Update 4
The Hordes Part I
985 – 980 B.C.E.
The Maya had been a peaceful nation. They had launched no large offensives, conquered no other tribes, and simply decided to grow their economy. The people were sure that their ways were superior to other nations in the area, but even so, they sent delegations to several new nations. The nations are as follows.
Teotihuacán is a city-state located far to the west of the Maya. Their people have just recently settled down near Lake Texcoco, and the people, though still militaristic, are beginning to become more civilized and educated. Their Chief is the son of their first ruler, Koloxoc (r. 1014 – 985) who led the people to their new homeland and convinced them to settle into an urban existence. They have rich deposits of gold, which they gave to the Mayan’s envoy in return for jade.
Chichen Itza now also supports a fledgling nation. Its people value education more than military power, and (compared to Teotihuacan) more people are devoted to the priesthood and sciences than to the soldier’s life. They claim a relation to the Mayan people themselves, as they share the same religion and similar languages.
Tikal is another city state, located right next to the Mayan lands. The people there number less than the other nations. The people all live in or around Tikal, and so the city has become large and beautiful. Like Chichen Itza, the people are related to the Maya, but more distantly.
All the nations fear the Olmecs. While Chichen Itza and Tikal have remained far from the influenced lands of the Olmecs, Teotihuacán is not so lucky. Every few months, the Olmecs raid Teotihuacán, carrying off prisoners to be sacrificed. However, the Olmecs focused more on the people outside the major cities, those in the small villages, because the defenses were less strong in the less populated lands. That, however, has changed.
In a lightning-swift offensive, the Olmecs attacked both the Mayans and the people of Teotihuacán in early 983. While the Mayans staged a defense (though short lived), the people of Teotihuacán locked themselves in their capital. While the Olmecs besieged the city proper, a few die-hard soldiers have been ferrying supplies across Lake Texcoco to keep the city from falling. The Olmecs do not have enough men to surround the entire lake, and the siege is ended by the end of summer.
Meanwhile, the attack on the Maya went more or less according to plan. Though initially repulsed, the Olmecs attacked again by the beginning of fall, and struck a pyrrhic victory outside Pal-Pan. However, the city did not fall, and the Olmecs had the same result on both fronts – sieges. The siege was broken by winter 983/982, though the Olmecs continued to raid the outlying villages, carrying off people to be sacrificed.
Many of the Olmecs in the Mayan lands were moved west to attack Teotihuacán, and in 982 the city was again besieged. Ironically, the siege started the exact same date as the first. This time, though, the Olmecs had more men, and over the next year they rounded the lake, killing and capturing enemy soldiers, who were putting up a desperate defense. Skirmish by skirmish, battle by battle, the lake was secured. By summer 981, everyone was locked in the city, with any food dragged into the walls as the last open routes across the lake were closed. Without foreign aide, the people will surely be sacrificed.
The Mayans have faced border skirmishes over the years, but have yet to face a large enemy attack to rival the Olmec’s attack in the west.
Chichen Itza, though weak, stands by the Mayans, while Tikal has chosen no side, though leaning slightly towards the Olmecs.
- - - - -
The Iroqui, too, are facing an enemy, though a twist in the plot threatens to destroy what the Iroqui have tried to hard to forge.
The trade goods, the ones which came from unknown lands, originated from a nation to the east of the Hurons. Known as the Adenans, or commonly nicknamed the Serpent People, these allies of the Hurons have marched an army through the dense woods to aide their friend’s struggle against the Iroqui. They are known as the Serpent People because their capital, Utzuz, features a huge serpent-shaped mound, which is used as for religious purposes.
Now, strength of numbers swings from the Iroqui to the enemy. An Iroqui assault in early 984 fails and the Huron-Serpent counter attack begins capturing the Iroqui fortified positions one by one. The last Iroqui bastion in Huron territory is bypassed, however, and in a startling move the enemy force marches on Iroqui territory itself. When all hope seems to be gone, however, new envoys arrive from the south.
The people are called the Chook. They are centered along the Tennessee River. In the envoy to the Iroqui, the Chook apologize that their “evil brothers” the Adenans, have attacked the Iroqui. The Chook must be related to these people distantly, or are even closely related. The Chook do not send any soldiers though, but maybe, with some persuasion, the Chook will join the war effort.
Until then, however, the Iroqui face a massive enemy push towards their homelands. However, since the enemy is closing on their homelands, some Iroquis have taken up arms and entered the military as Irregulars.
What will happen to the beleaguered people? Will their leader continue to ignore their cries for help?
- - - - -
In the Mediterranean, Judea has finally seen the end of the Cilician League – though not in the fashion she had hoped.
The Judean advance continued. The town of Lipoli, which had been a thorn in Judea’s side, was still holding out by 984, and sallies from the city threatened to crumble the supply lanes that lead from Judea to the forces besieging Antioch. So, the army besieging the city withdrew and in 983 launched an assault on Lipoli. When the city fell, the Judean army turned northward to launch a final attack on Antioch.
What they saw, however, startled them.
A nation from the north had come in and, while the Judean army was away, assault and captured the mighty citadel of Antioch; the people gladly surrendered to not have to live under Judea’s yoke. The people formed a Neo-Hittite empire in the region, and Antioch became the southern bastion for the Hittites, a tower of embarrassment for Judea.
