Friends, Romans, Countrymen...An RTW Dynasty [Archive]

Chief Rum

10-01-2004, 01:04 AM

The Julii Sons

Here is a look at my three sons, Sachmius, Kingfcius and Bladeii.

Sachmius Julius (+1 COM, +6 MAN, +3 INF)

Sachmius is 31, and currently listed as my faction heir.

As the Faction Heir, Sachmius gets some small bonuses from this position of power, including +1 INF and +2 Personal Security. He has some of the characteristics of his stoic father, including Confident Commander (+1 COM) and Politician (+2 INF, 10% bonus to popularity in Senate, improves chances of being elected to Senatorial office), which are both smaller abilities in skills Chiefius has. Where he bests his father is in management. He is a Superb Administrator (+3 MAN, +3 Law), making him an ideal governor (more on that in a second).

His most interesting characteristic is he is Very Lively-- he detests laziness in his underlings, and can't abide by sloth. He gets +2 MAN, 20% bonus in army Movement Points, can force-march his army, and gets a 10% discount in Construction costs.

From this, I would say that Sachmius takes much after his father in appearance, as a taller, regal man who is nonetheless not all that skilled a fighter. He is very smart, though (handling bureaucratic problems with an ease that amazes Chiefius), and can command and sweet talk when he needs to. Where he sharply differs from dear ole Dad is while Chiefius is measured and relatively quiet, Sachmius is a workaholic and a literal bottle of energy. He both inspires awe from his underlings with his skill in running a province, and fear in that he will find their work unsatisfactory or, Jupiter forbid, slacking off on the job.

To aid him in these tasks, he is attended by a Freeman Clerk in his retinue, with +1 MAN and a 10% bonus to tax revenue attached to the overworked, under-appreciated secretary of Sachmius.

Sachmius is currently the Governor of Arretium, the capital city of the Julii faction, and the central settlement of the province of Erutria.

He is married to Poppaea, 29, and they have three children. The eldest, and the apple in his eye, is his daughter Fadia, 13, but of more importance to the family are his two sons, Fonzius (7) and Calisius (3). If Sachmius holds onto the heir position and anoints his own firstborn son as heir to the Julii one day, Fonzius is in line for big things.

Kingfcius Julius (+3 COM, +1 MAN)

Like Sachmius, Kingfcius has some of the same skills as Chiefius, but he is a different sort of fellow than his older brother.

Kingfcius, 29, appears to be the most naturally talented commander of men currently of age in the Julii. He is a Natural Born General (+3 COM) and a Confident Attacker (+1 COM when attacking). Taking somewhat after his brother, though, he is Lively, like an average between Chiefius and Sachmius. This gives him +1 MAN, 10% bonus in army Movement Points, can force-march his army, and gets a 5% Construction cost discount.

Kingfcius is a naturally bigger man than both his older brother and his father and is somewhat handy with his glavius (Roman sword). He has a commanding presence, and his men are comforted greatly by it. He is an able commander and delights in devising plans to take out an unwitting foe. He has an energy about his as well, although it's a friendly liveliness, whereas his brother's overbearing agitation is a little much for people to take in over the longhaul. His brother is the natural administrator, while he is the family's best general in the making (Chiefius beats him on experience alone, really).

Kingfcius further hones his armies with a Drillmaster in his retinue. The fierce taskmaster can turn green recruits into hardened vets. His presence with the general gives Kingfcius an additional +25% bonus in army Movement Points (wow, those boys can move) and a 10% discount in unit training.

Kingfcius is currently the Governor of Ariminum, the central settlement of Umbria, just to the east of Arretium.

The second son is married to Alypia, 29, and they have one child. Their son is Daedalus Julius, 13, the oldest of Chiefius's grandsons. He will soon be of age.

Bladeii Julius (+1 COM, +3 MAN, +2 INF)

The youngest, Bladeii at 28, is a gentle hodgepodge of skills his brothers and father have to an extent.

Like Sachmius, he is a Confident Commander (+1 COM). Like Chiefius and Sachmius, he also has some political savvy, with Politician (+2 INF, 10% bonus to popularity in Senate, improves chances of being elected to Senatorial office). Like Chiefius, he is a Skilled Bureaucrat (+2 MAN, +2 Law).

His standout skill from the others is an Understanding of Mathematics (+1 MAN, 5% bonus in trade income).

Bladeii is shorter and slighter than his brothers and father, but he may be the most naturally gifted, intellectually. He certainly did take to his education better than his elder brothers, which is why he is so gifted with math and numbers. He has a very able mind, allowing him to both deftly manage a settlement and play the role of the silver-tongued politician when needed, although he isn't nearly so gifted there as his father.

In his retinue is a Merchant, who encourages him to emphasize trade in his settlements. The tradesman gives him a 10% additional bonus in trade income.

He is married to Claudia, 28, and they have a son. DeToxii Julius is 10, and pretty low on the family totem pole at the moment.

CR

kingfc22

10-01-2004, 01:24 AM

CR - Thanks for letting me a part of your dynasty. I can't wait to see what happens.

Izulde

10-01-2004, 01:25 AM

I'd like to be a grandson :)

Chief Rum

10-01-2004, 02:45 AM

No prob, Kincfius. :)

Izulde, I am plum out of grandsons at the moment, but all three of my sons are at prime "production" age. I'm sure we'll see another grandson or two somewhere along the way here, and if nor, you can be a great-grandson.

CR

Chief Rum

10-01-2004, 03:28 AM

Family Julii Faction Overview

Agents

Aside from our family members and various attached peoples, we also have some specialized members of the faction.

They are Diplomat Sextus Antio, Spy Decius Curtius and Admiral Oppius.

Sextus Antio has the Diplomat (+3 INF) skill, and that is his lone qualification at the moment. He is currently in Erutria, not far from Chiefius Rumnii's army.

Decius Curtius seems to be a very able spy, with the Expert Spy (+4 Skill, +4 Line of Sight) skill. The first part of that goes with his general subterfuge skills (+4 overall), while the second is a reference to his ability to see the enemy. He has a +4 advantage in doing so, although I don't know yet what that actually translates to, game-wise. Decius Curtius is currently in Umbria.

Admiral Oppius, as his title suggests, runs our trade fleet, currently off of the coast of the fishing village and port in Erutria (not far off from Arretium). He doesn't seem to have any solid qualities at all, which is worrisome.

All three agents are 29 years old.

Diplomacy

We are currently allied with three other factions, none of whom should come to you as a surprise: the Brutii, the Scipii and S.P.Q.R., which is a Latin acronym for the Senate.

S.P.Q.R. actually refers to a Latin term that means something like the Roman people or something like that. S.P.Q.R. is like a fourth faction, although they are not playable (like the Pope in M:TW).

Armies

The full extent of the Julii armies at the moment is as follows:

120 spear cavalry (serving as the bodyguards for the four Julii patrician noblemen)
480 Hastati (6 units of 80; javelin-carrying quick attack light infantrymen)
80 Velites (1 unit; javelin-hurling missile throwers)
82 Triarii (1 unit; armored Roman spearmen)
80 Roman archers (1 unit; self-explanatory)
160 Town Watch (2 units of 80; town militia/policemen trained from the local populace)

Finances

The Julii treasury currently has 5000 dinarii.

The net profits per turn (six months) are currently listed as -306, but our projected profits for the turn is 226. I don't know why that's different.

Taxes, set to Normal, the middle tax level, throughout the two Julii provinces, are bringing in 1813 dinarii, with Farming bringing in most of the rest.

Army upkeep is taking the bulk of the expenditures (2330 dinarii).

Population

The overall population of the Julii is 7500, split between the two settlements of Arretium and Ariminum. The overall population growth is +2%.

Both settlements are Large Towns, the second lowest designation in the game for city-aize.

Arretium and Erutria

Arretium, the crown settlement of both Erutria and of the Julii, is the faction's capital. It has 4000 residents, and is currently governed by Sachmius Julius.

The settlement is 2000 short of advancing to the next stage in city-size.

Sachmius, being a very strong governor, has the Public Order (resident happiness) at +150% (100% or lower can lead to rioting). The settlement currently has an overall income deficit of -72 dinarii per turn.

Arretium is the biggest city under Julii control. It has a Governor's Villa (allows the training of peasants and recruiting of diplomats), a Wooden Palisade (lowest level of city walls), Militia Barracks (second level of barracks, allows training of Town Watch and Hastati), a Port (with one trade fleet available, trains Brireme, which seems to be some sort of boat), Land Clearance (first step in farm improvements) and Roads (improves roads, of course, and, more importantly, trade).

Erutria, as I said, is in the Florence area of modern day Italy, on the western side of the peninsula, just north of Rome. In fact, Arretium is likely to actually be Florence. There are a lot of high mountains in the middle of the Etruscan Peninsula, and some of them are at the back end of Erutria, blocking it partially from the eastern coast and Umbria.

There is only one natural resource, and that is marble. Aside from Umbria to the east, Erutria is bordered by the rebel-held Liguria up along the northern coast of Italy, and the rest of the province's border is with the Gallic-held Venetia, with whom we have a significant length of border. The south border of Erutria is with the S.P.Q.R. province of Latium--the home of Great Rome.

Ariminum and Umbria

Ariminum is only slightly behind the Julii capital in overall size with 3500 residents. As Kingcfius is a better general than he is governor, the people of Umbria are slightly less entrhalled with Julii rule, at +125% Public Order.

In perhaps a related note, the income deficit here is also lower, at -234 dinarii.

Similar to Arretium, Ariminum must reach 6000 residents to ascend to the next level of city size.

Ariminum has no buildings Arretium doesn't also have, and in fact is missing a couple the bigger city currently has. Ariminum has the Governor's Villa, the Wood Palisade, the Land Clearance, and the trade-bearing Roads, but it has no Port, and its Barracks are a step below the Militia Barracks in Arretium (and only train Town Watch as a result).

There is no obvious modern day city to equate to Ariminum, although it does appear to be roughly in the area of the little country of San Marino, completely contained by Italy along the Adriatic Sea coast. Umbria is largely farm land along the coast, with the mountains in the middle of Italy bloacking somewhat from both Erutria and the more southern Lattium. It is a very thin, long province, giving up most of central Italy to Erutria.

The only "natural" resource appears to be pottery, just outside of Ariminum. Umbria is the only Julii province connected to all three of the other Roman factions. Aside from Erutria and Lattium to the west and southwest, it also shares southern and southwestern borders with the Brutii-held Apullia and the Scipii-controlled Capua. The small northern border is all Venetia.

CR

Chief Rum

10-01-2004, 04:10 AM

The Other Factions and the Senate

Here's a quick look at the other Roman factions.

Family Brutii

The Brutii have been a part of Roman history since, reputedly, Romulus himself. They first truly reached power after the rise of the Republic in the Year of Rome 244, and served as the first Praetors before the two-consul system of rule was adopted.

They are regarded as the oldest and most traditional Roman family, with a rich history in Rome's political past and a dominating presence in its social circles.

They control the entire southern end of the Etruscan Peninsula, with the provinces of Apulia and Bruttium. The easternmost Apulia has the city of Tarentium, while Bruttium has Croton. The two Brutii cities stare at each other from heel to ball of the Italian "foot".

The Brutii are the only family to open with a member as part of the Senate's six-man ruling council, with Brutii faction leader Tiberius Brutus, 52, holding the Qaestor position, the lowest of the six positions.

Family Scipii

What the Scipii lack in the Brutii's traditional connections and power, they more than make up for with supreme wealth. They, too, are an old family, but not nearly as old as the Brutii.

They control the southwestern province of Campania, and the northeastern tip of Sicila, the region of Sicila Romanus. Because of the location of that last region on an island split between Romans, Greeks and Carthaginians, they are quite concerned about foreign relations.

The central settlements of the Scipii are Capua in Campania, which lies just south of Lattium and Rome, and Messana is the central town of Sicilia Romanus.

The Senate

The central ruling power of all of Rome is the Senate, based, of course, out of Rome. The Senate only controls Rome itself, and the province of Lattium around it. As noted, they go by the acronym S.P.Q.R.

The Senate regularly hands out missions to the other factions and generally rules over the entire Republic, with the aid of its six-member ruling council. The top five members of the council are all S.P.Q.R. dignitaries.

The most powerful office is that of consul. In history, there were two consuls, but there is only one proposed here. S.P.Q.R. faction leader Decius Maxentius, and by all accounts a worthy individual, is currently Consul of Rome. The 60-year-old is the chief officer of the state, proposes legislation to the Senate and leads Rome's armies in defense of the Great City.

His son and heir Marcus Maxentius, 30, is the Censor. He, of course, handles the census, in addition to public works and the Republic finances. He is also the guardian of public morality. He also seems to be quite capable, taking after his father.

The Pontifex Maximus is the very influential Servius Maxentius, another member of the S.P.Q.R. faction family tree. He is 36 years old. This office is the chief religious officer of the state.

S.P.Q.R. has unfortunately put two significantly elsser talented individuals in two of the other offices. The 31-year-old Julianus Murena serves as the Prateor, while Kaeso Pullius, just 27, is the Aedile.

The Praetor serves as the head judge and law officer of the state, controlling the judicial end of affairs, while the Aedile controls maintenance and handles public order.

Tiberius Brutus is also a very capable man, and a good choice for Qaestor. The Brutii faction leader shouldn't take too long to take over one of the other, higher positions, as the Qaestor is the lowest-ranked position on the ruling council. The Qaestor is in charge of the treasury and of record keeping.

CR

Katon

10-01-2004, 05:08 AM

Put me in the queue for family members.

Icy

10-01-2004, 05:29 AM

Nice, i just got the game today and as soon as i get done the work i need to finish i'll start to play it. Will follow this dynasty to learn from you :)

BTW, are you using the mods to slow down the battles? the default speeds is said to be so fast and unrealistic. There is also a mod to unlock all factions so you can play all them.

Chief Rum

10-01-2004, 10:13 AM

Sure thing, Katon.

Icy, you'll probably quickly pass where I am. Feel free to learn what you can, though. :)

I haven't modded the game at all, although it's good to know they have that available now. One of the ultimate pruposes of this game here was to unlock the other factions, but since I found the Romans just as interesting, I figured it doesn't hurt to start a dynasty with them.

As for the speed (I assume you mean the battle speed), I have played several battles already in the Prologue (which you can keep playing for some time, actually), and they seem fine to me. They might not if I forced myself to not use the Pause button, but, really, that's what it's there for. :)

I'll put you on my list, so you can have another reason to follow the dynasty after you pass me up. ;)

CR

Coffee Warlord

10-01-2004, 10:26 AM

Beat me to the dynasty!

Coffeius Warlordium wishes to lead your armies!

Travis

10-01-2004, 10:26 AM

You mentioned assassin, if you're not just teasing, please sign me up!

Either way, this one is on the must read list, great stuff.

Wolfpack

10-01-2004, 10:37 AM

Sounds interesting. I'm game for a future grandson spot. "Wolfpackimus" or "Packimus", I guess will be the kid's name.

mrkilla22

10-01-2004, 10:44 AM

Put me in the queue for family members also please. You are doing a great job so far Chief!

Radii

10-01-2004, 11:51 AM

S.P.Q.R. actually refers to a Latin term that means something like the Roman people or something like that. S.P.Q.R. is like a fourth faction, although they are not playable (like the Pope in M:TW).

Senatus Populosque Romae, IIRC (latin was a long time ago)

The Senate and the People of Rome

From some webpage: "It was emblazoned on the standards of the Roman legions and was the official name of the Roman Empire. It also appears in the coat of arms of today's city of Rome."

I'm reading along, and would like to have some part in the dynasty, does not matter what. Good luck!

illinifan999

10-03-2004, 10:25 AM

I'd like to be a general. I'll be reading. :)

Roberto

10-03-2004, 01:56 PM

I'd like to join the family too, please.

Neuqua

10-03-2004, 02:14 PM

Chief, buddy, pal, comerade.

I'd like in whenever you get a chance. :)

SirFozzie

10-03-2004, 02:35 PM

Count me in .. however you need :D

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 04:06 PM

Hmmm...I should have seen this coming. :)

That's a lot of people, and I don't want to keep you all waiting, so unless you specifically said you want to be a general/son, I will probably start putting you guys in other roles, too (such as diplomats, spies, assassins, admirals, who knows, maybe even enemy generals :) ).

CR

DeToxRox

10-03-2004, 04:16 PM

Chief: I changed my mind. Can I be an assassin?

Detoxous Roxous is ready.

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 04:35 PM

Sure thing, Detox. To that end, the DeToxii now no longer exists, and is replaced by Izuldius, now the lone son of Bladeii.

I have decided I'm not going to make anyone a diplomat or an admiral, for the simple reason that one is boring, and the other doesn't do much (even the battles are autoresolved). Well, I will if someone wants me to, but I am guessing most of you will want to be doing more exciting things than negotiating trade rights or shipping my armies around the Mediterranean. If any individual in game attains some higher status, I may then make one of you guys him. :)

But spies and assassins are open game. Toward that aim, I am making my spy (in game, he is Decius Curtius) Icius for Icy (the first FOFC member to not specify to be a general).

Travis, I do not yet have the capability to generate assassins, but I will, and you will be first in line for one. DeTox, you will be second.

I am keeping the enemy generals/faction leaders in reserve for now, because I won't want to do that unless I am sure I will be facing that person a lot such as if the Gauls have a young faction leader when I embark on a lengthy war against them). My goal with those spots will be to only use them where I am reasonably sure I will be able to keep your characters in the game for a while. :)

CR

jfbbis

10-03-2004, 04:43 PM

Senatus Populus Quirites Romae, I would say. Quirites were the citizens while in the army as opposed to Populus, citizens during peace. I would gladly be a spy if such a position is available.

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 04:46 PM

The Senate Gives Us A Misson

It doesn't take long for the Senate to determine a use for us.

They have decided that we should be controlling the small town of Segesta, the central settlement of Liguria. Liguria is just to the north of Erutria, along the western coast, and covers the curve of the end of the Etruscan Peninsula and along toward the western Gallic coast. I believe Segesta is in the modern placement of Genoa (without bothering to look it up to be sure anyway).

Judging from afar, it appears that the town is lightly guarded, and that the peasants are revolting. It should be easy pickings.

The Ligurians are a rebel faction, and so they present little longterm threat, but the Senate is anxious to expand.

Personally, I don't have much issue with taking Liguria, as it is certainly in the way of further expansion to the west and northwest. That said, I believe that will significantly expand our border with the Gauls, and I am pretty sure we will be in conflict with them soon. So that will make guarding my territories a little more difficult.

But it wouldn't do to upset the Senate so early.

Most of my armies are already gathered at the borderwith Liguria, and they are under the control of Chiefius Rumnii and third son Bladeii. That doesn't make much sense to me, as Baldeii is much more of an administrator than a general, so I will send him to Ariminum to replace Kingfcius as governor there, and will have my second son come join me. Kingfcius is the best general of my sons (and the worst administrator).

This will also give me a chance to send Icius into Liguria to scope out Segesta.

CR

DeToxRox

10-03-2004, 04:52 PM

are you going to be able to post screens? just wondering

ntndeacon

10-03-2004, 04:52 PM

I would like to be in the game too. whether as a general or wherever i can get into it.

Swaggs

10-03-2004, 04:59 PM

If it isn't too late, I'd like to be your trusted assassin. :)

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 05:21 PM

Autumnal Equinox, Year of Rome 483

Although a dark winter harkened a mere few months away, the Etrurian coastlands still held on fiercely to a long Mediterranean summer. Chiefius Rumnii stared at a setting sun and soft waves lapping at the sand from his position on the highlands overlooking the coast. He could hear the Julii banner flapping from a brisk ocean wind. Gods be praised for giving us such a glorious land, Chiefius thought to himself.

A young hastati guard broke him from his reverie.

"My Lord Julius, a messenger approaches," he said, with slightly lowered eyes in deference to his general's rank. "It is believed to be Icius."

"Send him to my tent when he arrives," Chiefius ordered, sending the guard away.

Icius did not take long to reach the tent. Icius is a man Chiefius has found many uses for. Unlike the more traditional spies, Icius has quite a skill for insinuating himself in a crowd, such as in an enemy city, and making himself as one with the locals. This allows him to see things normal spies can't.

