Slitherine

Here is my first Sparta/GoT AAR. It is not going to be a very good one (first effort and all) but I

will try to stay in eh, just read it. :-p

Playing as Thessalians, GC.
----------------------------

Visiting the Oracle was my most important trip so far in my life. As a king of the Thessalians I had
to remain closely within the borders, for years now our once envied kingdom was in a lousy state,
economicaly and diplomaticaly. The only one of our neighbours that did not see us as having killed
their dog is the Magnetes. Perhaps it had to do partly that my grandmother was from the area, or that
they are just smart... Our military is a joke. At best sufficient for keeping the borders safe, for
now.
Our kingdom is surrounded by small states that given the proper effort and planning could eventualy
join us. In the north the Macedonians are the biggest threat. And the one that I have to focus all
my attention to. The Oracle said it clearly, for Thessaly to remain free, Macedonia must be
destroyed!


January 400.
Sending my best diplomat Alketas of Memnon to the Macedonians is my first order of business. We must
always have diplomatic relations with them. I do not trust them.
I also sent diplomats to the Phthiotians and the Dolopes. Their town of Ktimene should be a good
supply of copper and food, plus they are one of the weakest targets. They shouldn't be too much of a
trouble.
I have also given instructions on upgrading our towns, if we want to rule on the greeks we must also
make them envy our way of life. Having my capital the size of a large encampment is making them feel
other things, certainly not envy.



April 400.
Two new diplomats arrived today. One from the Tymphaens and one from the Perrhaebians. I am not sure
what to make of it yet, it does smell fishy though that they both arrived the same day. They arrived
with about an hour of time difference.

June 400
I have information from our border that both diplomats were travelling together for most of their trip
within my kingdom, and only split the night before arriving here. Are they hiding something or
something has happened between them? Must invistigate this further.
Androkleidas of Diades arrived today. I heard he is one of the most senior diplomats of the
Magnetes...




I have to go to a lecture now, more later.

Looks good so far, I wouldn't worry

July 400
A diplomat arrived from the Elimiotes. Strange fellow.

October 400
Another diplomat, this time from the Propontines of all states. I have a feeling there are others
behind this move, perhaps, the AThenians?

November 400
The Cretans have send a doplomat. I have decided to put my close friend Minas as the official
minister for interstate affairs. He will pay attention to the details while I will focus mainly on
the actions of the more immediate neighbourhood. I am sure he is a fine choice and will not fail me,
or else!

December 400
My childhood love has given me some sweet, cookies she calls them, they are very nice!
I was adviced to focus the military production in our kingdom in the town of Trikka. I do not like
it. I prefer to have the army close by and easily reached, I do not like the idea of having the army
on the other side of the larger river in Greece.

January 399
The production of my first army begins in Pharsalos. It will consist of 5 regiments of Astynomia, 3
of Prodromoi and 3 Psiloi Javelinmen. It should be enough to capture Ktimene and kick the Dolopes
quickly out of the picture.

February 399
While eating some more of my friend's "cookies" the minister of agriculture and games informed me that
the people are almost starving. Apparently for the last few months the production of food was not
enough and the stockpiles were constantly reduced till today that they are empty! He "forgot" to
inform me, more like trying to hide something. At least he apologized for his mistakes. Generous I
am, so I have forgiven him. I am sure his children will not miss him too much.
The new minister promises to be more careful and more hardworking, I have granded him the power to
trade for our great state. I hope he uses his powers in a good effect, I wouldn't like to be generous
again, at least not very soon.

June 399
My diplomat Hippokleides of Pelonos have succesfuly gained movement information from the Dolopes. At
the same time that my army is ready to leave my capital for its first engagement in a long time. May
the Gods be with them!

July 399
The Athenians have killed Socrates, their greatest philosopher, then cried about it and gathered the
leaders that focus on his execution. Another fine example of democracy at work. Sure, I will allow
democracy in Thessaly....when Hades turns hot!
My army has crossed the borders with the Dolopes. Early next month they should be ready to attack
Ktimene!

August 399
The first battle of the new era is uppon us. Our forces are superious in morale and numbers by more
than 2:1

I include only it as the first battle and do not include pictures of the actualy battle because I had it in 2D and it doesn't show much as you all know.
I am going to switch it to 3D from now on.



