capnvonbaron
Democratia gladii
Dijon may have been a good name too 
'scuse me sah, do you have any grey poupon??
'scuse me sah, do you have any grey poupon??
Surrounded by Insanity
- Thread starter Mumpulus
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Deity
You're playing Vanilla, aren't you, Capn? Wasn't it like you had no warriors as the Aztecs in Vanilla, as the Jaguar replaced them? In Conquests, Aztecs can build both warriors and Jaguars, and the AI mostly builds warriors.
Ge vertelt een goed verhaal, Mumpulus.
Ansar
Détente avec l'été
Mmm, epices... 
Mumpulus
King
Bedankt.
Thanks also of course to all other lurkers who came out of hiding to react, and to all other readers for following along.
capnvonbaron
Democratia gladii
yeah, that may have been it. Also, I thought for a second that maybe one of the free units given to the Aztecs may have been that warrior (this is Emporer, right? 1 free offense/4 free defense for AI at start?). I don't know if the free units awarded to the AI can be UUs... anyone else know?
Mumpulus
King
The French people are conquerors. And to conquer the world, they needed to expand. Expansion in turn required a lot of hard labor, to grow food, to produce goods, and to generate commerce. In 2390BC, the council decided that another crew of workers to create roads and to improve the lands would be beneficial.
[size=-2]Paris in 2390BC. Some of the citizens of Paris would have to leave to form a worker crew, but Paris would soon reach the same population again.[/size]
Many years passed in relative peace, and the workers could do their work without interruption. But in 2230BC, a new Chinese contingent showed up, and a stronger one this time.
[size=-2]France in 2230BC. Enemy troops are building up in the south.[/size]
Not long after that, the Persians also showed up with significant reinforcements, from the same direction. The Aztecs also sent additional warriors. They almost all converged on Épices.
Prelude
As the Chinese, Persian and Aztec forces marched toward the French homeland, their leaders conferenced and decided to form a coalition.
The Aztecs had held forces in the vicinity for a long period, and had gathered intelligence on the French military and on the ongoing work to build the city walls in Épices. Cápnopilli, a fierce jaguar warrior of Aztec nobility, knew that the walls wouldn't be completed in time for the arrival of the Chinese force, led by Wi Em Xi'a.
Mogātte, leader of the Persian spearmen division, advised a more cautious approach. His forces would arrive later, and he suggested the Chinese wait for them. From the Aztec intelligence, they knew that the French had at least 15,000 spearmen in Épices. The Chinese forces alone would probably not be able to take the town, but combined with the Persian and Aztec forces, they would vastly outnumber the French.
But the Chinese didn't want to give the French the opportunity to complete the city walls, and decided to attack immediately.
Battle
The town of Épices had a large portion of its walls already completed. French spearmen divisions had been posted at the side of the town facing east. The Chinese advanced through the forest to attack that side of the town.
The first action came from a division of Chinese warriors that had moved to the northeast side of Épices. The French had expected them to move west to take control of the road to Paris, in an effort to cut off supplies. The Gardiens de la Ville were already holding ready to counterattack. But instead, the warriors directly charged into the spearmen division led by Napoléon d'Arsqui. The French line held easily against the lightly armed warriors, and losses were minimal.
Almost at the same time, another band of warriors attacked from the south. Septime le Sachant was leading the spearmen division there, and had ordered his men forward into the forest to reduce the effectiveness of the Chinese archers. The Chinese warriors were defeated, but Septime incurred some losses too, and he moved his first battalion back to Épices. A second battalion could not move into the forest in time for the attack by the Chinese archers. The Chinese got a few volleys in before the French could reach them. About half of that second spearmen battalion was lost before the hand to hand combat began. From that point on, the odds turned drastically. One division of Chinese archers was decimated.
The second division of Chinese archers hadn't been able to move through the forest. When Wi Em Xi'a saw how his warriors and archers had been mowed down by the French, even when they had had the terrain to their advantage, he had the retreat sounded. His remaining archer division fortified in the forest.
The Chinese had lost 3/4 of their men, and hadn't even really made a dent in the French defenses. Mogātte had moved through the pass of Mont Matthieu and Mont à Poil at an unprecedented pace, but came too late to be of any real consequence. One warrior division made a surprise attack and routed a French spearman division that was just getting settled to replace the wounded spearmen that had defeated the Chinese. But after that, and with the surprise effect gone, Mogātte also called off the attack.