"Icius, you are right on time," Chiefius said. "Are you prepared to move on to Segesta?"

The look on Icius's face made Chiefius's voice falter a bit. There is bad news, he saw. He motioned for his bodyguards to leave, as well as his attendees, leaving just his aged retainer Mercius and his newly arrived son Kingfcius. Icius waited in deference as the tent was cleared.

"My Lord Julius, I have come upon ill tidings for Erutria along my course to you and onward to Liguria," the spy said. "I caught wind of a group of armed men along the road from Ariminum. Fearing Gauls, I went to bear witness upon them. From afar, I saw they were not heathen barbarians, but a rather large local band of brigands. On closer inspection, I have seen some former henchman and mercenaries of the Family Julius, disgraced men of treachery whom have a grudge against your Lordship. They are 240 strong, hastati by style, and look to be a possible threat upon Arretium and the countryside. I have sent messenger to Lord Sachmius to make him aware, but I thought you should know as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Icius," Chiefius said. "Please, feast with us tonight--your contributions to the Family will not be forgotten. I still wish you to move on to Segesta on the morn."

"Aye, my Lord," the spy said, giving a short bow before retreating from the tent.

Kingfcius turned to Chiefius after the spy left.

"Father, Sachmius does not have the command wherewithal nor the manpower to withstand such an attack," Kingfcius advised.

"I am aware of that, Kingfcius," Chiefius said. "We are close to ready for an assault on Segesta, but this is far more serious. We will need to deal with it immediately."

"Father, with your permission, I would take a contingent of our force myself and deal with this," Kingfcius asked.

Chiefius nodded his assent.

"I feel you are ready to do so. Take what forces you need," the Lord Julius said. Kingfcius immediately left to make preparations.

Why must our path always be fraught with distractions?, Chiefius thought to himself.

CR

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 05:28 PM

DeTox, I would like to, but I haven't fully explored that yet. I have a new keyboard, with a lot of nice new functions, but it's not so straight forward to figure out the print screen button (which appears to be a second function on a key here, rather than its own key).

Then I have to make sure I am capturing the image right (I don't have much experience with that).

And then I have to find web site space to post the screen, don't I? I don't currently have a Web site, although I might have some space set aside by my cable provider (I thought I read that somewhere).

Anyway, it's something I want to do, but there are some steps I need to take first, and I don't know if I want to dive into that just yet. Any help or advice or recommendations, of course, would be appreciated.

ntndeacon and Swaggs, you guys have been added to the list.

CR

JeffNights

10-03-2004, 05:51 PM

Hey can i be a senator?

Izulde

10-03-2004, 06:31 PM

Whoot! Go Izuldius!

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 06:33 PM

Hey can i be a senator?

Sure, although they don't list senators specifically. I can make you a part of the S.P.Q.R. faction, though.

CR

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 07:18 PM

Chasing Down Brigands

I have found in my early playing that, usually, when a band of brigands shows up, it's just a bunch of peasants or naked fanatics or other low end warriors. Seeing three groups of hastati for this one was a significant difference, so I was prepared for a tougher fight than usual from brigands.

Kingfcius and his 500 men (4 80-man hastati units, 1 80-man Roman archer unit, and 1 80-man velite unit, along with Kingfcius's 20 spear-cavalrymen bodyguards) marched to the brigand army from the west. The rebel army was under control of a Captain Nero (obviously leading a hastati group).

We met up with them just outside of Arretium. It was pretty flat, clear terrain on a clear day. The central mountains that occupy much of Erutria formed a background to the north, and there was some thick forest up there as well, but there no trees near us at all.

The strange feature of this battlefield was an odd rock jutting out of the plain, like some kind of creepy alien rock. :) It was a tall rock, like a small hill, although the ridges were so sharp you couldn't actually go up it. Judging from where I was set up, I anticipated that the brigands would be just to the north of the rock. I sent Kingfcius and a unit of hastati off to the right, hoping to moving them to the other side of the rock and come around on the enemy. Then I set up the other units in a pincer movement, with a hastati unit on each end, a hastati unit in the middle, the archers in the gap between the hastati on the right, and the velites in the gap on the left.

When the sun rose and we got a good view of the enemy, we saw the three enemy hastati units were arranged in a column of back to back units.

Here's a basic attempt at the battlefield breakdown.

<font=courier>

RH= Roman histati
RA= Roman archers
RV= Roman Velites
RG= Roman general and cavalry bodyguard

BH= Brigand histati

*****

X
BH The
BH X Rock X
BH X

RH RH RH RH RG
RV RA
</font>

I sent the histati on the ends wide of the enemy battle column, and advanced the middle units. I sent Kingfcius's unit and the fourth histati on a run to the south of the rock.

The brigands weren't so anxious to wait for us, so they started advancing, with the two front units appearing to pick out hastati opponents, while the third one, led by Captain Nero, advanced in reserve. Their approach was faster than I liked, so I ordered all of my hastati in the main group to attack the front two units. I had my velites focus on the front group, and the archers on the captain's group at the back end. And I hastily ordered the fourth hastati to rush at the enemy from the side, although from the other side of the rock, it might take a bit. Then I ordered Kingfcius to circle aorund the rock and come at the enemy from behind.

Once the front columns of the enemy saw that we were advancing and fell under fire from javelins thrown by our velites, they faltered a bit. Then they turned around and ran! By then, my general and his cavalry had a step on the back end of the column, coming around the rock. Kingfcius and his cavalry slammed into and really, through, the brigand captain's columns, riding down Captain Nero himself almost immediately. By then our hastati had caught up with the other two columns and were beginning to put a hurt on them. That's when the battle was called.

It was an amazingly domiannt victory, even against a lower end opponent. Just one man--one!-- fell from the Julii ranks, one of Kingfcius's cavalrymen. We killed half of the enemy force, a full 120, and dispersed the rest.

In triumph, Kingfcius marched his army back to the side of Chiefius Rumnii.

CR

JeffNights

10-03-2004, 07:25 PM

Sure, although they don't list senators specifically. I can make you a part of the S.P.Q.R. faction, though.

CR

Sweet/ " )

sachmo71

10-03-2004, 09:23 PM

Can I kill my younger brothers?? :D

Blade6119

10-03-2004, 09:28 PM

Can I kill my younger brothers?? :D

Thats not fair, i cant defend myself with my crappy combat skills....just let me run my province till i die

Jesse_Ewiak

10-03-2004, 09:50 PM

I'll be a son/grandson/etc., whatever opens. Hell, I'll even be an enemy leader if that means my family lives on! :-)

General Mike

10-03-2004, 10:07 PM

General Mike needs to be a general :(

Chief Rum

10-03-2004, 11:40 PM

Assault On Segesta

Kingfcius defeated the rebel brigands so fast that he was able to quickly return to the main army and immediately prepare to march on Segesta before the weather was to turn to cold.

A fortnight's march and we were beginning to approach Segesta. As Chiefius did his job, so did Icius. We received word that Segesta was a small town that was not guarded by a wall. Any lack of a wall is one less obstacle that we have to face.

The forces arrayed against us brought even better news. Icius reported that just 240 men, led by a Captain Vellocatus, were standing in our way, one 120-man unit of Warband warriors, and a similarly-sized group Barbarian peasants.

We arrived at Segesta and prepared for battle.

The Assault

With no wall around Segesta, there is no need to wait a turn to build seige equipment, and I saw no advantage in waiting. So I immediately set to planning the assault.

The city seemed to be built on a series of small, flattened rises, with three main roads running through it to a center square (imagine a Mercedes logo).

Altogether, I had 627 men under my command, with four 80-man hastati units, one 82-man triarii unit, one 80-man velites unit, one 80-man Roman archer unit, and the two cavalry guards for our two generals, a total of 63 horsemen.

I split up my forces into two hastati, the velites and Kingfcius's cavalry unit in front of one road entrance, and the rest of my forces, led by Chiefius at another road entrance.

Once the battle started, it was clear the enemy was intent to make a last stand in the courtyard. They had all 240 man crowded there, and didn't make any aggressive moves toward us at all, even as my units began to move their way into the city.

I thought that I had numerous ways into the city, marching along the sides of buildings and such, but it turns out you could only go along the roads. In the end, I ended up just doing a mad rush. I sent a hastati unit from each group at each of the enemy units, so that they would both have to face two such units. I also aimed the velites at the warband warriors, whom I thought would be tougher than the barbarian peasants.

By sending in Kingfcius and his group a little earlier, I was able to draw the enemy's attention his way, allowing me to swing in my triarii down the other road to catch them from behind. Kingfcius's hastati reached the units first, though, and a tough battle ensued, as we were outnumbered 240-160.

The velites missiles were finding their mark, though, and I charged Kingfcius inot the fray to help out the struggling hastati fighting the Warband warriors.

That evened things up a little, and that's when the triarii arrived from behind. The slaughter was on. The warband warriors were trapped and falling in droves, while the barbarian peasants were merely biding their time before their own demise.

We swept across the courtyard, killing Captain Vellocatus, and winning the day in dominating fashion.

The slaughter was complete. No warrior who bore arms against us this day lived to see the sun set, with all 241 meeting their end. We lost just 37 men, with the bulk of the damage coming from the first hastati group that charged into the courtyard.

The Spoils of War

The first is the most obvious. With the brilliant defeat of the Liguruians, Segesta and all of Liguria fall under our sway. Despite it's small size, Segesta seems to be in a fairly strong economic area, as it already looks to bring in more income than either Arretium or Arinimum.

We enslaved much of the populace and filtered them out on the roads to our other two cities to ease public disorder in the newly conquered realm, and add helpful working hands to the other two regions.

It's clear, though, that the remaining populace is not likely to remain content under rule for a while, so most of the army will likely stick out the mild Italian winter here.

Both Chiefius and Kingfcius came out like bandits in this one, both adding a Command star to their talents for this victory. Chiefius also added True Roman to his list of attributes, which is similar in effect to the Consummate Politician. It adds another point of Influence, increases his popularity in the Senate (5%), and improves his shot at a Senatorial elected office.

As if that wasn't enough, Chiefius also added an Exotic Slave from the Ligurian populace. The game doesn't go into much detail, and hints only that the presence of someone who is "different" lends to Chiefius's own mystery and appeal, increasing his Influence. What I noted is the picture is of a not unattractive woman and, given my own interpretation of exotic (not much different from 'erotic' :) ), is that Chiefius might have attained for himself a concubine.

No one tell beloved wife Faustina, okay? :)

The Senate also acknowledged our completed mission and awarded us with a new brireme, increasing our navy to three ships. All three are under the command of Admiral Oppius and are awaiting orders off of the coast of Erutria.

CR

kingfc22

10-03-2004, 11:48 PM

Kingfcius sent word of his victory over the hastati to his son Daedalus Julius.

Son, today I protected the lands of your grandfather as I led my men to a decisive victory. I am creating a battle journal that includes my battle tactics and hopefully one day you will be able to use it as you defend the Julius name. Continue your training with the sword as I will be home soon to check on your progress.

tucker342

10-04-2004, 12:24 AM

I've been waiting for you to start a RTW Dynasty:D

I would love to be a future member of the family(I know it will take a little while but that's fine).

Chief Rum

10-04-2004, 12:50 AM

Some responses to y'all...

JeffNights, you are now Jeffnitius Maxentius, the Censor of Rome. You are the faction heir of S.P.Q.R., and are a pretty well-skilled individual (+5 COM, +4 MAN, +6 INF). You are 31-years-old, and I chose you for this position because you are relatively young. Your father, Decius Maxentius, is the Consul of Rome, the most powerful office in the Republic (and you could be considered to be the second most powerful). It seems likely to me that you will be Consul when your father passes on (he is 61).

This could also mean that a quick turnaround to civil war could put your head on the end of a Julii pike. :eek:

Izuldius...Bladeii is your father. He feels he is weak; you better hope you're stronger. ;)

Bladeii, I wouldn't worry yet about yourself in assassination plots...you're pretty far down the totem pole. I am pretty sure Sachmius is more concerned with Kingfcius, who is making a name for himself in battle and in front of Chiefius as well. That faction heir position isn't necessarily hereditary and given to the first born son... :D

Sachmius, who knows how it will all play out? Assassins may come into it. Or maybe Chiefius will prefer adminstrative skill over battlefield glory? You're faction heir for now, so that's good. You would probably be helped a lot if your sons Fonzius and Calisius turn out to be good generals and/or governors.

Jesse Ewiak...you might get that "wish" to be an enemy leader. ;)

I agree, General Mike--you should be a general.

Great stuff, Kingfcius. I would love to see the "branches" of the family develop rapport with each other inside their families and enmity with the other branches of the Julii family. The attitudes expressed here will likely be something I work into the actual game itself. For instance, having expressed a desire to do so, should Sachmius become the head of the Family, I might seriously consider offing Kingfcius and Bladeii. :D

Welcome back, tucker. Sorry to keep you waiting. ;)

CR

Izulde

10-04-2004, 01:46 AM

From the Journal of Izuldius:

Paterfamilias seems sad to me. He is sad because he is considered the lowest of Grandfather Chiefius's sons and he fears that our branch of the family tree will turn out to be unimportant in the end.

Uncle Kingfcius won a great victory for Rome, it is said. While I am happy to hear of it for our family, it has made Father sadder still.

Though I am still just a boy, I hope that when I am old enough, Grandfather, or whoever leads our family at the time, will see me as a great and powerful person, worthy of carrying on the name of the Julii as their leader.

I will go to the temples of Diana and Mars every night that I am able, praying that She gives me wisdom and influence with which to govern well, and Mars so that I might become a great general.

Mother comes to tuck me into bed now. I will write to you later, Journal.

Chief Rum

10-04-2004, 01:52 AM

Chief Rum

10-04-2004, 02:12 AM

Winter To Spring, Year of Rome 484

The passing of the winter has allowed us to settle in a little into Liguria and explore our new environs. Not surprisingly, though, it was an eventful period.

Liguria

Here's a quick look at Liguria and the small town of Segesta.

How small is Segesta? Our occupying army outnumbers the population (590 to 459). The population is not growing fast either (+1%), although I tihnk that has a lot to do with the utter lack of any serious buildings of note. I haven't played this game long enough to know why the heck Liguria is generating so much income with such a weak central settlement.

Segesta had just a Warrior's Hold coming in, which we converted into a Governor's House. It was the only building of consequence after the conquest, but we did complete roads to improve trade and travel through the region, a rather lengthy one. The roads were completed in warm spots through the winter.

Despite our very high tax rates, the public order of the town is still over 100%, +105% overall.

Segesta might not appear to be much right now, but given the quality of the region and the early high income, it seems likely that it could become a major city down the road.

Liguria is a rich and varied region. It is even longer than I thought, incorporating the entire curve of the upper coast of Italy to the foot of the Alps to the west. The western lands near the Alps are wellstocked with wooded areas, and Timber is a natural resource of the region. Closer to Segesta, Pottery is also a resource, and Slaves are listed as a limited resource (for 19 turns), although I think that might be a result of my decision to enslave the populace. Where it isn't covered in mountains and forests, Liguria is rich in highly fertile farmland.

As long as it is, Liguria is a very thin region, not much wider than Umbria on the other side of the Etruscan Peninsula. Segesta is couched in the valleys of some high coastal mountains that effectively shield the city from Venetia. The heavy farmland is to the west of those mountains and Segesta, where the farm basin runs from the coast well inward to northern Italy.

Liguria is bordered to the southeast by Erutria, and catches a stretch of Venetia to the east. Most of the northeast, north and northwest borders, though, are in the large Gallic region of Cisalpine Gaul. To the west, along the coast and over the Alps, is another Gallic province in Transalpine Gaul.

Gaul At Our Doorstep

I feared the conquest of Liguria would bring Gaul right to us, and so it has. With the aid of Icius, we have become aware of a rather large Gallic army on the northwest border of the province, and have also discovered the central settlement of Cisalpine Alps, Mediolanium (the ancient site of Milan, I believe).

Even more concerning is that the army is on this side of the Alps. According to Icius, it is under the control of Radix, a hothead 19-year-old son (or grandson) of Gaul's ruling family. Radix is at the head of an army that outnumbers our own in Segesta, although he has made no move to entire Liguria as of yet (nor are we currently at war with Gaul). Radix isn't particularly superior in skills, but his youth and the size of his army makes him someone to pay attention to. The bulk of his army, some 695 strong, is Warband warriors (484 of them) of the type we just defeated in Liguria. He also has Barbarian Cavalry (108) and Skirmishing Warband warriors (missile version of the Warband soldiers, 88 of them).

Icius's sources have also given us information about Mediolanium. The governor is Jessewiak, the faction heir of Gaul. Jessewiak is 37, but no little else about him or about the city. We know it is guarded by his 34 cavalry bodyguard and a 121-Warband warrior unit, so it is lightly guarded. It does have a wooden palisade around the city. After checking out Radix's army, I have sent Icius to Mediolanium, which he should reach by the vernal equinox.

In response to this, I send message to Sachmius at Arretium to begin the recruitment of several new hastati units. I don't know if we will use them right away, but these signs of Gallic aggression must be prepared for. I am also considering turning Segesta's early economic production into a war economy.

In a further effort to delay conflict I may not be immediately prepared for, I have also sent my diplomat Sextus Antio up to Patavium (modern day Venice). He crossed the mighty northern river Po nigh of the winter solstice and reached the great Gallic city in the midst of winter. We worked out a trade agreement deal with the Gauls, but I could not get them to go for map information without a heavy tribute payment.

Erutria Improves

Sachmius must be doing something right. The income of our capital region of Erutria leapt past Liguria as our top income region (795 dinarii to 700).

I also discovered iron deposits in the region, adding to the marble already present here. I might have missed this the first time, and it was always there, but I am not sure.

Both Arettium and the Umbrian large town of Ariminum are in the midst of completing paved roads.

Rome At War

We received notice from the Senate soon after the midwinter feasts. The Senate and the Family Scipii have entered into war with a mighty enemy, the Greek Cities that are the center of culture in our world. I struggle with heathen barbarians, and they attack the center of civilization? Greece's power has faded some, but they remain well-linked with once powerful Macedon, native land of powerful conqueror Alexander the Great, whose profound effect on the world is still being felt half a century after his passing far to the east.

The announcement comes with a request--the Senate wishes us to blockade the port of Sparta with our navy. Now I know why they gave us a brireme instead of a more useful soldier force.

I have five turns to complete this, and I don't even know where Sparta is. My advisers assure me, though, that my fleet head, Admiral Oppius is well aware of its location and should be able to carry out the Senate's wishes. I send orders to Admiral Oppius, and by the vernal equinox, he and his three briremes are sailing by Capua (modern day Naples). They should reach Sparta in three more turns.

Beyond that, war with the Greeks is far from my mind. I have much more pressing matters to attend to.

CR

RealDeal

10-04-2004, 02:30 AM

Sign me up to be in this dynasty.

Chief Rum

10-04-2004, 02:47 AM

Sign me up to be in this dynasty.

Cool. Added ya. ;)

CR

Chief Rum

10-04-2004, 03:26 AM

Summer, Year of Rome 484

As the weather turned warmer, the Gauls seemed content to stay on their side of the fence, but who knows how long that will last? Could that army not be an invading force, but for defensive purposes against the expansionist Romans? Possibly. But the Family Julii isn't going to get far making rash assumptions.

Construction and Recruitment

Segasta did not finish projects, nor is it able to recruit units right now, but news from the home regions was promising.

Both Arretium and Ariminum completed Paved Roads, improving trade in both regions. Arretium also finished a unit of hastati, and Ariminum completed a Town Watch unit (the best unit it could come up with).

Agent Movements

Having done his job in Venetia, I decided to allow Sextus Antio to do some exploring in and around the Alps. He spent the rest of the hot season approaching the edge of Venetia, to the mountainous province of Noricum. I have no idea who controls that distant land.

Admiral Oppius and his fleet of three briremes reached the Strait of Messina, which separates the toe of Italy from Sicilia. I am hoping to reach Sparta in two turns.

Icius completed his journey to Mediolanium and did some more in-depth scouting. He determined that the city had just a Wooden Palisade, a Warlord's Hold and a Meeting Hall, with about 2500 people. It did recruit another Warband unit, bringing the standing garrison to 240 Warband warriors to go with Jessewiak's bodyguards.

