Lords of the Earth
The Rise of the Classical World
210-206 B.C. Turn 11
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Turn Cost- $5.00
If you reach a point of owing $10 without speaking to me about arranging a payment I will be holding your turn until you speak to me about it and arrange payment. This will not matter until next turn, but I do not want to be a bad guy so please at least speak to me. Thanks.
Rule Book:
We will be using 5.10.0 for the base rules of the game.
Heirs:
Although it was not common there were some female leaders of nations. But this was very rare as most men of the time would have trouble following the directions of a woman no matter how strong or talented. So I will not disallow the use of women as heirs, BUT know that there is a chance your nation will not take kindly to one of the gentler sex leading a nation.
Megalithic Constructions:
To build any Megalithic Construct you must have a Tech level that is at least 2 levels higher then what you are trying to do.
Example: The Kiel Canal from Skaggerack to the North Sea is a level 1 Megalithic Construction. So Denmark, who just reached Tech 3, can now build it. This is only the base cost. Any multipliers for region or something else are not counted in the Tech level requirement.
*Note: The Grand Canal of China is not really there. I will be removing it from the map. When the nations in China reach Tech 5 they can replace it.
Cultivation:
For any region to be made cultivated you must be at least Tech 4. For those regions that are capable of being C2 you must have a Tech level of 6+. Cultivation is a level 1 Megalithic Construction which is modified by the regional cost.
Example: Macedonia, a Tech 4 nation, decides to cultivate their lands. Since Macedonia is a Wilderness region and they are Civilized they have to do a level 1 construction with a multiplier of 1.5 for a civilized nation operating in a wilderness area. This costs 38 NFP (25 * 1.5 = 37.5 and you Round up to 38) and 75 GP (50 * 1.5 = 75).
Due to the effects on certain nations I have decided to allow for Natural Cultivation. It has taken effect immediately, but I will not go backwards so the effects will start from this turn forward. Also, because of this I will no longer be starting regions with PWBs as they can now all be cultivated given time.
Feudal Leaders and Allied Leaders:
Feudal leaders only receive a Combat stat. You may call them up to defend your nation or fight for you, but they are not willing to do anything other then assure the mutual defense and well-fare of your combined areas. Allied leaders receive all the stats and can do pretty much any action. If you assign them to Diplomacy the action will be for your nation but they will not be able to get the region about Allied level.
Troop Conversions
Infantry (500 men = 1 point), Cavalry (500 men = 1 point), Siege Engineers (500 men = 1 point), Warships (2 ships = 1 point), Transports (2 ships = 1 point).
National
Transformations
In time period we are in there are many ideas
which do not exist. Things such as Free societies or even Guilds were unknown
and more often then not unwanted. To show this the game has placed tech level
advancements on when you can reach things such as Free societies. These are
in place in the system and not determined by me. I have been and will continue
to use these as a guide for when you can reach a National Transformation. I
know there are examples through history that may seem to contradict this rule,
but please remember that these examples through history of free societies are
more often the exception and not the rule. Because of this most National Transformations
are at this time not allowed.
Mass Conscription
Mass Conscription is no longer allowed in the game. It makes very little sense for the time frame. It means you give every able bodied man in the nation a weapon and in a time of slavery, fuedalism and caste systems that would not happen.
North Asia
Mercs: 10 C, 10 I, 5 S
Merc Leader: None
Qin Empire
Xiaowen, Emperor of the Qin
Diplomacy: Anhui (+3 YfC), Huang (EA), Tz'Uk'An (HS)
The Qin continued their great works in building. The Great wall was continued between Ordos and Huang and then again on the Kansu-Shansi borders. The region of Funiu was put to the plow and culitvated for the people to grow more rice paddies. Great farms were started in Hupei, and the Royal Road was built from Anhui down into Taiping.
With his army of adminsitrators working to handle all of the builds and care for the Empire, Xiaowen and his Royal Army marched to Anhui and spoke to the people there with his aide, Marquis. They had a small amount of success and some more of the people left their anger at the bloody war of some 50 years ago go. In Huang there was even more success by Zhao Gao as people saw the benefit of joining with the Qin. The new Wall offered many benefits to safe trade and so they agreed to many new economic agreements to benefit both nations. In Tz'Uk'An things did not go nearly so smoothly. The people hated the Qin for the luxury that they could not have. When the diplomat, Li Si, arrived in the region he was given a rude welcome. When he tried to appeal to them that the luxury could be their's as well if they joined the Qin Empire they grew angry. Li was beaten and forced to flee the region. Tz'Uk'An declared they were hostile to the Qin and warned all Qin to stay out of their mountainous homes.
Late in 208 BC Qin forces began to march into the region of Chekiang in Nan-Yue. Led by Meng Tian, the Qin forces numbered 2500 Heavy elite cavalry, 4000 heavy cavalry, 5,500 regular cavalry, 1,000 light cavalry, 4500 heavy elite infantry and 3,000 regular infantry. They found the region of Chekiang to be undefended and quickly laid claim to the region. They then set up defensive lines and contact routes between the region and the Grand Army of the Qin in Anhui. No attack came by the end of 206 BC.
