IHT: Western Rome is no more. Eastern Rome is 3 cities from a loss. The exact same number of cities that we can reach within 6 turns.
We have 38 warlords, 4 pillagers, 18 catapults and an army. To name the highlights!
We are weak compared to Eastern Rome, but their troops probably are fighting the Sassanids in Turkey.
Our army is average compared to the Sassanids, Ostrogoths, Huns and others. Weak vs the Vandals and strong vs the Anglo-Saxons.
My aim in the next 20 years are:
-Take out the remaining cities needed to ge the VP's from killing the Byzantines. Main targets are Salonae and Thessalonika, but Constantinople is also in the picture.
-Reassemble our troops in our territory and look for the next foe. Probably the Ostrogoths...
The army, 4 other warlords, 4 catapults and a few smaller units go to Salonae. A total of 10 warlords and 5 catapults are planned for Thessalonika.
IT: A lot of Vandal warlords move outh. A Byzantine HC kills our marauder.
Turn 1 (496 AD) Two warlords added to the total.
VP: 14795
Eastern Rome: 29105
Cities lost Eastern Rome: 5
A marauder lets a HC retreat and a warlord finishes the job. A walord destroys the temple of Salonae and kills a Legionary. A pike is revealed!
IT: Eastern Rome and the Franks sign peace.
Turn 2 (498 AD)
VP: 14965 (+170)
VP ER: 29450 (+345)
Cities lost ER: 6
6 cities lost. I am sure that I can take Salonae with our SoD, but that would give the Sassanids the opportunity to collect the VP's.
Constantinople is surrounded by four of our warlords, a pillager and 4 catapults. That won't work this turn. Near Thessalonika we only have one warlor in striking distance.
Salonae: The catapults reveal that Salonae only has two pikes defending. A veteran warlord takes out one and turns elite. The other pike is spared for the moment.
Constantinople: A warlord kills a legionary in Constantinople. Another one destroys the barracks but is killed. A pillager kills a third legionary and we get a worker from the fight.
Thessaloniki: An elite warlord kills a vet legionary and we get
a leader! I forgot to take a screenshot
IT: The Anglo Saxons demand tm and 26 gold. I give it to them, because it is a non-issue. The Ostrogoths betray us and sign peace with the Byzantines.
The Byzantines are willing to give all their knowledge for peace. I say no.
Turn 3 (500 AD)
VP: 15135 (+170)
VP ER: 30085 (+625)
Cities lost ER: 6
So no change on the lost city front. We still don't have enough troop around Constantinople and Thessalonika, so we have to hope for the best.
Constantinople: A warlord kills a legionary that was trying to get to the city. An elite warlord is killed by a vet legionary in the size 5 city.
The troops around Thessalonika wait for reinforcements.
Salonae: Catapult redline the pike and destroy a library.
IT: The Ostrogoths send in 8 spear and a settler. They can be used for target practise once Rome is killed I guess. The Byzantines drop of 3 HC units near Wallialund
Turn 4 (502 AD)
VP: 15305 (+170)
VP ER: 30670 (+585)
Cities lost ER: 6
We luckily have a few troops within our borders. So a vet warlord and marauder kill/retreat two HC's. A vet horseman is able to kill the thrid one.Lastly a raider kills the redlined HC.
Thessalonika: An elite and a vet warlord kill Legionaries and enslave marauders. We now have 10 warlord ready to strike next turn.
Turn 5 (504 AD) - The year of the Vizigoths
VP: 15495 (+190)
VP ER: 30975 (+305)
Cities lost ER: 7
Two cities riot. This is due to the fact that I had troops to kil the HC last turn. I guess I didn't pay enough attention there.
To celebrate the fact that we only have to take one city, our warlords start attacking as many Byznatine units as possible
(but not before an army is formed of our leader in 498 AD):
-elite warlord kills legionary in Thessaloniki
-two elite warlords killed by legionaries in Thessa...
-two vet warlords kill legionaries and enslave marauders
-two vet warlords kill legionaries and promote
-elite pillager killed by legionary
-vet warlord kills a legionary in Constantinpole and promotes
In the final battle we redline a pike in Salonae with our catapults. An elite warlord does the rest:
Good luck? Good skill? Good killing? No....
Good Riddance
Our VP is now 22145 and the Sassanids have a mere 6890.
The world is at peace!
However I notice that we have a rop with the Ostrogoths, who have already lost 4 cities. This means that we have to seek another target...
The Anglo Saxons? They have a couple of useless cities close by for easy VP... No, we still have 8 turns of a peace deal with them
The Vandals have a lot of troops neaby and are stronger than us. Still I'm tempted to go after them.
Before I continue I would like to discuss what to do now. Any ideas?
504 AD save as discussion material