A.M.N.E.S: The Ancient Mediterranean NES

[The Troquelet]

AP Press

May 21, 300 BC

Late breaking news this week: six new rulers have come to power in city-states across the Mediterranean, claiming power in a move designed to expand their empires beyond the city walls, perhaps stretching thousands of miles in each direction. To this end they spent much of their treasury on training new military units.

When we questioned self-proclaimed King Mithridates on his recent refurbishments of the armed forces, he refused to elaborate. Likewise, the new monarchs worldwide joined in a resounding "No Comment", claiming the need for national security as the cause of their secretiveness. While each military minister claimed that his troops were for internal use only, several expressed alarm at the skyrocketing armies in other nations, fearing a possible assault... ?

Nevertheless, the world continued in peace up to this Tuesday. By bribing some chief officials, we were able to discover that no army reached a greater size than seven "units". However, the Associated Press would like to mention the possibility that this estimate is off slightly, or even totally inaccurate. By like means, we were able to discover that the largest treasury numbers 10 gold talents.

The world leaders will meet with Reuters on Friday to unveil their latest expansion plans.


OOC (Yes, even I get a character, the press!): Hi everyone. As you can see, I have received monetary orders and am ready to process moves by Friday, or even before if you all send them before Thursday. Here's your status ("go" means you don't need to send me anything):

Toasty: You're go for Friday.

Sullla: You're go for Friday.

UKnemesis: You're go for Friday.

Erik Mesoy: Please send me a PM with your moves, your luxury bid, and your science bid. In case you don't remember, I'll send you a PM showing you which FBs carry which units, and how many talents you have.

Wilboman: Please send me a PM with your moves, your luxury bid, and your science bid. In case you don't remember, I'll send you a PM showing you which FBs carry which units, and how many talents you have.

Demetrias: Please send me a PM with which units are being attached to which FBs, your moves, your luxury bid, and your science bid. In case you don't remember, I'll send you a PM showing you which FBs carry which units, and how many talents you have.

When I receive all orders from Erik, Wilboman, and Demetrias, I'll post a new map and press update. And then we can finally move to the new easier system.

 

[VanillaCube]

which brown is which?

 

[The Troquelet]

Iberia is in Spain. Phoenicia is in Israel.

Demetrias, you are go for Friday.

 

[The Troquelet]

Erik, you are go for Friday.

Map update on Friday, pending Wilboman's orders. Expansion will be swift, at least at first, so you can start conquering! (or not, as you choose)...

 

[The Troquelet]

Just a double-check of the map to make sure the details can show up (deleted later so you don't get a sneak preview of Friday!)

Edit: wow, it works pretty well. I'm almost done with the updates, just awaiting Gaul's orders..

 

[The Troquelet]

AP Press

May 23, 300 BC

Today rulers of the six burgeoning countries met with the press to discuss their expansion plans for the next five years. Specifically, each country has made several new conquests, pacifying native tribes and seizing land to use as their own. Within the next few years we can even expect these new empires to border each other!

Vercingetorix, Gaulish Chief, unveiled his latest plans today. Flag Bearers expanded in every direction, as can be seen with the enclosed map. The Iberians, Gaul's friendly neighbors, also expanded rapidly, but were stopped at the Pyrenees. At the latest press conference at Numantia, the King of the Iberians said he hoped a fair border line could be agreed upon. The obscure Numidians gobbled up a large amount of nearly worthless desert. Meanwhile, the Egyptians conquered the entire Nile delta. Meanwhile, a Carthaginian fleet carried an army to Sardinia to begin colonization. The Romans also landed at this vital island, but thanks to the Carthaginian's faster fleets, the Carthaginian convoy got there first and seized a larger portion of land. Carthage also seized a strip of land along the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, expanding towards Egypt. However, only the coast is worth anything to farmers: inner Africa is mostly desert. The nearest fertile land to Carthage is the offshore islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Phoenicia also sent out troops and settlers, loading them onto Galleys and ferrying them to distant lands, among them the Sinai Peninsula and Southern Anatolia. Anatolia itself expanded as well, sending envoys in every direction to find new lands and make new friends. When questioned about its pending border with Greece, Anatolia's Foreign Minister reported he had come to an agreement with Greece about it; however, this may or may not be false information. Greece itself was unavailable for comment, but King Demetrias assured us that his empire has only peaceful expansion in mind. To this end, he has sent troops to the island of Crete to build a palace and fortress at Knossos. He has also expanded both south and north of Athens, and left a Royal Garrison to protect the city. Macedonia chose to expand south and east. Finally, Rome sent settlers all across the Italian peninsula, took the smaller half of Sardinia, and colonised most of Sicily.

