Fall of Rome Newsletter

The January '06 issue of the Fall of Rome Newsletter has just been published. This is the first edition that I personally put together from articles written by the players from Fall of Rome. Please take a look and let me know what you think.

Game 279: Month 23

Alaric, the Rex
Arthur stood on a peak in the mountain range surrounding the Visigoth villiage of White Plains, and stared into the distance. The honour guard stood several hundred meters away, providing our liege the solitude he sought. After several hours of contemplation, he rejoined the men, and called a meeting of his staff.

“It is over,” Arthur lamented. “The comet in the night sky was a sign from Jupiter himself. Alaric controls three regions of Rome, and has for several months now. Despite the growing opposition he faces, I do not see any glory in continuing the campaign. Armorica is united under the Celtic banner, and the dreaded Teutons are securely held behind the stone walls of Koln. Send a messenger to Alaric, and let it be known that Arthur and the Celts acknowledge Alaric as the Rex, ruler of Rome!

After almost two years of hostilities, the Celts would finally know peace once more. One by one, the remaining tribes proclaimed Alaric the Rex. Rome was united under the crimson fist of the Visigoth.

Results
Here are the final results for Game 279:

Kingdom	Status Points
Visigoth	26050
Ostrogoth	14600
Celts	13675
Norse	11950
Saxons	11500
Lombards	10650
Franks	8425
Alamanni	6550
Vandals	5000
Teutons	4500
Huns	3300
Thuringians	2750

Conclusions
This was my first Veterans campaign, and it was incredibly challenging. Congratulations to Howler the Visigoth ruler, whose well timed assassinations ruined my attempts to knock him out of Aquitania. Our Celts did very well, finishing third in status points thanks due in many ways to our steadfast allies, the Saxons (played by the reknown Lord Thanatos). Special thanks go out to Lord Diamond of the Teutons, a most worthy opponent, who made this a very interesting contest. I learned a great deal from all three of these excellent players, and I look forward to meeting them again on the field.

Game 279: Month 22

Foiled
In a brilliant covert operation, Visigoth agents assassinated our leaders in Aquitania. Legion Centaur was left leaderless, and failed to make their target of White Tale. Pegasus managed to arrive at their target, but the leaderless group will not be able to overcome the defenses of the fortress they are camped outside. Arthur finds himself surrounded by Frank forces at another Visigoth village in Aquitania. Our military in Aquitania is hamstrung, our nobles are out of position, and our agents have been out maneuvered. The comet grows brighter in the night sky...

Turn 22 Planning
This is potentially the last turn of the game, however we have to play as though it will continue. Thanks to meddling from the Visigoth, we will not be able to take enough of the region to sway it to neutral. Hopefully the Lombards or another kingdom will have more luck in Narbonensis.

Political Plans
- Ambassador Danu will attempt to incite rebellion in Chard Orin. This is likely to fail, as the Visigoth has two nobles located in the village that would be able to maintain status quo, but we will give it a try. With luck, our agent corps will be able to deal with the Visigoth nobility.
- Move prince Mac Cekt to the fortress of Augusto. Governor Orestes will join him there
- Governor Krassis will attempt to usurp control of Prexi
- Governor Malcor will maintain status quo in Fire Helm, just in case the Teuton nobility is still vacationing there
- Governors Balth, Hengist and Odrus will relocate to the town of Burdgala in Aquitania. It just declared its neutrality – odds are there is a Visigoth noble present.


Military Plans
- Arthur and his two brigades in Centaur will Hit and Run the Franks division Incomparable. They will move on to the village of White Tail – just in case the Visigoth is unable to claim victory. They will be joined at White Tail by the leaderless legions from Unicorn
- Pegasus will move to the village of Chard Orin to hopefully capture the Visigoth nobles that arrived there
- Titan will move to the village of Coral Springs.
- Pheonix will attempt to intercept any Teuton military group that tries to leave the city

Covert Plans
- Mouse will recon the Frank capital once again. If we are still alive next turn, we will want to make another attempt on the high priestess
- Horisian the Fox will attempt to poison the Visigoth Baron Vithimer, and Garga the Sublime will poison the Visigoth Count Liberius. This will hopefully clear the way for Ambassador Danu's rebellion.
- Max the Black will look for trouble in legion Pheonix. It's potentially the last turn of the game – we don't want the Teuton to try and steal one of our artifacts
Agent Dirk will recon Koln

Game 279: Month 21

Aquitania
Arthur overturned the tables in his tent after hearing the news. Our astronomers reported that a comet streaked across the night sky next to the constellation Capricorn; the sign of Alaric and his Visigoths. As we marched through the region of Aquitania, we heard more and more people declaring their allegiance to Alaric. This portent symbolized his growing influence in Rome – if we didn't do something soon, it would be too late.

“All this time in Aquitania, I have been focused on the Franks!” Arthur shouted. “No more!”

The next day, Titan encamped outside the Franks village of Vitnerx, only to be greeted by Alaric's colors flying from the village square. We have had no contact with the Visigoth king over these many months, and when I prepared to send our diplomats, Arthur stopped me.

