[RTW AAR] The Sons of Ares

[HanatielHawk]

The Sons of Ares

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Why I’ve chosen Thrace: I’ve chosen Thrace because I think it’s the most mysterious or strangest faction of the game, next to Dacia, Spain and Numidia. I’ve also chosen them because you wouldn’t see them grow strong or see them quickly in the eastern lands, nor the western lands. They never really grow strong, until now…

Prologue
Sautus: Pytros, my son I’m growing old. Soon shall I reach the gates of Hades but unfortunately without my army accompanying me.. I need you to lead my empire as the future king of Thrace!
Pytros: Father, I’m very honoured being the heir of the throne, but wouldn’t it upset Byzas? The people of Tylis are very tied to the regime of Byzas..

Sautus: Those are only the people of Tylis, and yet not everyone is happy with the regime of Byzas. Some people in Tylis wish thee back as governor in the capital. Besides, I don’t see the flame in the eyes of Byzas as I see in your eyes!

Pytros: Still, I think it would be wiser to discuss be…

Sautus: Shh! See, this is the cleverness I spoke of. You don’t pick up the crown as a normal person would do. A normal person would not discuss but would accept immediately, a person like Byzas. Sometimes I dream of banners of Thrace hanging around the world! From the lands of the sand till the lands where the soil is made of ice! I see the banners of Thrace waving on Olympus! I think you’re blessed by the Gods!

Pytros: I never knew you thought this of me father..

Sautus: That’s because I never told thee about this. Listen son.. We have already conquered the region Tribus Getae, or let I say YOU have already conquered this region, and I’m on my way of conquering the town of Byzantium to seize the west of the Black Sea and the passage to enter the Black Sea, still this isn’t enough!

What I see is at least those annoying Macedonians and Dacians wiped off the map! Since Alexander conquered the whole east the Macedonians have become arrogant people, thinking they are the sons of Zeus! Well a son of Zeus does not lose his empire! A great empire can be maintained by the right person, not be lost because of death! This is what I see, a Thracian empire!
Pytros: I shall make you proud father! I WILL make you proud!

Chapter 1 - Debut

Sautus: Lets get back to business, son head back to Tribus Getae to govern the settlement, we don’t want any riots. I will head on to Byzantium to capture the town, it will cause a great wealth grow to our empire!

Pytros: I know this is a bad timing, but what does thou think of trade rights with the Macedonians, and an alliance perhaps would strengthen our relationships so the chance of getting into conflict with them will decrease, just like the numbers of towns being plundered by Macedonian troops.

Sautus: Son you know I don’t like thoughts about alliances with those non-Greek Macedonians and therefore I don’t agree.

Pytros: Father your thinking is egoistic and will not help you gain your achievements of creating an empire! Before you can conquer, you must gain alliances! An alliance with the Macedonians will result into flourishing trade and time for our troops to prepare for war with them! Meanwhile an alliance with the Dacians would be also very useful if we would ever get into conflict with the Macedonians.

Sautus: I hate to say this but you’re right, I will follow your advice for the sake of our empire! Meanwhile I’ll sent diplomats across the Black Sea gaining trade rights to let our empire flourish!

Winter 270 BC

Pytros: Father, leaving me in charge because he’s to busy with the besiegement of Byzantium, luckily left me for ruling his empire. He said that it would be a nice way of teaching me how to rule. First progress: the pact with the Macedonians are made: Trade rights and an alliance. Meanwhile because of a Scythian army reported on the other side of the bridge which lead to Tribus Scythia, I’ve also offered them Trade rights and an alliance to strengthen our economy, lets hope father agrees with this term.. The same diplomat is now on his way to Dacia, hoping they will accept.

The construction of the port in Tylis and Campus Getae is progressing quite fast actually, I never thought they would be so motivated. The architect said it would be finished coming summer. The winter is quite cold, I’m wondering how father is doing.. He looked weakend..