The Kingdom of Yan
Phan Chen, Lord of the Yan
Diplomacy: Linzi (F)
Chen ordered troops disbanded and given land to cultivate as repayment. Unfortunately, he never specified which region was to be cultivated or which units were to be given the blessed life of a rice farmer so nothing was done there. Yang Wei escorted Chen's daughter, Phan Zi, to the city of Linzi where she was married off as part of the deal which allowed the city to become fully united with the Kingdom of Yan. Tribute was sent again to the Glorious Emperor of the Qin.
Phan Ping spent 210 BC with his wife and had a son late in the year that would be the future king of the lands. He then did what any great leader would do and went skulking in the shadows of the rice paddies looking to see why the lands were not producing the food needed for everyone. The most interesting thing he found was how squishy mud is between your toes. That and he determined that food shortages could only be handled with more paddies being built. It wasn't much, but its what he ended up reporting.
Tartars
Changhatai
Diplomacy: None
Assasins came for Changthai, but he was no fool. His guards foiled one attempt and a second was foiled when he slew the man with his own hands. Ah... it is good to be a barbarian king. The Tartars continued to raid successfully along the Silk Road to the region of Tuhnwang before turning north and raiding back along the northern steppes until the reached the region of Ryatka. (Needs a Player)
Kwanto Japan
Kwanto Ujiro, Regent of the Kwanto
Diplomacy:
Akita Sukotarou did not understand how the Celestial Cycle had placed him as regent after the dishonor that had befallen his father. So as soon as Kwanto Ujiro came of age he turned the throne over to him and shaved his head and went off to the mountains to contemplate fate. Before he did that he searched for spies and found none. He did order Hokkaido Akahito to again sail and raid the southern regions. Akahito made one very successful raid on Shimane, but then died when his ships returned to sea and found a horrible storm striking. Akahito was thrown overboard when the ships were unable to find a safe harbor to land in. His ships made it north under the leadership of his son who returned to Hokkaido to mourn the loss of his father.
Sato Masa was given the duty of guarding Kwanto. While supervising the expanding of the walls of Akido an assasin struck. But Soto's guards were ready and managed to stop the assasination attempt before Soto Masa was harmed. At the same time a fire broke out in the city. It was later discovered that many agents of the Kwanto were killed.
Yamato Japan
Yamato Ayame, Daimyo of the Yamato
Diplomacy: Aichi (NE)
Ayame ordered his diplomat, Yamato Etsu to go and try and talk the Aichi clan into fully uniting with the Yamato. The Aichi were among the most skilled at war and hand held back the Kwanto threat for decades. But Aichi Akina died in the middle of it and his son mourned him to much to listen to diplomatic talks. Especially since he feared invasion and took over the defense of the northern reaches. The raid on Shimane burned down the new farms that the Yamato had placed in.
South Asia
Mercs: 10 C, 20 I
Merc Leader: None
Nan-Yue
Nguyen Vien , King of Nan-Yue
Diplomacy: Ganzhou (F), Kwangtung (EA), Gouangxi (FA)
Vien began to rule his nation and had a son in 210 BC, and a daughter in 208 BC. He continued the work that his father had ordered befoer him and sent his diplomats out throughout the lands. In this they were very successful. Gazhou was fully united iwth the kingdom and Kwangtung agreed to many new economic deals that would aid both people. Gouangxi was less excited about joining with the Nan-Yue, but they feared the Qin armies which seemed intent on coming south so they offered their spears to aid Nan-Yue but little else was to be given.
In 207 BC, word of invasion by the Qin reached the royal courts of Nan-Yue. Vien tried to get something together to retake the region from the Qin but his armies were not ready to fight the Qin and his leaders were in a panic, even after it was apparent that the Qin were not planning to move out of Chekiang in the near future. A tense feeling held the capital through 206 as everyone waited to see what would occur. But as the Qin continued to hold people calmed down and hoped that things could be worked out with them.
Khemer
Tak Rang
Diplomacy: None
Pauluk in Mon grew larger as trade barges between Khemer and Maurya began to move. Traders from the Holy Brahmin church also came looking for things to help worship the gods with. Missionaries were sent to Siam to try and turn more to following the Hindu faith. They had moderate success in converting some of the locals. Mokar led the expedition, but he himself had no luck in converting the region.
Tak Rang continued to rule his nation waiting for his oldest son to come of age and become the heir to the nation. Sadly his oldest two sons both died in a boating accident along the Mekong River leaving only his youngest son to carry on the family name and heritage.
Pacific Islands
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Moluccas
Anhuan, Lord of the Great Blue Seas
Diplomacy: Timor (NT), Sabah (NT)
Anhuan ordered his realm to be larger. While he ruled from Dula, Yuthaia sailed south to Timor to try and get a stronger claim to the large island. He was moderately successful in this and gained more words of loyalty. Although they were somewhat hollow as no tribute was to be sent to Dula. Prince Mokuna was sent to the wilderness of Sabah to try and gain the loyalty of the people there. He also managed to gain words of loyalty, but no tribute would again be sent to Dula.
While this was going on, Naha set sail for Palauk with thousands of people and supplies. there they quickly built up the tiny fishing village of Ana to be a city capable of handling the large trading barges and ships which would be needed to hold the far flung union of islands together.
In 206 BC, Anhuans wife grew pregnant. But she seemed constantly to be in pain. Many feared that she would not make it through the night of the birth of her child, if the child lived long enough to even be born. But against the odds the child came to term and was born, but as most predicted Anhuans bride never rose from the birthing bed. The son though lived through the night and appeared quite healthy. Many muttered about the omens of such a healthy child coming from the death of the mother.
