This is the story of my first Regent game, coming straight from Chieftain. Huge map, archipelago, 24 Civs in PTW. Much modding, however, the changes are not worth mentioning since this game did not last very long. BTW I'm the Celts

THE BEGINNING
In the beginning we were a band of nomads following the ways of our leader Brennus. We had been walking around for years in the Keltoi Desert looking for a place to settle. We finally decided to settle in between the Hallstatt and Le Tène rivers, where the Keltoi Desert met the Galli Plains. In the year 3750 BC we established our encampment of Entrement, there were only 10,000 of us then, proud and strong we called ourselves CELTS.

view of our location
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads4/celts01.jpg

THE PERSIANS
In the year 2950 BC we met the Persians to the south of us and found them to be somewhat hostile demanding ridiculous prices for simple technologies. We did not trust Xerses and because of their attitude we felt that eventually we would have a major conflict with them.

EXPANSION
As Entrement grew into a city and became more crowded it was apparent that we needed to establish other settlements and in 2310 BC we established Alesia to the south. Soon after that we discovered the secrets of the Wheel. The marvelous creatures we would use to ride into battle with are right outside our borders to the way west of Alesia. Brennus decided that our workers were much too valuable to waist in a colony and decided to wait until our borders expanded. The year was now 1625 BC and we decided to settle another town named Lugdunum near the Persian border to establish the boundary line.

trying to establish our border with Persia
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads4/celts02.jpg

THE BORDER
In 1225 we established our next settlement in the Galatian Hills to reinforce our border with the evil Persians we would name it Camolodunum. Just in time since there were savage Persian settlers which were attempting to establish towns in our sacred lands.

the border is now set
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads4/celts03low.jpg

NO IRON
In 1025 BC the town of Richborough was created in hopes that eventually the wild horses in the country side would be under our control sooner rather than later.
1000 BC Our scientist discovered Iron Working with this knowledge we could improve our military significantly, however the only source of iron that we can see belongs to the Persians in the town of Susa. Now we can no longer wait for our borders to expand, “we need horses” said Brennus. We shall send a colony of workers to corral the horses because we only have warriors and we must take their iron with all our resources available. At least Susa is right on the border in the Galatian Hills.


PREPARATION FOR ATTACK
The year is now 775 BC we assembled a force of 3 Warrior battalions and 1 Spearmen battalion near the Iron city of Susa (1). Coming also are 1 Chariot battalion and a 1 Spearmen battalion, they are nearby but not yet ready in position. Brennus’ generals decided the best attack would be from the Galatian hills to better defend against any counterattack, however the town itself was built on the Galatian hills which, would make it tougher for our attackers. Our beloved dear leader Brennus had previously sent (1) galleys to spy on the eastern coast of Persia. What was reported back was not good news. Apparently, the decadent Persians have been using the Iron to train a new type of warrior, one known only as an Immortal. This Immortal seemed to come straight from hell to expand the Persian immoral empire. Brennus is not however worried, nor impressed with this Immortal. Dear Leader Brennus had planned for the attack to coincide with the arrival of 2 Archer battalions who were currently in training in two of our towns. These archers are going to be our best and only attack, so we wait with excitement their arrival.

WAR
Right just then Xerses in all his wickedness sent in his personal messenger carrying with him a letter to our Dear Leader. In the presence of the smug, smiling messenger Brennus (an expert in languages) translated the message, it said “ A small gift - say 27 gold - to mighty Xerxes will ensure your puny civilization’s survival”. Immediately Brennus ordered the messenger arrested and said “We’re going to go Medieval on his a**”, the messenger smiled no more. The only thing Xerses would receive back is a cold dead fish, that’s right Xerses, your personal messenger sleeps with the fishes. We are at WAR.
Brennus now decided to speak to the people and outside his palace in front of a impressive crowd of over 50,000 in the town of Entrement (3) capital with a pop. of 76,000. Before the speech there was a parade where the trumpets played, the drums were beating to fire up the masses as everyone chanted, “Death to Persia“. By the time Brennus spoke the holy fire of patriotism was burning feverishly. Brennus spoke to the people that this so called Immortal and the rest of the Persian scum was no match for the Celtic warriors, for “we had God on our side“. (We are a religious civilization) Brennus’ fervid eloquence moved every listener and the crowd cheered and danced as Brennus declared that The Great Satan would be destroyed, for we would fight to the last man.
In the towns of Alesia (2) and Rich borough (1) the people took to the streets as they shouted anti-Persian chants and burned Xerses in effigy. On the border towns it was a different feeling, in Camolodunum (1), north of Susa the people know they are in the front lines and only a single Warrior battalion stands guard. Camolodunum is the pivotal supply line for our troops, this is where are two archer regiments will head before advancing on Persia, also this town is surrounded and built on hills Brennus knows the Persians will be slowed down significantly in the hills, if they ever attack. In Lugdunum (3) our big town of 76,000, the situation was different it stood just 35 miles (3 tiles) away from the Persian city of Antioch (1) and only flat land between them. Defending there are 1 battalion each of Warriors and Spearmen. The people are scared and worried, there are even rumors that the people are starting to wonder about our Dear Leader Brennus but, they dare not speak up, for in Lugdunum even the walls have ears. Dear Leader Brennus has always been kind to his people, but he won’t tolerate any dissention.