Summer 269BC


Sautus: Finally our spy has manage to open the gates, now this will be easy to take over the town. But let me finish this letter to Pytros first:


From the Faction Leader
Sautus
To the Faction Heir
Pytros
Regarding: Your first progress

Salute my son, the messenger came just yesterday with the good news you’ve managed to build a port in Tylis and Campus Getae and creating trade rights and alliances with the Macedonians. Also something I’m not so glad with to hear is that you’ve made an alliance with the Scythian tribes.. Something we didn’t discuss about.. Still I gave you the right to make your own decisions as I gave you my power, and tough you are my son you are old and wise enough to make your own decisions.

The besiegement is going just fine, the spy managed to open the gates which means it’s now time to take over the town! The leafs are starting to fall of the trees and it’s getting colder, perhaps a bad omen.. Lets pray to Ares that this isn’t a bad omen and that Thrace will gain victory! I hope you receive my letter and respond to me soon to let me hear your progress!

Regards,
Your Father, Sautus



Sautus: “Courier! Deliver this message to Pytros, the governor of Campus Getae!“ Now, lets start.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The losses are a bit high, I need to look out for those hoplites, the phalanx can be pretty nasty against my units. But still, Byzantium lies in the hands of the Thracian empire! Time to share the victory…

Winter 269BC


Pytros: Just after reading the letter father sent to me, I heard the news that Byzantium has been captured and the bounds of Thrace has been stretched to the entrance of the Black Sea. Father asked me to respond to his letter, so I will.

From the Faction Heir
Pytros
To the Faction Leader
Sautus
Regarding: Your first progress

Greetings Father, I’m glad to tell you that our influential diplomat Mukapaibes has yet formed another alliance and obtained trait rights with the Dacians! The progress our empire is creating is huge! Roads have been built throughout the whole empire, connecting our empire with the world! Ships have been built which we call Biremes and they have already set sail to the east with a diplomat, to expand our trade! I have heard of the good news that you’ve captured Byzantium! I am very glad you’re not wounded, and in your honour I’ve ordered the construction of a shrine dedicated to Dionysus in Campus Getae! I’ve spoken with Byzas, who was also very proud with your victory at Byzantium, and he gave Tylis the order to build a shrine dedicated to Ares!

Meanwhile, our other diplomat Rhaskos, who made trade rights and an alliance with the Macedonians encountered people who call themselves Romans, and representing the Brutii. Quite arrogant Rhaskos told me, talking big about how they conquered the whole Italian peninsula.. Shall I try to make an alliance and obtain trade rights with them as well father?

Regards,
Your son, Pytros

Pytros: “Courier! Send this letter to my father Sautus in Byzantium quickly!” Finally, the first steps has been made.. I realy think this could be the beginning of a Thracian empire! I’ve seen the end even tough we’re only at the debut.

[johnhughthom]

Nice start, good luck.

[Punic Hoplite]

Very good start. The Thracians are my second favorite faction. They have the best of the Dacians (falx) and Macedonians (phalanx+artillery). Btw, where did you get the faction details?

[Vice]

That was pretty sweet...I look forward to reading more about it...Whats your grude against that guy Byzas haha?

[HanatielHawk]

Very good start. The Thracians are my second favorite faction. They have the best of the Dacians (falx) and Macedonians (phalanx+artillery). Btw, where did you get the faction details?

How do you mean? Like the portraits and stuff? Because thats just print-screen and editted in paint, removing everything besides the portrait Or what do you mean?

That was pretty sweet...I look forward to reading more about it...Whats your grude against that guy Byzas haha?

Nothing actually it was just that Pytros was already the faction heir so I had to think of a story how he got the title

[Vice]

Ah ok! For a second there I thought you switched it up and that Byzas was the faction heir to start heh!

[HanatielHawk]

Chapter 2 – Exploration

Summer 268BC


Pytros: Long time no seen father! Have you received my last letter?
Sautus: Certainly, first of all I would not agree with an alliance with these so called Romans, hearing those rumours about their expanded might doesn’t attracts me to an alliance, that would only let them believe we’re weak and begging for an alliance which we’re not! Obtaining trade rights is enough.
Pytros: Understood, I wasn’t impressed myself when I heard the news, they have landed in Greece besieging the town of Apollonia.. Maybe they could be our new enemy? We’ll find that out later! Lets start the coming-of-age ceremony!

