uxentio

It was a warm spring evening when they sacked Sucum-Murgi. They had laid seige in the winter and decided it was too cold to fight. Early in the spring though, several small armies of levies attacked the carthaginian host only to fall upon great numbers of stout men. Their attacks were uncoordinated and pitiful by Barca's standards.

Uxentio sat there in the room with all the war council that Barca had. Being only 17, he didn't speak too much, but when he did speak, his words were wise. Behind Barca was Kanmi, ever watching the boy turn into a real man. Kanmi was 35, 18 years older than the boy but he looked young and powerful. His biceps were bigger than a youngsters head. His perctorals were like two powerful shells of tortoises that lived along the rivers in this region. He stood tall and proud, only speaking when spoken too. He was dumb, by no means, but he was silent.

Likinos, the celt, was tall, but a bit slinky for his kind. He made up for it with speed though. There was an anecdote that he once charged the enemy and killed 3 of them before any of them had time to brace themselves and parry. Uxentio laughed every single time the story was told among the ranks, but believed it was true.

Now they were here, in the princes home, drinking the princes wine, and eating fine roast. Uxentio looked at his friend, Barca.
Barca was a strange breed of men. He was so proud, yet humble. He knew everything, yet he asked so many questions. When he walked through the streets, people would stop and wave and bow to the young man, yet he would still stop and help the little old lady with the pale of water she carried.

In battle, he was different too. He was not like the Iberians or celts. He wasn't even like the Punes. He took every casualty as a loss. He was meticulous in his setup, yet he was ruthless in his attacks. His battles were all very similar. He would set up the slingers first, followed by the skirmishers. Behind them were three lines of infantry, starting with the light infantry followed by the medium then the heavy.

In a seige, which her commanded 2 already, he first took out the gates with the greek machine. Then he wittled the enemy down with the slingers from the Balearic islands. Oh how feirce these men were. Their lead bullets could cut through metal.

After the walls had holes in them, he advance his infantry with the order they were set up in. He never engaged the light infantry in real combat, only allowed them to throw their javelins. The medium infantry would hold the first couple charges of the enemy and then retreat through the ranks of the heaviest infantry.

Meanwhile, Barca only watched. Silently. The warriors knew their orders. They obeyed them to the last bit. After the battles, Barca dealt with reports and helped with the wounded. Only when all his men have eaten would he eat.

Uxentio realized how much respect he had for Barca. He remembered the first time he had saw the punic boy.

They were in the forum of Gader. Uxentio lead a group of boys around, causing trouble with this or that stall. Being the son of a prominent council member had its perks. Barca walked through the streets and saw the boys and ran up to them. Uxentio stood infront of the boys, hands at his waist, and asked the boy his name.

"What do they call you, you dirty pune?" Uxentio said with authority.

"My name is Hamalcar, and I am not dirty." Hamalcar answered back, with a very smart tone. "Can I play with you?"

"Play with us? We don't play, we fight!" Uxentio barked at Hamalcar, and then turned to the group of boys that all watched the proceedings. "Don't we?"

The boys nodded and snickered.

"Well then, I want to fight too." Hamalcar said to Uxentio.

Uxentio was glad that Hamalcar fell into the trap. Uxentio stood a head taller than Hamalcar, even though they were both 10 years of age.

The boys surrounded Uxentio and Hamalcar and started cheering for Uxentio.

Hamalcar realized what was happening and put his fist ups to his face to protect himself.

Uxentio lunged at Hamalcar and knocked him down and his strong thrust. There was much squabbling but in the end, Hamalcar lay on the ground, blood flowing from his nose, a cut on his lip and his eye was swollen shut. Uxentio was scratched up a bit, but was able to leave without too much harm done to him.

The next day, Hamalcar returned, and approuched the group of boy.

"Did you not recieve a good beating yesterday? Or do you really hate yourself?" Uxentio roared at the boy, while the boys all laughed at how ridiculous Hamalcar's face looked.

Hamalcar said nothing and lunged at Uxentio this time. Once again a fierce fight pursued and once again Uxentio stood over his opponent as the victor.

This happened the third and fourth and fifth day. It happened for two weeks. Every single time, Hamalcar returned to be beaten again. On the fifteenth time, Uxentio, limping from the fight before, came up to the boy and kissed him on his swollen lips.

