Carthage DEI AAR

[TacticalStats]

Good update! Sorry to hear about the crash. It would be great to see your story continue, if you decide to restart the campaign or if you find another solution.

I think its a the ancient empires sub mod that I've been using that hasn't updated to the new DEI. I am going to wait and see if it updating fixes things, allowing me to reload the campaign. I'm hoping for the best!

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

Oh, no. I hope you manage to get your crashing problem fixed. I've been enjoying this AAR very much.

[TacticalStats]

Well I've been on the steam page for the ancient empires mod and the publisher has been active in saying that they are working on an update but with how much DEI 1.1 added it is going to take time. I will be waiting patiently for the update because I prefer the way this mod sets up the world stage.

[thegoat2903]

Very cool so far TacticalStats, hope the update gets sorted soon. cant wait to hear whats next.

[TacticalStats]

Summer 252 bc

Carthago


Hasdrubal walked across the fields of Carthago having to take care with each step to avoid the bodies of massacred Punic soldiers. His mood was somber and his steps were deliberate. The day was half over but he was ready for an entire cask of wine to be delivered to his quarters immediately.


“Relax sir, we were successful.” Zabo said as he jogged up to the leader of the Barcids.


“Successful? This doesn’t feel like victory.”


“We own the field, don’t we?” The young man from house Herbal said as he turned back towards the metropolis in the distance. “Carthago is free from attack after all.”


“My army is half what it was when this day began and we can only pray to Ba’al Hammon that they don’t return. What can we stop them with if they do?” Hasdrubal looked back towards the great walls of his city. His thoughts drifted off to images of a great horde outside as he stood atop them. He had too few archers to fend off any significant strike and his hoplites were beyond exhausted. They would not hold off for long.


“These tribes have no one else to send our way. You have saved the city, let’s return to the safety of its walls and honor those who lay before you, for their sacrifice we can never repay.”


“Yes, honor. I want every fire lit in the city. Tonight, we see no stars but these that lay before me.” Hasdrubal fell to one kneel and kissed the forehead of a dead hoplite who still clutched his spear with the same strength that he did in life, an arrow lodged through the gap of his armor puncturing his lung easily. “May you live in paradise!” He whispered to only the gods.


Walking back into the empty senate hall did not ease the feelings that he held for the dead men that would haunt him for the remaining days upon this plain of existence. The mistakes of his command were to blame for the level of casualties that they sustained. Even the rider from Numidia expressing the valiant victory that Hanno obtained in retaking Iol did not bring a smile to his face. He knew the day could have been worse but in the hands of someone much more experienced in leading men, it would have been better.

[TacticalStats]

Well it took me entirely too long to discover that if I just reversed back to 1.05 DEI then I could activate the Ancient Empires mod and continue this hopeful saga towards its completion. It took me the past week to successfully do this. Doesn't help that I spilled wine on my laptop and half the keys no longer work. A usb keyboard fixed that for pennies but all of these hoops having been jumped through I hope to be back to churning through this story of Carthage.

[TacticalStats]

Spring 251 bc

Iol


Rain fell upon the deck at the feet of Admiral Hamilcar as he stood watching his oarsmen push the quadreme through the water towards the remnants of the Masaesyli army transport vessels. The time for surrender was over when these stubborn men let loose a fire arrow towards his small envoy vessel. The rain with its high winds made this act a feeble one but the message was clear. They did not want to talk.

“Just don’t fall victim to the coastline that they cling to, we do not need to lose ships where we do not have to. If they land then Mago will mop them up with his army that as we speak is patrolling this coastline road.” Hamilcar said to his son Zepas whom he was grooming to replace him in his duty.

“The war is over?” Zepas asked.

“It would bring them honor to call this rebellious act a war but besides the bloodshed outside of Carthago they were a weak people.” Hamilcar gave a hand signal towards the bow of the ship where a brightly colored flag rose up a thin rope. Once the captains of the two Assault Dieres witnessed this signal they began the attack on the three damaged vessels. Behind them followed two small javelin wielding triremes to ensure that the whole battle would be contained. To his left his attack quadreme begun its innacurate artillery barrage.

Zepas watched as the onager hurled medium sized rocks into the air at the enemy fleet. “This battle will not win us honor then?” The boy asked as the first barrage fell harmlessly into the ocean.