The Isle Nation of Samoa & Hawaii
Kohpen, Defender of Samoa and Hawaii
Diplomacy: Fiji (F), Tektutea (NT)
Kohpen sailed to Fiji with many men, women and children. There he expanded the fishing village of Suva into a real city. He also spoke at length with the Fijian people and managed to get them to fully unite with his nation. they truly appreciated having the city in their region. In Teketua, Kameah was working hard to get them to fully unite with the Isle Nation as well. But they did not really wish to give up their freedom so they agreed to some hollow words of unity that would unite them with the other isles without requiring tribute be sent to them.
India & Central Asia
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Maurya
Rama, Emporer of Maurya
Diplomacy:
Rama ordered a new city founded in Assam named Ramabad and many new farms in the region. The cities of Dhara, Sarnath, and Tamarapitli all grew larger ad Maurya continued to prosper. A new road was built between Sahis and Sukkur. Forts were spread out over the land and many new ships were created to handle the internal trade of the nation. Bhagada then spent time with his men preparing for the arrival of the horde should it chose to come. He had men out watching for it. Ghatokacha, the new heir, spent his time ruling the nation in Rama's stead. Of course, like all leaders, he spent a great deal of his time ruling with his wife which led to a son in 210 BC and daughters in 207 and 206 BC. He also saw that money was again allocated to send to his uncle, Sri Gupta, off in the wilds of Africa. Missionaries continued their good works in Bactria even though the nation did little to aid or hinder them. But hey, at least the missionaries were invited in.
The Holy Brahmins
Chandragupta, Most Holy of the Brahmins and Defender of the Faithful
Diplomacy: Vanchi (CA), Kayal (CA), Sind(CH), Sukkur(CH), Und(CH), Sahis(CH), Edrosia(CH), Chera(CH), Chola (NE), Pandya (CH)
Chandragupta continued trying to build up the Hindu nations and encouraged that the cities of Kayal and Vanchi expand according. He saw that the people of Meroe were safely delivered to Rowzi. Saboy, who delivered the refugees. Then turned and returned to Dhara where he hoped to find a church. But Rama had ordered the city built up already which left the religious flock with no room to build. Chandragupta traveled from Vatsa to Sahis, and from there to Und, Sukkur, Sind, and then into Edrosia. In each place the charismatic leader of the Brahmins managed to begin a church. His assistant, Shana was sent to Chola, Pandya and Chera to see about making churches in the southern kingdom. He was successful in making churches in all but Chola which resisted having a strong church in the region.
The Indian Alliance
Torugah III, Lord of Pandya
Diplomacy: None
The villiage of Polonarva in Seylan and Marata in Sri Lanka grew large enough to be considered cities. The cities of Maduri and Uraiyor grew also increased in size. Vanchi grew with the aid of the Holy Brahmins and Torugah's own followers. Large amounts were invested into the university system. (No Turn)
The Middle East
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Bactria
Aeneus
Diplomacy: None
Aeneus took it easy and ruled over his lands. The missionaries from Maurya did their job and Olynthos and the region of Bactria became fully Hindu without to much trouble. (No Turn)
Seleucid Kingdom
Antiochos III
Diplomacy: Armenia (T)
Antiochos ordered many new projects in his nation. The region of Carhae was cultivated and a new road stretched between Mosul and Mesopotamia. Apollonus continued to expand with the new converts who flooded the city that the holy Messiah had died in. The cities of Nike and Zeusus were both made more habitable for the citizens there. Many new farms were started in Jordan to handle the influx of people. Antiochos also declared the new state religion was the Eastern Greek Religion which had missionaries flooding the regions. He also gave permission for the Spears to settle many of the soldiers who had fought against Meroe in his lands. Heracles, the younger, had two daughters in 208 and 206 BC respectively.
In Armenia, Heracles the Elder spoke at length to the people. He was very elequent but they were very stubborn. In the end tribute was agreed upon but it was obvious that Armenia was reluctant to join the powerful Seleucid Kingdom and then be forgotten among the masses.
Africa
Mercs: 15 HI, 15 I, 15 S, 5 W
Merc Leader: None
Ptolemaic Kingdom
Atrides
Diplomacy: Nubia (FA)
Atrides ordered his armies to march south while he stayed in Alexandra and ruled his nation. His armies marched south into the region of Luxor ready for conquest, but when they arrived they found the city in ruins and the lands vancant. It was easy to see that this was no job for an army but for thousands of settlers. Still the army claimed the region to stop any nomadic peoples from coming in before Atrides could get the colonists needed to fill the region down there. Also, it appeared that since the Meroeans had simply fled the city that it would be easy enough to simply rebuild it and the fort was still sturdy so things looked good for the future with Luxor.
In Lebanon, the city of Tyre grew large enough to hold the trading barges which sailed through the Mediteranean and the Black Sea. And work was started in Levant to make the region cultivated for farming. Marcus, who was in Ghebel Gharib traveled south to Nubia. There he spent several years talking to the locals and working to get them to join with the Ptolemaic Kingdom as they were wise enough not to have joined in Meroes daring attack on Greece. Nubia was most reluctant to join with them, but the Spears kindness in freeing women, children and priests helped ease some of the religious tension that existed and so some small deals were struck. Nubia agreed to send troops if needed but little else would be given to support the Ptolemaic Kingdom who had sworn to not aid in attacks on the Moreans and yet sent mercenaries to help attack.