The Aztec warriors turned around when they heard of the outcome of the battle, and joined the archer division that was waiting in the Champs de Mars. The ensuing attack on the walls of Paris failed miserably.
Aftermath
The Chinese kept a minimal force near Épices, Cápnopilli moved his remaining elite troops to Paris, and the Persian forces retreated to Mont Matthieu. The French had lost 8,000 men, but about half of them was already being replaced, and more units were being trained in Paris. The walls in Épices were completed 2110BC. The French had yet to meet their match.
[size=-2]Paris in 2390BC. Some of the citizens of Paris would have to leave to form a worker crew, but Paris would soon reach the same population again.[/size]
Many years passed in relative peace, and the workers could do their work without interruption. But in 2230BC, a new Chinese contingent showed up, and a stronger one this time.
[size=-2]France in 2230BC. Enemy troops are building up in the south.[/size]
Not long after that, the Persians also showed up with significant reinforcements, from the same direction. The Aztecs also sent additional warriors. They almost all converged on Épices.
Prelude
As the Chinese, Persian and Aztec forces marched toward the French homeland, their leaders conferenced and decided to form a coalition.
The Aztecs had held forces in the vicinity for a long period, and had gathered intelligence on the French military and on the ongoing work to build the city walls in Épices. Cápnopilli, a fierce jaguar warrior of Aztec nobility, knew that the walls wouldn't be completed in time for the arrival of the Chinese force, led by Wi Em Xi'a.
Mogātte, leader of the Persian spearmen division, advised a more cautious approach. His forces would arrive later, and he suggested the Chinese wait for them. From the Aztec intelligence, they knew that the French had at least 15,000 spearmen in Épices. The Chinese forces alone would probably not be able to take the town, but combined with the Persian and Aztec forces, they would vastly outnumber the French.
But the Chinese didn't want to give the French the opportunity to complete the city walls, and decided to attack immediately.
Battle
The town of Épices had a large portion of its walls already completed. French spearmen divisions had been posted at the side of the town facing east. The Chinese advanced through the forest to attack that side of the town.
The first action came from a division of Chinese warriors that had moved to the northeast side of Épices. The French had expected them to move west to take control of the road to Paris, in an effort to cut off supplies. The Gardiens de la Ville were already holding ready to counterattack. But instead, the warriors directly charged into the spearmen division led by Napoléon d'Arsqui. The French line held easily against the lightly armed warriors, and losses were minimal.
Almost at the same time, another band of warriors attacked from the south. Septime le Sachant was leading the spearmen division there, and had ordered his men forward into the forest to reduce the effectiveness of the Chinese archers. The Chinese warriors were defeated, but Septime incurred some losses too, and he moved his first battalion back to Épices. A second battalion could not move into the forest in time for the attack by the Chinese archers. The Chinese got a few volleys in before the French could reach them. About half of that second spearmen battalion was lost before the hand to hand combat began. From that point on, the odds turned drastically. One division of Chinese archers was decimated.
The second division of Chinese archers hadn't been able to move through the forest. When Wi Em Xi'a saw how his warriors and archers had been mowed down by the French, even when they had had the terrain to their advantage, he had the retreat sounded. His remaining archer division fortified in the forest.
The Chinese had lost 3/4 of their men, and hadn't even really made a dent in the French defenses. Mogātte had moved through the pass of Mont Matthieu and Mont à Poil at an unprecedented pace, but came too late to be of any real consequence. One warrior division made a surprise attack and routed a French spearman division that was just getting settled to replace the wounded spearmen that had defeated the Chinese. But after that, and with the surprise effect gone, Mogātte also called off the attack.
The Aztec warriors turned around when they heard of the outcome of the battle, and joined the archer division that was waiting in the Champs de Mars. The ensuing attack on the walls of Paris failed miserably.
Aftermath
The Chinese kept a minimal force near Épices, Cápnopilli moved his remaining elite troops to Paris, and the Persian forces retreated to Mont Matthieu. The French had lost 8,000 men, but about half of them was already being replaced, and more units were being trained in Paris. The walls in Épices were completed 2110BC. The French had yet to meet their match.
Splendid report sir.
Sharwood
Rich, doctor nephew
I really enjoy your method of reporting battles, particularly the Wiki formatting. Keep up the good work.
Northen Wolf
Young Hunter
I realy like these kinda battle reports and story telling, keep going. I was watching previous conquest, I will watch this one too and cheer with you.