Hamilcar watched as the two dieres curled around the two flanks forcing the enemy to turn and face each lone vessel separately. “Honor is not what need son. The dance we did here, along our own coastline just to avoid the Roman fleets, is what we need the Senate to address. How they gutted our fleet after the Roman War is what I constantly preach for them to replace. It is too expensive they say but it is needed.” A lucky strike punctured the hull of one of the enemy vessels bringing screams from the attack quadreme’s crew. “That is what I want from this mop up duty that we have been given. More ships and I can control Sicily. Only then can I speak of defending Corsica.”

“They will have to honor us there.”

The two Assault Dieres struck into the final two ships ending the battle for Hamilcar but it would be some time before his marines eliminated the men fighting on the damaged decks of the transport vessels. “Don’t count on it. The Senate seems afraid to show strength towards Rome. I fear it will be too late before they commission new quadremes into our service.”


Carthago


The war was over but the reasons for it starting were just becoming clear. When the town of Dimmidi was taken by Hanno the Great he immediately took control of the small government buildings and had them thoroughly searched and to no one’s surprise a vast wealth of Roman coins was discovered. This news was sent back to Carthago along with some very interesting documents pointing the fingers at a certain anonymous source inside the government of Carthage herself. It seemed that this rebellion was not so random.

Hasdrubal sat in a chair in a small room of the government Senate hall. He looked over the city wondering why someone would help give information over to their enemy. Hamilcar Barca sat opposite him reading this paperwork for the first time. “It doesn’t surprise me.”

“The timing was perfect, our spies reported of Roman legions off the shores of four of our coastal cities around the Mediterranean Sea. If the battle outside of Carthago would have went poorly then you can count on a full attack from Rome herself. Thankfully our citizens fought bravely.”

“Six hundred gold was all it took to get them to risk everything?” Hamilcar asked in slight disbelief.

“Men make attempts for greatness. The six hundred had to be just a first payment, or there were promises following in their success.” Hasdrubal laughed for a moment. “A risk it was definitely. Five armies fell upon their lands conquering them quickly. They had to know that was what was going to happen.”



On the opposite end of the building Ad Herbal sat in his chambers looking over the figures of finances. This city which was to be his was a wealthy one and continued to bring in high amounts of funds. His job was to report in the morning exactly what they had to work with. New government works projects were to be commissioned pushing their empire into the future.

A knock at the door interrupted his thought process as a young man stepped in. “What are you doing here?” Ad asked in a slight panic.

“Relax Senator, I just have the information you requested from Roma. If anyone asks of our known meeting today then tell them that your countries victory has sent the Roman government into emergency meetings and they are beefing up security of all towns. The Arverni are becoming problematic and might be defecting very soon. It is this information that bothers the republic not some minor victory against a paid tribe by your oligarchy.”

Ad stood and moved to the door glancing into the empty hallway before closing it behind him. “I will pass that on but what happened here? Where were the other rebellions?”

“Look don’t get anxious on us. Roma does not care when this empire collapses. The rebellions did not happen as planned but things will continue to progress. Iberia will be our focal point but you have to convince these Barcids to attack either Rome directly or the Arverni. Your guaranteed position as ruling monarch of Carthago depends upon this fact. So tell your people whatever you need to but get it done.” With that the spy left and boldly walked down the hallway towards the exterior gardens where he disappeared into the city slipping past all guard posts.

Ad Herbal sat back down in his chair in deep thought. Looking back at the lines of financial figures his brain could no longer focus on the details written upon each scroll. All his mind could think was that he made a mistake in these past few years.

[TacticalStats]

Winter 250bc

Baeturia


“Two more have gone missing!” A sergeant screamed as he walked through the burning camp fires of Mago’s dwindling army. The weather was at least mild for this time of year but the number of deserters was growing by the day. The sergeant tapped his sword against a man’s leg waking him from his sleep. “Where is Hantar and Jenith? I know you three were friends!”

“Sergeant!” Mago yelled as he walked throughout the burning fires of his encampment.

“Yes general.” The man said as his body tightened and he turned to salute his leader. The men around him stood and screamed in unison. “Mago!”

“Relax, we don’t have time for that now. These men will be found, but right now we are moving out.” Mago spoke quickly as he walked past the group of men, saluting them as he passed.

