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>>4340225
Yet, one thousand years later, things couldn't have been different from that gracious golden age, as the numerous empires that had seen the word of Sol spread, had all but collapse, new barbaric tribes had invaded what was once land of Sol, and heretic cults have splintered the church, all each offering different interpretations of his massage, killing each other over who is the true leader of the church, and what's worse, the light of Sol itself has began to dwindle bit by bit over the years, weakening, and making the winters longer, the nights darker.


And so, in the year 1001 since it's rise, that's the situation of the world, with countless petty kingdoms, duchies, and empires, all battling each other for control of the sea of light. With wise princes, mad kings, and daring invaders in each corner.

Yet, it is you, who have been selected by Sol itself to guide mankind into a new golden age, so come on, and select the nation who you shall guide towards glory.

>>4340229
>Despotate of Laconia

>>4340229
>Kingdom of the Lusitani

>>4340229
Crown of Almeria

>>4340229
>Artashesian Dynasty

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>>4340333
Since you got trips, let's go with you.

The history of the despotate of Laconia is as violent as it is interesting, from simple barbarians migrating from the south, the laconians build one of the most longeve states in the sea of light.

The despote is described as an heavely militarized nation, an army with an state if you will, governed by two equal kings, alongside an elected asembly of citizens. Laconian citizenship itself is something to be earned, not something you are born with, as only adult, native-born, non-slave, males, can obtain it, and that's only after finishing military service to the despotate.

Empires have come and gone, kingdoms have risen and falles, yet, for centuries, the despotate has stood independent, at least, until the disaster at Megali, where our brave soldier were, for the first time in centuries, beaten and our nation made a vassal of the Byzaian Empire, and forced to play as their pawn in their ever common internal struggles.

Yet, it seems that Sol has been kind to us recently, as the Byzaian empire has now fallen, replaced by foreign conquerors,and their governors now battling with the conqueror and each other for the throne, granting us a good opportunity to control our destiny.

Before we can continue, however, what's is thou name, chosen one of Sol

>>4340767
Ben Dover

>>4340767
Thales giosíliou

>>4340767

Despot Raddhia

>>4340767
Thalia Aiakides

>>4340844

+1

>>4340786
+1

>>4340844
+1

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>>4340844
>>4340786
>>4340831
Your name is Despot Raddhia, son of the previous Despot, your father Thales, who died the previous week out of health complications, making you the new Despot of Laconia.

As stated Previously, the Despotate is ruled by not one, but two despots, each coming from diferents dynasties, in this case, your co-equal is Ben Dover, who is your senior by 10 years, making him the most experienced with governance out of the two. Your relationship with him has been decent thus far, but there's always the risk of him trying to push you aside, either way, it would be good to have him as a reliave partner.

>>4341076
Now that is pretty cool

>>4341076
Thank you for not adhering us too closely to Greece.

>>4341083
>>4341088
So when do we kill Ben and take his power?

>>4341103
When he truly believe us to be too stupid to do something like that.

>>4341103
Squabbling with the other despot weakens the state, and having only one source of power invites tyranny. Let's have this playthrough be about preserving our warrior culture and freedom above all else.

>>4341120
At the expense of others prefferably

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>>4341076
Moving on with the daily affairs of the state, the first important thing for you to do would be diplomacy, more specifically, what will be the Despotate's role in the ongoing civil war ragin across the former Byzaian empire.

To begin explaining, there's three mayor players in the region for control of the core of the former empire, each with their own different policies, and styles of governance, something relevant if we wish to assert ourselves within the empire.

>The excharchate of Salonika (Silver), has the most legitimate claim to the empire of old, being ruled by the cousin of the last emperor, and having the loyalty of most of the cities in the peninsula, their policies basically amount to the same as to the old empire, promising to keep our relative status of vasallage without much change if we side with them, however, they also threatening us with harsh pushiment, should be don't back them in the war.

>The Empire of the Trakians (Purple) is ruled by the Traki, a foreign people from the south, who conquered the capital of the old empire, and now wish to create a new empire of their own. Thus far, their policies have been inconsistent and contradictory at times, sometimes promising benevolent rule only to act with harshness, and viceversa. Siding with them would be playing with dice, but at the same time, they are unlikely to invade us, should they win the war.