After the ceremony…


Sautus: And that ends the coming-of-age ceremony. Congratulations Ziles! You’re now ready to fight real battles, control armies and govern settlements!
Ziles: It’s an honour!
Pytros: I’m very proud of you son, take good care for yourself!
Sautus: He’s a clever man and will not get into trouble quickly, besides we’re not in a war right now, so this is the perfect time to educate him about how to govern settlements and so on. I also have a few reports that I’d like to share, concerning our empire:
I have lots of good news, and perhaps also bad news but we don’t know for sure! The good news is that we’ve established trade rights and an alliance with the Greek city states, and also established an alliance with trade rights with the Kingdom of Pontus to the east! Bringing more wealth through trade to our empire! The bad news is that pirates have been spotted, blockading our Biremes to travel our diplomat to the far east of the Black Sea, so that our diplomat has to travel further on land searching for other factions to gain trade rights with.
The “perhaps” bad news, is that a new competing faction has landed on Greece, calling themselves Romans and are now capturing Apollonia! Perhaps they will be our enemy in the future! Other good news is the port in Byzantium, which is almost complete, the 2 shrines which are complete, the fact that the Macedonians have no intentions in war with us, and the coming-of-age ceremony of my grandson Ziles! Lets move on!

Winter 268BC


Ziles: I’m very glad Pytros made me in charge of Campus Getae, he said it would be a nice way of teaching me how to rule, with a laugh which I didn’t understand. He also told me his way of ruling the empire, first checking what’s happening and then give orders, just like on the battlefield. So let me see… The port in Byzantium has been built, so the next orders will be building paved roads and traders everywhere. Oh I remember, the fleet with the diplomat has been sent to the east of the Black Sea, expanding our trade, whilst not knowing if the pirates are gone, quite a risk. Our spy has also investigated the captured city of Apollonia by the romans, the faction heir is Aulus Brutus and the other man is Amulius Brutus, holding a large army inside Apollonia doesn’t sound quite nice.. Perhaps they want war.. Rhaskos the diplomat has been sent to the west. Also a few watchtowers have been build across the empire to make sure no ally will backstab us. Not that we don’t trust them it’s just better to be prepared!
We’ve also discovered a new settlement in the Black Sea, how it’s called we don’t know but I heard it’s inhabited with Bosphorian rebels, perhaps a new settlement to capture! As our empire can’t expand North because of the Scythian tribes, West because of the Dacians and Macedonians, and South because of the Greek city states and Pontus. Lets hope so…

Summer 267BC


A tragedy occurred, the wife of Sautus died while at the same time, the Thracian fleet was attacked by the pirates of the Black Sea, reducing it to almost half it’s size… The Roman faction heir Aulus Brutus has left the conquered city of Apollonia with an army, saying that it’s certain that there will be war with Greeks, but which one we don’t know. Maybe with the Macedonians, or with the Greek city states, or perhaps they don’t want war and seek expansionism into the freshly discovered Illyrian city of Salona, the future seems uncertain but there will be war!
But besides all the sad news there is hope! Our armies mobilize to the freshly created fleet at Tylis, saying that it’s time to conquer the Bosphorian settlement which we now know (with thanks to admiral Rhesus of ‘the defeated fleet’) as Chersonesos. The siege will be lead by the faction heir Pytros. Compensating the losses of Rhesus we now know Chersonesos is protected by more than 80 militia hoplites and some other troops, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to see exactly what they were, perhaps more hoplites we’ll see.

Winter 267BC

Sautus: Strange things are going on since Pytros left the port of Campus Getae with the fleet.. Like the gods are confused about something.. Our spy in Apollonia has sent me some strange news. First of all is the army of Aulus Brutus still standing next to Apollonia, existing of 133 infantry units called Hastati, bearing very large shields, 80 peltasts and 52 cavalry units called Equites. Simply a man on a horse. Second of all a settlement in Southern-Italy has been discovered called Tarentum and the strangest thing is the army standing next to it. The banner isn’t the same as the army in Apollonia, the banner of the Brutii is with a sword, this one is with a laurel. It’s lead by a general called Quintus Julius, perhaps reinforcements of the Brutii? They are romans. Next strangest thing is that our spy spotted an army getting a Brutii army boarding a fleet and disappearing into nothing.. We have to keep a close watch to them.