Mumpulus
King
2110BC marked the start of an event on an entirely different scale:
Obviously, the French people knew about the dangers of a volcanic eruption. Their ancestors had already witnessed the might of the gods, and tales had been passed on through the generations. Yet they were confident the gods would not harm them. The mining activities in the Plaines des Ancêtres weren't discontinued.
In 2070BC, le Mont des Dieux finally erupted, over 2000 years after the previous eruption that had drawn the Parisii to the mountain and the lake.
One of the very first writings in history is an account of the eruption by the Persian writer Anābarāx, a military scribe to Mogātteš. The account was written on stone tablets that were found on Mont Matthieu in 754AD. It was translated only in 1037AD by André Dobob.
[size=-2]
The Stone Tablets of Mont Mahieu, Persian stone tablets describing the eruption of Mont des Dieux, ca. 2070BC, Musée André Dobob[/size]
Mighty Xšayāršā, magnificent in Pārsa, King of Batrakataš and Šušan, Son of Anāhitā.
Victorious Leader Mogātteš commanded to record his victories for the King, given to him by the gods.
Year 1890, camp was made on the high mountain, as the people of Parisii made their wall, and every ally was moving away. Not sooner began to rise from the black mountain across gray and red smoke. To the realm above a thick column stood unwavering.
Upon our heads and those of all fell ash and sooth, and we could see the sky no more. The wind did blow the breath of the dark gods of Parisii towards us.
Year 1930, and all shivered as winter came upon us. With a roar louder than the voice of the god of the sky, and with a light more bright than that of the sun god himself, did the dark mountain shoot out molten rock and ash. Straight upward until the very edge of the sky dome it reached, rose the flag of flame and dust. For two days and two nights went on this dreaded spectacle.
The text is addressed to Xerxes, who ruled from Persepolis, and was king over the cities of Pasargadae and Susa, and was regarded as the son of the goddess Anahita. The text was ordered written by the leader of the Persian army, to convey of his military success to Xerxes. Right after the Persians had made camp on Mont Matthieu, le Mont des Dieux became active. Apparently, the winds were mostly from the north, as the sky was blocked by the cloud of ash. In 2070BC, the year 1930 in the Persian calendar, the volcano erupted with a sound louder than thunder and with a light brighter than the sun. The eruption lasted 2 days.
The eruption had little to no effect on the surrounding lands; the lava flows remained on the cone of the volcano. There was no disruption of any French activities. The mountain itself would remain useless to the French for some time though.
In 2030BC, the French met a new enemy: the Egyptians. At the same time, the French sages completed their research, and started a new project.
In 1950BC, the Persians tried their luck again at Épices. By then however, the French soldiers were well prepared, and under the great leadership of Napoléon d'Arsqui, victory was assured.
Obviously, the French people knew about the dangers of a volcanic eruption. Their ancestors had already witnessed the might of the gods, and tales had been passed on through the generations. Yet they were confident the gods would not harm them. The mining activities in the Plaines des Ancêtres weren't discontinued.
In 2070BC, le Mont des Dieux finally erupted, over 2000 years after the previous eruption that had drawn the Parisii to the mountain and the lake.
One of the very first writings in history is an account of the eruption by the Persian writer Anābarāx, a military scribe to Mogātteš. The account was written on stone tablets that were found on Mont Matthieu in 754AD. It was translated only in 1037AD by André Dobob.
[size=-2]
The Stone Tablets of Mont Mahieu, Persian stone tablets describing the eruption of Mont des Dieux, ca. 2070BC, Musée André Dobob[/size]
Mighty Xšayāršā, magnificent in Pārsa, King of Batrakataš and Šušan, Son of Anāhitā.
Victorious Leader Mogātteš commanded to record his victories for the King, given to him by the gods.
Year 1890, camp was made on the high mountain, as the people of Parisii made their wall, and every ally was moving away. Not sooner began to rise from the black mountain across gray and red smoke. To the realm above a thick column stood unwavering.
Upon our heads and those of all fell ash and sooth, and we could see the sky no more. The wind did blow the breath of the dark gods of Parisii towards us.
Year 1930, and all shivered as winter came upon us. With a roar louder than the voice of the god of the sky, and with a light more bright than that of the sun god himself, did the dark mountain shoot out molten rock and ash. Straight upward until the very edge of the sky dome it reached, rose the flag of flame and dust. For two days and two nights went on this dreaded spectacle.