>Finally we have the Empire of Pontus ( light blue), a rival empire proclaimed by the former Byzaian governor of the region, after he decided to declare independence from the dying empire, to create a new empire of his own with a new capital. So far they have proven themselves to be actually pretty lenient in terms of rulership, being more open-minded and less authoritarian than either the Trakians or Salonikans, however, siding with them would put at at odds with pretty much all of our close neighboors, and they would be unlikely to help us when the time comes.

>Besides the three claimants, we could also decide to remain neutral in the conflict, and gather enough strength to possibly even declare independence some time in the future, however, that would be the riskiest of all the options.

At the end of day though, you have to choose between one of the options, lest Ben do that for you, and make yourself look weak and undecisive.

>>4341135
>Besides the three claimants, we could also decide to remain neutral in the conflict, and gather enough strength to possibly even declare independence some time in the future, however, that would be the riskiest of all the options.

Let's trust ourselves.

>>4341135
>Besides the three claimants, we could also decide to remain neutral in the conflict, and gather enough strength to possibly even declare independence some time in the future, however, that would be the riskiest of all the options.
OP this kinda reminds me of Byzantium (Not just because of the name similarities)

>>4341135
It's interesting... I think the best course of action may be to follow the Salonikoi half-heartedly, and when their attentions are focused elsewhere, stab them in the back.

>>4341139
>>4341141
After thinking it for a while, you decided that it would for the best for Laconia to remain neutral in the conflict, and focus on internal issues at least for now.

After talking with Ben about it, you two made a public announcement in which you declared that the Despotate will not back any of the claimants in the conflict for the time being.

While the Ben and the assembly were pleased with the decision, and the people a bit disappointed that they weren't going to war, the claimants in questions reacted a bit differently, with mixed responses from the big three.

>Relationship with Salonika goes from Neutral to cold.
>Relationship with the Trakians goes from Neutral to Ambivalent
>Relationship with Pontus remains neutral.

With the matter of the conflict decided for now, it's time for you young Despot to take a look at the internal management of the despotate.

>Review Economy
>Review Military
>Review Politics
>Review Diplomacy others

>>4341238
How many choices do we get?
>Review Military
>Review Diplomacy others
I need an excuse to beat up some not-Thebans

>>4341135
Can you specify which one of those is Pontus? There are a few blues on that map so it's confusing to me.

>>4341238
>Review Military

>>4341238
>Review Economy
>Review Diplomacy others
We gotta get lots of money
>>4341253
It’s the one right below us

>>4341253
Salonika, Trakia, and Pontus are east to west in that order on the bottom of this map >>4341135

>>4341249
You can review them all, but what do you want to check first ?

>>4341296
Military

>>4341296
Let’s go with military first since we get to look at all of them

>>4341266
Thanks

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>>4341305
>>4341254
>>4341249
>Review Military

The military of Laconia has always been famous through the sea of light for it's courage and dicipline, for even in these troubling times, it remains one of the most high quality in this side of the sea.

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 6/ Equip 7) Numbers: 7000

Composed of Citizen Levies, these brave spearmen, are the best of it's kind. However, that comes with a price, in that it's only limited by the amount of full blooded citizens within the despotate, making their numbers low, and any loss more desvastating.

To compensate this, sometimes of need, the Helotian slaves, are given the most basic of weapons and thrown into the battle, to serve as skirmirshers and meatshields.

>Helotian slaves (Atk 2/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 5/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500

Having reviewed the military, do want to make any changes (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip), rolling a dice of 6 ?

Either way, regardless of the latter, who you would like to review next.
>Review Economy
>Review Politics
>Review Diplomacy others

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4341333
>manufacture equip
>Review Economy

I want them to be the most heavily armed army in the world!

>>4341336
+1

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4341333
I suggest we eventually begin training the Helotians in the use of ranged weaponry. Give them an actual purpose beyond being fodder.