Meanwhile, to the immediate east of Judea, a kingdom established itself. Called the Kingdom of Moab (situated around the city proper), The King, Minas (r. 99 – present) grew the nation from a petty city to a power. Nubia, wanting an ally in the Middle East, gladly sent an ambassador to the new land. The Hittites, too, fearful of Judea, aligned with the Moabites. The nation has formed an alliance with the Hittites and Nubians to curb Judea’s territorial ambitions.
However, Judea may find allies in the east. Ashur, Uruk, and Babylon have reasserted themselves and, though still not strong enough to forge a nation, look to nearby Mesopotamian cities to conquer.
- - - - -
In the Far East, a new power rises in China, while in Korea the Gojoseon brace for the assault of the Hûnnics.
The Han, as they call themselves, are situated near Nanjing, in the far south of China. The people in this land take great pride in their leader, King Han'tiJing (r. 985 – present), and his hopes for the future.
He wants to unify all of China under his rule. To achieve this aim, he sends envoys to the Yan and the relatively new nation of Song, in central China. Song is under the rule of King Qao (r. 987-present), and has formed from a union of several farming villages.
The ambassadors reach these nations and bring gifts of goods to their kings; however, they also demand that they become vassals the Han’s rule. However, both nations refuse, as each wishes to keep its independence. Since they refused, Han send infantry as bandits into Song and ships to Yan to blockade their port.
This action, though, has nearly halted trade from Yan to Gojoseon. If the blockade continues, Gojoseon and Yan may loose some money each.
Han, however, sends ambassadors to Gojoseon as well; they offer goods and a hand of friendship to Gojoseon. In addition, Han gives Gojoseon some of their well trained infantry for free to act as mercenaries. It is unsure how Gojoseon will react to Han’s actions.
Gojoseon launched an attack on the brutal barbarians in the south. They reach Pusan and utterly destroy it, though it is later rebuilt as a fort-town for Gojoseon. The peoples put up a limited fight, but are not destroyed, because it is difficult to eradicate a nation that has few permanent villages. However, the Choson at this time are not a threat to Gojoseon any more.
Yan, though, faces a horrible barbarian threat. From the north, the Hûnnics descend upon Yan, and defeat Yan’s army outside Jongin. The city is sacked and the people are slaughtered, raped, murdered, etc. etc. etc. Ji remains defiant of the Hûnnics, though it is only a matter of time before the city falls to the barbarian attacks. The blockade by Han doesn’t help either, as foodstuffs imported from Gojoseon do not reach the starving population. Yan calls out desperately for Gojoseon’s aid, but Gojoseon may face a Hûnnic threat themselves.
The battle of Jongin was a messy affair. The Yan army deployed too defensively and did not leave enough room for maneuver. The Hûnnics struck with their swift chariots and light infantry, completely outmaneuvering the Yan. While there was some heavy fighting in the center of Yan’s line, the flanks on either side fell from the pressure of the Hûnnics. This battle nearly destroyed Yan’s fighting strength.
Song, though, does not aid their northern counterparts; in fact, it is rumored that the Song have something to do with the Hûnnic attack.
- - - - -
Marathos, in Gaul, has finally decided that the Gar are to be conquered. Moving southward, they meet a Gar force near the Rhone River, though the Marathos cavalry advantage smashed the infantry armies of the Gar.
The advance continued down the river but time is spent constructing towers to aide in communication. While this slows down the army, it keeps the soldiers back home in touch with the army’s advances.
The Marathos army entered Gar territory in 981, but the only fighting has been an infantry skirmish between two scouting parties.
Back home, though, a huge festival celebrates Marathos and her people’s way of life. This certainly helps the people forget their trouble. The greatest wines and meats in all of Gaul are presented to the people. Work was forgotten as the week-long festivities continued. But, there is a war going on. Should the people be partying?
And more news comes from the southeast. A new people were discovered. Calling themselves Celts, they reside in Northern Italy. While they have few cities, their people are brave warriors, and they love a good fight. What does the future have in store for Marathos and these Celts?
- - - - -
Nubia, instead of attacking Egypt, has faced rebellions in her Egyptian territories. The army uses brute force to engage these rebels, though as one Egyptian rebel falls, it seems two take his place. Nubia, of course, wants to have all of Egypt under her rule. Perhaps to achieve this aim, she has allied with a new nation in the Levant, known as Moab. Whether this is for mutual benefit, or simply to aide Nubia’s rise to power, we are not sure.
- - - - - - - - - -
-O.O.C.: Casualties:
Maya: - 3 infantry
Olmecs: - 5 infantry
Teotihuacán: - 3 Infantry, - 1 Irregular Infantry
Iroqui: - 4 infantry, +3 Irregular Infantry
Judea: -3 infantry
Gojoseon: -1 Infantry, +1 Han Mercenaries
Han: -1 Infantry, -3 Ships
Yan: - 3 Infantry, -3 Irregular infantry
Hûnnics: -2 Infantry, -1 Cavalry
Marathos: -1 Infantry, -1 Cavalry
Gar: -3 Infantry