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Session 3 Completed

I would like to again thank everyone who participated in tonight's tumultuous session 3 of the Pax Romana Campaign. Hopefully Jorian can fix his technical difficulties, they caused many a crash this evening. Other than the multiple restarts we had a good session. Land was conquered, nations fell and alliances were tested. The Seleucid Alliance appears to be coming apart at the seems. Two of its members have already declared war on each other. Join us next Wednesday and see what happens. I will post my mini-AAR tomorrow. I will tell a tale of Seleucid Conquest and domination of the East. As always I have updated the campaign map on our 1st page. Thanks again to everyone who joined us tonight and Strength and Honor to you all!!
 
Disaster for the Ptolemaic kingdom!

As Arsinoe (and basically everyone with any semblance of intelligence) predicted, war broke out between the Seleucids and Ptolemies.

After the queen's diplomatic blunder, the conflict escalated between the two successor states, starting with a shipment of goods and money bound for the Carthaginian house of elders being hijacked by pirates operating from Egyptian lands. Soon afterwards, a (rather mediocre) general on the Ptolemaic eastern front line was assassinated by a man in Seleucid employ. Understanding that the Seleucids would have a cause for war against her if the man was killed or imprisoned, Arsinoe decreed that the assassin was to be let free and offered to return the plunder from the pirate raid to the Seleucids.

It was not enough to salvage the situation, though. War soon erupted, and conflicting signs from the gods led the Egyptian armies into a false sense of security. The Seleucid fleet quickly battered aside that of the Egyptians, and the bulk of the army under Ptolemaic employ was surrounded and quickly destroyed. There was a brief respite by one army in the east, killing 20,000 Seleucid soldiers in one battle thanks to a lucky raiding party killing the enemy general before the battle had been joined, but that army soon disappeared mysteriously in the desert.

Arsinoe was quickly driven to accept a humiliating peace deal with the Seleucid Alliance, ceding all of her Asia Minor provinces and everything east of Sinai. 80% of the Ptolemaic military was destroyed in the war due to incompetent generals (I think I had a grand total of two generals who were 8 or above in Martial skill, and one of them wasn't able to be assigned to an army for some strange reason. This does not bode well for any army.) and poor omens wrecking the morale of the Greek and Macedonian troops that made up their armies.

Soon afterwards, Queen Arsinoe fell seriously ill. She passed away, letting her son/nephew (best not to think about that one too much) take the throne in her stead. Ptolemy III has much to do if he is to prove himself to the Egyptian and Hellenic peoples under his control.

Ptolemy has a choice: either destabilise the Seleucid Alliance even more and build up a force capable of facing the Seleucids head-on after his tribute is finished, or attempt to build positive relations with Antiochus in order to reap the benefits of being his vassal. We'll have to wait and see what he decides to do.
 
Seleucid Empire 499-511 AVC Part 1

Bosporans and the Egyptian War

Our third session began with a regime change in the Bosporan Kingdom. The Bosporans had only 3 provinces at the start of our session and were at war with the Roxoloni who had a larger army. The Bosporans would need help if they were to survive. Antiochus II saw an opportunity. He summoned the new Bosporan Leader before him and made an arrangement. Antiochus II would provide the Bosporan Kingdom with the gold necessary to raise a formidable mercenary army. All the Bosporan King had to do was swear his allegiance to the Seleucid Crown. This plan would provide added security to the Seleucid Empire's northern border and allow the Bosporan King a chance to expand his Kingdom, which he did.

