recruiting for new campaign: The Decline of the Tetrarchy

[winterbadger]

The Decline of the Tetrarchy

In 293 CE, the Roman Emperor ("Augustus") Diocletian, recognizing that rule and administration of the sprawling principate was effectively beyond the powers of one executive, instituted the innovation later known as the Tetrarchy, or rule of four executives. He had raised Maximian first to caesar and then to augustus, or co-emperor, in 285 and 286. But seven years later, he expanded this ruling council to four men, by giving the title of caesar to the generals Galerius and Constatinus Chlorus. Each augustus ruled half the empire, and each caesar assisted an augustus by ruling part of his portion. This innovative system allowed each ruler to lead military forces in his section, while notionally avoiding the danger of a successful general challenging the power of a single emperor. The tetrarchy created political stability that permitted full-scale military action in several different portions of the empire at once, leading to new Roman successes against old enemies (like Persia) and new ones (the encroaching barbarians).

But the plan only lasted for one generation of leaders. In 305, Diocletian and Maximian stepped down and Galerius and Constatinus Chlorus became augusti. When the latter died a year later in York (after a successful campaign against the Picts), the tetrarchy was riven by conflict over his replacement. Politics and ambition took over, with popular generals declaring themselves augusti or caesars, retired tetrarchs returning to rulership, and bloody civil war al over. In 324, the augustus Constantine the Great defeated all his rivals and returned the empire to exclusive rule by a single augustus/emperor.

The Campaign

The Decline of the Tetrarchy is set just after the retirement of the two original tetrarchs. It will be a new style of campaign game, both cooperative and competitive as befits the nature of the Roman Empire during this complex period. The empire is represented by two "teams", East and West. The empire's foes are represented by four teams: western natives, eastern natives, Sarmatians, and Goths.Players joining the campaign will sign into one of these six teams. To represent the constant warfare of the period, players from the Empire Foe teams will arrange games with players from the Empire teams, play them, and report the results without stopping for diplomacy, moves, or tiresome delays like sieges. Instead of fighting over specific territories, as in a traditional DBA campaign, each team accumulates points that represent the success of their faction against their enemies. At the end of the campaign, the team with the highest total will be declared winners. If both Roman teams have higher scores than their enemies, the empire has withstood the barbarian onslaught. If one diocese of the empire has a lower score than its foes, it has fallen victim to partial or total invasion and the other diocese's augustus is declared sole emperor. If both dioceses have lower scores than all of their foes, Rome has succumbed, and the long dark age of Europe begins.

Armies

Players can use, for any battle, any of the armies appropriate to their team. In other words, Joe the Goth can play Vandals in one game and then Ostrogoths in another. Losses do not carry over from battle to battle. List options can be selected for one battle and then different options for that list selected for the next battle. Any number of battles can be ongoing at once--no army is limited to only fighting one battle at a time. In other words, Fred and Alan, both Eastern Romans, my both be fighting battles at the same time, one against a Persian and one against a Visisgoth (or even both against Visigothic armies.) Two players from opposing teams just pick armies, play a battle, and report the results.

All armies are Book II. The use of 2.2+ mods. is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged.

Western Roman Empire (can engage in battle with western natives, Sarmatians, Goths, or other Romans): Later Imperial Roman--West (78a)
winterbadger

Eastern Roman Empire (can engage in battle with eastern natives, Sarmatians, Goths, or other Romans): Later Imperial Roman--East (78b)
David Schlanger, Tony Aguilar, dicemanrick

Western natives (can only engage in battle with the Western Roman Empire):Scots Irish (54a), Later Moorish (57), Pictish (68a), Early Franks (72abcd), Old Saxon (73)
kontos

Eastern natives (can only engage in battle with the Eastern Roman Empire): Armenian (28c), Dacian (52), Nobade/Blemye/Beja (55b), Sassanid Persian (69)
gascap, Mitch Harbach, Alex Perez

Sarmatians (can engage in battle with either Western or Eastern Roman Empire): Sarmatians (26), Alans (58), Limigantes (70b)
ferrency, Marc Lautherbach

Goths (can engage in battle with either Western or Eastern Roman Empire): Early Visigoths (65b), Early Vandals (66), Early Ostrogoths (67b), Burgundi (70a)
david kujit

Use the standard Aggression rules to determine who is attacker and defender and thus to decide terrain.

