History of New Macedonia - Vae Victis AAR

[Aekar]

525 AVC
Bargain with Hades


525 AVC

In Greater Macedonia, there were talks among the people, rumors spreading in every city. It was said that Ptolemy Keraunos, their Basileus, had made some odd a bargain with Hades.

It was agreed that Ptolemy Keraunos would never be called by Death itself. Their Basileus was immortal, just as their kingdom was.

Unfortunatelty, the price of this bargain was heavy: for all children and heir of Ptolemy Keraunos was to be taken to Hades realm sooner than expected. Everytime death was trying to get its hand on Keraunos, one of his Heir would fall instead.

In 508 AVC, when Cleopatra was getting ready to be Queen, something happened and she died. In 512 AVC, when Eudipia was getting ready to do the same, she died just the same way.

That made two more dead among the Heirs, and others following. About 34 heirs had died since 474 AVC, all from unexplained circumstances, a heavy death toll for the best lords and children of Macedonia.




OOC : I am here trying to explain what I will now call the "Bargain with Hades" bug of Europa Vae Victis. The fix someone has made isn't savegame compatible, so I won't apply it for this game.

Besides, this makes me understand that maybe it is all those characters with the "Become Basileus " ambition who are killing all legitimate heirs. Understanding this in 540 AVC, I will try some other government methods which include prison and assassination, and you will see in future posts if this is effective or not.

Now back to our story...

 

[Enewald]

Yep, only tyrants families survive. o

 

[Aekar]

526 AVC
Pontus plays with fate


526 AVC, Early

Ptolemy Keraunos the Immortal and Cursed, old king of 76 years, was inspecting his armies. A huge triumph was being held in Pella, following the last victories against some beastly barbarians of the far North.

For once, this was chasing fear from the Macedonian people. Since Rome took hold in Aetolia, about ten years ago, people were no longer asking for a war against Rome, but were instead "afraid" of a war against Rome.

Victories against the barbarians, successful expansion, falling themselves to
Ptolemy Counselors were gathered around him and drinking wine, feasting over this major victory.

"Glory to the King! Glory to the King!" was shouted everywhere.

"Majesty", said the Grand Vizier, his face forever marked with sadness for the death of Cleopatra, his wife and expected-to-be Queen of Macedonia.

"Majesty, Macedonia is known as the greatest Power of all, today. We survived another heavy invasion, and extended our control even further to the north, with more barbarian kings bowing to the Basileus, and submitting to his rule!

- Hmm, replied the Basileus."

If Ptolemy had never been a great tactican, a charismatic leader or a good administrator, he had created an aura around his name that made Macedonia known and feared in every palace. He was getting used to this fame, and as such, was becoming suspicious.

"The rulership of Macedonia has extended to the north, and this makes my Macedonians subjects proud. But do they really know about what this cost us?

- Majes... began the Grand Vizier.

- Do they know that there had never be so few children in Macedonia? That the kingdom is still exhausted, with no men to replace the losses. No young man is experienced enough to replace the losses Macedonia suffered in these years.

- Yes, Majesty.

- Even more, the East, the West and the South are still left out to the tyranny of other powers.

- But, my Great Basileus... under your rule, we have built a navy able to rule all seas of the Mediterranean Sea!"

The Basileus smiled slightly, for he was proud of this feat.

- Yes, more than four hundred ships spread in forty Trireme units. A true naval power. But tell me... do you know the exact number of ships that Rome can send against us?

- Uhh...no... I am afraid that...

- You do not know. And the exact number of legions they can send against us, even without using those fleet? For the Pannini barbarian hordes will not be a match for them, they will get through.

- Majesty... do you mean that we should send our generals to the northwest, and defend the Mediterranean sea with our vessels meanwhile?

- No... no, Grand Vizier. We have to settle this roman problem once and for all. I have trust in our amiral skills to fight against the roman navy. But the romans will first land troops in Epirus and Aetolia. So, it is in Aetolia and Epirus that we will fight them.

