ES Vol. V|Iss. V: Paeninsula Italica, AAR, ES Blog

[therussian]

The Eagle Standard


Editor's Welcome

Hi all. I start this issue off with a sad note. After this issue, Vol. V|Iss. V, I shall no longer be editor of the Eagle Standard







NOT!!! But seriously, I'm just kidding. I won't be the editor for the month, because I'll be gone on vacation from 11-24, and 28-5. Taking my place will be a series of guest editors taken from the ranks of the Eagle Standard team.

Enough of that nonsense: this fifth issue of the Eagle Standard contains an exemplary interview with Paeninsula Italica's Luciano B, conducted by Gaius Baltar. It also includes the first part to my new (MTW ) Spanish AAR, entitled "Para Dios y el Rey". We also have the first entry in the new Eagle Standard blog! Woooh! What dark secrets will be revealed? Find out below!

Gaius Baltar interviewing [user=Luciano B]Luciano B[/user] of Paeninsula Italica, a mod for RTW:BI.

Thanks Luciano B, for giving me the opportunity for this interview.

Paeninsula Italica is one of the most anticipated Mod releases, can you give me an update on the project status?

Thanks Gaius for giving me the chance to talk about our mod.
We are currently working on our second internal "alpha" version of the mod, to test in game the models and the related animations.
A further "internal" version will follow soon to test the recruitment system and the unit’s stats.
I'm right now finishing the last missing UI cards for our units, and Mylae is currently working to finalize his naval project. Garve, our last acquisition in the team, is doing a wonderful job to arrange ancient fashioned music and Hister, one of our most enthusiast members, is working hard on the testing matters. In the same time, SigniferOne started to convert our project for a future version for M2TW.
Our first goal will be to provide a complete version for RTW - Barbarian Invasion 1.6; we'll be able to release a public "beta" version of the mod during the summer with the basic contents already done, and include additional stuff in a further step.

For those who haven’t seen the previous previews, can you give us some background on PI? Certainly, this is one of the most well-researched conversions, obviously going for historical accuracy.

Our mod aims to recreate the struggles for the supremacy of the Italy and Sicily among the regional powers of the area. The timeframe covered by our mod should be 334 BC and 222 BC, roughly form the adventure of Alexander the Molossian, uncle of the Great one, in southern Italy and the Roman conquest of Mediolanum (today Milan) which ended the great invasion mounted by the Cisalpine Gauls in central Italy. This timeframe includes important events like the last conflicts among the Etruscans and the Romans, the last two Samnite wars, Phyrrus' adventure, the first Punic war and the Telamon campaign. The choice of such a timeframe is not casual, but based on the fact that just before the different conflicts in the peninsula were mere local affairs among minor powers, and later the scale of the conflict become Mediterranean rather than restricted to the Italian/Sicilian area. It is the perfect scenario for a match among balanced powers; nothing was still established about the future of this key area of the Mediterranean, and the history tells that the power who prevailed there then lead the western civilization for the following centuries ...a good chance to make a different course. In my opinion it is one of the most interesting subject of the history of all times, since in a restricted area clashed some of the greatest and most fascinating civilizations of the ancient time: the Greeks of Sicily and southern Italy, the Etruscans, the Celts of Northern Italy, the Samnites and the other Italics, and, obviously, Rome and Carthage

What is unique about this mod? What sets it apart from the others?

Our aim isn't to provide something revolutionary or extremely different; the main difference is basically in the particular events covered by our mod and in the peculiar scale of the stage restricted to a limited area which is portrayed in a more detailed way. I think that so far the community had experimented all the capabilities of RTW engine, so it is difficult to provide something new. I may however write about some of the main features of our work. Great attention and research were payed to portray the ethnic diversification among the different peoples which inhabited the Italian peninsula and Sicily. It means that for the reproduction of the units we used all the available archaeological and ancient literary sources, with continuous updates as soon as new material become available ...I'm constantly ordering and receiving books on the subject. We used every effort to improve the immersiveness of the whole thing using ancient languages. The basic language used for the different names of the regions and the settlements is the Latin, but for the characters and the deities we used also Greek, Etruscan, Umbrian, Messapic, Venetic Oscan and Celtic original names. SigniferOne made also a great work reproducing a settlement plan for Rome which portrays the city during the mid-republic age.

