Carthage DEI AAR

[TacticalStats]

I've always wanted to write one of these and I have been looking at the various sources on here for tips on writing an after action report but after careful consideration I am just going to dive right in. I am using the DEI mod and will be keeping this one honest. It may end in failure but if it does I promise to describe the pain of defeat as best as I can. Carthage is my favorite faction and I hope to do them justice.

I will do my best to update this as many times as I can, but work may interfere.

Chapter Index

Prologue
The Battle of Agrigentum
Mago's Recruitment
Winter's Delay
The Punic War
A Small Feast
Rooftop Decisions
A Governer
Saguntum
Discussion in the Senate
Battle of Ebora
Late Night News
Plotting over Branzino
Eight Long Years
A Moroccan Fall
Can A Diplomat Lead?
Bitter Sweet
Unwanted Results
Corduba
A Failed Strategy?
Jezebel Returns
Red Wine

[TacticalStats]

Prologue

Carthago


"Rome, evil in every way. Slaves are their economy, ours is trade. It's been said that a fig leaf can reach Syria the day it was picked from the fertile African plains that our free men farmed them from. This is of course is an exaggeration but the truth does lie in the details. Let Rome claim their wines reach the known world, we own the known world!" Hasdrubal the fair, February 23rd, 264 bc.

The truth is no one knows what brought the war with Rome to the peaceful people of Carthage. Hamilcar of house Barca was convinced that it was the weakness of the Hannonid house. They were after all the ruling party of the council and in the last decade stretched the Carthaginian Empire to its extremes. Several islands were already threatening rebellion. Sicily was ground zero though and it was also closest to full revolt. Fortunately Hannibal Gisgo held a near full contingent on the island supporting Hanno in efforts to keep Carthaginian interests secure.

“Let Rome rattle their sabers. Let them claim their birth right on an island that they never have owned.” Mago to the council, February 23rd, 264 bc.

Carthage as an empire was as divided as any outsider could imagine. No family owned enough of the council to make a true guiding decision on how things should be done and no one individual held the strength to force the others to do their bidding. The Punic Wars were to begin in disarray. For a lack of strategy the fleet was ordered to move up the Eastern edge of the Sicilian Island just to position themselves in a position that may benefit the Empire in the coming months. Rome shouldn’t have much of a navy to really challenge Admiral Hamilcar in any way.

“Gentleman.” Hamilcar of House Barca waited for the assembly to quiet down before he spoke again. “What we need is to find people that actually can run our many regions. They need to be from the local areas. In this way they will know what is best for their group of people keeping the pain of rebellions from becoming a true problem that our outstretched military cannot hope to deal with especially while we have to deal with the wolves from the north.”

[TacticalStats]

Apologies I will spread out my paragraphs in the future to make it easier on the eyes. Tomorrow I will work on the first actual moves and hopefully the first salvos in the war with Rome.

[Alwyn]

Welcome, TacticalStats. I look forward to seeing how your Carthage handles the threats of rebellion, conflict between noble houses and the wolves from the north.

[Muha]

Fancy knowing that I pop in to start a Carthage DEI AAR and find yours here! I will definitely follow yours!

[TacticalStats]

lol I love weird timings like that but I will follow yours as well. Work has delayed me more than I wanted it to but I am off tomorrow so I'll be putting some effort into it then.

[TacticalStats]

Spring 264bc

Sicily




The warm Mediterranean air that makes this island attractive to so many different cultures blows through a valley towards the sea. Three dozen wooden buildings already have been constructed and the soldiers from Hannibal Gisgo’s army were hard at work at building the wooden walls to the fort that he ordered finished by summer. The spear shaped banner, already famous for representing the army of Baal’s Protectorate, flew over the various defensive towers at each corner of the rectangular construction. This emblem represented the largest Carthaginian army currently being funded by the hundred and four seat council back in Carthago.

