Roleplaying Europa Barbarorum II : Malkuna Nabatu - The Nomad, The Raider, and The Settler

[YourMadDoc]

Here it a record of another story I made in EB II. I tried to get screens for new traits of important characters and also a map of the known world for each era. Plenty of names, years and facts, so it is not meant for quick reading. Also, my English isn't worth much, but I'm trying to educate myself. You have been warned. I used different fonts as I find it less confusing with all those strange names: Character, Location, Area.

Spoiler for Prologue: 

The Nomad

-----------------273 BC----------------
Nabateans, nomads of the Arabian Desert, watch large Ptolemaic and Seleucid armies fighting at their northern borders from Rekem. Their ruler Qênu knows that this war won't last forever and his people are in danger here. He decides to move with his people south, where they will be safer. The desert isn't able to feed their large army so Qênu leads half of the footsoldiers and his oldest son Ravîv'êl leads second half. Armies are supplied with three groups of cavalry raiders lead by Qênu's second son 'I'amûru, his son-in-law Shullai Ha'Maleki and general Mun'at Ha'Qadri.

Spoiler for Info: 

-----------------272 BC-255 BC-----------------
The plan goes well, armies are supplied by loot from raids and enemies are falling. But scarce settlements suffer under such an aggressive strategy and they are recovering only very slowly after the conquest. Qênu orders raids to stop and live from land and supply lines, even if they have to dig for water. Greedy commanders of the raiding groups, led by his son-in-law Shullai Ha'Maleki, don't want to give up such a lucrative opportunity to enrich themselves and they turn against him.

Spoiler for The Betrayal: 

Qênu and Ravîv'êl are left with an army of lightly armored soldiers and bedouins against a horde of horsemen. There is no way they could retreat in a vast desert and they are forced to face traitors. They manage to kill general Mun'at Ha'Qadri, but their army is falling under a rain of arrows and spears from quickly relocating riders. Remaining forces are washed away by endless waves of cavalry charges from every direction and desert is soaked with the blood of thousand Nabateans.

Spoiler for The Traitor's feast: 

Qênu and Ravîv'êl manage to escape, but their army is lost. Shullai Ha'Maleki and 'I'amûru ain't celebrating their victory for long as they are caught and executed by Sabai army shortly after the massacre.
For next 15 years, Nabateans gave up on conquest and return to a nomadic way of life, roaming desert and live from a land, slowly spreading their influence across a desert.

Spoiler for Info: 

-----------------255-248 BC-----------------
Sabai army sails to Africa for conquest and Qênu use this opportunity to invade their lands. Learning from his mistakes, he and his son are in charge of cavalry raiding groups. Main armies are lead by his grandsons Paran, son of Ravîv'êl, and Ushbaa'al Ha'Maleki, son of the traitor Shullai Ha'Maleki.
Invasion is quick and without larger resistance. Qênu tries to be as merciful as possible, but Sabai population sees this as weakness and cities are revolting. His son Ravîv'êl dies during the uprising in Timna and after this, he leaves leadership to Paran. Qênu returns to nomadic ways for rest of his life.

Spoiler for Qênu- The Nomad : 

[YourMadDoc]

The Raider

Paran takes back revolting cities and enslaves whole Sabai nation. He manages to capture Sabai capital Maryab just days before their army returns from Africa. They are unable to take the city back, but they are able to terrorize province. Along with corruption in freshly conquered cities, they are able to cripple the economy of Malkuta Nabatu. With Qênu gone and Ravîv'êl dead, nomads have no idea how to rule. Paran with his young brothers Wa'ilu and Zabliyu are raiding independent southern territory to get at least some income. It takes several years to get realm from debts and corruption and rebuild army to clear territories from rebels.

