[EB AAR] The Legacy of Megas Alexandros

[Lysimachos]

Chapter 65: Hegemon

The Kyrenaika is a refuge, but not a safe haven. The lion from Alexandreia has halted the hunt to lick his wounds in the east, but a different predator lurks in the west.

Long since the Karchedoi have had an eye on the Pentapolis across the bay. It is an affront to them that fledgling ports so close to their home don't pay homage to Karchedon. The Hellenes have prevailed until now, but they are hard pressed.

They have chosen Antiochos Theos as their Hegemon and protector and although he brought no army, the mere force of his name and reputation in war commands fear in his enemies. Hermogenes, appointed as Polemarch of the Pentapolis, is still young and inexperienced as a battle commander. Gladly he pleads the Basileus ton Basileon to ride by his side and gladly he is given help.











The kyrenaian hinterlands are rough terrain, forested with thick brushwood. It is easy to be taken unawares, even with a sense for danger.

The midday heat of Africa dulls the senses and the mind takes a moment to catch up with was happens. A few heart beats pass after the horns bellow and javelins cutting through the air whistle. Warcries sound and the carthaginian elite descends upon the marching host, heavy lancers crash into the vanguard. It is clear, the prior fights were nothing but the prelude, the real trial comes now.

The Hoplitai had no time to form the phalanx, many have dropped their lance and fight with the Xiphos instead and struggle to hold out. Antiochos gathers his Hetairoi who force their horses through to the front. His silver helmet gleaming in the sun is a beacon that gives strength to those around him. First he repels the lancers and then, as always, it draws him to wherever the fighting is fiercest. The Hetairoi's example leads the Kyrenaioi to rally themselves and drive back the ambushers. In a fierce, but short battle, they secure victory over the flower of Karchedon.



It is hot under the heavy helmet, Antiochos Theos breathes with difficulty under it and removes the confining gear. “Kratippos, it seems after all I'm not a young man any more. Give me a hand to get off my horse, will you. I … I feel a bit dizzy.” - “Of course, Basileus!”
A leather-faced veteran himself, the Hetairos quickly dismounts and rushes to his master's side. Kratippos grabs the king's left arm to support him.

Theos is leaning over and is about to lift his right leg over the horse's body, when he notices a pain in his side. Looking down himself, his gaze wanders over his blood soaked leg-wear. He carefully lifts his right hand toward his face, with astonishment examining the red liquid, which is spread all over him. Slowly Antiochos slides down to the left, into Kratippos' waiting arms.

The two men's eyes meet and they both know. The Basileus stretches himself with effort towards his Hetairos. He bares his teeth in defiance, then he laughs, coughs. No more regrets, no anger written in his face, just a peaceful smile. Then he lets go; he closes his eyes and the tension leaves the body in Kratippos' firm hold.

[Lysimachos]

Here's the deal:

I've always said I wanted to finish the story and I still kinda do, but realistically speaking, I'll probably die of old age before that happens.

So, in case anyone actually still wants to know how it ends - and for myself to know it has been told - at some point in the next weeks, months or years I'll sit down with my notes, turn them into something somewhat readable and post them here in a spoiler, so anyone who wants can chose to find out.

Edit: Also, the pdf I was talking about a year or so ago. I hope this works, I haven't attached anything here before.

The Legacy of Megas Alexandros - Laurel Wreath Edition.7z

[Josh of Galway]

Please finish!

[Zeion]

Hi Lysimachos, great to another another update of yours after such a long time.

Personally, I'd love to see how your campaign will come to a conclusion. I know that AAR making takes a lot of time and can fall off the table if other things take over your schedule. What you could do is to write more "macroscopic" updates, so not about every single battle but rather about individual wars/campaigns to reduce the amount of work you have to put into this.

Or you just take your time and finish it over the years.

[Lysimachos]

Thank you for your support, guys! I appreciate the fact that there is still interest more than you can know.

The problem about just finishing the story is how much there is of it. It is something that I myself didn't fully realize while planning and playing and of course you can't know how daunting the task is. To put it in perspective: chapter 63 takes place around 30 years after the start of the campaign and I have 50 years of season by season notes left.

