(EB) EMPIRE: Song of Peace and War

[Grimbold]

Where's our xmas presents? More updates!!

And what goes for you, goes for Evalation's AAR as well

[Evalation]

My comp that has my saved games on it is at the shop, It should be back up and runnin tommorow.

[seleucid empire]

Where's our xmas presents? More updates!!

And what goes for you, goes for Evalation's AAR as well

sorry, but Ive been a bit busy with work and stuff, i will try to get a chapter up soon

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 13: Blood in the Sand Pt. 4
Summer 248 BC Saba

Dust flowed in the wake of the retreating Seleukid army. Behind them, an army of fifty thousand Sabaens followed in haste, lured on by the promise of bloodshed and vengeance against the foreign army. The Sabaens pressed the attack, hounding the rear guard of the Seleukids, the final obstacle before the complete annihilation of their enemy. They failed to notice that the fleeing troops held onto their weapons and that even as the soldiers ran, they stayed as cohesive units. The leading elements of the Seleukid army vanished into the canyon. With sheer sandstone cliffs rising on both sides and a small river running between, the place was a death trap. But the Sabaen commanders were too confident in their numbers, too focused on thoughts of glory, of gaining favour with their king, and so they made their final mistake of the day.

When the rearguard reached the mouth of the canyon, they stopped, planted their feet, and turned to face their pursuers. Like a rock withstanding the fury of the waves, so did the Babylonian Heavies hold back the Sabaen tide. Arabian javelins bounced harmlessly off the large round-shields and lightly armed skirmishers were skewered on solid spears. When the Sabaen elites joined the assault, they were driven back by the crushing maces that the Babylonians carried. Despite the bravery of these men, they were being pushed back slowly, extracting a steep price from the Arabians for every inch of ground they gave up. The floor of the canyon valley soon became slippery with blood. The Sabaen assault waned, withdrew and reformed, before surging forwards again. This time the Babylonians did break, and they ran towards the other end of the valley in haste. Many were cut down by the quick arabian skirmishers, who continued to chase the Babylonians, until they ran into a second wall of spears.

Another thousand Babylonians had blocked their path and the Sabaen generals ordered more units to the front to push through the blockade. The Sabaen army was now strung out along a league of the canyon valley, and High General Euphorion sprang his trap... A loud blast from the general's horn signalled their demise. A huge detonation rocked the canyon as the Greek Fire ignited. The entire mouth of the canyon was buried in an avalanche of falling rocks. Having lost their only path of retreat, the Sabaen soldiers became desperate and doubled their efforts against the Babylonian heavies. From the cliffs on either side, emerged 6 000 veteran Persian archers and 2 000 tribal mercenaries who rained deadly quarrels and lead down on the hapless army. Sabaen soldier's fell in droves, their linen tunics and light armour offering no protection against the deadly hail.

By sunset, the last of the Sabaen soldiers had fallen. Trapped in the valley, not a single man escaped. The once numerous Sabaen hordes had been utterly destroyed or scattered.

The Seleukid army quickly reformed and marched out of the valley from the other end. Then, they slowly began to move towards the now vulnerable city, leaving behind them an open tomb and a league of blood soaked sand....

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 14: Tears of the Desert
Summer 248 BC Saba

There had been times in Sergeant Urban's life, such as this day, when he cursed his younger self for not taking his father's death-bed advice.

'Son', his father had said firmly,'Whatever you do, wherever you may end up in life, for the love of the Gods, don't join the army. EVER.'

'But why? I want to be a soldier. I want to be a famous warrior!' he had replied.

'Such dreams are for fools and idiots. Do you want to know the real reason I don't want you joining? Its because half the damn Seleukid army, including their officers, are downright insane!'

Oh Urban believed his father now. Only now it was too late. His father had been dead for less than a month before he joined the army, the promise of glory and riches having been too seductive. By noon of the first day of training, Urban had realised the full extent of his mistake. That day, drill sergeant Mace had walked onto the training fields, staring at all of the recruits and saying nothing, until one of the recruits made the mistake of asking what the sergeant was doing. Without a word, Mace punched the unfortunate recruit in the face, who immediately collapsed. The drill sergeant then spoke to the now terrified recruits.