But for now, backing this post in both ways >>4341336

>>4341336
+1
That 6 is looking quite good

>>4341336
Rolled 6 (1d6)
Deciding to make the Laconians the best elite soldiers in the known world, you decided to order the nation's blacksmiths to make the best equipment they could to arm your soldiers, and luckily for you, they delivered in their promise, and free of charge too.

>Laconian Citizen spearmen Equip goes from 7 to 9. No change in upkeep

However, making this stuff isn't going to be free all the time, which reminds you that soldiers require an upkeep to remain on your side (6 solidus yearly for the Laconian spearmen, 1 for the helots.

Related to this is the economy, right now, the economy of the despotate, isn't in the best of shapes, with the small size of the country, relative poverty in natural resources, and lack of major trade partners all contribuiting to this.

Either way, this is the state for each of our economic sectors right now.

>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Slave plantations, profit :7
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2
>Woodcutting, Size 2/9. type: Basic. profit: 2

That leaves us with 4 solidus of surplus each year, a good amount, but not enough if we are to build bigger stuff.

Having reviewed the military, do want to make any changes (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries), rolling a dice of 6 ?

Either way, regardless of the latter, who you would like to review next.
>Review Economy
>Review Diplomacy others

>>4341379
Sorry, for the last part was:

Having reviewed the ECONOMY, do want to make any changes (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries), rolling a dice of 6 ?

Either way, regardless of the latter, who you would like to review next.
>Review POLITICS
>Review Diplomacy others

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4341384
>improve technology for Agriculture

then

>Review Politics

>>4341386
+1

Nice rolls

>>4341386
Off to a strong start it looks
+1

>>4341386
Rolled 6 (1d6)
Deciding to improve the methods by which the Despotate grows food, you met with the biggest landowners in the country for a solution, and luckily for you, they agreed to help, in this case, rather than making slaves do hard labor all day in the field with their bare hands, they decided to invest into some actual tools like shovels and handcarts to improve production
>Agriculture, goes from type: Slave plantations (Production 1), to type: Improved Plantations (P 1.5), Profit from agriculture goes from 7 to 10.5
With the matters of the military and the economy all settled, you decided to go now in the realm of politics.
So far everything has been good though the nation, as compared with your cold-distant predecessor, you seem to be more well liked, maybe because you have been a decent ruler in these weeks. Either way, it’s important to keep a check on the various figures of the nation, and keep it’s newfound stability high.
>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
That said, corruption has always been an issue in the nation, and all effort to fight have been in vain so far, but maybe you can be more succesfull in this regard ?.
>Corruption: Medium-high. (eats 2 solidus each year)
Having reviewed the Politics, before we explore more of the diplomacy, do want to make any changes (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption), rolling a dice of 6 ?

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4341406
>Fight corruption
Hopefully I won’t disappoint

>>4341410
+1, not bad

>>4341410
+1

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>>4341410
Rolled 4(1d6)
Riding in your recent wave of popularity, you decided to introduce new laws making punishments harder for crimes such as tax evasion, which you managed to get approved without much trouble.
While the biggests offenders and those high up in the totem pole managed to simply avoid the punishment by the way of their usual tricks, those in the lower end of the pole and smaller offenders got what they deserved, making some small progress in your fight against corruption.
>Corruption goes from Medium-High (eats 2) to Medium (eats 1.5)
Moving on to diplomacy, aside from the tree claimants, there’s also three other minor nations that are of relevance to ourselves.
>The principiate of Illyria (green), Status: Friendly, is multiethnic nation that has been an historical ally of Laconia since times inmemorial, while our relationship suffered a bit during the Byzaian occupation, as we were forced to fight against them in many occasions, still our relationship towards seem to be still in the positive.
>The Boetian League (Grayish blue), Status: Neutral, is a league of city-states to our south, that are currently involved in the Byzaian War, fighting the Salonikans in the south, while we have no common grievances towars each other at the moment, we currently have a historical claim to the province of Euboeia bording us to the south.
>Finally, there’s the Tulinid Emirate across the sea in the north, (Green-Blue), Status: Unfriendly, a rich and cultured nation thanks to their Dyes and spices merchant ventures that follows a different religion that us, making relations awkward. In top of that however, the emirate has been rading our coasts for quite some time now, not to mention that they currently desire our province of Krita to further their hold over the sea, making relations even more tense than usual.