Infighting and Civil War

While there was doubtless infighting among the enemies of Rome, for the purposes of this campaign, non-Romans may only attack Romans.

Romans, however, can attack other Romans, West attacking East or East attacking West or armies within a region attacking other armies of the same region. If at the end of the campaign, there is only one emperor, victories against other Romans will determine which Roman player has clawed his way to the top of the heap (this is the only single-player point of victory; all other victory results are by team). HOWEVER, each Roman-on-Roman battle will count as a loss for the defeated Roman force but not as a victory for the other; thus each such battle will make the chances of overall non-Roman victory that much more likely.

Cives, to arms!

If you are interested in playing, please respond here, indicating which team you would like to play on. Once we have a cadre of players, I'll start the campaign. But new players can keep joining as we play.

I'll post updates, either here or on a campaign-specific blog. At a minimum, there will be a running count of points by team (and of the scores for leading Roman generals competing to become augustus...)

Myself, I'll be playing on the Western Roman Empire team, with my beautiful Paul-Potter-painted LIR/W army.

[kontos]

Love to play. I'll be on the Western Natives team. :D

[winterbadger]

All teams have at least one player already--huzzah! Plenty of room for more, though. That's the grand thing about this format--the more players, the better!

I will work on setting up a blog over the weekend.

[david kuijt]

As Primo Goth, I promise that we will wear black clothing, dark makeup, and play moody and emotionally.

No piercings, though. They catch on things when we run naked through the woods.

[ps: my name is misspelled in the list]

[Tony Aguilar]

I think I understand that we can play these amongst ourselves with our local opponents.

If that is the case, put us down for:

Tony Aguilar - Eastern Roman Empire

Mitch Harbach - Eastern Natives

We'll be using 2.2+ BTW. :up

[winterbadger]

I think I understand that we can play these amongst ourselves with our local opponents.

Yes, absolutely! Local opponents, PBEM opponents, one person even pointed out that we can all get in side games at Cold Wars when we are between events, if we like.

If that is the case, put us down for:

Tony Aguilar - Eastern Roman Empire

Mitch Harbach - Eastern Natives

We'll be using 2.2+ BTW. :up

Thanks, yes. I will will add that to the campaign blurb: "The use of 2.2+ rules is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged."

[Tony Aguilar]

Cool, we play on Tuesdays and we'll probably get 3-5 games in. :)

[Tony Aguilar]

Note that the description for the Eastern Roman Empire has the army listed as WEST. It should read:

Eastern Roman Empire (can engage in battle with eastern natives, Sarmatians, Goths, or other Romans): Later Imperial Roman--East (78b)

[winterbadger]

Note that the description for the Eastern Roman Empire has the army listed as WEST.

Bloody cut and paste. Thanks, corrected. At least I got the list number right. ;) Note the time of the original post--I'm impressed I spelled "Tetrarchy" right! :silly

[ferrency]

The use of 2.2+ mods. is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged.

You should give double points for games played with 2.2+. :up

[dicemanrick]

Guess I'll join the Eastern Roman forces so the loacal have someone to fight,,,,:D

[Tony Aguilar]

Putting together the forces for our upcoming game on Tuesday, I came across the following:

For the Eastern Natives, the Dacians should be the Carpi and not have the Art option as it was used only before 107 AD.

It is also questionable that they could have the option for the Kn as well in that list.

[winterbadger]

Putting together the forces for our upcoming game on Tuesday, I came across the following:

For the Eastern Natives, the Dacians should be the Carpi and not have the Art option as it was used only before 107 AD.

It is also questionable that they could have the option for the Kn as well in that list.

Where there is a separate list or sublist that is appropriate for the time period, I have indicated it (e.g., Picts use only the 68a sublist).

Beyond that, if you choose to attribute a rationale to your choices for alternatives, by all means do so. I'm not going to (nor have I any mechanism to) enforce those choices upon other players.