'Oh you suckers have got yourself into a mess haven't you?' said Mace, with a gleam of what Urban believed to be madness in his eyes, 'Joining the army, thinking yourselves too high and mighty to join those honest, hard-working farmers. Well, I got some news for you. All of your asses are mine for the next six months. Oh yes, by the time your outta this camp, you will all be nothing more than bloody pulps.'

Urban thought he heard his father's mocking voice in his head, laughing at him...

It was these thoughts that bloomed in his mind as the army deployed for the assault. Thoughts that, considering the circumstances, were completely unwarranted. Three days ago, they had wiped out an army four times their size and today they would attack a nearly defenceless capital. Nonetheless, the Walls of Maryab looked high and Urban had one of his feelings. A feeling that told him that nothing would go right today. In fact, now that he reflected upon the past battles, none of the Flame Breaker's plans were ever executed perfectly. Something always went wrong.

Urban's lone squad moved very slowly, crawling across the sand. At this distance from the wall, his squad would blend into the dunes with their tan coloured tunics. To get any closer, he would have to wait for the distraction. He waited until the cries of alarm were heard on the wall. He looked to the west wall where the main army was now gathered and moving up with ladders and hook-lines to attack. They were of course, the distraction.

Urban waited until he was certain the city guards' attentions were fully diverted to the west wall. Then, he ordered his squad to move quickly for the south gate. The nine members of his squad rose like wraiths from the dust and began a full sprint across the killing zone. By a stroke of incredibly good luck, they reached the bottom of the gate undetected. Now came the easy part. They set their remaining Greek Fire Charges and bolted in the opposite direction. A minute later, the southern gates of the city of Maryab blew inwards.


*****


Seeing the explosion, elements of the Seleukid army, hidden behind the nearby dunes, revealed themselves and quickly made for the shattered gate. Leading the charge was Captain Planck and the Flame Breakers with Urban's squad in tow. Behind them, the rest of the 2nd battalion peltasts and a full battalion of Babylonian Heavies. The Flame Breakers passed through the gate and found a handful of noble infantry opposing them in a defensive square, deployed a small distance behind the gate.

"Fire javelins!" ordered Planck. The leading rows were quick to comply. Then they charged into the small block of defenders who proved to be a resilient foe and stood their ground despite numbering less than fifty men.

"We have to get through them before their reinforcements arrive or we will be bottlenecked here." observed Lizard.

"I know that! Lizard get Urban's squad and try to lead them up the gatehouse behind us. See if there's any Ballistae we can use to break that square." replied Planck.

As Lizard rushed off to find Urban, Planck reviewed his forces. Thankfully, there were few in his company killed. However, the Sabaen nobles would not give ground and Planck heard the marching of boots in lock-step which signalled reinforcements for the beleaguered defenders.

****! This could get messy. Where are you Lizard?

Suddenly, he heard a thumping noise and turned to see the nobles broken and fleeing. A large Ballistae bolt was embedded into the ground, with a man skewered on it. The rest of the battalion flooded in, overwhelming the tardy Sabaen reinforcements. A burning smell assaulted Plancks' nostrils and he realised parts of the city were burning.

The main army must have broken through the west gate,thought Planck.

"All resistance in this quarter has been crushed. We will meet up with the main force before we advance on the square." said Planck.

By early afternoon, the army was in control of all major roads leading up to the palace and square. They slowly marched towards the square, tightening the noose and allowing no one to escape or slip around. In the square, they found a thousand well armed warrior priests standing in a defensive circle. When High general Euphorion reached the square with his guard, a man stepped out from the ranks of the Sabaen elites.

"Greetings," said the man in passable Greek, "Am I correct in assuming that you are the general of the Seleukid forces?"

"You would be right," replied Euphorion,"Who are you?"

"I am Halik Il Watar, Malek of the Sabaen Federation."

"Then you are the one whose blood I want." said Euphorion, almost casually. The Sabaen King paled.

"Surely, we can be reasonable." stammered Halik.

"Reasonable? You started this war between our empires. You butchered thousands of innocent civilians and then you use trickery to kill one of our great generals and destroy his entire army! There will be no mercy for the Sabaen Kingdom! Not today! Not ever! All companies, Attack!"