Spoiler for Info : 

-----------------248 BC- 240 BC-----------------
Safot Softim biQarthadast invades Ptolemaioi, still in war with Arche Seleukeia, and it creates a great opportunity for Nabatu to raid and expand. Wa'ilu and Zabliyu go to the desert to ask Qênu to lead people into war once again, but he dies before they reach him. Paran, son of Ravîv'êl, grandson of Qênu, is new Malek(ml). The alliance is made with Qarthadashti and Paran leads Malkuta Nabatu into war immediately. Ushbaa'al, Son of the Traitor, have enough of fighting and nomadic way of life and he is left behind in Maryab to maintain order in restless provinces.
This time Nabateans don't have the main army, but 3 large groups of cavalry raiders led by Paran, Wa'ilu, and Zabliyu. Ptolemaioi are skilled and their armor is good, but the desert is big and Nabateans are fast. Riders keep disappearing into the desert before Ptolemaic army with another group of raiders appearing to release a hail of arrows and spears into their backs. After enemy army is weakened and scattered across the desert, they regroup and annihilate isolated units one by one, or they vanish and attack another day.
They use African mercenaries, paid from raids, for large battles and to capture large settlements, where they are left to maintain order until Nabati soldiers arrive.

Spring 239 BC: Wa'ilu captures Alexandreia, last Ptolemaic province in Africa, but it revolts and it is captured by Carthaginians.

Spoiler for =Info: 

-----------------239-234 BC-----------------
Mleiha, a settlement on the eastern shore of Arabic Peninsula is sacked by Taksashila. They are driven out after, but they keep raiding in the province.
Paran, Wa'ilu, and Zabliyu return to Rekem. After short rest, they move to Ptolemaic borders, where they meet with their uncle Hunêmu, governor of Rekem, who raids and hunts on Ptolemaic reinforcements passing through the area for years. Brothers keep raiding there, while Hunêmu with a large group of Nabateans disappears deep into the desert. They use a system of hidden wells and cisterns to survive the journey through there and then capture unprepared Tadmur and Basra. Paran then captures Ptolemais-Akko and decimated Ptolemaioi agree to peace while paying tribute to Malkuta Nabatu.

Spoiler for Paran - The Raider: 

-----------------233 BC-226 BC-----------------
Paran's riders travel through the desert to face Taksashila.
There is Sabai rebellion in Maryab, but it is suppressed by Qûnu, son of Paran, grandson of Ravîv'êl. Qûnu travels through the desert with his brother Shalmu to join father's expedition.

Spoiler for Through the desert once again: 

Seas are full of enemy fleets so Paran decides to transport army through the Persian Gulf to the rebellious province in the seleucid territory and move from there on foot.Wa'ilu captures Persepolis, but Arche Seleukeia threatens with a war over it, so Wa'ilu hand it over to them for a large sum of gold and Nabateans move east. Paran besieges coastal provinces to regain control over sea and Wa'ilu ride north to raid and harras enemy reinforcements. Zabliyu goes after Wa'ilu to take settlements after their armies in provinces were defeated.
Enemies are scattered in vast plains and highlands and hunter down. Zabliyu almost dies during one battle against the elephant, but he manages to cover his head behind the shield and avoid killing blow.

There is another Sabai rebellion in Maryab two years later and Hunêmu goes there to subdue them, but militias from local settlements defeat their army. Hunêmu captures Maryab and enslaves rebels.

Spoiler for Sabai rebelions: 

[IMG]blob:http://imgur.com/e0bb1359-f1d5-46c7-a81d-b44fc4b8ce3b[/IMG]

Problems with conquest occur when riders reach forest and jungle regions. Groups of horsemen often get lost during battles or get ambushed. It is impossible to regroup and coordinate attacks so Wa'ilu order retreat from offensive and go back to highlands to raid. Uparajah Chandragupta Maharaja himself comes out from the jungle with the large army of elite veterans and twenty elephants shortly after to get rid of vermin in his lands. Wa'ilu keep escaping his slowly moving army until Maharaja takes his troops to Opiana to resupply. In that time Paran is in control of coast and moves north. Wa'ilu also moves north and Zabliyu stays behind to keep eye on Maharaja and wait for reinforcements of soldiers from subdued oligarchies. After the city of Sagala is captured and enslaved and Paran disappear before Taksashila army gets there desperate Maharaja makes peace with Nabateans and leaves them provinces on the coast and in the west.

