Basileion Bosphorou: a Tale of the Pontos Euxeinos

**Mjolnir** · 02-05-2009, 04:37

Chapter 1: The Wind and Troubles
Chapter 2: Pantikapaion
Chapter 3: A Course is Set
Chapter 4: On the Edge of Civilization
Chapter 5: Old Alliances
Chapter 6: An Old Feud
Chapter 7: Calm Before the Storm
Chapter 8: Hatching a Plan

**Chirurgeon** · 02-05-2009, 05:24

Alright! Im excited :) Cannot wait for that first chapter!

**SwissBarbar** · 02-05-2009, 07:48

Hear, hear! Can't wait to read how you prepared it all

**Mjolnir** · 02-05-2009, 09:15

OOC Notes:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Chapter 1: The Wind and Troubles

Summer, 270 BC

The wind originates in the forests of the great frozen north, it makes its way south across the vast steppes passing over the nomadic tribes driving their herds on their way to summer grazing grounds, and finally reaches an odd shaped peninsula on the north of a great oval shaped sea. Our sea.

The cool wind is a welcome relief from the heat of the midday summer sun here on top of the southern walls of the city. As I look out over the walls south towards the docks and warehouses of the port, a set of sails appears on the horizon and slowly draws closer. Squinting I can make out the coloration on the sails and the shape and size of the ship, a merchant ship from Trapezous most likely carrying iron and copper goods.

Good, trade has slowed to a trickle of late. Our port can hold 30 large galley type ships, but it is presently less than a quarter full. That is very troubling; this city was built on trade.

They say this city is over 300 years old and was founded by colonists of the Milesioi from Anatolia whose ancestors themselves were colonists from Hellas itself. They made a good choice when they founded Pantikapaion. The city is positioned on high ground commanding the mouth of the large Lake Maiotis and has many natural harbors for the use of our ships on top of the port facilities that have been constructed.

The Tanais River empties into Lake Maiotis bringing with it nutrients needed for the rich grain fields surrounding the lake. Down the river also comes a steady supply of barbarian slaves and other trade goods which along with the grain are shipped to Athenai, Sparte, Korinthos, Thermon and other cities in Hellas and to Sinope, Trapevous, Karia, and other Hellenic cities in Anatolia. In exchange pottery, metal goods, and luxury goods flow back to us. Oh how the gods have blessed us with wealth; or at least that’s how it used to be.

It has been a year now since the news of the fall of the city of Athenai, our friend, ally, and trading partner. Six months later we received word that Sparte too had fallen. Now Rhodos stands alone against the Makedonian scourge, and what can they hope to accomplish against the might of Makedonia? Our hope in the Koinon Hellenon has been crushed. And with the death of our hope comes the withering of our trade. Makedonian warships now own the Aegean and our trade ships are seized and confiscated under the pretense that our ships and goods were intended to aid Koinon Hellenon rebels.

Trade from Hellas now goes east to the Makedon’s allies in the Arche Seleukeia instead of north to us. And just when things seemed darkest, it got worse. A month ago Makedonia dispatched messengers to all the Hellenic cities: Pergamon, Kallatis, Sinope, Trapevous, Karia, Nikaia, Byzantion, Kydonia, Thermon, and us in the Basileion Bosphorou.

The messenger informed us that Makedonia was reclaiming her rightful place as the true heir to Megos Alexandros, and as such, all Hellenes must once again unite under Makedonian rule. With many thinly veiled threats that this would happen whether we liked it or not, Makedonia offered us their protection and the resumption of normal trade in exchange for regular tribute and the allowing of Makedonian garrisons in our cities.

We stand at a crossroads; a great decision lies before us and no less than the fate of the Basileion Bosphorou and her people are at stake. As I gaze out at the Pontos Euxeinos I consider what peace must accompany having no worries like the sea or the wind. The mindless sea which comes on with a rush and then breaks and recedes only to repeat itself again and again for the rest of time or the wind which blows for forever and a day without a care in the world. Ah, but the cool wind does feel nice.

**SwissBarbar** · 02-05-2009, 09:23

Veeeerryyyy nice !!! I like the narrative form, it's a tale from a contemporary witness. And the pics are awesome (will you create a map in future?). This AAR is as invigorating as a cool wind in hot summer ;-)