"You are my brother, for I have NEVER seen such courage as yours."

From that day one, the boys became unseperable.

Uxentio remembered how Barca talked about the revenge he seeked. How he would purge romans from the face of this earth. Uxentio listened fervently and promised to follow Barca to the ends of the earth.

And so, Uxentio sat there sipping his wine and watching his friend discuss his next move with the men in the room late into the night.

[Vasiliyi]

Sorry about such a long text. Ill try to post some more screenshots in my next few chapters.

[the man with no name]

Well, I work at a grocery store, so while I stock shelves I constantly think about scenes in my aar. So yes, this was not planned from the beginning. You will be surprised with what happens. Needless to say, Respublika Kaput!

Part time or full time? Or are you a teen looking for a way to make money? Not that it's bad or anything. Srsly.


Good Chapters though. I can't wait till this really gets started with Barca kicking Roman ass.

[Vasiliyi]

Part time or full time? Or are you a teen looking for a way to make money? Not that it's bad or anything. Srsly.


Good Chapters though. I can't wait till this really gets started with Barca kicking Roman ass.

part time, and yah the pays not too bad. actually im a college student going for a medical degree.

oh and neither can I, Barca is going to be awesome.

[Vasiliyi]

No chapter today, but I thought it would be nice if I included a list of all my characters and a small description of each. I realize they are beginning to pile up and are hard to keep up with.

Current Shofet of Kart-Hadast. Is currently in Kart-Hadast

Younger brother of Mago, Governer of Atiqa

Currently in Gader, being the governor there. Is looking to run for Shofet in the next election against Hanno.

Currently in Mastia is a governor there.

Leading an army for one final battle against the Numidians.

Governor of Karali

Governer of Lepki

Leading an army of Iberian units against the Lusatanian tribes. Vowed revenge against the romans.

Has yet to come into my story but is currently the Baggage train for Barcas army.

Kanmi: Veteran warrior who saved Barca's life. Vowed to keep Barca alive to see him avenge his mother.

Uxentio: Best friend of Barca, currently in Barca's bodyguard.

Likinos: Slinky Celt who is also Barca's friend. In Barca's Bodyguard.

Client ruler of Kirtan.

Last king of Numidian. The Youngest of Muttines 5 brothers. Is in the province of Garama looking for a fight with Hanno.



Barca's army

[Vasiliyi]

Life and Death

Hanno gazed at the the cool morning desert, scanning the horizon for his enemy. For thirteen and a half years, he spent his life in this desert, fighting. For thirteen years he spent on the road, never seeing Kart-Hadast. Thirteen years he gave his life for his country. And this was it. Today, he would kill his enemy and march home triumphantly.

He promised to meet his wife in Kart-Hadast and show her the city. He had married a woman from Garama. A gift from the client ruler they had installed there. Hanno had not ever seen a woman so beautiful! Her body was slender, but she was not too thin. Her green eyes contrasted her dark brown hair so wonderfully it tore at his heart. Her Lucius lips begged him to stay, but he had to leave. It would be three seasons since he saw her.

He spent the last 9 months chasing the last brother of Muttines. He had killed 3 of Muttines brothers who all rightfully claimed the throne of Numidia. They raised armies and fought and lost. One was left. Today, Hanno would kill him.

A little later, when the sun was in the horizon, Hanno spotted the army. He ordered his men to line up. They were exhausted, but he needed to finish this. The sun burned the metal they were wearing. The heat was truly unbearable.

With his lines in order, Hanno would make this a personal fight. Over the past years he had learned how to fight these Numidians. Kill the leader and the rest will run. He had personally watched many of the warlords fall by the sword of his veteran bodyguard. Today would be no different.


The enemy approached under the hot son. They inched near Hanno's line. Realizing they had to fight sometime, Balhanno chose to attack today.

Hanno was watching his line being harrassed by the enemy skirmishers when he kicked his horse on the sides and ordered his cavalry to respond. Contrary to belief, the heavy cavalry of the Kart-Hadast Bodyguard was no slower than the nimble Numidian cavalry. They sped up to the enemy and Hanno realized that the enemy general was personally leading the harassment. Blowing his trumpet, Hanno ordered his cavalry to chase the skirmishers.