Spoiler for Taksashila: 

You can't hit what you can't catch
HuntingWa'ilu's raiding party escaping before maharaja's armyZabliyu vs elephantIn the jungle

Spoiler for Info: 

-----------------225 BC – 220 BC-----------------
Nabateans leave jungle in Himalayan valleys and start preparing for a journey back to home. Seas are safe for travel now, but Paran and his commanders have other plans. They would prefer to go through land, seleucid land.

Sailors are telling stories about giant Gigantus who lives on the island in Arabic sea. Zabliyu sails there to slay that beast. Rumors were true and Zabliyu finds giant living on top of the mountain, but he is unable to get there so he sails away. On the sea, his fleet is attacked by three enemy fleets, but Nabateans defeat them, but with only three damaged ships left. Then they are caught in the storm and Zabliyu falls into the sea and drowns.

Spoiler for The last journey of Zabliyu: 

Gigantus
Naval Battle End

Paran sends a message to Hunêmu to get forces home to shape and prepare to defend borders once more. Babylon, Alexanderia Karmania, Antiocheia Sousianes and Antiocheia Ariois fall in the first wave. The Nabateans travel in small groups through deserts and inhospitable terrain, slip through gates, or make ladders and climb city walls during night and city is in flames before a message about attack leaves province. Paran's commanders ride through Seleucid territory and hunt down any soldiers who try to leave a city and regroup with other units.

Two large Seleucid armies are seen in the area between Apameia, Aspadana and Persepolis. Shalmu, son of Paran, makes camp at Apameia pretending preparations for a siege and when armies arrive, he disappears into the desert. Wa'ilu does the same thing with Hecatompylos, but he is able to sack the city first. Meanwhile, Paran captures unprotected Persepolis before Seleucid armies return. And it is going like that for four years.

Spoiler for Arche Seleukeia: 

Riders of the storm
Nabateans make camp deep in the desert and they retreat there if Seleukid army tries to attack them
Siege : Lure garrison out of a city with smaller force
Siege : Withdraw and break enemy lines
Siege: Regroup and charge into isolated units
Siege: Done
Demoralizing of an elite phalanx unit
Phalanx in streets

Spoiler for Desert Locusts: 

-----------------220 BC - 214 BC-----------------

Conflict arises with Pahlava over Hecatompylos. Hunêmu and commanders of raid groups are pillaging countryside, but they withdraw after Hunêmu encounter one of their armies composited mainly from horse archers and cavalry. Enemy horse archers inflict large causalities and their heavy cavalry is stronger as anything Hunêmu has seen before and it tramples Nabati riders into dust.

Only a few isolated seleucid cities remain. Damaskos and Seleukeia are under siege for over year and a half, Edessa full of veterans and one army fighting against Ptolemaioi, Europos full of soldiers and group of four other provinces far north. Two main seleucid armies retreated to Europos after failure to catch Nabateans sacking their cities. Paran and Wa'ilu gather most experienced soldiers and defeat them there one by one. Paran then lays siege to Europos, the current seleucid capital.

Wa'ilu attacks the main army of Pahlava and defeats them. Then he captures Zadrakarta, their last province. Rest of their forces retreated to desert at northern borders, but instead of living harsh life of nomads, they decided to move back and try to take back their lands. Their forces moved to Hecatompylos, made camps and rest before laying siege to the city. Wa'ilu's army leaves the city during the night and attacks all four of their camps. At next morning, last of them are killed or enslaved. Pahlavan ruler Ardámanesh with his main army of horse archers and heavy cavalry wasn't at camp and they escape south. Qûnu with an army of cavalry from conquered territories chase him and his remaining forces are defeated in three separate battles. Ardámanesh is captured and imprisoned.