The text is addressed to Xerxes, who ruled from Persepolis, and was king over the cities of Pasargadae and Susa, and was regarded as the son of the goddess Anahita. The text was ordered written by the leader of the Persian army, to convey of his military success to Xerxes. Right after the Persians had made camp on Mont Matthieu, le Mont des Dieux became active. Apparently, the winds were mostly from the north, as the sky was blocked by the cloud of ash. In 2070BC, the year 1930 in the Persian calendar, the volcano erupted with a sound louder than thunder and with a light brighter than the sun. The eruption lasted 2 days.
The eruption had little to no effect on the surrounding lands; the lava flows remained on the cone of the volcano. There was no disruption of any French activities. The mountain itself would remain useless to the French for some time though.
In 2030BC, the French met a new enemy: the Egyptians. At the same time, the French sages completed their research, and started a new project.
In 1950BC, the Persians tried their luck again at Épices. By then however, the French soldiers were well prepared, and under the great leadership of Napoléon d'Arsqui, victory was assured.
Mumpulus
King
Their expansionist drive was beginning to cost the French. After another failed attack on Épices, the Persians turned their attention to disrupting the infrastructure work of the French. A Persian archer division led by Kambūjiya easily defeated a French spearmen division that was guarding a worker crew near Mont Quentin. Fortunately, Général Sablebois had foreseen that contingency, and had posted additional protection for the workers, so the road they were constructing was completed in time.
The Aztecs posed an even greater risk, not to the French cities, but to the infrastructure. The Jaguar warriors were able to move so quickly, they could pillage farms, mines and roads before the French would be able to respond. That is why Sablebois and Napoléon devised a "corridor" over unused French lands, to entice the Aztecs to follow their nature and attack, instead of pillaging the countryside.
[size=-2]View of France in 1910BC, with the corridor south of Paris.[/size]
The strategy worked, and Jaguar warriors perished by the thousands at the walls of Paris. The slower archers followed behind them.
[size=-2]View of Paris in 1870BC. The corridor is still in place, but only partially.
Forces have been diverted to construct the road towards the site of Bovin.[/size]
As the Aztec archers moved further into the corridor, they were intercepted and killed by the first French archer division.
Further out, matters turned for the worse however. Kambūjiya's archers again defeated an entire division of veteran spearmen, this time even in an uphill battle. A second spearman division held off the Persians, but still the French military was dealt a serious blow.
Nevertheless, the town of Quentin was founded as planned, in 1750BC. It was named after the great warrior that had held off the very first attack in the mountains that lie northwest of the town.
[size=-2]View of Quentin and the rest of France in 1750BC. Kambūjiya's archers had been joined
by Mogātte's spearman division, and another archer division was approaching.[/size]
The Persians were as careful as ever to advance, and when the French took the high ground of Mont Matthieu and of course the hills of Quentin, they halted their advance. The depleted archer unit retreated to recover.
In 1700BC, the French met the Mayan people, and we were of course immediately in a state of war with them.
Another crucial time in French history is 1650BC. The elite Persian forces advanced again, and were threatening Quentin and Épices. Both towns could be well reinforced now, but the Persians had proved their prowess in battle before. At the same time, Cápnopilli had finally moved his corps of jaguar warriors, from le Grand Baron to les Champs de Mars. The Egyptians were still at their fortifications at the Bovin site. In order for the French to get the upper hand, it would be good if they abandoned their position like the Aztecs had.
[size=-2]Initial troop disposition in 1650BC.[/size]
Great Leader Napoléon d'Arsqui came up with a bold strategy, that would ultimately convince the council to give him command over an army. The first phase was to free up forces in the central lands. Because the jaguar warriors had finally made the mistake of moving to flat land, the French could immediately seize the opportunity to attack. The extensive system of roads that the French had put into place, once again proved its worth. The 1st archer division was able to make great time to travel back from Quentin, where they had been stationed, and attack the Aztecs. After a fierce battle, the Aztecs were all but annihilated. The French showed no mercy and chased them all the way to the desert.
[size=-2]Troop disposition after the engagement of the Aztec forces.[/size]
The second phase was to replenish the garrison of Quentin. The Persians could not get to Épices faster than the French, but they could try a direct assault on Quentin. The Lanciers Épiciers, the elite corps of Napoléon, and a fresh veteran corps of spearmen took up the defense there.