[winterbadger]

OK, I've put together a blog for the campaign (http://declineoftetrarchy.blogspot.com/). I can post battle reports or links to reports on others' sites. I can post boasts, threats, chest-beating and other communications from one team to another. I can post news reports from the frontiers. And I have a place to record the ongoing scores of each of the teams and of the competing augusti.

Ludi incipiant! Let the games begin!

[david kuijt]

The Goths attack! Omigod! Totally!

Angered at lack of continuing subsidies and broken promises and corruption on the part of Roman emissaries and delegations, a wave of Goths cross the border, wearing lots of leather and listening to music way way too loud.

Two mighty Gothic Armies assault Rome -- one (Early Ostrogoths: II/67b) attacks Eastern Rome -- Tony Aguilar by preference (do I pick my enemy general?). The second army (Early Visigoths: II/65b) attacks Western Rome -- Jan Spoor by preference.

We can run either/both games using JM's online system, if that's okay. Jan, if you can't allocate the time right now to learning it, you can play that battle out with Frank taking the Goth side (but make sure he puts on dark eye makeup and acts moody).

My aggression is 3 for both. Hey, my aggression is 3 for all my armies -- I'm not going to be putting down much terrain!

Aggression rolls: 6 for the attack on Eastern Rome (no need for you to roll, Tony, you put out terrain) and 3 for the attack on the West (modified roll after aggression is 6 total).

[Crocus]

I can't wait for you to begin! Let loose the dogs of war!

[Tony Aguilar]

The Goths attack! Omigod! Totally!

Angered at lack of continuing subsidies and broken promises and corruption on the part of Roman emissaries and delegations, a wave of Goths cross the border, wearing lots of leather and listening to music way way too loud.

Two mighty Gothic Armies assault Rome -- one (Early Ostrogoths: II/67b) attacks Eastern Rome -- Tony Aguilar by preference (do I pick my enemy general?). The second army (Early Visigoths: II/65b) attacks Western Rome -- Jan Spoor by preference.

We can run either/both games using JM's online system, if that's okay. Jan, if you can't allocate the time right now to learning it, you can play that battle out with Frank taking the Goth side (but make sure he puts on dark eye makeup and acts moody).

My aggression is 3 for both. Hey, my aggression is 3 for all my armies -- I'm not going to be putting down much terrain!

Aggression rolls: 6 for the attack on Eastern Rome (no need for you to roll, Tony, you put out terrain) and 3 for the attack on the West (modified roll after aggression is 6 total).

Although I would love to play virtually DK, I'm afraid I don't have time to learn the virtual game. That and the fact that my home PC is on the fritz. I wish there was a more user friendly way to do it. I plan on playing FTF weekly with my local opponent.

[david kuijt]

Although I would love to play virtually DK, I'm afraid I don't have time to learn the virtual game. That and the fact that my home PC is on the fritz. I wish there was a more user friendly way to do it. I plan on playing FTF weekly with my local opponent.

Bummer.

The virtual game is easy to learn, but if you don't have a home computer, you is scruud.

Okay, I'm attacking you TWICE!!! One game you play out with some appropriately-chosen local opponent playing the part of me (with a stick-on moustache, if not sufficiently hirsute). The second game I'll have JM or Alan Ferrency play the part of you, in an online game against me. JM, Alan? Whoever jumps on this opportunity gets the first chance to be defeated by the Gothic Hordes.

[Tony Aguilar]

Bummer.

The virtual game is easy to learn, but if you don't have a home computer, you is scruud.


Yeah, I don't think I can do it through the iPad. My home computer I have relegated to only using for DBAOL and connecting to the Internet manually (manually connecteing and disconnecting) the LAN cable. It also doesn't seem to work well with any of the higher resolutions. It is eight years old and will be replaced at some time in the next two years.


Okay, I'm attacking you TWICE!!! One game you play out with some appropriately-chosen local opponent playing the part of me (with a stick-on moustache, if not sufficiently hirsute). The second game I'll have JM or Alan Ferrency play the part of you, in an online game against me. JM, Alan? Whoever jumps on this opportunity gets the first chance to be defeated by the Gothic Hordes.