Jessewiak

Icius also discovered some interesting things about our friend Jessewiak, faction heir of the Gauls and governor of Mediolanium.

Most of it is good. He is intelligent. He is a natural born general. He has the same Very Lively characteristics that Sachmius has.

But I almost broke down in laughter when I saw what else he had. He has a Likes A Drink characteristic, as apparently he is a boozer of some reknown. Had it stopped there, it would have been some little quirk. But then I saw his retinue: a drinking "uncle" and a drinking companion. He brings the party with him wherever he goes!

This might be the future leader of the Gauls (your welcome Jesse_Ewiak ;) ).

Keeping An Eye On The Gauls

The only other major move I made was to keep a further eye on the goals. As Icius moved in on Mediolanum, we lost sight of Radix on his army.

So I sent Kingcfius and a contingent of hastati to the border opposite Radix's army, and began building a watchtower. This will allow me to see into Gaul lands, and keep Radix's moves under observation.

I also figured it would be something to keep Kingcfius busy, because sometime after the taking of Segesta he became even more Lively than before, now reaching the same level of Agitation as his older brother. Is this some kind of disease?

CR

Jesse_Ewiak

10-04-2004, 04:10 AM

Hmm...the game seems to have gotten me and the rest of my family confused. :-)

Peregrine

10-04-2004, 04:45 AM

Nice dynasty Chiefius! I'd love to be a spy if there's one available. Peregrinus is actually a Roman name!

sachmo71

10-04-2004, 09:18 AM

I want a concubine too, father.

Blade6119

10-04-2004, 09:25 AM

so chief, where am i right now? I havent been mentioned since you said i sucked and was sending me away...am i even still apart of the family tree or have i been sent away from that as well?

Blade6119

10-04-2004, 09:25 AM

;) :p :D

Radii

10-04-2004, 11:13 AM

the peasants are revolting.

HAH, they sure are, that's why we keep them away from the Governer's offices.

:D:D

Great read. I am about finished screwing up my first Total War campaign(learning as I go). I'd love to do a Dynasty on my next one, but there's no way it could compete with this one, we'll see though.

GoldenEagle

10-04-2004, 11:39 AM

Goldenicus is reporting for duty. I think I should be a leader down the road becuase I have sucha cool name :)

kingfc22

10-04-2004, 08:56 PM

A message to my son:

Today I am writing as I oversee the building of a watchtower. I can not believe that my father is wasting my talents on this assignment. This should be a task for Sachimus, but he's too busy "ruling" Erutria. Some day I WILL rule that city along with the rest of Rome. And do not worry about your place in all this son. Your cousin's Fonzius and Calisius seem to have received no guidance from my brother and I have heard whispers that your grandfather had a vision of you ruling the Senate.

Take care my son. I hope to return home soon.

Crapshoot

10-04-2004, 09:57 PM

If there's still room CR- I'd love to have a role. ...

Buccaneer

10-04-2004, 10:51 PM

And so it is here. This will be, as usual, fun to read.

hoopsguy

10-04-2004, 11:11 PM

I hope to soon to collect the skulls of house Julii, on behalf of the drunken Jessewiak in the service of Gaul.

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 01:31 AM

Peregrine, Golden Eagle, Aadik and hoopsguy, I have added you all to the list. :)

I added you, too, Bucc, but knowing how you like these sorts of series, I think I might give wait and find a fun role for you (assuming one occurs to me).

Sachmius, you're Very Lively. My guess is your wife ain't enough to handle ya, so you probably have some concubines stored away throughout the city of Arretium. :)

Jesse_Ewiak, the game is always right (you drunken lout, you...)

Bladeii, you're doing a fine job running Ariminum. I will try and find ways to work governors into stories where I can, but I suspect a good governor will be like an offensive lineman in this dynasty: if he's doing his job, you don't hear his name too much. :)

Kingfcius, keep it up. Great to read that. We need daedalus to write back to you, though. :)

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 01:56 AM

Winter, Year of Rome 485

Fadia Comes Of Age And Is Targeted For Marriage

The first of my grandchildren has reached an age where she may be deemed an adult. Fadia, eldest daugter of Sachmius, is 15 and has reached the age of marriage (and attached activities).

Immediately, Sachmius presents a 26-year-old garrison commander in Arretium named Titus Pupienus as an appropriate husband for young Fadia. I have my own sources in Arretium, though, and they tell me he has little worth. He displays no aptitude whatsoever in the command of his men, nor the management of the garrison affairs, nor is he particularly charismatic. His lone standout quality is his utter loyalty to the Family Julii. While that is truly well-received, were that the lone requirement to enter into the Family, I would sooner give Fadia to one of my loyal captains than to a man I know nothing of, and whom doesn't appear to have any outward quality whatsoever.

At the risk of leaving Fadia without a husband, I decide to turn down this proposal and hope for a better one to come in the future.

Construction & Recruitment

Segesta completed Land Clearance, a farming improvement already in place in Arretium and Ariminum. This should improve income for the Ligurian town, although they still have just under 500 in poulation (outside of our huge occupying army). This will likely be the last commerce imporvement int he town for a little bit, as the presence of Radix and that Gallic army likely means we will need to build some defense-related structures to be prepared for possible invasion.

Back in the central Julii, Arretium completed a new unit of hastati, and Ariminum recruited a town watch unit.

Diplomatic News

The House of Brutii have joined their fellow factions in war against the Greek Cities. The Scipii family and the Senate declared war on the Greeks last year.

Technically, we remain outside of this conflict, and are geographically furthest from them, but we are in the midst of responding to a request from the Senate to blockade the port of Sparta, so it is only a matter of time before we, too, are at war with Greece.

News has also arrived from the frigid north, where the heathen barbarian hordes of Germania and Britannia have begun warring with each other. This matters little to us, though.

Radix Retreats From Border

Young Gallic warlord Radix has retreated from his position along our border and, we believe, back into the Alps of Transalpine Gaul and points west.

Of course, we don't actually know this. He might have moved on into Cisalpine Gaul. The watchtower Kingfcius has built helps, but it appears its surveillance range is limited.

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 02:20 AM

Summer, Year of Rome 485

Agent Movements

Diplomat Sextus Antio has crossed the Alps now and entered into central Europe, very close to Germanic lands. He is deep inside the region of Noricum, a rather large central region that takes up much of modern day Switzerland and western Austria.

Having done his job in Mediolanium, Icius is now on the road to Patavium on the coast of the Adriatic in Venetia. He will give us a report on Gallic military strength in the city.

Fleet Reaches The Adriatic

As briremes don't easily cross open sea, Admiral Oppius has instead led his three-brireme fleet along the sole of Italy's boot. As the days grow shorter, he is now at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea, near the Brutii city of Apollonia on the Greek peninsula. I believe we are still another year, maybe two away from Sparta.

Construction

Segesta has begun work on a Wooden Palisade. This is key, considering the lack of one was the primary reason taking the city was so easy for us last year.

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 02:31 AM

Autumn, Year of Rome 485

Construction & Recuitment

Wooden Palisades are apparently not hard to build. Segesta completed this fortification before the arrival of the winter storms, assuring we coould safely wait out the usually moderate Italian winter behind the safety of walls.

Segesta is a little further north, of course, so it's not unheard of to get an occasional flurry of snow on the coldest nights, but it's still rare. Most of the snow in the area is saved for the mountains behind us, and for the Gauls to our north.

Arretium completed another unit of hastati, giving us the beginnings of a second force to draw from should the Gauls decide to attack us.

Diplomatic News

Traders from the east have brought news from exotic lands.

The far east peoples of Parthia and Armenia have entered into alliance with one another. This matters even less to us, though, than that of Germania and Britannia.

Chiefius Rumnii Getting Better With Age

Sometime over the fall, I have become more Restrained and reflective, less impulsive, although I would say I have never been all that rash of a leader (I leave that for my sons).

The quality makes me more influential (+1 INF) and makes me more difficult to bribe (100% increase in bribe price).

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 02:50 AM

Winter, Year of Rome 486

Agent Movements

Our diplomat Sextus Antio has moved to the west, but has yet to leaqve Noricum. He has heard tell fo a great river near here called the Danube. This river runs far into the east before emptying into the Black Sea.

Admiral Oppius has now reached the coast of Pelopenesses, but he had to pull his fleet up short when he ran into a large Greek fleet. Much time was unfortunately wasted as he maneuvered around the fleet to avoid any conflict.

In Venetia, Icius has reached Patavium and scouted out the city. It is decently well stocked, better than Mediolanium, but not by much. No member of the Gallic ruling family is present, but there are 363 Warband warriors and a 34-man band of Barbarian cavalry.

That garrison is keeping the peace for a large town of some 2600 people. It has a Wooden Palisade, too, making it more difficult to assault, and seems ot be growing behind hte impetus of a Market. Should the lowland city develop a serious Port, it likely has the chance to become a major center of commerce.

Icius was quick with his business here, allowing me to send him back across Venetia and Cisalpine Gaul to seek the location of Radix's missing army. He was on the road from Patavium to the ford of the river Po when the vernal equinox neared.

Whether he finds Radix's army or not, I would like him to scope out the western passage to mainland Gaul. It appears to be the only easy route to Gaul, and is an obvious strategic locale.

Construction

Segesta is running through its constructions pretty fast, but that's what happens when you're as small as it is. It keeps the troops busy at least.

The local populace has been sluggish, not thriving as a Roman town should. I have been told that they could use a place to worship, and the gods need appeasing as well. So I have ordered the construction of a Shrine to Ceres, the goddess of grain.

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 04:34 AM

Spring, Year of Rome 486

Daedalus, Son of Kingfcius

My first grandson has finally come of age and joined the Julii family leadership.

Daedalus, son of Kingcfius, celebrated his sixteenth birthday a moon past the vernal equinox. Kingcfius and I traveled back to Arretium for a feast in his honor.

I fear that the celebration is muted, though, for I have gotten a measure of Daedalus and found him somewhat lacking. Frankly, he reminds me a little of Titus Pupienus, the failed suitor of Daedalus's cousin Fadia. Daedalus shows a similar lack of aptitude in any skills of use to us. He is a rather drab individual, in sharp contrast to the more excitable and bold Kinfcius.

That said, he is just 16, and a man can do a lot of growing as the moons pass onward. I will have to send him to battle and see what sort of man he is. Perhaps he has a bit of his father in him.

Construction

Segesta completed the Shrine to Ceres this spring, but for the first time, they were joined by completed projects in the capital and in Ariminum.

Arretium finished a Stables, and Ariminum completed a Practice Range. Both should contribute to the qualities of our armies. The former allows us to recuit Equites, a form of Roman knight, and Wardogs, which are violent, but exciting units of vicious dogs. The latter allows us to recruit Velites, our javelin hurling missle units.

Diplomatic News

Parthia has apparently gone to war with the Seleucid Empire. This is happening far to our east and does not involve an ally, though, so this is probably of little importance to us.

Icius Spots Two Gallic Armies

Our spy does it again.

On the path to the west end of Cisalpine Gaul, Icius heard tell of two Gallic armies near our borders. He was still checking them out when he sent news of them to us, but he was able to glean some information.

The closest army is under the control of a Captain Sennianus and is currently right on the border with Liguria. It's not in position to go right into Liguria, though, as it is currently behind the impassable coastal mountains that shield Segesta from the rest of northern Italy. It is a three-unit army, with one 54-man Barbarian cavalry and two unknown units.

The other army is on the north side of the Po and under the control of a Captain Tincommious. They are currently on the road between Mediolanium and Patavium. It also has three units, with two Warband units of 121 men each, and a 54-man Barbarian cavalry.

They haven't made any aggressive moves, but, of course, even their mere presence has to be a concern.

Low Income iIn Ariminum

It was around about here that I discovered why Ariminum's income was so low.

For a while, I thought perhaps Bladeii wasn't such a great governor, because the numbers just kept going down. It was here that the income got so low, that it was negative! That's when I realized it was a net income.

Taking a closer look at settlement details, I discovered that the total cost of army upkeep for a faction is split amongst its settlements by population.

In reality, Ariminum was my second-largest revenue-producing settlement, by far. For whatever reason, though, it is significantly lower than Arretium, while having a population just about 500 less than the capital. The result is that it takes on a big chunk of the cost of the army, thanks to its population, but lacks the income to pay it with the ease that Arretium does. The result is a negative income.

Incidentally, this is also why the low-population Segesta has the highest income rating--it pays next to nothing toward the armed forces, since just 500 of the 8,000 or so citizens of Julii's Rome reside in Liguria, so its next income is very high, just behind Arretium.

Scipii's Popularity Falls With Senate

I'm not sure what the cause is, but I noticed that the popularity of the Family Scipii has fallen sharply with the Senate. We all opened with six "shields" of popularity, but Scipii lost two of them somehow.

Perhaps they failed an important mission?

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 04:55 AM

Summer, Year of Rome 486

The Julii Family Enters War With The Greeks

Well, it became official in the fall of the Year of Rome 486. We have become the last Roman faction to enter into conflict with the Greek Cities.

Admiral Oppius sailed his fleet around the southwest end of Pelopenesses and toward Sparta. The first bay was under guard by a lone Greek brireme.

With an advantage in ships and having advanced to the point where conflict was necessary to complete the objective, Admiral Oppius endeavoured to sink the Greek ship. The Julii fleet was victorious, driving the enemy brireme away from Sparta. We lost 13 total on two of the ships, but killed 25 of the 41 on the enemy ship, scoring a huge opening victory in the war on the seas.

Word quickly spread of our aggression, though, and it wasn't long before we received word that the Greek Cities had declared war on us. This was to be anticipated, of course. Now all of Rome is at war with Greece.

At this time, though, we do not plan to get into a land conflict with Greece, leaving that to the Brutii, who are neighbors of the Greeks. We are content to contribute naval aid, but the presence of the Gauls is far more worrisome to us than the relatively distant Greeks.

Agent Movements

Sextus Antio officially crossed the Danube and entered the Germanic region of Agri Decumantes. We have still seen precious little of actual civilization in these barbarian lands.

Icius was able to verify the composition of Gallic Captain Tincommious's army, with the two 121-man Warband units, and the 54-man Barbarian cavalry. He immediately moved south to seek out Captain Sennianus's force along the border with Liguria, and was still on his way there as the autumnal equinox approached.

Construction & Recuitment

War concerns doesn't stop the spread of progress at home. All three Julii cities started important projects this season.

Segesta and Arretium have both begun to develop Traders, which should significantly improve our trade income in those regions. Ariminum has begun work on a Port, which will also increase trade in that it will provide new markets for Ariminum's products.

Because of the new military buildings completed in the spring, we can also begin recruiting some higher quality units for possible conflict with Gaul. Sachmius orders the recruitment of two Equites and two Wardog units, while Bladeii begins to put together two Velites units.

Daedalus Called To Segesta

Daedalus shows little enough skill as it is. He certainly won't learn much int he cushy confines of Arretium. I decide to send for him to travel up to Segesta, which he does immediately.

Here, his father and I can both work to improve his quality and education personally.

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 05:21 AM

Autumn, Year of Rome 486

Spartan Blockade Fails

Curse that misinformation!

Having cleared out the seas near Sparta, Admiral Oppius seemed prepared to begin the blockade of Sparta's port, as ordered by the Senate. Alas, his maps were off, and locating the port proved to be difficult.

Just as his navigators pinned it down, the fleet encountered a mighty Greek fleet, at least twice the size of the Julii one. Sensibly, the admiral chose to withdraw and hope the enemy fleet would elave in time for him to carry out the Senate's orders.

Unfortunately, that wasn't to be. The Senate noted we had failed to complete the mission in the alotted time, and this has moved me and mine to disfavor.

I am not happy with Admiral Oppius, and he assures me that he has put the navigator to death.

Recruitment

Our first units of Equites were completed in Arretium, and our first fresh unit of Velites (if not our actual first) was put together in Ariminum. This should give us a lot of help and support for our current forces, as we are very light in both cavalry and in missle units.

Diplomatic News

The Seleucid Empire seems to have its hands full. The descendants of Alexander's general Seleusus have embroiled themselves in a war with once-protectorate Parthia in the far east, and on the other end, have now engaged in war with the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. Two front wars are never easy to fight, especially considering the Egyptians are no small enemies.

To the west, the expansionist enemies of Rome in Carthage have reportedly run into trouble with the Iberians. The future Spanish apparently aren't too anxious to fall under the rule of Carthage.

Gallic Army Moves

Whatever Captain Sennianus is up to, it's clear now his stop near the Ligurian coastal mountains was just a lay over to a longer trip. He took his army and crossed the Venetian ford of the river Po and is currently moving on to Pavantium.

While we certainly are not going to let our guard down, it's a bit of relief to know that, for the first time in a couple years, we don't have a horde of Gauls somewhere along our borders.

Captain Tincommious has passed beyond our surveillance, but my advisors suspect he, too, has moved on the eatsern Venetia, away from Julii lands.

CR

Breeze

10-05-2004, 05:33 AM

I'll take any spot that's open.

Ragone

10-05-2004, 05:39 AM

ooh.. i'd like to be a diplomat.. or assassin :) whichever.. or both :P

sachmo71

10-05-2004, 08:31 AM

My daughter will not marry some sot named P-Penis.

Have his head delivered to his father, and then his body a week later.

ur_land

10-05-2004, 12:56 PM

Please use me in what capacity you wish, o mighty Ceas---I mean, o mighty lord of the Julii.

DeToxRox

10-05-2004, 02:26 PM

i think someone, somewhere needs to be assassinated

daedalus

10-05-2004, 02:48 PM

A message to my father:

Fear not, Father. Building a solid base for us to launch our campaign from will only add to greatness of your name. I have heard that there is a possibility I will be allowed to join you in the frontline soon. I hope to make you proud.

Also, I have heard words of Grandfather speaking of your rashes and have taken the liberty to send along some ointments from our family physicians along with this missive ahead of me. I hope this "rash" that Grandfather speak of will be gone soon.

Until I see you once more, care.

daedalus

10-05-2004, 02:54 PM

Daedalus, Son of Kingfcius

My first grandson has finally come of age and joined the Julii family leadership.

Daedalus, son of Kingcfius, celebrated his sixteenth birthday a moon past the vernal equinox. Kingcfius and I traveled back to Arretium for a feast in his honor.

I fear that the celebration is muted, though, for I have gotten a measure of Daedalus and found him somewhat lacking. Frankly, he reminds me a little of Titus Pupienus, the failed suitor of Daedalus's cousin Fadia. Daedalus shows a similar lack of aptitude in any skills of use to us. He is a rather drab individual, in sharp contrast to the more excitable and bold Kinfcius.

That said, he is just 16, and a man can do a lot of growing as the moons pass onward. I will have to send him to battle and see what sort of man he is. Perhaps he has a bit of his father in him.O, to be so misunderstood.

Y'know . . . Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I'm heading to Segesta. Suddenly, I'm not half the man Kingfc is. His shadow is hanging over me. This journey came so suddenly.

I shall go packing.

Coffee Warlord

10-05-2004, 03:52 PM

Enjoying it so far, CR!

As a side, you really don't realize how good Rome has it till you try one of the 'barbarian' factions. I screwed around with Briton last night (was gonna see if they were fun enough to start a counter-dynasty to yours), and jesus...you have NO money, thanks to no trade routes. Gonna be hard as hell.

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 04:11 PM

Breeze, Ragine, ur_land, you have all been added. Thanks for joining.

Sachmius, you're one cruel motherf... :)

DeTox, heh, I need to develop assassins. I hope to have them soon.

Daedalus, good stuff. Hopefully, you will prove more than what is showing right now.

Coffee Warlord, that doesn't surprise me. Especially Briton and Germania and them. I suspect it will be far different for Greece, Carthage, Egypt and the Seleucids, though. Anyone once connected to Alexander the Great or with an established trade empire will have some civilization going, and all those factions qualify. If I had had to pick who would be worst financially/trade-wise before knowing, I actually would have said the Britons. :)

CR

Izulde

10-05-2004, 04:35 PM

Stepping out of character for a moment, it seems as though the game is stacked in favour of the Julii and prejudiced against the Scipii because in my campaign, the Julii hold all three of the lower Senate offices, and even though I'm kicking ass all over North Africa and just conquered Carthage, neither the Senate nor the people are showing me any love.

