Pompey's Overconfidence - Pompey vs. Sertorius vs.

[Jim-NC]

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

The decisions I have used this game:

Merchants - you must be careful with these, as tradeposts can only be built if you control the area. I did not realize this at this point, and most of my merchants are wasted.

Tradepost - build after merchants. These give you money boosts every 6 turns, but you have to control the area the entire time. I have lost several of these in Ispus in Asia Minor (as the pirates keep taking it over).

Punish - pillages a region, and gives you NM. This costs 5 VP, and works approximately 50% of the time. I can do this 5 times per turn. Thus it costs me 25 VP to gain approximately 2.5 NM per turn. What a waste of VPs. I could really use some of those back now, but I also need the NM.

Requistion - gives you money, but lowers your loyalty. I use this only where there is a garrison and where I have 100% loyalty (don't need to give the Sertorians a boost).

Enslave - you can only do to regions you own, but aren't very loyal. I use this on enemy regions so I can get some free cash. I love cash. Hint - you don't have to kill the garrison to be able to Enslave, just control the countryside. I have found that horse units are great for this.

[Jim-NC]

Turn 10:

Sunny Spain. I am trying desperately to escape with my legions under Afranius. I was attempting to move away and assault Lacobriga last turn. I was stopped in my tracks. Now I am attempting to get away by sea. I will move the troops, and the lone axillary unit to the western coast, where I can meet up with ships moving from Carthago Nova. I have ships in Carthago Nova providing supplies to my garrison there. I lost Italica this turn to assault, and Gades is besieged. The problem of no supplies from a port rears it head, as Gades should never surrender from no food. Oh well. The garrison of Gades is attempting a breakout, as it is only a matter of time before they surrender (they are already out of food). In the north, Sertorius is still besieging Emporiae. My garrison is attempting to escape/stay supplied. It's just a matter of time before they all die from a lack of food.
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Asia Minor. Not much going on. My 2 legions chasing pirates are moving west to sit in the Cappadocian city for cohesion recovery. I have included the picture of my Cappadocian force, as this is the last time you will see them. They are locked, and will fight to the last man in a few turns. It doesn't help that this turn there was an Epidemic in the force, lowering cohesion quite a bit. For those about to die, we salute your sacrifice. My 2 legions that captured Myra are moving along the coast for more siegecraft operations. I plan on continuing my assault on the pirates. Cotta is chasing the pirates to his west. Lucullus is in an insert photo, and he is starving to death, so I order an assault on the pirates. His forces need some food.
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Battles. There were 2, and I escaped with my elements mostly intact. I lost Italica to assault (including my auxiliary unit). Then Afranus (who is trying to survive was caught, and cornered). It only cost me 1 element this time.
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Odds and end. I got me money (1595 denarii due to the yearly profit sharing). Yeah!!! Party time in Rome. I built a lot of forces, and quite a few replacements, but then again I need them. I am staging exceptional games, as I need the NM. You may notice that I built 3!!! legions this turn, and dropped my NM to 52! It's ugly. I saved some money as I will need more games/public relation campaigns to raise my NM.
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[Sir Garnet]

The Commentaries of Princeps Quintus Sertorius Part III
January 74 - April 74 (Turns 8-11)

In January 74 the object of Sertorius was to clear the countryside of Sullans and other traitors and fix the enemy forces in their fortified places. As the gateway to Hispania and a threat directed at Osca, prime importance was placed on besieging Emporiae (which stubbornly sought to close any breaches). Italica, Gades, and finally Nova Carthago followed in the order of attaack.

Italica was lightly fortified and fell in February, while supply wagons with relaxed escorts freely shuttled around the cleared countryside to prepare for spring. The army of Metellus held 3 legions, and their remnants once defeated were further harassed on the Baetis River line but escaped one more to conceal themselves in the countryside. The princpal principle of the operations against Metellus as he roamed around the country north of the Baetis was to deny him any urban refuge or aid.

Meanwhile, Sertorius at the siege of Emporiae sent the first patrols into Gallic Narbonensis to observe defenses. Pompey's legions were known to be wrecked or worse, and there was no sign of Pompey in the field - indeed, only the Sullan Fientus was knwon to have retired within Emporiae. Pompey was later reported to be wounded and recuperating.

By this time National Morale was over 140 and could be considered a credit to be drawn upon to restore the Legates and their contingents to full force and support the other offensives. The great misfortune was a lack of things to expend it upon.

Despite the good feeling in the land, the forces had become disorganized in the pursuits of Pompey and Metellus and were reordered to purpose. The Sullan towns of Emporiae, Carthago Nova and Gades were kept under siege, while small garrisons were posted in other towns for defense. Emporiae fell to bitter siege after the break of spring, but it was believed some of the worst of the defenders had been evacuated by sea, leading to efforts to build up the small Hispanien navy that had hitherto played no role in strategy or battle. Now, however, it was evident that there was need for coastal defense and later a reach beyond the sea.

[Jim-NC]

Turn 11:

Due to some difficulties, it has been a while since I have written.

Spain is 1st up. In the south my troops are trying to escape (the same thing they have been doing for a lot of turns now). The will be meeting the ships just west of Italica. The troops in Gades are still starving, and thus they are attempting to die fighting. In northern Spain, I am moving Pompey to Italy to meet up with the new legions. I am moving the small force of 3 units to Narbo to meet with the General there.
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Here is the eastern part of the empire. Cotta and his army are attempting to defeat the pirates. Lucullus is moving back to base for a re-supply mission. My Asian force (2 legions) is hiding out in Eusebia recovering cohesion.
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There were a few small battles. Somehow Afranius and his troops are surviving the repeated assaults. It only cost me 2 NM points this turn.
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I have scheduled a large games as my NM is at 62. Which is better than it has been (see a few turns ago).
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