III. RTW AAR of the Month Competition - The Winners

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

The nominations of September brought another fierce fight. The sheer number of nominated AARs (17) calls for a celebration, and I'd like to thank everyone personally for keeping this little game alive!

Now let's raise our glasses to the winners



III. RTW AAR of the Month Competition - Winners


The winged statue of Niké, the Goddess of Victory in ancient Greek mythology
(Why featuring her? Read on...)

Champion of the tournament:
Xavier Dragnesi, who earns the Bronze Medal with his performance. I have to say the persistence of Xavier is exemplary: in the I. competition he got only 2 votes, in the II. competition he received somewhat more than average, but he kept going on and in his III. entry, he gained the day. Well done!


(click the banner above to be directed to the AAR)

Mod: Roma Surrectum v1.5b
Faction: Syracuse
Difficulty: H/H

When an offer of goodwill and friendship to the Romans is rudely turned down, the King Agathocles of Syracuse turns to Carthage seeking the same things. The offer accepted, Agathocles sets his eyes on Italy, remembering the arrogance and unpoliteness of Rome. In a bid to cement Syracuse's relationship to Carthage, the King decides to attack Rome, already a long-time enemy of Carthage. And so, his son Prince Hiero, along with other lieutenants, set out to Italy, against great odds, to bring down the rising star of Rome.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Interview with the Champion

Q: First of all congratulations on your victory. Now let's talk turkey. Why Syracuse?
A: It's a nation that doesn't feature in most mods, and isn't very well publicised even in RS AARs, so since it has an interesting unit roster and the campaign was in a situation ripe for an AAR, I decided to go with it.

Q: What is your technique to gain inspiration and overcome a "writing crisis"?
A: Well, I usually take much more screenshots than I need for the AAR. So if I get stuck, I stop writing, take a break, perhaps get a quite bite to eat and something to drink, then sit back down and look through all the screenshots. I then look around for interesting features of the screenshot, and then link the screenshot to the story with writing.

Q: What was the most dramatic moment in your story?
A: In my opinion the most dramatic parts so far have been the last two instalments, when my main character's father dies, and then he fights a battle with the Romans to let out his anger.

Q: How would you encourage others to write after action reports?
A: I believe that it's a really fun thing to do. It helps you to develop writing skills, and with a forum like TWC, there's a place to post your writing and see it being read, commented on and enjoyed, which is quite rewarding. Also, if you write a first person AAR like I did, occasionally you can get so enraptured in your own AAR, that it actually feels like you are the person you are writing about. The experience is awesome!

Q: What is your "secret ingredient" to success?
A: Well, I have my scroll background, which tends to attract attention, but on the writing itself, then I think the best way to keep your audience focused is to try not ever to repeat yourself. Readers usually like seeing fresh stuff. And find good screenshots to support your words, not just a random picture of the battle.

Q: Do you have a favourite AAR?
A: Not really, though there are a few which really caught my attention. Juvenal's Journal was probably the first AAR I read, and it was quite awesome read. Jingle Bombs' I, Quintus is also a great story to follow. There's plenty of great AARs out there. All you need to do is look.

Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: That AAR writing is both an exciting and rewarding business, so if you are contemplating joining the industry, then go for it! It adds a whole new dimension to gameplay. Also, thanks to all the voters that enabled me to emerge victorious from that hard fought battle.

Q: What kind of pain do you wish me for asking these annoying questions?
A: May you be thrown of the Tarpeian Rock!! Nah, well, I quite enjoy sharing my views, so no harm done.

Runner-up: MarcusAureliusAntoninus - +3 points on the Leaderboard, and the new Bronze Medal recipient


With this additional +3 points MarcusAureliusAntoninus also earns the Bronze Medal, because he finished second and earned 3 points in the II. Competition as well. MAA makes history by being the first contestant to gain this pendant with point collection. A hearty congratulations!