From the east Hanno rode up with his body guards and was welcomed through to the main meeting hall in the very center of the encampment. Once disembarked the general walked inside. “You have quite a nice construction going on here, it’s a shame that it will not get tested.”

“My friend, it is good that you have come at my request.”


There was a bit of envy as Hanno saw the size of Hannibal’s camp for it was twice the size of his army, Dido’s Faithful. It seems the money wasn’t divvied up quite evenly. “I came to see what strategy it was that you wanted to take on these Italians. Also, is it true that you have relieved these towns from paying taxes?”


“The lower taxes are just to appease these people so that we don’t have to worry about them rebelling behind us. It’s common sense really, if we’re going to be here for a while we need to find a way to calm these Sicilians down.” Hannibal said as sat down in his plain wooden chair. “The truth is it will only be temporary. We will need money before long to accomplish our goals.”


“So you are calling for an offensive during this early phase of combat?” Hanno asked as he glanced down at a wooden table with a makeshift map of the island drawn upon it.


“Not an offensive. What will work is to let the Romans conquer Syracuse and then we engage them before they can recover. This will crush the Romans and give us Sicily uncontested. They will be weaker there than if we engage them in open combat. Let them fall on those walls in bloodshed and if the worst happens then they will die trying. If this becomes true then we begin an offensive immediately after they fail in their attack.”


“It’s a dangerous move but I do agree, pitched battle right now would be unwise. It is Sicily and peace that we want, not Italia. There would be no way for us to hold Italia.” Hanno walked to the open doorway. “No, Rome just needs to learn that it does not control the Mediterranean and cannot dictate to us what we do with our island.” He turned back towards Hannibal Gisgo. “My army is to the east and will wait until word from you to move out.


Africa


Mago entered his private chamber and sat himself down into his padded chair. “This council of a hundred and four cowers in their senate hall refusing to see that Sicily is not all of what Carthage has to defend.” His words fell to no one’s ears for he was alone in his room, angry that all the money the council had to spare went to Hannibal Gisgo. How they couldn’t see that the rich lands of Iberia needed an army to defend it. The tribes there may be scattered and not united but how could they be expected to stare at the wealthy lands along their southern coast and not strike for gold.


Sleep came quickly for him and the next morning he was back at debating with the various houses. The boy leader of his houses party Hanno the Great continued to stymy his arguments, something that shocked him as much as the upstart Barcids actually agreeing with him. In the end he was given permission to leave for Iberia but not for two seasons. While speed was needed here he wasn’t a fool. He needed a contingent of Carthaginians in his army even if however large his army would reach it would be mostly made up of mercenaries from Iberia itself.

Summer 264bc

Sicily


“Agrigentum has fallen.” The messenger spoke out of breath. He had been found running towards their encampment.


Hannibal Gisgo looked down at his map in disgust. “I have spies all around here and still an army sneaks through and strikes our lands. These Romans move as fast as I had hoped but how did no one see them walk all the way across this island?” His armor was being handed to him piece by piece as he slowly started to get ready for the march. “Send a man to Hanno and tell him to break camp. We head south.”


Baal’s Protectorate was being readied for battle, its infantry was dressed and the horses and elephants were fed. By midday they were on the move to engage the Romans inside of the town of Agrigentum.

Africa


“The tribes of Garamantia have declared war on our allies in Massylii.” Hanno the Great said as he stood at the center of the marble council hall. “We must honor our treaty and pacify these tribes as quickly as possible.”


“With what?” Hasdrubal scoffed. “Our only army is so small it barely can ensure the defense of our lands. In no way can it be used offensively.”


“It doesn’t matter how they are used. It just matters where they go. Iberia must wait.”


“And what if Iberia rises up or the Gaetulians? Who will we send there?” Ad Herbal, a senator from the lower houses screamed.


“I won’t lie our money is low and we cannot concentrate our efforts on every region. For now the Iberians and Gaetuli are quiet. We have to ensure that none of our Libyan towns fall due to us being negligent. If we get lucky our war with Rome will go quick.


