The Cradle of Civilization [Makedon AAR]

[Ownager]

Here is my first attempt at an AAR in a "live" forum. I'm pretty nervous. Forgive my inconsistent use of Greek and English spellings, as well as my really "modern" language.

Summer, 272 BC


It has been a long time since I have gone to battle. As King of Makedon, I was usually involved in other matters. I have finally woken from my stupor. I can see now. I know what must happen. Me and my son spent the last month planning for our attack. I looked at my son now. He was handsome and strong, just as any man would want his son to be. He was also smart, generous, and good at Math's. He even had a good knowledge of tactics and was blooded by campaigning with me. "So son, where shall our attack begin?" Alkonyeus put his legs up on the table. He had never had any respect for his fathers authority, and I was fine with that. A real leader listens to no one. "Athens, father. While I hold Pella from the Epeirotes, you will restore order in the South." I was sure he would know what to do in a situation, but I put forth a scenario for him. "What if the Seleukeids withdraw their support?" Alkonyeus thought for a second, then answered. "Then, we will have to march on Epirus first." I nodded, he was right. Epirus would have to fall first then, being the more immediate threat. Right now, Rhodes had requested the Koinon Hellenon not to attack yet. So, with the Seleukeids taken down, the Makedonians may be put into another two front war. "Good idea, son." Suddenly a guard came running in. "Phillipos! What is the problem?" The loyal companion took a second to breathe, then began to report. "Basileus! A man speaking Latin has arrived at the gates! When we told him you were busy, he ordered his guards to get them out of the way. There were too many! I have called for help from the other contingents, but they won't be here for some time." Suddenly a roman burst in. I got up, walked over to the man and demanded, "Who do you think you are? Marching into my palace?" The roman looked around. "This is a palace?" He asked, in slightly accented Greek. "Speak your word and leave." I growled, hand on the hilt of my sword." "Ok Greek, listen. The Karthadastim have extended their influence towards us. Since you and us have a common enemy, Pyrrhos of Epirus, we could work out some sort of alliance. I apologize for my rude entrance, but I am tensed." I thought about his offer for half a second. "Listen, you roman idiot." I spoke in fluent latin. "I do not like diplomats beating up my guards. I don't like your whole greedy cult. And on top of that, I will never betray a Greek to a barbarian." The diplomat nodded. Then he said one last parting comment. "Remember this name Greek. Remember Cnaeus Cornelius Blasio. For you have insulted a roman senator, and you will face the consequences." Alkonyeus, who had been quiet the whole time roared with laughter. After a moments hesitation, I roared with laughter as well. Alkonyeus was gasping out words at the puzzled senator. "You...and your lumps...of lard? That's what we fear?" He laughed again. The senator left in a furious march. I slapped Alkonyeus on the thigh. "That was perfect. Did you see his face?" Alkonyeus roared with laughter again. "That....was why......why....I was laughing father." I smiled, the laughter died down. I knew he would find this awkward, but I suddenly grabbed Alkonyeus and hugged him fiercely. He paused a moment, then hugged me back. "I'll miss you son. Be safe here." Alkonyeus replied quietly. "I would rather be in danger than safe here." I pretended not to hear that, and released him. "Now I shall go, without a moments delay."


I rode my horse at the head of 1400 men. My scouts had reported that Athens was just over this hill we were climbing. I was in front, and as I reached the top of the hill. I didn't know what to expect. But the second I saw the city, I nearly fainted. Athens was huge. The walls there were nearly as high as the statue at Olympia. I could see some soldiers standing atop the walls.


Memnos looked at Diodotos. From on top of the wall, they could only see one man on a horse. "Who do you think that is? A diplomat?" Memnos asked. Diodotos looked at the man and scratched his head. "We aren't expecting someone. And look at his armor! He looks like a King. His kingdom must be rich." Memnos looked at him, untill he stopped. "What happened?" He asked. Then he saw the Sarissas coming over the hill. "It's an army! Sound the alarm! It's an army!" Diodotos was ran to the gateway and sounded the alarm.


As I came closer, I noticed a pair of two soldiers looking at me. One scratched his head, and then the other looked behind me. I think they saw the pikemen behind me. The man almost fell of the wall. The other man ran to the gateway. In a matter of seconds, a horn began to sound, and the huge gates of Athens began to close. I watched calmly. My men put down their Sarissas, and began to set up camp. We could wait for a long time. They could too. My advisor, the trusty Phillipos told me they could live for two years under seige. Let us test that. Before the gates closed, I could have sworn I had seen a man standing in dazzling armor behind them. He could only be Chremonides Aithalidos Attikos. As the gates swung shut, I knew I would be facing that man sometime. I had taken along my nephew, Alexandros Argeades, son of my brother, Krateros. When we were two seasons into the seige, I ordered reinforcements from Chalkis. However, Chalkis was on the wrong side of Athens, and Chremonides attempted to sally and face the 83 militia hoplites I had gotten. However, I ordered them to retreat, and the first sally failed.