The Seleucid companies closed in and dispatched the elites with frightening speed and efficiency. The head of Halik Il Watar was lifted up onto a spear much like the head of Marek il Satar had been several months ago.

"Now, my legions. It is time to bring justice to this fell civilisation. As of today, these Sabaens will cease to exist. Massacre the population! Leave none alive!"

At these words, Planck felt his heart sink, lower than it had ever sank before...

[Evalation]

Awsome update, but whts going on with Archimenes and the emperor?

Btw ill post an update on mine soon, i explained why on my thread.

[seleucid empire]

Awsome update, but whts going on with Archimenes and the emperor?

Btw ill post an update on mine soon, i explained why on my thread.

This part of the story is a bit fast paced. The last 5 chapters happen within days of each other so I had to put them together

archimenes and the empreor will come after one or two updates

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 15: Rage
Summer 248 BC Saba

The fires in the city had all died down by now, but the stench of smoke, blood and death remained. Walking through the ashes of what was once a great and beautiful city, Planck suddenly stopped...and wept. He wept for three hundred thousand innocent lives that had just been snuffed out. He wept for the city that was once beautiful, but now a ruin, filled with ashes. He wept for the twenty thousand Seleucid soldiers who had lost parts of their souls in the slaughter. And lastly, he wept for the High General. A man who had been so twisted by anger and vengeance that he sacrificed his humanity entirely to bring death and destruction to Arabia.

Euphorion, your anger has driven you to madness. And the cost of that madness was the lives of two million Arabians, made helpless by your onslaught. You have turned this paradise into a wasteland. You have turned a land of life into one empty of it.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of feet behind him. He turned and saw a soldier standing there, a worried expression on his face.

"Are you alright captain?" asked the soldier, a scout judging by his uniform

"What do you want?" asked Planck, shocked at the harshness in his own voice.

"High General Euphorion wishes to see you at the palace sir." replied the soldier nervously.

"I will be there soon."

Planck walked towards the palace without haste. When he arrived in the palace hall, he saw Euphorion sitting on the throne of the Sabaen King, looking clearly irritated by the captain's slow arrival.

"High General." greeted Plank.

"Captain, I was expecting you half an hour ago." snapped Euphorion.

"I am sorry my Lord."

"Never mind that. I have a new mission for your men. The Empress has risen in rebellion against the Emperor. We have received the surrender of the royal Sabaen fleet so I am sending the second battalion and the fourth battalion by sea to Charax. There you will march to Seleucia and meet up with the Emperor's royal army."

The news of rebellion from the empress shocked Planck. He gathered his thoughts, then asked,"What about the rest of the army?"

"The fifth will stay here. There is still an enclave of Arabians in the north at Carna. Also, the cities of Ubar, Sabata and Tamane have rebelled. Foolish considering how few people there are left. It will be many years until we have control of all of Arabia. It may take the rest of my life. Until then,the fifth will stay here, using Maryab as our base."

"Very well general, it will be as you command." replied Planck. He wanted to say more. He wanted to beg the general to stop this madness. He wanted the general to return to the heartlands with him, bringing the fifth.

Do anything at all general, just stop this madness, this war of hatred and extermination...

But he said nothing, instead saluting, and leaving the room...


*****


The Port of the Province of Saba was a small town surrounded by a harbour that was 5 times it's size. Planck saw a fleet docked in the harbour, numbering 100 ships of varying sizes. The royal fleet of the Sabaens looked more like a collection of pirate ships. After some thought, he decided that most of the navy was probably indeed composed of pirates.

"Thats a sad looking fleet over there." observed Lizard.

"They weren't exactly known for being a naval nation." replied Babak.

"But pirates?"

"Some of the best sailors in Arabia i'd bet. Remember the Persian Sea campaign against the fleets of the Gerrhans and Homnans? Back when we were marines? All of our most dangerous enemies were pirates or privateers."

"Ah yes, those damn quick bastards."

"We couldn't find them for weeks, despite the tiny size of the gulf."

"And whenever we did, they kicked our nuts before running away again."

The two men shared a quick laugh, and then, a nervous glance at their captain. Planck hadn't said anything since arriving. He just waited on his horse, staring at the port. Soon, a group of horsemen from the town arrived. The man in lead was a huge dark skinned Arabian, dwarfing even Babak. He dismounted and walked up to captain Planck.