Meanwhile in the Luxury and Science Annual Bids, Gaul bid 1-2, Carthage bid 1-3, Phoenicia bid 1-1, Anatolia bid 1-8, Greece bid 1-1, and Rome bid 2-2.

Thus, Anatolia wins the science bid, and since King Mithridates bid so high, he may post a reasonable proposal on the thread within a few days for my approval.

Salaries for this week:
ROME, CARTHAGE, GREECE, and PHOENICIA receive 30 talents. GAUL and ANATOLIA receive 32.

Clarification: money not spent vanishes from your treasury, so use as much as you can!

I'll talk about the new order system in my next post.

 

[The Troquelet]

1. From now on, please use Sullla's wonderful map for place-names, as it makes moderating SO much easier! Thanx again Sullla.

2. The new order system will work like this: you may conduct diplomacy as long as you like and submit your orders whenever you want (one large PM please, with moves, orders, luxury and science). HOWEVER, when everyone but one player has submitted his orders, I will post a one-day warning, and the last player has 24 hours to submit his orders, then a new map update happens. This should keep play lively but not too fast. I think orders every third day should be fine.

3. Some clarifications about Flag Bearers: you may NOT load units into FBs away from the capital. Only FBs in the capital can receive units: thus, if one of your FBs has few units from fighting too much, a good idea is to return him to the capital to load more units. Also, an FB whose units all die in battle is automatically returned to the Capital (you can't capture FBs).

4. From now on, I expect to see higher luxury bids! Another bid of 5 or under will almost certainly plunge your realm into rebellion. On the other hand, as you expand some nations will gain control of luxuries which can be traded, and which count as a luxury bid of 1-5 talents, which will certainly add more depth to the game.

5. If you haven't kept track of which FBs are where and what units they hold, PM me and I can tell you, as I'm always keeping track.

Till next time,

The Moderator.

 

[The Troquelet]

Note: I finally organized the FBs into handy charts, so I'll send you your chart with this format:

FB1
Contents
Position
FB2
Contents
Position

and so on.. hopefully this should help you!

 

[Toasty]

Okay Troq, the Gulf of Sadris that you couldn't find is the gulf between Cyrenaica and Africa Proconsularis on Sulla's map. I'd much rather have that colonized than Sinai, and if you would be so kind to fix it because you couldn't find it it would be much appreciated.

(Note: I realize this sounds hostile, it isn't meant to be, I'm just too lazy to retype it .)

 

[The Troquelet]

No problem, Toasty. Well, actually there is a problem - a Galley can't take you that far in one turn, even a Phoenician galley. You could reach as far as Cyrene: would you like to colonise there instead? (If so, I'll fix it on the next map!

 

[Toasty]

Cyrenaica, you mean? Yes, that's good. That was my original plan but I'm practically obsessive compulsive with spelling so I just said the Gulf of Sadris .

Thanks.

 

[The Troquelet]

Bulletin: I have orders from everyone but Anatolia. Take your time, no rush! But we may have a map update by Monday (and let me tell you, this is going to be one exciting map update!).

 

[Sullla]

I sent in my orders, so the game should be proceeding shortly.

Also, all players make sure you clean out your PM boxes. I tried to send some of you messages, only to find that your boxes were full!

 

[The Troquelet]

Toasty, your box is full.