Carthage
Dargen
Diplomacy: Idjil (F)
Dargen continued to rule and have children. Twin sons were born to him in 209 BC and a daughter in 206 BC. Hamilcar led a massive diplomatic effort with Astzaph and Domar to the steppes of Idjil. Even though the people didn't follow the same gods and the land was most inhospitable, the trio managed to tie the region fully to Carthage in a span of only five years. The people were most impressed with the power and knowledge of Carthage and hoped to use it to benefit themselves so they joined the mighty city state willingly.
The village of Tingi in Moroco and Circi in Algeria both grew large enough to house the great trading barges of Carthage. The region of Andalusia was put to the plow, but it would take many more years and a great deal more resources to make the region truly cultivated.
West Africa
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
The Desert Raiders of Kanem Bornu
Matzu
Diplomacy: Kano (NT), Ikego (C ), Jos (C)
Matzu ruled his lands and ordered that they be expanded. His aide, Medhat traveled to Kano where he had the most luck and managed to get some decent words of fealty event though no tribute was to be sent. In Ikego and Jos things did not go so well. The regions had little to fear from Kanem as they lay below the Tse Tse Fly line and so they were not to impressed with the powerful cavalry of Kanem. But Medhat pursued his quary hard and eventually both regions relented to giving Kanem some level of claim to them. Although they were both openly caustic over Kanems ability to protect them with cavalry.
The Kingdom of Ife
Alim, Chief of the Ife
Diplomacy: Hausa (A), Kafin (NT)
Alim turned and marched north with his men to Kafin where he spent several years trying to get the people to join with him. They still remembered many years back when Ife had been a war like state and were reluctant to join with them. In the end some words of fealty were exchanged, but no tribute was to be sent. Trebuni was sent to continue the diplomatic works in Hausa. He spent many years and found a kindred spirit in one of the local lords. This lord helped make Hausa a strong ally of Ife.
Al-Kaman grew slowly but surely and soon it reached half the size of Al-Karas. In Al-Karas, more work was done to make the region inhabitable.
South Africa
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
South African Cav Count: No Horses Yet
Mauryan Raj of Rowzi
Sri Gupta, Emperor of the Southern Lands
Diplomacy:
Sri decided that the only way to get his nation back on its feet was through enslaving everyone in sight. And if he ran out of people in sight then he would just have to go and get people out of sight. With that in mind he marched south through Matapos and assured them that they had nothing to fear from him before crossing the mountains to Vaal. There he set about attacking and capturing the region. The leader of the Vaal was a nearly blind old man who insisted on leading his people to war even though he could not see halfway across the field of battle. Sri easily conquered the region and set to looting it. Once it was looted he ordered the people enslaved. The old leader had died in the battle and a new, brave warrior stepped forward to lead his people. But with the region looted they could not put forth the troops they had before. And although they held Sri to a standstill, the superior numbers and strength of the training that the Raj's troops had led to the region being taken with only a few thousand men lost on the side of the Raj.
With the people of Vaal broken, Sri turned his men further south and entered the region of Mapugubwe where he again set to conquering the region. The people of Mapugubwe were a proud people and they felt sure that they could easily defeat these pesky northerners who spoke some strange language and didn't even know of the true ancestor gods. This pride led to a stunning downfall as they stormed out at the tight, skilled troops of the Raj and were so soundly beaten by their own overconfidence that not a man left the field of battle. And so the region was looted and Sri again ordered the people enslaved. But alas some never learn from what history teaches. The Mapugubwe people grabbed their sticks and stones and fought a vallaint but doomed fight. For they could not see the benefit of letting the Hindu troops come to them instead of charging their solid lines and so the region fell quickly and the people were gathered up. '
With his conquered people in tow, Sri returned to Kafue where he put the slaves to work finishing the cultivation of the region. He then returned to Rowzi to spend time with his family. His oldest son came of age and was made heir to the nation.
Eastern Europe
Mercs: 5 I
Merc Leader: None
The Eastern Greek Church
Aeneus, The Will of Zeus, Apostle of the Great Ophilius
Diplomacy: Carhae (CH), Edessa (CH), Antioch (AB), Aleppo (NE), Syria (CH), Damascus (CH), Hahmar (CH)
Aenus went off to spread the church. He founded new churches in Carhae and Edessa, but failed to increase the church in Aleppo. He did succeed in increasing the church in Antioch to an Abbey. His aide traveled south to Syria where he founded a church in the country and a second church in the city of Damascus. The followers of the church were directed across the breadth of the land. Aeneus was somewhat upset that Pontus seemed to be rejecting the new church, but with the Seleucid Kingom converting he had so much work to do that he could not turn his attention to the loss of Pontus yet. In Hahmar the missionaries founded their own church and dedicated it to the Eastern Greek Church.
Suzdal
Grodur, son of Yagar
Diplomacy: Kirivich (F)
Grodur completed moving the capital to Smolensk. With the arrival of his court the city grew larger to compensate for all the people coming to see the head of the Suzdal nation. Grodur continued to rule his nation and had a son in 207 BC, which was somewhat of a miracle considering how old he was. His oldest son finally came of age and was made the heir. Other then that things remained quiet in Suzdal.