“These are dire times, genome. The Gods have shown their favor to King Alaric, but I will not have our people bow to another Roman overlord. There is no time for diplomacy – there is only time for war!”

Turn 21 Planning
While we have to keep the Teuton contained, the priority now is to ensure the Visigoth cannot claim victory. The focus is on Aquitania. My nobles in the area are now next to useless. Even though they successfully took the fortress of Augusto, the Visigoths have an army camped outside the walls led by King Alaric and two Warlords. They will take the fortress this turn, beheading the nobles or sending them back to the capital.

Political Plans:
- Ambassador Danu will relocate to Chard Orin in northern Aquitania
governor Krassis will incite rebellion in Prexi, taking it back from the Franks
- Governor Ajax the Weak will relocate to Christinhalm – he will help Count Connacht take back the village
- Prince Mac Cekt will relocate to the village of Vantage in central Armorica – this will place him in striking distance of Aquitania, hopefully not too late to be effective
- Governor Malcor will move to Fire Helm to keep an eye on it, in case Baron Gorgatha arrives once more
- Arthur continues improving his influence

Military Plans:
- Titan will storm the village of Vitnerx
- Split Titan into three legions – two brigades will go with King Arthur to assault the village of Semillion (he is the only leader with the ability to enable our troops to march that distance). Two brigades will go with Centurion Scripio to the village of Coral Springs in southern Aquitania, and the remaining four brigades will go with Centurion Theorek to the town of Tours. This is a very risky move – any one of these potential assaults could fail as the groups will be much weaker divided than they are together, however this is the only chance we have to take enough Visigoth pop centers for them to lose the region. Thanks be to the speed of the Celts.
- Our reinforcements at the capital will be transferred into legion Pegasus and march straight to Aquitania. Centurion Bax the White will hire a brigade of Burgundians to fortify the ranks
Phoenix moves back to Koln, to keep the Teutons in check
- Centurion Fravitas recruits another brigade of Heruli from Agrippina and marches his division to Koln to meet with Phoenix


Covert Plans:
- Horisian the Fox will create a diversion in Poiters, the Frank capital, and Garga the Sublime will attempt to assassinate the Frank high priestess, Auron, who is located there. If successful, this will complete the last of our covert requirements for Mastermind victory.
- Max the Black will stay on counter espionage within Phoenix. The Teuton agents are getting bolder every month – we must protect our artifacts.

Additional Plans:
- Priestess Maximini will heal Phoenix. This should bring them close to full health

Introduction to the Fall of Rome After Action Report

By: Rick McDowell, Designer of Fall of Rome.

Fall of Rome (www.fallofromegame.com) may be thought of as an online strategy board game for twelve players. While it may be fairly categorized as an historical war game, it is multifaceted: its political, covert, and economic components are each as important as the military aspects of the game. Unlike a typical board game however, there is no waiting for other players to make their moves. Each player chooses a time most convenient to him within a 72 hour window to plan and issue around 15 commands per turn, choosing from over 70 available. At the end of each 72 hour period, commands for all players are executed according to an established sequence of events. For example, battles occur before covert actions, which in turn are resolved before political actions, followed by movement, with intelligence gathering last in the turn sequence. The map is then updated for all players simultaneously, and results of all actions including detailed battle reports are provided in various game screens. Players then have a fresh 72 hours to communicate with their foes and allies through the game messaging system, and to plan their next set of commands. It is a competitive game with a winner declared no later than turn 24, so a single game typically lasts about two months. The standard victory condition is called “The Rex” (meaning sole ruler), and is awarded to the player that can control three of the 12 regions on the map for two consecutive turns. Players each also choose a secret victory condition they may pursue, and this choice will alter their game playing style and strategy. In terms of complexity, Fall of Rome is moderate, if Axis and Allies is considered simple and Advanced Squad Leader is complex. The complete rules and much other reference material is available at www.fallofromegame.com.

Below is a screenshot showing only the outline of each of the 12 regions. The region where Attila’s picture is superimposed is called Pannonia. Throughout the AAR accounts, the authors refer to these region names in their strategies, so this should serve as a convenient reference.

Game 279: Month 20

Two Fronts

Alas, I was unable to council King Arthur over these last several months, and the campaign has advanced. The Teutons are restricted to the city of Koln in Germania, and we Celts have opened a second front in Aquitania. If we can sway a significant portion of the population to our banner, Arthur will be declared Mastermind of Rome.

The grueling war continues in Germania. Every month, the Teuton pulls another trick out of his hat, and manages to live on. Titan surrounds the city of Koln and the men wait day, after day, after day. Strong from behind the walls of the city, the Teuton legions dare the Celts to approach, but Arthur insists on caution. Our plans do not require the city to fall. As long as the Teuton is contained within the city, he will not be able to interfere in the rest of Germania.