Prepare the orders for our men. In two weeks, we begin our maneuvers and position our troops for an invasion


- An invasion of Epirus and Aetolia, your Majesty? What if the romans are strong enough to withstand our attack?

- Then call for the blessing of Ares. For if they manage to repel our attack, or to stand it for more than one year, Macedonia will be doomed.

 

[Aekar]

526 AVC, late year

Rome was extending its control in Greece with Aetolia, but conquered also Tarentum and expanded its territory to the north.

But in Macedonia, everything was ready for declaring war to Rome, everything except confidence in victory. Ptolemy Keraunos wasn't able to sleep. Defeat was almost certain. There had to be other ways to survive.

But the conquest of Aetolia by Rome deserved a military answer. This was casting an ill fate for Greece.

It is right at this time that the Kingdom of Pontus made an attempt at a joke, a joke that will cost them dearly.

For some reason, Pontus declared war on Macedonia in AVC 526.

They were certainly trying to get hold of Bithynia and stop the trade monopol Macedonia has put on the trade coming from the Black Sea.

The King of Pontus was also counting on his friends the Seleucids to join the fight. Unfortunately for Pontus, the war was too quick for the Seleucids to interfere.


Something other happened though. Our governor in Argolis and Euboea decided to take advantage of the Pontic agression and separate from Macedonia. He declared independance!

He subscribed then to the King's Black List, and was the most immediate thing to deal with, as soon as Pontus would have accepted its defeat.


Here follows the whole picture:
- It shows the recent conquests of Rome, including its conquest of Cyrenaica
- It displays the full expansion of the New Macedonian empire
- It also shows the traitor in Argolis
- And displays our victories against Pontus, a quick war thanks to our navy. The other provinces of Pontus fell also to our armies in the next year.

 

[Enewald]

One must beat the romans. Phalanxes shall do the jobs, I hope.

 

[unmerged(81979)]

Rome must be stopped at all costs. Onward, phalanx soliders!

 

[comagoosie]

I love it!

You got the civil wars, politics, treasons, family members, conquests...

It does seem you are coming up on top! Keep it up and make sure you take down the romans a rung or two

 

[unmerged(81979)]

Keep it up and make sure you take down the romans a rung or two

Yes, yes, quite! Knock them out of Greece, will you? They're a blight on sacrid Pontic soil...

 

[Aekar]

529 AVC
War! War against Rome!


529 AVC: Before the Storm

After its outstanding victory against Pontus, Macedonia added several provinces to its already large kingdom. Crete was one of those interesting gains. Pontus was also stripped of Trapezus and two of its western provinces.

Pontus was not only diminshed, it was also made quite vulnerable: its capital had no direct contact with its far provinces. Macedonia had also defeated all its men. Pontus soon fell to revolt and civil war, and became not even strong enough to be accounted for.


The King of Macedonia wasn't feeling comfortable about the situation. Macedonia lost men to this was with Pontus, and lost men again agains the Traitor of Argolis. Even worse, while Macedonian troops were repelling the armies of the Traitor and taking back Euboea, another nation took advantage of the situation and conquered Argolis for itself.

Rome tried to do so, but it was the Achaean greeks who came first. They took Argolis, and being as mischievous as ambitious greeks can be, they decided to keep it for themselves.

This did put the Achaeans somewhere on the top of Ptolemy's Black List, however, there was another name on top of this: Rome.



529 AVC, in the throne room of the King's Second Palace in Thessaly...
Ptolemy Keraunos, the Immortal, aged 80 years, gives a final briefing to his military leaders.

Fellow generals, let me tell you again what your orders are.

Amiral Methrades, you will take command of the great fleet. Take great care of our Four Hundred Ships. Take them to the shores of Epirus.

Amiral Pyrad, you will take our 70 remaining ships and keep them in reserve. You are to prevent any Roman fleet from opening a new front with a naval operation to the East, or to any other place they will fancy to attack.

General Nikomedes, you will lead the main land force; you will take 18 000 men from Thessaly and head for Epirus. General Bachiros will come at the same time with 13 000 men from Taulanti. Look for a quick victory, but do not assault the city unless a breach is made, for there are no men left to replace your losses.