Nevertheless is the empire doing well! The fleet of admiral Deopus will arrive next summer, unloading Pytros with a huge army to conquer Chersonesos. The same summer will the diplomat of admiral Rhesus arrive at the eastern coast of the Black Sea, expanding our trade certainly now Chersonesos will be conquered! Also am I glad because Tylis and Campus Getae have built paved roads, to improve further trade. It will also help the mobilisation of our troops in times of war in the future… Time to go to the shrine to pray for my dearest wife… I hope she managed to get in the underworld…

Summer 266BC


Sautus: This is terrible! Now I have to think of war with somebody!
Byzas: What is wrong father?
Sautus: Read this letter from your brother Pytros!

From the Faction Heir
Pytros
To the Faction Leader
Sautus

I feel shame, father.. The Scythians were here before we were: They have laid siege against Chersonesos just before we arrived… We’re now at shore watching the siege of the Scythians, waiting near our fleet. Perhaps the Bosphorians will win and then we can strike, but I’m not sure until the Scythians strike first. We’ve stepped away from the settlement, because if they see us running away they will think we’re no allies and perhaps break the treaty. I hope this ends well, for us.
Good news, we’ve intercepted a message from our diplomat that he’s met the culture of the East; the Armenians, and we’ve established trade rights right away! He’s now travelling from Kotais into the middle-east, to the pathetic Seleucid and Ptolemaic empire, gaining trade rights.

Regards,
Pytros

Byzas: I see… but why exactly are you thinking of war in these times father?
Sautus: Because if the Scythians take over Chersonesos, there will be no expansion left for us without gaining war with somebody! The news that Armenians have captured the coastal city of Kotais on the east of the Black Sea proves that there’s almost nothing left to conquer without gaining war!
This is the current situation!

Our empire can’t expand to the north, without avoiding conflict with the Scythians, to the west there’re the Dacians and Macedonians, to the South are the Greek city states and Pontus, and now we know the East: Armenians. Our only hope was Chersonesos son! We don’t want war, we want trade and expansionism without gaining conflicts!

Byzas: I hate to say this father but I see no further options if we want to expand. My first choice to make was is Pontus, as they lie to the east, we can avoid conflicts with the Macedonians, Dacians and Scythians, and still gain much trade through the Black Sea. We control the passage to the Black Sea! Why not control the whole black sea?
Sautus: Because we aren’t strong enough to conquer the black sea! Besides, Pontus is our ally!
Byzas: Exactly, Pontus is our ally, so they wouldn’t expect an invasion from the west wouldn’t they? My suggestion is a direct invasion on Pontus’ capital Sinope, while at the same time we conquer Nicomedia. Pontus will only have 1 settlement left, Mazaka, which they have to rely on. Because Mazaka lies near the mountains their trade is low so their army won’t be able to lay siege on Sinope anymore, unless we don’t have enough troops available in Sinope. Training and retraining troops in Sinope to keep order there, while we besiege Mazaka will capitulate Pontus and gives us 3 extra settlements, to the south of the black sea which means more trade and next we can expand to the south!
Sautus: Sounds reasonable but I refuse, Pontus is our ally and they will be, unless the situation becomes critical. Besides, if we sent all our troops to Asia Minor perhaps the Macedonians will find chance to conquer our main settlements. We’ll discuss about this later on, if we have more news about Chersonesos.
Byzas: Yes father, I understand…

