Game 279: Month 14

The Never Ending War

Arthur is a patient liege. Inch by inch, Germania was being wrested from Teuton control. Yet another village, Cristinhalm switched allegiance to the Celts. It was only a matter of time before the Teutons would become a non factor.

The Celtic agent corps suffered a serious blow. Agent Zed started a fire in Teutoburger and could not escape the blaze. Teuton sentries captured and interrogated him. Zendafor the Black suffered a similar fate in Koln while performing a routine reconnaissance. After being discovered he bravely fought off the city militia, killing many and making his way to the gates before finally being brought down. Despite the setbacks, the pride of the Celtic espionage corps, agents Hush and Mouse disabled all gates in the town of Agrippina, leaving it wide open for our legions to assault. One more piece of the Germanian puzzle will belong the the Celts, and not a moment too soon.

The region of Viennensis has raised the Visigoths banner. We have not received word from the Vandals, but the loss of their homeland does not bode well.

Turn 14 Planning
The campaign in Germania is progressing. We must keep up the pressure.

Political Plans
- Arthur increases influence again
- Governor Krassis will stir unrest in Teutoburger, and Duke Mac Cekt will incite rebellion.
- Count Connacht will usurp control of Prexi. The Saxons legion Python arrived at the village, but they will stay outside its boundaries.
- Governor Malcor relocate to Agrippina
- It's time once again to poll the people of Armorica regarding the Franks
- Hire a new governor in Nantes to defend against a political invasion

Military Plans
- Pheonix will threaten the town of Agrippina. After two successful sabotages of the town walls, the citizens of the town should be ready to change allegiance.
- Ross the Red will train General Gainor
- Unicorn will move to Agrippina and merge with Pheonix

Covert Plans
- Agent Hush will create a diversion in Teutoburger to cover Mouse as he attempts to assassinate Baron Chilperic of the Teutons. Success here will ensure Duke Mac Cekt's mission.
- Garga the Sublime and Kelvin Greentooth will create diversions in an attempt to gain a level
- Hire a new agent in Cristinhalm, Germania, to keep an eye on the Teutons
- Dirk will recon Teutoburger to ensure the Teuton does not relocate another noble to the fortress.

Additional Plans
- Priestess Maximini will heal Unicorn
- Build taverns in Cenabum and Agrippina – it's time to enlarge the Celtic military

Game 279: Month 13

Two For One
Bells tolled in Belgica as the Saxons mourned the loss of another king. Arthur ordered a moment of silence for his ally who likely passed during the assault on the Teuton capital.

Our legions progressed steadily in Germania, taking two Teuton villages for the one he managed to recapture. The Celtic underworld owned the shadows of Koln. Agent Dirk proved occupied the city militia, leading them on a wild chase through the alleys. Mouse took advantage of the distraction to end the life of Teuton prince Totilia. Unfortunately, the Teuton capital moved to Koln, so our Duke Mac Cekt and Count Connacht will have to relocate to another target.

In Armorica, Arthur focused on fortifying the region diplomatically. Ambassador Danu learned that the Franks reputation had not improved in recent months, allowing us to rest easier. Talks with Chodomar proved fruitful, and we secured a six month extension to our non aggression pact.

Turn 13 Plans
We need to continue choking the Teutons supply lines.

Political Plans
- Arthur expands his influence once again
- Duke Mac Cekt will move to Teutoburger – the fortress town was owned by the Saxons but has just announced it's neutrality. Governor Krasis will join him there
- Count Connacht will relocate to the village of Prexi, to take it next turn
- Our new governor Malcor will move to the village of Fire Helm in central Germania – he can defensively create status quo if required, and is also in a better position to invade Scandia if we make that decision

Military Plans
- Unicorn will threaten the village of Christinhalm that the Tueton baron Gorgathal just captured. This will force the baron to relocate to Koln, where he will later assassinated.
we will not take the town of Agrippina this turn – the defense is too high, and will result in excessive losses. Pheonix will remain camped outside in siege – they will be joined by Unicorn in time
- Unicorn will move to the village of Vullania