DeToxRox

10-05-2004, 04:52 PM

i understand developing assassins, but come on. let me at least kill a captured infidel for fun.

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 05:17 PM

Winter, Year of Rome 487

Another Naval Conflict

Having failed in his mission to blockade Sparta, Admiral Oppius turned his ships toward home. Just before they left, though, the Greeks produced another brireme from the port of Sparta.

This was more than Admiral Oppius could take, so he turned his ships around and immediately bent to attack the Greek ship. It was a brutal victory, as just one Greek escaped unscathed. He and a ragtag of what was remaining of wounded Greeks moved their brireme off as suffered just one casualty. Amazingly enough, though, we failed to sink the enemy ship, even having inflicted 40 casualties on its 41-man crew.

Admiral Oppius turned his ships around then, satisfied he had exacted some form of retribution for his failure.

By the time the spring winds were beginning to rise, the three-ship fleet was north of Peleponesses and sailing along the west coast of Greece.

Orders have arrived by bird that Chiefius Rumnii wants the fleet to proceed to Ariminum and prepare to carry an army across the Adriatic. The Lord Julius, his norhtward expansion blocked by the Gauls, apparently has his eye on a portion of the Balkan peninsula.

Diplomat Reaches Germany

After waiting out a bitter winter in a village some leagues north of the Danube, our diplomat Sextus Antio has reached the border of Agri Decumantes and Tribus Chattii. It is a heavily wooded area and reputedly a land of Germania. It is certainly in modern day Germany, although Sextus Antio doesn't know that. He still hasn't seen a barbarian city north of Patavium--which is semi-civilized--but he has heard tell of a city not far to the northwest.

Icius Discovers Another Gallic Army

Icius will never get to the western path through the Alps if he keeps running into Gallic armies. This one, though, is much more significant than the little pup armies he saw before, with a family member of Gaul's ruling party at its head.

But it isn't Radix. My guess is this new general is Radix's uncle and Jessewiak's younger brother. Icius reports his name to be Hoopsgix, a 35-year-old general with +3 Command. Vindex is leading a 276-man army, including his 20-man Barbarian warlord bodyguard. He has a 54-man Barbarian cavalry, a 121-man unit of Warband warriors, and an 80-man skirmishing Warband unit.

They are camping out close to where Captain Sennianus stayed last year, near the Ligurian border next to the coastal montains. Are they on their way to Venetia, as Sennaianus was? Or is Hoopsgix preparing for an invasion?

As a commander, Hoopsgix appears to be the most capable Gallic general we have run into yet, although his skills pale next to my own and that of Kingcfius.

Having scouted out the army, Icius moved on toward the Julii watchtower near the western Alpine pass.

Daedalus Sent To Ariminum

Having heard tell of a disconnected peoples and much natural wealth in the lands across the Adriatic Sea but north of Macedon, Chiefius has changed his mind about Daedalus's future.

Kingfcius's son has been Segesta just a few weeks when the news arrived. After some discussion with Kingcfius, Chieifius announced that Daedalus would lead a Julii army into the provinces of Dalmatia and Illyria, on the eastern side of the Adriatic. This, Chiefius would do three things: 1) Give us a foothold in the Balkan Peninsula that would allow us to expand around Gallic north Italy, 2) Provide us with a second border with Venetia, allowing us to tattack from two sides, should wear with the Gauls come to pass, and 3) give Daedalus an easier test to begin his career as a Julii military leader, as the people of these lands do not appear to be very powerful.

To that end, Daedalus has been sent to Ariminum and tyo the care of his uncle Bladeii, until Admiral Oppius can arrive from his failed mission in Greece.

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 05:19 PM

Izulde, if that's true, I haven't seen it yet in this dynasty. Hopefully, you're right, though. :)

DeTox: I'll have Sachmius send you T-penis. Do what you will with him, you sick bastard. :D

CR

Travis

10-05-2004, 05:42 PM

Excellent read thus far CR, can't wait to get my feet wet once we start knocking off all these traitorous board members that decided to ally themselves with those barbarians ;)

hoopsguy

10-05-2004, 06:09 PM

Don't be afraid to allow Daedalus to venture towards the Ligurian border next to the coastal montains with his blind manservant and pair of mules on his own personal visionquest. Great risk, great reward awaits him there ...

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 06:30 PM

Travis, heh, that should be fun. :)

hoopsguy threatening daedalus? Sounds like a growing rivalry. Maybe someday they will meet.

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 06:51 PM

Spring, Year of Rome 487

News From The Senate...And A New Mission

Just as the blossoms of flowers were beginning to open, we received an important missive from the Senate.

First came the news that the Consul of Rome, Decius Maxentius, has passed away, of old age. He was 63 years old. Rome and S.P.Q.R. is in mourning, so we will lower our standards for a fortnight in deference, and announce mourning of our own throughout our lands during this dark time. I have sent a response to Rome expressing our condolences for the loss of a great Roman leader in Decius, a man I liked personally and who was of inestimable quality.

I also acknowledged the other news we ahve received, although I kept most of my responsive thoughts to it out of print. It would not do well to upset the Senate right now.

We received word that we have been passed over for Senatorial office this round. Making it worse was that both the families Scipii and Brutii received appointments to the ruling council, leaving us as the lone unrepresented faction. I believe Sachmius, with his fine administrative skills, would have been a perfect addition to the council.

Not helping matters was that they elected a bumbling fool to the Consul's position. Former Aedile Kaeso Pullus, 31 and a member of the S.P.Q.R. faction, has been elevated to the most powerful office in Rome. I fear for the quality of Rome's future under this man's rule, for he is a blithering idiot.

It would have been far more appropriate to have selected either of Decius's two sons, the Censor, Jeffnitius, and the Pontifex Maximus, Servius. Instead, Jeffnitius was kept at Censor, and Servius moved to Praetor. Decius's grandson, Publius, was oddly named the Pontifex Maximus, a position of rgeat power and influence as the head of religion in Rome. I have not met him since he was but a child, so I know little of his quality, but to be elected to that position at the tender age of 17?

My colleague Tiberius Brutus was elevated to Aedile to replace Kaeso Pullus, and that allowed another colleague, Cornelius Scipio, to step into Tiberius's former Quaestor role.

But all of these news items paled in comparison to a privately-selaed message directly to my own eyes from Kaeso Pullus himself. In that, he has asked me, on behalf of the Senate, to push forward with war on the Gauls and to take Mediolanium, the great city of Cisalpine Gaul. We have five years to do it.

It is at once a concern and an opportunity. It is something I have been preparing for, and yet concerned when it would come. The Gauls are barbarians, but mighty and numerous enemies none the less. Our best chance is to take Mediolanium and Patavium and seal off Italy from the Gauls at the Alpine passes. Much planning will be required to pull this off.

Construction & Recruitment

With war on the way, it is important that the Julii cities are prepared to do their part. It helped that this past spring they were able to complete some critical improvements that I expect will vastly increase our tax income.

Arretium and Segesta both completed a trading class to enable commerce. Ariminum has completed its Port, allowing it to take in offer and offer out its trade products to cities by sea.

Ariminum also completed the recrutiing of a new unit of Velites, which should come in handy against the Gauls.

CR

kingfc22

10-05-2004, 09:10 PM

Daedalus, in order for you to have success on the battlefield you must first gain the respect of your men. Since you are a descendant to the great Chiefus, I don't expect this to be a problem. Just remember to use the battle tactics that I thought you when you were younger and I hope that you were paying attiontion during those days. I shall hear of your victory soon.

kingfc22

10-05-2004, 09:11 PM

Great stuff CR. I'm glad our spy is able to obtain so much info about the Gauls. I just hope that they aren't doing the same thing.

Coffee Warlord

10-05-2004, 09:15 PM

The yet unheralded Coffeius Warlordium says we should attack Rome immediatly. :)

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 11:08 PM

kingfc, I haven't seen one, but then maybe I'm not supposed to. :)

Coffee Warlord, quiet! No attacking Rome until I am ready (I'll leave that to you ;) ).

CR

Coffee Warlord

10-05-2004, 11:16 PM

S'why you obviously need me leading your armies. :D

DeToxRox

10-05-2004, 11:51 PM

i'm ready live a life of everything not involving chivalry.

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 11:57 PM

Summer, Year of Rome 487

Diplomat Meets With The Germans

The sun was high in the sky when Sextus Antio arrived at the Germanic town of Mogontiacum, which I believe is the ancient eqivalent of Bonn. He was immediately introduced to the local German leaders.

He negotiated trade rights with the Germans right away, but he was after bigger things--like map information. Sextus offered to exchange maps with the Germans. They turned down the offer, but said they would do it if his people entered into an alliance with them.

This was a serious matter to consider. He sent by bird of the German offer to Chiefius Rumnii. After soem consideration, I gave the go ahead, as Germannia has to be considered a potential enemy of the Gauls, and a strong ally in a fight against them.

So Sextus agreed, and we also entered into an alliance with the Germans and got their maps, which revealed much of north-central Europe to us.

Following the end of negotiations and an appropriate time of rest, Sextus Antio moved on west of Mogontiacum and crossed the great Rhine river and into eastern modern day France.

Other Agent Movements

Having been sent this mission from the Senate, Chiefius sent messenger to Icius to reconnoiter Mediolanium again for a potential assault. It was critical that we know if the fortifications and garrison have changed at all. So Icius's original mission of exploring the western pass has been changed again.

He moved back across the Po and into Cisalpine Gaul again. He arrived shortly at Mediolanium and found things to be roughly the same that they were when he surveyed the city two years previously. Gallic faction heir Jessewiak, the drunken prince, remains the governor of the city at the foot of the Alps, and his garrison hasn't changed. He still has two 81-man Barbarian infantry units and his 34-man Barbarian warlord bodyguard. The city is still protected by a wooden palisade, but nothing bigger.

In the Adriatic Sea, Admiral Oppius moved his fleet further up the Balkan coast, passing near the Illyrian-held settlment of Salona. The fleet should be back in Ariminum within a year.

Construction

With a port and two traders completed, the cities of Julii lands have returned to war-based construction. Segesta has begun work on a barracks, Arretium a practice range and Ariminum a stables.

Soon, all of my cities will be able to contribute strongly tot he war effort against the Gauls.

Julii Troop Movements

In preparation for the upcoming offensive, Chiefius has begun to shuffle his troops.

He combined some of the war-depleted hastati units in Segesta to fill out full units and sent the remaining unit to Arretium to be retrained. He called for the two fresh hastati units in the capital to move up to Segesta.

The main move, though, involved putting together a second army comprised of units from both Arretium and Ariminum. I ordered Sachmius to send his unit of equites and another hastati unit up to the Erutrian border with Cisalpine Gaul, near the esst end of the Ligurian coastal mountains. This position is the closest to the Venetian ford of the river Po without crossing into Gallic territory.

Then Chiefius sent word to Ariminum to have the newly arrived Daedalus take his 20-man bodyguuard of spear cavalry with two 80-man units of velites to the second army and take over.

There was a slight glitch, though. Bladeii wanted in on the fun. Instead of giving the orders to Daedalus, whom he apparently deemed not worthy of the command of that second army, he himself traveled with the velites to the second army. When word reached Chiefius, he sent a missive that in no uncertain terms ordered Bladeii back to Ariminum. His youngest son was on his way to doing so, with Daedalus going the other way, when the autmnal equinox approached.

CR

Chief Rum

10-05-2004, 11:59 PM

i'm ready live a life of everything not involving chivalry.

Don't worry. According to Medieval:Total War, chivalry isn;t invited until the late eleventh century (circa Year of Rome 1840). No chivalry in sight here. :)

CR

Chief Rum

10-06-2004, 12:21 AM

Autumn, Year of Rome 487

Recruitment

Arretium completed the Julii faction's first unit of wardogs, a unit of 96 dogs and handlers. Having seen these vicious units at work, it is a pleasure to know we have one on our side.

Icius Finds Hoopsguyix

One other serious question we needed to know, given our intent to invade Cisalpine Gaul and maybe Venetia as well, was the location of Hoopsguyix. We got some good news and bad news.

The good news is that we found him, and he has moved further away from Julii lands, camped out ont he road between Mediolanium and Patavium.

The bad news is that it appears he has taken on Captain Tincommious's army, adding a 54-man Barbarian cavalry and two more 121-man Warband units to his force. This put his force at a much more formidable 572 men.

This is a matter of dire concern. He is well within reach of Mediolanium, and would certainly come to the rescue should the city and his brother come under attack. A combined force of his men and the some 200 men garrisoned at Mediolanium would make for a much more difficult fight.

It seems likely that we will have to deal with Hoopsguyix either before or at the same time that we put together our assault on Mediolanium.

CR

Chief Rum

10-06-2004, 01:19 AM

Winter, Year of Rome 488

Agent Movements

I ordered Icius to go in for a closer look at hoopsguyix's army, and he confirmed that the Gallic general had three 121-man Warband units, one 80-man skirmisher Warband unit, two 54-man Barbarian cavalry units, and his own 20-man Barbarian warlord bodyguard. He appeared content to camp along the road in between Mediolanium and Patavium, near the Venetian ford fot he River Po.

Further north, Sextus Antio moved further into modern day east-central France, ending the season just south of the Germanic town Trier.

On the Adriatic Sea, Admiral Oppius continued north, reaching the coast of Dalmatia, not far from Venetia, and across the sea from eventual destination Ariminum.

Army Movements

The first note to make is that Bladeii has returned to Ariminum and taken over the governorship of that city again, while Daedalus has taken over control of the second army on the road from Erutria to the Venetian ford of the river Po.

Because of the presence of Hoopsguyix and his army not far on the other side of that ford, Chiefius ordered two more 80-man hastati units and the newly completed wardog unit from Arretium to Daedlus's force. He also ordered Bladeii to send a contingent of his town watch to Arretium to watch over the capital in the stark absence of such a large portion of its garrison.

The major moves this season, though, were in Segesta itself, where the main assault force on Mediolanium was put together under the command of Kingfcius. Kingfcius marched out with 582 men, including his 20-man spear cavalry bodyguard. Four 80-man hastati units, one 82-man triarii unit, one 80-man Roman archer unit, and one 80-man velite unit made out the rest of the force.

Kingfcius marched the force up to the west end of the coastal mountains of Liguria, along the border with Cisalpine Gaul. Unlike Daedalus's force, Kingfcius can reach Mediolanium in the space of just three months.

We are on the brink of war.

CR

Chief Rum

10-06-2004, 01:59 AM

Spring, Year of Rome 488

Construction & Recruitment

Segesta completed a Barracks, so it may finally join Arretium and Ariminum in the support of the family's armies.

Arretium completed another unit of equites as well.

Hoopsguyix Disappears

Icius has lost sight of Hoopsguyix's army. It is unknown where they are at this time, which is certainly a concern at this key point. It might be, though, that the key factor is Icius himself moving out of range rather than hoopsguyix moving away from the Mediolanium-Patavium road.

Chiefius Gains New Traits

The vaunted leader of the Family Julius continues to learn new skills and acquire new talents.

In his cynical older age, he has become even less sparing in his lifestyle, increasing from Stern to the more severe Spartan. The latter lends another positive step to Management, putting Chiefius Rumnii at +2 MAN. It also moves his bribe cost up to 200% above normal.

Not that he is truly bribable anyway.

Chiefius's expert handling of Icius has also increased his skill in the area of Espionage. It's clear he recognizes the value of covert information-gatherers, and he now receives a 10% discount in agent recruitment costs.

CR

Izulde

10-06-2004, 02:13 AM

From the Journal of Izuldius

There is a new consul recently elected to Rome. Grandfather is of the opinion that he is a horrible leader and that he quite possibly bribed the other members of the Senate into voting for him. It would not surprise me... the Roman forum after all did not recognize our family's greatness during this election term.

The Gauls are continuing to be targeted by our great armies. Hopefully when I am of age, I, too, shall become a general and have great success on the battlefield, being elected to a Senate office thereafter. I should only like to be a governor if the region appeals to me... but then, I am still not considered of age, and even when I become an adult, the leader of the family will have the final say.

Father grows more and more despondent with the successes of the other branches of the family. I can not blame him... yet I also feel the burden now... that it will be up to me to bring glory to my father's line... or we shall continue to be lesser Julii, and that is a sad fate.

Chief Rum

10-06-2004, 02:38 AM

Summer, Year of Rome 488

The Family Julius--Broker of Peace?

Strange as it may seem, the Family Julius may have been the unwitting artist of peace in the far north, even as we prepare for a likely tough war with the Gauls to the south.

Sextus Antio, travelling near the Germanic city of Trier, heard tell of a similarly journeying diplomat from the archaic land of Britannia. He tracked the man down and went into negotiations for trade rights and map information, much as he had done just the year before with Germania.

The negotiations went much as they had gone with Germania, and in the end, we had a deal for trade rights, another trade of maps and another alliance, which once again might provide us aid against the Gauls.

The concern, of course, was that an alliance with the Britons might lead the Germans to break their alliance with us, as they are at war with Britannia.

Apparently once news got around, Germania had to weigh the value of the war against Britannia against an alliance with us. In the end, they chose their alliance with the Julii.

The two peoples met with each other and agreed to a ceasefire of hostilities, thereby both preserving their alliances with us.

Other Agent Movements

I moved Icius back to Mediolanium to seek Hoopsguyix and see if perhaps he had moved to Cisalpine Gaul's central settlement, but that was not the case.

Admiral Oppius finally returned to Julii Rome when he entered the port of Ariminum--which didn't exist when he left for Greece four years ago. His journey finished here after a short jump up to Patavium to confirm Gaul's naval power (or lack thereof) this far east.

He did make one discovery--the smaller Gallic army under Captain Sennianus is in Dalmatia, likely pushing to take over that region for Gaul. They are too far to be of concern right now, but it is interesting to note that had the Senate mission tot ake Mediolanium not come to us, Daedalus might have incited war with the Gauls over Dalmatia.

It seems that war with Gaul was as likely as it seemed from the very beginning, no matter what path we took.

It Begins

The swords are sharpened, the armor is shined, the horses are saddled. There is blood in the air, and the sun glints red under the Family Julii banner. War is about to begin.

Just before readying his force to leave their position along the border of Erutria and Cisalpine Gaul, Daedalus accepted another unit from Arretium at the behest of Chiefius, taking on a second unit of equites. That puts his total force at 553 men.

To the west, Kingfcius is giving his troops one last night of preparation and prayer to the gods before they embark on a similar sojourn into Cisalpine Gaul.

One fortnight past the summer solstice, Kingfcius led 562 men into Cisapline Gaul. By a moon past that day, they were crossing the River Po.

To the east, Daedalus marched his force in as well, quickly reaching their own ford of the Po. They crossed unhindered, but their passage did not go unnoticed.

Chiefius was soon besieged with notices of transgression from Gaul. They told him in no uncertain terms that Daedalus's entry into their lands was seen as an act of war and to order him to return to the Erutrian border. The Julii faction leader, of course, ignored these missives.

Daedalus was several leagues beyond the Po and preparing to turn west to Mediolanium when his outriders brought news: a force has been sighted coming hard from the east along the Alps. It is Hoopsguyix and his army!

Battle seems inevitable. Daedalus immediately orders his men to prepare for the enemy's arrival. It is their job to keep Hoopsguyix away from Mediolanium long enough to allow Kingfcius to take the central settlement of the Gallic province.

By this time, Kingfcius has crossed the Po himself, and a fortnight prior to the autmunal equinox, he has reached Mediolanium. He immediately lays seige to the walled city of 2500, and prepares to build battering rams for a likely assault in the dead of winter.

Our intent is clear enough to the Gauls, it seems. They declare war on us.

CR

kingfc22

10-06-2004, 02:39 AM

Kingfcius Spring Journal Entry:

The march to Mediolanium has begun. We are traveling along the coastline and the weather has treated us fairly. I'm thankful to write that the men are in good spirits and are anxious for battle. After what happened with the Julii family being snubbed by the Senate, the men want to show what kind of leader Chiefus really is.

I also just received word from home that our admiral has failed us in his bid to block the port of Sparta. Damn infidel. I hope that father has him hanged for failing because that is what I will do when I lead the Julii name in the future. I expect perfection and my men know it.