I don't mean to say I'd never write a proper chapter again. My intention simply is that anyone who wants to know, can just click on the spoiler button and read a summary. Maybe it would actually result in me writing more. Because, you see, sometimes in the past when I considered writing a new chapter, I was overwhelmed by the amount of material and put it off again because it seemed futile. That's something that I wouldn't have to worry about, because I would just write for writing's sake instead of trying to finish telling the story.

Maybe I can post the first part of what I inofficially call "untold tales" already on the coming weekend.

Edit: By the way, I do realize the irony of coming here every two or three years, whining about how long it takes and then going away for two or three years again.

[McScottish]

Well, I'd also like to see more writing - whether it comes in summarised chunks or full chapters is up to your good self.

[Lysimachos]

As advertised, part 1 of the untold tales. I repeat, this doesn't mean I won't write proper chapters anymore, so if you want to wait for that, feel free not to click the spoiler button. But be advised that the probability of me actually finishing the whole thing is microscopic.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Untold Tales, part 1

The year 240 BC, 72^nd year of the Seleucid Era (SE), 25^th year of Antiochos Theos' rule (AII), 11^th year of Seleukos Kallinikos' rule (SII)



As told in chapter 63, Antiochos Theos reaches allied Kyrene, participates in several successful engagements with the Karchedoi, before he succumbs to a mortal wound suffered in the battle of Semeros, undefeated in the field.

Seleukos Kallinikos reaches Seleukeia, where he learns of his father's death. He is now the sole ruler of the Arche Seleukeia.

239 BC = 73 SE = 12 SII

Seleukos' firstborn son Nikomachos comes of age.



Antiochos Theos' body and possessions have been brought back from Kyrene. Among them are his war journals with detailed descriptions of egyptian geography and people, ptolemaic war tactics as well as sketches of fortifications he encountered on his long campaign.

Seleukos Kallinikos studies his father's journals on the way to Rhodos. Neutral Rhodos is where he and Ptolemaios Leon (PIII) have agreed to meet for negotiations, because both their kingdoms have suffered badly.

Arriving on Rhodos, Seleukos is awed by the rhodian fleet, laying at anchor there. Not only does the small island's fleet greatly outnumber that of the mighty Arche, but also are his ships dwarved by the rhodian poliremes.

Seleukos intends to focus his reign on combatting the invaders from the east, but he realizes that the Arche will need a strong fleet of its own to control its western possessions.

As a result of the negotiations, the Nheilos War ends after ten years with the status quo. Seleukos' son Nikomachos and Ptolemaios' niece Adeia are betrothed to seal the peace.

With a large retinue, including her younger brother, Adeia comes to Antiocheia, where she is married to the Kleronomos Basileois.

Later in the year, the Pahlavans occupy the province Aria. Parthyaia becomes the core of their kingdom and they start calling themselves Parthians.





238 BC = 74 SE = 13 SII

Euphorion, the king's brother, suffers a defeat at the hand of the Parthians.

Seleukos Kallinikos announces his decision to start a campaign against the Parthians in the following spring.

In the west, the Kingdom of Pergamon violates the borders of Phrygia. Nikomachos, the Kleronomos Basileois, sails west, leaving his young wife behind in Antiocheia.

Nikomachos represents the Arche in negotiations with several greek states in the region and contributes to a general improvement of relations.



237 BC = 75 SE = 14 SII

Seleukos Kallinikos leaves Mesopotamia in direction of Media.

Nikomachos arrives in Lydia, where he defeats a pergamene army. He proves his mettle leading from the front and inspires his troops by fearlessness in the face of danger.

Attacking Pergamon directly would anger Makedonia, who maintain close relations with the city, so instead Nikomachos lays siege to Halikarnassos, an ally of Pergamon.

236 BC = 76 SE = 15 SII

Halikarnassos falls. Nikomachos hurries north, because an army of Pergamenoi threatens Ipsos. He defeats the army later in the year.