Parthia
Arsaces I
Diplomacy: None
Arsaces ordered a great deal put into the government to help him run the nation. Not much else of interest occured. (No Turn)
Pontus
Mithridates III, Lord of Pontus and Ruler of the Black Seas
Diplomacy: None
The city of Troy continued to expand as the outlet for all trade to Pontus. Mithridates III ordered all of his leaders to preach to their people to try and stem the surge of the new faith. This met with problems as many of his allies followed the new faith already and thus preached the new faith rather then the Olympic Primacies faith. In Pontus Mithridates worked to get people to follow the new faith but they were stubborn and refused. Only Polovotsky saw some converts as a small percentage turned back to the Olympic Primacies churches. But with the Seleucid Kingdom declaring themselves for the new church no new missionaries came to Pontus which meant there were no more converts to the new faith in their lands. That at least was good news for them.
Antigonid Kingdom of Macedonia
Argeia, King of Macedonia
Diplomacy: Thessaly (A), Ludgorie (NE)
Argeia ordered another bout of diplomacy. Thyrdorian II and Cassius went south to Thessaly. Many troops were disbanded and given new homes in the village of Ioclus which soon made it a booming city, although still a small one. The region came around finally and made a strong alliance with Macedonia. Thydorian, who was to be regent if Argeia died, died instead in 207 BC. In Ludgorie things did not go as smoothly. Ifesteonias, who was the diplomat there, tried to sooth the barbarians down but was unable to actually get them to settle down at all. Meanwhile, Argeia's wife grew pregnant in 208 BC and had a son who would one day rule the nation and in 206 BC a second son was born.
The Olympic Primacy
Eutropius, Voice of Zues and Speaker of the Gods
Diplomacy: Tuscany (NE), Rome (NE)
Galinthias started 210 BC by ruling over the church which was a vast and unweildly church. Unfortunately, in September of 209 BC he died.
Eutropius was declared the new head of the church and had to rush back to Ephesus to rule over the Church lest more troubles happen. His work in Jordan was not yet complete, but it appeared that the Eastern Greek church was focusing more on the eastern regions of the Seleucid Kingdom so that was ok. Pheidippidies was in Tuscany and he tried to expand the churches operations there, but he did not spend any but the bare time for it and he was not the most charismatic of men so it did not help to expand the church in the area at all. He was to busy administering to the church with its present size to really work on expanding it. In 206 BC he did take another stab at expanding the church by traveling to Rome and trying again. Unfortunately, he once again showed his utter lack of savy and the church in Rome did not take off. Theokotos was sent to first Bithnia and then to Moldavia to preach to the masses and keep them in like with the Olympic Church. This did do some to bolster the church in the region. It further helped that no Eastern Greek missionaries came to debate with him. Antipater was sent off to Carthage where he proceded to preach to the leaders of the city. He converted a large number of them over the years.
The Spears of the Isle
Idonus, Lord of the Spears
Diplomacy:
Idonus ordered the Spears to free the slaves from the campaign and this was done immediately. They expected Maurya to come and get them but Maurya never arrived so the people fled south to Rowzi where they hoped to find aid. He left a strong garrison in Luxor and sailed off to raid. The garrison was mildly surprised when the Ptolemaic armies swept into the region looking for a fight but the two sides held to the treaty and watched each other carefully waiting for the word from the leaders of the two nations to see if they should fight it out or not over the barren lands of Luxor.
Western Europe
Mercs: 5 HI, 10 I, 5 S
Merc Leader: None
The War of the Western States
Rome and the Gaulic Tribes Vs. Massalia
210 BC
March- Bheathen and Uisden gather in Champagne with 10,000 elite warriors, and 8,000 light warriors. They then turn south and begin the march towards Massalia.
April-May- Several raids were made from the the Gaulic lands into Brittany. Brittany was totally ravaged in the attacks leaving few, if any, farms left standing as the raiders took everything of value.
June- Bheathen and his troops arrive in Lyonnais after the march south. They do little to hide their coming and Leonides in Langudoc turns and marches quickly north to meet with Louis of Lyonnais and his men who had formed a defensive line near the western mountain ranges beyond which many of the people of Lyonnais had fled.
Raiders struck at Poitou, but the people of the region had heard of the raids on Brittany and were prepared. They rose up against the raiders and killed a thousand of them before they managed to flee back across the border.
July- Leonides arrives in Lyonnais with 14,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry. He is met by Louis who has a mere 1500 cavalry and 1000 infantry to form his lines. With the bolstered defenses Leonides prepares for the Gaulic Invasion which is already sweeping through Lyonnais to where they wait. Athos of Aquitaine hears of the invasion in mid June and orders his men to prepare to march, but a sudden sickness took him before his troops could march to aid his allies leaving his region in disrepair.
Raiders again struck at Poitou. This time it went even worse for them as an additional 1500 raiders were cornered and slain by the regions inhabitants.
July- A few minor skirmishes occur in Lyonnais as both groups gather for the coming battle.