The Pyrrhic Dynasty

Link to the new updates

Author: MarcusAureliusAntoninus
Mod: EB
Faction: Makedon
Difficulty:VH/M

Description: This is a Mod that continues from MarcusAureliusAntonius's (MAA) Makedon AAR. At the end of his first AAR the Makedon's are clearly the world power. MAA roleplays this new AAR in the form of a civil war. It features large and epic battles and enlightens us as to the various family members that are vying for control of the empire.

Teaser:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Chapter 69 : The Syrian War (Part I):
The Fringes

Africa

While Philippos leads a huge invasion force of Makedones and allies in an invasion of Syria, a much smaller invasion into his own territory takes place in Africa. Numidian and Mauretanian forces once again attack the city of Ippone, but this time they are lead by an exiled noble from the conquered city of Kart-Hadast:


Dispite their skilled leader, they met the same fate as every other invasion attempt of the city:


In the city of Kart-Hadast, things are much different than what the exiles chose to believe. After the initial slaughter by Neokles, Pyrrhos had managed to achieve order in the city and managed a friendly peace with its Phoenician inhabitants as well as the Lybian and Numidian locals of the region. Though the region had been conquered, with many enslaved, there is almost no current discontentment from within the Makedonike controled territories. Many were even glad that the city had been conquered. The people of Kart-Hadast had always been traders and the inclusion into the Arche Makedonia had opened new trade routes to the eastern parts of the Arche that had been previously unavailable due to the war between Kart-Hadast and the Arche Makedonia.

The exiled nobles did not care what it was like back in their city, though. They only wanted their senate reinstated and the Makedones out of Africa. Although the war with Numidia and Mauretania had been a small issue for the Arche Makedonia, it was ever the small itch needing scratching.

Assyria

As part of the invasion of the Demetrid controlled east, the descendants of the Thraikioi who had settled in Armenia had taken up arms and marched south into eastern Assyria. While besieging the Demetrid garrison at Arbela, an army of reinforcements from Babylonia attacks these Thraikioi, marking the first battle in this new Syrian War:


The Thraikioi line up to face the reinforcement army attacking from the north, but are surprised when the Demetrid men simply stall for time. The Thraikioi are surprised again when it is actually the small number of phalangitai and kataphraktoi from the city that strike first:


While the bulk of the Thraikioi force hold the line, the cavalry and elite forces move to face the enemy forces approaching from the city of Arbela:

Interview with MarcuesAureliusAntonius, the new bronze medalist

Q: First of all congratulations on your victory. You've been writing this AAR since 2007 October (including the prequel), and you've just finished Chapter 76. Tell us, how do you feel about this epic story?
A: Well, My AAR is now more than a year old and I'm still enjoying the campaing and writting.

Q: What is your technique to gain inspiration and overcome a "writing crisis"?
A: I usually just take a break until I can think of something, which is sometimes many days. Often I'll get a good idea for what to write when lying in bed just before going to sleep.

Q: What was the most dramatic and most comical moment in your AAR?
A: The first battle of the civil war, thebattle between Pyrrhos II and Pefkolaos, was probably my most dramatic point. It was fun to play too, since I almost lost it.

Q: How would you encourage others to write after action reports?
A: I'd say write what you like to write. Roleplaying the campaign definately seems to make for a better read.

Q: What is your "secret ingredient" to success?
A: I think it is probably because I enjoy the campaign and the actual writting, as well.

Q: Do you have a favourite AAR?
A: I read just about every EB AAR, but I'm sure I have a current favorite.

Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: Thanks for doing to work in putting this whole AAR section together.

Q: What kind of pain do you wish me for asking these annoying questions?
A: Great pain.

Second runner-up: Lysimachos, earning 2 points on the Leaderboard

The Legacy of Megas Alexandros

Author: Lysimachos
Mod: EB
Faction: Seleucid Empire
Difficulty: N.A.

Description: An immersive and detailed portrayal of the Seleucid King's and his heir's campaign in Asia, as they try to step into the place of Alexander. According to the makedon tradition of a military kingdom, a king gets his legitimation by leading the army to victory.