Seleukos Kallinikos besieges Apameia in the province of Khoarene, without success.

Andromachos, Satrapes Persikos and nephew of Antiochos Soter, dies of old age in Persepolis.

235 BC = 77 SE = 16 SII

Nikomachos leads several battles against the Pergamenoi.

234 BC = 78 SE = 17 SII

Nikomachos continues the war against Pergamon.

Seleukos Kallinikos sets up a hibernation camp in Khoarene.

233 BC = 79 SE = 18 SII

Seleukos Kallinikos returns to Media.

The Parthians take Prophtasia in the province Drangiane and lay siege to Susa.

Adeia gives birth to a son and names him Ptolemaios.

232 BC = 80 SE = 19 SII

Seleukos Kallinikos repells the Parthians from Elymais.

Adeia gives birth to a daughter named Epiktesis.

The Parthians take Karmana in the province Karmania.

231 BC = 81 SE = 20 SII

Seleukos Kallinikos defeats a parthian army in Mesopotamia.

230 BC = 82 SE = 21 SII

Euphorion defeats a parthian army at Gabai in the province Gabiene.

Seleukos Kallinikos renews his campaign.

Nikomachos continues his defensive war against Pergamon.

229 BC = 83 SE = 22 SII

Nikomachos invades Mysia, but has to retreat after falling seriously ill.

Seleukos Kallinikos again lays siege to Apameia.

228 BC = 84 SE = 23 SII

Seleukos' second son, Kleombrotos, comes of age. He is married to Harmonia, a daughter of the Arkah of Hayasdan. In the summer he participates in the olymic games and later travels east to join his father's army.



Nikomachos sends a new ambassador to Pella. He urges King Perseus to use his influence on Pergamon. An armistice is agreed upon.

At the end of the year, pontic troops are moving into Galatia. Nikomachos drives off the intruders.

Ptolemaios Leon (PIII) dies. He is succeeded by his brother, who takes the name Ptolemaios Eusebes (the pious, PIV).

227 BC = 85 SE = 24 SII

Seleukos Kallinikos seeks battle with the Parthians. His cavalry is crushed by the enemy's cataphracts and he dies fighting, under the eyes of his younger son.



When the remaining commanders are at odds with each other, Kleombrotos takes command of the army and in a cat-and-mouse game with the Parthians brings it to safety in friendly territory.

Nikomachos is proclaimed Basileus ton Basileon and takes the name Seleukos Aphobos (the fearless, SIII).

[Alwyn]

Kleombrotos looks like he has the potential to be a strong leader, but he is young and inexperienced. After the defeat of the army and the death of Seleukos, I wonder if Kleombrotos can restore the morale of the soldiers and think of a way to defeat the Parthians, despite the powerful Parthian cataphracts.

[Lysimachos]

The second part of the untold tales. As before, if you'd rather take the risk waiting for proper chapters that may or may not come, don't click on the button.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Untold Tales, part 2

226 BC = 86 SE = 2 SIII

Seleukos Aphobos remains in Asia Mikra for now, to restrain the treacherous Pergamenes, the Pontians and the Bithynians.

Kleombrotos reaches Seleukeia and is hailed as a hero. Parthians are sighted in Persis and Gabiene.

225 BC = 87 SE = 3 SIII

Seleukos Aphobos leaves Asia Mikra under the command of Apollophanes Syriakos, a distant cousin, to travel to Seleukeia.

On the journey, he suffers a mysterious accident and dies.

Kleombrotos claims the throne as Antiochos Hypoleptos (the unrelenting, AIII).

He proclaims that Adeia's children in truth were sired by her own brother and not the king, as it is known the ptolemaioi practice sibling incest (I swear I didn't know about GoT, when I came up with this). Besides, the Arche needs a leader now more than ever and can't wait for a child to grow up.

Antiochos sends out assassins to kill Adeia's son. The intended child killer can't go through with it and makes sure the eight year old is send away to safety in a bosphoran Polis. He tells Antiochos the deed was done, before he is killed himself to eliminate him as a witness.