General Basharates, you will cover the western front with your few men. You need to be positioned to prevent any uprising of illyrian rabble. As soon as you see Roman legions, you head out for the shores; Pyrad's fleet will help you in your retreat by sea, and you will land in Aetolia, Italy or whatever front seems to be open.

Eventually, General Aman, you will be affected to our Northern Front, to protect our interests in Dacia. Begin intensive recruitment of mercenaries there. They might be needed if the war lasts longer than we hope.


Grand Vizier, find me our best skilled diplomat, and send him to Achaea. Congratulate our "greek friends" for their "conquest" of Argolis, and the appropriate execution of the Traitor. His whole court exiled to our lands, and is now felt loyal. And request support from them in our war against Rome. They have 31 000 men ready and a strong fleet; with us on our side, Rome will be too surprised and crippled with our combined fleets, and will ask for peace quickly.


It is right at this time that the fate of Macedonia took a turn. For before the session was over, a messenger entered the throne room. He looked battered and exhausted.

"Majesty ! Your Majesty! we... eh... we are... e... attacked by barbarians!

- Savages? again? where? and HOW MANY?

- In Suci, Greatest Basileus. Reports indicate... thousands... tens of thousands of enraged barbarians... with... with cavalrymen and archers to support their invasions... and... and a great warlord to lead them. They...

- They?

- They already conquered Suci, your Majesty. Six days after they came. The siege only lasted for six days.

- I want accurate numbers! How many are they?

- Our scouts counted about 25 000 men, your Majesty.


Old Ptolemy Keraunos was looking thoughtful. He was aged 80, but still quick to react.

"GENERALS! The fate of Macedonia will be in your hands. Nikomedes and Bachiros, head out to the north and meet those barbarians with hard Macedonian steel. We need you to defeat them in two months !

General Aman will take back the plundered cities with our new mercenaries.

Grand Vizier! Find a second diplomat, and send him to Roma. Negotiate on our behalf to settle some trade with Rome. We need to buy out some time, for our war will only begin in about six months.

You have your orders. Now draw your sword, and earn your glory before the eyes of Ares!"




Again, war against Rome was postponed... for a few months. Was this barbarian invasion organized by some Roman mischievous plot? For actually, only two weeks after, something terrible happened...

 

[Aekar]

529 AVC, three weeks after...

Macedonians armies had barely left Taulanti and Thessaly in order to face the barbarian warlord, that another messenger came to Ptolemy Keraunos.

This messenger was bringing very ill news. He was speaking of Romans, war, legions and fleets.

The words "Macedonia is doomed" were also voiced out several times.
And the sentence: "Rome has decided to obliterate us".


The King displayed a large papyrus map, and moved some figures over it.

This strategic map is right below.

 

[Enewald]

Hard times!
But the kingdom of the true shall survive!

 

[unmerged(81979)]

Ruh-roh... Well, good luck defending against that! :rofl:

 

[comagoosie]

:rofl:

I guess VV is a lot harder. I think I might stick with my 1.3

Good luck, I have a feeling that you are going to need it

 

[Aekar]

529 AVC (late year)
Is Macedonia Doomed?


Thracia, Palace of Governor, 529 AVC

Following the great roman invasion, Ptolemy Keraunos moved his government headquarters to Thracia to the east. It was a place his generals could easily reach by sea, and also a much secure place compared to the threatened heart of the country.

It is here that the King summoned his Great Amiral, Chief of Navy and one would say, only hope for Macedonia itself.


"Amiral Mithrades, I have called you to discuss our... possibilities. As you may know, our attempts at surrendering to Rome have failed so far.

- Great Basileus... actually, surrendering isn't an option I am currently considering.

- What do you mean, Amiral?

- I mean that we can achieve victory over the romans, my King.

- Oh... it has been said that you are one of the best generals of our time. I am currently consdering this as maybe a false assert. But I am looking for victory. Tell me how we could achieve 'victory' against such odds.

