Lords of the Earth
The Rise of the Classical World
195-191 B.C. Turn 14
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.
Royal Children
There are consequences to having too many children with ties to the throne. Some nations have more then 5 candidates already for the position of heir and a few look to be heading for the 10 mark. This can tear your nation apart. This it the one warning I will give to doing this.
North Asia
Mercs: 10 C, 10 I, 5 S
Merc Leader: None
Qin Empire
Xiaowen, Emperor of the Qin
Diplomacy: Anhui (+17% YfC)
Xiaowen called many of his aides to meet him in Anhui. He then continued his tours of the lands in his Empire until he reached the fertile lands of Anhui himself. There he and his aides spent many years working to see that the region was interested in uniting with the Qin and forgetting the pains of the past. They were very successful in this and many came to see Xiaowen as a peaceful man instead of the warbringer that his fathers were. In 193 BC word arrived in Anhui that Zichu, heir to the empire, had a new son to carry on the dynasty. This brought much rejoicing to the throngs of loyal Qin supporters.
Under Xiaowen's orders many new things came to be in the Empire. A road link was built between Szechwan and Hubei and then from Hubei to Hupei. Much of the work needed to cultivate the regions of Chekiang and Kweichou were put into place but not enough workers were dedicated to the projects and so the regions were not fully put to the plow. Farms were also started in Szechwan. Peace rained in the empire even though occasional rumors of the Tartars movement to the north reached them. But the court of the Qin Empire was quick to assure the people and the Emperor that the Tartars would not come near their lands. In Shentung a port village grew large enough to allow for some of the great ships that the Emperor had commisioned to take trade throughout his empire.
In 191 BC raiders from the steppes tore into the provence of Wu Hai in the northern lands of the Qin. The region had no local defenders, and although troops began moving as soon as the raiders struck they were not nearly fast enough to stop them. The fertile fields of Wu Hai were heavily damaged in the raid and many in the government cried out for the heads of those responsible for the raid on Qin lands.
The Kingdom of Yan
Phan Ping, Lord of the Yan
Diplomacy: Hsuing Nu (A)
Phan Ping declared his son, Phan Huang, to be heir. He then ruled over his lands and ordered that Yen be put to the plow. This was done immediately and soon the region was ready to hold many new farms that would aid in feeding the growing kingdom. Yang Wei continued his work in the region of Hsuing Nu and managed to find a strong ally who would do everything he could to see that the region fully supported Yan. The region of Wudah was raided, although the raiders were repulsed by the people of the region. They were most unhappy that the Yan were not there to protect them, when the troops did arrive in reaction to the raid several weeks later they were met with mostly hostile glares, but the people were put at some ease to know that troops were ready to come if they were needed. Although the tardiness of them left much to be desired.
Tartars
Changhatai
Diplomacy: Buryat (A), Gobi (NT), Khanate of Khunai (Merged), Lang Zao (Merged)
Changtai decided what he needed was a bit more muscle with him, so his son and an ally marched with him as he went. This led to the tribes of the Khunai and the Lang Zao falling directly into his own ranks while the Buryat simply allied with him. The Gobi tribes submitted to him but refused to march. Raids were done on Dalai Nor, Sungari, Jilin, Wudah, Tumet, Kin, Wu Hai, and Lang Shan. The only loses were to the tribesmen of Wudah who were more willing to face the raiders as they had the power of China to back them up. Although it was not the most profitable lands in the world the raiders made decent money over the years of raiding across the steppes. In Wu Hai it was a different story. The Tartars found the rich fields easy pickings and took away much of value and raced back into the steppes before the forces of the Qin could descend upon them.
Kwanto Japan
Kwanto Ujiro, Daimyo of the Kwanto
Diplomacy: None
Ujiro continued to carefully watch over his lands and fund his government as much as possible. This led to it growing large enough that Kwanto Japan became a centralized monarchy for the first time. Now all of the regions truly looked to Ujiro to lead them to glory and honor. A few minor attacks on government buildings were stopped but other then that Ujiro found that things remained rather boring in his lands. He had a second son in 191 BC while taking a small trip away from his troops to visit his oldest son who was then about to turn 10, and his young wife. It was a happy time for the Kwanto clan.
Yamato Japan
Yamato Ayame, Daimyo of the Yamato
Diplomacy: Aichi (F)
Ayame continued ruling his nation with the aid of Jiro. He sent his heir to the Aichi lands to converse with them. He also sent his only daughter to arrange a marriage with. She was a pretty young lass and she made a good wife for the local lord. With her as a bride the region came fully under the sway of the Yamato Clan. Etsu was sent off to Toyama, but he grew quite ill after eating some bad fish and died before he reached the region. More troops were conscripted. Money was also sent to start farms in Shimane.