Ptolemaios Eusebes is distraught by the events – as far as news reach him – but a revolt in upper Aigyptos binds him, for now.

Later in the year Metrodoros and Apollophanes, two descendants of Seleukos in the male line and of middle age, die.



Hearing of his relatives' unexpected deaths, Euphorion fears for his life and that of his son Ktesikles, but remains untouched, to his own surprise.







224 BC = 88 SE = 2 AIII

Pontic troops occupy upper Kappadokia.

Antiochos Hypoleptos reaches Asia Mikra in a forced march, takes back Mazaka, as well as Amaseia in Kappadokia Pontika, where he sells the population into slavery.

223 BC = 89 SE = 3 AIII

Antiochos Hypoleptos reaches Sinope. Mithridates Kianos flees to the allied kingdom Bithynia.

At the end of the year, Antiochos is at the gates of Nikaia.

222 BC = 90 SE = 4 AIII

Antiochos Hypoleptos defeats Mithridates and subdues Bithynia.

Ptolemaios Eusebes has ended the rebellion and takes the initiative. He considers Antiochos a usurper who stole his grandson's throne. He sends out his fleet, which prevails in a minor engagement near Kypros.

220 BC = 92 SE = 6 AIII

The seleucid fleet, thanks to Seleukos Kallinikos now including numerous poliremes, decisively defeats the ptolemaic fleet near Tyros.



Antiochos Hypoleptos occupies Kypros.

219 BC = 93 SE = 7 AIII

Antiochos Hypoleptos enters Aigyptos. In the meantime parthian activity reaches a new height.

25 years after his grandfather stood at the gates of Alexandreia, Antiochos does the same. However, the signs are different. Antiochos Theos had but a weakened army, insufficiently supplied and constantly endangered by larger enemy forces. Since then, the devastations of that war left the economy of the Nheilos kingdom weakened and the defences of Alexandreia in a neglected state.

His father's fleet gives Antiochos Hypoleptos a trump card his grandfather didn't hold. In a combined attack from land and sea he achieves what Antiochos Theos could not hope to do.

Ptolemaios Eusebes is captured and forced to agree to a peace that includes giving up Kypros and reduces the proud diadoch kingdom to a tributary.



Baktra falls to the Parthians.

218 BC = 94 SE = 8 AIII

With the war in the west over and the egyptian tribute to fund greater projects, Antiochos Hypoleptos starts preparations to reconquer the east. He intends to form his own heavy cavalry modelled after the Parthians' to counter theirs.

216 BC = 96 SE = 10 AIII

With rebellions in parthian held territories increasing, Antiochos Hypoleptos decides it is time to turn his plans into reality.

[Alwyn]

Good update! Kleombrotos is ruthless - I imagine that many rulers were, in this era. I wonder what will happen to Adeia's son and whether Antiochos Hypoleptos' new heavy cavalry will be a match for the Parthian cavalry,

[Lysimachos]

Good update!

Thank you.

Kleombrotos is ruthless - I imagine that many rulers were, in this era. I wonder what will happen to Adeia's son and whether Antiochos Hypoleptos' new heavy cavalry will be a match for the Parthian cavalry,

I guess we'll find out the next time.

[Lysimachos]

The third and final part of the untold tales. I think you know the deal now and we can dispense with the disclaimer.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

215 BC = 97 SE = 11 AIII

The seleucid army leaves Susa in two columns. The main force, moving north, is led by Antiochos Hypoleptos himself, with his cousin Ktesikles leading the rearguard. The second army, moving east, is led by the king's uncle Euphorion.





By the end of the year Antiochos takes Apameia. Euphorion falls ill, slowing down his progress.

214 BC = 98 SE = 12 AIII

Ktesikles loses his supply train to parthian surprise attacks.

Euphorion recovers and invades Karmania. In Autumn Karmana falls to his troops.

Antiochos Hypoleptos takes Hekatompylos, previously capital of the self styled Parthians.

213 BC = 99 SE = 13 AIII

Antiochos Hypoleptos takes Asaak in the province Astauene.