Yes, the map update will proceed shortly! I have a haircut to go to but when I come back I'll give you all the news, before 4:00 when I have a cello lesson.

Just to pique your curiosity: Greece attacked Macedonia, Rome attacked Carthage, and the island of Crete is in rebellion (more info soon, including a story, casualties, and border changes).

Also, Sullla has announced his tech update: a new kind of longer spear which will give his horsemen more reach in combat, thus making them even deadlier!

To Toasty: I've noticed it spelled both PhOEnicia and PhEOnicia, but Webster spells it Phoenicia so that's what I'm going with (but go ahead and use Pheonicia yourself in your orders, diplomacy, if you want to!)

To Sullla and everyone else: a bridge can be built across the Bosporus simply by directing one FB carrying 1 or more units to use its move to make a bridge that turn. The same turn, the bridge is complete, and other FBs can cross. But unless the FB continues making the bridge on succeeding turns, it is destroyed.

Example: FB1 with 1H builds a bridge and uses its move, and FB2, 3, and 4 cross it on the same turn. The bridge remains in place until the end of combat (so you can retreat across it unless you burn it!) but at the end of the turn it is destroyed and the FB has to build it again.

Note, a bridge can NOT be built between Sardinia and Corsica, or across Gibraltar, or any other strait, with the exception of the strait near Corinthus.

Also to all: Since I now have a handy chart to record troop positions, the little squares for FBs will no longer appear on the map. If you want to know what troops are in an area, PM me with some talents for spying and I'll give you an estimate (accurate, or not.) Again, ordering your troops to be stealthy will make it harder to detect them!

Finally: the winner of this turn's science bid was... WILBOMAN the Gaul with 11 Talents! Closely followed by Erik Mesoy the Carthaginian with 10 Talents (!)... Talk about a close bid. Wilboman, you have till next turn to think up a reasonable science discovery.

 

[wilboman]

Oh...
Oh my gawd. I feel so honored.
I'm so happy! I want to thank God, and my parents, and my producer, he's been so wonderful to me, and all of you darling people out there and...
Oh, wait. This isn't the Oscars? Ah well. This is probably the closest I'll ever get, anyway.
I shall withdraw to my chambers and think it over...

 

[The Troquelet]

Here is the map. Explanations of military actions to follow shortly. War has erupted on Crete and Sardinia and in the Macedonian foothills.

 

[The Troquelet]

