[R&F] A Roman AAR starting on turn 314

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AAR: After Action Report ?
AAR : Andy loves Ronda?
AAR: Aardvarks admire raspberry’s?

Its the first one...
Its a Civilisation 6 AAR (Rise and Fall)

Yay !

Well, lets hope so, because, I have wanted to do one of these for a while, but I have read many different ones, different styles, some good, some great, and I thought I would chip in with own 2 cents on mine, except....

We are not start at the beginning.

Hardly a new concept, but I will fill you in.

You see, a lot of people will talk about a game like Civ 6, or 5 or 4 or …., and talk about how to win on a particular goal, like domination, or cultural, or science, for example, but despite putting in over 3000 hours of Civilisation fun since Civ 1, I have never actually won a single game.

What is this madness I hear you ask ?

Well, the truth is, like many of us, I don’t try to win. Ever.

I play to have fun, building my civilisation, and when I get bored, or accomplish what I want to, I start again. I will play with mods, that in most part make my life easier, but I’m okay with that, because I just want to build my civilisation, and generally do it peacefully.

Anyway.....

My AAR doesn’t start with my first settler, trying to begin my fledgling empire. Instead, I will wirte this from turn 314 on the clock, 360 BC, where, due to the difficulty (Emperor), and mods I am running, we are about to discover gunpowder, have ship of lines running wild, have an empire 3x the size of our nearest rivals, and are about to declare war on every single country in the world.

At the same time.

So, the rules first.
No wonder building from day 314 ( where we start the AAR )
No attacking any other CIV in their land, except..
Only enemy’s within the Roman borders can be attacked, or those that can be reached via naval / ranged attacks.
Defending Roman Territory only
Can attack city states and capture them.
No declaring war on any city state that I am current suzirain of.
Settlers must continue to be built, with an emphasis on expanding Roman territory east wards to achieve a constant line of cities across the whole continent, and as many islands across the world to be settled as well.
If a Roman city is for example lacking housing, then the production queue must build for example a sewer to increase housing, before any military units can be built in that city.
Spy’s can only be used to siphon funds. Spy’s must not be used on home soil.

So let me give you an over view of where we begin.
Current CPU players:
Scotland, Norway, Cree, Korea, Mapuche, Brazil, Japan, Aztec, America, Zulu, Kongo, Mongolia, China, India, Sumeria, Egypt
Plus a number of city states.
The map is a true start Giant Earth Map.

And so here is picture above of the map as we start our AAR. As you can see, Rome, in yellow, occupy most of mainland Europe, with the exception of Scandinavia, and has spread East until we now border with Mongolia. The vast majority of the map has been explored, with several galleys, scouts and explorers out there trying to uncover what remains of the world. As you can see, Rome is easily the largest empire in the world.

To be continued...

 

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The demographics also tells its own story. With a population 5 times that of the world average, and standing army 5 times the average, Rome could easily sweep aside any nation it chooses. However with 16 remaining CPU players ( Russia was swallowed by Rome around turn 200, and Gandhi was taken soon after by Sumeria ), with a combined force of 14192 military power for the 16 remaining nations, things should prove interesting for Rome in the coming weeks.

Rome has a significant military force to hand.

1 x Early Chariot
2 x explorers
24 x Heavy Crossbowmen
7 x Mortars
18 x Mounted Knights
9 x Praetorian guards
1 x Sagittariorum
3 x Scouts

At Sea:
4x Caravels
2x Galleass
5x Privateer
1x Raiding Galley
10x Ship of the Line
1x Ship of the line Escort

Support:
1x Medic
6x Observation Balloons

Rome is also quite an industrial Empire, thanks to its expansion ( and the mods that are running ). However Rome is not without its own problems. Expansion, and many internal trade routes have grown Rome into a powerhouse, however it is also a nation that is spread thin.

 

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The 2 most Eastern cities of the Roman Empire, Bayingol on the right, Kizilsu on the left. To the South is the Indian empire, to the East is China, to the North is Mongolia, and to the South West is Sumeria. On the far left of the screen, just out of view is the city of Aktobe, the nearest Roman city. To say these 2 cities are at risk would be understatement. However, Rome has been very busy building walls, so these 2 cities will not fall easily. A priority must be to build a city in between Kizilsu on the left and Aktobe to ensure that units can move freely between these cities.

The strategic view highlights the dangers more clearly, but also shows how these cities are also well defended by the natural terrain as well.

 

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Moving westwards, to the former Russian territory, things are slightly better for Rome. To the North East Sumeria has several cities, including Larak, which borders Aktobe. Larak is likely to fall into rebellion soon, which could be a blessing for Rome. To the South east Sumeria has number of cities, putting Aktobe at risk from a full scale invasion. In the South, a number of city states reside, Yerevan, Baghdad Jerusalem, Samsun, Gaziantep. Whilst individually these don’t represent a significant threat, collectively they could do a lot of damage if left unchecked. To the North, Norway has expanded into what would have been northern Russia, and trying to defend the Roman empire on so many fronts, and across such a thin line of territory will be challenge.