South Asia
Mercs: 10 C, 20 I
Merc Leader: None
Nan-Yue
Nguyen Trin , King of Nan-Yue
Diplomacy:
Trin ruled over his lands and worked to keep the peace. He had a son in 194 BC, a daughter in 192 BC and another son in 191 BC. Tribute was sent to the Qin as the lords of China. Other then that things remained quiet in the realm. Trin was very successful in keeping the peace and even the fear of the distant hordes of the steppes did not reach the people of the nation.
Khemer
Tak Lang
Diplomacy: None
Tak Rang spent most of 195 BC working to make the fishermen of his capital take the produce of the villages along the river to the capital and the finished works of the craftsmen in the cities to the villages. He was successful in this. But it was stressful work and soon after that he died. His son, Tak Lang, was declared the new King with little trouble. He and an aide were busy in Siam trying to convert the locals to the Hindu faith. They had a good deal of success with the local lords and soon most of them followed the Hindu pantheon but many of the lords and the people held tight to their ancestral worship.
A final testament to Tak Rang came when the walls of the city of Angkor Wat once more had to be torn down and expanded to allow room for the growing capital of Khemer to spread. With the influx of trade along the river between the outlying villages and provinces and the capital many new craftsmen moved to the city to ply their trades.
Pacific Islands
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Moluccas
Anhuan, Lord of the Great Blue Seas
Diplomacy: Sarawak (NT)
Anhuan attempted to rule with his son but his son died soon after the winter left the land. His family was large and he was immediately bombarded as the many sons had by his father, himself and later his son all came and declared their reasons for why they should rule after him. In the end he selected his own son as heir because he reminded him of his father but many grumbled at this choice.
Tocklin was sent to Sarawak where he quickly went to work trying to get the region to accept the rule of the Moluccans. He did well at this, partially because of word of the wonderful transformation of Sabah reached them. Although no tribute would be sent to the island kingdom yet, many ties were formed between the region and the island nation. In Sabah, Molkuna was busy working at converting the local lords. He had some success in this but only a small portion of the lords turned back to the great spirits of the blue waters.
The Isle Nation of Samoa & Hawaii
Kohpen, Defender of Samoa and Hawaii
Diplomacy: Tonga (NE), Vantuatu (NE)
Kohpen loaded many supplies and people on a boat and set sail for Tonga. When he arrived he settled the people and supplies into the small village of Nuku'alofa as a way to show he cared for the region. He then tried to get the people to unite fully with them, but his ally in the region, Tui, had set sail to the region of Ventuatu. Without him there the people refused to listen to anything that Kophen had to say and so he died of a broken heart, ok not really. He actually died of a sickness but he was heartbroken that the people ignored him. In Ventuatu things did not go any better and the region refused to allow even the slightest claim by the isle nations. Luckily, Tui was a decent diplomat so the Ventuatans did not become hostile.
With the death of Kophen the entire nation was left in a very difficult problem. Kophen had left no heirs and had not given any word as to who was to precede him as the rule of the seas. But as the islands were about to shatter into seperate places once more Malma returned from exploring the great blue seas. He was a very charismatic man who quickly managed to pull the seperate islands back together. Without such a charismatic leader the isle nation would have found itself split in half at the very least. Many were relieved when Malma stepped forward becuase he also possed an heir to take the throne, although the heir was not nearly as charismatic as his father.
The Aborigines of Taree
Tafar
Diplomacy:
The port village of Yuri grew prominant under Tafar who was reknowned as the new head of the chiefs in the area and was soon the largest village in many leagues journey in any direction. He was a large and mighty man who was blessed by the gods. Why in just the five past five years his house was blessed with many fine sons which came in 195 BC, 192 BC, and 191 BC. There was also a daughter born to his household in 193 BC.
India & Central Asia
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Maurya
Rama, Emporer of Maurya
Diplomacy: Surashtra (F)
Some more farms were started in Sahis and Chitor. A royal road was completed between Chitor and Uttar Pradesh. This completed one of many road sections which had been started but never completed. Mass levies were summoned to the capital to defend the empire against the growing horde to the north. A massive new force was armed and trained. Almost all of the officers of the Mauryan Empire were called back to the capital. Rama continued to rule his empire with his son at his side. His son had a daughter in 192 BC and a son in 191 BC.
In Surashtra, Ghotackha worked out a royal marriage to ensure the region became friendly with Maurya. This was successful and the region fully united with the mighty empire.