"Are you in charge?" asked the man in a surprisingly pleasant and friendly tone.

"Yes, I am captain Planck."

"I am Admiral Urtunos. I admit to being confused by your authority here. I see two battalions here, yet a captain is in charge."

"These two battalions have lost their commanders in battle so I am taking charge for now. You show surprising knowledge of our military practices admiral."

"Yes, I told those fools in charge not to face you in open battle. I told them that numbers mean very little against a Seleukid army, but did they listen? No. They never listen. Those damned nobles and their damned power games. Never listening to anyone beneath their birth, even if that someone is the only man who has faced the enemy."

"You have faced us before?"

"Well not your army. I faced the 1st army years ago when they tried to take over my home city of Palmyra. After we lost our entire army at the battle of the Blue Hills facing your emperor, I fled south and fought against the emperor at the siege of Bostra. Once again I had to flee, and I went south again, offering my services to the Sabaen Malek."

"So how come you did not take your fleet and run this time?"

Urtunos snorted and then replied, "There's nowhere left to run."

A predicament that many of the empire's enemies face, thought Planck.

"Very well admiral, we need to leave soon. You have been briefed about our destination?"

"Yes, yes, the heartlands. We will be ready to depart by nightfall."

At dusk, the ships unfurled their sails and left the harbour. On board these ships, the Flame Breakers left the sands of Arabia, never to return...

[Evalation]

Once agian a very good update, looking forward to more

[seleucid empire]

Once agian a very good update, looking forward to more

Thank you Eval! Your encouragement has always helped fuel my enthusiasm for writing this AAR,

Its a shame about your computer though, I was looking forward to seeing spartans in action.

If you ever need some inspiration, read malazan book of the fallen, they probably have the most interesting bunch of marines ever

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 16: Path of Shadows
Summer 248 BC Seleukeia

Sarpedon paced the dim halls of the Palace in solitude, his thoughts jumping from one subject to another. It was only three hours before the dawn but he didn't crave sleep. Plots of assassination, subterfuge and intrigue danced in his head, a web of conspiracies never far from his mind. He walked past a window, quietly noting that it was open, an observation that other men might have ignored or not registered at all. But not Sarpedon. Instead, he frowned before speaking.

"You must be slipping Quicksilver, leaving the window open like that. Someone smart enough might have suspected foul play." said Sarpedon

From the shadows, Quicksilver's face slowly emerged, a sly smile on his face, a smile that Sarpedon hated in its entirety.

"No master, I remembered the window and left it open deliberately to alert you to my presence." replied quicksilver, the infuriating smile still on his lips.

"I was expecting you back weeks ago."

"Well, I ran into some...distractions."

"Report."

"The mission was a success. All 36 of the Roman senators who were adamant about continuing the war between our empires are dead."

"Did you do it properly?"

"Yes, none of the assassinations looked like the work of the empire. We made one or two look like accidents but for the rest, we used other methods, such as manipulating two houses into starting a feud which escalated into public knifings. For another target, we incited a mob of plebs to lynch the fellow. And we also killed a few senators who wanted peace with our empire just to even it out. After all, if only our intended targets died, people would eventually realise it was us, would they not? Such fun! Such joyful memories!"

"Damn you. Killing friendly senators wasn't part of the plan Quicksilver."

"Well actually it was Flashblade's idea. Quite clever actually. She should arrive some time in the next few days."

"Well I'm afraid you won't be here to greet her."

"No? Another mission?"

"One of utmost importance, and you wont have to kill any other people to 'even it out' this time. It will be a very straightforward mission that will ensure our victory in this civil war."

"The queen?"

"No, my brother has forbidden it and I agree with him. This rebellion won't end with the queen. The resentment down in Egypt has been boiling on for way to long."

"Ahh, so not the figurehead."

"No, I want you to kill the will behind the rebellion."

"Chancellor Oxatanies then."

"Yes. He is not only the hand that keeps the rebellion afloat, he is also the only general the queen has who is even slightly competent."

"I will leave immediately."

"Don't you need rest? You've just arrived here."

"Well actually, I've been here for days. Like I said, the window was only open to alert you to my presence. I didn't actually go through it. You steward has been keeping me quite well fed and provided me with a very soft bed too."