The third phase was to lure the Egyptians. There was need for a road connection between Quentin and Bovin, so all workers were made to converge to start construction. They were given no military escort, and would be working in plain sight of the Egyptians. Napoléon was convinced the Egyptians would move to capture them. At which point they would meet with a surprise that was being prepared in Paris.
[size=-2]Troop disposition at the end of 1650BC.[/size]
The Persians and Egyptians did not make their move immediately. The Egyptians waited for their reinforcements coming in from the north. The Persians converged first, and only after that did they make their attack. Unexpectedly, the Persian archers attacked the spearmen on Mont Matthieu. The French barely held off the first archer division, and succumbed to the second. The Persians had many injured, and once again they retreated. This time, they made the mistake of splitting up their forces, so the French went in pursuit. On the Mont à Poil, the Persian archers met their demise.
[size=-2]Map of France and troop positions in 1575BC.[/size]
Kambūjiya died in the final battle of his archer battalion. The scourge of the French spearmen was no more. During his campaign, 3 entire French spearman divisions had been destroyed, and it was only in the end that his 2 elite archer divisions were finally hunted down by the French. It was the longest single military campaign in French history.
The Persians had been driven back, and only a few Egyptian warrior units were being coaxed onto flat land. The Aztecs were bringing new forces forward, but still the French development would be unhindered for some time again.
The Aztecs posed an even greater risk, not to the French cities, but to the infrastructure. The Jaguar warriors were able to move so quickly, they could pillage farms, mines and roads before the French would be able to respond. That is why Sablebois and Napoléon devised a "corridor" over unused French lands, to entice the Aztecs to follow their nature and attack, instead of pillaging the countryside.
[size=-2]View of France in 1910BC, with the corridor south of Paris.[/size]
The strategy worked, and Jaguar warriors perished by the thousands at the walls of Paris. The slower archers followed behind them.
[size=-2]View of Paris in 1870BC. The corridor is still in place, but only partially.
Forces have been diverted to construct the road towards the site of Bovin.[/size]
As the Aztec archers moved further into the corridor, they were intercepted and killed by the first French archer division.
Further out, matters turned for the worse however. Kambūjiya's archers again defeated an entire division of veteran spearmen, this time even in an uphill battle. A second spearman division held off the Persians, but still the French military was dealt a serious blow.
Nevertheless, the town of Quentin was founded as planned, in 1750BC. It was named after the great warrior that had held off the very first attack in the mountains that lie northwest of the town.
[size=-2]View of Quentin and the rest of France in 1750BC. Kambūjiya's archers had been joined
by Mogātte's spearman division, and another archer division was approaching.[/size]
The Persians were as careful as ever to advance, and when the French took the high ground of Mont Matthieu and of course the hills of Quentin, they halted their advance. The depleted archer unit retreated to recover.
In 1700BC, the French met the Mayan people, and we were of course immediately in a state of war with them.
Another crucial time in French history is 1650BC. The elite Persian forces advanced again, and were threatening Quentin and Épices. Both towns could be well reinforced now, but the Persians had proved their prowess in battle before. At the same time, Cápnopilli had finally moved his corps of jaguar warriors, from le Grand Baron to les Champs de Mars. The Egyptians were still at their fortifications at the Bovin site. In order for the French to get the upper hand, it would be good if they abandoned their position like the Aztecs had.
[size=-2]Initial troop disposition in 1650BC.[/size]
Great Leader Napoléon d'Arsqui came up with a bold strategy, that would ultimately convince the council to give him command over an army. The first phase was to free up forces in the central lands. Because the jaguar warriors had finally made the mistake of moving to flat land, the French could immediately seize the opportunity to attack. The extensive system of roads that the French had put into place, once again proved its worth. The 1st archer division was able to make great time to travel back from Quentin, where they had been stationed, and attack the Aztecs. After a fierce battle, the Aztecs were all but annihilated. The French showed no mercy and chased them all the way to the desert.
[size=-2]Troop disposition after the engagement of the Aztec forces.[/size]
The second phase was to replenish the garrison of Quentin. The Persians could not get to Épices faster than the French, but they could try a direct assault on Quentin. The Lanciers Épiciers, the elite corps of Napoléon, and a fresh veteran corps of spearmen took up the defense there.
The third phase was to lure the Egyptians. There was need for a road connection between Quentin and Bovin, so all workers were made to converge to start construction. They were given no military escort, and would be working in plain sight of the Egyptians. Napoléon was convinced the Egyptians would move to capture them. At which point they would meet with a surprise that was being prepared in Paris.