While all this was taking place other plans of Antiochus's design were coming to fruition. Antiochus II had made all his preparations for the Egyptian campaign and was ready to strike. Once Carthage's armies were in place the war would start. Antiochus II knew his Martial skills were higher than the Egyptian Queens, he also knew that this fact would give him an advantage in battle. Infact any nation who's leader has weak Martial skills would be hard pressed to defeat a nation of equal or greater strength on the field of battle. And to add to the already numerous advantages that Antiochus II had the Egyptian generals were not up to par. With all these advantages Antiochus's advisers asked why he even needed Carthage's assistance. The Seleucid King replied "I have promised our allies land and glory, that is why." Although due to a diplomat not properly translating a message from Carthage, the good king was unable to secure lands for his ally. The war started with the Seleucid Empire declaring war and sending 2 of its army groups sprinting across the Egyptian border. One to Judea and the other to Tabruk. Then a 3rd army group was onloaded onto the massive Seleucid Fleet and headed for Alexandria. Along this naval journey the inferior Egyptian fleet was encountered and swept aside. There was a very similar result with every Egyptian army encountered. Antiochus's armies steamrolled the Egyptians. Egypt had 3 main army groups near their border with Seleucia. The 2 army groups that were in Judea and Tabruk were defeated, chased, and destroyed. The 3rd army group was destroyed in an attempt to defend Alexandria which the Seleucids assaulted by sea. While the battles for the Egyptian heartland were taking place, the armies designed for occupying Asia Minor and Cyprus were unleashed upon the Egyptians. After Egypt lost almost all their armies they came to the negotiating table, battered and broken. The Seleucid King initially gave the Egyptians harsh terms but was convinced by his Carthaginian ally that this was not necessary. Part of those "harsh terms" would give Carthage the Egyptian lands they occupied. But due to a miscomunication between the allies Carthage ended up with nothing to show for their troubles. Antiochus II met with the Carthaginian leader in person to mend relations. At this meeting he pointed out that Carthage could still declare war on Rome itself, since the Seleucid's peace meant Carthage was unable to continue their bid for expansion.
 
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Seleucid Empire 499-511 Part 2

The Rise and Fall of The Seleucid Alliance

After the Egyptian War, Antiochus II went about picking his govenors to manage the new provinces he had gained. But as he is conducting business as usual he hears grumblings from greece. The greek nations of Macedonia and the Aetolian League had been at odds the whole campaign. Even when they were allied it was only out of convenience. They had been sizing each other up since the start, looking for an opportunity to claim the greek lands that they both felt they had claim on. The two major powers in the Alliance, Carthage and the Seleucid Empire, had agreed to not get involved should a war break out in greece. It was to be viewed as a civil war, one that we had no business interfering in. They both had claim and were both looking to bring their greek bretheren into the fold. But it soon became clear that Carthage was favoring the Aetolian League. The two had been working closely together planning their combined assault on Rome. With Egypt defeated, the Romans stood alone. Carthage had requested the assistance of the massive Seleucid Fleet to help keep the Roman fleet from escaping. So Antiochus II sent his fleet to Epirus to assist his allies. Antiochus II had no desire to take Roman lands, looking to remain in his own sphere of influence, so no request for any type of gains or compensation was made. But in a move both shocking and cunning, Macedonia unleashed a massive assault on the Aetolian League. This came only after the Aetolians lost thousands of troops at the hands of the skillfull Romans. It was well planned and well timed. Immediately after, Carthage broke their vow of nuetrality and declared war on Macedonia. This infuriated Antiochus II, so much so that he quickly sent messengers to warn the Carthaginians that if just one of their soldiers set foot on greek soil that the alliance would be terminated and Carthage would incur the full wrath of the mighty Seleucid Empire. At the session's end Carthage had not attacked Macedonia, but Antiochus II had fallen gravely ill and passed in the year 511. The new Seleucid King has a mighty task before him. Can he save the crumbling alliance? Or will he seek different, more loyal allies? With a new King and a changing political climate who knows what new alliances might be formed out of the ashes of the last.
 
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Dang, such epic drama that I missed! I wonder how badly the AI has screwed up the remains of my Egypt, as well.

Yeah, Egypt really didn't stand a chance against the Seleucids. I found myself assassinating a couple of crappy generals so the game would generate more and hopefully they'd be half decent, but it didn't happen.

Oh well. At least there's no longer a juggernaut alliance that no one can stop...
 
Macedonia 499 - 511

As the new century dawned, Keraunos Ptolemy began to recover his senses. He had been in a coma-like state for over a decade and when he finally snapped to, he could hardly believe the changes in the political landscape and the misfortunes that had befallen his beloved Macedonia. For one, the former Illyrian provinces of Scodra and Moesi were now occupied by the Aetolian League, effectively sealing Macedonia off from expanding to the North. But worse yet, both Achea and Sparta had also been annexed by the shrewd and relentlessly expansive Aetolians. This despite an explicit agreement between Keraunos and the Aetolians that they would take only Achea and leave Sparta to be re-united with Macedonia.

But rather than dwell on the injustices of the past, Keraunos drew a deep breath and reminded himself that misunderstandings among allies are as natural and temporary as the storms of winter. And so he set himself to re-building his nation and repairing his relations with his allies. Trade routes were re-established, fields irrigated, and once the domestic crises were settled, new armies were raised.