"My steward?" asked Sarpedon, frowning.

"Oh yes, he's been housing a guest by the name of Gigantek Coch for the last few days. A guest who was craving your audience but one you have been too busy to see."

"That was you?"

Quicklsilver smiled sweetly.

"Oh yes, now I remember." said Sarpedon, "That name did sound funny to me the other day."

"So I assure you I am well rested enough. I will leave now"

"Well, then I suppose you should."

The assassion melded back into the darkness of the hall, and the master resumed his pacing, both men walking the path of shadows...

[Evalation]

"Oh yes, he's been housing a guest by the name of Gigantek Coch for the last few days. A guest who was craving your audience but one you have been too busy to see."

lol. +rep for that

An assassin with a sense of humor. very dangerous lol

[seleucid empire]

lol. +rep for that

An assassin with a sense of humor. very dangerous lol

Thanks lol. Btw what does rep actually do?

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 17: And You Will Never See the Dawn Again
Summer 248 BC Antioch

It had been a long and tiring day for Lord Oxatanies. Soldiers had to be reviewed, financiers had to be found and coerced to supply the army since the first shipment of Gold from Egypt had yet to arrive and alliances had to be made with the enemies of the Emperor. On top of that, the Antioch resistance force, known as the Royal Dogs, had staged another attack on the city's military infrastructure before melting back into their hiding places. Rooting out the rebels in a city the size of Antioch had proved incredibly difficult. The few men that had been caught provided no useful information as it seemed that the resistance worked in cells of no more than 10 men.

Oxatanies sank into his chair and poured himself a glass of wine. He took a long sip from the cup and nearly choked when a voice behind him began to speak.

"Good evening Grand Chancellor." said the man, emerging from a dark corner of the room.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" asked Oxatanies.

"My name is Quicksilver. Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Oxatanies recoiled in horror at the name. He began to feel a strange sensation and he looked down into his wine, eyes widening. Seeing the gesture, the assassin laughed.

"Oh no," said Quicksilver, "I did not poison your wine. What I put inside it is a concoction that is known to produce and maintain an erection."

Oxatanies stared at the assassin.

"By the way, there's no point in calling for your guards. You've heard of me so you must know that by the time they arrive I will be long gone." continued the assassin.

Oxatanies composed himself and then asked, "Then why am I not dead already?"

"I wanted to talk." replied Quicksilver with a smile on his face, "I wanted to ask you if this entire rebellion was your idea, one that you convinced the queen of starting."

Oxatanies remained silent for a moment, then he replied, "Yes...It was..."

"But why? You were the Grand Chancellor. Already one of the most powerful figures in the empire. Surely you know that even if the queen succeeded, she would not crown you emperor. Her child would inherit the empire. So I ask again. Why? Oh my...You didn't do it because of....Love...did you?"

Oxatanies gave the assassin a sad smile.

"You fool!" exclaimed Quicksilver,"The queen doesn't love you! The queen is sleeping with you because she needs you as an ally. You're old enough to be her father."

"I know Quicksilver. She does not love me, but I love her. I began to love her the moment she was brought back from Egypt. I could not bear to see her so unhappy, deprived of her right of birth."

"I have always respected you from a distance Lord Oxatanies. You and my Master were so alike. So cold, so calculating, so cunning. But now, I find that you gave up your life for a woman. A woman who doesn't love you back."

Another sad smile crossed the chancellor's face.

"After you kill me, send your master Sarpedon a message from me. Tell him to heed my fate, tell him the power that love has, to bring down even the most powerful and clever of men. Tell him that for me. And apologize for me, for he was once my greatest friend and my betrayal must have affected him, though he might not show it. Tell him he was always the stronger one, the colder one. Tell him, I'm sorry."

"I will do that."

"Thank you. Now, I am ready to die..."

Quicksilver walked up to the chancellor. With much regret, he pulled out his long knives and stuck them in the chancellor's chest. The chancellor did not scream or cry out in pain. Instead, the only sound he made was a quiet gasp. Quicksilver watched in sorrow as life drained out of Oxatanies. When he was dead, he looked so peaceful. As noble in death as he was in life.