The Holy Brahmins
Mohatma, Most Holy of the Brahmins and Defender of the Faithful
Diplomacy: Marata (AB), Polonava (AB), Seylan (NE), Und (CH), Kali (CH), Palauk (NE), Samnath (AB)
Chadragupta continued to travel through the lands of the Indian Alliance trying to increase the churches in the area. He saw abbeys built in Marata and Polonava, but while trying to increase the religious structure in Seylan he died and went on to whatever the next life held for him. His replacement was named Mohatma. He was a recent addition to the church that moved quickly through the heirarchy.
Emanem was sent off to the west where he saw sites go up in Und and the city of Kali in Carmania along the coast. Yobnas on the other hand was sent east and he failed to get any more strength for the church in Palauk, but he then went to convert the leaders of Mon. There he found a great amount of success and almost half the region converted in the few years he was with them. Missionaries were also sent to Berbera where they saw a good deal of success in converting people in the region.
The church encouraged the growth of the cities of Samnath and Dhara which enabled an abbey to be formed in Samnath. A royal road was funded between Und and Sahis. With the churches desire to see the cities in the Empire grow the culture flourished inside their walls. Many rich nobles helped donate money to the studies of the Church into the world and novel ways of doing daily things were discovered.
The Indian Alliance
Torugah III, Lord of Pandya
Diplomacy: None
A census was conducted of all in the lands. Many great things were done to the capital to improve it and make it more habitable for the people who lived in the capital or came there for business. A small stipend was granted to the university to look into new ideas that the students and teachers might have.
(No turn)
The Middle East
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Bactria
Euthydemus I
Diplomacy: None
Once again things slowed to a halt in Bactria. The warm weather just seemed to sap most of the will to do anything and so things carried on much as they had. (No Turn)
Seleucid Kingdom
Antiochos III
Diplomacy:
Troops were sent to fight in Rome (See the War). A road was constructed between Aleppo and Demascus. Work was done to make the capital and the city of the Messiah better for the residents. Heracles was given small taks to do with ruling the nation. He spent time with his wife whenhe was not occupied with matters of state and this led to a son in 193 BC and a daughter late in 192 BC. Other then that things inside the kingdom remained quiet even if turmoil seemed to have struck many of their neighbors.
The Eastern Greek Church
Polybos, The Will of Zeus, Apostle of the Great Ophilius
Diplomacy: Abadan (AB), Hahmar (CA), Carhae (NE), Aleppo (CA), Syria (MN), Jordan (NE)
Work to spread the faith continued as Aeneus and his follower Polybos traveled through much of the Seleucid kingdom gaining more influence in the nation as they went. They increased their religious sites in Abadan, Hahamar, Aleppo and Syria. In the region of Carhae little was accomplished as Aeneus had grown quite ill and it hindered his ability to do what must be done to spread the faith. But he stoically continued his trek and fortified himself to do all he could for the faith. This proved effective in Aleppo and Syria, but shortly after he started his journey from Syria the strain grew to much and he died and went to his final rewards. Polybos took over the journey to Jordan, but left alone for the first time he found the loss of his teacher a great burden and he was unable to effectively start a church in Jordan.
Improvements were made to the city of Apollonus to aid those who lived in the city of the Messiah.
Africa
Mercs: 15 HI, 15 I, 15 S, 5 W
Merc Leader: None
Ptolemaic Kingdom
Atrides
Diplomacy: Luxor (UN), Aden (+4YfC), Rhodes (A), Petra (A), Ad'Diffah (NT). Aswan (NT), Ghebel Gherib (NT), Lybia (NT), Nubia (NT), Sinai (NT), Tripolotania (NT)
Several regions were lowered in status while others were increased. Luxor was gifted to the Spears. Trade was shifted around. Work was done to cultivate Aden. In Petra a village began to grow as the nation grew, but it was not yet large enough to be considered a true city.
The Spears of Ares
Atreides, Lord of the Spears
Diplomacy: Luxor (NT), Axum (EA), Atbara (T)
The Spears recieved money from Macedonia. They also were given the region of Luxor by the Ptolemaic Kingdom. These were big boons for the fledgeling nation. Work was done to cultivate Funj and a farm was set up in Alwa. Pualus, son of Atriedes, came of age in 193 BC, while Prince Enneus died of old age in 192 BC after going to claim the region of Luxor.
In Axum, Diomedes was sent to see if he could get the region to become more supportive of the Spears. He was fairly successful in this and managed to link the economics of the region with the Spears which would help both out considerably. In Atbara, a bastion for many of the refugees from the previous war, Antichares was sent with some gifts of gold to try and make peace with the region. This went very well and soon the region was joined, although somewhat reluctantly, to the Spears. For future protection and insurance of their survival the people of the region agreed to send tribute to the Spears.