Covert Plans
- Dirk will recon Teutoburger, in case we have to remove any Teuton nobility
- Zendafor the Black will recon Koln
- Mouse and Hush will sabotage defenses in Agrippina, making it easier to take militarily
- Hire a new agent in Cenabum to serve as Arthur's personal bodyguard
- Agent Zed will cause a diversion in Teutoburger to attempt to hide the relocation of Duke Mac Cekt (and to attempt to raise him a level)

Additional Plans
- Priestess Rhiannon will heal Pheonix – attrition in the unit is currently quite high
- Construct a watchtower in Duroco – this will keep an eye on our southern border and warn us of any nobles moving in
- Construct a barracks in Cenabum – this will work with the watchtower to increase the citadel's defensive value
- Construct a watchtower in Nantes
- Hire a new priestess in Beschein, in Belgica on the border with Germania. She will be available to heal on alternate turns with Rhiannon

Game 279: Celts (TOC)

In this game, I was envoy for Arthur, Lord of the Celtic kingdom. The tales of this campaign are outlined in the following entries:

1. Out of the Ashes
2. Flawless Execution
3. Armorica
4. Eastward Bound
5. The Calm Before The Storm
6. Invasion
7. Attack
8. Rome is Burning
9. Fallen Capital
10. Success Despite Setbacks
11. Calm Once More
12. Hold the Course
13. Two For One
14. The Never Ending War
15. A Turning Point
20. Two Fronts
21. Aquitania
22. Foiled
23. Alaric the Rex

Game 279: Month 12

Hold the Course

Everyone in the capital was tense as the Celts once again faced diplomatic silence. Our non-aggression pact with Chodomar and the Alamanni was set to expire at the end of the month, and no word was received from our messengers in Gaul. Just east of Gaul, the region of Raetia threw off the yoke of the Thuringian. Rumor had it that the Alamanni was part of the liberation. Arthur wisely calmed the more aggressive nobles in his court. Ambassador Danu's interviews with the people of Armorica revealed they held no love for the people of Gaul. Chodomar was obviously busy with events on his eastern border; he will respond to our request for a continuation of the pact in due course.

In Germania, the war with the Teutons dragged through the winter months. Black smoke poured from every village in the region as Teuton and Celtic legions traded ground. The Saxons continued to make headway in Germania, capturing the town of Vindon. Unfortunately, our prized agent O'Rork Ledbelly was caught in the chaos of the assault, and died in a sea of whirling blades.

I spent several nights sitting by the roaring fire with Arthur as he deliberated his next moves. The war in Germania was taking much longer to resolve than he had hoped. Its citizens who were so receptive in the beginning became much more agitated as the seasons blurred together. After many hours he decided to hold the course – Germania would belong to the Celts.

Turn 12 Planning

Resolve will carry the day. Continue with the plan, and everything will fall into place.

Political Plans

• The Saxon is moving his nobility to Koln this turn, so we will enter a holding pattern there once again. Zed will guard Count Connact and Duke Mac Cekt.

• Relocate the capital to Cenabum – as a Citadel it is the most powerful defensive location we currently control. Should the Franks or Alamanni come calling, this will be the location to meet them from. This also frees up two governors that are guarding the citadel to relocate defensively or offensively. In addition, this will ensure our division of reinforcements that arrives this turn are further east – closer to the Germania border.

• Governors Cenabum and Odrus are being redeployed to fortress towns on the border between Armorica and Aquitania. Cenabum will be politically unassailable once the capital has been relocated, but these towns will need the governor's support, should the Franks or Alamanni decide to invade our realm

• Hire a new governor in Deep Haven – this will provide political defense should one of the Teuton nobility attempt to take it back – it will also be a good jump off to Scandia should we decide to invade – it is located at the most northeasterly point of Germania

• Ambassador Danu will poll the populance about the Franks once more to see if they have been attempting to improve their popularity within the region

Military Plans

• Teuton baron Gorgathal arrived in the village of Cristinhalm – Unicorn will pay him a visit – agent Zendafor the black will meet him there

• Titan and Minatour converge on the Town of Agrippa, recently recaptured by the Teuton. They are merging to become legion Pheonix

• Training season: Warlord Ross the Red trains Tribune Ganior, Marshal Eber Victor Don trains Tribune Kalanis, Commander Cormac trains Captain Zonaris. Our leaders will be prepared to meet the Teuton in battle.