Ktesikles dies in an ambush in Hyrkania.

Epiktesis, Adeia's daughter, marries. Antiochos sends her and her husband to Homna on the arabian coast.

212 BC = 100 SE = 14 AIII

Antiochos takes Zadrakata.

Euphorion takes Prophtasia.

Antiochos takes Nisa.

211 BC = 101 SE = 15 AIII

Antiochos Hypoleptos takes Khiva and proceeds east through Sogdiane.

Timarchos dies of old age.

Euphorion turns south towards Gedrosia.

210 BC = 102 SE = 16 AIII

Antiochos Hypoleptos takes Chach in the province Kangha, at the edge of Alexandros' empire.

Ptolemaios Eusebes dies. He is succeeded by his son Ptolemaios Epiphanes (PV). Ptolemaios Epiphanes is Adeia's oldest brother.

Euphorion sends Minnio Arianos to besiege Alexandropolis in the province of Arachosia, at the eastern border of Iran.

He himself takes Pura in Gedrosia, near the coast.

Antiochos takes Marakanda in Sogdiane.

209 BC = 103 SE = 17 AIII

Antiochos Hypoleptos liberates Baktra from the Parthians. He summons the self styled Basileus Baktrios and returns Baktria to the fold. Knowing that he will need a strong viceroy to hold the farthest east when he returns to Seleukeia, Antiochos lets him keep his title and betrothes his daughter (and only child yet) Sabit to Arybbas Baktrinos, who follows him to Mesopotamia.

After seven years, the reconquest of the east is completed.





(I threw this together in something like two mintues, I don't remember the actual routes, it's just to give you a general idea)

207 BC = 105 SE = 19 AIII

Agathe, Antiochos' mother, dies.

In Susa, on the Basileus' return west, three estranged companions, Euphorion (60), Xenoitas (61) and Miltidades (61), each having lost at least one son to war, meet with the king. Together, they are the four last known living descendants in the male line of Seleukos Nikator.

206 BC = 106 SE = 20 AIII

Antiochos enters Seleukeia in triumph. He takes the name Megas Antiochos.

Sabit is married to Arybbas Baktrinos.

Euphorion, whose life has seen many turns, having lost his family and after decades of waging war in the east, perhaps his purpose, withers and dies within the year.

Megas Antiochos, disappointed with his wife's failure to give him a son, starts multiple affairs.

204 BC = 108SE = 22 AIII

Miltidades dies.

Megas Antiochos decides to go to war with the Karchedoi, who still haven't given up their designs on the Kyrenaia.

In winter Antiochos meets makedonian envoys in Ephesos, who demand unreasonable rewards for their support in his plans. Antiochos humiliates them for their hybris and departs towards Krete. From there he intends to sail to Sicily and then Africa.



Phila, the result of one of Antiochos' affairs, is born, 25 years after Sabit, his first daughter.

203 BC = 109 SE = 23 AIII

On Krete, Megas Antiochos receives word that the Makedones and their greek vassals, enraged over his treatment of their envoys, have allied themselves with Pergamon, Byzantion and Pontus to turn on him once he has set sail for Sicily.

Without hesitation, Antiochos turns his fleet around and lands on the Peloponessos.

202 BC = 110 SE = 24 AIII

At the beginning of the year, Rhodos, Trapezus and Kydonia declare against Antiochos.

Megas Antiochos occupies Sparte and presses on through Korinthos, Athenai and Demetria, all of which fall in the same year.

201 BC = 111 SE = 25 AIII

Megas Antiochos temporarily occupies Pella.

Agesias, another illegitimate daughter, is born.

Epiktesis' husband dies during riots in Homna.

Ptolemaios Epiphanes learns that his nephew may still be alive. He pledges the aegean alliance his support and sends out his generals to the Levant.

Antiochos takes Thermon in autumn and Ambrakia in winter.

Sabit and Arybbas Baktrinos have a daughter, Antiochos' first grandchild.

