The Portuguese were the new Byzantines of the world, sending settlers out like lemmings. In 1465AD the 7th Infantry Regiment of Pikes along with their escorted settlers wondered into the ranks of the LoD.
The crusaders manning the Toxic Fort, ever helpful, asked if they were lost.
The commander of the 1,500 pikemen nervously shuffled from foot to foot. Ah, I think we took a wrong turn at the last pile of rubble. Ummm . . . there was this nice golf course we walked past . . . Oh, forget it. Well just be on our way.
And indeed this was true. The batteries of the Toxic Fort began to drop large rocks upon the armored defenders, killing a third of the men before The Blackened Company a company of knights created from the remains of the Black Company attacked. The 7th Regiment was crushed and the settlers gathered into the Portuguese07-08 and sent into the Toxic Fort.
Then the Paladins of the Silver Ash came across the 14th Infantry Regiment of Swords (Portuguese) covering a band of settlers that were still organizing after their landing via galley. The Paladins took advantage of their disorganization and dismantled the 14th Swords without more than a handful of scratches, producing the Portuguese09-10 slave bands.
Umma was still the prize target for Carthage in the western ESC. Carthage had three rested units available to overrun the remaining 6,000 Enkidu defenders. It was decided that a coordinated attack would be made by the Knights of Charlemagne, Lances of Steel, and the Black Guard*. The Knights of the Chalice, though wounded, could be called upon as a reserve as needed.
The Knights of Charlemagne, taking the western flank, followed a narrow causeway between the ocean and the hills. The raced from the forest cover and, coming under sudden fire from a hidden rank of Longbows the deadly Carrion Crows flushed the Enkidu from their fortifications. Half of the men, their spirits shattered, abandoned Umma and ran for the cover of Isin to the south. This left the Carrion Crows exposed. The Steel Lances seized the advantage and overran the Carrion Crows with little resistance, catching a small fleet of Sumerian Galleys still in the harbor. The ships and the city burned. To the great surprise of the Carthaginian commanders, the citizens refused to be pacified. Many committed suicide by their own hand or by drowning in the ocean. Some resisted enslavement and had to be slain on Carthaginian swords. It was a foolish mess that left nearly a quarter million civilians dead.
The road to Isin was wide open. The unwounded Carthaginian cavalry and knights advanced on the last Sumerian stronghold on the ESC Isin. This would leave them with the island city of Marad, which suited Hannibals plans for now.
The Byzantines were also in peril. The city of Nicaea was well invested and it was time for the attack. the 33rd and 45th Regiments of Comitatenses Spears had demonstrated to bolster the support of the population and dug many trenches in an attempt to fortify the exposed city. It was almost comical. The city had no wall and was faced with the greatest Carthaginian army yet put in the field.
Phaedos Pride, still seeking their elite laurels begged for the honor of the first attack. The commanders of the Pride drove their men on a frontal attack and refused to back away as losses mounted. Luckily the 45th Regiment crumbled. While the attack was a success it was not enough to earn the Pride its laurels. The Harding Knights, seeking the same recognition, suffered twice the losses, reduced to but 20% of its effective fighting strength driving back the 35th Regiment.
In spite of these success, the military Governess, the Lady Isabella, rallied her men and forged a new and of defenders the 1st Regiment of Limitanei Spears. The Red Knights drove this final conglomerate from the field, capturing Lady Isabella as she raised a spear and charged the invaders. Disarmed and bound, the spirited woman was sent to Smilin Bob. Such spirited commanders could not be wasted even if they were misguided in their loyalties to a crumbling nation. The population was grouped into the Byzantine12-13.
All of Carthages available units moved on Constantinople. With the fall of the Byzantine capital the empire would be split into two pieces.
One Isin fell the gate to the western portion of the empire would be open to Carthage while the siege force at Constantinople could turn to the eastern cities. The Byzantines, like other client states, would be left with but one city and, eventually, relocated to someplace easier for Carthage to observe.
All newly arriving forces would be directed to the LoD for future operations in the east. The destruction of the Hittites would be the driving goal, then France and finally Portugal. The final victims and toughest adversaries would be America and the Mayans. The Chinese were a distant third concern.
Finally POPs Elite Rangers brushed aside the 42nd 2Ps Longbow formation to capture the Hittite25-26 slave bands and, in the process, took command of an important hill overlooking Hattusas. Meanwhile, OMIA trampled the 66th 3Ax Spear formation to add the Hittite27-28 to the workforce.