• Minatour and Unicorn will threaten the villages where they are camped – both groups have received casualties and are beyond the range of priestess Rhiannon's healing. If we can avoid combat, we will.

Covert Plans

• Hush will cause a diversion in Koln, and Mouse will attempt to assassinate the Teuton prince.

• Dirk creates a diversion in the village of Prexi, hopefully to gain a level

• Kelvin Greentooth will recon Tricasses – need to see what the Alamanni is up to

Additional Plans

• Construct a watchtower in Brest on the southern border we share with the Franks – continue fortifying Armorica

Game 279: Month 11

Calm Once More

After the diplomatic excitement of the previous month, these last few weeks have been rather uneventful. Frequent celebrations erupted in Armorica as both the Citadel of Cennabum and another fortress were completed. The region is now much easier to defend, and the citizens can rest easier. Our inquiries regarding the Franks turned up some interesting rumors. They have not built up politically in Armorica, but the Frankish king does have a rulership of 18 and influence of 144, rivaling that of Arthur.

In Germania, Governor Orestes escaped the Teuton onslaught and arrived safely back at the capital. Arthur deliberated over his next actions; should the governor be deployed defensively, ensuring the loyalty of our subjects, or should he head eastward, back to Germania. We lost both Fire Helm and Vulania to the Teutons, but we shall regain them soon.

Elsewhere in Rome, the Vandals lost ground to the Visigoths, and Viennensis became uncontrolled. We have not heard how the Vandal king fares, but expect the news is grim.

Turn 11 Planning

This turn will focus mostly on military and covert efforts. The Teuton is aware of all our political power in his region, and has nobles on hand to counteract them. I am hoping he will waste orders trying to defend against a political attack that will not come. The extra orders will be used to beef up our defenses in Armorica.

Political Plans

• Our NAP with the Alamanni will end shortly – Ambassador Danu will research Chodomar's standing in Armorica

• Arthur will increase his rulership once more – we have resources available for extra orders, and the Franks rulership level is a direct challenge to our traditional strength

• Governor Orestes relocates to the city of Cenabum. This is a defensive move. Having two governors at the city will help ensure we keep control until we relocate our capital to the citadel.

Military Plans

• Unicorn and Pheonix will threaten the villages they are camped outside to join our cause and then rendevous outside the village of Fire Helm.

• Minatour will threaten the village of North Point in Belgica to join our kingdom instead of following the Teutons. They will relocate to Broadland along the southern Germania border – one of the final two remaining Teuton villages

• Titan will move to the village of Volksburg in Germania. This places the entire Celt military within the Teuton's borders

Covert Plans

• Zed will guard Duke Mac Cekt and Count Connact – Dirk's recon of Koln uncovered a Watchtower in the city – undoubtedly the Teuton knows they are present

• Our new agent, Zendafor the Black will recon Koln

• Agent Mouse will create a diversion in Koln (and what a diversion it will be). Agent Hush will assassinate Teuton agent Stellito. O'Rork Ledbelly will steal gold from the city

• Newly hired agent Kelvin Greentooth relocates to a town in southern Belgica – this will allow him to keep tabs on both the Frank and Alamanni cities

Additional Plans

• Construct a temple in Beschein on the Belgica / Germania border – it will be helpful to have another high priestess in the area

• Continue fortifying Armorica by building a watchtower in Cenabum. In addition to improving the defensive value of the citadel, it will also alert us if any nobles attempt to enter.

Game 279: Month 10

Success Despite Setbacks

Autumn is always bittersweet in Armorica. The trees are resplendent with color, but everyone is all to aware that the vibrant shades herald the coming of darker times. This month was no different. All of Armorica celebrated at the news that Germania was no longer under Teuton rule, however they mourned the loss of one of their own.