200 BC = 112 SE = 26 AIII

Antiochos takes Epidamnos. He receives word of his granddaughter's birth and reconciles with his wife, Harmonia.

The Ptolemaioi occupy Bostra.

199 BC = 113 SE = 27 AIII

Harmonia gives birth to Apelles, Antiochos' first son and heir.

Pella is occupied again.

In winter, Megas Antiochos marches east, along the Aegean's northern coast.

Without seleucid help, long time ally Kyrene finally falls to the Karchedoi.

198 BC = 114 SE = 28 AIII

The Ptolemaioi occupy Damaskos and Palmyra.

In summer, Megas Antiochos crosses the bosporus and reaches Asia Mikra.

In autumn Hierosolyma falls. Antiochos reaches Ephesos.

197 BC = 115 SE = 29 AIII

The Ptolemaioi are at the gates of Antiocheia. Later in the year, Antiochos defeats them in two battles.

Hekatompylos revolts.

Sidon falls to the Ptolemaioi.

196 BC = 116 SE = 30 AIII

Megas Antiochos continues the war in Syria. Over the year a succession of six commanders take over the ptolemaic forces and all in turn are defeated.

195 BC = 117 SE = 31 AIII

In spring, the aegean alliance (Makedonians, Greeks, Pontians and Ptolemies) occupy Sardis. Ptolemaios Syriakos reveals himself as the son of Seleukos Aphobos and claims the throne as Seleukos Eupator (of a good father, SIV), to both honour his father and underline the source of his legitimacy.

Ptolemaios Epiphanes dies. The ptolemaic armies cease their attacks due to internal struggle and the new situation with Karchedoi in the Kyrenaia.

The Parthians discard seleucid hegemony.

194 BC = 118 SE = 32 AIII = 2 SIV

Megas Antiochos marches to Asia Mikra to face the usurper. Apelles stays with his mother in Syria.

Baktria follows the Parthians' example and sheds seleucid dominion.

In summer Megas Antiochos reaches Kappadokia.

(This is the point until which I actually played the campaign. Everything from here was just planned and thus is obviously less detailed.)

Greatly outnumbered, Megas Antiochos is finally defeated in Galatia by alliance forces. (I was planning to simulate this with screenshots made in custom battles with Makedonians, Greeks, Ptolemies and Pontus.)

Seleukos Eupator marches to Antiocheia. There he releases his allies, whom he greatly rewards for their help in putting him on the throne: Ptolemaios receives the former ptolemaic provinces Ioudaia, Phoinike, Kypros and Syria Koile. Bithynia and Halikarnassos are granted their independence and lower Kappadokia as well as Galatia are returned to Pontos.

Harmonia, Antiochos' widow, turns to her brother, Parkev Yervanduni, the Arkah of Hayasdan, for help. The Hay defeat Seleukos Eupator in Assyria and Harmonia proclaims her underage son Basileus ton Basileon, under the name Orontes Philometor, after Yervand, the founder of her own dynasty.

Seleukos Eupator flees to Seleukeia. At the same time, the king of Baktria proclaims another Basileus ton Basileon, Seleukos Baktrinos (SV). He is a son of Arybbas Baktrinos and Sabit, Megas Antiochos' eldest daughter.

This leaves Antiochos' empire carved up as follows:

Asia Mikra up to the Taurus: divided among the members of the aegean alliance.

Kilikia and Syria: Orontes Philometor.

Mesopotamia, Arabia: Seleukos Eupator.

Iran (as far as not claimed by the Parthians): Seleukos Baktrinos.

In 183 BC Orontes Philometor comes of age. When his uncle Parkev dies and Hayasdan experiences a succession crisis, Orontes sheds the armenian influence on his reign, but he profits from incorporating exiled Hay nobles into his powerbase (resulting in a bigger ratio of cataphracts in the army), after Artaxias establishes himself as the new Arkah. Sophene falls back under Orontes' rule.

Over the next decade Orontes manages to eliminate Seleukos Eupator as a rival and unites Mesopotamia and Syria once again.