August- The Gauls now know where the forces of Massalia lie in wait and quickly move to take the battle to them. They are facing a set defense by Louis which is bolstered greatly by the main army of Massalia led by Leonides who quickly took charge from Louis. The Massalians had the skilled infantry of the Greek fatherstates, but they were met by the battle hardened tribesmen of the Guals who were greatly skilled in fighting on foot. On August 19th the two armies met along the Massalian defenses. Though the generals were about equal in skill and leadership and both had the aid of a fellow leader the battle quickly tipped to favor the Greeks. Louis knew his lands well and he had chosen a great position to defend his homeland. The Gauls quickly realized that the only choice was to charge the lines. But the Greek-trained warriors of Massalia were far too displined to fall before such a ploy and they held their lines. During the charge the Gaulic lines had spread thin though and Leonides quickly signaled for his cavalry, which had been held into reserve to smash into the right flank of the Gaulic forces. This trapped the Gauls between the Massalian line, a deep ravine on the left, and the charging cavalry on the right. Seeing this as a horrible predictament, Bheathen ordered his troops to retreat.
At first it appeared that the retreat would be done with little trouble. But the Greek cavalry quickly moved to pursue the fleeing Gauls. The Gauls had well trained, disciplined infantry. But they had nothing that was capable of coutering the 4,000 cavalry which raked at the backs and sides as they fled the field. Although Bheathen managed to keep his troops from being routed, he was driven from Lyonnais and his troops would end the year gathering together while Bheathen, who was wounded in the battle would rest and consider whether he would continue. A full third of his troops fell to the Greek lines and then to the horrible cavalry and he was not sure that it was a good idea to risk more troops without the support of cavalry.
Tiberius Flavius Scipio arrives in Liguria and takes control of the vast legions of Rome. The mighty force turns and begins the difficult crossing to Provence.
September- Leonides returns to Langudoc where he turns over the remaining forces to Hector who also just arrived in the region.
209 BC
April- Word of Roman troops beginning to flood into Provence reaches Hector. He gathers his forces and marches to meet them.
May- Roman troops finish marching into Provence. They number 12,500 heavy cavalry, 12,500 light cavalry, 10,500 heavy infantry, 39,000 regular infantry, and 15,000 seige engineers bringing up the rear. Massalia fielded only 13,500 infantry and 2000 cavalry. Five forts spanned the region to offer some defense against the impending invasion, but it seemed a paltry defense when compared to the flood of Roman troops.
June/July- Due to the large number of cavalry Rome had to screen its movements Hector found himself blind and fumbling to protect the city and region from an unknown enemy. Without an adequate cavalry he was unable to get much in the way of survellance so he spent June and July preparing, without knowing how large the invading force was. By the time it became obvious that the invaders easily had 4 times his strength it was to late to do flee the region. He fell back to Fort Apollo on a bluff overlooking Massalia City and the bay.
August- The forces of Rome launched themselves against the forts and armies of Massalia. The Massalians were not nearly as skilled at war as the Romans and the two forces collided and in short order the skill and sheer number of the Romans showed out. The engineers of the Romans were called forward to breach the walls of the forts and then the legions where sent in using their unique fighting formations to defend against arrows as they breached the walls. Within hours the Greeks were routed. The cavalry of the Romans quickly gained payback for their Gaulic allies as they slaughtered the Massalian forces almost to a man. Hector managed to flee to the city in the burning confusion of the fall of the forts.
September- Rome manuevers their forces around Massalia City which has no defenses with the annihlation of the Massalian army. Hector flees to the capital to see it cleared out before Rome can arrive.
208 BC
April- Roman troops invade Massalia City after the passes open from the winter. The city is undefended and has no walls. Seeing the legions marching towards their streets the people surrender.
May/June/July- Roman troops march from Provence into Langudoc. The government of Massalia flees at word of the Romans approach. Andreas shows an exeptional ability to lead as he gets his government away from the impending conquest. Hector prepares a new defense with the few forts in the region.
August/September- Both sides maneuver in the region and perpare for the battle, but winter closes the roads and Rome does not press the invasion.
207 BC
April- As the passes once again open for the winter Rome attacks the 5 forts in the area. Hector was a skilled leader though and he had spent months building his men up for this moment. He swore to make Rome pay in blood for the lands they were planning on stealing. And so he did. In an amazing display of defiance the Forts held for a full three days of near constant warfare and if they had troops to sally out they may have even succeded in driving Rome from the region. But even as Rome was being battered by the stalwart defenders the sheer number of troops destroyed all hope of the defenders surviving. Hector again managed to escape from the Romans. But this time he left knowing that the Romans had bleed for the lands they took. He fled the region then going to try and do what he could to secure the rest of the lands.
May- The Romans pause before taking on the Capital to gather their wounded and heal. The battle was a painful reminder that a small force could be hard to push out if they refused to budge.
June/July- The Romans moved to surround the city and prepare for the assault. Once again the Roman troops found the city totally undefended and moved in quickly once the city surrendered. With the capital taken, Rome sat and waited to see how the Massalians would react.
Rome
Scipio
Diplomacy: None
The Roman invasion of Massalia was nearly a complete success. Sadly, in 206 BC Flavius Scipio died. Magnus Lativius took over the leadership of the Roman legions. Preaching continued in Switzerland but it did not lead to any significant number of new converts. In 209 BC, Julus Magnus Scipio died. One of his youngest sons surprised many by quickly sweeping away the others who moved to take on the position with a younger brother who also rose to prominence in the nation. He quickly moved to rule the nation and see that the distant legions were well supplied.