On the mainland the battle against the Dutch was proceeding as expected. After the initial repulse of the Knights of Saint George, additional units had been moved forward to deal with the insolent Dutch. 6,000 Numidian Mercenaries covered the advance of 500 horsemen, 600 heavy cavalry and 800 knights. Across the tundra stood 6,000 spearmen.
The lead unit was the Fright Knights, an eager veteran band of knights seeking their recognition as elites. The attack was executed poorly. Nearly 100 men mistook their orders and demonstrated to the left while their companions charged the defenses. An unseen band of Dutch archers, covering the approach, poured murderous volleys into the exposed left flank, felling more than 100 men from their saddles before they reached the wall. By the time the mistake was realized the battle was over. The Fright Knights had been routed from the field. Not willing to completely lose his command, the remaining 100 men fell back to the cover of the Numidian Mercenaries.
The Summer Knights, seeing this debacle, charged the fortifications while the defenders reorganized. Once more the defenders rallied and, once more, drove the knights from the field without more than a token loss to the defenders. Inexperienced, the commanders of the Summer Knights feed their men into meat grinder of spears. Only the rebellion of their own men saved the unit from total destruction.
Ahhhh . . . killer spear!!!
Word quickly spread through Carthage of the deadly Killer Spears of Groningen. The final hope of Carthage lay with the elite band of heavy cavalry known as the Knights of the Order of the Oak. The 600 heavy cavalry closed the distance quickly to avoid the arrows that had foiled the Fright Knights. Finally Carthage had men that knew how to fight! The front rank of spears collapsed under the press and fell back to the limits of the city. Unfortunately the attack could not be pressed. The men were exhausted and their mounts spent. The Knights of the Order of the Oak fell back to their camp and protection of the Numidian spears.
The final 500 horsemen known as the Snakes, long relegated to hunting barbarians with the training of more heavily armored companies threw aside caution and raced to capitalize upon the victories and blood price - of the various knights. Their highly maneuverable bands made swift and daring raids throughout the night, reducing the defenses and, in a final push, breaking the remaining spear formations.
Only the Dutch Archers of the 2nd Auxiliary Company remained to hold the city. Seeing a renewed opportunity, the Numidians of the Wasps marched from their camp in the hills to sack the city. The mercenaries pushed aside the archers with minimal losses, capturing the city and the small fleet of galleys that were being overloaded with civilians trying to escape the advance.
The city was destroyed and 2 pieces of gold were added to the coffers of Carthage.
Hannibal finally sent his ambassadors to consult with Williams the Cowards, for he had escaped the siege at Groningen and made his new home in Eindhoven. A deal was struck and the Dutch would be allowed to live for a while longer.
The Battle on the mainland was over, at least until Gandhi had to be handled again.
In a surprising move, a Byzantine Dromon emerged from the morning fog to breath fire upon the beech encampments of the Black Company. This savage and cowardly attack greatly angered the men of Carthage and revenge was planned. Nearly 200 men had been burned in the raid. Carthage would burn far more.
Two other surprising events transpired. The Sumerians sent forth a band of settlers under the protection of the cowardly Enkidu that had abandoned Umma a foolish move by Gilgamesh though how much was his fault is unknown, for he had already departed for the safety of his island city, Marad.
The last even was the appearance of a veteran band of Portuguese knights The 3rd Lancers Regiment of Knights. They had managed to close the distance to the Carthaginian advancing front and this could not be tolerated. OMIA moved to cut off its retreat and pillage the roads south of Hattusas. POPs Elite rangers pushed aside, almost as an afterthought, the 55th 2Ps Longbow formation before crushing the newly arrived 3rd Lancers.
In the western theatre, the Black Guard*, weakened by the Dromon, completed the attack on the Enkidu trying to escape the battle. This was a poor choice and the weakened Black Guard* were forced to retire from the field. The Jagged Knights, newly arrived on the field, completed the attack, sweeping from the hills rupture the defensive ring of warriors and enslave the citizens into Sumaria43-44.
The remaining Carthaginian units concentrated on Constantinople but the attack was held.