“Is there any news from Sicily?” A man yelled from the small section in the rear of the room where noble citizens could sit and listen. His voice caused a commotion as two soldiers forcibly removed him from the room for this area of the room was under strict orders to not speak.


Once the attention of the room returned to the council itself Hamilcar Barca stood up and spoke. “No word from the island has come for two months now so what exactly is happening across to the sea is a question on all of our minds.”


When word of the morning discussions reached Mago in his camp his orders were simple. Head south and keep the Gaetulians in their lands. How he was to do this with his nonexistent force was his problem, but this letter came with a bag of gold larger than he was promised to hold Iberia with. Mercenaries would have to be the way of his army for there wasn’t time to gather forces while he was on his journey south.

The Battle of Agrigentum


The only account from the first engagement of the war in Sicily came from a Libyan peltast whose name has been lost to history. The Carthaginian army which approached the town from the north had combined its forces with the small naval contingent led by Hamilcar.


The Romans surprisingly abandoned the town and marched out to meet the forces of Hannibal Gisgo in the open field. It seems that the Roman commander was attempting to strike Baal’s Protectorate before it could fully form up with the smaller army of Dido’s Faithful. Unfortunately for the Roman this plan did not go as intended.


Doubling the Roman commander in number allows Hannibal Gisgo to stretch out his line further than the Italians putting the test of the battle at the Carthaginian center. With Principes and Hastati striking there would be a strong chance that the Libyan hoplites would not be able to hold. Therefor he took his personal bodyguard of Phoenician infantry and stood right behind the center in reserve. Javelins and slingers stood at his side hurling missiles into the large cluster of Roman soldiers.


Along the right flank the mercenary heavy cavalry was tied down trying to defeat the Roman equities but this was not proving to be easy. However this did allow the African war elephants to move their way into the rear of the Roman lines. This was similarly done on the left flank as the smaller group of elephants hit the Roman right from its rear.


Along the coastline Hamilcar landed his navy and disembarked to join in along the right flank. The Roman equities are holding their ground admirably against much larger numbers of Carthaginian mercenary horseman. The small marine hoplites rush straight into melee with these equities as the fresh javelin men begin to rain their weapons down from the sky.


As the afternoon wears on the left flank is having the most success as three regiments of hastati and one light cavalry have already routed trying to make their way back to the town center. This freed up the bulk of Dido’s Faithful to start pushing back to the center which to the Roman general’s horror was indeed holding solid even though they were outmatched in one on one combat. It was here that the elephants were let loose on the rear of the elite Roman infantry signaling the end of the battle.


Casualties were immense as thousands lay dead on the field and any survivors that did make it back to Italia would take years to become anything resembling a fighting force. For the Carthaginian army casualties only sat at ten percent leaving both armies completely able to embark on any counter attack that they saw fit. Hannibal Gisgo dispatched the news back to Carthago hoping to earn more funds for the upcoming months.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

That's an interesting start - and a great picture!

I'll look forward to seeing what happens next.

[TacticalStats]

Autumn 264 bc

Africa

Mago had been on the move for the last few months going back and forth to Carthago. His camp had quickly grown into a training center as the money given to him was finally getting put to use. It was a slow process but by winter he was confident that he would have a force able to support a defensive strategy against the Gaetulians.


“The fools wanted to pay us to abandon our allies in Numidia.” Hasdrubal Barca said as he took a sip of wine. “We tried to convince them from all hostilities but you know how these tribes are, difficult to talk with.”


The market of Carthago was large and extremely busy with the constant trade coming in from the Eastern Mediterranean filling up hundreds of stands. “The money could have bought us an army to eliminate them with?”


“I like you Mago, your house should take your words more seriously. When my father was alive he knew how to read people and recognize their worth.” The young leader of the Barcids dangled words of praise in front of Mago.


“I have had my issues with them but they were there for my father when he was young.” It was a loose defense to his house.


“House politics wear me out, it seems easier to be in the field.”