Nightfall is upon us and I need to get my rest before sounding the assault on the Gauls...

Chief Rum

10-06-2004, 06:53 AM

Battle of Chiarii, Year of Rome 488

The Night Before

The maddening cries of the not too distant Gallic barbarians rang through the chill night, keeping Captain Marcellus awake.

The well-trained equite, a former spear cavalryman, could normally sleep through the most raucous cacophany, as he had proven at numerous Spring Feasts in the past that had gone well past their wanting by most.

But there was something chilling about the cries of your enemy, yelling to his heathen nature gods of the impending death he would offer up to them. To the Gauls, the night before a battle is a night of celebration.

The Romans, by comparison, are reserved and dsiciplined. We sleep tonight to save our energy for tomorrow, Marcellus thought.

He looked over at his men, all aslumber, but for the night guards. Is this a foolish venture? He can curse the Gauls for their ways all he wants, but this is their territory. And we are led here by no more than a boy.

General Daedalus Julius is a tall and thin young man, all of just 17. He has a nervous way about him, as if he had spent his short lifetime already under tremendous strain. Sometimes there is a hesitation there in his features, in his eyes, when he is discussing his plans with his captains. Is he seeking our approval?

His demeanor may seem unsteady, but his mind seems well-crafted. He has been well-schooled in the ways of war by his father and grandfather, and the horseman in Marcellus must admit Daedalus handles his horse well and with skill. He takes quite a bit after his father in appearance--General Kingfcius was a man Marcellus had occasion to view when he was a member of Governor Sachmius's bodyguard.

Sachmius..., groused the captain. He did not have fond memories of that man, a seemingly scheming individual whom had proven impossible to please, and ever mobile, making ti all the more difficult to guarantee the security of his person. It was a primary reason he volunteered for the equite squadron when the call went around in Arretium last year.

His past experience as a cavalryman with Lord Chiefius surprsingly landed him at the head of this unit. He had not sought the role, but has welcomed it, once given. If only he could spare all his men the doom of death, but that was unlikely here. Most of them were fresh-faced kids, many of them not older than Daedalus himself. At least if they die, they will do so for the full glory of Rome.

Marcellus would not drift to sleep quickly this night.

Dawn

Apollo's fiery chariot was as yet a short time away from rising above the eastern end of the world, but the Roman army was already abustle with activity and preparation.

Scouts have already returned to note that the Gauls are amidst their own preparations and will likely soon be on the march. There is no surprise--the two forces have known of each other for days now.

Marcellus chewed on salted hank of cold hare and washed it down with brisk brook water. The woodlands here, in the shade of the Alps, are rich in wildlife and will provide good food for an army on the move, at leats for a short while.

Staying here, near the small Gallic village of Chiarii, is not something that can be done for long, though==not with two armies a mere league apart.

"Captain, the general calls for you," a member of Lord Daedalus's bodyguard said from beyond his small fire. He nodded his assent and gathered his acroutements.

Most of the captains had arrived before him, and Daedalus was preparing to go into his battle plan. It had already been discussed to an extent in the evenings prior, but it never hurts to be sure once more.

"These woods are our friends here," Daedalus said. "You all know the lay of this land. Hoopsguyix is approaching us from the plains--he will be in the open. We must use these trees to our advantage, for the scouts say we are outnumbered and this Gallic general is a tested leader of warriors."

The young general diagrammed a position on the dirt with a stick.

"Here is the clearing we will be in, surrounded on two sides by trees. Judging from the direction they are coming from, the Gauls will approach from the east to southeast, right up to the opening of the clearing. We will draw them in by forming our lines here at the back of the clearing," the young man said. Did his voice just crack? Marcellus wondered.

"Once they are drawn in, we hit them with the ambush from within the trees, taking out the cavalry and skirmishers first," he finished.

"I believe it's a sound plan, lord general," said the head of one of the hastati units. He had volunteered his men to be a part of the bait, one of the two hastati units that would form the frontline. There was grudging assent from most of the other captains at the tactical quality of the plan, although no one said what they were thinking. Will he fall for it? Marcellus asked himself.

He and the other units of equites would be a part of the units in the woods, along with the wardogs, the third hastati unit and a unit of velites. Daedalus and his guard will be out in the open, as the young Julii lord reasoned he must be visible for Hoopsguyix to fall for it. The Gallic general must believe the entire force of Romans is in that clearing, and the absence of Daedalus's own banner would be very suspicious.

"Gather your men," Daedalus ordered. "We must prepare, for they will be here soon."

The captains disappeared to the ends of the camp, but Marcellus lingered long enough to watch his general for a second. He knew he would see it again, and he did. The young man's were shaking. He hastily rubbed them together and warmed them at the fire to ward off any glances. When he looked in Marcellus's direction, the captain had already turned away and proceeded to where his own men were preparing for battle.

The Cusp of Battle

"They come, good captain," said a scout from Daedalus. Marcellus dismissed him with a nod. He raised his gauntleted fist, and the steady hubbub of his men, talking away their nervousness died with it. The time had nearly come.

Although deep amongst the trees, Marcellus had selected a spot that had a good view of both the end of the clearing and the open plain beyond it. He could not yet see an enemy there, but he knew he was coming, and with nearly 600 compatriots as well.

Lord Daedalus rode in front of the hastati lines and clearly began to speak to the men. His words were faint with distance, but he heard clearly what the young general said before the final cheers of the men drowned out his voice: For the gods, for yourselves, for the People. For Rome, for Lord Chiefius, and for the Name of the Julii! Our enemies shall dine with Pluto tonight!

Silence blanketed the air. Even the birds were silent, perhaps frightened by the presence of so many men, or perhaps by the presence of Mars. In the distance, horns began to sound, and soon after that, an incessant hooting and hollering as well--the Gauls were practicing their warcries, it seems. What started as a dark dot, steadily grew into a line on the horizon, and soon began to filter out into individual specks. The sounds of war approached.

This did not seem to faze the baitors, Marcellus saw. They were well-trained. The hastati glittered goldenly in the sun, although their armor was a mix of iron and bronze. The red Julii banner hung limp on a dead day, but it's color stood out sharply against the dark green of the surrounding trees.

The enemy was now close enough to make out their dress and manner. They were a dark, fierce people. He had expected more lighter-complexioned peoples, but these seemed much more of a mix. Probably from life lived on the Mediterranean. They had long dark beards and streaming hair, unfettered by helmet or identifying symbol. Their faces were painted in red, deep red. It wasn't paint. The footmen were not dressed in a uniform, but in what appeared to be tan-toughened jerkins lined with the fur of some unidentifiable animal of the north. All had some form of armor, but few had as much protection as a warrior of Rome, and no one set of armor was alike with another. The horsemen behind them had more of a gentile look to them. Bearded, but trimmed, with their hair tied back by colored sash that might have been identifying markers of rank.

The bulk of the army carried heavy longswords, with a cruel curve of gouges at the end. They were longer than the standard Roman glavius, but likely unwieldy in close combat by comparison.

Their formation was much as predicted. A long double-line of fierce-looking infantrymen led the way, with a large group of cavalry at the back and flanking the line. The skirmishers walked with bow in hand, ready to fire off a round when called for. Behind the skirmishers was what had to be the command group, led by, no doubt, Hoopsguyix himself.

Hoopsguyix very much took after his people. He was a large man on a large horse. Although he similarly had one of the Gallic swords, he carried with him a large spear--a lance, really--and seemed to not be burdened by having to carry it. His dark features are shrouded in black curls, his mass of facial hair nearly swallowing up his eyes. He bore the mark of the Bear's Head on his shield, the symbol of Gaul. He rode confidently, a tested battlefield veteran. He doubtless knew his opponent was an unblooded youth. Was that confidence a trait that would see us through to victory today? Or is it simply profound recognition that he had the upperhand? Marcellus hoped for the former.

The Battle

The enemy had reached the end of the clearing, and their infantry began to walk closer in rank, which they had not been doing before. Marcellus wasn't surprised--they had some training, and assuredly much experience at warfare as well, but the Gauls were much more well-known for the quality of their hand-to-hand combat and the impressive individual ferocity and rage than they were for their discipline or ability to work together in war.

There was a soft neigh behind him, earning the man atop it a stern look from Marcellus. He held his hand again for silence and watched as the enemy infantry began to pass by his view. Had they heard? He was some of the cavalrymen in the nearby flank--the target of his own equites actually, looking over into the trees suspiciously. Marcellus froze in his saddle and could literally feel the tension of the men behind him. Indeed, the entire forest's worth of men was likely feeling that same apprehension.

Daedalus was nothing if not bright, though. He knew the gig might be about to end--and their infantry had just reached javelin range. The attention of the enemy shot forward as a shout from the Roman lines was quickly accompanied by a sky filled with hurled spears. They approached silently, like a whisper, but Marcellus knew they were deadly when they found their mark.

They struck with force, passing through men as easy as knife through a grape. Marcellus watched one Gallic warrior catch one in the throat not far from the edge of the forest. He didn't make a sound, merely collapsing dead in an instant. Pluto take him, Marcellus prayed.

The javelin throw did little to stop the infantry of the warriors, and they began to step up their approach to the line of hastati, who were readying one quick volley of arrows before turning to their glavius. The warcries abounded, and Marcellus could see some of the greener troops in the hastati line faltering abit. Hold it together just a little longer, Marcellus projected at them in silence.

He raised a hand again, this time open palm up. Arm yourselves. The slide of glavius and bow from their scabbards came almost as one, the hubbub of the brewing conflict hiding the sound.

The Gallic warriors were in full charge now, and their flanking units came in right after them. Very foolish, thought Marcellus. Hoopsguyix was falling for it. The hastati got off their round of arrows, and the velites let off another javelin round, but the charge was unimpeded. Marcellus could distantly feel pain in his legs, as he clutched the sides of his steed so hard, he feared his thighs and calves would cramp up. He eased up.

They were ready for it when it came. The Julii bannerman started frantically waving the Julii pennant even as the hastati line braced for the impact of the Gallic warband warriors, some 300-men strong against half that number.

"For Rome!" Marcellus roared, and his steed strode forward nearly unbidden. He tore out of the woods with amazing speed, his riders right behind him. Like a torrent, men streamed out of the woods, flooding the west side of the clearing. A hundred equites, some two hundred infantry, including the well-armored and long-speared triarii, and another round of velites. Marcellus could see the surprise on the enemy's faces as they turned to this new threat.

His equites charged down on the nearest barbarian cavalry, which were desperately trying to turn their horses around from their charge. They were only partially successful. the ones nearest the forets edge were doomed. Marcellus stabbed one in the throat as his horse stumbled from panic, and clanged his glavius off the armor of another in passing, nearly knocking him from his horse. That one was felled by a man right behind him, taking advantage of the enemy's awkward blance. We were deep into the ranks of the enemy cavalry before they knew it, and they began to cave in and turn and run.

A brief pause before pursuit allowed Marcellus to take a quick grasp of the situation. The hastati lines were hit hard--it was too late to save them from the charge, and many good Romans liekly fell then. But the lines held, long enough for the triarii and hastati to crash into the left most warriors with devastating effect. Marcellus could see Daedalus and his men charging into the far lines to help support the least protected flank of the Roman lines.

It was shocking how fast death was dealt. Death for nearly entire units seemed to pass in but seconds as Julii units swept across many of their men unawares. The whole left side of the Gaul army was collapsing and running, what was left of them. The other equites unit had the skirmishers on the run, and the wardogs were viciously infiltrating the command group. For a brief moment, Marcellus caught a glimpse of Hoopsguyix amidts the fray, a writhing hound hanging high from the end of his lance as he tried to keep his horse under control. He and his barbarian warlords disappeared into a melee of hastati on the far side of the field.

"Cut them down!" Marcellus ordered his men, charging after their cavalry targets. They tore across the clearing and out near the back end and onto the plain.

The whole of the Gaul army seemed to be in flight now. It's like they hit a wall, and then were wiped off that wall by the sweeping ambush. The equites' first targets long scattered, they now pursued the skirmishers and cut down fleeing infantrymen. Daedalus and his guard emerged behind them, chasing some of the other cavalrymen that were left.

Marcellus will never forget what happened next. There was an outcry behind them, and it proved to be a gallant group of Gallic warband warriors trying to make a last stand in front of our chasing hastati. Daedalus rallied his guard and turned them back toward the enemy. Marcellus got but a moment's notice for what was about to happen.

"No!" he screamed hoarsely, stopping his unit short. What Daedalus had not seen was the approach of Hoopsguyix and his Barbarian warlord guard, charging at them through a concealing copse of trees. The turning maneuver opened up the general's flank, and before Marcellus could even kick his steed into motion, Hoopsguyix and his guard tore through Daedalus's ranks. It was brutal. Men were literally plowed over. Marcellus had a perfect view of Hoopsguyix, who hurled his spear at Daedalus and found his mark. Daedalus was held transfixed for a moment atop his steed before falling.

Five lone remaining members Daedalus's guard somehow escaped the deadly charge and ran like cowards.

Anguish and despair filled Marcellus's heart--and then rage.

"Ride, equites," he screamed, glavius extended. "Death to them all!"

They rode hard, in a brilliant charge at the enemy general. Hoopsguyix and his men were more prepared for the charge than Daedalus had been, but the equite unit outnumbered them by twice their number. A chasing unit of hastati came up to entrap them, and many of them were already falling to the equite glavius, but Hoopsguyix fought his way through some hastati and bolted with the remnants of his men for safety.

Hoopsguyix was beaten, and his army was driven from the field of battle--but Rome had suffered a great loss.

Marcellus dismounted hurriedly at the prostrate form of his commander. The shaft of Hoopsguyix's spear had snapped in half, but it was clearly a mortal wound. Daedalus was moaning in pain, and his tunic was no longer just red from his house colors.

"My general," was all Marcellus could think to so. What else was there? He had been enough battles to know what was going to happen.

Daedalus's eyes swam with pain as he searched for Marcellus's face. He reached out and gripped his captain's shoulder, with surprising strength.

"My father," he gasped. "Tell him..."

And with a groan, Daedalus Julius passed from this earth and into the land of the gods, his hand falling to his side. Marcellus quietly lifted his shield and covered his face.

"May the gods bless you, lord general," Marcellus whispered.

One of his men ran up behind him.

"Captain, the enemy is retreating. Shall we pursue?"

"No," Marcellus said after a moment. "We have more urgent matters to attend to, and I won't stay here chasing the Gauls around in a land they know far better than we. We must attend to his lordship, and deliver his person to his father at Mediolanium."

"Yes, lord captain," the soldier responded. He paused as if unsure of how to continue. "He died well. He died a true Roman."

Marcellus nodded without turning back to him. All around them, the Roman army gave cries of victory, banging their glavius and spears to shield.

Although Daedalus fell, the Romans won a powerful victory this day, crippling Gallic power in northern Italy at least for a time. Of the 572 Gallic warriors to enter the Battle of Chiarii, only 57 lived to tell of it. At this time, it is unclear if Hoopguyix actually escaped, as he might have been chased down in the battle's aftermath. At this point, it is a mystery, but until we see otherwise, it must be assumed that in such a devastating loss, the commander of Gaul's army must have fallen as well. While taking down 500 of the enemy, the Roman army lost less than 200 of its 553 men. Sadly, Daedalus was one of the fallen. Captain Marcellus took over the army in his stead.

CR

10-06-2004, 08:57 AM

Add me to the list!

Chas in Cinti

10-06-2004, 09:12 AM

Great narrative CR...

Waiting patiently for the next chapter... Throw me in there somewhere when you have time... wherever you deem appropriate...

Cheers!

Chasii Cincinnatus

sachmo71

10-06-2004, 10:14 AM

Poor Daedalus, but at least I won't have to have him killed. That will save me some coin.

mrkilla22

10-06-2004, 10:35 AM

Doing a great job CR! I have a question about the amount of men in a unit. I just bought the game and when I create a unit of anything they only come in about a 40 man unit. How do I make the units contain more men?

AStott

10-06-2004, 11:36 AM

You can change the unit size in the graphics settings. The change only applies next time you start a new campaign (or historical battle).

mrkilla22

10-06-2004, 12:12 PM

You can change the unit size in the graphics settings. The change only applies next time you start a new campaign (or historical battle).
Ok, thanks!

Peregrine

10-06-2004, 12:33 PM

I just bought the game and when I create a unit of anything they only come in about a 40 man unit. How do I make the units contain more men?

Be careful with the unit sizes, I've heard making them too large can cause problems with the AI.

Godzilla Blitz

10-06-2004, 01:20 PM

Awesome job with that battle! That must have taken a long time.

Qwikshot

10-06-2004, 02:05 PM

Add me to the list!
me too, but I'll read regardless.

daedalus

10-06-2004, 02:09 PM

For Rome and the Julii! :D

Awesome writing. :)

hoopsguy

10-06-2004, 05:47 PM

Terrific read, CR. I don't see lasting through the week without picking up this game.

kingfc22

10-06-2004, 08:43 PM

Nice writeup CR. I hope that I don't meet the same fate as my son.

Crapshoot

10-06-2004, 09:11 PM

Wow. CR- Im glad I spent the time to read the whole thing in go. Wonderful.

As for me - Id happy to be someone of significance if you havent already assigned- be it Greco scum, or Roman filth- I wish to be go down in history- whether good or bad is irrelvant...

Izulde

10-06-2004, 09:22 PM

From the Journal of Izuldius

A great loss has struck our family this day, as Daedalus has fallen in battle. The whole House of the Julii is in mourning, though we find pride in his death in battle, helping to vanquish the foul Gauls.

May his soul know the glory of the Elysian Fields in Pluto's domain.

May the Gauls know death and eternal torment by our hand for this despicable act.

Wolfpack

10-06-2004, 09:27 PM

If CR can stick with this, I'm beginning to think this could rival GB's X-Com dynasty in storytelling and audience participation. Dunno if it could match the epicness, though, as X-Com streched over, what, ten separate threads of 10-20 pages per and lasting a few years?

tucker342

10-06-2004, 11:04 PM

Great writeup CR!:D

kingfc22

10-06-2004, 11:30 PM

Kingfcius awakens from his sleep in a cold sweat. As if he has just lived through the battle of Mediolanium, even though he knows it has yet to happen. He calls out to one of his guards to see if they have word of his son's first sure triumph in battle. One of the nearby Roman captains enters the General's tent with a message from Marcellus himself.

"Why is this message of victory sent from a Captain?, I said. Why has my son not written to his father after what assuredly was a great victory"

"My Lord. It is true that the Julii did score a decisive victory over the Gauls, but tis a black day because your son fell in battle to the hands of the Gauls' General Hoopsguysix, the captain responded"

At that moment Kingfcius buried his face in his hands and a horrid scream filled the Italian air.

"My son shall be avenged!!!"

daedalus

10-07-2004, 02:20 AM

Kick some booties for me, Pop!

John Galt

10-07-2004, 08:17 AM

Kick some booties for me, Pop!

I see dead people.

moriarty

10-07-2004, 08:40 AM

Add me in at the end of the queue ... please.

Buccaneer

10-07-2004, 09:17 PM

Matt, your post #110 was truly a classic. The best you have ever done, and that is saying a lot!

Chief Rum

10-08-2004, 01:10 AM

Heh...don't know where to begin, so I guess I'll go to the top. :)

gi: added

Chas in Cinti: Thanks, and I added ya.

sachmo: Yer a bastard (but you're playing it well). ;)

mrkilla: it looks like your question has been answered. Thanks you AStott and Peregrine.

Godzilla Blitz: Thanks. And yes it did take a while. Fortunately, I'm a geek with no life who likes to do stuff like this. :D

Qwikshot: added

daedalus: Thanks, and sorry I couldn't keep you alive. I stuck your name back in the queue.

hoopsguy: muhahaha...my royalty check from Activision is in the mail!

kingfc22: Thanks. I hope not, too--I don't have a lot of generals right now.

Aadik: Glad you were able to labor through it. I hear I have a reputation for going overlong with my posts. :D I have added you to the list.

