EB2 Playtest: Arverni

[Kull]

Here's a little Christmas present from the hard working EB2 Team to all those who have waited patiently these many years.....a short playtest of the Arverni faction. You've seen eye candy aplenty. Won't it be cool to actually see some of it in action? Here's the sitrep:

Faction: Arverni
Difficulty: medium-medium
Starting Provinces: 1
Starting Army: 4 FMs, 2 Cav, 7 Foot

Strategy: For this playtest I took a quick look at the financial details and noticed the "not unusual" EB1 situation of a poor faction with expenses roughly 4 times larger than income. The EB1 strategy would be to quickly conquer a few settlements (for a total of 3 or 4), and then play defense while recuperating from the huge negative income (a process that can often take many years). That should work right? How different can this be?

Here's the starting position. The capital (Gergouia) has 5 of my 13 units, with the rest sprinkled among three small stacks scattered across the home province of Ikoranda Uolkias. There's a small Aedui stack to the south - we're at war (what else is new?), and they don't care for us much. That's OK, the feeling's mutual. To the east is a small ungarrisoned rebel town - big mistake for those guys. Out of sight in Cisalpine Gaul, my diplomat and spy are off visiting family for the holidays. Put down the wine skins boys, we need you back home! Because somewhere to the north is the Aedui homeland, and it would be nice to see what's going on up there!

[Kull]

Here's my Faction Leader, Aneirin Aruernorigon, and his bad-ass bodyguard of 94 "Fierce Swords". I'd say the town of Lugdunon is ready to join with us, the "Superior Ones":

[Kull]

It's only a village, scarcely more than a few scrawny cows and some old women & children. We'll pass on the crazed looting and incorporate them (relatively) peacefully into the Arverni fold.

[Kull]

Now this is interesting. Some of the farmers in Lugdunon were overheard discussing the upcoming market days in the "nearby town of Uiennos", and sure enough our scouts confirmed the story. However, Diplomat "Barri" (wearing some god-awful duds that will absolutely get him laughed out of the next council meeting) passed through and reports that this particular target won't be easy pickings. At least seven defending units including Bataroi, Savage Riders, Fierce Swords, Spearmen and Noble Cavalry. On the other hand, this is Gaul and easy targets are few and far between. If the Arverni are going to expand the kingdom quickly, the best way to do it is by snapping up nearby settlements. High King Aneirin makes his decision:

"Summon all men from across the land - we will take this town from those Raetic dogs!"

[Kull]

The command from the north is unwelcome news to Belenos oi Lugos. His small army of 5 has been tracking a group of 3 Aedui raiders through southern Gaul and finally is positioned to attack them. But he does not know the composition of the enemy force. His lightly armed group of skirmisher cavalry and slingers could be in deep trouble if the enemy prove to be hardened spear or swordsmen. Casualties could prove heavy, and every man will be needed for the storming of Uiennos. And ultimately, Belenos is "Loyal" and "Reliable". Men with those traits do not disobey the orders of the King! Ignoring the grumbling of his men, Belenos marches them north east toward Uiennos.

[Kull]

Amminos oi Lugos, the leader of the Gergouia garrison, knows that "All men from across the land" includes his troops. There's only two Bataroi in the whole Kingdom, and they'll be needed if the attack on Uiennos is to succeed. Even one of the two slingers will have to go if victory is to be assured. That will strip the defenders to the bone, but it can't be helped. Amminos feels a certain disquiet in his bones, but after all this should only take two seasons...three at the outside.

[Kull]

All available troops are positioned within a season's march of Uiennos, and as Spring nears an end the Financial situation of the Kingdom is - as expected - not the best. We're building a new Arverni Allied government in Ludunon, while in Gergouia a road network is under construction and a new Bataroi is five turns away from joining our forces. Yes debt beckons, but that was ever the need, ever the risk, ever the only option in EB1. So then, so now.....

[Kull]

It is high summer (Turn 2) and the siege of Uiennos has begun. The Arverni have the advantage in units (9 to 7), but the Raetians make up for that in quality. This could be close. In the meantime, where is that Spy! We need intelligence...what are the Aedui doing along the northern border?