Cool I'll get Mitch to play the part of DK. As for the moustache part, he used to have one until he saw the light a few months ago. I'll try to convince him against his better judgement to grow it back.

[david kuijt]

s for the moustache part, he used to have one until he saw the light a few months ago. I'll try to convince him against his better judgement to grow it back.

That's going to take YEARS before it is of respectable size, Tony.

[Tony Aguilar]

That's going to take YEARS before it is of respectable size, Tony.

That's true....it never did command any respect.;)

OOhh, he's really going to enjoy using that army...we've talked about the 1/2 Kn and 1/2 Psiloi before.
The Romans will have to remember to put on their Man Panties. :)

[winterbadger]

The Goths attack! Omigod! Totally!

Are these Goths or Valley Girls? :)

Angered at lack of continuing subsidies and broken promises and corruption on the part of Roman emissaries and delegations, a wave of Goths cross the border, wearing lots of leather and listening to music way way too loud.

Truly, they seek to destroy civilization as we know it.

Two mighty Gothic Armies assault Rome -- one (Early Ostrogoths: II/67b) attacks Eastern Rome -- Tony Aguilar by preference (do I pick my enemy general?).

Think of it as a club meeting, just spread all over the Internet. You can call for a game with anyone and take whoever responds, or you can challenge a specific foe (and then mock him mercilessly if he begs off!)

The second army (Early Visigoths: II/65b) attacks Western Rome -- Jan Spoor by preference.

We can run either/both games using JM's online system, if that's okay. Jan, if you can't allocate the time right now to learning it, you can play that battle out with Frank taking the Goth side (but make sure he puts on dark eye makeup and acts moody).

I think I would have to get him drunk to get eye makeup on him. Drunk as in comatose... :)

I'm happy to give JM's system a try--I've been fooling around with it a bit already.

Aggression rolls: 6 for the attack on Eastern Rome (no need for you to roll, Tony, you put out terrain) and 3 for the attack on the West (modified roll after aggression is 6 total).

You rolled 1 die:
3
Timestamp: 2012-02-26 21:40:27 UTC

So my total is 4; the Western Romans defend. I will send you a terrain board shortly.

[david kuijt]

OOhh, he's really going to enjoy using that army...we've talked about the 1/2 Kn and 1/2 Psiloi before.

Remind him about the rule allowing Ps to group-move through BGo.


The Romans will have to remember to put on their Man Panties. :)

Ew.

Although the Museum of London had a Roman era G-string when last I visited there...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Romanbikini.gif

[Tony Aguilar]

Remind him about the rule allowing Ps to group-move through BGo.


I will, but it shouldn't be hard to remember as he got ganged up by the Spanish Psiloi on one of the last battles we did.
It is a great rule indeed. :up

[ferrency]

Yeah, I don't think I can do it through the iPad.
Currently, we all use Inkscape, which is free and maintains compatibility across PC, Mac, and Linux. I don't know of any good .svg editor for the iPad but I'd love to know if someone else finds one :)

DK, I'd be happy to start another 1-on-1 game. Send me the army details in e-mail.

Alan

[winterbadger]

Currently, we all use Inkscape, which is free and maintains compatibility across PC, Mac, and Linux. I don't know of any good .svg editor for the iPad but I'd love to know if someone else finds one :)

DK, I'd be happy to start another 1-on-1 game. Send me the army details in e-mail.

Alan

Yes, please, someone distract DK. His Goths are closing in on my Romans, and it would be helpful if he had something other than his impending trip to the dentist to keep him... unfocused. :silly

[kontos]

Yes, please, someone distract DK. His Goths are closing in on my Romans, and it would be helpful if he had something other than his impending trip to the dentist to keep him... unfocused. :silly

Good. I hope my Western Natives do the same if we play Thursday. I do not have a dental appointment. :D

[Tony Aguilar]

Good. I hope my Western Natives do the same if we play Thursday. I do not have a dental appointment. :D

Are you a "toothless wonder" then? :silly

[kontos]