 

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Northern Europe is where Rome has its industrial heartland. With Norway to the North being a constant threat to the Roman Empire, a number of Ship of the lines patrol these waters, should Norway decide to launch an invasion of the mainland. The northern Roman cities of Kiel, Gorzow Wielkopolski and Vilnius are well defended, and are prepared for any invasion attempt that may arise. To the North West, Scotland has grown to become an equal threat to Rome due its proximity. Although Brussels remains loyal to Rome for now, a combined attack by Scotland and Norway near Brussels could provide them with a foothold into mainland Europe, and additional loyalty from Norwich may allow them to push further into the Roman empire.

 

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Western Europe is where an attack could result in much ground being lost. Brest, on the peninsular of North West France, is open to direct assault on 4 sides. A concentrated Naval bombardment, particularly from Scotland, could see the city fall quickly. With Roman fleets only able to launch attacks from within their own territory, the 5 Ship of the Lines, 2 Caravels, and lone Privateer, are all that stand in the way of Brest falling into enemy hands. Lisbon has declared its loyalty to Rome, but Geneva, right in the middle of Roman territory, has declared war in support of the 16 nations. Whilst Geneva does not represent an immediate threat to Roman cities, its walls will prove difficult to break. The main contingent of mortar units are 10 turns away, and a recent conquest of Vilnius has shown that 4 mortar units, and 2 heavy crossbowmen still need around 10 turns to reduce the defences enough for Praetorian guards to take the city. 20 turns for the city to fall, when the world around is about to launch everything they have at Rome may prove a turn too many.

 

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North West Africa has also been settled by the empire. 4 cities on the continent are well developed, with room to continue growth south and to the East. Carthage has joined the 16 Nations against Rome, and poses a risk to Cherchell to the West, as well as trading routes in the Mediterranean. Valletta has joined with the Roman Empire, and with its navy, may be able to keep Carthage at bay. On the West coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are ready to be settled, but with the impending threat from all sides, will Rome be able to hold on to these new settlements?. Kongo to the south, and Egypt to the East could pose danger to not only the cities on Africa, but Rome itself, located just a few days sailing from Marina El Alamein, the Egyptian Capital.

 

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In terms of technology, Rome has deliberately held back from researching Gunpowder. Square Rigging is currently being researched, and Gunpowder will not be researched until every other available technology is completed first. On the civics tree, Natural History is currently being researched.

Turn 314 – 315

Declaring war on every nation proved to be a somewhat low key event, due to none of the 16 nations expecting this turn of events, but mostly due to Rome failing to launch a single attack in the same turn. The most notable event during this turn were the 159 notifications that Roman ambassador received that year, advising him of the various city state and nation alliances and wars that have erupted as cities and nations choose their sides in what can only be described as the worlds first global war. Despite spending almost a week combing through all the notifications of war / breaks in alliances that he received, the Roman ambassador did find time to announce one interesting piece of news. Due to some very fine print in a previous peace agreement with Kongo, the Roman empire would be unable to declare war on this nation for another 12 turns. Rome against the 16 nations, had become 15 nations. It is rumoured that the governors of the Roman cities in Africa held a small gathering to celebrate this news, although reports of this are unconfirmed.

Turn 315 – 316

Geneva, located in the heartland of Roman territory, launched a division of musket-men West towards Bordeaux, raising concerns amongst the citizens. Bordeaux`s heavy crossbowmen garrison were swiftly called into action. Able to fire further, and more accurately, despite their lower relative fire-power, the crossbow men inflicted heavy casualties, but failed to halt the advance of the Geneva musket men.

At the straights of Gibraltar, a Scottish frigate, and Zulu Cog threaten Cadiz, on the southern point of Spain. Many senate officials were heard arguing into the night as to why the empire has failed to provide any Naval defences to this area, given the easy access that it provides directly to the Capital of Rome. Calls to remove the head of Navy were vocal, but unsuccessful on this occasion.

Due to the protests, Rome`s Naval commander pulled several naval ships back from outside of Roman waters, to shore up defences to the West of Spain. Despite the threat of numerous enemy divisions appearing at their doorstep, Roman city governors continued with their task of growing their cities, through improvements to sanitation, or employing numerous new builders to gain access to their local resources. A servant alleged that 2 military commanders were heard questioning how a nation could be at war with the entire world, and many city states, and yet fail to recruit a single military combatant. The servant was not available for any follow up comment.

