Bactria
GOVERNMENT: Despotism
RULER/PLAYER: Aryana / North King
ECONOMY: Stable, Command
TAX INCOME: 1/per turn, /treasury
ARMY: ?
NAVY: ?
INFRASTRUCTURE: None
EDUCATION: Idiotic
CONFIDENCE: Okay
PROJECTS:
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Creation
In the beginning, there was darkness absolute.
None reigned, for none existed.
None toiled, none loved,
none filled the utter silence.
Who filled the void?
Who created the oceans?
Who created the earth?
Who created the heavens?
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It had been a long movement south, and Milinida was glad to have it be over. The Uzbeks were not to be trifled with; their raids had been disrupting his tribes cities and villages for years by the time he and the Bactrians had finally decided to migrate southward. He had decided to take up residence here, in a relatively...
Fertile wasnt quite the right word... Closer to
Habitable, really...
The advanced scouts had reported that nothing in particular was wrong with this place, and that they might as well just settle here, in the place called Samarkand.
And thus he told the people that this was a good place, and that the Uzbeks would not harm them here. And it was true; there were no people here to challenge them (yet), there was no harm offered them in these lands. And he saw that it was good, and the people stayed there for a long time.
Slowly the city of Samarkand grew to become a trade hub, and the people began to grow rich off of the flow of goods between East and West. He supervised himself the construction of great walls, ten feet in thickness and much higher than any horse could leap, and planned out the city in a highly efficient grid pattern. The place was well watered, well fed, and the greatest city in the region for a long time.
But alas, their enemies had followed them yet.
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Struggle and rebirth
The cavalry rode to and fro,
through the midst of the Great Legions ranks,
Yet they could not penetrate the lines of the army.
For days and days the fight went on,
until even the god grew tired of the fighting and suffering.
Thus did Vishnu, preserver of the city,
drive away the nomads,
tearing into their ranks,
like wolf upon sheep,
the Great Legion did triumph.
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Samarkand was still the great golden city it had been under his fathers rule, but Aryanas reign was not dedicated solely to preserving the city. No, though that task was of great importance, the Great Legion paired with the great roving bands of dromedary riders kept the city well under guard, Vishnu grant them the strength to continue.
The main thing he wanted to accomplish in his reign was uniting the scattered tribes that called themselves Bactrians. They had been all over, far to the south of the great city of Samarkand, to the east and west. Not to the north, thank god, all they had to face there were the Uzbeks and their horses.
But to fight his own people was... A disturbing prospect at best.
But he had to do it. His people needed to do it. There would be no securing peace in the region if they did not.
He called the army up, and the people answered him en masse... So many wanted to come that he had to turn them back. He soothed them, acknowledging that they were splendid warriors (after all, most every Bactrian was, from birth), but that the simple ideals of logistics and supply meant that only a certain number could be taken.
Quickly he organized this army, into almost a copy of the practically standing army that was the Greater Legion; Those that were city dwellers and farmers he made into foot soldiers, and had them make great rectangular oxhide shields, and gave them long, strong bronze tipped spears. And he told them to be steadfast, and that they would be rewarded for their service to their nation.
And he took the country dwellers, the good riders and excellent nomads, and had them procure mounts, great Bactrian camels. He taught them to make bows, and to shoot them accurately while riding their mounts. He gave them short spears, to be used in case they had to come to hand to hand combat. And he told them to be steadfast, and that they would be rewarded for their service to their nation.
And he took the mob, and made them into an army; day after day they did train. They killed thousands of imaginary opponents, and learnt the ways of fighting en masse. And the spears learned to march in a coordinated line, and they learned to form great columns. They learned to approach under cover, and they learned to form squares.
His infantry were the most versatile and efficient that the Bactrians had seen, certainly, and their discipline was superb.
The camelry trained, learned to charge down opponents lines, to force open breaks in the line. To harass at a distance and ride in a great circle showering arrows on their foes.
And his cavalry were fearsome men, hardy and able. Indeed, the mere smell of the camels intimidated the horses of their enemies.
And thus they marched.
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Conquest
Columns.
Columns of camels.
Columns of riders.
Columns of infantry.
Columns of ever soldier that the great king had raised,
All marching southward,
kicking up dust.
Vishnu smiled upon them,
and they persevered to the last.
Shiva smiled upon them,
and they rained destruction upon their foes.
Brahma smiled upon them,
and a new empire was created.
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Thus with the gods blessings and a smart king, the armies had marched south, and conquered. The fearsome warriors of the tribes had conquered far and wide, and the Bactrians were united, once and for all.
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All this culminated in the beginnings of an empire; the Bactrian Empire.
Already it had achieved its first conquests, and with its highly efficient military and organization, it was poised to conquer many more, and dominate the region. All of its near neighbors were weak; the Harrappans past the Hindu Kush were rather weak, and they probably could topple easily. The Aryans were divided, and the various tribes would easily be turned against one another by diplomacy. And the Uzbeks to the north could not provide that much of a threat.
Besides which, Bactria was rich. The gold and wealth poured in from all sides, as Kabul controlled the trade coming in from the Hindu Kush, Balkh from all over the region, but especially from Persia, Samarkand from the Tian Shan and north. All cities were well defended and well planned, with efficient grid pattern streets.
On the surface the empire appeared incredibly strong. However, with barbarian rivals on all aides, and the fact that it was only in the bronze age, it still has many hurdles to overcome. The vast majority of the nation is rather weakly controlled and under the control of the nomadic herdsmen. Only the three great cities are firmly under control.
Perhaps the only thing the nation has going for it are a strong, disciplined military of excellent spearmen, and a well practiced and efficient cavalry, coupled with its great trade wealth.
OOC: I hope this is not too much for a newly starting nation, Jason. Attached map provides what I want to start with, but if you want to make the barbarians stronger, or my nation smaller, feel free to do so (I just dont want a weak nation...
). Just make sure I have those three cities, at least approximately close to where I have put them, and a good military (preferably with the units of Greater Legions and Bactrian Camelry). They are essential to my stories. The religion will be covered in my story for next turn.
Well, do with it what you will.
Hello?
I just found the cool pics to attach to them and it's almost midnight! BAH ON YOU. Now i'll need to rush!... got half an hour...