[size=-2]Troop disposition at the end of 1650BC.[/size]
The Persians and Egyptians did not make their move immediately. The Egyptians waited for their reinforcements coming in from the north. The Persians converged first, and only after that did they make their attack. Unexpectedly, the Persian archers attacked the spearmen on Mont Matthieu. The French barely held off the first archer division, and succumbed to the second. The Persians had many injured, and once again they retreated. This time, they made the mistake of splitting up their forces, so the French went in pursuit. On the Mont à Poil, the Persian archers met their demise.
[size=-2]Map of France and troop positions in 1575BC.[/size]
Kambūjiya died in the final battle of his archer battalion. The scourge of the French spearmen was no more. During his campaign, 3 entire French spearman divisions had been destroyed, and it was only in the end that his 2 elite archer divisions were finally hunted down by the French. It was the longest single military campaign in French history.
The Persians had been driven back, and only a few Egyptian warrior units were being coaxed onto flat land. The Aztecs were bringing new forces forward, but still the French development would be unhindered for some time again.
capnvonbaron
Democratia gladii
Yay GL! 
Just a question... do the AI ever attack each other in AW games?
Just a question... do the AI ever attack each other in AW games?
Mumpulus
King
They certainly do, at least in CivIII. But I've set AI aggression to the lowest level, hoping they'll go at me instead of at each other. More fun for me!
Ansar
Détente avec l'été
i c wut u r doin ther
Those were nice odds on the great leader. Now to get a 4th town...
Those were nice odds on the great leader. Now to get a 4th town...
Mumpulus
King
i c wut u r doin ther
Huh, what's that?
Northen Wolf
Young Hunter
"I see what you are doing there." Quite awsome start tho, alot of city-on-a-hill positions there, ofcourse I've never played anything above emperor and never played AW above regent level(s), so I'll watch and learn.
Doing great, I realy like story-telling theme
Mumpulus
King
I knew what the shorthand means, I meant to ask what Ansar was referring to...
Mumpulus
King
The fourth city of France, Bovin, was founded in 1475BC.
[size=-2]Map of France in 1475BC[/size]
Thousands of Egyptian warriors were approaching from the north and the west. The Aztecs, the Chinese and the Persians had 2 archer divisions each approaching from the south. The French were surrounded.
Napoléon pleaded with the council that a stronger and better organized military would be indispensable if they were to survive. The council agreed to give Napoléon his own army to command. Napoléon started preparations immediately. As soon as some warriors would be trained and equipped with the new and improved iron weapons, his army would be ready for action. The sages said they were close to developing iron working.
[size=-2]Map of France in 1375BC[/size]
French troops killed all invaders without much problems. Especially the Egyptians didn't pose any danger at all. In the south, there was a steady flow of fresh enemy troops, but never did they patiently coordinate their actions. The French could pick them off at their leisure. But with new technology being developed, the French would soon start to move forward.
The sages had made many promises about the processes they had been developing to forge iron. The council had been waiting with much anticipation to equip the military even better. And then when it became time to send out workers to gather iron ore, the French found:
[size=-2]Geological map of France in 1325BC. There were no significant iron deposits within the realm at that time.[/size]
[size=-2]Map of France in 1475BC[/size]
Thousands of Egyptian warriors were approaching from the north and the west. The Aztecs, the Chinese and the Persians had 2 archer divisions each approaching from the south. The French were surrounded.
Napoléon pleaded with the council that a stronger and better organized military would be indispensable if they were to survive. The council agreed to give Napoléon his own army to command. Napoléon started preparations immediately. As soon as some warriors would be trained and equipped with the new and improved iron weapons, his army would be ready for action. The sages said they were close to developing iron working.
[size=-2]Map of France in 1375BC[/size]
French troops killed all invaders without much problems. Especially the Egyptians didn't pose any danger at all. In the south, there was a steady flow of fresh enemy troops, but never did they patiently coordinate their actions. The French could pick them off at their leisure. But with new technology being developed, the French would soon start to move forward.
The sages had made many promises about the processes they had been developing to forge iron. The council had been waiting with much anticipation to equip the military even better. And then when it became time to send out workers to gather iron ore, the French found:
[size=-2]Geological map of France in 1325BC. There were no significant iron deposits within the realm at that time.[/size]