Are you a "toothless wonder" then? :silly

Be careful, Tony, or I'll gum you to death. :silly

[winterbadger]

Western Roman Empire (can engage in battle with western natives, Sarmatians, Goths, or other Romans): Later Imperial Roman--West (78a)
winterbadger

Eastern Roman Empire (can engage in battle with eastern natives, Sarmatians, Goths, or other Romans): Later Imperial Roman--East (78b)
David Schlanger, Tony Aguilar, dicemanrick

Western natives (can only engage in battle with the Western Roman Empire):Scots Irish (54a), Later Moorish (57), Pictish (68a), Early Franks (72abcd), Old Saxon (73)
kontos

Eastern natives (can only engage in battle with the Eastern Roman Empire): Armenian (28c), Dacian (52), Nobade/Blemye/Beja (55b), Sassanid Persian (69)
gascap, Mitch Harbach, Alex Perez

Sarmatians (can engage in battle with either Western or Eastern Roman Empire): Sarmatians (26), Alans (58), Limigantes (70b)
ferrency, Marc Lautherbach

Goths (can engage in battle with either Western or Eastern Roman Empire): Early Visigoths (65b), Early Vandals (66), Early Ostrogoths (67b), Burgundi (70a)
david kujit

[Gascap]

Eastern Romans (DS) invade Dacia (JM)!

JM

[winterbadger]

Eastern Romans (DS) invade Dacia (JM)!

JM

How aggressive of my collegial brother! Vincete, Romanes! ;)

[ferrency]

Sarmatians (me) are invading the Eastern Romans (DS).

The Eastern Romans (me, a Tony proxy) are defending against Ostrogoths (DK). I'm happy to be given the opportunity to kill more Romans :)

Alan

[Tony Aguilar]

Sarmatians (me) are invading the Eastern Romans (DS).

The Eastern Romans (me, a Tony proxy) are defending against Ostrogoths (DK). I'm happy to be given the opportunity to kill more Romans :)

Alan

I guess I shouldn't plan on Mitch running the Goths against me tomorrow night? :???

[winterbadger]

I guess I shouldn't plan on Mitch running the Goths against me tomorrow night? :???

No, it's OK--DK said he was attacking you twice! Once for you and Mitch to fight, once for him to play out online vs. Alan as your proxy. :)

It's all good! :2up

(Unless you're the ordinary cits of the eastern empire, in which case you must be thinking it's time to find a nice cave to live in..)

[Tony Aguilar]

No, it's OK--DK said he was attacking you twice! Once for you and Mitch to fight, once for him to play out online vs. Alan as your proxy. :)

It's all good! :2up

Coolio. :up

[kontos]

Western Natives (moi) are massing on the borders of the Roman Empire (Jan). News at 11PM on Thursday. :D

[winterbadger]

Western Natives (moi) are massing on the borders of the Roman Empire (Jan). News at 11PM on Thursday. :D

Which ones? The Cabbage People, the Kale People, the Turnip People, or the Chickpea People? :rolleyes

[Tony Aguilar]

Which ones? The Cabbage People, the Kale People, the Turnip People, or the Chickpea People? :rolleyes

Duh, Western Natives are the Village People led by the Indian. :D

[ferrency]

I guess I shouldn't plan on Mitch running the Goths against me tomorrow night? :???

I thought DK wanted two games.

In any case: the more games the merrier, right? There are no limits here, are there?

Alan

[winterbadger]

I thought DK wanted two games.

In any case: the more games the merrier, right? There are no limits here, are there?

Alan

As the faux Australians say, "no rules, just rape and pillage!"

[winterbadger]

Coolio. :up

That's the plural of "coolus", yes?

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/CoolC1.jpg

[kontos]

Which ones? The Cabbage People, the Kale People, the Turnip People, or the Chickpea People? :rolleyes

Is your scouting that good? A bunch of "barbarians" wearing dark make-up as DK hoped we would wear. And very broodish. Somewhere north of the wall in Britain. :D

[winterbadger]

Is your scouting that good? A bunch of "barbarians" wearing dark make-up as DK hoped we would wear. And very broodish. Somewhere north of the wall in Britain. :D

Kale People, then. Very good. We will bring the hot oil and sharp knives. :D

[Tony Aguilar]

The time of battle is now...as the Ostrogoths approach....