Having analized the situation, before we end the year, do you want to do anything related to diplomacy, (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.), with a dice of 6 ?

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4341466
>Improve relations (Boetian League)

Staying neutral probably means we should stay out of alliances for now, but let's improve relations with out neighbors.

>>4341471
Support

>>4341471
Deciding to improve relations with your southern neighbors, you sent one of your diplomats over to the boeotians to smooth over things, specially relating to the ongoing war and border conflicts.

At the end though, while you made some small progress with them, it wasn't as much as you wanted, given the still ongoing issues.

>Relationship with the Trakians goes from Neutral to slightly warm

And so, with that the year 1001 ends, and so your first year in power.

>>4341515
Sorry,
>Relationship with the BOEOTIANS goes from Neutral to slightly warm

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>>4341518
Either way, without much further ado.

YEAR 1002

After you first year in power, you a feeling that everything thus far has been great, however, given how much work you had to do, not to mention that your period of Honeymoon has ended, you have been feeling more tired than usual, and so, your advisors recomended to take it easy from now on. Regardless of that, there's still some work to do. So let's check what you can do in this year.

REVIEW
--MILITARY

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 6/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000
>Helotian slaves (Atk 2/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 5/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500

--ECONOMY

>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2
>Woodcutting, Size 2/9. type: Basic. profit: 2
>Yearly profit: 5.5 Solidus

--POLITICS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium (Eats 1.5)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly
>Boeotia: Slightly warm
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

( thank you guys for your support in this thread, i didn't thought that it was going to be this well, by the way, i need to take some sleep, so i'll see you guys in about 10 hours, see ya)

We should get all the gold

Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d6)

>>4341552
>Military action (Manufacture equip)
>develop other industries (pasture)

I just want our troops to have the best equipment ever! Also let's try developing another industry see how it works out.

Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d6)

>>4341552
>Economic action: develop woodcutting industry
>Diplomatic action: Set up trade with the Boeotian

I have a question QM. How do we decide which anon's policies are carried out? It seems a bit lackluster if it's just first come first serve. Maybe we can try doing a vote each time, and then the QM rolls for us?

>>4341613
Normal voting for each year sounds good for me.

Rolled 4, 1 = 5 (2d6)

>>4341552
I support this >>4341580

>>4341618
How will the rolls work with multiple people? Best of 3 or what?

>>4341645
Sorta yes i guess

Rolled 3, 6 = 9 (2d6)

>>4341580
+1, but no 1's rolled this time

>>4342075
Thanks for the decent roll, m8.

>>4341580
>>4341576
>>4341580
>>4342075
Alright, for rolls i suppose i will take the average of three, Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d6),Rolled 4, 1 = 5 (2d6) ,Rolled 3, 6 = 9 (2d6).

1+4+3 / 3 = 2.66 3
Deciding to develop the often neglected other sectors of the Despotate's economy, you ordered an increase in production from the sector as well as the creation of a new Noble forest in order to create more timber over time.

>Woodcutting increases size in 1, increases max size in 1

3+1+6 / 3 = 3.33 4
Following that, you then decided to set some trade relations with the Boeotians, sending a diplomat over there to see the negotiations. And luckily for you, they agreed without trouble.

>Relationship with the Boeotians goes from slightly warm to warm
>Trade set up with the Boeotians, generates 1.5 solidus of profit each year

>>4342126
Yay, we can afford our military now!

>>4342126
Are we creating a pool of solidus with our profits each year?