Turn 315 – 316

Norway launched an attack in the North, damaging the ship of the line defences. With their own Ship of line now right off the coast, to the east of the Roman ship of the line, between Vilnius, and Gorzow Wielkopolski, and a quadrireme to the north west, apparently carrying a division of Arquebusier`s, the Roman defence in this narrow piece of water looks fragile. Rome responded by attacked the ship to the east, causing significant damage. Weather this will be sufficient to deter the likely Norwegian invasion remains to be seen.

Scotland bombarded Naval units in the channel, although minimal damage was sustained. This hotly contested piece of water will no doubt see many small engagements in the coming weeks and months, but with the ample Ship of the Lines defending this area, many Roman citizens feel safe in their beds tonight, and joke about the “the Scotsman trying to bring down the Roman Empire by throwing sticks across the ocean”.
Geneva launched attacks at passing military units, causing damage to a mounted knights unit trying to catch up the musket-men approaching Bordeaux. The city responded with crossbowmen, mortar fire and cannons from the city, destroying the musket division. Bordeaux citizens celebrated by opening a case of 450 BC wine, regarded as the best wine the city had ever produced.
Rome became the largest city in the world, reaching 25 population. A citizen was heard asking if technology would ever help prevent the stench of so many people living in such proximity to one another.
The worlds first deodorant was invented just 2 weeks later.

Tenerife and Funchal joined the Roman empire, after braze settlers crossed over from Africa to start the newest Roman colony’s just off the West coast.. A ship of the line, located just west of Lisbon, spotted an opportunity to engage the Scottish frigate that had been harassing the west coast of Portugal. Catching the ship completely off guard, the frigate put up a valiant fight, but quickly succumbed to the superior fire-power of the Ship of the line, and sank within just 4 minutes of taking its first hit. Their were no survivors.

Galleass and Privateers began a bombardment of Carthage, but with heavy fortifications, the defence of the city will last a long time.

Once again, no military units are ordered, with a continued focus on internal improvements of cities being preferred over any additional defences.

 

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Turn 316 – 317
Scotland continues to harass units in the channel, this time causing significant damage to the ships defending the area. A Ship of the Line reported two Scottish frigates attacked, and despite the best efforts of the captain, the Ship of the Line received extensive damage. Commanders ordered the ship to return to port for repairs, before any further attacks could render the ship useless in the defence of Brest. No other attacks were reported this year.

Norway’s Ship of the line that had threatened the North coast was sunk this year, after the commander of the Roman fleet used the weather to his full advantage, sneaking up to within 100 yards of the Norwegian ship in heavy fog, before opening a devastating attack on its broadside. The Norwegian ship is said to have sank within just 45 seconds, after its armoury took a direct hit.

The Zulu Cog, that had been harassing Cadiz on the southern Spanish coast, was finally sunk, after being caught out in the open by a young Roman naval Commander. The young commander enjoyed several nights being treated as a king at Cadiz local establishments, before being ordered to return to his ship.

Below is a picture of the Ship of the line, before returning to port after taking heave damage against the 2 Scottish Frigates.

 

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Turn 317 – 318

Scotland launched its first assault on Brest, 5 ships were involved, causing significant damage in the area. The 5 Scottish frigates also caused major damage to a 2nd Ship of the Line, which will reduce Rome’s ability to launch any effective defence of Brest.

The city of Brest responded by firing cannons at a nearby Frigate, which was duly sunk when the 2 remaining Ship of Lines protecting Brest launched a counter attack from within Roman territory. Captain Enzo received special praise for successfully hitting a Scottish ship despite his Ship of the Line being in Brest Harbour for repairs at the time. News of the assault on Brest quickly spread to Rome, where they debated the need for additional ships to shore up Western Europe. Despite a very vocal debate, the only measure the senate could agree upon was to move several ships that were protecting the canary islands northwards to bolster the defence of Brest.

Despite the attack by Scotland, a number of cities continued to focus on their own infrastructure, with new barracks being built in Kiel, a new sewer being commissioned in Bayingol, an workshop in A Coruna,

Geneva, still looking to harass the empire from within, launched a division of Culverin`s North Eastwards towards Frankfurt, and an additional division Westwards to Bordeaux. 1 division fell to the West, whilst the northern division took heavy damage from Frankfurt`s local defences.

 

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A new city was founded this year as well. Praia, located south of Tenerife, and off the West coast of Africa, would need protection given its remote location off the mainland. The senate agreed, and some 80% of available Roman coin was spent investing in strong walls, and funding a division of heavy crossbowmen to defend this tiny island. At no time in Roman history has such an amount ever been spent in such a short space of time. Many in the senate argued that this was no time to creating new cities when established cities like Brest were under attack. The following morning there were several empty seats in the senate chamber, after a couple of senators vanished in mysterious circumstances. Investigations are on-going.