The amount and depth of the research your team has done is impressive. What do you use for your historical sources?

For the historical matters, we rely mainly on ancient literary sources, first of all Livy and Polybius, but also Diodorus and Dionysius; the first one gives a large amount of information but often the historical accuracy of what he reports is questionable; Polybius is more concise but a very entrusted source; the reliability of Diodorus and Dionysius is something erratic, but they give a lot of unique information.
Great amounts of other data are drafted from the geographical studies of Strabo and Pliny the Elder.
Archeology is obviously one of the most important sources, particularly rich in Italy for the period covered by our mod since the Italics, the Etruscans and the Celts continued to bury their dead with their weaponry longer than other ancient nations like the Greeks. Surviving tomb paintings from Paestum, Capua, Nola, Tarquinii, Caerae give us perfect depictions of the look of the ancient warriors of the related areas in our timeframe. Also the Etrusco-Italic sculpture of this age gives wonderful reproductions of the warriors and their panoplies of the era. Another extraordinary figurative source is the ancient pottery; Attic, Greek-Tarantine, Apulian, Campanian, Lucanian and Faliscan decorated pottery productions of the late Classic - early-Hellenistic age contain an almost infinite source for the decorative motives in use and also some of the best depictions of armed men.

Tell us more about your settlement plans, in some of your early sketches you showed some absolutely amazing diagrams, what is their status?

SigniferOne worked exclusively on Rome's settlement plan. He made great efforts to reproduce the geography of the city with her seven hills included in the so called "Servian walls", placing the gates and other historical features in their actual sites. The Rome portrayed is the one of the mid-republican age, with the urban walls erected after the Gaulish invasion, so just before the timeframe covered by our mod. It was an immense task indeed, so only Rome received such a dedicate effort. Here is a couple of pictures of Rome's city plan by SigniferOne: The view from the top: The city, spread out below:

Mylae made great efforts to reproduce different types of ships each with own particular stats like speed, carrying capacity, size, speed, power (sail/oars), artillery (rock/flame), durability, armour, depth and beam. Naval battles are still impossible due the limitations of the game engine, but the result of a naval combat may be affected by the stats of the ships which are included in a fleet. The aim is to give ships a new importance in game, making almost necessary to have a good fleet to support your warfare.

Here some of the new naval units:

Τριακοντηρ - Triacontere (Aphract)



Πεντεκοντηρ - Penteconter (Aphract)




Τριήρης - Trieres (Cataphract)



Η ΣΥΡΑΚΟΥΣΙΑ - He Syrakousia



Now a selection of pictures showing the links among our unit models and the related ancient sources. Some of our Greek-Italiote hoplites, with the source material used for the shield blazons:

Hoplitai Metapontinoi - Metapontine hoplites

Hoplitai Lokroi - Locrian hoplites


Hoplitai Rheginoi - Rhegine hoplites



Here a selection of Lucanian and Oscan units with the sources used for the decorative patterns, mainly from the tomb paintings of Paestum:








Some other Sabellian units based on ancient Oscan paintings:




Your source material is amazing. I find the coins particularly interesting, can you give me any more detail on them?

The ancient coins can be regarded as one of the main sources for the faction symbols and the shield blazons.
The coins previously posted, all from the coinage of some Greek poleis of Magna Graecia, show good examples of what we have done with them; the symbols reproduced in those coins are related mainly to the foundation myths of each colony but also to prominent features of their territory using a codified iconography common to all the Greek word.

Following, our faction symbols made by Kali. The aim was to reflect in the symbols the image of the culture owned by each faction, using a proper iconography and peculiar textures.




Which of the factions is your favorite?