Massalia
Andreas
Diplomacy: Brittany (NE)
Andreas was forced to lead his people away from Rome. He took his retainers and fled to Burdigalos in Gascony where he set up a temporary capital. A son was born to him in 209 BC which was the highlight of his years. But with the fall of Nova Fokaia in 207 BC he wondered what possible life his son would have. Leonides was sent to Brittany to see the damage and try and convince the people to further join the Massalians in these troubled times. But Brittany had little desire to be any more united with Massalia then they already were after Massalia proved unable to defend them as their farms were ravaged.
Catolina was fully cultivated and a great deal of work was placed into cultivating Lagundoc before the Romans invaded.
Bohemian Empire of Westphalia
Jaro, Son ofUlgar
Diplomacy: None
Jaro ordered many new troops commisioned and began a trade route with the Gauls. He then watched for invasion and had many of his allies also prepare for invasion. By mid-209 BC no invasion had come so he set to ruling his nation. Over all things were very quiet in Westphalia and Jaro thanked his ancestors for moving to these rich and peaceful lands. Especailly when word of war raging in the southern lands reached him.
Franconia
Sebastian, son of Mylguard
Diplomacy:
Sebastian began 210 BC by ordering more internal shipping and by working to move many of the ships dedicated to that to the port of Frieburg instead of the older port of Saarbrucken. Work was done in Stuttgart to make it better for the inhabitants of the city. His son continued to take care of the troops while having a daughter in 208 BC and a son in 206 BC. Things were fairly quiet over all in Franconia, although rumors of huge armies marching to the south greatly disturbed many of the people.
The Gauls
Albriorix, High Chief of the Gauls
Diplomacy: None
Albriorix ordered his troops to march on Massalia, and was most unhappy with the results. Whispers came that the gods had cursed the endeavor because the Gauls had sworn oaths to not attack the Massalians and they had broken their word. In 207 BC, Daric's new wife grew pregnant with a child. Sadly, neither mother nor child survived the night of the childs birth. This added to the worry that many of the peasants had. In 206 BC Uisdean died as well while inspecting the troops in Orleans. Overall this was not the best time that the Gaulic tribes had seen.
Breton
Conan, King of the Bretons and Pendragon of the Isles
Diplomacy: Dyffed (NT), Gwynned (NE), Sarum (Was Wessex) (A), Lancaster (NT)
Conan began to build up his forces once again while ruling and spending time with his wife. She gave birth to a son for him late in 210 BC. She grew pregnant again in 207 BC, but died in childbirth. The child, which would have been another son, also died.
Conan sent his leaders out to do a great deal of diplomay. In Sarum, Prince Diocain did a great deal of talking with a local lord who soon became a stalwart supporter of Breton, although the region was not fully united with Breton yet. In Dyffed, Johan spent 4 years talking to the locals and getting them to agree to some level of control by Breton. But they did not end up paying tribute. He then traveled to Gwynned where he tried to do the same thing and came very close to upsetting the locals enough to hurt him. But he pulled back just at the end and the people settled down some. Even with the help of Uhar, the people of Gwynned refused to join with Breton. Before Uhar met Johan in Gwynned he traveled to Lancaster where he had moderate luck and managed to gain a claim on the region, but they also would not yet pay tribute to the growing power of Breton.
The Ilyrian League
Hephistion
Diplomacy: Sparta (F)
Hephistion continued to rule his nation with the help of son. He turned down the aid of the Bishop, but kept the scribes sent by the Olympic Primacy as he had need of those. Work to cultivate Slovenia continued as more men and resources were sent to farm the lands and push back the tree lines.
Protesilaus moved from speaking to the rural Moreans and traveled to the great city of Sparta where he spoke at length with the locals. He was most persuasive and Spart soon fully united itself with Ilyria hoping to make a stronger
Leon
Gargoris, Chief of Leon
Diplomacy: New Castille (A)
Gargoris looked over his nation and ruled it. He also spent a lot of time with his children and came to greatly enjoy his time with Primo, his eldest son. Aquilar, Gargoris' brother, was called upon to come and assist Gargoris in running the state while Primo was still to young to become the heir. Armando, an ally from Salamanca, was sent to speak to Izarna of New Castille. Izarna had previously agreed to send troops if needed, but little else was offered. Armando spent a great deal of time explaining to the chief of New Castille that it was most important that they work together. After this talk Izarna agreed to what was said and became a full ally of the Leonese.
Northern Europe
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Virumaa
Valdek Eestigard
Diplomacy: Saarema (F)
Valdek decided it was time to expand his realm, and since he had raided and pillaged many of his neighbors he did not see them wishing to willingly join him. So instead he ordered his sone to gather men and supplies and to sail to Saarema and set up a new encampment there. Before Valdek II did this he spent a wonderous night with his wife who would not be taken onto the island. This led to the birth of a son in 210 BC. And then he set off to do as his father ordered. This was the second time that Virumaa had sought to take the island, and this time there would be no half measures. Thousands of men, women and children were packed onto boats over several journeys to the island. Once they were there Valdek II sought to place people where they had to be and small fishing and farming villages sprung up throughout the island.