Elsewhere the other clans still clash. Atilla has forced the Norse out of Panonia, and our scouts have told us the Huns have been seen in Scandia, the Norse homeland. The Visigoth continues to take pieces of Aquitania, and still has not encountered Celtic forces. With luck, we will take enough of the region to ensure Arthur is crowned as the true ruler of Rome.

Turn 20 Planning
The Visigoth continues to make headway in Aquitania, but we have not yet collided. If all goes well, we will not have to...

Political Plans
- King Arthur increases his influence once more
- Ambassador Danu will usurp control of Mariner's Cove in Armorica.
- The five nobles in the fortress of Augusto will work to take control
- Count Connacht will usurp control of Christinhalm
- Governors Malcor and Ajax the Weak will take control of Deep Haven
- Governor Krassis relocates to Prexi
- Prince Mac Cekt relocates to the city of Reims in Belgica – he is safe here considering Belgica is a warzone between our allies the Saxons and the friendly Vandals – not a nice position to be in. A quick letter to the Saxon leige announces his presense.

Military Plans
- Move Titan to the Franks village of Vitnirx on the border with Armorica – they are not strong enough to take the Frankish capital
- Move Pheonix to the village of Fire Helm – Baron Gorgathal just arrived and we want to give him a warm welcome
- Hire a centurion in Duroco

Covert Plans
- newly hired agent Mouse will recon the Frank capital – hopefully we will find a high priestess located there. Mouse's namesake perished attempting to steal a Teuton artifact during the months I was occupied.
- Horisian the Fox and Garga the Sublime train – they need to be prepared to strike at the high priestess, if one is in the capital

Additional Plans
- Build a tavern in Duroco – our newly hired centurion will be able to recruit a brigade from there to join with the three brigades of Celtic reinforcements we will receive next turn (and another hired brigade of mercenaries). These extra brigades will be required to take the Frank capital.

Game 279: Month 15

A Turning Point
Rome is in turmoil. Pannonia, the stronghold of Atilla and his Huns, has fallen neutral. King Childeric of the Thuringians is on his deathbed, and we have no heard nothing to explain it. Our non aggression pact with the Franks has expired, and no one can grant me an audience with their liege to extend it. Our agents have detected a Frank army camped outside the Saxon town of Agincort is southwest Belgica, just a short march from Armorica. Arthur's sleep has been troubled indeed.

Fortunately, the war goes well in Germania. Agrippina conceeded to Pheonix's demands and have raised the Celtic banner. Duke Mac Cekt stirred the people of Teutoburger to rebellion, and they have renounced their Teuton overlords. Count Connacht convinced the council of Prexi to proclaim fealty to Arthur. The Celtic underworld continues to stimey the Teuton militia. All of our covert actions were all successful – Hush's diversion, Mouse's assassination of the baron and Dirk's recon of Teutoburger were all completed without incident. The diversions by Kelvin Greentooth and Garga the Sublime were also successful, and both gained a level of proficiency.

Turn 15 Planning
We now have to prepare for the possibility of a war on two fronts. Our NAP with the Franks has expired, and I have not heard from their liege. The Teutons are still holding on in Germania, and they will not lie down without a fight. This turn will be all about keeping ahead of the Teutons while preparing for an assault on Aquitania. There will be many tough choices to make – where to assign nobles, agents, soldiers and resources. It's going to be an interesting few turns.

Political Plans
- Our NAP with the Franks has ended – Arthur will enamor Aquitania to prepare for a potential battle with our southern neighbors
- Governor Krassis will stir unrest in Teutoburger and Duke Mac Cekt will usurp control
- The town of Vindon was just rebelled – likely by the Teuton. Newly hired agent Max the Black will recon the town – Governor Malcor and Count Connacht will relocate there
- Hire a Governor in Duroco, in south central Armorica – he will be positioned to move into Aquitania or defend in Armorica
- Hire Governor in Teutoburger – he can stay and maintain status quo after Mac Cekt leaves

Military Plans
- Centurion Scripio recruits a brigade of Heruli from Cenabum. It is more expensive for Scripio to take on this action since he is below the rank of Tribune, however Arthur, the only other ranking leader, is already occupied. Our economy can support the extra brigade, and the extra defense on Cenabum will help if the Franks invade. We select Heruli as they are cheaper to maintain, and are composed of infantry and archers – better for combat in cities
- General Kalanis recruits a brigade of Heruli from Agrippina – they are preparing to storm Koln
- Warlord Ross the Red trains Commandor Gainor
- Pheonix will rest outside Agrippina – this will increase the morale of five of the brigades (the other brigades already have a morale higher than 120.

Covert Plans
- Train Garga the sublime, Arthur's bodyguard
- Dirk recons the city of Koln
- Mouse will counter espionage – see if any enemy agents attempt anything in Pheonix
- Train agent Hush

Additional Plans
- Rhiannon will divine pop centers in Aquitania – if the Franks decide to invade, we will be ready to counter attack
- Maximini will heal Pheonix
- trade 50,000 supplies for 135,000 gold – take advantage of the exchange rate, and cover the amount of gold we have spent with this month's actions