Wolfpack: Well, let's not go nuts here. This is still in its infancy (and let's face it--dynasties have a very high infant mortality rate). Still, that's a tremendous compliment. I don't know that I could dare believe one of my dynasties could compare to GB's masterpiece. I will be happy if I just put together an interesting dynasty for people to read (wherever it ranks in the scheme of things).

tucker342: Thanks

John Galt: I hope they were Gauls.

moriarty: added

Buccaneer: Thanks for the high compliment (and the compliment of my past posting as well ;) ).

CR

Coffee Warlord

10-08-2004, 01:19 AM

Rome will be burnt to the ground!

...oh wait. Wrong persona. Sorry! Coffeius Warlordium serves Rome!

Just adding my kudos to that awesome writeup there, CR. There's no way I can top that one. :)

Chief Rum

10-08-2004, 01:35 AM

Autumn, Year of Rome 488

Captain Marcellus's Army Moves On To Medioclanium

When Kingfcius assaults the city of Mediolanium this winter, he will have the aid of his dead son's army. Captain Marcellus and his 432 men should arrive at the besieged capital of Cisalpine Gaul within time to particpate in the hopeful taking of the city.

All Of Rome Declares War On Gaul

There was little delay on behalf of our fellow Roman factions in joining us in war against the Gauls.

The Senate and the families Scipii and Brutii all declared war on the Gauls immediately upon hearing news of the Battle of Chiarii. I doubt this actually means they will be offering any aid of any sort (unless the Senate offers the families a mission to do so, as was done with us and the Greeks).

Construction

Arretium completed a Practice Range, allowing them to finally contribute to our missile troops.

Ariminum finished a Stables, so they can add cavalry.

Considering that we are short in both cavalry and missile troop,s htis is wonderful news.

CR

Chief Rum

10-08-2004, 01:36 AM

Rome will be burnt to the ground!

...oh wait. Wrong persona. Sorry! Coffeius Warlordium serves Rome!

Just adding my kudos to that awesome writeup there, CR. There's no way I can top that one. :)

Please try, though. I would love to read it. :)

(and thanks)

CR

DeToxRox

10-08-2004, 01:37 AM

i'll burn all of yours faces. i need practice.

Coffee Warlord

10-08-2004, 01:39 AM

Please try, though. I would love to read it. :)

Oh I'll do more than try, you Roman wretch. :D

Chief Rum

10-08-2004, 02:50 AM

Assault On Mediolanium, Year Of Rome 489

Prelude

Kingfcius was angry. He was outside of a city under the rule of the heir of the faction whose army killed his only son. And he commanded an army of 502 men, more than twice the garrison of Mediolanium.

None of this bodes well for those Gauls inside the walls of Mediolanium.

Kingfcius completed his battering ram in the dead of winter, and as a supporting force led by Captain Marcellus showed up, prepared to assault the central settlement of Cisalpine Gaul.

Snow covered the ground, and the city was couched deep in an arch of high Alpine mountains. It was a bitterly cold place already, even without death coming.

The city was protected by by a wooden palisade, but this barely offers any real protection. The main fence to the south (the side toward which Kingfcius would approach) had no towers near it, and what towers there were on that wall were small anyway.

Inside, Mediolanium was a series of encircled settlements inside the wall, with a rising hill in the center. On top of the hill was the settlement's main buildings, including the key center courtyard.

The Battle

Kingfcius approached the city with 82 triarii toting the ram. They were flanked by two 80-man units of hastati, and followed up by a third such group. Flanking that group were the army's two units of missile troops, an 80-man Roman archers and an 80-man velites unit. Finally, the general himself brought up the rear, protected by his 20-man spear cavalry bodyguard.

To the east, just as battle at the gate was to be met, Captain Marcellus and his recently blooded army were also arriving. The only full units is the army which survived the Battle of Chiarii were the two 80-man velite units. The two equites units stood at 23 and 50, while the three hastati units numbered 57, 19 and 32. The wardog unit was nearly full strength, at 91, but that includes a handler for every three dogs. So the strength in men was 23 (with 68 dogs).

Marcellus's troops had no seige engine, so they would have to run to the gate Kingfcius was attacking to participate in this one. That means Kingfcius would handle the brunt of the early fighting. Honestly, though, Kingfcius was likely to take this city all by himself, short of a Herculean effort by Gallic drunken prince Jessewiak and his garrison.

Jessewiak took his 34 Barbarian warlod bodyguards to the gate Kingfcius was approaching, and also stationed one of his 81-man Swordsman units near there. The third Swordsman unit was placed at the center court, although this came in as an assumption (they were the only unit we couldn't see from the start).

Kingfcius charged the triarii and their battering ram right at the gate, while moving Roman missile troops close enough to rain arrows down on Jessewiak's bodyguard. Few arrows and javelins found their mark, but a man or two fell enough so that Jessewiak took his men further back from the gate while the triarii banged away at the gate.

Finally, the gate fell, and the way into Mediolanium was open.

Kingfcius sent the triarii in first, antincipating a charge from Jessewiak's Barbarian warlords, which, as cavalry, would have less success against a spearmen unit than regular infantry. Kingfcius tried to split his missile troops into concentrating their fire on both the cavalry and the swordsmen. The two closest hastati units also streamed into the breach, and the general split them up among the two enemy units as well.

By now, Captain Marcellus's units were well within range of participating. The faster equites units came in first, and Kingfcius sent them both through the gate to attack the cavalry. Jessewiak and his bodyguards were bogged down near the inside of the gate, while the Swordsman were off to the side and trying to stave off an attack from a hastati unit.

Jessewiak's warlords fought fiercely, and did some serious damage to the equites and triarii, but they were up against too much, and starting to get encircled. A drunk or no, Jessewiak fought well to the bitter end, and was the last Gallic warrior standing in this battle within the battle. He finally fell under a barrage of blows.

There was still some battle to be fought, but that was a key moment. Not only had the garrison been deprived of its governor and general, we just made another Gallic general the new faction heir of Gaul. If he turns out to still be alive, indeed, it may be Hoopsguyix (although I am fairly certain he is dead).

Kingfcius sent the forces inside the wall at the first unit of Swordsman, already dwindling in number, and it was not long before every last fighting man outside of the city's courtyard was slain.

That third unit, though, seemed content to make a last stand under the central banner of their city. The Roman general charged the entire grouped armies up the hill, although we did not send them all at once (nor was it working out that way anyway--several units of Captain Marcellius's units were just now entering the gates of Mediolanium).

Kingfcius set up a barrage of missiles from the Roman archers and a depleted unit of velites, and then he sent in two units of hastati (giving the Romans a two-to-one advantage). These Swordsmen turned out to be tough, though. Kingfcius selected one of his equites units and sent them in as well. Roman blood flowed freely here, I must say, and perhaps they could have fought it better from a tactics standpoint.

One of the hastati units took terrible damage, and the equites unit, surprisingly was nearly eliminated (I can get no confirmation, but I believe Captain Marcellus fell here as well).

But the Romans were too much. The Gauls were reduced to just one Swordsman when the battle was officially won by Julii. The city of Mediolanium fell to the family Julius.

Aftermath

Normally, when I take a city, I will enslave the population, as that helps the other cities, but still allows that city to continue to produce and grow.

But I went in knowing that couldn't be the case here. This army is under control of Kingfcius, whose son Daedalus just fell to the Gauls in battle. There was only one option. Kingfcius chillingly told his men to kill every Gaul they could find. The Julii put 2200 Gauls to death this day--men, woman, children, old and infirm, young and healthy all. Only 698 of the original population were eventually given mercy, as the snow ran red in Mediolanium.

Not counting the slaughter following the battle, all but one Gaul of the 197-man fighting force fell in this one, including the prince heir of the Gauls, Jessewiak. Of the 864 Romans involved in the battle, 198 fell, so the Gauls fought hard and well, considering their long odds in this one.

Only one equite of Captain Marcellus's unit survived unscathed, and only four of his comerades pulled through their injuries. They will join the other equite unit, which was largely untouched. The hastati that first charged the last Swordsman unit was also the main one handling the first unit near the gate, and their losses were devastating. Only 10 made it out without serious injury, although their numbers would eventually be buoyed by the healing of 14 wounded soldiers. They were the most prolific killing unit as well, taking 66 Gauls with them. Captain Marcellus's equites killed 45.

The triarii bore the brunt of Jessewiak's cavalry charge and basically held the general in place until help came through, so they lost 37 of their 82 men, while killing just 12 (but all of them Barbarian warlords in charge of Jessewiak's health).

The deadliest unit which didn't suffer major injuries was, not surprisingly, the Roman archers. Not one archer fell as they rained death down upon the enemy from afar. They killed 36 Gauls.

The Roman army has moved into Mediolanium for now, and Kingfcius has become the governor of the city.

CR

kingfc22

10-08-2004, 03:11 AM

Finally, Kingfcius has a chance to wipe the blood from his sword. The bloodlust he had for the death of Dadelus had past. He now sat inside the city staring at the skies crying out to the gods. Wondering why his son was slain at such an early age.

Later that night, the General sent news to his father about what happened this day in Mediolanium. He hopes that the example he made of the Gauls will weigh heavily in his favor towards becoming the heir to the throne and also a tactic in battle that will make enemies fear the sound of Kingfcius' army in the distance.

Chief Rum

10-08-2004, 03:56 AM

Winter, Year of Rome 489

Senate Pleased With Sacking of Mediolanium

They gave us an order and we did it. The Senate was very pleased to here we had takern Mediolanium, and the province of Cisalpine Gaul along with it. Where will their gratitude be when one of the world's most powerful barbarian nations brings to bear the brunt of its military force? I know I am likely at the beginning of a long and bitter fight.

For what it's worth, the Senate gave me the award it said it would--and pay particular attention to our family at the next election turn for Senatorial offices.

Kingfcius Takes On New Traits, Retinue

As the sacker of Medilanium, Kingfcius was the beneficiary of some new traits and a new memeber of his retinue.

His commanding ability was upgraded to Superior Commander, which gives him a +3 ability in Command.

He has become known as a Vanquisher, because of his military prowess and battlefield glory. This has made him popular and respected, earning him a 10% bonus to his popularity with the People. That fame, though, has earned him the enmity and jealousy of his colleagues, so his popularity in the Senate has dropped 5%.

Perhaps because of his motivational speech prior to the assault on Mediolanium, Kingfcius also earned the quality of Outstanding Speaker. He apparently can mesmerize listeners with his speech. This increases his Influence by +1, and gets him another 5% popularity bonus with the People (wow, that's 15% there).

To his retinue, Kingfcius has added a Barbarian turncoat--the loan survivor of the assault on the city of Mediolanium perhaps? Apparently some men will do anything to cheat death, and this man has turned traitor. While I have reservations about keeping such a man around, the former Gallic warrior gives Kingfcius a +1 bonus when attacking barbarians (I am guessing Gauls, Germans and Britons at the least, and maybe basic rebels as well).

Mediolanium and the Province of Cisalpine Gaul

Thanks to the taking of Mediolanium, we have adde a significant piece to the Julius empire, at least in sheer land size. Cisalpine Gaul is easily our largest province, taking up pretty much all of inland north and northwest Italy, and pieces of modern day Switzerland and France.

The River Po runs through it, and the north and western borders are dominated by the Alps. These are significant features for the protection of this border. The Alps are essentially impassable into this region except through two passes--the western path that runs from Transalpine Gaul and goes right into an opening that leads into both Cisalpine Gaul and neighboring Liguria, and the northern pass into the rebel held province of Noricum, which diplomat Sextus Antio passed through a couple years ago.

Well-placed forts in these passes might be key protective measures. Meanwhile, the Po offers another hindrance and potential chokepoint. Strategically, there might not be a more important region than Cisalpine Gaul in this war with the Gauls.

There is a key open border shared to the east with Venetia, currently a Gallic province (and probably our next target). That border is blocked by neither river nor mountain.

Altogether, Cisalpine Gaul is bordered by Transalpine Gaul and Lugdinensis to the west and northwest--both run by the Gauls, Noricum to the north, Venetia to the east, and Liguria to the south.

While it may have strategic qualities, it is barren of natural resources it seems. I found nothing of value in the province in that vein.

The city of Mediolanium once numbered 3000, but the scourge of Kingfcvius has reduced them to less than 700. Even so, it has a solid 5% population growth rate and will likely grow again quickly. The public order at a Normal tax rate in 125%, and that's with a the largest army in Julii Rome stationed there, so obviously this city is going to take awhile to be put completely under the Roman thumb. The income of the city at this tax rate is 798 dinarii every six months.

There is still a significant number of buildings in Mediolanium, which should provide a solid base for economic improvement. The central building is a governor's villa, and the militia barracks is also a second generation building. As noted, the city has a wooden palisade. It also has a practice range and a trader, so it has decent trade income and can trade a variety of units.

Construction & Recruitment

I am expecting the arrival of Gallic armies from virtually every direction now, and I also believe I need to take the province of Venetia for the good of the Julii family, so I need more troops, particularly cavalry (following the devastation of my equites units at Chiarii and Mediolanium).

So I have units starting in all four of the Family Julius cities. In Mediolanium, I order the retraining of a 29-man hastati unit, and a 58-man velite unit, to go along with a full new hastati unit. The original Julii cities are recruiting a new equites unit (Ariminum) and a new wardogs unit (Arretium), and a hastati unit is being retrained in Arretium as well. Segesta is training a town watch unit, so that the hastati units currently stationed there can be moved if needed.

There is also a new round of construction in what is likely our biggest single season of expenditure in some time (between recruitment and construction). Ariminum is starting a Trader, and Arretium a Blacksmith. Mediolanium will seek to improve trade and travel with Roads.

We are able to afford this in part because we received significant monies from the looting of Mediolanium.

Sextus Antio Reaches Gallic Capital

Unbenknownst to our diplomat (or us), Sextus Antio was drawing close to the capital of our enemy, Gaul. The capital is Alesia, the central settlement in Central Gaul, just northwest of Lugdinensis.

I was at first inclined to believe this was Paris, but it is somewhat east of the Seine. It could be any number of modern day possibilities, including Troyes, Reims, Auxerre and Dijon. Or maybe none of the above.

In any case, I decided this would be a good point to stop Sextus Antio and leave him for a bit. I am thinking I will try to quickly take Venetia, and then sue for peace. Will it work? I don't know. But it's worth a shot.

Icius Moves On To Venetia

In preparation for a possible invasion of Venetia, I am sending Icius to Patavium to once again scout out the central settlement of that province.

Icius was in Mediolanium working from within when the Julii assaulted the city.

Army Movements

I sent the depleted equites and wardogs from Mediolanium on a journey that will hopefully get them to Arretium and allow them to retrain. As the vernal equinox approaches, they are nearing the Venetian ford of the Po, and another season away from reaching the Julii capital.

CR

Chief Rum

10-08-2004, 04:50 AM

Spring, Year of Rome 489

Small Gallic Army Attacks Julii Army

Not surprisingly, crossing Venetia, even partially, is a risky proposition at the moment, what with it being filled with warmongering Gauls.

Our small contingent of equites and wardogs ran into a full 121-man Gallic Warband unit looking for blood.

I felt we could take them, despite the fact we had just 43 men. Most of those men were on horses, while the rest were each controlling three wardogs. Still, I figured there was no reason risking this, so I elected to retreat back to Mediolanium.

I would end up sending them down the other side of the Ligurian coastal mountains toward Segesta, and via the back way to Arretium. Meanwhile, that Gallic warband has crossed into Cisalpine Gaul and is no standing outside of Mediolanium.

They aren't really going to attack the city, are they? That would be a brutal defeat for them, outnumbered seven to one.

Senate Quick To Give Us Another Mission

We have only just completed the last mission, and we have already received another.

The Senate sent notice to Chiefius that would like us to blockade the port of Patavium.

This is fantastic news, of course, as it so happens our entire navy is stationed at the port at nearby Ariminum. We have also not seen any sing of a single Gallic ship in the Adriatic Sea. This might be the easiest mission yet.

We will send Admiral Oppius and his ships up to Patavium over the summer.

Izuldius, Son of Bladeii, Comes Of Age

One of our more, umm, interesting characters has arrived. Izuldius, son of Bladeii, has reached age. He is now my oldest living grandson, with the passing of his cousin Daedalus.

Unfortunately, Izuldius is in some ways similar to Daedalus, with little to distinguish him from any other normal young man. He has no capacity for commanding an army, nor for managing a province, and those are two areas that are key for the leaders of the family. He does have a point of Influence, which at least puts him above Daedalus overall in his original skills (but that's not saying much).

Daedalus, though, was a clean slate. Not so with Izuldius, which is why he is interesting. He comes in with six traits already.

He is a Political Animal (+1 INF, 5% Senate popularity bonus, improves chances of election to Senatorial office), and that's an area he should only improve in as he gets older.

Like his grandfather, he is Stern (+1 MAN, 100% increase in bribe price). Sharing a trait with his father, he is an Obsessional Trainer (+1 Morale of troops, +10% to Movement Points of armies, allowed to force-march his army), although that turns out to be his lone combat-related trait.

He has In The Pink (+2 hitpoints on battlefield), which basically means he is quite resistant to sickness and injury. That makes him tougher to kill on the field of battle and, I assume, likely to live longer as well.

He appears to be the first underhanded financier of the family, with Financially Irregular (-1 MAN). Despite his youth, he has already apparently acquired a reputation for skimming off of the top.

The most interesting trait--and perhaps the most useful for the Family Julii--is Izuldius is particularly Fertile. He's a baby-making machine. He also looks impressive in his picture, live Clive Owen in King Arthur, so I'm sure he's a devil with the ladies. We gotta get this guy married, so we can get a whole family of baby generals going.

Izuldius seems to be a new kind of creature who takes most after, if anyone, his oldest uncle Sachmius. He seems to be a bit of a schemer. This is the kind of man that can both build up an empire with his savvy--or tear it apart with his machinations.

Like Daedalus, though, we may need to get Izuldius on the field of battle to develop some under-utilized qualities. If he can learn some adminsitrative skills from his father Baldeii, that, too, would be hopeful. Ariminum recruited a new equites unit, and Segesta finished its first Town Watch unit.

Construction & Recruitment

One of the nice things about retaining units is they often can be completed very quickly. The armed forces of the Julii family took a major step forward with the full recruitment and/or retraining of seven units.

Mediolanium not only completed the retraining of hastati and velite units, they also finished recruiting an entirely new unit of hastati. Arretium finished a wardogs unit which had already been under training, and retrained a hastati unit sent down from Segesta last year. Ariminum started us on the road to replacing our cavalry by recruiting a new equites unit. Segesta rounded off the new units by adding a new town watch unit.

Construction was much more limited. Mediolanium was the only town to finish a project, as it completed roads throughout Cisalpine Gaul.

Brigands In Umbria

A two-unit army of brigand rebels have appeared in north Umbria, along the road between Ariminum and Patavium.

They are likely just barbarian warriors or Warband, but I am not yet prepared to march out of Ariminum to take care of the problem. So I may allow the brigands to operate for a little longer.

It may be a nice opportunity, though, for Izuldius to cut his teeth on an easier opponent.

CR

10-08-2004, 08:13 AM

Whispers coming out of Gaul.....Hoopsguyix lives...

:)

Blade6119

10-08-2004, 08:17 AM

My god, what woman was stupid enough to sleep with me?

Radii

10-08-2004, 08:59 AM

Excellent job taking Mediolanium, CR, and great narrative as always.

KWhit

10-08-2004, 02:27 PM

Great stuff so far CR.

Crapshoot

10-08-2004, 06:33 PM

Heh...don't know where to begin, so I guess I'll go to the top. :)

Aadik: Glad you were able to labor through it. I hear I have a reputation for going overlong with my posts. :D I have added you to the list.

CR

Hey Hey - Im taking this to the senate- I thought I was already on the list earlier!!! Caesar Aadik shall not be denied! :D

BigDPW

10-08-2004, 06:39 PM

This is great CR... I am really impressed... I would love to play a part... General is not necessary nor is being Roman...

Keep up the good work... I just sat here for about an hour reading the whole thing...

kingfc22

11-02-2004, 05:28 PM

Just had to bump one of my favorite reads.

Travis

11-02-2004, 06:43 PM

Can't wait to see this back in action.

Buccaneer

11-02-2004, 07:02 PM

From what I have heard, he is now way beyond all of this. I really wouldn't expect any detailed catch-ups but a summary would be nice.