By 208 BC the island was a thriving part of Virumaa. Valdek then turned and returned to spend more time with his wife until his father found yet a new job for him. Unfortunately, his son was getting loud and not much was accomplished with her.
The Danes
Thoradin II, Son of Thoradin
Diplomacy: Kopparborg (C ), Uppsala (NE)
Thoradin II continued to prowl the area around his nation with a few of his fellow allies, always wary for invasion from any angle. And several new ships were commisioned for one of his allies to further aid in watching for unexpected invaders. His son continued the easier, if more boring, part of life by ruling the nation. His wife ended up baring a son in 210 BC and a daughter in 206 BC as he spent a great deal of time with her when the matters of state allowed for it.
Meanwhile, Prince Thorin was sent further north to the lands of Kopparborg where he worked at length to gain some alliance with the people there. Sadly, in the end he was able to only lay a small claim to the region. But the situation in Kopparborg turned out to be much better then that which occurred in his later trip to Uppsala. There he was able to get no where with the locals, and he came close to angering several of them. They were a stiff necked people and saw no real need at this time to grow closer to the Danes.
North America
Anasazi
Uhynatipa, Chief of the Anasazi
Diplomacy: None
Uhynatipa ruled his nation. Farms were started among the Hohokam tribes to grow more food for the people. It was an easy life watching the sacred corn grow, but it was a good and peaceful life as well which made the people of the Anasazi very pleased.Ahapita was declared heir as he was now of age and was the oldest living son. Thus the nation would continue on after Uhynatipa had passed on to the Great Spirit realm.
Atakapa
Jualiapta, Chief of Atakapa
Diplomacy: None
Jualiapta had many works done inside the city of Opelousa to make it more habitable for his people and to handle the influx of people he hoped to one day see. He named his only son as his heir. He did attempt to have more children, but early in 209 BC his wife grew ill and remained weak through 206 BC and was unable to bear him another child. Like may of their neighbors, things in Atakapa remained peaceful and many held high hopes for the future. Especially when the Atakapan team won the Great Lacrosse games held in the Holy City of Chillicothe in 206 BC.
Moundbuilders
Ailapatoh, Lord of the Mounds
Diplomacy: Cherokee (F)
Ailapatoh went about ruling his nation. He hoped to find places for more of his people in Kaskinapo, but found the region was not yet capable of supporting them so the people returned to the capital for now. They were being led by Prince Asopat who then traveled on to Cherokee where he spoke at length with the leaders and pointed to the many fine new farms which were placed into their lands. This was a great boon to the people of Cherokee and they agreed to fully unite with the Moundbuilders.
In 206 the tribes again gathered for the Great Lacrosse games. This year the games were won by a team from Atakapa led by the powerful athelete named Yutayapai who was among their greatest heroes. Many watched for the great lights over the Holy City, and some claimed to see them in the night skies. Who can know how the Spirits move though?
Central & South America
Maya
Yuthuhaia
Diplomacy: Popoluca (F), Totonac (C )
Yuthuhaia spent his years ruling and looking out to preserve his nation. He named his son, Huncame, as his heir and his younger brother as a prince of the realm . He was also wary of attacks by neighboring tribes even though there was not a tribe in a 100 days walk that could match the might of the Mayans. But his power was not close to what he felt it should be so he sent Yajahatapa to Popoluca where he managed to get the region to agree to fully unite with the Mayans before his death in 208 BC. Unfortuanately for Yuthuhaia, things did not go as smoothly in Totonac where Ixtab was sent to speak to the locals. Even with the large amount of gold sent as a present to win the hearts of the people there was little progerss met. By the time winter shrouded the land in 206 BC the people had allowed only the slightlest claim be held by the Mayans over them.
In Quiche, the village of Coba was greatly increased in size as Yuthuhaia spread his people out over his lands. In Chonatal many people were moved to the village of Palenque. It was still far too tiny to be considered a city, but it was growing closer. Through out the realm new farms were started, although due to miscalculations by the royal scribes not as many started as they had estimated. Several of the scribes were sent to feed the Gods to make up for this foul error.
United Tribes of Peru
Macario, Lord of Chavin, King of the United Tribes of Peru
Diplomacy: Ataura (NE), Pucara (EA),
Macario worked hard to break his people from their stupor which came after the burning of the university. He managed to create quite a spark among the merchangs in his nation. He explained to them the internal struggles that were resulting from the lack of external unity in the small but powerful alliance of tribes. These merchants took his words to heart and paid a great sum of money to forge a great road from the capital of Lima to the northern city of Trujillo. This great new road helped lead to a rise in the population of Lima, while public works were invested in Trujillo and Lumos to improve the lives of the tribes in the area.
Talks continued through out the tribes. In Ataura Prince Itzel and Shamans Manco and Hector were busily talking to the locals, even though the region was already fully united with the other tribes, when a plague struck the village where they were staying. Prince Itzel and Manco were both killed by the disease, and Hector was greatly weaked. In Pucara, Macario was having a somewhat hard time trying to get them to join more fully with the other tribes. His work on the merchants in his nation led to some new economic plans but the tribes in Pucara did not moce closer to the other tribes in any other way. Macario was greatly saddened by the death of Itzel, who he had hoped to succeed him. As the years past Macario wondered what would come of his nation after he too passed and so he looked inside to find the truth within.