---
Balhanno laughed at the fool that chased him up the hill. He ordered every last javelin to be thrown at the chasing cavalry. He watched as several of the bodyguard fall by his mens dexterity with a javelin.
His cavalry knew the plan, and retreated to the top of the hill. The heavy armour of carthaginian cavarly slowed them down severly and Balhanno raised his sword for his men to prepare their attack.

The Numidian cavarly lined up at the top of the giant sand dune and charged down the hill.


-----
The clash was immense and undescribable. The sound of smashing sheilds and swords and spears cut right through your ears. It sent shivers down Hannos spine. His own horse was trapped between two horses and couldn't move. It paniced, but Hanno quickly settled it down and forced it toward the enemy. Looking for his enemy, Balhanno, Hanno didn't see a numidian dart toward him.

"HANNO WATCH OUT!" Danel yelled at Hanno, but it was too late.

The spear of the enemy ripped through Hannos upper thigh. Masked by the shock of it all Hanno only felt warm blood on his thigh. When he saw the wound, he cried out in pain, which was muffled by the sound of battle. His attacked was quickly cut up into shreds by Hanno's bodyguard. They all looked to him in horror, never seeing their general hurt this badly.
"Would he retreat? Would he run?" What should we do?" Were the thoughts on the faces of his bodyguards when he saw them.

Hanno seeing his men wavering, kicked his horse and rode out toward the enemy. His sword quickly entered a mans gut and with that, his bodyguard resumed fighting.
----
Balhanno was in trouble. Cut off from his men and surrounded by the enemy he knew he wouldn't last long. He took his sword and swong it at an enemy, only to be blocked and almost thrown of his horse. He turned quickly to stop a blow from another when he felt something sharp cut into this lower back.

Blood rushed to his head and he lost balance. Dropping his sword he fell hard onto the ground and was trampled by his enemy. The last thing he heard and felt was his ribs cracking from under a hoof of a horse.

----------
Cheers erupted from the ranks as news spread of Balhanno's death. Hanno, encouraged with such news started chasing the enemy. He felt his heart beat pound in his chest, like a bird in a cage, it was trying to free itself. Adrenaline surged through his body as he singlehandedly chaged another group of numidians. What looked like a routing troop soon turned out to be a trap.

Seeing him in peril his bodyguard followed, but they lost many men after the first fight. Hanno shrugged at his fortune and swung at the enemy, cutting deep into his chest. Crimson fluids splattered all over Hanno's sheild as he pulled his sword out. Another Numidian tried grabbing him and pulling him off the horse and for a moment there was struggle.

With a bit of luck the mans hands slipped and Hanno was loose from the enemy. Now both sides were rushing to enter the fight. The Numidians knew that Hanno was near and revenge was possible, but the royal bodyguard knew it too, and they made sure to cut quickly toward Hanno.

Fortune seemed to smile at Hanno as he saw his men nearing, he almost let out a laugh while he swung his sword hard at another foe.

Victory was so close, Hanno knew this. Soon he would be at home, with his wife. He imagined her sweet red lips.

Time stopped. Hanno felt himself fly off his horse. A Numidian skirmisher charged him at full speed. He saw out of the corner of his eye the spear the peirced his chest. He felt his breathing change. He felt strange flying off his horse. He saw his wife again, telling him he was a father. He saw it all, as if he was there.

THUD! Feeling nothing, Hanno realized he was dieing. The skirmishers were routing. He watched them rout. He was on his back. The sun had scorched the earth he was laying on. He felt the hot sand burn his neck. He saw Danel jump of his horse, and fall onto his knees.

"LORD! Oh, NO lord, you have to be alright! VICTORY IS OURS!" Danel yelled at Hanno.

Hanno didn't reply, he just stared at Danel, who grabbed his hand in his own and sqeezed it tight. Danel let out a loud cry and stood and roared at the world. The roar of a real lion. Thats the last sound Hanno heard.
----------------

A hundred miles away, in the city of Garama, another roar was being heard. The citizens of the village listened as they heard the wife of Hanno cry out in pain. Birth pain.

"PUSH! PUSH!" An old woman yelled at the young woman.

There was a moment of silence as the young woman had tears streaming down her eyes and then another cry could be heard. A childs.

The mother let out a screech as the baby slipped from her womb. The quick and smart fingers of the old woman cut the cord and cleaned the child.