Our Celtic legions earned tremendous glory capturing four Teuton villages. Ross the Red distinguished himself in the field, and earned the title Warlord, our highest honour. The Celtic underworld redeemed themselves. Agent Mouse stole the Sickle of Admante from Teuton Marshal Sigmund, and though he was injured in the process he carried the wounds with pride. Unfortunately, our nobles did not fare so well. In an unexpected setback, despite a stir unrest by two Saxon counts, our rebellion of Vindon failed, and Prince Ambrosius was executed. The loss of Arthur's heir sent a shockwave throughout the kingdom.

The Teutons responded in force to our assault on Germania. Baron Gorgathal took control of Volksburg, as we expected. Two divisions moved to two of the villages we captured this month in central Germania – one placing Governor Orestes at risk.

Diplomatically, it was the final turn of our NAP with the Franks. Despite sending them a message several days earlier, I had not received any responses. The Vandal king warned me that the Franks had withdrawn from Viennensis, where they were earlier invading – apparently it was a matter of honour. That left the Franks free to march north to my under-defended region, a very precarious position. At the last minute, the Frankish liege agreed to extend our NAP for an additional five turns – enough time to finish fortifying the region. Disaster averted.

Turn 10 Planning

We have to continue putting pressure on the Teutons. With another five turns of peace secured with the Franks, we can concentrate on Germania.

Political Plans

• Arthur will increase influence

• Duke Mac Cekt and Count Connacht will relocate to Koln once again – after the Saxons took the Teuton capital, it moved to another fortress town, and the city can still be affected politically. The Saxons are also planning to move several nobles to the city – we should be able to rebel it given enough noble power. Agent Zed accompanies them as a bodyguard.

• An ambassador in Armorica will talk to the people to learn how the feel about the Franks. If they are well loved, it could be something to worry about.

• Hire a new governor in our village in Belgica – if more political power is needed in the city, we'll get it there.

Military Plans

• Minatour will storm Volksburg and hopefully capture the Teuton baron that took the village from us. They will march one league north to a Saxon village in Belgica. The Teuton king Odavacer is personally leading a division of troops here.

• Unicorn moves to Vulania to reclaim it after the Teutons rampage

• Titan moves deep into central Belgica, leaving Amorica at risk, but placing them within striking distance of Germania. I'm putting my faith into our last minute NAP with the Franks – if he was honour bound to call off his assault on the Vandals when he had the advantage, then I believe he can be trusted.

Covert Plans

• Agent O'rork Ledbelly guards Duke Mac Cekt before his relocation occurs – the Duke is now a target after his failed attempt to incite a rebellion

• Dirk will recon Koln – lets see who is present in the city

• Hire two new agents, one in Cristenhalm, on the border between Germania and Scandia, and one in Duroco – just to keep an eye on the Franks

Additional Plans

• Priestess Rhiannon will heal Minatour. After all these assaults, the men are in need of healing.

• Construct a fortress in Duroco – this is the last town in the region that requires fortification

Game 279: Month 9

Fallen Capital

All in Germania held witness to the plumes of smoke streaming from the Teuton capital. Witnesses told of brigades of Saxon heavy infantry lining the plains of Mainz, gleaming in the sun. At their head stood Vortigern, resplendent in his shining armor. He called his men forward to battle, to glory, and to victory. After weeks of bloody fighting, the Saxons reigned victorious over the Teuton capital, but at a tremendous cost. Vultures and other carrion beasts gorged on 12,000 Saxon corpses that lined the fields, and mighty Vortigern himself was laid to rest.

Our forces took advantage of the chaos to move into position. Four villages were surrounded by Celtic troops, and our nobles arrived in two Teuton towns, prepared to sway the people of Germania to our banner. Both the Teutons and Norse continued to spread lies and vile rumors, making the people of Germania hesitate before joining our cause, but join they would.

Turn 9 Planning

It's time to take a bite out of the Teuton supply lines. If they cannot pay and feed their people, they will be much easier to contain.

Political Plans

• Enamor Scandia – if the Norse want to get involved in Celtic business, we will be prepared to extract payment

• Duke Mac Cekt will stir the people of the town of Vindon to rebellion, and Prince Ambrosius will then usurp it.

• Count Connacht will attempt rebelling the fortress of Teutoburger

Military Plans

• Our legions will attempt to take the villages Prexi, Fire Helm and Christinhalm by force.