An expedition was sent to Dacia to test the marching ability of the new recruits and to discover whether that kingdom might wish to join Macedonia. Upon their arrival, Keraunos was shocked, simply shocked, to find that the Bosporan Kingdom was already at war with Dacia and was about to annex Apulia. Why had the Bosporans ventured so far from their home? But Keraunus had no time to ponder whether it was poor compass skills or an act of random aggression. To save the capitol itself from being overrun by the fish eaters from the shores of the distant Black Sea, Keraunos embarked on a short war of mercy so that Dacii could enjoy the protection of the Macedonian banner.

Troubled by this Bosporian incursion, Keraunos's health once again began to suffer and he soon passed from his mortal coil. Eurycrates Ptolemy inherited the kingdom and with it the Bosporian problem. He displayed the essential justness and generosity of his spirit by consulting with his allies upon the best course of action. Cautioned by the Aetolian League that Bosporus was their ally, he decided to enter into negotiations with Bosporus to see if they could arrive at mutually beneficial resolution. Plans were quickly drawn up to have Apulia delivered to Macedonia and for Macedonia to support
the Bosporians in their wars against Colchis and Rhoxolani.

But before these plans could be put into effect, a curious set events transpired that would eventually lead to what history has in-artfully termed the 4th War of Macedonian Aggression. Unbeknown to Eurycrates, a cabal had been plotting to replace him with a more skilled leader. Taking advantage of his fears over the ill-health that ran in his family, they convinced him
to take a restorative cruise aboard a newly commissioned trieme. They cackled with glee as he set course for the pillars of Hercules. On the return leg, the plot nearly came to fruition as the ship, worn down by months in the open sea, slipped beneath the waves. Nearly. Eurycrates, though denigrated by the plotters for his poor health and martial abilities, was
a strong swimmer.

Refreshed by the long swim to shore, the King emerged from the sea with three clear thoughts:
1. His allies in Aetolia were not acting reciprocally: while he consulted them over Bosporus and listened carefully to their advice, they did not share their plans against Rome with him.
2. The Aetolian aggression against Rome masked their true objective: annexation of Magna Graecia, yet another step in their march towards hegemony over all the Greek peoples.
3. Treachery is quiet.

But not always quiet enough. One morning a gentle wind from the West brought troubling words to Eurycrate's ear: Aetolia was plotting against him. It might have been a trick of the wind, or just the musings of his own jealous mind. Yet Eurycrates knew he could not survive if he waited for Aetolia to strike the first blow. And so, gathering his armies, he sent them into Aetolia to remove the threat.

At this point the outcome is still uncertain. But even if total victory is as close as his most optimistic advisers assure, Eurycrates will offer Aetolia a just peace. His only aim is to re-balance the Greek world along its most natural lines: Sparta, Epirius, and all former Ilyrian provinces will be joined to Macedonia. If this proves too bitter for the Aetolians, and if they wish to become true allies with Macedonia, then Eurycrates is willing to negotiate
in good faith with them. If they are willing to reduce their armies and concentrate on becoming a maritime power, then Sparta could remain theirs.

May the next decade bring peace to the Greek world.
 
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As always, a great post Ken. Although I was hoping you would mention the nation who financed your army...the one you are using to defeat the aetolians. Oh and the Aetolians were not the only ones who advised you not to attack the Bosporans, they are my allies too. Just some minor corrections, but I liked the post anyway.
 
State of the Seleucid Alliance

A new king has come to the throne in the Seleucid Empire. His name is King Aeacides. He comes to the the throne as the most capable military leader in any monarchy. His martial skills are formidable and he knows this. And at the age of 30 he also knows he will be around to impose his will for a long time. His first decision as King was to bring Carthage back into the fold, either diplomatically or by force. The Carthaginian leader pledged to heed the wishes of the new Seleucid King and cease his aggression against Macedonia. Then King Aeacides decided it was no longer in the Alliance's best interest to support the Aetolian League, thus banishing the Aetolians from the Seleucid Alliance. This decree will be put into effect at the beginning of our next session. Anticipating some possible disputes on the matter from Carthage and Aetolia, King Aeacides made the following statement "I am the King of the mightiest nation in antiquity, The Seleucid Empire, and I am now declaring myself the sole Leader of the Seleucid Alliance....in this alliance my word is law." The Seleucid Kings had always lead the alliance for obvious reasons but the new King, after seeing how Antiochus II struggled to control his allies, quickly realized that in order for his alliance to work properly there could be only one leader. One person with absolute control who could stop disputes before they escalated to war between allies. With a brazen new King the Seleucid Alliance is heading in a bold new direction. One that the new King summed up in one statement "The nations of the world will have two choices, join us or burn in the fires of war!"
 