[Tony Aguilar]

We played 5 games tonight in a little over 3.5 hours.
This is the order they happened in.
The Romans defended on their terrain of their choosing except in the last battle against the Beja.
2.2+ rules were used with 30" boards.

vs. Early Ostrogoths (Roman Victory 5-0) DK Proxy battle

The Roman forces were deployed with the mounted split on both wings. The Ostrogoths attacked with all the Kn in the center and the Psiloi on the wings. The Romans tried to deploy their mounted to the center, but got caught by the Ostrogoths before they were able to do so completely. That is were the Ostrogoth luck ran out. The right wing of the Ostrogoths was decimated due to their army having been on poor rations for a long time. It was actually a nail biter of a game, which is not reflected in the score. The Knights just could make any head-way even against the Blade that were holding the center.

vs. Armenians (Roman Loss 3-4)

Next the Armenians invaded the Eastern Provinces. In a game that saw the forces split into two distinctive engagements, the Armenians managed to crush the Roman left wing.

vs. Carpi (Roman Loss 3-4)

Hearing of the Roman defeat in the east the Carpi decided to pounce on the Romans in Dacia. The battle resulted in the Carpi warband crushing the Roman blade in the center before the Roman mounted had their way.

vs. Sassanid Persians (Roman Victory 4-1)

The Sassanids took their turn attacking through Palmyra into the fertile levant. The Roman cataphracts showed their strength by crushing the right wing of the Sassanids and enveloping the elephant. The Sassanid horde made a gallant attempt to hold the legionnaires.

vs. Beja (Roman Victory 2g-1)

Romans took the offensive in this game and ended up fighting with two dunes and an oasis. The Beja fought with Maxi-Camels. The Beja were seriously pip starved and it didn't help that their Bow shooting was darn near abysmal.

[kontos]

Thanks for the reports, Tony. Sounds like a great evening of DBA. The Romans have held off the initial surge in the East. Tomorrow night I hope to start my reconquest of Britain and, if time, get a game in on the Rhine. :up

[winterbadger]

Wow! Impressive start tot he campaign and a big burst for the Romans out of the gate!

The Western Romans are currently struggling versus the wily Visigoths....

[david kuijt]

The Western Romans are currently struggling versus the wily Visigoths....

The brutal Visigoths rolled 6 pips and smashed the Roman lines into near-fatal disarray... can the forces of the West regroup? Can anyone stand against such reckless fury?!?:eek

[kontos]

The brutal Visigoths rolled 6 pips and smashed the Roman lines into near-fatal disarray... can the forces of the West regroup? Can anyone stand against such reckless fury?!?:eek

Aragorn: "It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall."

Theoden: "Let them come."

And -

Theoden: "So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?"

:D

[winterbadger]

And the answer is: no. Western Roman army crushed by Visigoths. No film at 11, as no reporters survived! :D

[david kuijt]

And the answer is: no. Western Roman army crushed by Visigoths. No film at 11, as no reporters survived! :D

It was a righteous smacking. The Visigoth warband didn't seem to lose any combats, even when double overlapped and when overlapped and flanked. The final element to die was a Roman Blade that was doubled (DOUBLED) by Visigoth Warband -- didn't even need a QK.

Visigoth horses grow fat on grass springing from fields strewn with Roman blood.

[david kuijt]

Jan, I've lost track -- are there any other Western Romans right now other than you?

If there is another W.Roman General, my victorious Visigoths will attack him, trying to form their own Kingdom within Roman borders.

If there is NOT another W.Roman General, the Visigoths will go and attack the East in the person of Diceman.

Regardless, the desperate weakness of the W.Roman army (as shown by their trouncing by Visigoths) has led to a second invasion -- the Burgundi (agg 3) follow in the footsteps of the Visigoths, crossing the Rhine and striking into the heart of the Empire. Who can stop them?!? Yan Can! (well, Jan can. Or can he?)