The great battle for Constantinople occurred in 1475AD. The Great city held nearly 400,000 people and was guarded by 12,000 spearmen - the 19th, 29th, and 58th Regiments of Comitatenses Spears. There were also rumors that at least one back of archers was in the area but not yet identified. The city was situated on the open grassland but the dense city offered a protection of its own and by the fortifications of the spears it appeared that Theodora intended to fight street-by-street.
Across from these defenders was the glory of Carthage 2,900 heavy cavalry and 1,700 knights. Another 1,200 heavy cavalry were also closing in.
After much discussion, it was decided the Aabraxans Honor Guard would begin the attack and the remaining units would coordinate to exploit any victories. Aabraxan began the general assault. He shrewdly chose the 29th Regiment as his target because the fortifications were as yet incomplete on the western flank his scouts had found a small gap between the trench works and the mountains, a place that the defenders had either hoped the Carthaginians would not find or had been too lazy to finish.
The 99th Skirmishers made their appearance as this time, dropping many arrows on the attackers and slaughtering Aabraxans command. Unwilling to withdraw without victory, the Honor Guard smashed the 29th Regiment in spite of their serious loss. Their wounded and dead amounted to 80% of the fighting force by the time the battle drew to a close.
Taking advantage of this gap, Day drove his Knights Hard but the 58th had rushed to close the gap. Both side suffered grievous wounds but the 58th Regiment had the better of it and drop Days men from the field. The battle, however, had only just begun and the Knights of Night pressed the eastern flank of the 19th Regiment the ranks of men had been thinned to only 3,000 men because of the desperate need on the western flank of the city.
Once more the defenders proved stubborn and the 19th Regiment held, expertly driving back the knights. Only luck allowed the commanders of the Knights of Night to withdraw before all was lost. In the end a small cadre remained to rebuild the Knights, but only just.
Successive waves of Carthaginian warriors crashed against the city. The Dark Brotherhood finally routed the 19th Regiment only to find a new Regiment had been hastily assembled from conscripts to hold the line. The remnant of the 19th were added to these conscripts to form the 4th Regiment of Limitanei Spears. This was a regiment formed completely of warrior women, brazen and deadly, lead by Theodora herself. The Knights of Cold Steel struggled for six hours to dislodge the 4th Regiment. The commanders nearly destroyed their command to route the warrior women. The city had to be set afire before the Cold Steel, dismounted and fighting hand-to-hand, gained a foothold in the city.
The 58th Regiment fell to the dismounted Red Knights as the city blazed and the 99th Skirmishers finally gave way to the Regulators. The city burned. Two bands of game hunters were trapped in the city. The citizens streaming from the burning city were also gathered. In all, five slave bands were formed Byzantine14-18.
After pillaging several mines around Hattusas OMIA crushed the 10th Sword Regiment of the French Foreign Legion while it was marching to attack the LoD.
At the end of 1475AD a deal was struck with Isabella of Spain. The Spanish ambassador approached Hannibal with an attractive offer.
While Isabellas offer was tempting, Hannibal agreed to the map and gold instead. Pity.
Sumeria was willing to talk sense as well. Hannibal had once thought to banish Sumeria to its remote island but now decided on a new plan. The Sumerian Ambassador was offering an opportunity, though he didnt realize it. Carthage would accept the island city of Marad, Sumerias worthless world map, all 21 pieces of its gold and tribute of 8 pieces of gold for the next 20 budgeting cycles. The city of Marad was, of course, destroyed immediately.
This would require a holding force to remain in the west to finish the task after the next 100 years, but so be it. Carthage would need to keep forces in the area to hunt barbarians and kill other invading settlers anyway. In addition, the war with Byzantium had to be concluded.
A new deal was also struck with America Carthage would give Lincoln Ivory and Wines for their map of the world, 52 pieces of gold and tribute of 20 gold for 20 budgeting cycles.
Wondrous news reached Hannibal in 1480AD. The Trade and Domestic Advisors appeared before Hannibal with wide grins. Great Hannibal! Do you remember the man named Smith?
He is the one with the wood leg, right? Hannibal asked, searching his memory.
Indeed, godly Hannibal. The Domestic Advisor said. We are pleased to tell you that he has decided to found his Trading Company and Wooden Leg Emporium ! This is a great benefit for Carthage, my lord! It will pay for all our markets, banks, harbors and man other things at no cost to the people of Carthage! This is wonderful!
Hannibal celebrated this great news. For the first time in a long time the Carthaginian balance sheets were almost showing a positive growth and Carthage possessed more money than at any other time in its existence.
