(EB) EMPIRE: Song of Peace and War

[zsn0wm4nz]

I have just read the entire AAR in one night, I've gotta say that I'm addicted to it.

[seleucid empire]

thank you! Its always nice to get a new reader

[seleucid empire]

theres been a lot of real life ******** happening with me atm so im going to put this on hold. I apologize to my readers

[Infernius]

Damn just finished reading this. Very good I like how it's based not on the rise of a tiny city but instead the fighting of a huge empire. Just a question do you have any particular system for unit numbers that you say in story. Like for example is 40000 men actually 4000 or 400 in game or something along those lines or is it just random how you decide the number you say an army has?

[seleucid empire]

I use 1 full stack = anything between 20 and 40 thousand

[Justinian Australis]

Fascinating last chapter there, bringing the Gods into it (I'm a bit slow with this AAR ), shame its on hold

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 9: Fields of Destiny Pt. 2
Winter 248 BC Seleukeia

The camps were wreathed in silence as evening approached. Men slept restlessly, fearing the dawn and sentries stared across the plain at their invisible opponents. It is the song that comes before every battle; the sharpening of weapons, a numbing tradition, the fidgeting of the more faint-hearted men, every single toss and turn echoes through the camp, played out in a thousand different places. The only voices can be heard in the tent of the King, where all the officers have gathered to finalise their plans. Mardonious stood nervously, waiting for the King to address him. He had no idea as to the reason for his summons. He had no rank or commission and technically did not belong to the army at all.

"...so we will deploy our forces like this," the King was saying. Mardonious began to pay attention."One hundred and sixty-five thousand against the queens forces who number two hundred thousand. The Carthaginians add another thirty thousand to her army. We are massively outnumbered and we will not be able to match the length of her line. I will deploy our army as so: Alexandros will lead the 7th on the far left where he will be able to overlap the queen's forces. He will also command the galatians. Further in, Sarpedon will lead the 8th for support. In the centre, Seleucus will command the main phalanx body. The 9th will be lead by High general Roxaris next to the centre. And I will be on the far right leading the first. I will receive the brunt of the assault. We will deploy our forces so we outflank her on the left but she will be able to concentrate her forces on our right. Seleucus has minimal battle experience so he will be safer in the centre. I need you Alexandros and you Sarpedon to win on the left. The entire battle depends on the two of you routing the queen's forces. I expect she will attack in a few days at most."

"That is madness brother," interjected Sarpedon," You can't possibly hold off three of the queen's armies by yourself, even with the first."

"It will not be three, it will be two."

"We have no more armies to occupy them."

"No armies that is true, but we have a spare legion at our disposal. The elite elements of the fifth army have returned from Arabia. We will use them to hold the Carthaginians at bay."

"Thats impossible. A single understrength legion against thirty thousand men?"

"These are men who have carved their way across Arabia almost single handedly. The fifth army has taken minimal casualties because of these 'Flame Breakers' and the Babylonian guard. They conquered a land where no other foreigners have ever conquered. I have equipped them with the best of our weapons and they will build fortifications and trenches to even the odds. Trust me Sarpedon, I have absolute faith in these men."

"And I trust your judgement, you have never been wrong before, but who will lead them?"

Antiochus turned to Mardonious and all eyes in the tent followed. Realising what was coming next, Mardonious felt his heart sink.

"Well, You seem like a bright young man. How would you feel about defending my flank?"

"aww ****"

[Evalation]

Hey Seleucid, its good to see you back into the AAR. Its been a while scince ive visited these forums and was glad to see you updated when I did, Ill be continuing my Spartan AAR soon. Things have settled down at base and I have some room to breathe to return to my total war games, im thinking about rewriting the last chapter I wrote do you think you could read it and give me some feedback on whether I should try another approach to it?

I really liked the update, I cant wait for the battle to start.

+rep

[seleucid empire]

thanks evalation! Ill read your new update right now

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 10: Fields of Destiny Pt. 3
Winter 248 BC Seleukeia

Everywhere around him, men were working to fortify the desolate hill. Barricades were erected in layers, creating a labyrinth of traps and stakes and catapults were moved into position behind the defences to cover the more gentle slopes. This isn't a hill, its a ****ing tomb, thought Mardonious as wondered aimlessly through the lines. He had met the stony captain Planck and his rugged but high spirited men only yesterday and he could already feel the sorrow with the realisation that he and most of his men would be dead before the week had ended. Racked with these thoughts, he did not notice the man who had quietly slipped in beside him and now kept pace.