Spoiler for Dawn of Pahlava - photodocumentary: 

Wa'ilu attacks main army of Pahlava: Cavalry on left flank circle around enemy army.......pushing their horse archers and skirmishers to spearmen hidden in woods on right flank......and finishes infantry in middle with a charge from behind their lines.....rest of cavalry is destroyed inside their capital -Zadrakarta with phalanx and spearman units......rest of their forces retreated to desert at northern borders......., but instead of living harsh life of nomads, they decided to move back and try to take back their lands.......Wa'ilu's army leaves the city during the night ......and attacks all four of their camps one by one......... At next morning, last of them are killed or enslaved......Pahlavan ruler Ardámanesh with his main army of horse archers and heavy cavalry wasn't at camp and they escape south......Qûnu with the army of cavalry from conquered territories chase him and his remaining forces are defeated in three separate battles......Ardámanesh is captured and imprisoned.

Rest of Seleucid provinces are captured except territories around Ipsos far west and Khorasmia far north.

Spoiler for Desert Locusts: 

Spoiler for Info: 

-----------------213 BC – 203 BC-----------------
Malkuta Nabatu is a large realm now, but definitely not a stable one. Subdued provinces ruled by oligarchies and democracies revolt and they have to be violently recaptured. Corruption takes more than quarter of an income. The situation is changing in nabati homelands also. Large nomadic groups, some of them counting more than eight thousand families aren't able to support themselves anymore and many of them starting to work lands and grown they own food, instead of wandering with herds. With new schools build in settlements and with influence from Hellenistic provinces more and more nomads want to settle down.

Spoiler for Nomads Nomore: 

Paran and his raid commanders continue raiding northern territories. Saka Rauka has plenty of skilled rides and they repel Nabatean invaders twice in hills around their capital Hoamavarganu Agu.With a stream of soldiers from freshly conquered territories, sakan armies are finally destroyed and their camps seized.

Spoiler for Saka Rauka: 

Siege
Siege
Siege
Nabatean forces were defeated on this hill. Twice.

Large income of Malkuta Nabatu is used to constructions around the realm. A system of mines is built, caravan routes and frankincense road are finished, connected with silk road via a network of paved roads. Markets are expanded to support increasing trade and larger farms are build to support increasing population. Many large port towns are established on coasts also.

Pahlavan ruler Ardámanesh and his allies paid off guards and he tried to escape from prison, but he is captured shortly after.
There is a plague in eastern provinces, and the desperate situation is used by Maharaja for invasion. Provinces are too problematic and not worth fighting for in their current state so Nabatean forces withdraw from there and peace is restored.

Paran, his brother Wa'ilu, his uncle Hunêmu and his sons Shalmu and Qûnu return to Rekem. But it's not the same place they left. Places, where they used to rest and raise tents, are full of houses, scarce pastures for their herds are covered with fields and Nabati youth spends time in fancy schools instead of walking land and raiding. Disappointed with new ways of life of their kin, they move south where the nomadic ways endured. Paran, Wa'ilu, and Hunêmu die peacefully in next few years. Shalmu and Qûnu get into the fight and Shalmu kills Qûnu. After that, he disappears into a desert and he is never seen again.
'Avd'ilahi, son of Hunêmu, grandson of Qênu, is new Malek(mlk).

Spoiler for Raider's end: 

Return
A duel of two brothers

Spoiler for Info: 

[YourMadDoc]

The Settler
-----------------203 BC - 195 BC-----------------


Decades of fighting in Asia Minor left region extremely unstable and exhausted. Nabati forces march there and seize last territories of Arche Seleukeia and Ptolemaioi. 'Avd'ilahi makes a strong alliance with Hayastan. Rich Malkuta Nabatu helps them from bankrupt and pay for their conquest of northern regions. In return, Hayastan leaves provinces on borders under control of Malkuta Nabatu.

Sakan horde seizes the old territory of Pahlava, but they are defeated shortly after.

Spoiler for Asia Minor: 

Crossing the river...
....Crossing the river again.