"Its a boy!" She exclaimed. "What will you name him?" Holding the child in her hands, and laying him on the young mothers chest.

The mother held her child for the first time. Looking at her beautiful baby boy, she answered. "Giscon."

[the man with no name]

THAT SUCKS that Hanno died.
Was he supposed 2 in ur plot?

Very dramatic though.

[Vasiliyi]

THAT SUCKS that Hanno died.
Was he supposed 2 in ur plot?

Very dramatic though.

Um... Ofcourse he was supposed to die. (If he died and I didn't want him to I would have reloaded the battle, His charge was completly suicidal) This will make things interesting with the council and Hamalcar.. All of this soon to be revealed. Thank you for commenting.

[the man with no name]

Um... Ofcourse he was supposed to die. (If he died and I didn't want him to I would have reloaded the battle, His charge was completly suicidal) This will make things interesting with the council and Hamalcar.. All of this soon to be revealed. Thank you for commenting.

Just checking that your not stupid

[Vasiliyi]

The brothers meet

Mago was 63 when the council called upon him the last time. He was 63 when the army he had been waiting for came marching into the city of Kart-Hadast. He was old and he felt it.

The armies rest in Kart-Hadast was short lived though, as the council called upon Mago, and made him lie to the citizens and the army, telling them that there was another Numidian army to crush, near Ippone. In reality, they sent him to stop Hamalcar from reaching the the great city of Kart-Hadast, so they he couldn't participate in the elections.

They had chosen Adherbal to run instead of Hanno. Adherbal was an idiot, but they knew this. They did not want to let Hamalcar run for office. That was the only thing they cared about.

And so, Mago was just outside of the city of Ippone, awaiting his brother. His orders were clear. He sighed, His backed ached and his muscles were weak. His years of service had worn him out. He had just one thing let to do.

He was in his tent alone, taking out a small glass veil of liquid. Poison. Snake venom. It killed slowly, as if the death were natural. No pain would the person recieving this feel. Mago nodded to himself, put on a cloak and walked to the stables they had built. He got on his magnificent black horse called Hippocampus, and rode away from camp.

--------------
When Mago neared the outcampment that Hamalcar had pitched for himself, he was stopped by two stout warriors Hamalcar had brought with himself.

"I am Mago, The Shofet of Kart-Hadast. I have come to see my brother" Mago said with authority, behaving like the usual him.

The soldiers stopped and looked at eachother, unsure of what to do. They were near Hamalcars tent and Hamalcar came out to see what the problem was.

"Stop, this is my brother, Mago." Hamalcar said to the soldiers who were holding the reins to the horse.

Hamalcar looked at Mago, who was grayed all over. Mago got off the horse and walked to Hamalcar and collapsed in his arms. Hamalcar helped Mago into the tent and offered some wine.

"Thank you brother." Mago said to his little brother.

There was an uneasy silence for a moment as both of them looked at each other and sipped their wine.

"Am I that special that Kart-Hadast sends and entire army to escort me to the city?" Hamalcar said, with a sarcastic tone.

Mago laughed at his brother, realizing that he still had a sense of humor.

"Listen to my little brother," He began with a serious tone, "You have to save Kart-Hadast."

Hamalcar turned sharply toward Mago and looked into his face to see if he was being serious.

There was a cold stone look on Mago's face. Hamalcar sat and looked intently at Mago.

"There is evil men controlling Kart-Hadast, ruthless, evil men. They threaten my family. They Made me pick Hanno and not you that day many years ago. They wouldn't let me re-enforce Lilibeo when you came and begged for help. And now, they sent me here to the desert on the alarm that there was another Numidian army, only to kill you. But I shall not. You have to take over Kart-Hadast. Kill those men and rule Kart-Hadast. Dissassemble the senate. They are nothing but a bunch of greedy old men trying to make a pension for themselves." Mago paused for a moment.

Hamalcar looked at his brother, tears were forming in his eyes as he remembered his wife polymede.

"You are lying to me, I will not be fooled! Do not think your sins of the past will be forgotten" Hamalcar, now enraged stood up and stared down at his brother.

Mago stayed silent and only started taking off his shirt. When all the layers were off, he showed a symbol that was branded on his chest by the council of 30. Shame was seen in his eyes.