The counter attack was lead by Captain Enzo, still residing in the Brest dockyards. The cannons atop the fornications fired first, before Captain Enzo ordered all the Ship of the lines to focus their attacks on the leading Scottish Frigates. Cheers could be heard throughout Brest, as 2 Scottish Frigates were sank, and another one left with gaping holes across its deck. Although the city was still not safe, Rome had dealt a heavy blow to Scotland’s hopes.

 

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Turn 319 – 320
Scotland launched an offensive against the ship of the lines, almost sinking one. All told, 5 Scottish Frigates were now positioned near Brest, and the Roman defences, whilst putting up a valiant defence, were showing many signs of wear

With only 1 of the current 4 Ship of the lines not having received any damage. The senate debated all night. If Brest fell, then Brussels and Keil on the North could also be taken, or Bordeaux on the West. A Coruna in northern Spain, and Cadiz in southern Spain were also equally vulnerable, both being located on the coast. The senate agreed that any ships within 3 days sailing must at all costs, head towards Brest and protect her from the onslaught. The damaged Ships of the lines should retreat for repairs, but still remain close enough to the city to make a last stand should it be required. Captain Enzo was given full authority over all the ships in the region, and told to use any means necessary to ensure that Brest held out until additional reinforcements could arrive. The senate also agreed that any coastal cities that have sufficient housing, must turn their production as soon as possible to Naval recruitment. Cadiz in southern Spain was the first to begin a new round of Ship of the Line production. The coast between Scotland and Rome:

Following new orders from Captain Enzo, the damaged Ship of the Lines retreated south of Brest. A privateer and Caravel that had been protecting the West coast of Spain were ordered to join the defence. 2 additional Ship of the Lines that were protecting Keil and Brussels are heading through the Channel to the East, to join up with the forces attempting to defend Brest.

 

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Turn 320 – 321

Captain Enzo ordered the evacuation of all non essential personnel and civilians from the city, but the bombardment from the Scottish Frigates meant this was nothing more than a symbolic order, as the reality was that citizens had no where to go. With the Frigates pounding mercilessly, the citizens of Brest were trapped, and began to resign themselves to their fate. Captain Enzo had one last roll of the dice. A last stand, throwing everything he had at the Scottish Frigates, in a last ditch attempt to save the city. The city before Captain Enzo orders his last stand..

Captains Enzos last stand will always be remembered. 2 Scottish Frigates sunk, 2 more barely limping away. The 2 Ship of Lines that had been approaching from the East made it into range of the Scottish Frigates just in time. Historians would look on back on this day as a day to be remembered for all Roman citizens. Capitan Enzo had fought valiantly, and done all he could to protect Brest, but as can be seen in the picture below, Scottish naval power surrounded Brest, and it would surely on be a matter of time before it fell.

Whilst the war in the war in the West, and the exploits of Captain Enzo were the focal point for many discussions, there was also some good news for the Roman empire. in the year 300BC, Herclanum was founded by brave colonists. Bridging the gap between Kizilsu in the East, and Aktobe in the West, the Roman empire now had an unbroken chain of cites, stretching from Cadiz in Southern Spain, to the Tibetan mountains in the East. With Larak, the Sumerian city to the north of Aktobe close to rebellion, it is hoped that the citizens will join their Roman brothers and sisters, and together, this area can become a beacon of hope for the empire, currently suffering some of its darkest days.

 

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Turn 321 - 322

The Scottish attack came. 1 Ship of the sunk. Incredibly, Brest still stood. Worryingly, a Scottish Iron Clad had now joined the attack. 4 Scottish Frigates ( 1 badly damaged ), and 1 Iron Clad, versus 7 Ship of the lines ( 2 badly damaged ), and 1 Privateer. Brest had no fortification strength left, and its garrison strength was down 75%. Captain Enzo was once again ordered to attack the Scottish fleet. No quarter was to be given. If Brest falls, then it wont be because of a lack of effort.

Larak, the Sumerian city to the North of Aktobe, became independent. The senate has agreed that the citizens of Larak can choose to join the empire if they choose, and will refrain from any military interference in the meantime. The praetorian guards that had been harassing Sumerian units have been ordered to fall back and return to protecting Aktobe.

If there had been any doubt as to the benefits of superior technology, it vanished today, after it took 4 ship of the lines to sink the Scottish Iron Clad. The Roman navy, under Captain Enzo, also succeeded in sinking 2 additional Frigates.
Having seen the remarkable turn around in events, the senate was said to have taken less than 10 minutes to confer the rank of Commodore to Captain Enzo, for his heroic stand against the Scottish. Celebrations were kept to a minimum however, as the new threat of Iron Clads demonstrated that Rome could not rest easily, and although they had suffered a heavy defeat today, the Scottish Navy still represented a significant threat to Brest, and the Roman Empire. Many wondered what other technological threats they may encounter in the coming months.