The Parthians defeat Seleukos Baktrinos, leaving Orontes the sole claimant.

Around 160 BC Orontes takes back the Levant from the Ptolemaioi, once again.

The Arche seems to stabilize itself, but after the king's sudden death his successor Antiochos Agathos finds himself unable to hold together the realm.

Epilogue

When I first thought about how it would end – this probably was around 2009 or 2010 – I had not yet realized the scope of my undertaking and assumed I would be able to finish in a timely manner.

Back then, I fancied the idea of writing other AARs that could be unofficial sequels and having the epilogue establish a connection. One of those ideas was to have the last Basileus experience the fall of Antiocheia, at the hands of a Tigranes the Great type of figure.

Then, his sister would be married to one of Tigranes' commanders called Bagatades, who has been speculated to be the ancestor of the Bagratuni/Bagrationi dynasties from later Armenia and Georgia (including the famous russian general from the napoleonic wars), so if I did an AAR set in a later period I could – as an inside joke without saying it – pretend like my characters were descendants from the characters in this one. But since that will never happen, I'm free to just tell you.

There. Now you know as much as I do.

[Zeion]

Hey Lysimachos,

thanks for posting the rest of the "untold tales". I think it is quite interesting what you had planned, especially with the gimmick-ey family line down into the Napoleonic wars. AARs over long periods of time can be really, really ambitious projects and personally, I'm also struggling sometimes with my Cimmeria AAR that spans over almost 100 years now.

If you tell these stories in a very detailed manner, they get really big projects. I think sometimes it is better to tell these tales on a more global stage with less detail but then in return cover more ground with each update/episode. Not sure if I'm really clear but hopefully you get what I mean.

In any case, I hope you continue making these great stories. Perhaps with a new AAR in a totally different setting? Alternate history is awesome because it helps to understand real history. If alternate history is told in solid logical terms and based on the rules and forces of real history, it is a great tool to understand what was and is going on.

Cheers

[Lysimachos]

Hey Lysimachos,

thanks for posting the rest of the "untold tales". I think it is quite interesting what you had planned, especially with the gimmick-ey family line down into the Napoleonic wars. AARs over long periods of time can be really, really ambitious projects and personally, I'm also struggling sometimes with my Cimmeria AAR that spans over almost 100 years now.

If you tell these stories in a very detailed manner, they get really big projects. I think sometimes it is better to tell these tales on a more global stage with less detail but then in return cover more ground with each update/episode. Not sure if I'm really clear but hopefully you get what I mean.

In any case, I hope you continue making these great stories. Perhaps with a new AAR in a totally different setting? Alternate history is awesome because it helps to understand real history. If alternate history is told in solid logical terms and based on the rules and forces of real history, it is a great tool to understand what was and is going on.

Cheers

Thank you for your comment. When I started this, I had written other stories before, but only short, contained ones. Only over time it became clear to me how ambitious my plans actually were. I also got the problem that with further progress in the campaign I became excited about what was to happen far into the future and writing about what had to come before that increasingly became a chore.

Being more global might be a solution, but I feel like going into the details, setting up specific situations, dealing with emotions in the moment etc are the things I enjoy most. The other approach is to limit the scope from the outset. I already went into that direction when I started my S2 AAR in first person narration, so it was clear from the start I would only deal with limited perspectives and limited time.

It's not impossible I'm going to do another AAR, over the years I've been playing around with different ideas in my head, but there's also something unrelated to video games I've been considering to do. We'll have to see what comes of it.

[Zeion]

Outside video games? WTF?

Sounds exciting - good luck with everything you're up to!

Finally, there is always also a middle ground. Something I tried to do during the first chapter of my Cimmeria AAR: Do personal scenes and personal narrative, but sometimes with very long periods of time in between episodes (within the campaign). So you would have a personal scene in 239 BC, and then the next scene would be in 233 BC, where you highlight certain aspects, while some other things would only be covered slightly and would be up for the reader to fill in with his own thoughts. For example, you could only briefly mention a war that happened in 235 BC in a border province of your empire and not cover it any further.