• Pegasus will threaten the village of Vulania to join the Celts. Governor Orestes convinced the people to rebuke the Teutons – now it was time to instill proper rule.

• It is time to find the last remaining village in Germania: Minatour and Pegasus will scout the territory en route to joining at Volksburg – a Teuton baron has arrived there and started stirring up the locals. Unicorn and Pheonix will rendevous just south of the northerly Germania swamps, hopefully covering enough ground to uncover the village.

• Reactivate Titan from the reinforcements at the capital and start marching them toward Germania.

Covert Plans

• Hush will create a diversion in Koln while Mouse attempts to steal the sickle of Adamante – a powerful artifact. This will be much more useful to us than poisoning baron Gorgathal in Volksburg.

• Train O'rork Ledbelly

• Agent Zed will guard Count Connacht as he stirs up trouble in Teutoburger.

Game 279: Month 8

Rome is Burning

We Celts were not the only people marching to war. Conflict erupted throughout Rome. Arthur heard tales of the Norse attacking the Huns, the Franks invading the Viennensis, home of the Vandals, and fair Raetia, homeland of the Thuringians, was under assault by the Alamanni, Ostrogoth and Lombard. The Celtic courts heard a host of tales featuring all the tribes but the Visigoths – Alaric's people remained surprisingly silent.

Despite surprise favoring the Celts, our invasion plans went completely awry. The Teuton underworld proved superior to Celtic agents. Baron Aed Ruad was assassinated before he could execute his plan to stir the people against their masters. Hush created an excellent diversion to distract the guards, and Mouse planted poison the prince Totila's goblet, however the prince must have had a premonition, and he refused to drink more that night.

The loss of Baron Aed Ruad and the foiled poisoning prevented our nobles from stirring the people of Koln to rebellion. Their pleas fell on deaf ears, and the city remained under the heavy yoke of the Teuton. The Teuton militarily garrisoned behind the city walls, arriving just days before Titan could cut them off.

Elsewhere in the region, Governor Cimbraeth was killed attempting to incite rebellion in Agrippina. A Teuton noble worked behind the scenes, stirring the people to a frenzy. A mob swarmed Cimbraeth as he attempted to present Arthur's case to the town, and the Governor was not heard from again. About this time we discovered several slanderous fliers spread throughout this town and others. The Teutons and Norse kings both spread slanderous lies about the Celts in an attempt to turn people against us.

Our security was tightened after these initial scares, and we managed to capture a Teuton assassin, and seriously wound two others. This was the one bright note of the month – we should be able to breath easily as the Teuton agents take time to heal.

Turn 8 Planning

With the Teuton military holding the city, another plan seems to be called for. We will attempt to cut the Teuton supply lines by taking control of all the villages in Germania. The Saxons will assault the Teuton capital, as planned.

Political Plans

• Arthur will enamor Germania – lets try to keep ahead of the Teuton and Norse propaganda campaigns

• Move Count Connacht to a rumored town in norther Germania. Zed is escorting him to his destination

• Move Prince Ambrosius and Duke Mac Cekt to another rumored town – the easternmost in Germania. O'rork Ledbelly is moving with them as their bodyguard.

• Governor Orestes will incite rebellion in the village of Vulania.

Military Plans

• Move Pegasus to the village of Vulania – if Governor Orestes is not able to convince the villagers to rebel, Pegasus will take care of the rest

• Titan will split into Minatour, Pheonix and Unicorn. Each legion will march to a different village

Convert Plans

• Dirk will recon Koln to keep an eye on the people gathered there

• Mouse and Hush go back into training – they will be more effective when they are next called upon

Additional Plans

• Relocate priestess Rhiannon to the Saxon city of Reims – this places her close enough to Germania to act within the region.

• construct a fortress in Brest, one of our towns in Armorica – This will provide us with much needed status points, defense and a couple points of influence, which is useful since Arthur is devoting his efforts elsewhere.

• Trade 4000 supplies for 3600 gold – get back to a positive balance.

