Of Destiny and Duty: A Galatian AAR

[Ariovistus Maximus]

Hey guys! I've been considering a problem recently, and I think my readers need a little more information.

Now, I have been thinking lately that my AAR may suffer a bit from a rather confusing plot line in the beginning.It has a dual plot line, which makes for a rather confusing first page. You don't usually expect to read about Crusaders in a "Galatian" AAR. Although I have long planned the fusion of these two stories, it is only now coming together, and that might be a bit confusing to those of you who can't read my mind.

So now, I shall explain, and hopefully you will gain a greater understanding of the thrust of this story, which I hope will in turn enhance your enjoyment.

Whien I read a story, it is important to me that it feels realistic. And, when I write, I want you, the reader, to feel like this really could have happened. When you read the account of Kyros, I want you to feel like you are in the museum reading something that really happened.

But, if that is the goal, it doesn't make any sense just to pop up with a story about Pontus. I mean, who finds an ancient manuscript detailing the history of Pontus in their back yard?

So I felt that just starting with Pontus would be much too abrupt. Now, a Crusaders Diary; that isn't too far-fetched. A lot of medieval documents survive today. After all, they've gone through a lot less than an ancient Pontic diary.

Thus, the Crusader's story is actually a vehicle to present the history of Pontus. It gives the Pontic story greater depth, context, and authenticity.

But that still doesn't explain the "Galatian" part. This shouldn't be as foreign as the coexistence of Crusaders and Pontics, so I'll be brief.

My other goal in writing is to be unique. I don't want another cut-and-dried account of a RTW campaign. The way I figure, if you want that, you can play it yourself.

But a story about a Galatian; that is something new. And how I weave the stories together, you will see as you read on.

Now, one lesson I have learned here is that I need to explain these things by degrees. Well, I shall add it to the vast list of other refinements I hope to make to my technique.

I hope that this opens your eyes a little. I will also put something like this in the beginning, in order to give new readers a little less of a shock. Thanks guys!

Now, I have a couple questions for you.

1. Did you find the story hard to get into due to the Crusader-Galatian plot duality?

2. Do you think that this little explanation would have helped you get into the story better, or that it will help you to understand the upcoming story better?

3. Is it too much of a spoiler for readers who are just beginning?

Oh, and don't miss chapter 33.