- First of all, I will speak of my current duty. I was charged of equipping and preparing our navy for this. And I must say, my King, that your navy is ready.

- You do know that the Romans currently field even more fleets than we do ; they sent 540 ships, and this doesn't include the minor fleets they may have.

- Yes, my King. But the will of Poseidon cannot be guessed. The tide of Naval Battles is uncertain ; having more ships than the enemy isn't a guarantee of success. I have studied the roman navy well, and I know its weaknesses. Besides, this fleet is commanded by a roman moron, who obtained this command thanks to his influence in the Senate. You may place your trust in me. I will sent the roman navy to the bottom of the sea.

- You will be outnumbered, with at least 50 percent more ships than you have, yet you believe you will win?

- I know I will win, your Majesty.

- Agreed then. Do not bother coming back to me if you are defeated, of course.

- Now, if you allow me to do so, I have something to propose regarding our land battles.

- Yes?

- As you may know, the romans are quite eager to win this campaign. They want to come back to Roma with Macedonia completely submitted to their rule. They are so eager that they assault every garrison they meet.

- Yes, and they are successful, it seems, as Thessaly, Macedonia and Paeonia fell in only a few days.

- These assaults cost them many lives. The roman command is very organized. Their southern army is commanded by one Roman General. In order not to loose his influence over the Senate, and bring glory only in his own name, this Roman General is going to keep all units under his command. His army will not split.

- What is your point?

- Since his army won't split, it will besiege one province after the other. Assaulting cities is a very exhausting feat. As you may know, he didn't succeed in taking Paeonia in one assault. He had to wait for two months before being able to take over this last province.

His army has weakened, his authority on his men has weakened.

- Your advice is to attack him?

- Attack him now that he is weak. Then flee when his army will have recovered.

- Flee to Thracia?

- I advise not, your Majesty. Head back to Epirus and Aetolia. My navy - I mean, the Macedonian Navy - will control the seas and guarantee a safe retreat to our troops. We will also be able to move from Epirus to Aetolia in a very quick way. This way, the attention of Roma will be attracted to Epirus instead of to Thracia.

- This addresses our concerns regarding their southern army. What about the barbarians to the north and the invaders to the west?

- Barbarians want riches and the invasion in Suci will go south, to the richest provinces. They will come to Paeonia or Taulanti. The barbarians will meet the romans...

- After all our heartland will be conquerered by romans or barbarian savages!

- ...they will meet the romans, hopefully the romans themselves will be lessened by their besieging, and the barbarians will cut many of them down. This will buy us a few time. We must use this time to build an army force in Dacia.

- We have no men available for that, as you may know.

- Yes, but we have countless riches, riches coming from our trades and our wealthiest provinces. There are no mercenaries available in southern Macedonia, but Dacia is surrounded by barbarians and provides us with an almost countless amount of mercenary men. We will recruit those, again, again and again, and build us lesser armies.

- Lesser armies are unable to counter those multiple legions, and mercenaries are unable to reinforce themselves after a fight.

- Yes, but we will have mobility. We will retake the lost lands behind the barbarian invasion, first. Then we will attack everyland near the coasts, using our navy mobility, and cut down the roman supply lines. Eventually, once we would have secured some of our heartland again, we might strike in Italy.

- In Italy!... we shall see, Amiral. I name you Commander of our Armies, and Commander of our Navies. You are actually the only General who does have a plan here ; all the others are only looking to secure their heads, and never report back to the throne, or only with false reports. Go now. And bring me this victory you promised."



The Amiral left.

The Naval Battle of Epirus did happen. 370 Macedonian ships faced the 540 Roma sent against Macedonia. The roman Amiral didn't manage to organize a fleet this size, whereas the Macedonian chief had a well prepared plan.

Roma lost a major battle there, which turned the tide of roman history. Nearly all roman ships were sent to the bottom of the sea, whereas Macedonia kept an almost intact fleet.

This was the first great Macedonian victory.