Carthage
Dargen
Diplomacy: Catolina (F)
The war against Rome toiled on. Priests from the Olympic Primacy continued to pester people in Carthage to no avail. Many new units were forged. Piracy along the Tyrhennian Sea proved fruitless as no Roman merchants were willing to sail after everyone who dared in the previous years had been captured and either sunk or forced to serve Carthage. In Catolina Hamilcar was busily working to get the region to fully unite with Carthage. In this he was successful and the region was soon fully united with Carthage. In Kabilya work to cultivate the region began. In 192 BC word of the final defeat reached Carthage. Many began to grumble that Carthage had already gained what it needed from the war and the continual losses of people, including the death of Domar who had once led the armies onto Roman lands.
West Africa
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
The Desert Raiders of Kanem Bornu
Matzu, Lion of the Shifting Sands
Diplomacy: None
Matzu grew sick and so no new orders were sent out so his leaders and men just road around and enjoyed themselves. (No Turn)
The Kingdom of Ife
Alim, Chief of the Ife
Diplomacy: Kafin (F), Benin (NT)
Alim continued to rule the nation and his son Alir became the new heir to the throne. The village of Al-Kulani in Togo grew large enough to be counted among the major cities of the nation. Arogos of Kafin came to Ife and married Amira making him a prince of the realm and it made Kafin fully loyal to the Kingdom. He then traveled to Benin where he spent some time speaking to the locals and managed to gain some small amount of claim over the region but no tribute or men would be sent to Ife.
Work was also done to improve the capital and the city of Al-Kaman also expanded as the wealth of the Kingdom continued to grow.
South Africa
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
South African Cav Count: No Horses Yet
Mauryan Raj of Rowzi
Sri Gupta II, Emperor of the Southern Lands
Diplomacy: Zambia (C), Bassa (C)
Sri Gupta stopped for a month after the winter storms abated to spend time with his wife who had seen so little of him due to his great campaigns. He the collected all of the troops of the Raj and headed out. Along the path to his newest conquest he grew ill and died in the region of Tongah in the year 194 BC. Sri Gupta II, heir to the Raj, whose wife had died some months before while pregnant, rushed to go and gather the troops. He had been in Zambia doing diplomatic acts when the word came to him. He rushed north to get the troops and then returned to Zambia to spend a few more months talking to them. He managed to get some small claim over them but he did not spend much time to gain their trust. He then traveled to Bassa where he spent a slightly longer amount of time and managed to get an additional claim over the inhabitants of the region. They had little desire to do business with the Rowzi after how many African tribes had been subjugated by them, but it was better to be on their good side so they accepted nominal allegiance to the Raj.
The Nguni Alliance
Hyutha, Defender of the Cape
Diplomacy: None
Hyutha declared the tiny village of Lencho be the capital of the new alliance. He married the daughter of a local lord in the area to help solidify his claim to the now important village which quickly grew with new people and was soon the largest city in the southern lands. Great walls were built to defend the new city. Hyutha then ruled over the lands and worked to see the alliance stay strong. During this time his wife gave him a daughter in 195 BC shortly after they were married, a son in 193 BC and another daughter late in 191 BC. People in the area were happy and peace ruled although many feared that one day the fierce Raj of the north would make it this far south.
Eastern Europe
Mercs: 5 I
Merc Leader: None
Suzdal
Yammar, son of Grodur
Diplomacy: None
Things were quiet in Suzdal. Yammer was not an extravegant man and so he just looked after his own business and let the nation move on along at its own pace. (No Turn)
Parthia
Urud I
Diplomacy: None
With all the fighting in the west and south Urud decided to just bide his time and see what would come of it. For surely when the smoke cleared he could find some advantage from the fighting. (No Turn)
Pontus
Mithridates III, Lord of Pontus and Ruler of the Black Seas
Diplomacy: Polovotsy (NT), Lydia (A)
The bishop loaned from the Olympic Primacy was sent away to Lazica to try and convert the people there. He had a small amount of success but was incensed to learn later that the Eastern Greeks were let in while he was gone.
Pontus was completely cultivated and work began on cultivating Thrace. Nestor was sent to perform diplomacy with the leaders of Polovotsy. He had some success and they agreed to rejoin the kingdom, but the sting of being released from service in previous years made them resist sending troops or even tribute to aid the ruler of Pontus. In Lydia Archimedes was sent to find new allies to help Pontus. He was successful in this and soon Lydia was strongly allied through a local lord to Pontus. In Pontus the nobles were seen talking to each other and strangers as the new easy stance on religion came about.