“You heard the general, get moving!” The sergeant said as each soldier began to lace their armor to them and gather their sharpened weapons.

Mago walked to the makeshift stables where a servant handed him the reigns to his horse. As he rode out of the camp all he could think of was the delegate that arrived earlier in the month. He walked in hoping to just give his message and leave immediately. His father told him that not everyone was built for the military life and he didn’t really understand the statement until meeting this envoy from the senate back in Carthago.

Rome and the Arvenai broke ties with their treaties leaving the Gallic tribe on their own in central Iberia. Unfortunately the senators back in Carthago did not think about the fact that the only army in Iberia was his and sent their declaration of war out immediately. How could he defend four border towns as he planned an offensive at the same time? It was this reason that he kicked the envoy out of his camp back to the capital with news that he would fix the mess they handed him. It probably wasn’t the wisest words that he ever spoke in his life but emotions took control of everyone, even generals.

His orders to break encampment were based on intelligence arriving to his ears of exactly what he feared. The Arvenai were marching a massive force towards Corduba and it was up to him to present his smaller force in their path hoping to delay their advance until Hanno could arrive with his forces. It was this truth that allowed Mago to pick the terrain of the battle that they would fight on. By late afternoon his army was sitting along the crest of hill watching the large force of Gaul’s marching towards them.

“We stand our ground and take as many of them as we can. If the gods are kind then we will disperse this force quickly. What we can’t do is break before this force is bloodied. They cannot march on Corduba unabated.” Mago told his lieutenants as he walked to the right flank of his front lines. “We stand here and show them that we are superior to them in every way!”

The first engagement between the two nations started with a disorganized frontal assault by the Gallic men striking straight into the front of the Carthaginian pike men. The hillside benefited Mago’s frontal line but the sheer numbers of the enemy slowly pushed their way through despite the stones and arrows landing on top of them. Even when the order went out to the javelin men to begin their concentrated onslaught the battle did not turn towards Mago’s favor.

In the end the Carthaginians’ lines were broken and the battlefield was abandoned. The road to Corduba was now open to the Arvenai without any resistance except for the city garrison. The only good news was in the fact that Mago’s fleeing forces were in relatively normal numbers and would just need a few weeks to gather them back into a fighting force. Luck held out though and as these weeks passed Corduba saw no siege come her way. Instead Mago gathered his army back together and marched on the Gaul’s still left in his territory pushing them back into the central valleys. Word from his scouts said that his hopes were answered. Hanno and his forces were moving towards him from Nova Carthago. The senate would get their way and their risk would not be blamed on him.

[The Wandering Storyteller]

Great post Tatical stats, loving the aar update!

[Alwyn]

It sounds like Mago is in a dangerous situation, I hope that Hanno's forces reach him in time. Great updates!

[TacticalStats]

Winter 249 bc

Mare Hispanum


“Captain, where are we?” Garuatis asked as he looked out from the deck of his quadreme. His eyes saw a shoreline town built from wood and polished white stones, with no inhabitants to be found. Along the sea sat a series of towers displaying dark green banners down their sides.


“These are the Balearic Isles.” The freighter captain said as he turned back towards his oarsmen. “Bring the ship to a halt!”


Garuatis ignored the captain as he gave his men orders. “That can’t be, these are our islands.” He turned quickly to assemble his marines. “Prepare for landfall!” The command went out to a group of men ready for any excuse to get off these wretched ships and get their feet back onto land. Shields and armor were tightened to each marine as the swords and spears were passed out.


Walking to the front of the boat the general’s mind wondered to what had transpired on these lands. For centuries these islands were in debt to Carthago and paid their taxes even supplying levy troops when called upon. Now these days were in the past and to a people that he knew nothing about.


“Carthaginians, stand down. We are not at war!” A booming voice screamed from the top of the closest tower.


The marines gripped their weapons tightly and rose to their feet almost in unison. “What madness is this? It would be war that allowed you to take these islands to begin with!”


“The war was with our mutual enemy the Arvenai. It was them we conquered these lands from, not you.”


The water carresing across the bows of his transports immediately became the dominant sound striking his ears. These words froze him in a way no enemy had in his entire twenty-six years. If they were true then it would be an act of treason to attack an ally without the council’s consent. If they were false then his honor would never be recovered. It was something that he couldn’t immediately reconcile. “Can you offer proof of these claims?” It took time before an answer came inviting him to land at the main harbor in Ibossim.