Chief Rum

11-03-2004, 05:56 AM

From what I have heard, he is now way beyond all of this. I really wouldn't expect any detailed catch-ups but a summary would be nice.

Bucc, you must have missed my last posts in that thread. As I said there, the game I was speaking about was another game altogether, involving the Scipii, another Roman faction largely to the south of Rome.

I put the Julii dynasty (this one here) on hold while I waited for FOFC to get back up.

Now that it's back up, I can begin again. :)

I won't ask for a "roll call", as the waiting list dwarfs the "active" list. I will probably begin where I left off, and hope that people who abandoned FOFC (understandably) discover that we are back up and going again.

Sometime after work Wednesday night, I hope to post an actual active and waiting list (a la Godzilla Blitz), as well as the first few posts of the resumption fo the dynasty.

For Rome and for the Julii! :D

CR

Ragone

11-03-2004, 05:59 AM

welp i'm still around.. awaiting my involvement ;)

11-03-2004, 08:09 AM

T'would be nice to have this back in the routine again...looking forward to this starting back up again.

daedalus

11-03-2004, 08:25 AM

CR's dynasties (I'm eagerly awaiting the upcoming FM'05 'Boro dynasty) are one of the things I missed most during the board's absence.

Senator

11-05-2004, 03:13 PM

Put me on the list - but Senator Senator might sound redundant.

Crapshoot

11-05-2004, 06:55 PM

damn straight- I was waiting for this.

Chief Rum

11-09-2004, 05:50 AM

Thanks for your patience, all. It's been a tough stretch for me since FOFC came back up.

I have been working a lot, and quite frankly, what free tiem I have had has been dedicated to some other games (just bought the new TPB, and am still running a long CM03/04 game; also, got sidetracked by my other Rome game, the one for myself).

I will post a list of everyone who wants to be in, a la Godzilla Blitz's X-Com dynasty so that we can finally have something to reference. Let me know if I get anything wrong about where any of you want to be placed.

CR

P.S. FM2005 could be at my door by late afternoon Tuesday, but don't be concerned--I'll be waiting for at least the first patch before I get into that. Great time for new games. :)

Chief Rum

11-09-2004, 05:51 AM

<font=courier>
The Romans

FOFC Name Name In Dynasty Role

Chief Rum Chiefius Rumnii Julii Faction Leader
sachmo71 Sachmius Julii Faction Heir
kingfc22 Kingfcius Julii General
Blade6119 Bladeii Julii General
Fonzie Fonzius Julii Son
Calis Calisius Julii Son
Izulde Izuldius Julii General
Icy Icius Julii Spy
Jeffnights Jeffnitius S.Q.P.R. Senator, Censor

The Hall of Heroes

FOFC Name Name In Dynasty What Happened

daedalus Daedalus (YOR 470-488) Killed at Chiarii

Enemies of the Julii and of Rome

FOFC Name Name In Dynasty Role

Radii Radiix Gallic General

Departed In Heathen Shame

FOFC Name Name In Dynasty Who Was He & What Happened

Jesse_Ewiak Jessewiak (YOR 446-489) Role: Gallic Faction Heir
Killed at Mediolanium
hoopsguy Hoopsguyix (YOR 451-488) Role: Gallic General
Prob. Killed at Chiarii

Waiting List

FOFC Name Desired Role

DeToxRoxDVHStyle Julii Assassin
Katon Julii General
Coffee Warlord Julii General
Travis Julii Assassin
Wolfpack Julii General
mrkilla22 Julii General
illinifan999 Julii General
Roberto Any (prefers Julii General)
Neuqua Any
SirFozzie Any
ntndeacon Any (prefers Julii General)
Swaggs Julii Assassin
General Mike Julii General
tucker342 Julii General
RealDeal Any
Peregrine Julii Spy
GoldenEagle Faction Leader (prefers Julii)
Aadik Any
Buccaneer Any
Breeze Any
Ragone Julii Diplomat or Assassin
ur_land Any
gi Any
Chas in Cinti Any
Qwikshot Any
moriarty Any
BigDPW Any
Senator Any
daedalusII Unspecified
</font>

Chief Rum

11-09-2004, 06:34 AM

Summer, Year of Rome 489

Army Movements

Having encountered the roving Gallic warband on the road from Medioanium to the Julii capital of Arretium, our small war-worn unit of wardogs and equites have returned to the walls of the recently captured regional capital of Cisalpine Gaul. After the unit's commander warned Kingfcius of the possibility of attack (remote nonetheless), the new governor of Mediolanium ordered the unit to inste4ad go to Arretium by way of the western end of the Ligurian mountains and the sea coast city of Segesta (where Chiefius Rumnii is currently holding court).

To the east, Icius has arrived at the walls of Patavium and infilitrated his way into the Gallic city. Both Kingfcius and Chiefius Rumnii soon receive word that there is a strong garrison entrenched in ancient Venice, with six 121-man Warband units and two 81-man Swordsman units. The city is of good size (just over 3,000 population), and has some of the basic amenities, including a Port, Market, Stables and Meeting Hall. The best news, though, is its wall--it is encircled by merely a Wooden Palisade, which is a much flimsier defense than could be erected at this point (and is much more susceptible to the seige equipment we can make).

The Julii Navy Blockades The Port of Patavium

As per the request of the Senate, Chiefius Rumnii ordered Admiral Oppius to move his three briremes up the Adriatic coast from Ariminum to blockade the port of Patavium. As the lone Julii fleet was so close to the Gallic city, this was easily done in less than a season.

The Gauls have little to no naval presence in the Adriatic Sea, so there is very little downside at the moment to this action.

The Umbrian Brigands On Closer Inspection

Chiefius Rumnii has yet to decide whether to make any aggressive maneuvers toward the brigands whom have ensconced themselves along the northern coast of Umbria, some days ride north of Ariminum.

All we can tell is that it is a two-unit army, likely of Warbanders, and that the leader appears to be a Captain Cnaeus.

I still think this might be a good easy first battle for young Izuldius, son of Bladeii. Toward that possible end, I have sent the 16-year-old grandson of Chiefius from the tutoring of his uncle Sachmius in Arretium to the hall of his father Bladeii in Ariminum.

Chiefius Adept Behind The Scenes

It appears that our faction leader is growing quite skillful in his use of the more nefarious agents of the family. The usefulness of Icius and Chiefius's well-placed directions to the spy has given Chiefius the reputation of a Spymaster, which gives him a better ability to collect information and to persuade others to spy for the Julii. He has earned a +1 COM for this, and a 20% discount in the cost of agent recuitment.

The Battle Conquests of the Julii Improve Our Lot with the People

It seems we have gained a shield of popularity with the People, no doubt for our brilliant victory at Chiarii and the subsequent capture of Mediolanium and conquest of Cisalpine Gaul. I am certain those soft Roman citizens sleep more soundly at night knowing the mighty Julii stand between them and the brutal and wild Gauls of the frigid north.

This, however, will not likely endear us to the Senate, which is notoriously jealous for such attention, nor to the other Roman factions.

Mediolanium Settling Down

Just months after the assault on Mediolanium and Kingfcius's grief-induced sacking of the city that followed, the city appears to be settling in a little. Under the watchful of eye of our largest standing army, the city has risen high enough in lawful order to allow us to move it up to a High tax rate.

Having completed Roads in and out of the city and in the region in the spring, the tradespeople have been contracted to build a Market for the improved trade of goods.

CR

sachmo71

11-09-2004, 09:47 AM

I still think this might be a good easy first battle for young Izuldius, son of Bladeii. Toward that possible end, I have sent the 16-year-old grandson of Chiefius from the tutoring of his uncle Sachmius in Arretium to the hall of his father Bladeii in Ariminum.

Let's hope the little bastard learned something. If he loses this battle, I want him turned into a woman...slowly.
If he brings shame to our house, he will regret it.

Chief Rum

11-09-2004, 04:58 PM

Let's hope the little bastard learned something. If he loses this battle, I want him turned into a woman...slowly.
If he brings shame to our house, he will regret it.

Well, you may want to give him a punishment that doesn't reduce his virility, Sachmius. After all, he apparently has "happy sperm" and can be quite productive in the bedroom. We can use all the Julii generals we can get. :)

CR

Chief Rum

11-09-2004, 05:18 PM

Autumn, Year of Rome 489

Senate To Chiefius: Take Patavium

I can't hardly say I didn't see this coming.

Just months after blockading the port of Patavium, we received word by emmissary from the Senate. The emmissary imparted the political body's happiness with our completion of their mission and a gift of 1,000 dinarii for said accomplishment. And then there were the new instructions.

We are to capture the city of Patavium, and take the region of Venetia from the Gauls, completing the conquest of northern Italy for Rome.

We have been given five years to do so. Chiefius sets about work on this immediately (since it meets well with our own desires).

The Senate has offered stronger consideration for Senatorial office as a reward for completion of this request, and that can only help us as well.

News From The North

Near about the same time, we received word from the Senate, Chiefius also got a message from our diplomat Sextus Antio, currently overstaying his welcome in the lands about Alesia, the capital of Gaul, to the distant northwest.

He has seen a great army depart the Gallic capital, led by a son of Gaul. It was close to 1000 men. That's the bad news.

The good news is they seem to be headed west and south, toward south and west Gaul and Iberia, rather than toward the mountains and Italy. Of course, this could just be their roundabout way of getting to the western pass through Transalpine Gaul, but the northern pass to Mediolanium is much closer, so this wouldn't make much sense.

Sextus Antio himself has recruited an eager young local lad with a gift for tongues and a desire to be hopeful to the great glory of Rome. This Linguist has improved the diplomat's ability to communicate himself greatly, increasing his INF +2.

Scipii, Senate Go To War With Carthage

We are not the only factions troubled by war at our borders. It appears that our brothers, the Scipii, have run into trouble with the expansionistic Carthaginians.

They have declared war on them, and the S.P.Q.R. has followed suit. I have no doubt the Brutii will also declare war shortly. I would do so myself, but I have not yet figured out how to declare war on a faction we have never contacted. Plus, we are furthest away from them. It is unlikely we will encounter Carthaginians any time soon (or ever, as they will likely perish at the end of a Scipii pike).

Gallic Threat Perhaps Much Closer

Perhaps it is too reaching to be looking at armies from distant Alesia. Icius reports that an army of some 800--most of the garrison of Patavium, in fact--have departed the coastal city and appear to be on the road to Mediolanium. Are we abouyt to come under attack from the Gauls?

If they do, we will crush them at the walls, chase down their cowardly hides across northern Italy and then proceed to sweep into Patavium with ease.

Construction & Recruitment

Ariminum completed a Trader, increasing trade in the Umbrian city, but that was the only significant construction completed this season.

Ariminum also recrutied a unit of Equites, which could likely be used either on those brigands to the north, or even perhaps on an assault on Patavium.

Arretium and Mediolanium both recruited new Hastati units.

CR

Chief Rum

11-09-2004, 05:44 PM

Winter, Year of Rome 490

Army Movements

In preparation for a potential Gallic assault on medilanium, we have picked off some of the units from Ariminum and Arretium and sent them up to the Erutrian border under the command of young Izuldius.

A Wardog unit and Hastati unit from Arretium is meeting Izuldius and two accompanying Equites units from Ariminum a few days south of the ford of the Po. They should reach Mediolanium by the solstice (assumign they are not waylaid by the Gauls).

The Wardog and Equite army that discovered the smaller Gallic Warband army in western Venetia has completed its journey to Arretium via Segesta and the coast of Liguria. They will now be retrained in the capital for deployment in the oncoming conflict with the Gauls.

Icius Checks Out Gallic Army

Our spy followed in the path of the army that left Patavium to check troop strength on our enemies. He reports they have five 121-man Warband units and one 81-men Swordsman unit, under the command of a common captain by the name of Drustan. No cavalry or dedicated missile troops? An assault on Mediolanium now seems even more ridiculous.

Icius returns to patavium to keep watchj over our soon to be assaulted future target.

Brigands In South Umbria

It appears that the countryside of Umbria is roaming free with brigands now, as there appears to be a single unit of them running the south end of Umbria now.

Understandably, the Gauls are more of a conern, but it is disconcerting that the citizens of Julii Rome continue to be harassed by these unsavory criminals.

Ariminum governor Bladeii will need to take care of both brigand armies at some point, although the focus now remains Patavium.

Construction & Recruitment

Ariminum has begun work on a Market to take advantage of its new Trader.

Arretium will retrain the recently arrived Wardog and Equite units. Mediolanioum has begun work on another Hastati unit.

CR

Chief Rum

11-09-2004, 06:17 PM

Spring, Year of Rome 490

Gaul Retreats

Perhaps realizing themselves the foolhardiness of going up against the walls of Mediolanium, the Gallic army in western Venetia has fallen abck again to the walls of Patavium.

They may be more ably supported on the high seas, though, as Admiral Oppius's lookouts have caught sight of the glint of Gallic steel on the Adriatic Sea. The Gallic navy has made its appearance.

It appears to be 2-3 ships at most, each roughly able to carry some 30 fighting men in a naval battle. They are a sort of boat we haven't had much experience with, a smaller boat that is likely the Gauls main mode of travel by sea.

I doubt greatly that they would stand upt oa fully-staffed fleet of Roman briremes and, indeed, they do not move to test our blockade of Patavium just yet.

News From Abroad

It has reached Chiefius that a fellow colleague has departed this Earth for the gods.

Cornelius Scipio, the mighty leader of the Scipii faction and the Qaestor of Rome, has fallen to natural illness. It is not yet known who will take over as the head of the Scipii family, although doubtless it will be one of his sons. The office of Qaestor shall remain open until the next elections.

The Scipii have lost their leader at a poor time, considering they are currently at war with the Carthagainians. As expected, the Brutii have declared war on the minons of that Arican port city, meaning all of Rome but for us are now in conflict with Carthage.

Family and Agents Maturing

With the passing of years and experience, some of our family members adn agents have made themselves more useful by learning new skills and developing helpful traits.

Sachmius appears to no longer be showing his loyalty, but is truly loyal, it appears. He is now Publically Loyal, a loyalty largely admired by others. It will make him much more difficult to bribe, along with the fact that he is still considered to be the Julii faction heir. The capital of Arretium would seem to be in secure hands under his rule.

Izuldius is already showing some of his personality in his sojourn norht to the Mediolanium. Some would regared his slow progres toward the Cisalpine Gaul capital as caution, but those closer to him note that the procession draws slow more for Izuldius' desire to scout out the surrounding areas well, in part to a curiosity of his own as to the nature of these lands near the border of Erturia and Venetia. He is now an Intrepid Explorer, which will, in the future, increase his ability to move an army by as much as 15% of their normal spped, and gives him a +1 advantage to his line of sight as well. With advanced notice and spped, Izuldius is now set to be able to outrun most mighty armies, although hopefully this will not be an oft-used skill.

Far to the north, Sextus Antio has been forced to be very careful in enemy lands, so as not to blow his own cover in Gaul. He is now a Polished Diplomat, with an associated +4 in diplomatic skills (all told).

Construction & Recruitment

Arretium has completed a Blacksmith, which will make the armor and weaponry of units trained here hardier and of better quality. This can only serve us well in battle.

Arretium also trained a new unit of Hastati, and completed the retraining of the Wardogs and Equites that came to the city from the assault on Mediolanium last year.

Ariminum has completed a unit of Velites, and Mediolanium a unit of Hastati.

CR

Chief Rum

11-10-2004, 12:19 AM

Summer, Year of Rome 490

The Army Musters...An Attack On Patavium Nears

The orders have gone out, and the Julii banners have been unfurled. A great army--the greatest army ever assembled under the Julii banner--is currently being put together alogn the River Po in western Venetia.

Using units from Mediolanium and Ariminum for the most part, the following sizable force is collecting near the ford of the great northern Italian river; six 80-man Hastati units, three 80-man Velite units, two 54-man Equite units, one War Dogs unit (96 all told), one 80-man Roman archers, and one 45-man triarii unit. Many of these units were battle-tested at Chiarii and at Mediolanium. And they would be under the command of, surprisingly, Izuldius and his 20-man spear-cavalry bodyguard.

Currently, this army, standing at over 1000 men, is encamped in western venetia and awaiting the arrival of even more units from Arretium. A 72-man War Dogs unit, 54-man Equite unit and 80-man Hastati unit, all from Arretium, are on the road to join up with Izuldius, and are currently just south of the Po.

Icius Confirms Enemy Numbers

With Captain Drustan and his briefly forayed army back behind the walls of Patavium, it is clear what forces will stand against Izuldius's assault.

Icius reports that seven 121-man Warband units and two 81-man Swordsman units will defend the city.

Although I expect a fierce ground fight, the fact the walls are merely a Wooden Palisade, and there are no committed missile troops in defense, I view the odds on this assault as very likely in our favor.

Construction & Recruiting

With an operational Blacksmith now going in Arretium, we have begun to retrain and re-equip the units gathered in the capital (although we were unable to do so to those units heading off to Patavium, at least not without seriously delaying the assault).

Arretium has also begun work on creating a Market to promote trade.

the other cities worked on continuing projects.

CR

Chief Rum

11-10-2004, 01:25 AM

Autumn, Year of Rome 490

Sachmius Rises In Stature

It was a big season of developments for the faction heir.

Sachmius improved his loyalty to his family another step by jumping up to Proven Loyalty. This increases his imperviousness to bribe by 200%. He also gained a reputation as a True Roman, giving him +1 INF, a 5% popularity boost in the Senate and improved election chances). And, finally, he has somehow managed to convince those around him that he is Trusty, which improves Lawfulness in the province he rules (Erutria and Arretium, of course), and increases his defense to bribing a further 100%.

Sachmius was once considered a conniving, even mean individual, even as well as he was noted for a gift for administration. Now, it appears he is gaining some more noble characterisitcs. Only time will tell what true personality surfaces, though.

Construction & Recuitment

Mediolanium completed a Market this season, but that was the only construction completed late in the year. Ariminum and Arretium, their garrisons depleted by the anticipated assault on Patavium, made themselves stronger by recruiting a new unit of Velites and retraining all of their units via the Blacksmith in those respective cities.

News Abroad

The Scipii have increased in popularity with the Senate. Perhaps this is because of successes in North Africa, or maybe the new faction leader is simply more acceptable to the senators than Cornelius Scipio was.

Far to the east, the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt has come into conflict with another of Alexander's former kingdoms, that of Parthia. Neither nation is of concern at the moment.

CR

kingfc22

11-10-2004, 01:47 AM

I should be leading the takeover of Patavium, not some punk kid.

Chief Rum

11-10-2004, 01:57 AM

Winter, Year of Rome 491

Izuldius Marches On Patavium

The last additions from Arretium have arrived and the full complement of almost 1300 men under the banner of the Julii are now gathered north of the Po.

Izuldius immediately marches on Patavium, through cold and wintry conditions in Venetia, and by the time the weather begins to warm, the Julii army is within sight of the walls of Patavium.

The city will be under seige shortly.

Mediolanium

Three years after its conquest, the city of Mediolanium has settled enough now that the memories of its former Gallic rumors are fading in memory. We are able to increase the tax rate to the highest it can go, at Very High.

Mediolanium has begun work on Land Clearance, to give the region more fertile farmland.

Kinfcius has also begun to work on recruiting a new spy and a new diplomat. The spy will allow us to keep Icius near the forward progress of our armies while allowing the other spy to explore westward and see what surprises the Gauls might have in wait for us that way. The diplomat, who won't be recruited until after the spy, will be someone we can use for diplomatic purposes in and around our lands, considering our original diplomat, Sextus Antio, is currently some distance away around Alesia in Gaul.

CR

Chief Rum

11-10-2004, 02:03 AM

I should be leading the takeover of Patavium, not some punk kid.

I need your skills in governing Mediolanium at the moment. Rest assured, I doubt greatly that Kingfcius's lot is to remain trapped behind walls. :)

You're also an important safeguard from attack by the Gauls. Let's face it, the more serious threats will come not from the east, but from the west and the north. And Mediolanium stands at the foot of the northern pass, and well within range of the western pass.

CR

DeToxRox

11-10-2004, 02:14 AM

Surely assassination must be on the horizon!

Chief Rum

11-10-2004, 03:36 AM

Surely assassination must be on the horizon!