>>4342126
YEAR 1003

Following your second year in power, you feel a little more confident and experienced of what you used to be when you started, there's still some things you need to learn, but overall you're in a good position

REVIEW
--MILITARY

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 6/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000, upkeep 6
>Helotian slaves (Atk 2/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 5/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 1
>Yearly upkeep 7

--ECONOMY

>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3

--POLITICS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium (Eats 1.5)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5 ◘/y)
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

--OVERALL--
>Income 16
>Expenses 7
>Yearly profit 9

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

>>4342132
I'll include that in the third year

Rolled 6, 1 = 7 (2d6)

>>4342134
>Military action (improve tactics)
>Political action(fight corruption)

We should do military stuff every other years since we're going to be going for independence eventually. Also let's get corruption down it's taking as much as our trade deal makes

Rolled 1, 5 = 6 (2d6)

>>4342134
>Military action (Military academies training officers (tactics?)
>Economic action: (Roads)

Rolled 6, 3 = 9 (2d6)

>>4342141
+1

Rolled 1, 6 = 7 (2d6)

>>4342134
One of our territories is an island. Let us build a military fleet to get our men around. Furthermore, our Helotians should be given a real military purpose.

>Military Action (build fleet)
>Military Action (skirmisher training)

Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d6)

>>4342141
This one

>>4342134
Are you sure we should be doing average of 3 for rolls? It seems like we're just going to get 3's/4's every time like that.

>>4342172
Any other suggestions then ?

>>4342182
How about 6's and 1's count as positive and negative crits. So 6's stay locked in if someone rolls it, and 1's stay locked in if someone rolls it. It'll make stuff more spicy and make sure that we aren't just winning all the time.

>>4342186
Oh that's a good idea, adds risk to additional rolls. But what about for rolls that aren't 1 or 6? Are we sticking to average or going to best of, or maybe just first roll?

I'd say stick to averaging for rolls that aren't 1 or 6.

>>4342141
>>4342155
>>4342167
>>4342186
Ok, then.

Rolled a 1(2d6)
After all that your previous succeses in the job, you decided to try something that no other despot in Laconian history has ever tried, try to make our troops do something other than simply poke, shield, and advance.

Unfortunately for yuo however, traditions in the army are very strong, and to an obstanite degree, for when you tried to pitch your idea to the soldiers, they simply laughed at you out. Moreover, this incidents has only serve to reinforce such antiquate mentality among our comanders

>Laconian Citizen spearmen Tactics goes from 6 to 5

5+3+3 / 3 = 3.66 4
Luckily for you however, your efforts to improve the road infrastructure of the country have been much more positive, something that surely will pay itself of, in the near future.

New Building,
>Improved roads, (profit from trade +1)

>>4342217
YEAR 1004

While you had your first political defeat so far in your reign, you're still confident in your abilities to manage the realm, as this only serves as learning experience for you to learn from.
Moreover, with the new roads now built, you're starting to think about what other bulding projects you could make.

REVIEW
--MILITARY

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 5/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000, upkeep 6
>Helotian slaves (Atk 2/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 5/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 1
>Yearly upkeep 7

--ECONOMY

>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3

Buildings
> Improved roads ( +1 /y from trade)
> Palace of the despots (yearly upkeep 1 /y)

--POLITICS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium (Eats 1.5 /y)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5 /y)
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

--OVERALL--
>Income 16.5
>Expenses 8
>Yearly profit 8.5

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip/ Drill the troops)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries/ build something)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d6)

>>4342231

>Military Action (build fleet)
>Military Action (skirmisher training)

>>4342231
To buil buildings and train troops you're going to need a treasury, and luckily for you, Ben made the effort to stablish one for you.

Treasury: 30 Solidus in reserve

Rolled 3, 6 = 9 (2d6)

>>4342232
+1

>>4342237
lol I only roll 3's and 6's

Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d6)

>>4342232
+1

@QM, we should probably decide on actions and then roll for results - will slow things down, but will avoid us always having basically the same dice roll

>>4342255
How will it change anything?

>>4342232
5+3+4 /3 = 4
moving on from the land and into the sea, you decided to build a navy to protect the Laconian coasts from Tulunid raiders, overall, you spent 4◘ to build 4 dromons, with an yearly outkeep of 2◘

>New Unit, Dromon, (Light ship) (Atk 4/ Def 5/ Speed 5/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 4) Numbers: 4, upkeep 2

2+6+3 / 3 = 3
Following that, you decided that the Helotians,
should be given a real military purpose other than meatshields, and so, you spent a good part of the year, overseeing their training as skirmirshers

>Helotian slaves become Helotian Skirmirshers (Skir) (Atk 3/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 6/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 2

>>4342291
I doubt four ships can hold all 14.5k of our troops. What is their carrying capacity?