Leaving through the same window he had entered, quicksilver began to wander around the city aimlessly. He found himself at the foot of the temple of Zeus and climbed onto the rooftop. There, he waited until dawn, watching the sunrise with a heavy heart...

End of Act II: The River of Flames

[seleucid empire]

Another act finished. I hope you guys enjoyed that

[Grimbold]

Great update!

Keep them coming

[seleucid empire]

Great update!

Keep them coming

Thanks grimbold ill put up act 3 shortly

[Evalation]

A great way to end act 2 good job man and im looking forward to act 3.

btw my comp is workin fine now, though I lost my save game but with force diplomacy it shouldnt take long to get back where I was. So look for an update in a day or two.

[seleucid empire]

A great way to end act 2 good job man and im looking forward to act 3.

btw my comp is workin fine now, though I lost my save game but with force diplomacy it shouldnt take long to get back where I was. So look for an update in a day or two.

Ah I think I stuffed that Act up actually. I made the climax too early so the structure ended up like a Shakespearean tragedy with with the climax in the middle of the play.....

and ill look forward to reading your new updates

[seleucid empire]

Act III: Empire of Ashes


Prologue: And We Shall Meet Again at Babylon
Winter 323 BC Babylon

The night was heavy with tragedy, a grim atmosphere settling over the city. Even the Gods, who scorned the lives of mortals, could be heard whispering this night...

Alexandros is dead.

In the chambers of the Great General, Seleukos knelt beside the body and wept. He finally understood the words of Calanus of Taxila.

'We shall meet again in Babylon' he had said to Alexander before immolating himself. Indeed, he had prophesied the general's very death. But did he know that it would be treachery? That it would be poison that took away Alexander's life?

Perhaps Alexander himself had known the chalice was poisoned. Perhaps he had seen past the false smiles of Ptolemy, Eumenes and Antigonus and accepted the poisoned wine regardless. Before his lips had touched the chalice, his eyes had locked with Seleukos' own and with a sad smile, he had drained the cup.

"We had to do it you know." said a voice behind him.

"**** off Ptolemy. You and the rest of those bastards will rot in hades for this." replied Seleukos, tears still in his eyes.

"He would have destroyed us all in his lust for endless conquest." replied Ptolemy.

"He made us masters of the world, he gave us everything, and you betrayed him."

"His lust for power was insatiable. You know that. How many friends have we lost already in his madness? Cleitus, Parmenion, and the lives of thousands of Greeks. You were always too soft Seleukos. Thats why we didn't tell tell you of the plan."

"He knew..." said Seleukos, he turned and nearly sneered when he saw Ptolemy stiffen.

"Don't be ridiculous. He couldn't have, or we would be dead instead of he."

"He saw right past your false gestures of friendship and loyalty. He took the wine to curse you for your betrayal. Do you remember his last words?"

"To the strongest."

"Yes, 'To the strongest'. He knew that none of us are strong enough to hold together what he created. He will watch and laugh at us as we fight each other to the death for the scraps."

"That much has always been certain. I want you to see reason old friend. The two of us are the most capable. Lay low for a while, and when the opportunity presents itself, come to me, in Egypt, and I will help you claim the other half of his empire so we may rule together, as friends, as allies."

Seleukos wiped his tears away and slowly nodded.

"Good, I'm glad you've come around. We need to plan our next moves carefully, or we will not live to see the year. First, we need to take Alexandros' body and bury him as is tradition for the heir to an empire." continued Ptolemy.

"Alexandros wished to be buried in Pella. Do you deny him even his last request?"

"Pella is not home anymore..."

"And Babylon is?"

"We Greeks are no longer the only power in the world. What of the Rising Roman republic, what of Carthage? No, when we finally meet an enemy more resilient than we are, Macedonia will be the first to fall. When you are finished mourning, come and find me, we have much to do." said Ptolemy, before leaving the room.

Alone now, Seleukos began to whisper to himself.

"Oh yes Ptolemy, I will accept your help and we will rise together as masters of this land. But your betrayal of the man I called friend I can never forgive. I curse you, so that one day, the line of Ptolemy will lie beaten and battered before the line of Seleukos. I curse you so that, at the very place where you betrayed Alexandros, your descendants will meet their end. Oh yes old friend. We shall meet again at Babylon..."