I would like to have assassins going. Unfortunately, we haven't quite developed that far yet. It will be soon, though.

CR

Chief Rum

11-10-2004, 04:34 AM

Spring, Year of Rome 491

Battle On The High Seas

Admiral Oppius had had enough. One Gallic boat was constantly skirting the edges of the port, and he heard by messenger from the Umbrian coast that another laid in wait halfway up from Ariminum.

Trade out of the port was at a standstill and Admiral Oppius knew an assault was soon to begin on the city. So he decided to be aggressive and attack our enemies.

He first took his three Briremes and 107 men and attacked the boat just outside of the port, going up against a 31-man Gallic crew. Not surprisingly, he won a crushing victory, killing half of the boat's crew and driving it far down the Adriatic Sea.

He then went down along the coast and found the other boat. Once again, he engaged the enemy and won a strong victory, once again killing 16 Gauls and sending the ship far away from both Patavium and Ariminum.

Admiral Oppius had just enough left to get back to the port of Patavium to resume the blockade. He lost just 15 men in the fighting, and re-established Julii control of the north end of the Adriatic.

Chiefius's Patience Is Rewarded

Five years ago, we turned down a potential marriage proposal for Sachmius's oldest child, Fadia, becuase the suitor was unworthy of her and of the Julii.

As the weather turned warm once again without a betrothed Fadia, now 20, concern was heavy for the young woman. Fortunately, the weather wasn't all that heated up.

Fadia attracted the interest of a much older man, but an accomplished soldier nonetheless. Titus Katonius is a 46-year-old respected warrior whom has fought for all three Roman factions in one war or another. The 46-year-old captain has been sought after for his tactical expertise and is a welcome addition for his battlefield talents alone.

He brings little else to the table and, indeed, is a rather coarse and brunt man, but he is liked by those close to him. He is a Superior Commander, which gives him +3 COM to begin with.

Sachmius approached Chiefius Rumnii with the proposal and the faction leader agreed. For the moment, Titus Katonius will stay in Arretium with his new bride and, if the gods are willing, provide us with numerous Julii sons.

Chiefius Awarded Senatorial Office

Tremendous news has arrived from Rome!

The leader of the Julii, long disregarded for public office, has been awarded the vacant Qaestor position, last held by the departed Cornelius Scipio.

The Qaestor is the lowest rung in the council, but it's better to be on the council than looking in. The Qaestor is the Senatorial treasurer and record keeper.

The position carries with it a +1 MAN bonus as well, which should help the growing town of Segesta, currently the smallest Julii city.

Jeffnitius Elected Consul

In a move that came four years too late, Jeffnitius has been elected the Consul of Rome, the most powerful position in the Republic. Congratulations to Jeffnitius, who also, at some point in the past four years, has been elevated to faction leader for the S.P.Q.R.

Jeffnitius moves to the Consul from the Censor position, which he held for eight years. He replaces a fool of a man named Kaeso Pullus, whose bumbling led to him being removed from office altogether.

Unfortunately, Kaeso Pullus's fool-in-arms Julianus Murena has returned to senatorial office after four years out of it. The former Praetor was appointed the Pontifex Maximus, the head of state religion.

Young Publius Maxentius, former Pontifex Maximus, was moved to Censor, where he is in charge of taxes and spending decisions. At just 21, he is ont he fast track to big things in Rome.

Tiberius Brutus, the faction leader of the Brutii, remains in office for the third straight term, ascending to the law and order position of Praetor. He has gone from Qaestor to Aedile to Praetor in three straight elections.

The new Aedile is at least of Maxentius blood, although neither Gaius's uncle, Jeffnitius, nor older brother Publius, is likely to want to admit it. The 19-year-old Gaius is barely of better quality than Julianus Murena or Kaeso Pullus.

The Scipii did not receive a spot on the council.

Kingfcius Recruits New Spy

With advice from his father the Spymaster, Kingfcius has recruited a new spy to watch over the western passes into Gaul.

Neuqua has spent many a year already working in the corners of rooms and from dark places. He is already 40-years-old. A lifelong criminal, he is nonetheless a Julii loyalist through-and-through, and he jumped at the opportunity given him--after Kingfcius assured him he would be well paid.

Neuqua is not as skilled as Icius, but he has good potential. He is +1 in his spying skills right now.

Neuqua will depart Medilanium right away to begin checking out the lands of southern Gaul.

Construction

Ariminum has completed a Market, improving income from the city and provinve of Umbria.

News From Abroad

Another year, another war in the decent east between former lands of the great Alexander.

The Seleucid Empire has fallen into war with Pontus.

As with Egypt agaionst Parthia, it is hard to tell at the moment just what longterm effect, if any, this will have on Roman politics.

CR

sachmo71

11-10-2004, 09:49 AM

All for Julii. All for Rome.

Travis

11-10-2004, 10:29 AM

I would like to have assassins going. Unfortunately, we haven't quite developed that far yet. It will be soon, though.

CR

Excellent (aw man, no mischievious smiley!)

Katon

11-10-2004, 11:47 AM

Chiefius's Patience Is Rewarded

Five years ago, we turned down a potential marriage proposal for Sachmius's oldest child, Fadia, becuase the suitor was unworthy of her and of the Julii.

As the weather turned warm once again without a betrothed Fadia, now 20, concern was heavy for the young woman. Fortunately, the weather wasn't all that heated up.

Fadia attracted the interest of a much older man, but an accomplished soldier nonetheless. Titus Katonius is a 46-year-old respected warrior whom has fought for all three Roman factions in one war or another. The 46-year-old captain has been sought after for his tactical expertise and is a welcome addition for his battlefield talents alone.

He brings little else to the table and, indeed, is a rather coarse and brunt man, but he is liked by those close to him. He is a Superior Commander, which gives him +3 COM to begin with.

Sachmius approached Chiefius Rumnii with the proposal and the faction leader agreed. For the moment, Titus Katonius will stay in Arretium with his new bride and, if the gods are willing, provide us with numerous Julii sons.

I'm sure I'll have fun trying.

I've fought for all three factions? How did that happen, and when did I fight for the Julii?

Chief Rum

11-11-2004, 04:24 AM

I'm sure I'll have fun trying.

I've fought for all three factions? How did that happen, and when did I fight for the Julii?

Just giving your character nonspecific backstory. :)

My intent with that specifically was to show you're a bit of a career soldier and while a true Roman, a bit of a mercenary. You fight where the fighting's being fought, and fight under whatever Roman flag is involved. That has taken you from one end of Italy to the other.

I never came up with more specifics than that, though (in my mind, I mean). :)

CR

Chief Rum

11-11-2004, 05:50 AM

The Battle of Padovia Forest

Izuldius's approach to Patavium was anything but a secret. Julii ships blockaded the port. Rumors of Julii spies ran rampant in the streets of the Gallic city. The conquest of Mediolanium four years before made the threat of Julii conquest ever-present. Indeed, the fall of Cisalpine Gaul made connections to mainland Gaul on the other side of the Alps seem distant and fleeting, and the blockade only heightened that sense of isolation.

So it was no surprise that our approach was well-watched and even predicted, and that the city's garrison would have been preparing for the assault.

What came as a surprise, though, was the decision of the three Gallic captains known to be in the city to march their army out of the city and meet Izuldius on the open field of battle, rather than fighting from the relative safety of Patavium's Wooden Palisade.

The creeks were still thick with melted snow water from the nearby Alps when Izuldius came within a few leagues of the city, just days away from the gates. The Gauls marched their army out of the gates then, and the two sides worked their way back and forth, with light skirmishes here and there, each seeking an advantageous battlefield.

The Gauls eventually settled to the west and somewhat south of Patavium, in the nearby forests of Padovia. It appears that the head general, Captain Cassivellannus, wanted to use the woods as cover from Julii missile troops and to blunt Roman use of cavalry, which can be difficult to maneuver in woods and cannot charge as effectively there.

The Armies

Izuldius had 1156 men under his command, with almost 200 of them horsed. He also had almost 150 Wardogs and 240 missile troops (mostly javelin-throwing Velites, with the oft-traveled Roman archers making up the difference).

Captain Cassivellannus was the main man in charge of the Gauls, but the enemy forces also included Captain Orgetorix, who brought reinforcements from patavium just in time for the battle, and Captain Drustan, who led that first foray last year that was thought to be a preliminary assault on Mediolanium.

The Gauls number 1092 and all are footmen, much to Izuldius's delight. The vast bulk are Warband warriors, with the remainder armored Swordsmen. The warriors are fiercer, while the swordsmen are more polished and well-trained.

When the battle is set to begin, the Julii are in a large meadow that is almost completely surrounded by trees, facing the south (where the thickest concentration of trees are). There is a lighter ring of trees to the left, and the meadow opens up a lot to the right, but otherwise forest front and back.

The Gauls have taken up position deep in the forests to south. Our view of them is tough to pin down, as they sometimes take advantage of being hidden by the trees. They do all seem to be generally in front of us, though, and no set formation that I can see.

Isuldius sets up his force into three components. On the left wing, hidden in the sparse ring of trees there, he has placed two Equite units, a War Dog unit and a Hastati unit. Distantly on the right, far enough to be utilized as a flanking end on the Gauls, he puts two Hastati units, the third Equite unit and a Velite unit. The rest of the force is gathered at the back end of the meadow, so that there is some open space between the Roman lines and the trees infested with Gauls. This is set up in basic form, with Hastati and triarii up front, backed by Velites and the Roman archers, and the second War Dogs unit and Izuldius's unit of spear cavalrymen as backup.

The hope is that the Gauls will stupidly charge from cover and take us head on. If that's the case, they will not likely be aware of our left wing, hidden in the trees, and we could sweep in on them from both wings (although they would be aware of the right wing, out int he open as it is). If this sounds like expecting utter stupidity from our opponents and thus pointless, I agree that it's utter stupidity, but it's not the first time I would see the enemy do something odd. Heck, these brilliant geniuses left the protection of their city for some reason.

The Gauls' intent would be clear. They want to draw us into the trees, and perhaps ambush us. And hope that fighting among the trees will dull our advantages in missile troops and cavalry.

The Battle

This one starts off slowly. The Gauls immediately begin moving around, mostly forward toward the edges of the forest and our lines, so we can see most of the units, including Captain Cassivellannus's Warband unit.

They seem to be tempting us, though, not quite reaching the end of the trees (when we would likely fall upon them with gusto). They will move toward the edge than fallback. I allow this to go one for a little bit, seeing what their plan is.

A Warband and Swordsman units make their way close to our hidden left wing. In fact, I didn't even see them until they were turning away from us. I'm not even sure they saw our wing, or if this was just another dancing maneuver in the trees that reached farther than the others, but still not far enough.

In any case, when I looked at the left wing, I saw both Gaul units retreating from the left wing, with the Swordsmen lagging. My units there remained unmoving and hidden. So I decided to send the Hastati and War Dog units after them. The War Dogs caught them first, and held their attention, while the Hastati fell on them.

This one didn't last long. The Gauls were in retreat and routing very quickly. The Warband that went up the same way had stopped moving and was formed up beyond them, with another Swordsmen and Warband units nearby. I sent the Hastati and War Dog units on to that line (the first real Gaul line I had seen in this one, really).

As they charged deeper into the forest toward the Gallic line, I decided it was time to get everyone else moving. There was a Warband unit near the right edge of the forest line, so I charged all four units from the right wing at that unit. Just behind them was Captain Cassivellannus's Warband, and I selected some of my main forces and focused them on that unit, including two of the Hastati units and the Roman archers. I sent the rest of the central force (except for the War Dogs and Izuldius's bodyguard) toward the left, where the impromptu Gallic line had formed deep in the trees.

About this time, my first Hastati and War Dogs from the left wing hit the leftmost Warband in the line. They certainly made a quick impact, with the War Dogs piling up against one side, and the Hastati pushing along the other side. I knew this was potentially troublesome, though. The Swordsmen and Warband units in that line would soon move over and probably surround our attackers, who were very much outnumbered here. So I decided to storm the two Equite units still hidden at our original left wing position into the line, and double-time some of the central units heading this way.

About this time, our right wing was playing havoc with the Warband unit near the right end of the forest. I charged everyone on that wing deeper into the forest, after Captain Cassivellannus's Warband unit, which seemed set to return to help out the Gaul line under attack on the left.

The two Equite units on the left tore deep furrows into the three Gaul units on the line. It was brutal. Gaul banners were flagging and falling and the line was breaking apart. Captain Cassivellannus's Warband was closing in, though, so we shot one Equite unit away to take on the charging warriors. At the same time, the Equite unit from the right wing had torn through the lone Warband unit there and was hot on the captain's tail. What happened next was sheer beauty. The two Equite units, coming from opposite sides, crashed into the leading Warband unit at the same time, pretty much running right through or over the hapless Gallic warriors.

Captain Cassivellannus was next to go. He lasted a little longer than either line of his unit, but not much longer. He was killed at the end of an Equite javelin and trampled underneath.

By now, the entire Gaul army was in full rout. The vast majority of the remaining enemy was torn down from behind by our War Dogs and charged down by our Equites, who were devastating.

The Gallic army was scattered and running amok, those that weren't dead.

Aftermath

The final numbers on this one were as brutal as they seemed to be on the field. Izuldius's army killed 816 Gauls, leaving less than 300 from the original force. The Gauls killed a stunning 23. In fact, more Julii soldiers (24) fell to friendly fire and accidents than to Gallic weaponry.

All told, we lost 47 men. By unit, it was also amazing to see some of the numbers that were piled up. One of the two Equite units on the left lost eight of their number--and killed 278 of the enemy, most by chasing them down. The other Equite unit on the left killed 134, while also losing just eight. The Hastati unit that drew first blood suffered 16 casualties, but seven healed. They killed 165 Gauls. The War Dog unit on the left didn't lose a single man or dog--and killed 130.

When the battle was over, the Gallic army was nowhere in sight. They did not retreat to Patavium and for all I know, they ran all the way to Alesia without looking back.

Izuldius gained a COM star (up to +2) for his crushing victory.

CR

daedalus

11-11-2004, 08:03 AM

Woohoo! Good fight (and good writeup, as usual)!

Chief Rum

11-16-2004, 02:21 AM

Woohoo! Good fight (and good writeup, as usual)!

Thanks, deadalus (and bump this back to the top; whew, that was close :) )

CR

Chief Rum

11-16-2004, 03:39 AM

Summer, Year of Rome 491

Patavium Captured Without A Fight

Well, at the city walls anyway.

After defeating the Gauls at Padovia Forest, Izuludius and his army marched on Patavium to finish the job they came to do--and the city just opened the gates for them.

It appears the Gallic garrison was completely emptied for the battle, and no one but local militia and constables of the law were really left around to guard the city. Patavium has a historic background not dissimilar with Romans, despite being under the control of the Gauls, so it was not a surprise, given the circumstances, that they would welcome the arrival of the Julii.

With struggling populations in Segesta and Mediolanium, it's never a hard decision on what to do when we conquer a new city. Izuldius chose to enslave much of the population of Patavium, sending 1717 citizens to the four other Julii cities, allowing us to take over the city with little risk of a popular uprise. The Julii also collected 343 dinarii in compensation of Gallic homes.

The Senate was pleased with the taking of the city, and with it the region of Venetia, thus placing for the first time all of modern day Italy in the hands of Rome. They promised to consider us more for senatorial office in the next elections.

Patavium and Venetia

The conquest of Pavatium and Venetia is a very significant move by our faction. It could take a while to list all the reasons why, but here's a shot:

1) As stated, we have completed the conquest of northern Italy and driven the Gauls back over the Alps.

2) The conquest of Venetia eliminates enemy territories sharing borders with the center of Julii power, in Erutria and Umbria. Enemies will now have to pass through outward provinces to reach us or travel by sea, a decidely more risky proposition given our general strength on the sea.

3) Venetia, like Cisalpine Gaul, is strategically placed for easy defense, with only two passes into the land from non-Julii lands. By capturing Venetia, we can now better protect Julii lands by setting up forts at major passes, like the eastern pass to Noricum and the eastern coastal pass to rebel-held Illyrian. This is combined with critical bottlenecks such as the northern pass from Cisalpine Gaul, and the western pass through the Alps from Liguria.

4) The acquisition of Venetia also allows us to expand without further fighting with the powerful and numerous Gauls, as we can now better travel north and east and down along the Adriatic coast to the Hellenic peninsula.

5) Venetia appears to be a rich land that can provide many economical benefits to the Julii.

So, as you can see, although the Battle of Padovia Forest and the subsequently easy taking of Patavium were fairly simple, it could prove to be one of the key events in our eartly faction history.

Venetia, as I said, is a rich land. It has the dominating Alps along much of its northern border, particularly in the northwest. The west end of the region is centered around the valley of the Po, which is fertile for farmland and wealthy in natural resources. The region has two centers for textile trading and also a heavy sorce of glass along the coast near Patavium.

Although much of the borders are actually cut off by the Alps, Venetia is bordered all along its northern border by the rebel land of Noricum. Two lands can be reached along the east, also in various rebel hands. Dalmatia takes up the immediate coast, while Illyria just beyond sits behind and beyond Dalmatia. To the west, of course, is the Julii-held Cisalpine Gaul. The south and southwest borders are shared with other Julii lands in Umbria along the western Adriatic coast, Erutria most of the remaining border, and a small section of northeastern Liguria also touches a stretch of Venetia in central Italy.

Patavium, sitting in the middle of a strong region, should see immediate strong population growth in the wake of its capture by Izuldius. The population was over 3,000, but the enslavement of much of the city's residents have dropped its numbers to 1673. At a tax rate of High, though, enough income is being left over for the city populace to grow at the highest rate in Julii Rome (6%). Public order is at a manageable 110%, thanks to over 1000 Julii soldiers garrisoning the city at the moment. Izuldius takes over as the governor by default.

There will be a time before the buildings, mostly of Gallic design, are switched over to Roman counterparts, so right now the city has unfamiliar buildings like a Warrior's Hold and a Meeting Hall. More familiar is the Wooden Palisade surrounding the city, the Market and Port contributing to trade, and the Stables and Practice Range for keeping the military in tip top shape.

Naval Battles In The Adriatic

Patavium may have fallen quietly, but as usual, the Gauls' navy has been much more present on the high seas. Admiral Oppius and his three-brireme fleet was forced into action once more.

Oppius found a Gallic boat commanded by an Admiral Motius just outside of the port of Patavium, just to the west. He fell upon the 31-man boat with his 92 men, still battle-weary themselves from a number of navcal engagements the past couple years.

With such a numbers advantage, it was no surprise Oppius and his crews would do well. Although no ships were sunk, Oppius's crews killed 10 Gauls and drove the enemy far down the Adriatic Sea once more. The admiral lost seven of his own men in the fighting.

After the battle it was admittedly time for a refit and a refreshing of the crew, so Oppius sailed his briremes to Arimnum's port for retraining.

Spy Movements

Never a rest for the quiet eyes in the shadows.

Chiefius Rumnii has asked Icius to proceed on to Noricum in the north, to get a read on the rebel Helvetii occupying that exotic foreign land north of the great mountains. At the turn of the season, Icius was just approaching the mountain pass in northern Venetia.

In the west, young fresh spy Neuqua has reached the western pass and proceeded past the watchtower built by Kingfcius years ago. He should pass into Transalpine Gaul well before the snows pile up in the mountains.

Construction & Recruitment

Ariminum is the only town in line to start new construction this year (funds ran out before construction could begin in Patavium). The Umbrian capital will add a Military Barracks, finally allowing it to train Hastati units to take on those troublesome brigands to the north.

Ariminum will also retrain the crews of Oppius's briremes, of course.

With Titus Katonius's marriage to Fadia, the new Julii man has become entitled to the better arms and armor available to the soldiers of our faction. His spear cavalry bodyguard will be retrained in the new armor, courtesy of Arretium's Blacksmith, along with a new unit of Equites.

Patavium's own populace will be used as a recruiting base for refreshing depleted Equite and Hastati units from the Battle of Padovia Forest.

In Mediolanium, Kingfcius will be training a diplomat to give the Julii more options with other factions in and around Italy, considering that longtime diplomat Sextus Antio is more or less permanently stationed around the Gaul capital of Alesia far to the north.

CR