“Well you do well at speaking in the council chambers. Prying iron tight hands for money is not what I enjoy doing. I am looking forward to marching south and getting away from it for a few months.” Mago spoke truthfully as he wondered where the boy Barcid was going.


“I’m going to be honest with you. I need someone like you in the field.”


“You want me to turn my back on my house?”


“This is where our allegiance lies.” The 15 year old motioned to the market and city that surrounded them. “Become a Barcid and you will move up further than you can dream of with Hanno. The future of Carthago will be one of wealth and luxuries. Join me and you will have more than your fair share.”


With a handshake Mago was now a part of the Barcid dynasty and currently their only military leader instantly putting him at the new rank of Mhecib. At 28 years of age he now reached a position higher than his father ever achieved in his 59 years of service to the Hannonids.

[TacticalStats]

Spring 263 bc

Sicily

“We haven’t seen Roman troops since we eliminated them last summer.” Hanno said as he stood in Gisgo’s camp. For months they met daily discussing this very topic.


“Our spy sent word back to us and our strategy isn’t working.” Hannibal said somberly.


“What changed?”


“Syracuse crossed into Italy and conquered Cosentia.” The words fell like a lead weight.


“So we move out in support?” Hanno said after a moment of silence.


The two armies were now in the same camp and still living off the euphoria of their victory five months earlier. It was interesting to see but the African troops were now actually getting along with the Iberian and Sicilian mercenaries that they employed for this defensive war. It was key to have these two armies operate as one for wherever Hannibal Gisgo went so did Hanno. “We move into Italia and hope that fortune favors us."


The weeks following this discussion saw a successful ferry crossing into the tip of the boot and as the two armies marched towards Cosentia hopes were high that they would be able to attack the walled city of Brundisium. The land was quiet and the local residents seemed to do their best to stay out of the way of the invading army.


With every passing day Hannibal’s spy Jezebel sent reports back to them of where the Romans were and on April 10^th the news changed to the unexpected. A Roman army had attacked and retaken Cosentia off of the Greek colony. This caused an immediate meeting of the two generals. The decision was quickly made, they would try their luck at engaging this new army to retake Cosentia in the name of Carthage.


On the morning of April 11^th Baal’s Protectorate lined up in a field overlooking a strange sight. The garrison force seemed to be taunting them by blocking the path to the town. His cavalry commander screamed to rush down and destroy the small force standing in their way but Hannibal disagreed. They would wait for Hanno to arrive with Dido’s Faithful to ensure success. Jezebel told him that a significant Roman presence was in the region and he would not fall victim to it.


It was a good thing that he chose to be passive for as Hanno arrived so did the main Roman army and it was clear to see that they would have split the Carthaginian forces and surrounded his soldiers in what would have been a blood bath. This army was larger than his spy had told him and as they skirmished with each other Hannibal Gisgo stood looking at the field.


Hanno walked up next to him and they traded greetings before he asked, “So, what are you thinking?”


“I’m thinking this was a mistake, this battle is a risk that I don’t want to take.”


“Is there news from Jezebel?”


Hannibal nodded as he looked to his forming right flank that was struggling to subdue a single unit of heavy Roman cavalry. “There’s two armies forming in Brundisium. That makes this battle pointless, for my strategy will win this one but we won’t have the men to fight off the counter attack that they surely will send our way.”


“A controlled withdrawal is not a bad thing. Let’s go back to Sicily and regroup. Our armies need to be redesigned, they can’t even solve one unit of cavalry quickly.”


“Sound the trumpets we pull back.” And the horns wailed to the soldiers who couldn’t understand why they were leaving what they felt was destined to be a glorious victory just like the last one that they were a part of. Either way they followed their orders and began the slow journey back to Sicily where the chatter among the troops ranged all types of subjects. Carthago must have fallen for why else did they leave a sure victory behind them?


Africa

Throughout the winter months sandstorms crushed Mago’s encampment halting his attempts at training his new recruits. This bad weather did not stop until February so all attempts of invading the upstart Gaetulians would have to wait for better times. March saw these times happen as finally he formed an average size fighting force and decided to begin his movement south.