Antigonid Kingdom of Macedonia
Argeia, King of Macedonia
Diplomacy: Athens (F), Attica (A), Ludgorie (UN)
Argeia gathered his troops and watched out for invasion should the war to the west spread to his lands. He also spent some time overseeing that many ships went to dock in cities other then the capital so that trade could flourish throughout his kingdom.
Erebus was sent back to Athens and then to Attica. He spent a great deal of time in Athens and managed to make the city fully unite with the Macedonia. Attica was not so ready to unite with their northern neighbors, but Erebus managed to find a strong ally who controlled many of the silver mines in Attica to work with. The garrison of Ludgorie was removed and the region was released though the city of Nikopol was kept and reinforced with walls before the land route to it was cut off. Some wondered how long Argeia could retain control of it without a land route.. Troops were moved around and several regions were reinforced with forts in case of invasion from either direction.
There were some in the nation who sought to reduce the amount of fervor which the nation felt towards the Olympic Primacy, but this failed greatly and the faith of the people remained almost fanatical for the church.
The Olympic Primacy
Eutropius, Voice of Zues and Speaker of the Gods
Diplomacy: Lydia (CH), Petra (AB)
Eutropius grew more and more concerned over the wars against Rome as the pennisula housed many of his followers. With Massalia joining the barbarians and the Carthaginians, the Romans uniting with other Barbarians the final straw came with Ilyria joined with the Seleucid's who had turned against the Primacy and joined the heresy created by the false Messiah. Attempts were of course being made to make the new faith more acceptable so that the two churches could co-exist, but the Seleucid invasion of Rome bordered on to much. And with Pontus waivering in their devotion to the church many tough decisions were going to need to be made. Eutropius quickly sent out missives to all involved declaring that peace must be returned or the Church would be forced to defend its followers from any Barbarians, heretics or those who have just yet not seen the light. These missives were sent to all who were in touch or concerned by the actions in the church and on the Pennisula.
Cleomenes was sent to the distant lands of Carthage where the feared worship of Bhaal held the people enthralled. Cleomenes came close to getting some converts but failed in the end to make a lasting impression upon the nobles of Carthage. They were to enthralled by the old faith and they didn't appreciate the stance Eutropius took as yet more people turned against Rome.
Theokotos was sent to Lydia where he managed to get a church going in the region. In Petra there was even more success as a new Abbey was founded by Antiphater. (Needs New Player)
Western Europe
Mercs: 5 HI, 10 I, 5 S
Merc Leader: None
The War of the Western States
Rome, Bohemia, and the Gaulic Tribes Vs. Massalia, Leon, Franconia and Carthage
195 BC
Western Front
In Provence Roman forces continue to fortify the region and watch the borders against Languedoc carefully for the approach of the enemy.
In Catolina the forces of the Leonese arrive and await the Carthaginians who are busy loading ships and setting sail to try an attack from the north.
The Gauls move their forces to Orleans and await word of where the next offensive is going to occur.
Southern Front
The Romans camped in Calabria were set to react to any invasion against the pennisula.
The Seleucids gather their forces in Aleppo and begin to sail west.
Ilyria decries the attacks of Rome against the Massalians some fifteen years ago and calls for war breaking the treaty of peace with Rome. Hephistion claimed that Rome would turn on them soon and only by striking now would they have a chance against them. Large sums of money were spent to buy mercenaries, and ships were loaded to strike at Roman lands. This caused a great deal of trouble in Ilyria as many felt Hephistion was being foolhardy to attack Rome who had held to their treaty, but as mercenaries poored into the small kingdom people held their tongues.
194 BC
Western Front
The Carthaginians arrive in Catolina and meet up with the Leonese. There is some animosity between the two armies, especially when the Carthaginian leader announces he will be following the orders of King Gargoris of Leon. But for now the animosity is held in check. The armies march north and meet with a small force from Massalia before turning and beginning the slow process of entering Provence. Scouts report that the Romans are ready for them and that there are a number of Forts and defensive lines facing Languedoc. The King of Leon seems unconcerned with the Roman presence considering the massive force he leads and so he continues on his way.
The Gauls hear that the forces of Leon, Carthage and Massalia have begun the invasion of Rome and they begin to march to reach their allies in time.