At the ESC LoD the Knigths of Earth encountered the foolish 31st Sword Regiment of the French Foreign Legion with a new band of settler organizing on the beech. This type of seaborne settlement plan was bound to fail against a nation as mighty as Carthage. The settlers were impressed to the service of Carthage as the French09-10.
The Ghost Riders intent on crushing the 61st 2Ps Longbow formation outside Hattusas, fell into a trap and was slaughtered by the fall of razor arrows. The veteran band, much humiliated, was forced to retreat from the field. The Blackened Company , reconstituted from the Black Company, filled the gap rescuing the Ghost Riders and returning a small number of surviving prisoners. Their quick action earned them the recognition of an elite band.
The next target in the west was Adrianople a large city set upon open grassland. Unfortunately the battle for Constantinople had drained the Carthaginian army, leaving only a handful of cavalry 1,700 men - to storm the city in the hopes of overtaking the new capital before it could reinforce.
The Knights of the White Mountain surveyed the city defenders and estimated their strength at 2 regiments, each 3,000 men strong. The 3rd and 6th Regiments of Comitatenses Spears were indentified these units had received new designation as the Byzantine army tried to reorganize to fend off the invaders. There was also the possibility that the crafty Theodora had hidden an band of skirmishers in the city to bombard the cavalry as they charged.
Satisfied that the risk was worth taking, the commanders of the Knights of the White Mountain sent them charging forward. The Knights held steady to the attack and, in spite of horrible losses, pressed the 3rd Regiment away from the shallow trenches that protected the approach to the city. The path open, the Dark Knights chased the routed men and clashed with the spears of the 6th Regiment. This extremely risky advance was rewarded and the 6th Regiment routed into the city.
Once more the brave Theodora rallied her retreating men for a final defense of the city. She quickly grafted the 36th Regiment of Comitatenses Spears to meet the Knights of Solomon. The attack was disastrous and Theodoras strength was proudly displayed as the banner of the Knights was captured and the men of the company killed in battle or executed upon capture. The company was no more.
The Seekers advanced to help with the next assault, but for now the 36th Spears, their ranks now swelled to 4,000 men, were allowed to rest and heal.
The Seekers, organized for the attack, executed the attack on the 36th Spears in the hope that it could push back the defenders before any reinforcements could be rushed to the scene. The stubborn defenders clawed their way through the battle, sapping nearly all of the strength from the Seekers. They nearly held. Then the line broke and the survivors scattered, opening the city to Carthages forces. The city was razed and three new slave bands formed: Byzantine19-21.
Theodora, finally coming to her senses, agreed to surrender her remaining cities, keeping only Varna, her new capital, in exchange for peace in 1485AD. She would also surrender her world map and all 22 pieces of gold.
The war in the west was over, at least for now. The next phase transplanting these civilizations, would come soon. The surrendered cities were razed immediately.
The 9th Infantry Regiment of Swords and the 15th Infantry Regiment of Medieval Infantry as well as the 17th Lancers Regiment of Knights were advancing on the LoD. This insane behavior could not be explained satisfactorily.
The Right Boot of templar_x put down the 9th Swords while OMIA eliminated the 15th Regiment. The skirmishing was a backdrop, however. Now that the wars in the west were over a new army began to build of heavy cavalry and knights. The target was nothing less than Hattusas, the Hittite capital.
In the lull a band of lancers slipped through the fog of war and fell upon the Left Boot of templar_x and slew the brave crusaders. It was a horrible loss for Carthage to the pitiful Portuguese.
In 1490AD OMIA eliminated the 17th Lancers (Portuguese Knights) and the sneaky 22nd Lancers (Horsemen) the slayers of the Left Boot. Much of the rest of time was spent by Carthage gathering its forces and withdrawn half of the western army to be turned against the east.
The battle for Hattusas began in 1495AD. The city had a population equal to nearly three quarters of a million citizens settled in the bend of a river over open plains. The Hessian Company, not to be discouraged, ignored the warnings of the veteran muskets guarding the city. Cunning and cruel, the Hessians demonstrated before the city, suffering a handful of casualties at extreme range as the muskets kept up a steady fire. As the gunpowder filled the air and the musket ammunition dwindled, the Hessians made a gallant charge. A final volley took many riders from their saddles but many, many more reached the muskets. Unable to use the muskets for anything other than clubs in close combat, the 97th 4Ax Musket formation collapsed, leaving a gapping hole in the city defenses.