Being a "modern" Umbrian I should say the Umbri...
Obviously factions like the Etruscans and the Samnites, profusely illustrated by ancient history as the main early Rome's enemies are among the most interesting subjects.
However, I think that the most enjoing affairs happen in southern Italy. During the testing I experienced some very challenging games playing with the Italiote Greek against the expanding neighbouring nations, attempting to resist to external pressure with a thin line of own territories bounded by enemy regions, and eventually counterattak to recover the poleis once belonged to old "Magna Graecia" previously seized by the Oscan Lucani, Brettii and Campani.

You mentioned the beta release this summer, can you give us more details?

I don't know exactly how many features we'll be able to put in our first beta release.
However it will be a fully playable campaign, including 20 totally new factions and the related units. Obviously also the current versions of our huge map will be there. Some stuff like detailed descriptions for the units, new splash screens, new music, script experiments and lots of other ideas which are currently under work will be added in the next steps.

Thanks again for the interview.
It was my pleasure. Thank you.

After Action Report



Presents:

Para Dios y el Rey
by Bulgaroctonus

Part I

The year 1204 was the darkest year of the Byzantine Empire: Crusaders led by the old Venetian Doge Enrico Dandolo stormed Constantinople, and stripped it of most of its possessions. They set up their own Latin Kingdom, and perhaps destroyed any hope of stopping the Turkish advance westward. However, this history does not deal with war and intrigues in the East, but rather, its focus is on a large peninsula in the western most part of Europe: Iberia.

The year 1205 marked the 47th year of King Alfonso VII reign as King of Castile. The Reconquista of Iberia had been going on for centuries, but recently there was a cease in hostilities; this gave Alfonso ample time to build up his military for the everpresent threat of war with the Almohads to the south.

In 1209 King Alfonso invaded the small Kingdom of Navarre to the north of Castile, and used this invasion as a small preparation for the future. However, he did tell his troops that the war with the Moors would be much bloodier and much more difficult than this “practice” invasion. He had witnessed firsthand the power of the Moorish armies in 1195, when he as defeated in the so called “Disaster of Alarcos”. He would have his revenge against his southern neighbours soon enough. Still, it took King Alfonso 17 years to get things in order in his Kingdom before he could set his eyes across the border towards Almohad land to exact his vengeance. In 1226, his son Prince Sancho led a large force of 6,500 into Almohad-held Valencia. He was met by a 12,500 man army led by the Moorish Prince Umar.

The Almohads had set up their troops upon a small hill overlooking the plain on which the Castilian army was stationed. Prince Sancho took up a wide V formation, playing his spear Sergeants on the left flank, and his men-at-arms infantry on the right. There were a few skirmishes on the left flank as the Castilians advanced, mainly with scout units sent out to harass the Spaniards. The two forces finally collided at the foot of the hill.

After much fighting, the Castilian troops were able to push the Moors back to the wooded crest of the hill, where they surrounded the surviving troops. The fight that ensued can best be described as a massacre: the slaughter throughout the whole battle was mainly one-sided, as the light troops fielded by the Moors stood no chance against the heavy troops of Castile.

At the end of the day, the total number of Castilian casualties numbered 2,000, while the total number of Moors killed, wounded or taken prisoner was a staggering 7,000. The Battle of Valencia staggered both the Muslim and Christian worlds: this was a fatal blow to the Almohads, one that would begin their downfall and expulsion from Iberia. After the battle at Alarcos, the Castilian Kingdom was thrown into disarray, and for a short period of time, its existence was under threat. However, with victory at Valencia, hope was restored throughout Iberia.

But the Castilian celebration was too early. In 1228 Prince Sancho was forced to retreat back into Castile due to a 15,000 strong Almohad relieving force sent in from the south. The same year King Alfonso VIII fell ill and died in his palace in Toledo. He was succeeded by his eldest son Alfonso, who became King Alfonso IX. The following year an army of 10,000 commanded by Prince Muhammad invaded Castile, and threatened the safety of Toledo. Alfonso IX would have to prove himself to the Castilian people by protecting their homeland from the Moors. So he mustered the army and marched forth with his 6,500 men to counter the Moorish advance.