Southern Front
In May of 194 BC ships loaded with troops from the Seleucid kingdom arrived in Spoleto and began unloading people. In Calabria and Latium word of the invasion quickly reached the armies there which turned to react to the invasion. They arrived in August of 194 BC to find the region being put to the sword by the Seleucid forces. The Seleucid forces included 25,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry and 5,000 seige units. The Romans opposed them with 10,500 heavy cavalry, 25,000 infantry, 9,500 heavy infantry, and 15000 seige units. The battle was hard fought and both sides did almost equally well, but the sheer size of the Roman forces was more then the Seleucid force could take. The Romans crushed them within a few hours and with the cavary strongly favoring the Romans they were able to cut off the retreat of the Selucid forces. Although all of the Seleucid leaders managed to survive the slaughter of their army, they were unable to stay around long enough to gather up the survivors. The Seleucid ships quickly set sail back to Aleppo.
In July the forces from Ilyria were ready to land when rumors of what had happened in
193 BC
Western Front
In March of 193 King Gargoris reaches Provence. Scouts report that the Guals are about to enter the region as well. They will be there in time to assist the Roman forces. King Gargoris begins to move his armies into position. He controls 35,000 heavy cavalry, 2,500 cavalry, 5,000 light cavalry, 12,500 heavy infantry, 9,000 infantry, and 7,500 seige units. They were met by 15 field forts, 15,000 heavy infantry, 8,500 light cavalry, 5,000 seige units, 20,000 elite infantry, and 4,500 light infantry. Battle was met on the 14th of May. The Roman forces began with a feint using their Gaulic allies to guard their right flank and positioning the left flank against one of the stronger forts. King Gargoris did not understand the discipline of the Roman forces as he had only faced a few hundred reserves in the past. He ordered his cavalry forward to shatter the Roman legions. With a hail of Javalins from thousands of legionnaires the cavalry was forced to slow their charge and then the legions were upon them. In tight order the Romans waded into the Leonese and Carthaginian forces. The soldiers had been planning this defense for years now and they reacted perfectly. The Gauls turned and charged the lines as the Carthaginian cavalry broke against the Roman forces. The elite forces of the Gauls slammed into the Leonese infantry and they moved to block the Romans and allow the Carthaginians to retreat. King Gargoris, although somewhat amazed that the legions had held against a determined charge of heavy cavalry, quickly issued orders to retreat. Under his great leadership the allied forces of Carthage, Leon and Massalia fell back into Languedoc and began to rebuild their troops. The Carthaginians still held the superiority with the cavalry and so they were able to stop any harrassment that they may have suffered in their retreat. And so in June quite once more covered the lands as both sides licked their wounds and gathered troops that were lost from the units during the combat. During the fighting, Laurent of Massalia and General Tercero of Leon were both killed while they attempted to get their men safely from the disaster that struck upon the fields of Provence.
In September and October of 193 BC King Gargoris began leading his men back into Provence to prepare for an early season once the snows had melted. Across the lines of battle the Romans and Gauls prepared for another assault.
192 BC
In March of 192 BC the forces allied against Rome were on the move again. This time moving more slowly after the bruising they recieved in the previous battle. Almost a fifth of their forces had forever fallen in the last battle and so they were wary of another such loss. Praxylates, leader of the Carthaginian forces, insisted that the Gaulic leader continue to give the commands to allow for unity in the allies. This upset the majority of the Carthaginian forces who didn't see why they should take orders from the Leonese King, especially after the bad loss to the Romans the previous year. But Praxylates insisted it was the will of Dargen and so they did as he said. On April 22nd Gargoris approached the Roman lines, although much more slowly then he previously had and feinted with his infantry when the Roman legions, again anchored by their allies and the local forts, came upon him. This worked better and he was able to swing the cavalry around at them, but the Gauls watched for this and moved quickly to try and trap the cavalry. Gargoris seeing the speed of the Gaulic forces quickly called his cavalry back behind his lines. The Gauls, seeing the cavalry gone turned into the Leonese Infantry. This quickly began to turn the right flank of the allied forces. Again the horsemen came out, this time to draw the Gauls away. This worked fairly well, and as the day pressed on the fighting continued as both sides feinted and countered around the main bodies of infantry. But in the long run the Roman infantry was to much for the Leonese and the allied forces withdrew from the field to gather their forces again. Their losses, although not as great as before, were still more then the Romans had fared. But the Romans lacked the power to drive them from the field.