'Good Afternoon Lord Mardonious,' said a soft voice, causing him to jump. Mardonious looked up and saw the person he had least expected to see.

'Lord Sarpedon,' replied Mardonious politely.

'I see things are progressing nicely on your end.'

'Well, it was mostly Captain Planck who organised the defences. I have had very little input'

'I see, but you undervalue yourself and there is little reason to do that.'

'Sir, may I ask a question?'

'You may.'

'Why me? Of all the available officers who could command a force like this, why me? Why didn't the emperor just give command of this wing over to captain Planck? I have no experience in leadership on the battlefield.'

'But you see, that is exactly why he gave this commission to you. You are willing to defer to captain Planck for orders even though you outrank him. You can see things as they are and you can make the best choices, disregarding your pride entirely. You are exactly the cautious, intuitive man we need for this to work. And as for Captain Planck, he is too emotionally compromised. Every campaign, he has seen his men used as bait. This battle will be no different. Many of these men will be dead by the end, but with their lives they will win for us, an improbable victory. He has very little spirit left in him and asking him to command his men to die again may break him.'

'My Lord may I speak plainly? Am I in charge of these defences because the Emperor considers me expendable?"

Sighing, Sarpedon replied, "You are a sharp man. The answer to your question is both yes and no. While it is true that your forces here are only to buy as much time as possible for the Emperor and that the more seasoned officers are needed elsewhere, it is not true that the Emperor considers you expendable. He has plans for you in the future, Mardonious of House Doran."

'Even so, these men don't trust me, they see me as nothing more than a rich noble boy, who will probably lead them to their deaths.'

'Trust is very much like fear, they are both little more than tricks. Fear is my trade Lord Mardonious and I have have seen that men can face death on the battlefield without an ounce dread but when the shadows of night come, they will tremble in terror at what they may hold within. Why should they? For both paths lead to death do they not? But shadows cause men to fear the unknown, to fear what they cannot fathom. That is how you must earn their trust, by sweeping away the shadows. Make them forget the army they will face. Make them see only the next man they have to kill. That is how you conquer their fears, and when you have done that, they will trust you, from now, until the end of time...'

[Evalation]

Been a while scince ive posted anything on here, im really looking forward to the big battle coming up. I know this is way late but I just had to bump this thread because its such a good aar.

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 11: Fields of Destiny Pt. 4
Winter 248 BC Seleukeia

Camp fires stretched across the wide plain as far as the eye could see. From a distance, the camp looked like a reflection of the night sky on a lake with thousands and thousands of stars shining across its surface. A second camp, nearly as large in size lay on the opposite side of the plains. Each of these camps contained an army, the largest armies the world had yet seen. In between these camps lay a river of darkness and in this darkness a small group of hooded men and women crept towards the larger of the two camps. Their leader held a hand up motioning for the group to stop just before they reached the glow of the torch lights.

'You know your objectives' Quicksilver whispered, his voice carrying across the group despite its softness, 'We are to find and kill the queens generals and then disappear before the alarm is given. Flashblade's group should have entered the camp by now and started killing some of the officers. We do not have much time before the alarm is raised'

'Thats all very well but I feel nervous taking him along,' said of of the men, pointing to a hooded man standing slightly apart from the rest of the group, 'Who is he anyway and why did you bring him along? And don't feed me that lie about him being a member of the House of silk. I know the face of every member and he isn't one.'

'Ive already told you. His name is Sedah and he can be trusted. You might even learn a thing or two about killing from him tonight.'

'But where is he from? Why haven't we heard anything about him from Lord Sarpedon?'

'Lets just say, he's family' said Quicksilver, a small smile on his lips, 'Now no more questions. We are losing time. Is everyone ready?'

The men nodded.

'Good let us begin.'

The men quietly slipped into the camp and began their shadowy work. Not long after, the first cries of alarm were sounded as men found their officers with throats slit or daggers in their hearts but by the time the camp was roused the group had already slipped away, back into the night...

[McScottish]

Excellent stuff, as usual, SE! +rep from me, and keep going.

[seleucid empire]

thank you McScottish! I should have another chapter up soon

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

awesome, as always! looking forward to the next update! +rep

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 12: Fields of Destiny Pt. 5

Winter 248 BC Seleukeia

From atop the watchtower, Archimenes spotted the gates of the enemy camp opening to allow a single chariot to lumber out. He raised a silver horn to his lips and blew a single sharp note which signified a small party approaching the camp. The gilded chariot stopped halfway between the two camps and a man stepped off. Even from a distance, he was one of the largest men Archimenes had ever seen and was covered from head to knees in heavy galatian chain.