Also, how do we intend to deal with the Tulunid problem? I'm always open to a fight, but it may be best to wring some money out of them if we can.

>>4342291

YEAR 1005

As you move on with the next year of your rule, a frightening report comes right at your door, it appears that the Tulunids have decided to intensify their piracy actions agaisn't our costal settlements, making stopping them a goal in the future.

REVIEW
--MILITARY STATUS

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 5/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000, upkeep 6
>Helotian Skirmirshers (Skir) (Atk 3/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 6/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 2
>Dromon, (Light ship) (Atk 4/ Def 5/ Speed 5/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 4) Numbers: 4, upkeep 2
>Yearly upkeep 10

--ECONOMIC STATUS
---Industries
>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3

---Buildings
> Improved roads ( +1 ◘/y from trade)
> Palace of the despots (yearly upkeep 1 ◘/y)

--POLITICAL STATUS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium (Eats 1.5 ◘/y)
>Piracy & Banditry: Medium (Eats 1.5 ◘/y)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5 /y)
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

--OVERALL--
>Income 15
>Expenses 11
>Yearly profit 4
>Treasury 34.5◘

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip/ Drill the troops)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries/ build something)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption/ fight bandits)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d6)

>>4342300
Alright kids, let's get to fightan

>Military Action
Build more dromons.
>Diplomatic Action
Threaten war with the Tulunids unless piracy stops immediately.

>>4342309
+1 but not rolling because I like those rolls

How should we play this? Attack their mainland? Finish their pirate fleet first? Maybe hunker down in our settlements and wait for the invasion to come?

I get the feeling our soldiers do well on the defensive.

>>4342309
+1
Also not rolling because those are decent
>>4342334
They want our island with the glass furnaces so I say go on the defensive while hunting those pirates. We should also get trade relations with our green pals soon since they actually like us.

>>4342337
>>4342334
I feel like this could be good pretense for "establishing another base of operations" for "ensuring free trade" (Invading their territory). But since we don't have enough ships for transportation yet, yeah we just hunker down for now, but we should invest in our navy more going forward.

>>4342346
If we take the invasion to them, it should be in a province without a large town since we do not have siege weapons as of yet.

>>4342337
Krita island would be a good place to station our men.

>>4342353
Agreed, they only want that island so they have more control over the sea and we can’t let them.

Have to bail for a bit, but please have qm clarify the ships' troop capacity, and I would suggest building the fleet even more and maybe improving the skirmishers before setting off.

>>4342309
Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d6)

In anticipation of further Tulunid raids, you decided to continue building more Dromons to strenghen the Laconian Navy and to act as a deterrent to their ambitions,

>4 more Dromons built for a total of 8, unkeep changes duplicates from 2 to 4

Having built a decent navy, you then sent one of your diplomats to the Tulunids with a simple message, "Stop your raids or suffer the consequences".

In a surprise move for you, the Tulunids decided to comply, maybe because they were busy elsewhere, or maybe because they feared our new navy, either way, they decided to put at hold all "Official"raids, though those informal are still a bit of a problem.

>Piracy & Banditry goes from Medium (Eats 1.5 ◘/y) to Small (eats 0.5)

>>4342365
>>4342373

YEAR 1005

While you obtained a important diplomatic victory the previous year, there's no doubt that conflict with the Tulunids will eventually arise again some time in the future, only that this time it will result in war, so you must prepare in the meanwhile.

REVIEW
--MILITARY STATUS

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 5/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000, upkeep 6
>Helotian Skirmirshers (Skir) (Atk 3/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 6/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 2
>Dromon, (Light ship) (Atk 4/ Def 5/ Speed 5/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 4/ Carrying capacity 1,000 each) Numbers: 8, upkeep 4
>Yearly upkeep 12

--ECONOMIC STATUS
---Industries
>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3

---Buildings
> Improved roads ( +1 ◘/y from trade)
> Palace of the despots (yearly upkeep 1 ◘/y)

--POLITICAL STATUS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium (Eats 1.5 ◘/y)
>Piracy & Banditry: Small (Eats 0.5 ◘/y)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5 /y)
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

--OVERALL--
>Income 15.5
>Expenses 13
>Yearly profit 2.5
>Treasury 34.5◘

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip/ Drill the troops)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries/ build something)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption/ fight bandits)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

>>4342380
Sorry, i forgot to update the treasury
>Treasury 38.5◘

Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d6)

>>4342373
>stop raiding us
>ok
I believe it.
>>4342380
>Diplomatic action: set up a trade network between us, the Boeotia and Illyria
>Diplomatic action: Create a defensive alliance with the same guys.