Success! We lost 2 regiments, but no matter, Ktimene is mine, all mine! The citizens of it are
content of my rule over them, nice, I will not have to be generous to them. Still, my army will
remain for a while there to regroup and wait for reinforcements from the capital. This town will
serve me well, they will produce copper as soon as possible,and be glad they are going to have the
chance to serve the greatest cause of hellenic...unification, yes! It is not about my fame, no, it is
about a greater good, the unification of all hellenes across the world! And whoever doesn't accept
this is the case, I will turn generous on them quicker than you they can say medieval!
PS. WTF is Medieval?

September 399
Hippokleides of Pelonos has arrived back in my capital. I am honouring him with a great feast
dedicated to Pan. May he live long, prosper and serve me for a long long time!
Great party, there is time for fun for me and work for him though, and thus I am sending him to the
Aperantians. He should have no problem to deal with the tribals there and get information quickly.
He is an experienced diplomat, I would even rank him with two stars, don't know why though.

October 399
The Aperantians sent a diplomat to us. The timing is amazing, I wonder if they have something in their minds, perhaps a sneak attack?

February 398
Hippokleides of Pelonos has failed in his task to acquire movement info from the Aperantians. My army will try to attack them anyway in less than six months. The only thing that worries me a bit is that they will have to cross Aetolians' ground to reach their capital Embesos. Hopefuly they will not see a few regiments as a threat. Hmm.

May 398
Hippokleides of Pelonos has failed for the second time in a row. I am getting annoyed. I will give him one more chance to get the info before the army crosses into their lands. That failing I will tell him to return as soon as possible, after insulting the ruler of the Aperantians. If he makes it in one piece I will forgive him. ( I will not attack first anyone unless our relations are below 40%)
On another note, The Aetolians do not seem to act on our passing through their lands. Good.

June 398
We have made it through the mountains and the city of Embesos is just a few days away. I will wait for Hippokleides to send me news.

July 398
A bunch of thieves and murders have managed to get strong enough to move as a group south of Trikka.
I will give them some time to disband, if they fail to do so I will deal with them personaly.
Still no news from Hippokleides...
25th of July. How dare they? Those rascals have attacked my town of Trikka. My garrison is strong enough to deal with them, but I will not allow this to happen again. Next time, if there is a next time, I will send them to Hades quicker than they can say Amphilochikon.

August 398
Hippokleides finaly sent information on the Embesos' troop strength. Our relations with them are at a low oh I don't know, say 36%, quite antagonistic Minas says. Time to put an end to their so called kingdom!









We seem to be losing light infantry mostly. I think it is time to start recruiting some better light infantry...Still, Embesos has joined my kingdom, and that is all that matters for now. Another copper, and brick producing town. Good, very good!
The only thing that begins to worry me is that the Malians have expanded a bit and seem to not like us very much. I wasn't planning to expand south yet, but I might have to...

Could you resize the images???? They're too big for my screen resolution .

Good AAR, keep updating it!!!!

Sorry for keeping the size the same, I could try to see how it looks with reduced size but I do not know how to do it.

September 398
Our relationship with the Malian is getting worse by the month. There are rumours of some of our
citizens being there for business and disappearing without any traces. Their king is promoting ideas
that are against the creating of a strong Thessaly. I do not understand them, they are already in a
terrible situation due to their hostile attitude with their rest of their neighbours, why would they
want my anger as well? I have to investigate this further. Sending the newly arrived Hippokleides to
have a close look and report to me as soon as possible. He is our best diplomat, if anyone can make
it it is him. My minister Minas has adviced me to not send him there cause there might be a war soon.
I am sending him there exactly for that reason. May the Gods be with him!

October 398
Earlier today a messenger arrived from Hippokleides. The situation is indeed dire. The court of the
king Paysanias of the Malians is constantly guiding him to start wars of expansion. They are fools.
They should accept that it is best for all for a strong Thessaly to exist to help all greeks eventualy
unite. Or something like that. This Deep Dislike by them to our state will not remain for much
longer without a fight. It is up to me to protect my people, and I will. As soon as it possible I
will send Captain Panos with a medium force near the borders. From there I will decide when to deal
with the problem.