Game 279: Month 7

Attack

Even greatly oppressed, the Germanian people are loyal to their Teuton overlords. Agent Zed started a fire in the market square and barely escaped with his life. Smoke filled the streets, and panic reigned. Alas, Zed's diversion was for naught. Spies lurked in the alleyways of Koln, and our nobles were identified one by one as they entered the city. Only Baron Aed Ruad escaped notice.

Angry messages arrived in Armorica days later, and Odavacer's wrath jumped from the pages of correspondence. Arthur laughed at the threats contained within, and ordered the attack. Soon the village of Volksburg would be smoking at the hands of Titan, and Koln would overthrow their rulers. King Arthur had another plan as well, one more devious in nature...

Turn 7 Planning

Capturing Koln is the key to this opening gambit. The Saxons plan to assasult the Teuton capital next turn. It is our responsibility to ensure the city does not become Odavacer's new home.

Political Plans

• Baron Aed Raud, Count Connacht and Duke Mac Cekt will stir unrest in Koln. Prince Ambrosius will attempt to rebel the city.

• Governor Cimbraeth incite rebellion in Aggrippina – this is a risky plan, but with our spectacular regional reaction in Germania, I believe it has a chance to succeed.

• Our newly hired Governor Orestes will relocate to a rumored Teuton village in central Germania

• King Arthur will increase his Rulership ability – according to the status point report, we were in second or third instead of the lead, as is our custom. We must get the lead back.

Military Plans

• Titan will assault the village Volksburg, and then move to the city of Koln. If I were the Teutons, I would be moving my military there, hoping to capture the Celtic nobles by taking the neutral city by force. Titan will prevent that from occuring.

• Move Pegasus to a Saxon village on the Belgica/Germania border – they cannot meet with Titan, so lets keep them out of harms way

Covert Plans

• Hush will perform a diversion, and Mouse will attempt to poison the Teutonic prince Totila in Koln

• O'rork Ledbelly will guard the prince and duke.

Additional Plans

• Relocate priestess Rhiannon to a village on the border between Amorica & Belgica. She needs to be closer to Germania to be used effectively.

• Construct citadel in Cenabum. This will help protect the region, as most of our military is away on the offensive.

• It was an expensive turn, and we have spent more gold than we have in our coffers. Trade 12,000 supplies for 9000 gold.

Game 279: Month 6

Invasion

The air in Armorica was thick with anticipation. Celtic nobles resided in small Belgican villages, completely out of their element in the rustic, though friendly, surroundings. Marshall Eber Donn regaled the men during their march through the region with tales of defeating Cerberus, the three headed hound of hell, and claiming the Ekkisax. His tales roused the men; their feet grew lighter, and they marched with their heads held high, dreaming of the glory to come.

King Arthur's council chambers buzzed as he played host to emissaries from across Rome. He struck a non-aggression pact with the Vandals, who had finally taken control of their homeland, Viennensis. We also played host to a stream of messengers from King Vortigern, lord of the Saxons. After several weeks of planning, and months of preparation, it was time to free Germania from the yoke of the dreadful Teutons.

Turn 6 Planning

It is time to launch our strike into Germania. After consulting with the Saxons, we decided the Celts would focus on capturing the city of Koln. King Vortigern was bound by a non aggression pact to stay out of Germania for another month. We Celts would be the vanguard of the invasion.

Political Plans

• The people of Germania are already well disposed to King Arthur and the Celts. Arthur dedicates himself to increasing his influence.

• Prince Ambrosius, Duke Mac Cekt, Count Connacht and Baron Aed Ruad all relocate to Koln – the city will fall next turn - O'Rork Ledbelly relocates to the city to play bodyguard. Agent Zed attempts a diversion to try and slip the nobles in quietly. Dirk recons the city, to learn who else is present.

• Relocate governor Cimbraeth to a town in eastern Germania. With our regional reaction and influence, he should be able to rebel a town.

• Hire a new governor in our village along the Germanian border

Military Plans

• Titan moves to a reported village on the western border of Germania

• Pegasus moves deep into central Belgica. Hopefully next turn the two legions will be able to combine on a western town in Germania

• Our senior leaders will train the more junior in preparation for the battles to come

Covert Plans

• Agents Mouse and Hush train for one more month – next turn they will be unleashed to deal with whatever agent Dirk finds in Koln.