"I have not layed with my wife for 20 years because of this mark. I am their slave, but not any more. I will not kill you. Instead, I have already killed myself. Tonight we shall ride out to the army encampment and I will die in my sleep and you will become the General. You will march your army to Kart-Hadast and take it. The republic failed, I fear. A strong fist is needed to control our empire. You hold that strong fist."

At that, the brothers started weeping for eachothers mistakes. Hamalcar forgave his brother for the acts that were commited and promised horrible deaths to the council of 30.

They rode out the army encampment that night together, as brothers. And sure enough, the snake venom slowly killed Mago, and in his sleep, he died.


The next day, after enbalming Mago, they marched back to the city of Kart-Hadast, with Hamalcar in the lead.

[Ariovistus Maximus]

Wow! Awesome AAR Vasiliyi!

I'm reading through the first couple of chapters now; most excellent! I may have to start a Qarthadastim campaign...

Which part of MN are u from btw? It'd be freaky if we were neighbors or something!

[Vasiliyi]

Wow! Awesome AAR Vasiliyi!

I'm reading through the first couple of chapters now; most excellent! I may have to start a Qarthadastim campaign...

Which part of MN are u from btw? It'd be freaky if we were neighbors or something!

Thank you, Ive been needing to update and post for a while now.. Im honored that your starting a Carthy campaign. Those guys are really fun.. Im from The twin cities area. South Saint paul to be exact

[johnhughthom]

Nice stuff, how are you going to play out the battle for Carthage? Are you going to use a custom battle, or have you another way in mind for Hamalcar to take control? Or even role-play him losing and having to go over to the Romani as a mercenary??

[Vasiliyi]

Nice stuff, how are you going to play out the battle for Carthage? Are you going to use a custom battle, or have you another way in mind for Hamalcar to take control? Or even role-play him losing and having to go over to the Romani as a mercenary??

Well, I wasn't sure of what I was gonna do before, but I went to work and It was boring as usual and I think I have come up with a solution. A very good one I hope.

[Vasiliyi]

A twist of fate

The council of 30 had heard the news, and immeadiatly sailed to Lilibeo to get help from their allies, Rome. It was strange what this self proclaimed but extremely rich group of fat men could do with their money.

After paying off the governer of Lilibeo, who was as greedy as the next man in Rome. Everything was handled quickly and efficiently. Such was the sinews of infinate gold. It was said once by the council that they had enough gold to buy the entire island of Sicily back from Rome. Such things were speculation, but they surely were proud of what they had.

These men, these 30 men were from all over. Some were from Iberia, others Citizen of Kart-Hadast itself. Others were Romans and Greeks. Either way, they all used Kart-Hadast to increase their riches. They had slowly gained position in the senate of Kart-Hadast, paying this and that man off, until they reached the top. They had forced the Shofet to submit to them.

For 20 years they made him do things he didn't entirely think was good for his Republic. They groomed him to be a peon in an endless world of shiny metals. Then tragedy had struck. He died without an heir. Hanno was going to be their next pick. But he died too, and things turned for the worse. Hamalcar was returning. The man who had tried to claim power many years ago.

They remembered it very well. The first time they set out to try to tame Mago. Hamalcar was running for Shofet, and proclaiming the greed and corrupt system of the Senate. He knew they were being payed off by someone. He wanted to completely disband the Senate or limit its power in a significant way, but failed to do so because of the council.

The people sided with Hamalcar. Stomachs were empty while the coffers of the rich were swelling with gold. He lived among them, even though he was apart of the royal family. Everyday we would stand in the Bazaars and public places and preach to them of himself. It was so strange for them to listen to this man. They could come up to him and sit at his feet and listen to his wonderful ideas of a new Kart-Hadast.

That was when the Council of 30 acted. They spread massive propaganda about Mago. Games were held in his honor, food was distributed amongst the masses, payed for by the council. Suddenly things were good and Mago, who was much more conservative toward the current government system won the election.

The council loved how easily the public was swayed. "The best way to a mans heart is through his belly." That was their motto. Ever since that election they had fed the masses of Kart-Hadast and gave the claim that Mago was responsible for such actions.

So now, they were at the gates of Rome, being escorted by a fine cohort of men. They were quickly escorted to senatorial meeting where they made their plee.