AAR - Bosporun Kingdom

Although I can't compete with your guy's AARs, I thought I would contribute a little something from my prospective in the east:

After missing the first two sessions due to real life obligations (leading my condo association rather than the Bosporan Kingdom), I took over for and entered the game as King Spartacus (no kidding that's really his name, so I can honestly say "I am Spartacus") and ruler of Bosporan Kingdom. Instantly, I was thrown into a desperate situation where King Spartacus was fighting a losing war against Rhoxolani. The economy was in shambles, manpower was essentially at zero, and the Kingdom was outnumbered by the superior Rhoxolani army. King Spartacus smartly realized that his only hope of survival was to find powerful and established friends in the ancient world.

Spartacus found his first ally in the leader of of the Seleucid Empire. In exchange for gold to build a mercenary army and protection, Spartacus would pledge his allegience to the Seleucid King. The Seleucid King delievered on his promise and Spartacus and his newly formed mercenary legions fought bravely and turned the tide against Rhoxolani. This resulted in the annexation of two important territories and gave the Bosporan Kingdom much needed tax and trade income.

Additionally, Spartacus, a seasoned diplomat, welcomed diplomats from other realms. First came the Aetolian who offered an alliance, they themselves allied with the Seleucids, and later came an emissary from a far away land called Rome, who guaranteed the independence of the Kingdom.

Now with more of a handle on the current geo-political situation, Spartacus began plotting a war of revenge against Rhoxolani, however, Rhoxolani had gotten smart and formed an alliance with the Bosporuns neighbors to the south, Colchis. Furthermore, Spartacus could sense that the Macedonian empire was eyeing its satellite territory in the west, which was presumptively won from a previous war with Dacia. Spartacus would eventually reignite the flames of war against Rhoxolani after a Bosporun asassin was captured and murdered. The Bosporun Kingdom struck hard and was winning the war in the north while holding its ground in the south against Colchis, who had honored its alliance with Rhoxolani. The plan was to defeat Rhoxolani and then focus south, however, Rhoxolani won an upset victory in a key battle that put the Bosporuns back on the defensive. But just as hope was running out, the Bosporuns were saved in part from their forgotten ally Pontus. Although reduced to one territory, Pontus had a large army and navy which it rushed into the fight. Eventually the tide was turned and a favorable peace was negotiated with the defeated Rhoxolani. Currently, war is still raging with Colchis, but the Bosporuns will soon occupy all Colchis territory.

Lastly, the Bosporuns completed a successful colonization to the east after defeating a large barbarian army.
 
I'll try to write something too later (will be hard because of the 10 min session for me...)

however, i need to ask who would have time and when before the next session to test my connection and stability with me :)
 
jorian said:
I'll try to write something too later (will be hard because of the 10 min session for me...)

however, i need to ask who would have time and when before the next session to test my connection and stability with me :)
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I can.
 
Avatars

As you can see I have finally broke down and adjusted my Avatar to reflect my choice of country. I think this would be a cool thing for everyone else to do as well.
 
Oh Danny boy

Paging Dan of Kentucky (aka Carthage), We would love to read your take on what happened last session.
 
Carthrage 3rd session

As the Carthiginian high general looks out onto the harbor of Carthrage.
he recieves letters, popaganda, and emmisarys from all the lands of the world. He stumbles upon a leaflet from selucia. It says they must bring Carthrage into fold. Carthrage will not be controlled by these people from the east. Carthrage is a nation that dominates the seas and the trade of the west, with armies that no nation cannot stop. Carthrage will not fall to the Seleucid empire! Carthrage used to be great friends of the seleucids, but now he doesnt not know them anymore, they have changed.When the high general looks east and sees nothing but storm clouds. As the greek states wage war on each other, carthrage comes to a conclusion. Aetolia will not survive. Macadon is the future. But macadon must know one thing, if they dare challenge, insult, offend, or any other action against Carthrage. The high general can garuntee a army numbering 55,000 in macadon, with a army of 30,000 on the capitol, and every port blockaded. With the return of the veterans of the siciclian war, the high general gets a glimpse of the people who fight for Carthrage. Carthrage wished to stabilize relations with rome, and we might agree on the orgininial Line of Demarcation, the Pyranees. As the high general looks upon the seas he sees a new Fate for Carthrage, we will just have to see if that fate is a good fate.

god bless.
 