ASSOCIATED PRESS - War News
“This week the Mediterranean was transformed into a war zone. No less than three wars have broken out as world leaders vied for power, land, and glory. Fred Bellicose has the story on the First Punic War. Fred?”
“Thanks, Dan. Well, Monday morning before dawn the Romans launched a sneak attack against the Carthaginian colony in Sardinia. The sole horse army at the fort of Nuoro defended itself valiantly until about noon, causing substantial losses against the attacking swordsman army. At eleven, the fort’s commander decided to finish the battle quickly by conducting a sortie. The brave Carthaginians launched themselves against the wavering Romans, and were in pursuit of the routed enemy when a Roman convoy carrying a horseman army and three swordsmen armies landed on the northern tip of Sardinia. These fresh troops quickly turned the tide of battle once more, and the Carthaginian armies were quickly routed. At this moment, the Roman flag flies over all of Sardinia.”
“Didn’t the famous Carthaginian fleet come to the aid of the colony?”
“It tried to, Dan. As soon as Emperor Mesoy heard the news of the sneak attack, he personally led a fleet of warships out of the harbor. But encircling Sardinia was a Roman blockade fleet nearly four times as large as Carthage’s. The Romans led an attack, but the skilful Carthaginian fleet managed to escape nearly unscathed back to the safety of Carthage. Luckily, this distraction helped the convoy of settlers to Southern Spain proceed stealthily on their course without being attacked.”
“Fred, can you give us an idea of the casualties at this battle?”
“The Carthaginian FB2 defending Sardinia has lost all its troops (1H), and is automatically returned to Carthage. Rome’s FB3 loses all its troops (1S) and is automatically returned to Rome, while 1H and 3S remain on Sardinia, led by the other Roman general (FB7). So both sides have sustained relatively light casualties.”
“And how will these new border changes affect Rome and Carthage?”
“Both of these countries will have lowered income until peace is resumed because trade cannot occur between them, and if other nations officially stop relations with Rome or Carthage their income may drop even lower. But we can expect Rome to assimilate Sardinia quite easily as soon as peace returns, because it was only Carthaginian for five years. That is, if Rome can hold on to it.”
“For news of the Macedonian War, we turn to Daniel Pilum. Dan?”
“On Monday evening, and under cover of a dense fog, a secret Greek army tramped up the Thessalonica road towards the Macedonian capital of Oescus. A swordsman army doing guard duty at the border was awakened by a cry of battle as a horseman army three times their size launched a charge. Before the swordsmen could put on their armor, the Greeks were among them swinging their swords and burning down the fort, and the swordsmen were quickly routed with minimal Greek casualties. The smoke from the burning fort alerted one of the main Macedonian armies (whether this was the only Macedonian army is still unknown), which marched on the double to intercept the Greeks. Halfway to Oescus the two armies halted on opposite sides of a valley, to do battle in the morning.
“However, the Greek army (composed of one swordsman and three horseman armies, according to latest reports) did not have a chance to rest from its long march, as almost immediately the Macedonians charged down into the valley. Luckily, the Greek general had some very ingenious plans, and so did his subordinates.
“Tired as they were, the Greeks had still collected all the large boulders they could find, and now they rolled them down the hillside straight into the Macedonian ranks, scattering them. Immediately, the strong Greek horse contingent charged down as well, sowing more discord. However, it soon became obvious that the Greeks were outnumbered. Cautious eyewitness estimates have put the Macedonian army at three or four swordsman armies and at least two horseman armies. Thus, while the Greeks inflicted heavy casualties, they received them as well, and were unable to stop the Macedonian advance up the hill. The sole swordsman army shivered as the early morning fog swept across the hilltop, and below the enemy continued to advance.
“Finally, the Macedonians reached the hilltop and engaged the Greek defenders. Tired and outnumbered, the Greeks gave way quickly. The Macedonian wedge pushed deep into the Greek line, turning it into a crescent as the armies clashed sword against sword.
“At last, the Greek general decided to commit his last reserves. His plan had been to let the Macedonians push deeper and thus surround themselves, and then attack them from all sides. However, he barely had enough troops left now to do the job. Reluctantly he called up his horse armies and told them his plans.
“The Greek horsemen snuck stealthily away from battle, and just as the the swordsmen were beginning to rout, the last fresh troops the Greeks had launched themselves against the Macedonian rear. Again the Macedonians sustained heavy casualties, but they merely turned to face this new threat, ignoring the Greek swordsmen who were nearly exhausted to death by the battle. The Greek army was nearly routed, when a Greek leaning on his sword suddenly pointed to the East!
“A moment later everyone saw it: a marching regiment of swordsmen appeared on the eastern horizon, outlined from behind by the sun which was just beginning to disperse the mist. All fighting stopped as everyone turned to look at this new force (numbering about five swordsmen armies). Suddenly, the strangers raised the Greek flag!
“Instantly the Macedonians fled in every direction, scattered by a deadly fear. The eastern Greek force (which had landed in Thracia and moved steadily westward with little or no resistance) launched itself into the Macedonian flank while the main Greek force, now pitifully decimated, suddenly got its second wind and also charged. Within an hour, the battle was over. The few Macedon remnants fled towards Oescus, and the re-united Greek army is currently marching steadily in pursuit.”
“Dan, what can you tell us about the casualties at this battle?”
“Well, the original Greek army numbered 3H (FB7) and 1S (FB6), while the eastern contingent numbered 5S (FB4). The few troops that remain in FB6’s Sword army have filled the gaps in FB4’s ranks, while two horse armies lie dead on the field. Thus FB6 automatically returns to Athens empty, and the reunited Greek army is led by FB7 with 1H, and FB4 with 5S.”
“What about Macedonian casualties?”
“Well, we didn’t have a reporter with the Macedonians so we have no idea how they fared. But it’s clear that in addition to the swordsman army defeated at the border, and various skirmishings along the eastern flank, at least half of the total Macedonian army died on the Oescan road, with the numbers about 3 or 4 swords and 2 or 3 horses: certainly the Macedonians sustained much greater casualties than the Greeks. The remnants of the Oescan Battle, and the rest of Macedon’s army, are now pulling back quickly to hastily prepared defenses in the capital, according to the latest intelligence reports.”
“How will this new conquest affect Greece’s economic position?”
“Well, until peace returns I’m afraid the new lands can’t be totally assimilated into Greece. These things take time, Dan. And of course the loss of trade with Macedonia will certainly lower Greek income until peace is re-established: it may drop even more if other nations also officially cease trade with Greece. However, if Greece can hold onto these lands it will certainly become a power to be reckoned with as its income will be substantial.”
“Thank you, Daniel. Now for our third and last war of the week, we turn to Phil Lanx. Phil?”
“Fighting boiled into the streets in Crete this week as protesters rebelled against Greek rule. The protesters carried signs reviling the “imperialistic” Greek actions against Macedonia and the “pitiful” amount of money that King Demetrias spent on luxury this year (five talents, according to inside sources). While the western half of Crete remained loyal to Greece, the eastern half has declared itself independent and offered to join the state of Phoenicia.”
“How has the Phoenician Emperor responded to this?”
“He hasn’t made a public statement yet, Dan. The protestors have armed themselves and threaten to “liberate” all of Crete unless their demands are met.”
“What might those demands be, Phil?”
“They want an immediate troop withdrawal from Macedonia and a pledge of at least 10 talents on luxury each year. King Demetrias hasn’t commented on this yet, but these exorbitant demands will probably meet a refusal. He may even decide to put down the rebellion with armed troops.”
“Will that be difficult?”
“Not really, as the Cretans are mostly peasants armed with primitive weapons. Still, it cause a scandal throughout the Mediterranean if he’s not careful.”
“A delicate situation, especially considering Phoenicia’s involvement.”
“Delicate indeed, Dan.”
“Until next week, this is Dan Augustus wishing you good night.”