Both sides gathered their power again until late into June. In July they again moved forward. Gargoris and Praxylates had discussed the campaign at length and both knew that the coming battle would be more important then any before it. The Roman legions and their allies wer weaker then they had been but they still had far more of their original strength then the allies who had suffered heavily in the first fight and although faring much better in the the second battle they were still coming close to the breaking point where they would be forced to retreat and admit that they couldn't defeat the Romans and their allies. The bad thing was this had been realized by their men as well. Morale was low in the camp of the allied troops. In the Roman camps, Julius knew this as well. His own legions' morale was at an all time high. Although he faced the same bickering between his troops and the Gaulic troops this was lessened by the many victories he had seen in the past few years. He knew that a great victory could end this war and allow him return as a hero to Rome, and thus he would be hailed by the people as a victor. With dreams of glory he waited patiently for the next attack knowing to leave his lines was to lose everything. And in July his dreams were met. The Leonese and Carthaginian forces moved forward. They lacked any allies from Massalia as that force had been decimated earlier and had no leader to try and take them on to glory. The battle was fierce as the Leonese and Carthaginian forces assaulted the Roman lines. But the Romans proved their great discipline as slowly but surely they began pushing back the allied forces. The Gauls had been ordered to stay back as the legions formed a wedge in the Leonese lines and slowly pushed into the center of the lines. Gargoris was forced to throw everything at his center to hold the line. When Julius saw this he ordered his Gaulic allies to circle and strike from the right flank using some small hills as cover against the prying eyes of the Carthaginian cavalry. Donahum, leader of the Gauls showed his cunning and managed to get into position unseen. With a huge scream he surged into the weakened flanks of the Leonese. Though the allies fought hard this tactic caved in the right flank. Without the flank the Roman legions on that side turned and surged into the already weakened left flank who now faced twice the troops then they had only moments before. By the time Gargoris had sent the cavalry to rescue his flanks it was too late. This infantry was shattered and only through the extreme skill of the Carthaginian heavy cavalry was he able to withdraw from the field. He and his forces fled back to Languedoc where the wounded were cared for. When the final tallies came in over half the original forces were destroyed in the two seasons of war. Reluctantly both King Gargoris and Praxylates agreed that to continue on would be to shatter any chance of future victory. And so they stayed in Languedoc to see what would happen in other areas.
Roman Empire
Scipio
Diplomacy:
Scipio continued to rule. He sent many supplies north to fortify his border and built another small mobile army to guard the capital and move where it was needed. He wondered when Rome would again see peace. The victories continued to come and yet their enemies showed little problem continuing the fighting.
Massalia
Andreas
Diplomacy: None
Andreas and his son worked to keep the small kingdom together. They sent their aide to war and suffered losses along with their allies when their lieutenant did not survive the first battle.
Bohemian Empire of Westphalia
Aldabert the Black
Diplomacy: None
Fearing retaliation, the Bohemians hunkered down and gathered their troops back up and watched to see what would happen, but no attack came. Ewald, the new heir, had a daughter late in 191 BC. Other then that it remained quiet in the kingdom. The Romans sent missives saying they were ready to help but as no offensive was planned the Romans didn't send troops yet.
Franconia
Freibott, son of Hans
Diplomacy: None
With the trouble in the north and the Romans proving unstoppable in the south the Franconians held tight to see what would happen. (No Turn)
The Gauls
Daric, High Chief of the Gauls
Diplomacy:
Daric returned to Paris to rule while he sent his armies to help the Romans. His ally from Hainut raided late in 191 BC into Alsace. He managed to gain a decent sum before fleeing back across the river. No enemies entered the lands of the Gauls which made it rather quiet compared to the bloody fields of Provence.
Breton
Thaco, King of the Bretons and Pendragon of the Isles
Diplomacy: None
After many years of rule in both combat and peace Conan died. His son Thaco quickly took over the royal troops and became the king without any difficulty. (No Turn)
The Ilyrian League
Hephistion
Diplomacy: Morea (UN), Dalmatia (UN), Bakony (UN), Epirus (UN), Sparta (NT), Kyklades (NT)
Work was done to finish cultivating Slovenia. Many regions were given up as they were becoming a drain on Ilyria. War was declared on Rome but the leader balked at taking the troops into fight a battle that they were sure to loose. Work on converting Croatia continued and almost half the regions leaders had turned to the faith of the Greeks. Many grumbled over the decision to fight Rome, but as no battles occurred nothing more then words came of it. Hephistion tried to hand Morea over to Macedonia, but they were not interested in it so the region was freed.
Leon
Gargoris, Chief of Leon
Diplomacy: None
Gargoris led his troops off to war with Tercero (See War). Izarna had been ordered to go to Gascony, but along the way he died of old age and was replaced by his son after the formal ceremonies were completed.
Northern Europe
Mercs: None
Merc Leader: None
Virumaa
Valdek Eestigard
Diplomacy: None
Things in Virumaa continued much as they had for some time. There was a slight mix up over the disposition of ships, but other then that little troubled the people of the the far north. The government grew which would allow the Virumaans to continue and expand their power.