January 397
The Malians have ejected Hippokleides, not before beating him accusing him of spying. I am not
responsible for what is to come. Charos will receive lots of gold for his services over the next
months. It is out of my hands now.
I have send Hippokleides, to a nice relaxing assignment with the Aetolians. They have been neutral to
us for a long time, I do not foresee a problem. He will need all the strength he can get.

March 397
More cookies from my friend!
The army guided by Panos is out of Lamia, ready to strike.

April 397
Lamia has fallen. Panos handled the situation without any problems. As soon as new troops arrive
there for guarding the town, I will send him further to the south to Trachis. The food production
city will prove very helpful to my plans, and it will give a lesson to the Malians that none plays
with me!

May 397
I am not feeling very well. For the last 2 days I have a high fever. My physisian tells me that
there is a chance of slight poisoning, but, from what?


June 397
A medium sized army has crossed the borders from the north and is approaching Trikka. Information
point to the army belonging to the Tymphaeans!
My head of security tells me he has a lead as to who has tried to poison me, but he needs more time to
be certain. The chance of having a Tymphaean mind guiding the hand that tried to poison me is a good
possibility by now.
The army that was supposed to head to Lamia to join, replenih and then move to Trachis is going to be
redirected towards Trikka as soon as it is ready. If the Tymphaeans attack Trikka, I will make them
pay!

July 397
Treason! My old friend that was there for me through a lot in my life has been behind the effort to
kill me! Those damn cookies! My security chief has already arrested her and driven her to the
luxurious apartment of the Palace's basement. I will deal with her personaly. News of my surviving
the attempt must have reached the Tymphaeans. Their army has bypassed Trikka, crossed the river
Aliakmon and is in apparent course to my capital at double speed. What she hasn't managed to do so,
is now uppon this army daring to invade our land! They do not only want land, they want my life! I
will personaly command the army to face the enemy!

August 397
The cowards! As my army of 6 regiments was approaching Krannon to deal with the enemy, they have
turned arround and now running towards the Pindos mountains! My course is clear, I must drive the
enemy army from our lands and destroy it as soon as possible!

October 397
The enemy has retreated into the mountains and the land of the Athamanes!

November 397
While still waiting for the enemy to come out of hiding, I have given orders for two new regiments of
light infantry to approach my army, reinforce me and then hit back at them where it hurts more, I will
strike directly at Phaloreia! Their capital will turn into my playground!

July 396
Bad weather through all year has delayed our actions. The time for revenge has arrive though! I am
attacking Phaloreia today, they will pay!



Success!!!
My army oblitarated the brave guarding the city.
As soon as there are fresh troops to guard the city I will continue to exterminate once and for all
these bugs that have infested our country.
Then, I will slowly deal with my dear "friend".

January 395
AFter replenishing supplies and bringing fresh troops, I have sent the northern army to capture Theudoria and finish with the Tymphaeans once and for all. I am going back to Pharsalos.
Panos' army is also ready to march further south to capture Trachis from the Malians. We need the extra food production urgently.

March 395
Trachis captured. Panos commanded the troops in a way fitting his skills as a commander. My army faced for the first time Elite Hoplites, defending Trachis. These men fight very good till the bitter end. My cavalry did teach them a lesson of course, but I am worried, I hope that we do not meet many such troops in the future or there might be problems.
The other army is approaching the mountains, it should be ready to strike in a few months, weather permited.

August 395
The battle for Theudoria is uppon us. My army has superior numbers but not by a comfortable margin. The terrain could be better too...




Things are not rosy...




Success!

The Tymphaeans are no more.

Hey, keep updating it!!!!!! The fun has just begun!!!!


BTW I think I'll start a GoT campaign as the Thessalians as soon as I finish the current one as Sparta

Sorry for the delay, but I have some filming and stuff to do, I propably won't update it till Friday or so.

Sorry to be off-topic, but I finished my game as Thessalians yesterday. Nice game!!!!! The lack of copper and the weakness of your heavy cavalry against the macedonian falangites/argyraspides makes it really interesting, I beat those macedonians by a thin margin ... Thanks to my diplomats, they kept the southern nations at peace and I concentrated exclusively in beating those purple armies...I definitely recommend playing as Thessalians