The show of force displayed by the Massilians was impressive although Garuatis did not show it as he walked through the town streets. His army probably wouldn’t have been able to pry these islands back off of them, although they would have died trying. The citizens were safe and well taken care of by the new ruling oligarchy. “Well, what can you tell me of these Arvenai?”


“Walk with me.” The general from Massilia said as he turned and walked into the town senate hall. “The Arvenai have been destroyed. Our duel attacks on their lands have ripped them of all that they called home. Your forces dominated central Iberia while we took these islands and Saguntum. They originally came from lands to the north of our capital in the lands of Gaul, but they were pushed south by the stronger tribes of the Ausci and the Carnutes.”


“The lands are always busy with warfare.” Garuatis was careful to not divulge unnecessary information from the wars in North Africa. This news was very unfortunate. What the hell was Hanno and Mago thinking? They gave up the rich port cities to take farming towns deep in the valleys of Iberia. What a failed strategy.


“Tell me Cartheginian, how has the Numidian rebellion gone?” The Massilian did not even try to hide his smile.


“A rebellion is not what that would be called, but it is over for now. I, however, cannot stay for long. I am satisfied with what you have shown me. Keep peace no matter how elusive it seems to be.” These Massilians were not to be trusted, they knew too much about his land’s affairs. The council would not be pleased at the news of these losses and it was not clear as to how they would ever be able to pry them off of the Roman allies.

[TacticalStats]

Time was starting to catch up to Hasdrubal Barca. For thirteen years now he was the leading voice in Carthago and directly responsible for all hundred thousand of its inhabitants. The growing lines on his face represented the direct evidence to how stressful this task was, even as the last four years held peace. Iberia was proving to be a confusing land as the tribes of the Lusitani were now in open conflict with Rome, a prospect that could turn sour. It was not in anyone’s opinion that they could hold back the legions of Rome and if they lost all their lands to the Italians then Carthago would be cornered in the center of Iberia.


Hasdrubal stood by a carpet vendor in the main market studying the man’s craft one rug at a time. To his right stood Jezebel a longtime friend of his. She was an expert in gathering information for the Barcids. “This one would be perfect.” He said as he held a small rug meant for an entry way.


“Are your walls still the same shade of red?” Jezebel said as she looked down on his selection.


“Yeah, why?”


“And you want a dark green rug?”


Her words were true even if they failed to make sense to him, colors and décor were never his strong suit. He just smiled and set the rug down and moved on through the market. “I want to thank you for risking your life traveling around the entire Mediterranean. What news do you bring?”


“It was an awesome experience. I met a lot of interesting cultures. Rome is moving into the Alps at a steadily slow rate, while the Armenians and Seleucids are pushing through towards Babylon, but their real goal lies in the Nile Delta.” Jezebel spoke with a smile as she recounted her travels.


“Egypt.” Hasdrubal said wondering if he’d ever get to see the ancient lands.


“The lost tribes of Athens own the land now.” She could see the man’s confusion written all over his face. “There is an aggressive tribe that has dominated the Peninsula of Haernus. They hail from Dacia and are known only as the Odrysian Kingdom and they were the most dangerous people I encountered.”


“Did they attempt to capture you?”


“They chased me through the Peloponnesian lands cornering me along the shores to the Bosphorus straight. They let me live only to tell you that they have declared war on our lands. How they plan to reach here is beyond me.” Jezebel said as she purchased a pomegranate and began to peel its thick red skin back. “They have to get through the Athenians who dream of recapturing their capital. The East is a mess, but I’m sure it’s no worse than the chaos in Iberia.”


“We’re making plans to make it simpler but yes we’ve run into problems. I need you to go there and make sure that Massilia remains peaceful. We are going to war with the Lusitani to take their lands before Rome does. Once that is done we prepare for the arrival of these Dacians.”


“They won’t come, but the Athenians are moving our way so the prepared defenses won’t hurt.”


“I thought you said they were going home?”


With a bite of the pomegranate finished she smiled. “That is their goal but they have enemies on all sides so they are trying to conquer the Garamantians as we speak. They may grow bold and head into our lands.”