 

[The Troquelet]

The Arrogant King Demetrias

How dare you attack our nation, which never did anything to you? I demand that you withdraw your troops immediately and pay indemnities of 10 Talents, or we will burn Athens to the ground.

Furiously,

King Phillip II


-------------


Civilized Nations of the World

I hope you will consider joining me in my reluctant battle against the Athenian monster. If my nation falls, one of yours may be next.

Yours in war,

King Phillip II

 

[The Troquelet]

Salaries for the week:

Greece, Rome, and Carthage are all warfaring countries, and therefore receive 25 talents.

Phoenicia and Gaul receive 27 talents (the untamed north part of France won't appreciate in value for a few years until settlers clear the woods).

Finally, Anatolia receives 29 talents.

To date, the largest nations are Anatolia and Gaul. The smallest is Greece.

 

[The Troquelet]

A Final note, now that there's a war on: You can formally cut trade ties with a country without automatically starting a war. For as long as the ties are cut, both of your salaries drop. The effects are cumulative: if many nations cut with one nation, the one nation will have a drastically lowered salary, and the other nations will only have a slight decrease.

For example, this is why the salaries of Greece, Rome, and Carthage are cut: because Greece automatically cut ties with Macedonia when war started, and won't resume until peace comes. Likewise, Rome and Carthage don't have the benefit of each others' trade.

Hopefully this will make warfare much more diplomatically complex!

(BTW, the nn-player nations DO have a military and they can invade you if you piss 'em off, so be careful! They may even invade for territorial conquest if they feel like it.)