Last remaining Seleucid army hiding in unknown village

Last battle against Ptolemaioi

Last battle against Ptolemaioi

Last battle against Ptolemaioi

Last battle against Ptolemaioi

Spoiler for Info: 

-----------------195 BC-174 BC-----------------
Malka 'Avd'ilahi Malek(mlk), a settled man with large experience with government, have no ties with nomads of old days. He starts to change rules in a society of Malkuta Nabatu to strengthen the position of a sedimentary way of life amongst Nabatean nomads. He also tries to implement Nabatean administration in subdued territories. This steps, however, raise a wave of unrests. Traditional Arab communities aren't willing to abandon their way of life and foreign territories don't want to give even more of their freedom. Things get out of hand very quickly and rebellions and uprisings arise around the realm. Rebellious nomads roam trough lands attacking Nabatean forces trying to maintain order. Without Paran's leash of fear, subdued nations raise their banners once more and alliances are broken. A word about the weakness of Malkuta Nabatu travels fast. Old enemies and allies alike attack together like a vultures on dying animal to get their share of wealth. With ways of nomads forgotten even experienced veterans from Paran's conquest are slaughtered lead by inexperienced generals and battles are lost. Armies from subdued regions often turn against the Nabateans. Malkuta Nabatu slowly shrinks and crumbles under feets of thousands of enemy soldiers.

Spoiler for Settling down : 

Spoiler for The Fall: 

After first 10 years of Total War

-----------------175 BC-----------------
Peace has been restored as enemy faction fight more between each other than with Nabateans. Foreign invasions and civil uprisings devasted country for twenty years. Nabateans lost most of their territories and now they are in control of Arabian desert, Mesopotamia, and isolated territories near the Caspian Sea protected by Kara-kum (Black sand desert) from the northeast and Dasht-e Kavir (Great salt desert) from the southeast.
'Avd'ilahi has finished his second reform, focused on revitalizing Nabatean army and advanced construction projects. Sadly he doesn't live long enough to see it in practice.
Nasgu, son of 'Avd'ilahi, grandson of Hunêmu, is new Malek(mlk).

Spoiler for Empire : 

Empire
Army - infantry


Army - ranged

Army - cavalry

After reform:

Reformed army - infantry + phalanx

Reformed army - spearmen

Reformed army - ranged

Reformed army - skirmish cavalry

Reformed army - cavalry

Spoiler for 'Avd'ilahi - The Settler: 

Spoiler for Info : 

-----------------175 BC - 170 BC-----------------
The alliance is made with Arche Seleukeia as the population from both empires has mixed together in last decades so much, it's hard for their people to tell which side is theirs. Both empires had troubles to maintain order when there were conflicts between them and provinces often switched sides. 'Avd'ilahi's second reform is in a full swing. Estates, granaries, highways and port cities are being built all around the empire. The province-wide industry is developed also. With production, trade, and wealth on a rise, Malkuta Nabatu is able to field large expensive armies of hardly trained professionals, discouraging any hostilities from neighbors or rebels. Nasgu, a cultured man, and determined politician, is fully focused on the economical and cultural growth of empire. And he is doing it well. It seems that there are bright days ahead for Malkuta Nabatu, but with raising power of old enemies and with shortening supply of weaker territories to conquer, there might be a storm coming also. But that's another story.

Spoiler for Info : 

PS Sorry I didn't know I should post it here. I didn't even know what AAR mean. Could someone move my another roleplay: Pritanoi story move here? It is on second page of the main forum thanks.

[f0ndiE^]

Difficulty?

[YourMadDoc]

H/H . I would play on VH/VH, but AI tends to make stupid, strategically disastrous wars against me. Like factions from Hispania marching through Europe to attack Pritanoi, while leaving their lands free to grab from neighbors. I will take VH battles next time though.

[f0ndiE^]

What, you gonna cry now? Coward...

[YourMadDoc]

There is no shame in refusing to make your game easier.

[QuintusSertorius]

H/M remains the recommended setting. VH/VH is pointless.

[f0ndiE^]

z3n disagrees