Hasdrubal thought on this for a moment before looking towards the sea. It was a habit of his to always look for open water while in doubt. “Then we will send an envoy south to meet them and see what thoughts are on their minds.”


“I will head to Iberia and ensure that the Massilians are peaceful and aid Hanno in any way that I can in his war against the Lusitani.” She finished the pomegranate disposing it in an alleyway. “One day our lives will be calm and we will rest together as we once did.”


“I fear we will be beyond when those days return but I hope I am wrong.” Hasdrubal said as they walked towards the palace.


“You are doing an admirable job, peace is a good thing. Remember that.” Jezebel bowed and headed towards the coastline to catch a boat for Iberia. It was clear that the upcoming birthday was weighing heavy on her leader. A son always felt strange when he reached the age of his father’s death. She just wished she could have been there to stop the Roman assassin. Their day would come though, Carthago will have her vengeance for every wrong the Italians have caused.

[TacticalStats]

Due to the memory dump I am reposting my chapters added since Christmas.

[TacticalStats]

K...I'm up to date. Now it's back to writing my next chapter.

[Alwyn]

It's great to see this very enjoyable chapter back on the forum, this chapter shows us the wider picture of what is happening in the campaign in a creative way. I'm looking forward to your next chapter.

[TacticalStats]

Carthago

The wine flowed red and smooth, dry or sweet as one desired it to be. Tonight was a celebration, a party to honor the conquest of Iberia. Local artists spent the last month designing tapestries to hang from the ceiling portraying the victories over the Lusitani and the Arvenai tribes. Hanno the Great and Mago were now names that every common Carthaginian citizen spoke of regularly. Of course the defeats at Seguntum and Ibossim weren’t hanging for all to see. No, they were cleverly forgotten.


The night was young and the women danced to the music in between the tables and chairs where there was enough seating for the hundred guests invited to this lavish feast. How many who showed up was anyone’s guess though. Hasdrubal Barca sat in his chair talking with Sambec and Hamilcar about the trickling news from afar. He was satisfied that his family was back in the same room even if it proved to be temporary. “This is much needed.” He said as he took a sip of his wine.


“How, we haven’t even finished what it is that we are celebrating.” Sambuc said as he took a bite of the pig meat and followed it with a glass of cool water from the mountain spring on top of the acropolis locally here in Carthago.


“Sambuc, relax. You have much to learn about politics. The way of a general and the way of a governor are completely separated, and for good cause.” These words were hard to choke down even for the faction leader as he said them but they were the truth none the less.


“Uncle, I want to learn all that I can in this world but in some ways it is much simpler just leading an army into the field than it is sitting here in these halls drinking wine and battling with words.”


“I’m sure that is true. I have limited experience with leading armies but here in the senate everything takes time.” Hasdrubal said this as he motioned to the servants to pour the three of them more wine. Their attention was then focused as two men walked into the front of the room holding two musical instruments in their hands. “And now our time gets delayed even further as we listen to some real music.”


Sambuc just shook his head as he reached for his glass of wine. His uncle always had a soft spot for music with lyrics. He just wanted to remain seated and listen rather than the dancing tunes that had been playing all night. As they started with their instruments the room went quiet.

Green fields get baked in the sun,
Young men lie looking up.
Only trees see the pain here.

Crows hear the good news,
But the vultures are the first to arrive.

I’m lying here, hoping my dreams come true,
Hoping I’ll get to see,
That there is a home for me.

Iberia, who gets to return?
The lucky few?
The lucky few.

The singers then stopped and bowed to the crowd as a series of applause greeted them. The singer holding the lute then began to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen thank you for your kindness. That song was a tribute to my brother who lived on the Balearic Isles before the Arvenai arrived. I was told he gave his life trying to defend his lands and I vowed that he will not be forgotten nor anyone else that died with him on that day.”

Hasdrubal Barca walked towards the singers before turning back to the crowded room. “I thank you two for this song, it honors all of our brave fallen and they will be remembered. I will commission a plaza to their honor here in Carthago and in Iberia in Nova Carthago. We will honor them in the only way we have.” The room cheered and the singers bowed to him as he turned and returned to the party.

[Alwyn]

Good update, a grand celebration with a note of sadness for those who did not live to see this day.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

I like the description of the celebration very much. As Alwyn says, the remembrance of the fallen is a nice touch.