[Kull]

Conan arrives in Lugdunon at last, full of excuses as always. King Aneirin will have none of it, "Don't waste my time you lazy cur, off to the North and return quickly with news of the Aedui!" And this he does, but the information is unsettling. An 8 unit Aedui army is only a short distance to the North of Gergouia, but fortunately appears to be fixated on the rebel city of Auarikon. Meanwhile in the Aedui capital of Bibracte, a smaller 5 unit army serves as garrison. Portions of either could prove dangerous to the Arverni capital, but perhaps time is yet on our side. It matters little however - the die is cast, Uiennos is under siege and MUST be taken. But given the size of the Aedui forces, it's more imperative than ever to try and minimize casualties.

[Kirila the Kitten]

HOLY DUDE!
EB2.... EB2... EB2... EB2...
It looks... beautiful...
Even if the Druidos is a merchant.
I mean EB2!
Now, can you tell us a release date?

[Kull]

Summer comes to a close, and across the land preparations begin for the harvests to come. The Arverni finances are poor.

[Kull]

HOLY DUDE!
EB2.... EB2... EB2... EB2...
It looks... beautiful...

Yes, yes it is.

Even if the Druidos is a merchant.

Not for long.

Now, can you tell us a release date?

The Wise counsel continued patience - with every new dawn, the day of delivery draws closer.....

[Kull]

As the nights lengthen and the air grows chill (Turn 3), a new Toutarjo government is established in Lugdunon. Not the best long term choice as far as High King Aneirin is concerned, but it will keep the populace content until such time as finances and troop strength have improved, and this tribe can be bound closer.

[Kull]

But graver news arrives from the West. The Aedui raiders from the South, those self same men whom Belenos let slip so as to follow the King's Command, have appeared unlooked for in the river valley south of Gergouia. Conan - summoned in haste from the north, is able to skirt the enemy forces and confirm 2 Bataroi and a slinger. These are superior to the capital's garrison, but perhaps not too much so. These Aedui are not led by those of Noble Blood and may yet bypass the city, or perhaps dither and delay while awaiting orders from the North.

The High king ponders his choices. The Arverni troops at Uiennos have finished their ram and could attack, but word has already reached them of death and attrition among the defenders. Perhaps one more season of siege will reduce the risk and bring a less costly victory. Yes, Aneirin will wait. Ever his instincts have proven true. Surely they will not fail him now. But in the far reaches of his mind, a thought rises, unbidden..."Winter Aneirin! Winter is coming!"...he forces it back. Cold and chill, what of it?

[Jebus]

This looks amazing! Can't wait!

[Kull]

In all his 54 years, the confidence of the High King had never been shaken, but this news was ill indeed. Messengers had arrived from the hills above Gergouia. The Aedui had not dithered, had not passed it by. His capital city was under siege. But there was more....and it was worse......

[Kull]

For three long seasons now, the Arverni King had been unable to pay those who served in his armies. Nor had there been raiding, pillaging, or sacking of cities to serve as a substitute. The bonds of personal service are strong among the Celts, but less so at the very bottom of the social pyramid. And so, hungry, freezing, fearing for the safety of distant farms and family, the men who comprised the 5 slinger units - almost 40% of the Arverni Army - had simply melted away with the first coming of the snows.

Which meant the narrow advantage held by the besiegers at Uiennos had been lost - flipping from 9 on 7 to 6 on 7. Once word reached the defenders, surely they would sally, and then all would be lost. To give up? To walk away? To lose all when victory was within reach? This was a bitter cup from which Aneirin could not, would not drink. He stood, and the old battle fires gleamed once again in his eyes. Reaching for his sword and summoning his faithful Gargokladioi, the High King cried out, "To me! We march to join our brothers outside the walls of Uiennos! And tonight we shall drink to our Victory in the Halls within!"

[Kull]

Sleep beckons, and I must answer. So tomorrow then, we shall see what fortune and fate hold in store for our brave Arverni brethren......

And yes, there at last you will see warriors in action. The time for talking is at an end.

[Stath's]

Thank you so much! I can't describe how much i appreciate your fantastic work!!

[Kirila the Kitten]

Why is the gaul regular army still bare-chest- I thought that was the main reason EB was developed