Burgundi (Cv Gen, 9x 3Wb, 2x 2Ps) attack W.Rome under Jan. I'm Agg 3 (always); my roll is 2 (total 5) so I might actually have a chance at winning terrain this time... or not!

[winterbadger]

Jan, I've lost track -- are there any other Western Romans right now other than you?

Nope. All on my only. I've added a widget to the blog, listing the teams.

If there is NOT another W.Roman General, the Visigoths will go and attack the East in the person of Diceman.

Stand firm, Diceman!

Regardless, the desperate weakness of the W.Roman army (as shown by their trouncing by Visigoths) has led to a second invasion -- the Burgundi (agg 3) follow in the footsteps of the Visigoths, crossing the Rhine and striking into the heart of the Empire. Who can stop them?!? Yan Can! (well, Jan can. Or can he?)

Burgundi (Cv Gen, 9x 3Wb, 2x 2Ps) attack W.Rome under Jan. I'm Agg 3 (always); my roll is 2 (total 5) so I might actually have a chance at winning terrain this time... or not!

My roll is 4, so I think we are tied and need to roll again. My second roll is 1, however, so you will automatically win!

[david kuijt]

My roll is 4, so I think we are tied and need to roll again. My second roll is 1, however, so you will automatically win!

I'm okay with automatically winning -- it saves all that tedious maneuver and combat.

But just in case you aren't ready to admit defeat, go ahead and build a map and send it (since you pick terrain).

[david kuijt]

Nope. All on my only. I've added a widget to the blog, listing the teams.


In the battle for Civilization (West vs. East), you might consider pro-rating the kills according to how many West Romies vs. East Romies there are -- if you just use total kills, then since the Easties outnumber you 3-1 for players, they're going to pretty-much automatically win the Civ race. Unless I'm misunderstanding something, of course.

[kontos]

I'm okay with automatically winning -- it saves all that tedious maneuver and combat.

Finally. A man worth killing. Now that's a Warlord. :D

[winterbadger]

In the battle for Civilization (West vs. East), you might consider pro-rating the kills according to how many West Romies vs. East Romies there are -- if you just use total kills, then since the Easties outnumber you 3-1 for players, they're going to pretty-much automatically win the Civ race. Unless I'm misunderstanding something, of course.

Ah, in the race for the purple, the only score that counts is player v. player wins.

So, for instance, at the moment, the tetrarchy would remain if the game were to suddenly end, as there have been no inter-Roman battles. Mind you, it would have to survive in the truncated eastern portion of the empire, as I have yet to win any battles myself, and so the Goths are swamping us here in the west.

I had hoped when I set up the campaign that the open nature of it would attract a few more players, and hence each faction would have 2+ players. As it is, we have 11 players: three factions have only one player, while two have three. Perhaps in time a few more players will join. Ideally we'd have 15-20!

[david kuijt]

Ah, in the race for the purple, the only score that counts is player v. player wins.


Ah, I got you.

Well, have no worries about the West -- when the Visigoths have conquered all and settled in their own Kingdom of Aquitaine, they will protect the shattered fragments of Western Rome with their own mighty might. For a little tribute and after you Romans all convert to Arianism.

D

[kontos]

Ah, I got you.

Well, have no worries about the West -- when the Visigoths have conquered all and settled in their own Kingdom of Aquitaine, they will protect the shattered fragments of Western Rome with their own mighty might. For a little tribute and after you Romans all convert to Arianism.

D

Let's have Rome fall first then we can discuss your little estate in Spain, Goth.

:up

[david kuijt]

Let's have Rome fall first then we can discuss your little estate in Spain, Goth.


You want in on the new center of power in the West? Hey, another minion is always welcome! You can bask in the glory of being near unto me; you can smite my foes, revel at my feasts, all that stuff! What's not to like?!?

As for the fall of Rome, it teeters as we speak. The Ostrogoths report paralysis and despair among the Eastern Roman forces who are nearly completely encircled now by Goths, with their camp within range for sacking and all their Auxilia Palatina slain fighting in muddy ploughed fields against the deadly Gothic skirmishing bow. The battle is not over, but there are reports that the treasurer of Allanasius of Ferrence has already been seen riding away on the road back to Byzantium, whipping his heavily-laden horses and casting terrified glances backwards as he goes.