Winter 266BC


Sautus: Byzas, do you remember the conversation of last summer? About the expansionism?
Byzas: Certainly father, why do you ask?
Sautus: Because a Macedonian army has been spotted by our watchtower near Tylis, heading our way, probably asking for trouble. In a half year they will stand on Thracian soil pillaging our towns if they keep on marching.
Byzas: Are you serious father? I thought we were allies!
Sautus: Well we won’t be for long, as war breaks out… There are lots of things going on in my mind since Pytros landed near Chersonesos, most of all concerning war. The Roman forces have almost invaded Macedonia, the province of Thessalonica, while Macedonia is looking for trouble with us. I don’t think the Romans like Greeks, as they already have trouble with the Greek city states. Meanwhile Rhaskos, our diplomat, has encountered people who call themselves Gauls, living in Northern-Italy which I thought was conquered by the Romans as Rhaskus said. They could be a great help to defeat the Romans if they are willing to help. Meanwhile Byzas, because of this progress I’m not at all thinking of a war with Pontus, more like a war with Macedonia, if they insist.. Lets hope not.

Summer 265BC


From the Faction Heir
Pytros
To the Faction Leader
Sautus

Father, this is great news! The Scythians were defeated by the Bosphorians and have left the Bosphorus province. This is the time we’ve been waiting for! I’ve gathered a huge force of troops, containing also Scythian mercenaries who are the best horse archers in the world! The Bosphorian army consists of 133 militia hoplites with an unknown amount of horse archers and peasants, weakened by the attack of the Scythians this is a blessing from the gods! We’ve now laid siege at Chersonesos, capturing it next winter!

I have heard about the Macedonian army heading our way, lets hope they don’t attack our cities, let me know if there’s any progress and I’ll send my army back home to aid your troops!

Regards,
Pytros

From the Faction Leader
Sautus
To the Faction Heir
Pytros


Great news in a time of desperateness.. As the Macedonians have invaded the province Thrace, Pontus declared war on the Greek city states and the Macedonians made an alliance with the Scythians, I hope not to backstab us… I’ve also got good news, as our diplomat Rhaskus managed to let the Gallic tribes agree on giving trade rights an alliance and very useful map information. We now know who those other Romans are whose army stood next to the settlement of Tarentum. The Julii they are called, and they live in Northern-Italy. I’m ordering Rhaskus to obtain trade rights with them as well. The map information Rhaskus obtained contains almost all of western-europe! The Gauls have an empire even larger than ours, but sadly they are only tribes just as the Scythians. Through the map information they gave us we’ve also learned a new faction called the Germans, normally living in the dense forests above the Alps, they conquered a settlement in Gallic lands, making clear in what situation the Gauls are in. Also through their map information we now know that to the far west, there’s an island, but we know not what people live there, or even not if there are people who live on that island… Very interesting information.. Also our fleet has expanded influence by defeating the pirates that defeated the fleet of Rhesus! A glorious victory!

I think I’ll choose the side of the Greek city states, as Byzas proposed to me that a war on Pontus might expand out influence by conquest. I’ve made a map of the current exploration:


Regards,
Sautus

Winter 265BC


The siege of Chersonesos went well and Pytros had conquered and occupied the city with minimum losses thanks to the Scythian horse archers!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Pytros had a right to be proud as Chersonesos was the key element to a trade in the Black Sea! Pytros divided his army in to half, sending half stack to Tylis and leaving behind a retrainable stack as garrison. Perhaps the fleet with the half stack will arrive too late as the Macedonians are approaching the capital from only a month marching away… War is knocking at Thrace’s door…

[Punic Hoplite]

I meant in the first screenie. The description. I'm not one who goes out and finds stuff like that normally

Very good again.

[Dave Strider]

It's an old mod that gives you info on the nornally unplayable nations.

Nice start, though I'm not a fan of thrace.

[HanatielHawk]

I meant in the first screenie. The description. I'm not one who goes out and finds stuff like that normally

Very good again.

Haders All Factions Mod

It's an old mod that gives you info on the nornally unplayable nations.

Nice start, though I'm not a fan of thrace.

Me neither thats why I chose them Thrace normally doesn't do anything in my campaigns just like Dacia and Germania, thats why I chose thrace, to see how they can expand. The one and only faction I won't play is Spain (me hates Spain).

[Dave Strider]

Spain is pretty good; Barbarian zeal with Roman Pila.