Teaser

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Chapter 6: When lightning strikes

It is time. Time to return to a place, where a name has been made for oneself.

Sixty-six years ago Megas Alexandros passed the Kilikia Pylai, the kilikian gates, before descending into Kilikia Pedias, where he fought the battle of Issos. Now, another host came through the Pylai, in opposite direction, coming from the fruitful plains and heading into the mountainous Anatolia.
It took a whole week until the army has completely traversed through, because the Pylai are just wide enough to let a packed horse pass. The chariots and heavy equipment had to be disassembled, transported by mules through the constriction and then put together again.
It was a cumbersome transgression, but soon the plateau opened and the Taurus lay behind them.



The Basileus ton Basileon has assembled a strong army which he now leads into Asia Mikra and a contingent of armenian light infantry and cavalry who traveled along the persian royal road from Sophene add to its strength.



Antiochos is on his way into the heart of Asia Mikra. Once he has defeated the galatian hordes in a memorable battle where the battle plan of Theodotos Rhodios and sixteen elephants saved the day against the overwhelming numbers of the Barbaroi. The galatian advance had been stopped in this battle, the Greeks from Asia Mikra saved, a victory that gave him the name of Soter, the saviour.
Now is Antiochos again on his way onto the peninsula, one of his greatest days in his mind. He always knew about the importance of this region for the prosperity of the kingdom, but he has not been able to impede the loss of influence, until only a narrow strip of land from Kappadokia through Phrygia to Lydia remained. Antiochos plans to get a firmer grip on the peninsula again.
To achieve this, he has mobilized a grand army and his first strike will be directed at the Galatians, who rule central Anatolia and who have to be dealt with by anyone who tries to dominate Asia Mikra.



Early morning's mist still hangs in the slender dell. The men silently move forward. They are Armenians and used to mountainous terrain. Still without a sound they leave the cover between the hills and pour into the opening fields forming a crescent around the settlement that lies dozily in front of them. The circle closes, as the speed increases. In ghastly silence the men overcome the guards, break into the town, ingress the huts and houses, do their bloody work, screened by the horsemen who hunt down anyone who tries to escape.
Like a lightning's strike have they come over Tavium, main settlement of the Trokmoi, on of the three galatian tribes, cutting of the tribe's head.

With the aid of local guides did Antiochos lead his men through concealed valleys, hiding his approaching army despite of its size, until it was to late for the Gauls to unite in resistance. The Trokmoi don't pose a thread anymore and the seleucid King heads for Ankyra, where the Tectosages dwell.

Ankyra is the largest settlement of the galatian invaders, the seat of their three tribes' council. Although the Tectosages have received word of the intrusion it has been to late to call for help from the Tolistobogioi who live in the west and to muster a large army.

Category Wins

Best Narrative: Across the Waters: A Story of the Migration by Theodotos I

Best Graphics: An Encyclopedic History: The Rise of Rome by Calvin

Best Historical AAR: An Encyclopedic History: The Rise of Rome by Calvin

Best Battle Report: The Pyrrhic Dynasty : A Makedonian AAR by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

Nice battle reports. Nice to hear about what sort of troops compose each segment of the army (i.e. the Left Wing, Centre, Right Flank, etc). And nice accounts of each battle. Good stuff, but those pictures take an eternity to load!

[Xavier Dragnesi]

Congratulations to myself () and to my two fellow winners Lysimachos and MarcusAureliusAntonius! You two put up a great fight, and both your AARs are definitely exemplary. You both had me on the edge of my seat many times during the voting!

[Babagitta]

Very well done! Congratulations everyone!
+rep for the winners.

[Musthavename]

An excellent contest and very closely fought. Well done to all! And +rep for the winners.

[Theodotos I]

Congrats to all. Good writing and a good contest. Meanwhile, I'll hold down my traditional fourth-place finish. . .

[Giovi]

congrats to all