>>4342383
OP, what is our carrying capacity with our light ships?
>>4342385
Gonna need help on this one, mostly on the defensive alliance part since it’s the most important.

Rolled 4, 1 = 5 (2d6)

>>4342380
>Economic action
Improve our dockyards, for the purpose of being able to create more ships faster, and also perhaps more efficiently (so it costs less and reduces their upkeep).

>Diplomatic action: set up a trade network between us and Illyria

>>4342388
QM specified carrying capacity in MILITARY STATUS, it is 1000 men per ship.

>>4342390
Oh shit I didn’t see that
That’s 8k so around half our army. Pretty good.

>>4342383
And also Year is 1006, sorry

>>4342389
Since you got a higher roll total, let's go with you.

Mainting a navy is an expensive affair, and with our current navy size, we're already dipping deep into our surplus income.
To fix that, you decided to invest some 5 solidus into some proper dockyards as opposed to the ad-hoc system you had before. At end of the day though, you were able to build something decent.

New Building,
>Improved dockyards, (Navy upkeep reduction -1)

Sadly though, your efforts to improve trade with your neighboors ended up in disaster after one of your diplomats sneezed in front of the prince's face.
While he didn't took this offense seriously, your assembly though, were a bit dissapointed at your choice of diplomat.

>Status: The Assembly goes from Content to Satisfied.

>>4342422
YEAR 1007

According to your spies in the Tulunid Capital, it's expected that whatever conflict they were into, will finish in about three years, allowing them to attack us once again.

REVIEW
--MILITARY STATUS

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 5/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000, upkeep 6
>Helotian Skirmirshers (Skir) (Atk 3/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 6/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 2◘
>Dromon, (Light ship) (Atk 4/ Def 5/ Speed 5/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 4/ Carrying capacity 1,000 each) Numbers: 8, upkeep 4◘
>Yearly upkeep 12◘

--ECONOMIC STATUS
---Industries
>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5◘/y
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2◘/y
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3◘/y

---Buildings
> Improved roads ( +1 ◘/y from trade)
> Palace of the despots (yearly upkeep 1 ◘/y)
>Improved dockyards, (Navy upkeep reduction -1)

--POLITICAL STATUS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium (Eats 1.5 ◘/y)
>Piracy & Banditry: Small (Eats 0.5 ◘/y)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5◘/y)
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

--OVERALL--
>Income 15.5◘
>Expenses 12◘
>Yearly profit 2.5◘
>Treasury 32◘

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip/ Drill the troops)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries/ build something)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption/ fight bandits)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

>>4342429
Sorry.
>The Assembly: SATISFIED
>Yearly profit 3.5◘

Rolled 4, 4 = 8 (2d6)

>>4342429
>Political action: fight corruption
>Diplomatic action: set up that trade agreement
I want that damn trade network

>>4342437
+1

>>4342429
Rolled 4, 4 = 8 (2d6)

Deciding to continue the ever present fight agaisn't the corruption that has been eating your income, you went to the assemby to proclaim new laws to closing up existing tax and legal loopholes, as well as enact a proper census of the land.
As always the biggest benefactors of corruption simply moved on to new tricks and methods to circumvent the law, but at the same time, they will have a harder time stealing public funds.
>Corruption goes from Medium (eats 1.5◘) to Medium-small (eats 1◘)

Moving on from internal politics, looks like this time you actually managed to set up that trade agreement with the illyrians that you always wanted.

>Trade set up with the Illyria, generates 1.5 solidus of profit each year

>>4342463
YEAR 1008
With the conflict with the Tulunids coming closer, it would be wise to prepare for it. But at the same time, you shouldn't neglet the economy of the despotate.