“God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest! Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword!” (twain)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DENY THEM IRON
750 BC Sunday morning came, next day the battalions would leave for the front. The temples were packed with our Warriors as the priests prepared them for the gathering storm. Their young faces were filled with thoughts and “visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flight of the foe, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender!” (twain) Now our troops advance into Persia on their Iron deposits on the outside of Susa. We cannot wait for the archers since we declared war prematurely. “We should wait for the Archers”, muttered one of the generals at the front. However, Brennus was the supreme authority and we had to go with what we had. Brennus now waits with his family in his luxurious Golden Palace for the first reports of the war, he is brimming with confidence.

the front, we are sitting on their Iron
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads4/celts04low.jpg

“Bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody onset; help them to crush the foe, grant to them and to their flag and country imperishable honor and glory !” (twain)

730 BC---OUR FIRST ATTACK
At first light we send 3 Warrior battalions to the city walls and commence to climb over it. There we meet Persian Spearmen who are seen on top of the walls telling us to come up. A fierce battle erupts between our Warriors and their Spearmen. “Let’s roll”, cry the generals. Our Warriors fiercely swing their axes around, but the enemy’s shields and spears are too much for our young men. The blood of the Celts now flows endlessly down the walls of Susa. For the Persians 1 battalion was knocked to half-strength while another received Veteran status.

They are slaughtered!!! They will be missed. As the chariots move into place, our lone Spearmen battalion Fortifies on the hills outside Susa and braces itself for the inevitable counter. The generals decide that Brennus shall here none of this, instead a message is sent through an envoy that reads “our heroic Warriors have defeated several battalions of Spearmen in Susa, but that the city is more heavily defended than first thought, send more troops, oh gracious leader“. Brennus receives the news and is ecstatic, “I new it, soon the entire Persian empire will be under my control. Damn, am I a genius or what?”

IBT----Finally our first true victory, our glorious Spearmen battalion, fortified in the hills has fought off a flanking Immortal. Our spearmen, however have suffered 1/3 loss of strength, but now they are battlefield Veterans and know the Immortal is anything but.
Casualties:
Persians----1 Immortal
Celts----3 Warriors


710 BC----THE AWFUL TRUTH
We have been reinforced by a new set of Regular Spearmen and our Veteran Spearmen have been sent home to fully recover. Brennus, thinking we are blasting the Persians, moves in with the Spearmen to surprise the Generals and take some credit for the victory. Instead, what he sees sickens him. Dead Celtic Warriors put into mass graves, the blood of our people painting the landscape. Brennus is now told the awful truth about our 3 Warrior battalions. Brennus is now furious and orders the lying generals arrested. “Damn it, fortify in the iron deposits and hold off the attack until our archers arrive” , speaks Brennus, as he assumes control of the military. Advisors tell Brennus that the road leading to the Iron deposits should be destroyed. Brennus does not listen and demands that the road leading to the deposits remain intact, “This is our Iron and we will be needing it when we overrun Susa.” Brennus now orders the raising of 2 more Archer battalions to bring a total of 4 in training, but its going to take a while (3 archers at 4 turns) before they can help in the cause.
IBT---They counter by reinforcing Susa with 1 Immortal battalion and a Warrior battalion waiting outside the city.

current situation Chariot is now in place
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads4/celts05.jpg