OMIA was called forward to strike the 41st 4Ax Musket formation. Though the Old Man ultimately proved successful, his army was severely damaged and would require a long time before its ranks were returned to the point that it could carry out another attack.
POPs Elite Rangers took the next assault the veteran 67th 4Ax Musket formation had moved into battle formation to cover the ranks of the fallen 97th and 82nd (for it was the 82nd that was overrun by the Hessians). The Rangers overran the 67th by sheer force of numbers, suffering the horrendous losses.
It was now left to the cavalry and knights of Carthage to destroy the remainder of the defenses. The Knights of the Seraphim were called up to assault the 56th 4Ax Muskets another veteran formation while the Blackened Company was sent into a charge against the 61st 4Ax Muskets that were rushing to cover the flank of the 56th. The formation was sound and the Knights of the Seraphim were caught between the two units. A hail of musket fire killed the knights to the last man. The Blackened Company, however, circled the 61st Muskets and turned their right flank, destroying the entire formation and forcing the 56th back into the city. The 56th had not escaped unscathed either. The Knights of the Seraphim had sold themselves dearly, battering the 56th down to less then 25% of their strength.
Just as victory seemed certain the 70th 4Ax Muskets advanced in rank from the city, allowing the 56th to retreat and preserve their command. The Trolls made the attack against the 70th Muskets. The fighting was fierce but the 70th did not have support. The 99th Muskets, a regular formation, was only just emerging from the city, lagging too far behind to be of any assistance. The speed of the Trolls proved decisive and the flank of the 70th Muskets was turned. The entire unit was routed back into the city, most of them dropping their heavy firearms when they fled.
The Hanged Knights were on the flank of the Trolls and took up the attack on the 99th Muskets even as the Knights of Water planned to charge the city and the wounded 56th Muskets that had destroyed the Knights of the Seraphim. The Hanged knights suffered 50% casualties routing the 99th Muskets. The Knights of Water suffered far more but eventually prevailed over the ragged 56th.
In all, the Hittites had lost seven formations of muskets 2,700 men in all. When the city was captured 5 bands of fur trappers were hiding in the city fortifications and claimed by Carthage along with 5 additional slave bands formed from the 750,000 inhabitants of the city. In addition, the Hittites lost the Great Library (710AD), the Oracle (750BC), Leonardos Workshop (1180AD), and the Mausoleum of Mausollo (350BC) forever. Mursilis had been hamstrung by Carthage and would never recover. The slaves became the Hittite29-38.
Victory assured, the Carthaginian units gathered to heal. But Carthage was not done causing the Hittites pain. The Cruel Knights, returned from the west, destroyed the 12th 2Ps Longbow formation while they were encamped. The Cruel Knights slew them as they slept without losing any of their own men. Cruel indeed.
The year 1495AD had ended on a good note!
The following years were slightly more irritating. The Portuguese offense had begun with a parade of units. The 18th Infantry Regiment of Pikes and the 31st Infantry Regiment of Medieval Infantry were covering a band of settlers that were now seeking to claim old Hittite lands. At the same time, the 19th Infantry Regiment of Swords, the 22nd Infantry Regiment of Archers, the 24th Infantry Regiment of Spears, and the 32nd Infantry Regiment of Medieval Infantry were crossing the hills towards the LoD, though it would be along time before they could cross the distance and by the time they arrived the relief units from the western wars would be waiting for them.
The Blackened Company, nearly at full strength, attacked the 18th Pikes to prevent the tide of Portuguese settlers. The battle was fierce. The 18th drew into a phalanx, relying on the Medieval Infantry of the 31st Regiment to protect the settlers as they began to construct their new city.
This was a fatal mistake. The Blackened Company spent half of its remaining strength breaking the phalanx, exposing the 31st Regiment to an attack by the Hessian Company, the men that had led the fateful attack on Hattusas and shattered the Hittites. The Hessians cleared away the Infantry and rounded up the slaves into the Portuguese11-12 before returning to the safety of the encamped combined armies of POPs Elite Rangers and OMIA.
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![[pissed]](/images/smilies/pissed.gif "Pissed [pissed]")
These things were simply foolish. The Mayans would lose these knights all for the price of one slain band of slaves?