Sheltonious said:
I can.
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great, any time on the next week it could be done, but to arrange it, i need to know untill Sunday-Monday when you are free :)


EDIT: lol, "carthrage" :rofl:
 
Dan of Kentucky

I liked your post. Stirring the pot is always fun. And a political shake up could be interesting. It would definitely make the game more fun for everyone else I'm sure. Plus with no great threat facing our two nations there really wasn't a point to the alliance between Carth and Sel Emp other than to beat on everyone else. I do want to give the other nations a chance. That's why I haven't sent troops to Italy, sure it would be easy for me to conquer those rich roman provinces but I figure Osfratman already has enough problems. Plus I would love to see the classic Rome Vs Carthage wars that we have all come to love. Although historical accuracy is hardly ever achieved in this game (especially online) it is fun to watch whenever it does happen. But that's just my two cents.
 
comagoosie said:
hey, heard that this was kinda like a MP AAR, very nice.

May you mind adding in some screenies for some poor ole me :D

The game looks interesting!
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That would be very interesting, but we are not as experienced with AAR's as you. I have read one of yours and I was extremely impressed. I don't know your opinion on online play and availability but I would be very excited if you could join us. You could be our campaign's scribe. Your attention to detail and knack for storytelling would be a welcome addition. And on the subject of screeshots the only one I know how to do is the campaign map screenshot that i have up on our first page. I don't know how to get the ingame screenshots like you have used in your AAR's. So any help would be appreciated and if you are interested in joining us on our quest for online glory then let me know.
 
Sheltonious said:
That would be very interesting, but we are not as experienced with AAR's as you. I have read one of yours and I was extremely impressed. I don't know your opinion on online play and availability but I would be very excited if you could join us. You could be our campaign's scribe. Your attention to detail and knack for storytelling would be a welcome addition. And on the subject of screeshots the only one I know how to do is the campaign map screenshot that i have up on our first page. I don't know how to get the ingame screenshots like you have used in your AAR's. So any help would be appreciated and if you are interested in joining us on our quest for online glory then let me know.
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Wow, I am honored :eek:

How would we do this whole scribe thing? Would I play as the Picts, and I would record whatever I see, or would I share a country with someone, and just take notes on what I experience and such (is sharing a country even possible?)

There is another problem. I am using 1.2 currently as my AAR is running using 1.2, and I don't know what will happen if I make the jump, not that it matters too much, my AAR is a narrative, but having gameplay to go off and construct the story is nice.

Then there is availability. I am a very busy person but 4:30 - 7:30 (for me) on Wednesday is a very good time. But if I do join and I am not at the meta server at 4:30 do not wait for me, remember that I would be a scribe and not very important. And if I do join, and if I happen to drop from the game from whatever reason, do not stop.

Lastly, you may not be as "experienced" as I in AAR writing, but there are umpteen first time writers that have blown me away, in such away that I find it likely to hide in a corner at night, away from those first time writers.
 
comagoosie said:
Wow, I am honored :eek:

How would we do this whole scribe thing? Would I play as the Picts, and I would record whatever I see, or would I share a country with someone, and just take notes on what I experience and such (is sharing a country even possible?)

There is another problem. I am using 1.2 currently as my AAR is running using 1.2, and I don't know what will happen if I make the jump, not that it matters too much, my AAR is a narrative, but having gameplay to go off and construct the story is nice.

Then there is availability. I am a very busy person but 4:30 - 7:30 (for me) on Wednesday is a very good time. But if I do join and I am not at the meta server at 4:30 do not wait for me, remember that I would be a scribe and not very important. And if I do join, and if I happen to drop from the game from whatever reason, do not stop.

Lastly, you may not be as "experienced" as I in AAR writing, but there are umpteen first time writers that have blown me away, in such away that I find it likely to hide in a corner at night, away from those first time writers.
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Well I had given it some thought. Yes you would need to update to version 1.3. And you could be the picts, and I had an idea about how you could see and take screenshots of the whole game. If every player allied with you then you could see what everyone is doing and thus record every war, every skirmish and document the many storylines of this epic campaign.
 
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