Baalshillek, the unofficial leader of these men stood to address the greedy senators of Rome.

"My dear friends, we have prospered much with our alliance. Let our past woes not trouble us. The City of Kart-Hadast needs your help. A vile and evil man, Hamalcar is marching against it. He plans to sack and it and go to war with Rome. His son pledges to avenge his mothers death. These men MUST be stopped at once. We need your help. We have no army to muster as they are being blindly let by that man. We BEG you to send a legion to stop his advancement. Your services will be greatly rewarded."

There was murmor in the senate. They had been payed off by these men many times as well. The pirates in Messana were subdued by Rome, but the legion was payed for by the council. One must remember that pirates dealt some heavy financial burdens on these rich men, and Kart-Hadast did not want to attack messana, for fear of rome. Such was the history.

The speech had swayed the Senate of Rome. They knew the council could be trusted with its financial promises. They remembered Messana and Lilibeo. It was agreed that a legion would be sent to the province of Kart-Hadast IF it would be payed for by the council. Also they would have to pay for any and all war reperations to the familys of the Legionaries. This was a hefty price, but the council agreed to whatever they asked.

And so, they sailed to the island of Sicily, to be escorted back to the powerhouse of the Carthaginian empire by a legion of Rome.

[Dutchhoplite]

Traitors

Let's throw them in a ditch and let the elephants loose on them

[Vasiliyi]

Traitors

Let's throw them in a ditch and let the elephants loose on them

Well technically only some of them are traitors, as they are from all sorts of places. But yes, they will be "brutaly" taken care of. Actually one of the things that excite me the most about this aar is what barca is going to be doing soon... Rome will tremble, I promise

[d'Arthez]

Great AAR! I finally had a chance to spend time reading it, and I am sad I did not read it earlier: great plot, with all these characters.

[Vasiliyi]

Great AAR! I finally had a chance to spend time reading it, and I am sad I did not read it earlier: great plot, with all these characters.

Yah, I try to update every few days so that people can actually catch up with the story, or so I believe... Thank you for your compliment.

[Vasiliyi]

Well, sorry about the lack of updates recently. I am thinking of more plot thickening chapters, so please bare with me. I plan to do an update tomorow, but it wont be gameplay wise. It will be character building. Thanks to all who read.

[Vasiliyi]

Chains of life

"Likinos!"

Likinos shuddered as he heard his father roar out his name. It is time to go, he thought to himself.
He was a boy of 10 years old, born and raised here in the city of Gader. He knew these streets backwards and upside down, playing in then when he was still an infant.

His father on the other hand, was born in a noble family in the Island of Hibernia. He was the youngest of 6 brothers, all who were bigger than normal men. His father stood a head taller than every man in the city of Gader, and his body was well tuned and built for war. He ran away from home, after realizing his life would consist of serving his eldest brother. When the Carthaginians landed in Hibernia to trade with them their precious tin, he hid in a boat and didn't come out from hiding until he was starved. By then they were halfway to Spain.

He followed the Carthaginian merchant for the next 10 years, learning the skills to become a merchant. at 25, he married a his masters only daughter and they had a son. At childbirth, though, the mother died and Bareus was left alone with Likinos. For Likinos means "born to sorrow".

Since then, Bareus was just a trader in the city of Gader, teaching his son about his tribe. And now, he was turning 10, the grand time of a young boys life.

They walked through the streets, Likinos and his father. If you did not know them, you would never be able to guess that they were related. Bareus stood tall and handsome and proud, while Likinos was slinky, quick and skinny. He walked with a hunched back as if he was pretending to be an animal.

Likinos knew what they were going to do, but he wasn't sure how long it would take. His father told him that they would be making him his armour, but what he didn't understand was why. Gader had many great blacksmith factories that punched out beautiful armour with stunning speed, yet his father didn't order one.

They stopped at a blacksmith shop to buy a few materials. His father did all the talking while Likinos looked at a Gladius falcata, a curved short sword. He ran his finger down the sharp edge of it and cut himself. He was quite surprised when blood came dripping out of his finger.

"Dam you boy, can't you stand still for a moment?" Bareus snapped at his son.

Likinos pulled back and stood next to his father as he watched his father pack tools of all sorts into a leather pouch and then throw over his shoulder. His father was also carrying a bow and several arrows, along with his long sword, and his own set of armour, which he wore with pride.