Word from Carthago was that these tribes once again tried to bribe the council into peace even though their offers were transparent. It didn’t take a political genius to see that they just wanted to carve up Numidia without Carthago's interference. So, naturally they were sent away to inform their leaders that this summer would be their last one in power.


The new troops marched well as they headed south into Libya. Watching them day in and day out cover 20 miles of terrain made him very proud. Hasdrubal Barcid was right, it was a lot simpler here with his army away from the daily haggling about nothing. Here he ruled and here conversation was light for everyone knew the truth that hung over their heads, they weren’t safe and it was on each man to protect one another.


The tribes of Africa ran up to them handing them fruit and flowers hoping that they were here to ensure this region remained at peace. The troops loved the attention and seemed to walk faster after each town presented them with these accolades. As Mago approached a crossroads a bold instinct seemed to push him south towards a risky endeavor. Cydamus sat near a large enough oasis to allow a significant population center to sit in the center of a harsh desert.


The call was made and his army, The Friends of the Hundred and Four, walked into this desert. Glory was not for the meek and he would prove the faith put in him was warranted, and luck seemed to be on his side.


As the sun rose over Cysamus the small garrison force saw a small Carthaginian force standing in the sand dunes. Some say that the desert plays tricks on your eyes but the horns ringing off of the town’s buildings could not be fabricated, an attack was underway.


Mago lined his men up and marched forward under a concentrated javelin attack. It was a battle that wouldn’t be recorded for historic reasons because of the small size of each army and in truth the garrison force could not be considered a proper fighting force. Within an hour it was over with almost zero losses for Mago’s forces.


With blood covering his armor Mago pushed through the final defenders and lead his men into the town. As was normal for any conquered town the people stood in fear of what decision the conquering force would make with the helpless residents. Mago spoke with a booming voice. “For too long you have been subjects to a corrupt, power hungry leadership that does not have your best interests in mind. I am not your leader, I do not know the first thing of ruling a town. What I do know is that this land is yours and we ask nothing of it. What we ask is that you don’t stare at ours with envy, that you don’t test our blades in battle for ours, for I will only warn you once, stay in your lands and prosper!” Mago turned and headed back to the small camp that his army pitched the night before leaving the new Tidamensi tribe to handle their own affairs, hoping that they would take up arms against their old masters. He needed all the help that he could get.

[TacticalStats]

Autumn 263 bc

Africa



“Our time here is done.” Mago said to himself as he sat inside his chambers late at night. Tomorrow it was back to Carthago with news of his success. The Gaetulians were pacified and reduced to a client state all without a pitched battle against their armies. It was beyond anything that he could have imagined when he started this campaign. The money flowing back to Carthago was sure to help out in the fight against Rome.


This joy that his army held was short lived for as the entered the capital’s walls a somber mood met them. The city garrison was on high alert and the people were scurrying to their houses as quickly as possible. His whole army picked up on the uneasiness for their smiles went to cold stares as the news spread through them, Sicily was lost.


This news forced Mago to leave his army in the city barracks and head straight to the ruling council. Security there was on full alert and it took him considerable time to make his way inside the chamber. Once through the doors he heard the arguments spurring.


“We have no choice, we must accept these terms.” Hanno the Great said in disgust.


“My fellow senators, tell me please what has transpired.” Mago demanded to hear.

The council went silent as all eyes fell upon him as he went to his area and remained standing. Hanno the Great’s face revealed nothing but disappointment but he quickly started talking. “Hannibal Gisgo and Hanno led their armies into Italia. What exactly happened has not been explained to us but the result is clear. Both armies have been destroyed and both of my cousins have been killed.”


“Killed?” Mago interrupted.


“They fell bravely with all of their men and Rome did not stop there. They marched on Syracuse and Panormus taking both towns.” Hasdrubal Barca said somberly. “They then requested an end to hostilities, at the price of 7,000 talents.”