The two armies met several miles to the west of Toledo, near a small village at the bottom of a valley. Alfonso set his troops up along a ridge running alongside a road leading from Toledo down the valley towards the village. Prince Muhammad, certain of victory, rushed forward and attacked the Castilian army all along the ridge

There was fierce fighting all over the line of battle. Both generals threw themselves into the heat of battle, but Prince Muhammad was cut down while fighting in the centre of the line. Though the death of their general dismayed the Moors, they continued to fight with fierce intensity. The Moorish cavalry, consisting of both horses and camels, made a thunderous charge uphill from the village, only to be met by the Castilian knights, and a brutal melee ensued. Slowly but surely the Almohad army began to crumble: its right flank was broken by a charge of 50 knights whose units had been completely wiped out. The flight of the right wing caused a panic that spread along the line: soon, the whole Almohad army was in flight (for their actions, the knights were received the King in his palace in Toledo for a royal banquet, and named the 50 Defenders of Toledo).

It was a glorious day for Castile, one that outshone even the victory at Valencia: Moorish casualties numbered more than 8,000 total, while Castilian casualties were less staggering, but still numerous - more than 3,000.

The effect of this battle upon Iberian history can not be overstated: as a result of the Castilian victory, the following year the Kingdoms of Leon and Castile were officially combined into the Kingdom of Castile-Leon; this union was one step towards the reunification of the Iberian Peninsula under one banner. King Alfonso IX had also reaffirmed his place as King, and the peoples’ confidence in his was restored. The same year the Almohad Khalifah died of illness, though it is said that the news of the Moorish defeat near Toledo was the real reason of death. In 1231 the Kingdom of Portugal took advantage of the Castilian victory and took Cordoba from the Almohads. In 1234 Prince Sancho of Castile-Leon took Murcia, and in 1238 a Holy Roman-sponsored crusade took Granada. The only remaining Muslim outpost in Iberia was Valencia, and in 1247, a Castile-Leonese army marched over the border to end Muslim occupancy once and for all…



To be continued…

Eagle Standard Blog

Yes, that's right my dear readers, the Eagle Standard has its own blog. [user=Hex Khan]Hex Khan[/user] has decided to document what its like to be on the Eagle Standard team. Be aware though, this blog is rated "R" for Ridiculous. The actual blog can be found here, but for now we shall show you the Intro to this promising enterprise

The world has changed,
I feel it in the water,
I feel it in the earth,
I smell it in the air,
Much that once was is lost,
For none now live who remember it.

It began with the forging of the Great Rings,
Three Rings were given to the Elves,
Immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings,
Seven to the Dwarf Lords,
Great Miners and Craftsmen of the Mountain Halls,
And nine, nine Rings gifted to the Race of Men,
Who above all else desired power.

-* Ah crap wrong script*-
*Lets try that again*

Total War Center has changed,
I feel it in the Curia,
I feel it in the Forums,
I smell it in the Threads,
Much that once was is lost,
For none now live who remember it.

It began with the forging of the Great Moderators,
Three Moderators were given to the Rome Total War Fans,
Ancient, cunning and fairest of all beings,
Seven to the Medieval Total War Lords,
Great Players and craftsmen of the Magnificent Mods,
And nine, nine Moderators gifted to the Common Community,
Who above all else desired to Spam "Alexander vs Caesar" topics.
For within these Moderators was bound the strength and will to govern each Thread.

But they were all of them deceived,
For another Moderator was made,
In the Land of Spamore,
In the fires of Mount Troll,
The Dark Lord Selenius forged in secret a Master Moderator,
To control all others,
And into this Moderator he poured his cruelty,
His malice,
And his will to dominate all life,
One Moderator to PWN Them All.

One by one the Free Threads of Total War Center fell to power of Moderator,
But there was some who resisted,
A last Alliance of Citizens and Patricians,
Marched against the Armies of Spamore,
And on the slopes of Mount Troll,
They fought for the freedom of Total War Center.