[kontos]

You want in on the new center of power in the West? Hey, another minion is always welcome! You can bask in the glory of being near unto me; you can smite my foes, revel at my feasts, all that stuff! What's not to like?!?

As for the fall of Rome, it teeters as we speak. The Ostrogoths report paralysis and despair among the Eastern Roman forces who are nearly completely encircled now by Goths, with their camp within range for sacking and all their Auxilia Palatina slain fighting in muddy ploughed fields against the deadly Gothic skirmishing bow. The battle is not over, but there are reports that the treasurer of Allanasius of Ferrence has already been seen riding away on the road back to Byzantium, whipping his heavily-laden horses and casting terrified glances backwards as he goes.

I trust not in the hearsay of Goths. As to carving out a kingdom I say you are merely seeking a refuge from the slavery of the steppe armies. You may puff your chest all you want but until you have proven yourself on the battlefield against a worthy opponent, speak not of the Franks as "minions".

[david kuijt]

I trust not in the hearsay of Goths. As to carving out a kingdom I say you are merely seeking a refuge from the slavery of the steppe armies. You may puff your chest all you want but until you have proven yourself on the battlefield against a worthy opponent, speak not of the Franks as "minions".

You want some of this?!? You want some of this?!?

The Visigoths attack the Franks! Frank's Franks! Frankity-Frank's Franks!

... in other news, a second rider has arrived from the Ostrogothic battle. The mighty Ostrogothic Knights finally got into battle, attacking the unprotected prostitutes and washer-women of the Eastern Roman camp.

The washer-women and whores of Byzantium proved that they are tougher than the Auxilia Palatina of Byzantium's army, slaughtering the Ostrogoth Knights (1-5 roll).

Now the battle is suddenly too close to call.

[ferrency]

Now the battle is suddenly too close to call.

Once again, the Romans demonstrate how repellant they are: the Ostrogoth knights were so scared of the washer women that their brethren couldn't even run down an unsupported blade at even odds.

Romans win! Ostrogoths don't.

Good job, Tony! :)

Alan

[david kuijt]

Once again, the Romans demonstrate how repellant they are: the Ostrogoth knights were so scared of the washer women that their brethren couldn't even run down an unsupported blade at even odds.

Romans win! Ostrogoths don't.

Good job, Tony! :)

Alan

Roman victory, 4-2.

The Ostrogothic Psiloi were devastating to the Romans, slaughtering two Auxilia and putting the Romans on the brink of doom. But then the Ostrogothic Knights got into combat, losing every roll they made, dying in droves.

The Ostrogoths, thoroughly smashed, retreat from Illyrica and head towards Northern Italy and the West.

[Tony Aguilar]

Good job, Tony! :)

Alan

I know I can walk on water, but I wasn't aware I could be in two places at once. :silly

[Tony Aguilar]

But then the Ostrogothic Knights got into combat, losing every roll they made, dying in droves.


That was exactly what happened to the Ostrogoths in the invasion that I repelled- got hosed when the knights mixed it up.
Maybe they were riding shetland ponies?

[winterbadger]

That was exactly what happened to the Ostrogoths in the invasion that I repelled- got hosed when the knights mixed it up.
Maybe they were riding shetland ponies?

Or mutant llama sawhorses? :silly

[snowcat]

Or mutant llama sawhorses? :silly

I should patent that. :D

[Tony Aguilar]

Planning on some Tuesday night DBA gaming at Castillo Aguilar.

The Eastern Natives approach the Roman borders once again...

Anyone else willing to attack us that can be proxied by Chieftain Harbachus?

[winterbadger]

You win some, you lose some.

I managed to beat back DK's Burgundi, but then I turned around and lost two to Chris Huhn, one double-proxy battle where he played Sassanian Persians and I the ERE, then one with the Sarmatians against my WRE.

An account and (soon) a link to pictures here (http://declineoftetrarchy.blogspot.com/2012/03/more-bad-news-for-empire.html).