“Seven thousand…” The words left his breath the moment he started speaking.


“Your army is all that we have and even if you were as successful with it as you were you yourself can’t claim to cross into Sicily with any success.”


“No, I would need a year minimum to prepare to fight there. In truth I was lucky to gain the success that I did in Phazania. These terms must be accepted.” Mago said this and sat down. To his surprise so did the rest of the senate.


Hasdrubal Barca turned to the guard and told him to bring in the Roman ambassador. “Mago go get the money that they ask and bring it to the harbor. Peace will not last for long but we must use it wisely.”


The Punic War lasted only eighteen months and ended in defeat, Rome held two thirds of the Sicily and it was honestly a good thing that they even allowed Carthage to remain on the island. In truth their position was not guaranteed for with the reports of their army’s destruction came the fact that several violent protests were happening inside the town of Agrigentum. The might of Carthage had been significantly reduced.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

Three updates in two days! You must be feeling really inspired by this, TacticalStats!

Things don't seem to be going as well as they might be for the Carthaginians. I hope things will improve for them soon.

[TacticalStats]

I made a major mistake in Sicily but I'll do my best to rebound. What I need to do is drink less wine and edit my writing before posting because Im reading mine from yesterday and there are too many errors that I missed. I'm going to slow down a bit.

[Muha]

It seems that both our Carthage campaigns are struggling to hold on to territory!

[TacticalStats]

Spring 262 bc

Africa

“Of course the vermin would come out from their cracks and try to take advantage of what they see as weakness. Just because two generals became complacent and paid for it with their lives does not mean that the might of Carthage does not still exist. No, it is for us to show this world that knowing when to bow out of a conflict is in fact a stregnth. These bloodthirsty tribes will see the truth in this one day and it will be me who shows them.”

Hanno the Great


This was the last part of the young man’s speech before he left the council and embarked on his voyage to Tingis. The Pillars of Hercules stood as a wonder to everyone who ever held a chance to witness their existence. The strength that it took to split land masses must have been the result of the gods.


Mago couldn’t argue with his old faction leader, if the tribe of Gaetilu thought that a defeat at Rome’s hands meant that they could strike for riches of their own then they would be proven wrong in battle. The mercenaries that died in Italia could easily be replaced with new men. Men, after all were fickle, they went where the money was, and Carthage had money to spend.


“This is a mess.” Hasdrubal Barca said to the few council members that he invited to his banquet. The food was half gone and the pleasantries were over. “We are stretched thin and our resources are dwindling.”


“Towns talk of potential revolt and Hanno leaves to be a hero.” Hasdrubal the Fair said as he ate at the boar meat that still remained on his plate.


“I can’t blame Hanno, we needed someone to go to Tingis and raise an army to counter what will be an attack from these Moroccans. The problem won’t be there. I have faith in Hanno to quickly deal with them. The issue will be in Iberia. I don’t trust those tribes.”


“Mago, while I agree with you on the looming threats in Iberia we can’t overlook the fact that this costly peace with Rome will not last.” Ad Herbal words were spoken with a sadness that emulated the distress looming over their great city.



For Hanno the Great his army would have to wait for a chance to show itself in battle. The Moroccan tribes seemed to be only bluffing in their declaration of war and 2,000 gold quickly made it go away. What it did do was ensure that there was now a Carthaginian army near enough to Iberia to respond to anything the increasingly hostile tribes could bring to bear.


With the money flowing in Carthage and no current enemies to deal with, great building projects began all across the empire. Amphitheaters and temples to promote a culture that could unite a people and for the first time in the empires history a true military barracks to encourage the training of more elite troops. While mercenaries were still the go to choice when a battle needed to occur, the war with Rome showed a need to have some professional soldiers in the ranks.

[Muha]

Interesting update! Taking on thr Gateulis will definitelly be useful as they produce dye.