Victory was near,
But the power of the Moderator,
Could not be undone,
It was in the moment,
When all hope had faded,
That Bulgaroctonus, Son of the King,
Took up his Father’s sword…

Selenius, the enemy of the Free Peoples of Total War Center,
was defeated,
The Moderator then passed to Bulgaroctonus,
Who had the one chance to destroy evil forever,
But the hearts of Men are easily corrupted,
And the Moderator of PWN has a will of its own.

It betrayed Bulgaroctonus,
To his death,
And somethings that should not be forgotten,
Were Lost,
History became Legend,
Legend became Myth,
And for two hand a half thousand years,
The Moderator passed out of all knowledge.

Until chance came,
It ensnared a new bearer.
The Moderator came to the creature Hex,
Who took it deep into the tunnels of the misty mountains(Bennachie Aberdeenshire),
And there it consumed Him,
The Moderator brought to Hex,
Unnatural long life,
For 500 years it poisoned his mind.
And in the gloom in Hex’s cave,
It waited.

Darkness crept back into the forests of the world,
Rumour grew of a shadow in the East,
Whispers of a Nameless Fear,
And the Moderator of PWN perceived,
Its time had now come,
It abandoned Hex,

But something happened the Moderator did not intend,
It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable,
A Content Staffer,
Sir Dinadan of the Legion of Rahl,
For the time would soon come,
when Content Staffers will shape the fortunes of all.

Will they really? Not if the evil Selenius has anything to do with it!

So end is really nigh, The Eagle Standard has its own shiny new Blog to record the crazy nonesense we madmen get up to in our hidden halls in the content forum. Rest assured however, with me in control it wont remain very shiny for long!

You can expect to read alot more of this sort of shenanigans, as I continue to write up fictitious stories and who knows some of the others might just join in! The possibilities are endless!

Well not really endless, they either will or wont its that simple

There you have it. At least I'm there as an impartial observer (damn you Hex Khan, why'd you have to kill me off?!)

Anyway, stay tuned for more juicy drama, action, and adventure from the Eagle Standard blog!

Picture of the Week

After a tough battle for Potw 65, Crypel is victorious, with his pic entitled "Victorious March".

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I see Rome Total War is having a comeback. Good for him.

Thanks for joining me for the 5th issue of the 5th volume of Eagle Standard. I hope you are all nice to our guest editors over the course of the month. If not, then we'll have to have a little talk when I come back...

Peace out.

[therussian]

Updated with new PotW

[Leonidas The Lion]

Great edition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hex Khan]

The PI mod for Rome BI looks really nice, almost tempted to download it
So whose guest editing the next issue mein editor?

[therussian]

To the strongest.

[crypel]

Alright, now I have to tell you too, you're doing a f***in great job here hope for more issues to come.


ps:

To the strongest.

quote from alexander the great, isn't it?

[therussian]

Alright, now I have to tell you too, you're doing a f***in great job here hope for more issues to come

Thanks a lot. you can count on it

quote from alexander the great, isn't it?

Never heard of 'im.

[Van Zandt]

Just a little update here, sources stating that the Paeninsula Italica Beta will be out in September. Check out their Forum here at TWC!

[Aristophanes]

Presentation of Paeninsula Italica is aesthetically pleasing and accessible! Liked the poem as well.

Oh yeah, dear busy ES editor, I think it would be very cool to throw some more character development into the AAR. (Of course, I defer to your creative control )

[therussian]

No no no, I take all criticism/comments. What do you mean by character development? As in make it a more personal AAR? Or...

[Aristophanes]

No no no, I take all criticism/comments. What do you mean by character development? As in make it a more personal AAR? Or...

A possibility would be to discuss moods, ongoing actions of family members...just really outrageous stuff. (like what he did that day besides fighting)

Anyways, keep up the good work!

[therussian]

Ah, I see. I'll take that into consideration when I'm writing my next AAR