In land battles, however, the romans legions proved stronger than the Macedonian cavalries and phalanxes. But the Macedonians armies used their naval advantage for a superior mobility, always avoiding annihilation, and managing to conquer Epirus and Aetolia.

After some months, the southern roman invasion was also repelled by the barbarian invaders, and the defending Macedonian army annihilated the remaining roman troops.

However, this plan was ineffective agains the main western invasion force. The romans met the barbarians and repelled the attack, loosing only some men to this, and repelled every mercenary attack launched against them. Macedonian troops were crushed. But recuitment of Dacians never stopped, and it continued, month after month, year after year.

 

[Aekar]

 

[comagoosie]

Such a weird strategy!

How did the admiral do it?

Anyways, I agree, attack as soon as they are done assaulting and then you have a better chance of winning, which is what I always do. Good Luck.

 

[unmerged(81979)]

Cut 'em off at the pass, eh? Interesting strategy...

 

[Coinneach]

bring the Gauls and Carthaginians in on your side, and watch Rome burn especially with no Roman fleet

 

[Enewald]

Btw, the name amir-al-bahr/admiral wasn't used before crusades.
I don't remember the name which the game uses for that tittle.

But nice gameplay and writing!
Beat the romans!

 

[Aekar]

532 AVC
After three years of Roman War


502 AVC

The old Ptolemy Keraunos, aged 83, was sitting on his throne and discussing with his counselors. The Grand Vizier then came in, a smile on his face.

(please see next page for full map)
"You may all leave", said the old king, "for I have to speak with our Vizier." The King only waited for an instant before snapping at the Vizier.

" This smile sounds like good news, but just before you tell them to me, remember to give the Royal Torturer charge to someone else. We need a firm grip and brains to prevent our eastern lands from taking advantage of this war and revolting. A revolt in Dacia would also ruin all of our plans.

- Yes, your Majesty.

- So, now, what are the good news?

- Great Basileus, following his plans, our Master of Armies and Fleets pursued all roman ships and sank their navies wherever they were.

- Yes, he planned never to allow the romans to build a navy again. What about our land?

- Our mercenaries successfully took control of the capital and all our heartland. You may head back to the Palace of Macedonia as soon as you would see fit.

- Agreed. But according to your smile there seems to be another good thing. What is it, tell me.. ?

- A great victory, your Majesty! The Master of Armies plan did succeed. 50 000 invaders went as far to the islands of Euboea ; then their navies were destroyed, and with all our fleets controlling the seas and straits, they could not come back! Rome launched several attemps at breaking the sea blockage, without success. We have locked 50 000 men away on this island!

- Hmm... this is... a major feat indeed. What is the next step?

- Invasion of Italy, your Majesty. Our top General is already on it. We have conquered Epirus again, and will launch an invasion corps from there.

- Roman will defend Italia will all their strength.

- Indeed, but their will seem to be broken ; Tarentum and Ager Bruttius are revolting against the rule of the Senate. Rome doesn't like defeat, and romans even less.

- What about our allies?

- Our 30 000 allies in Achaea still refuse to declare war on Rome, because of their common alliance with Massilia. We have to set peace with Massilia before.

- Maybe once we would have Italy in our grasp...

- Carthage refused to join, and the Seleucid Empire as well.

- And the barbarians?

- We have no contact with the Gauls, your Majesty. Greeks are unwilling to get in touch with savages.

- Maybe will the Gauls understand the threat themselves. And Carhage will certainly do something once Rome will be at its weakest point. I have one last request.

- Yes, your Majesty?

- Prepare everything for a successor. I have reigned for many years. But I am old, old and imbued with the strength and the wisdom of Zeus. Build a monument to my name. Do what is necessary for people to remember that we have resisted the romans and that today, in 532, we are looking to settle scores with them and have our revenge. Go now."


Once alone, Ptolemy Keraunos wept. He wept for all his sons, babies lost to pretender assassins. He wept for his lost wife and his lost daughters. He wept for his lost brother, and his lost friends. For he would have preferred to leave out his empire to someone able, instead of to someone stranger to him.

(please see next page for full map)