“I can’t blame Hanno, we needed someone to go to Tingis and raise an army to counter what will be an attack from these Moroccans. The problem won’t be there. I have faith in Hanno to quickly deal with them. The issue will be in Iberia. I don’t trust those tribes.”

Thats right! Traitrors! All of them! Do not trust them!

[Alwyn]

I tend to enjoy AARs where the player's faction makes mistakes and has to recover, it adds to the drama and tension. I'm enjoying your story. I look forward to discovering what Hanno the Great will be able to achieve with the new elite troops. May Carthage prevail!

[TacticalStats]

Spring 260 bc

Africa

Consecutive years of peace were not common in the histories of Carthage. It had been nearly fifty years when the council could last make that claim and they celebrated this one with a massive festival throughout Carthago. It was a good time for all who attended, but the rumors could be heard anywhere one gave effort to eavesdrop. Large fleets of Roman warships were seen roaming up and down the Libyan coastline and the lands of Iberia were witnessing a reunification campaign of ruthless bloodshed. Whole towns were murdered and refugees were flooding into Nova Carthago in increasingly larger numbers. The celebrations of peace would need considerable effort to make it into the following summer.

Hasdrubal Barca extended his arms to embrace his friend. “Mago.” The day’s events were over and they were sitting on a rooftop patio overlooking the duel harbors that made their city so famous. “Come have a seat I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”

Mago traveled all day from his army’s encampment to make this meeting with his fellow senator. “Well, I can finally say that the disease has ended. It has been over a month since our last death, but we are back to full recruitment and training programs are back to running optimally.”

“I trust in your organization skills.” Hasdrubal was interrupted as a guard walked up to the rooftop and gestured towards the stairwell. “Ah, he’s here. Give me a moment.” After a few seconds he walked back up the stairs with a young man in full military uniform following behind him. “Mago, I want you to meet my cousin Sambuc.

The young man saluted the long standing general before taking a seat joining them at the table. “Challenging times seem to be brewing on the horizon.”

“Sambuc is our newest general and will be leading the newly reinstated Dido’s Faithful, giving this army’s name a bright future. Things are happening quickly and we need to reposition ourselves to give us a better chance to respond fast to these looming threats. So, it has been decided and you have gotten your wish.” Another round of wine was set down in front of them.

“My wish?” Mago said as he took a sip of the bitter wine, tasting a subtle hint of berries. It was his favorite type of wine and excited him as much as the prospect of what these words might just mean. “Iberia finally calls?”

“Yes it does, too much is happening there. You will go to Nova Carthago and meet Hanno the Great. Find out what is going on in the central regions of that peninsula and make sure that it doesn’t spill over onto our borders.”

“And what of Rome?”

“Our economy is growing and the fact that it is finally time for a larger army is a sign of this. Sambuc here will protect our capital with the full extent of our available funds.” Hasdrubal gestured over towards his cousin. “When you get an understanding on the ground send a report back to Carthago. If you need further support do not fear to ask. Peace has been a pleasant change of pace, but as they say to have peace prepare for war. Make sure that if these Iberians become aggressive that we have sufficient troops to keep them from killing our people.”

[Roman Heritage]

I'm really, really liking it - and you got me interested in trying again Rome II, which is strange since I did not like it that much


“Towns talk of potential revolt and Hanno leaves to be a hero.” Hasdrubal the Fair said as he ate at the boar meat that still remained on his plate.

“I can’t blame Hanno, we needed someone to go to Tingis and raise an army to counter what will be an attack from these Moroccans. The problem won’t be there. I have faith in Hanno to quickly deal with them. The issue will be in Iberia. I don’t trust those tribes.”

I'm loving the way you depict faction intrigues, I think little bits such as these might be your AAR's nicest touch.

Also, I loved how you chose not to directly portray the defeat of Hanno and Gisgo's forces. It truly came as a shock, and felt authentic!

[Alwyn]

I look forward to seeing what happens when Mago goes to Nova Carthago in search of Hanno the Great. Challenging times indeed!