A group of horsemen had reached the tower now and Archimenes bowed as the Emperor dismounted. The Emperor acknowledged Archimenes with a slight nod and then climbed up the tower steps to observe the field himself. The lone warrior still stood there unmoving but soon he began to pace impatiently. The Emperor watched in silence.

Finally, when it was apparent that the attention of the entire camp was on him, the armoured man shouted across the field, 'Cowards! Bring out your best men to fight me. I am Neoptolemus of Karia. Hear my name and weep! Are there none brave enough to face me?'

'This is not good for morale' said the emperor Emperor turning to Archimenes. His face was unreadable but Archimenes understood, An emperor does not ask his subjects to do something, he orders them, but he will not order me to fight him either.

'I ask for leave to fight him my Lord. It would be my honour' said Archimenes.

The Emperor nodded slowly, 'Be careful Archimenes, he is called the greatest warrior in the empire for a reason. He is much much faster and agile than he looks. People always underestimate his speed and stamina which has been their downfall. He has never lost a single duel out of thousands and his swordsmanship is legendary'

'I will not die today,' replied Archimenes. The Emperor gave him a strange look.

Archimenes rode past the silent lines of warriors that lined the gates, their swords held up in salute. As he approached Neoptolemus, twenty years worth of soldier's instincts took over. He scanned the field looking for advantages and observed his opponent, looking for weaknesses. He decided the other man was perhaps ten years younger than him and at least a head taller than himself. From a closer inspection, Archimenes realised that he was larger than any man he had ever met. Thick muscles corded his arms and legs gained through years of training but the way he held himself told Archimenes that he had never seen true battle; His posture was too arrogant by far. No soldier, no matter how good, would sneer at an opponent they had never faced before; Better warriors than Archimenes had been surprised by solders who fought in different styles to themselves and had died.

Archimenes dismounted and the two men stared at one another. Finally, Neoptolemus approached and said, 'I was not expecting an old warhorse, but if you are the best, they have to offer then so be it, let us get this farce over with.'

Archimenes crouched behind his shield as Neoptolemus charged.

He was nearly knocked over by the force of the other man's charge. He pushed back with his own shield and he sliced at Neoptolemus' neck using an old sword form called Ravens attack from above. Neoptolemus countered the stroke and swung his huge longsword which Archimenes barely managed to block. Back and forth they fought, exchanging fast blows and counter-blows. Archimenes did not know how long he fought but the number of cuts on his body from barely deflected blows mounted and his breaths came in shorter gasps. Neoptolemus was untouched and did not seem short of breath at all.

After a while Neoptolemus pulled away and made a disgusted noise. 'Look at you' he said, 'If you are really the best the Emperor has to offer then you are surely doomed.' Suddenly, Neoptolemus charged and battered Archimenes to the ground. Archimenes rolled out of the way, too slowly, and Neoptolemus' sword took part of his ear. Archimenes howled in pain but he jumped to his feet, blood pouring down the side of his face.

'Surrender now and I might let you live on as a pet.' sneered Neoptolemus.

Archimenes did not reply. Instead he dropped his shield, his arm had felt like lead. He took off his helmet, his vision was now unimpaired. He took a breath of air, wondering if it would be his last and then he spoke, 'You have never been a solder Neoptolemus. You do not understand do you? You surrender when you are dead.'

Neoptolemus' eyes widened and he took a step back. Archimenes attacked.

He went through the sword forms smoothly, his blade a blur and the other man who had moments ago had believed he had already won, was now defending with all his skill. Archimenes did not think, he just moved. He danced like the water, like the wind. Neoptolemus was sweating now, his movements slowing and finally, Archimenes saw his opportunity. Neoptolemus saw it too and he raised his shield, too slowly... The blade slid into the man's torso with the strength of Archimenes' entire body behind it. Chain mail ripped like paper and Neoptolemus fell to his knees. Archimenes walked behind the kneeing man. He looked at the opposite camp and he made out a woman dressed in silks standing on the walls. The queen was watching. He roared at the same time as the queen screamed. The blade took off Neoptolemus' head completely in a fountain of blood...

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

good, so now who will the ''Queen'' spread her legs for since both Neoptolemus and the Chancellor are dead? or will some misfortune hit her during the following battle? I opt for the latter!

[Scottish King]

That was a great update! I just now discovered this. I must read from the beginning as your writing is quite good. It has drawn me in, captured me in a sense. Must read more!

[Solid Snake]

Please do continue with this, you are very good.

[Evalation]

Awesome update Seleucid, I look forward to the next.
+rep