[HanatielHawk]

Chapter 3 – The end of peace

Summer 665BC

The Macedonians are approaching, just in time the army Pytros arrived at the docks of Tylis. Tylis has now got a massive army to protect them against Macedonian invaders. The coming-of-age of Pytros other son Iptacens was a perfect timing, as war comes. The empire despites the coming war is doing well, Tylis is growing out to be not only the capital of Thrace, but also a capital of wealth and power on sea. Thanks to the conquest of Chersonesos the Black Sea is controlled by us, and will soon bring more wealth. Macedon brings conquest, if everything goes well.


Winter 664BC


Good news and bad news. The army of Pytros has merged with the army in Thrace in Tylis giving new hope to the city. The army size is almost at it’s maximum, giving it a defence function in the beginning and an offence function later on. Chersonesos has grown and will now turn into a large town. Trade is flourishing and trade rights and an alliance with the Seleucid Empire has been announced. Good diplomacy, the bad side of diplomacy is that Macedon has announced an alliance with Dacia and more armies are heading to Tylis. Scythia is making unknown movements, recently an army has been spotted on the bridge from Tribus Getae heading to Scythia. Macedon has now made alliances with Dacia and Scythia, we hope not to use it against us as Macedon, Dacia and Scythia are the 3 factions surrounding our Thracian empire. Iptacens has arrived in the province Thrace, supporting Tylis in the future siege. We’ve also discovered a new Roman faction: The Scipii, and we’ve immediately agreed on trade rights! Rhaskos the diplomat is now heading for a German town called Lugdunum.

Summer 664BC


Sautus: I’m worried Byzas… The Macedonians are very aggressive against us tough we had an alliance, which I now broke because of the armies marching in our lands. 2 armies which one consists of hoplites, light and heavy cavalery and archers, the other one is unknown, and they are marching not towards Tylis, but now Byzantium! In winter they can stand before our gates!
Byzas: I understand your worries father, but they are unnecessary. The army of Tylis has already left under the command of Eptecentus, accompanied by his brother Iptacens, and they have already set an ambush near Byzantium to quickly reinforce when they start the siege! They might be strong, but we are stronger! They rely on force, we rely on tactics! Besides our navy, now gathering in the port of Byzantium, is strong enough to blockade the most important ports of Macedon, crushing their economy and also their army! Don’t see it as war, see it as an expansion into the Greek lands! When we reach the gates of Corinth, Zeus will smile upon us when we’ve conquered the statue dedicated to Him! That will be the first steps into total conquest!
Sautus: Hmm perhaps an alliance with the Brutii Romans isn’t such a bad idea, they might help us against the Macedonians. I’ll send our loyal and skilled diplomat Mukapaibes, hopefully he’ll gain an alliance..

Winter 663BC

As winter approached, terrible things happened! Just as the prediction of Sautus, Macedon laid siege on Byzantium! The second army of Macedon grew twice as much stronger because of reinforcements, and because of the war, Scythia and Dacia broke the alliance with us! Our fleet was also unable to move because of a blockade by Pontic ships at the entrance of the Black Sea. The siege of Byzantium had to be broken before it was too late! Eptecentus immediately headed to Byzantium to settle things.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A glorious victory for us and a humiliating defeat for the Macedonians! With only a few soldiers left they have left Propontis. The second Macedonian army could attack Byzantium, but not Tylis in 2 seasons. We now know what it consists of, thanks to our spy. Almost only militia hoplites not well trained, weak compared to our army which is mostly mixed but with lost of missile units! Our spy sadly has reported that a professional army is being created by Macedon, near the city of Larissa and it’s destination is Byzantium. Lets hope they turn..
An alliance with the Germans and trade rights with the Egyptians have been also made, the alliance is because they might help us in the future against the Romans, who I don’t trust. Rhaskos the diplomat is now on his way to a newly discovered tribe called the Britons, currently at war with the Germans we don’t expect an alliance but we also don’t want an alliance as we don’t know anything about them, their intentions, their behaviour and the use of an alliance. Perhaps these Britons are the inhabitants of the Island, but that would be strange because they are on the mainland.. We’ll see later on, our biggest concern now are the Macedonians…