The Danes
Thoradin II, Son of Thoradin
Diplomacy: Smaland (T)
Thoradin II continued to patrol the lands that he controlled while the boring duties of ruling the nation fell upon his heir. In 193 BC word reached him that his son had died. He raced home and faced the painful truth that he had outlived his heir. After much debate, due to the large number of potential heirs, it was determined that Thoradin IV, son of Thoradin III, would be the new heir to the throne. Luckily, he was extremely charismatic and the King was there with the army, so no one opposed his rise to the position of heir.
In Smaland, Thorin and Regnorous took the time to try and get the people to ally themselves more strongly with the Danes. This was moderately successful as tribute would now be sent to the Danes, but no leader was willing to ally themselves as strongly to the Danes as they had hoped.
North America
Anasazi
Ahapita, Chief of the Anasazi
Diplomacy: Patwin (A)
Ahapita remained in the capital and ruled over his new lands while taking time to spend with his wife. This led to daughters being born in 194 BC and 192 BC. Many new farms were started and some of the garrisons were reduced as peace settled over the lands. In the north, Kayenta continued his talks with the locals and managed to gain a strong ally for the Anasazi in the region who promised his total support. In time the whole region would likely follow his lead but they did not do it yet.
Atakapa
Jualiapta, Chief of Atakapa
Diplomacy: Chatot (F)
Jualiapta continued to rule his nation and spend time with his wife while his heir was away. This led to daughters being born in 193 BC and 192 BC. Work was done to improve the city of Tahu. The heir, Kahaba, was off in Chatot where he spent all of the years with the clans there and managed to gain their loyalty. This newly strengthened alliance brought much joy to the people of Atakapa.
Moundbuilders
Ailapatoh, Lord of the Mounds
Diplomacy:
While Ailapatoh and his son continued to rule the nation, Nogeksum and Wanigas were sent to Tobacco to find a suitable site for a new mound overlooking the great falls they had found before. They were successful in this and resources were sent north to begin the new Holy Mound. They loudly proclaimed that the regions of Tobacco and Chayuga belonged to the Moundbuilders. Since there was no one really around they found very few to argue the matter with, but with no one in the region they were not yet able to enforce their control in the areas they claimed. Men were sent south to Cheraw to spread the news of the True gods but it was found they were already supporters of the true gods, as was shown by their great victory in the Holy Lacrosse games. Only map issues kept the fact that they cherished the same gods from being known to the world. (If a region shows up without the symbol please mention it, I will put in a different symbol should a new faith ever appear. Otherwise assume they are the same faith and the map is off)
In this years games it was a land slide victory for the team from Cheraw. It was quite obvious that the gods favored them as they suffered not one loss and in many of the Holy Lacrosse games they played the other team was almost unable to score. It was an amazing thing to watch, although many grumbled that it was not as much fun when the Gods took such a large part in the game.
Central & South America
Maya
Huncame
Diplomacy: Zapotec (EA), Totonac (F)
Huncame stayed home to rule his lands and spent a small amount of time drilling the fierce warriors of the Mayan pennisula. His consort gave birth to a child in 195 BC. This new son would one day rule the growing power in Central America. He also ordered much land cleared so that a great road could pass from Komchen to Xumal. In Yucatec new farms were started and Tikal, a small port in Popoluca, grew large enough to be considered a major port.
In the far reaches of the empire, Xbalanque was still busy working with the people of Zapotec to form stronger bonds between the two tribes. This went fairly successfully and many new routes of trade went between the two peoples to strength the bonds that held Zapotec to the Mayans. In Totonac things went even better for the Mayans as Ixtab and Ah Cuxtal traveled to region and spoke at length to the leaders of it and presented gifts to them and thier families. This proved to be very effective and the leader decided to fully unite with the Mayans.
United Tribes of Peru
Macario, Lord of Chavin, King of the United Tribes of Peru
Diplomacy: None
Macario, now closing in on the time when death was sure to take him, called all of the Shamans back to Chavin to help administer the large empire that had been built by Macario and his fathers before him. But with his son still several years from coming to age Macario seemed to sense that treachery may strike his son when he passed. So he left the capital and traveled to all of the distant tribes which now looked to him for guidance and gathered up many hundreds of warriors under his personal banner. He hoped that with these troops at the call of him, and later his son, any rebellious provinces or shamans would consider twice before attempting to revolt from the Union of tribes.
Many workers and much money was sent to work on the roads that would one day link the nation together. There was still a great deal of work to do but it was coming along nicely. The tribes would soon be united in more then just name.