The clerk at the shop handed Likinos metal wire. Likinos nearly dropped it from being so heavy. Bareaus helped Likinos put it over his shoulder as well and then they marched out of the city.
-------
Several hours later, after leaving civilization, they were in a hilly forested area where they camped near a river. Likinos watched as his father set up a fish trap to keep them from starving while Likinos broke a piece of bread and handed it to his father.

His father stopped what he was doing and started eating the piece of bread while he looked at his son.
"Open the pouch with the tools and lay them out on that flat rock over there." Bareus said to his son, pointing at a rock near their tent.

Likinos obeyed, and after doing he needed, he carried the metal wire there as well. His father walked to the rock and sat next to it.

"Come here boy." Bareus called to his son finding him looking at the fish trap that he set.

"Today, we will start to make you your armour." He began, arranging his tools as needed.

"But why can't the shops at Gader make them?" Likinos spoke for the first time.

Bareus, started working, and answered his son patiently. "My son, you are a Celt. And we, Celts make out own armor. When we make it, we realize what kind of work it takes to put it together, as it will later save our life. These chains will become your body as well. You must treat it as a piece of you, and not metal. That is why we make our own armor. My father taught me to make this chain mail, and I will now teach you."

And so the work began. Bareus started wrapping the thick metal wire around a round metal stake which would be used to hold a ship together. He worked slowly, explaining to his son every step. After they had wrapped the metal wire around, they pulled it off and it looked like a long spring. His father then took a pliers and cut each ring, slowly, one at a time to ensure quality. He talked to the rings as he cut them in his Celtic tongue, asking the rings to protect his son from harm in his battles.

Then he let Likinos try. Likinos was stronger than he looked and quickly took to it. They worked late into the night, and Likinos worked while his father started a fire and cooked the fish they had caught. When all the wire was made into rings they fell asleep.

Likinos woke to his right hand being sore from twisting so much metal the night before. He took a bite to eat and drank from the river and looked to his father to teach him further steps. After each ring was done, his father showed him the basic 4-1 patterns of the rings. After making the first few weaves, Likinos started it himself. He first made the chain to the the from the length of the top of his torso to the midsection of his thighs.

Then began the slow process of putting together the rest of the chain. He worked all day while his father hunted for the wild animals that roamed the forest. He only stopped for eating and relieving himself.

When he closed his eyes at night he could only chains. He was a quite boy, but this time with his father had really brightened him up and he spoke freely to the man he had once feared.

After the last ring was put together, he finally put it on. The weight of the project really surprised him, as it was very heavy. When his father returned with a deer over his back, he stood their silently watching his boy in his own armour, belt tightened, swinging his longsword playfully. His heart swelled with pride at what he saw and a tear rolled down his cheek.

He let himself calm down before he continued to the tent.

"Likinos." Bareus said to his son.

Likinos shrugged and dropped the sword with fear. Turning around to see his father smile at him, he smiled back and walked to his father.

He father looked at the armor and nodded after feeling the armor in his fingers.

"Well done, my boy. You will be a great warrior one day."

[HunGeneral]

Wow. A wonderfull update Vasiliyi!

This making of the armor really got me tied to the screen while I read it - fantastic work.

And that pic of the mail is great aswell - ist this THE chainmail you have mentioned in another thread? Ihave to say it seems well worked out. The belt goes with it quite well.

Here Vasiliyi have a baloon: (for this great story)

[johnhughthom]

Nice update, just one question, why does the guy in the picture seem to be constipated? Is that a symptom of armour making?

[the man with no name]

[Vasiliyi]

Wow. A wonderfull update Vasiliyi!

This making of the armor really got me tied to the screen while I read it - fantastic work.

And that pic of the mail is great aswell - ist this THE chainmail you have mentioned in another thread? Ihave to say it seems well worked out. The belt goes with it quite well.

Here Vasiliyi have a baloon: (for this great story)

A balloon! Thank you very much! No, unfortunatly i have barely begun making my chainmail, and am at about 4inches buy 12inches. Not much, but its a start.

Nice update, just one question, why does the guy in the picture seem to be constipated? Is that a symptom of armour making?

lol, idk i just got that photo of google, but im not constipated so i doubt its a symptom of that.