Summer 663BC

Admiral Deopus: Damn I hate that annoying Pontic navy, blockading our way to the Macedonian ports! Navigator, do you see another way to get out of here?
Navigator: ‘We can head totally south-westwards! Sooner or later we’ll get out.. no wait I see trouble overhead! South-west!’
Admiral Deopus: Trouble? What kind of trouble? Macedonians? Because our navy is more powerful than some kind of wannabe-Greek boats!
Navigator: ‘No this is worse, Pirates! And loads of pirates! 150 vessels!’
Admiral Deopus: That’s indeed trouble.. But I think we are powerful enough to stop them.. FULL SAIL!

After the battle, admiral Deopus gained a great victory! Defeating the pirates and creating a passage to the end of the entrance to the Black Sea, but his ships had suffered a lot and needed to be repaired at the dock of Byzantium, next winter they will set sail again! Sautus, now being chief commander of the defending army with Eptecentus accompanying him, now built a fortification near the city of Tylis, because there is where the Macedonians are heading for with all armies, who needs to besiege Tylis first has to encounter the fortification of the tyrant himself! We’ve also established an alliance with the Britons, last winter unlikely to establish one, Pytros decided it was a wise idea to make an alliance with the Britons, perhaps to learn more about them and even more, to create a bond between the Gauls, Germans and Britons so they will head South, into the lands of the Romans! The Gauls and Germans are already allied to each other so it’s a beginning. The North is also under attack, not physically but mentally, with the thought that Scythia or Dacia might attack Campus Getae. Dacia already infiltrated a spy in the town, signifying that an attack is perhaps on it’s way…

Winter 662BC

Sautus: ‘Macedonian courage’ you know what that means?
Eptecentus: Tell me about it.
Sautus: Retreating while you’re winning, leaving a city like Thessalonica unprotected behind so we can conquer it!
Gaidres: Or as admiral Deopus just reported: sending 4 navies into the entrance of the black sea and all get defeated and sail away, one into the black sea, another one sunk and the other 2 sailed south.
Sautus: Glorious breakthrough I can tell! Pytros also told me that Chersonesos built it’s port, bringing in an enormous amount of wealth! Almost 150 denarii more per season than before! Gaul also established an alliance with the Britons! Perhaps they will turn south to the Romans! The tide is changing!

Summer 662BC

Eptecentus: Times are changing, perhaps Thrace is really gaining a progress in the war, positive progress. I’m writing this down so this won’t be forgotten, or later on I’ll look back onto it and remember how times were then. Sautus has divided the defending, now offending, army into two forces. Himself accompanied by Gaidres, learning him how to command an army, leading the head force which Sautus calles TPOD ‘The Premier Offensive Division’. I’m given the command of the TSOD ‘The Secondary Offensive Division’. First step of controlling an army, is to gain an army. By means of an army is not having 160 militia hoplites and 45 peltast, but a larger number, a number which can help me conquer stuff. So I’ve hired a mercenary captain, searching the finest and best mercenaries in the lands willing to help us. This worked out very well, I now have an army to control. Second step was to devastate and surprise the enemy. Which we are now doing, Sautus to the west, hiding in the forest and me to the east also hiding. When the time is ripe we’ll besiege Thessalonica and occupy it, Sautus will then head on to Bylazora to finish the Macedonians if they aren’t fast enough to attack Thessalonica before he reaches Bylazora. Admiral Deopus is becoming my favourite commander on sea, as he’s managed to defeat another Macedonian fleet and blockading the ports of Larissa. We’ve also learned about a new faction, similar to the Armenians and Scythians. The Parthians are known as horse-men. The only difference between the Scythians is that they are armoured horse-men, very hard to defeat when you have no possession of spears. Difference with the Armenians is that these people are pure horse-men, using only a very little infantry they conquer lands by horse. Sounds kind of scary but luckily we aren’t even close to them. Perhaps the time is really changing as Sautus said..