Winter, 272 BC,
I have heard news from Krateros. Apparently the citizens of Korinthos are not happy over the increase of taxes required to fund my army. I lowered taxes there. Kalos, my very young brother, informed me that Demetria's is well. I heard news from Alkonyeus saying that Pyrrhos has marched on Illyria instead of the capital. A small detachment is heading towards Pella though. My diplomat was not even granted into the Epeirote royal court. No matter. If I have to, I will defeat them all myself. I paced around the camp. Since it had to completely surround the city, The men were spread around the city. I spoke to them, asked them their fears. One believed the Epeirotes would kill his family in Pella. Another was worried because his brother was a prisoner in the city. I assured them as well as I could, but their worries worried me. It's confusing, I know.




Pella, 270 BC
Alkonyeus wandered around looking for his tactical advisor. It had been some time since the Epeirotes had besieged them. Alkonyeus decided to quit searching, and sat down. The men within the walls of Pella were strong enough to hold off Pyrrhos himself. However, the man in charge of the enemy forces today was not Pyrrhos. It was a lowly captain named Archeas.

[Ownager]

Nothing? Why!!!

[Frtigern]

The dialogue is good and a good AAR IMO is one where a reader can relate to whats happening in game by what the dialogue portrays. Simply describing what you did or what is happening in the game is kind of dull. A good story teller doesn't need to narrate much, but they shouldn't include much meaningless dialogue either. Perhaps there was a reason why Pyrrhos marched on Illyria himself. Perhaps he had other intents. These motivations are what your spies and diplomats are to inform your king of. Perhaps Pyrrhos is expanding his northern borders so as to secure a better position for which to devote towards Macedon. Perhaps he has a score to settle with the Illyrians, or perhaps he is looking for something. As the role-player you can make up what he is after. Increase the personality of your King by having him engage his soldiers one-on-one, instead of simply narrating what he does. Use an example of foreboding dialogue with one soldier who may have heard a rumor or picked up intel from a passer-by about Pella. What did Epirus bring to bear specifically that may not bode well for Pella? Perhaps strange beasts, huge siege weapons, or fierce warriors. Let the reader feel the worry that your soldier has for his family. It takes more thought and time to do but the quality of the AAR will feel more personal, rather than just reading a diary about what the Macedon King had done that day. We don't need to know what the King is always thinking, you want to leave us to guess, because as players we can guess what he is thinking. We already know the mechanics of the ancient world in EB, but I want to read an AAR that build ups a sense of suspense and surprise. We all pretty know much know what goes on in early game Macedon, unless you can input something new that makes your King unique and interesting. Look at his traits and ancillaries and give us a sense of who he is through those. How you control him will also trigger unique traits and ancillaries that reflect your own personality. Your AAR can change as your King reflects your actions, which effect his traits and ancillaries. Make sure we can feel these changes.

[Duncan III]

Not a bad start- I liked the scene with the Roman diplomat and you've made a decent attempt at believable characters.

Some good advice from Fritigern as well.

I think you should keep working in these insults and arrogant behaviour of the Romans so that we really want them to be crushed when you go to war with them.

[Ownager]

God, I'm so sorry I just lost interest in this like five minutes before you replied. I hate failing at AARs. However, I have a huge amount of writing done in my second aar on Rome. Yup, my arguments on rome have led to me playing as them. I have almost 9000 words. I played this for some time but lost interest soon after. I was in the middle of a Gallic campaign then. The AAR remained unfinished. However, now I wish to continue it. And this time, I'll make sure to take your advice. Forget Arrogant Romans, let the Greeks believe they still maintain their might. Let they fall under the Res Publica!

[Duncan III]

God, I'm so sorry I just lost interest in this like five minutes before you replied. I hate failing at AARs. However, I have a huge amount of writing done in my second aar on Rome. Yup, my arguments on rome have led to me playing as them. I have almost 9000 words. I played this for some time but lost interest soon after. I was in the middle of a Gallic campaign then. The AAR remained unfinished. However, now I wish to continue it. And this time, I'll make sure to take your advice. Forget Arrogant Romans, let the Greeks believe they still maintain their might. Let they fall under the Res Publica!

lol stop drinking that 'Sunny Delight'!

[Ownager]

What? What is Sunny Delight? Is it a drink?

[Duncan III]

It's a bright orange, fruit flavoured drink that is famous for making kids hyperactive because of the chemicals in it.

[Ownager]

You call me a kid? I am not a small whelp to be pushed over! And I am not hyperactive.

[Duncan III]

You call me a kid? I am not a small whelp to be pushed over! And I am not hyperactive.

lol no I'm not calling you anything really but if you are going to do an AAR you need to choose a faction and stick with it.

It should be something that lets you make the most of your Rome-hate, something you're passionate about.

I suggest either a Romani campaign which you can roleplay as really dark and evil, or say Gauls/Epeiros/Carthage so you can take on the 'evil empire'.

[Ownager]

I think I will turn my hate for Rome into pride of Carthage. Make a strong empire that still cowers under the might of Cartage. Until someone worthy enough fights them off.