REVIEW
--MILITARY STATUS

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 5/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000, upkeep 6
>Helotian Skirmirshers (Skir) (Atk 3/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 6/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 2◘
>Dromon, (Light ship) (Atk 4/ Def 5/ Speed 5/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 4/ Carrying capacity 1,000 each) Numbers: 8, upkeep 4◘
>Yearly upkeep 12◘

--ECONOMIC STATUS
---Industries
>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5◘/y
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2◘/y
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3◘/y

---Buildings
> Improved roads ( +1 ◘/y from trade)
> Palace of the despots (yearly upkeep 1 ◘/y)
>Improved dockyards, (Navy upkeep reduction -1)

--POLITICAL STATUS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium-small (Eats 1 ◘/y)
>Piracy & Banditry: Small (Eats 0.5 ◘/y)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly, trading (1.5◘/y)
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5◘/y)
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

--OVERALL--
>Income 17.5◘
>Expenses 12◘
>Yearly profit 5.5◘
>Treasury 35◘

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip/ Drill the troops)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries/ build something)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption/ fight bandits)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d6)

>>4342470
>Military action: Build more ships, we need naval supremacy if we want a hope in the coming fight.

>Military action: Improve tactics. Seeing as directly telling them to change their ways won't work (at least not initially), we should look into more subtle ways to change the minds of the old guard.

Rolled 2, 4 = 6 (2d6)

>>4342481
support
those ships are gonna eat our income up

>>4342481
By the way, with our new dockyards, we can build now war galleys, (galley) Atk 3/ Def 2/ Speed 8/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 3/ Carrying capacity 500 each) upkeep 0.25 for each,

Do you want to continue building dromons, or do you want to build galleys, if so, how many

>>4342507
Can we have around 8 Galleys and 2 Dromons? That should be 3 Solidus

>>4342507
>>4342514
this, but

>>4342522
ignore the but, I was thinking of adding more but decided against it

>>4342514
Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d6)

Deciding to increase the navy even more, you ordered the construction of 2 more dromons as well as 8 war galleys to support them

In other news, you have decided to improve the tactics of the army somehow, which in this case, you manage to do by telling them to play team sports, as a way to learn how to fight both in group and as an unit

>Laconian Citizen spearmen Tactics goes from 5 to 6, attack goes from 7 to 8

>>4342533
YEAR 1009

In your ninth year in power, a troubling report report arrives at the capital from your spies, telling that the Tulunids have ended their internal struggles, and are now preparing their navy to continue the raids, you should use this year to finish preparations.

REVIEW
--MILITARY STATUS

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 5/ Equip 9) Numbers: 7000, upkeep 6
>Helotian Skirmirshers (Skir) (Atk 3/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 6/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 2◘
>Dromon, (Light ship) (Atk 4/ Def 5/ Speed 5/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 4/ Carrying capacity 1,000 each) Numbers: 10, upkeep 0.5 each, 5◘ total
>war galleys, (galley) Atk 3/ Def 2/ Speed 8/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 3/ Carrying capacity 500 each) numbers 8, upkeep 0.25 each, 2 total.
>Yearly upkeep 12◘

--ECONOMIC STATUS
---Industries
>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5◘/y
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2◘/y
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3◘/y

---Buildings
> Improved roads ( +1 ◘/y from trade)
> Palace of the despots (yearly upkeep 1 ◘/y)
>Improved dockyards, (Navy upkeep reduction -1)

--POLITICAL STATUS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium-small (Eats 1 ◘/y)
>Piracy & Banditry: Small (Eats 0.5 ◘/y)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly, trading (1.5◘/y)
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5◘/y)
>Tulunids: Unfriendly.

--OVERALL--
>Income 17.5◘
>Expenses 15◘
>Yearly profit 2.5◘
>Treasury 35◘

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip/ Drill the troops)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries/ build something)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption/ fight bandits)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d6)

>>4342546
>Military action: More drills for naval combat
>Diplomatic Action: Defensive Alliance with Illyria

Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d6)

>>4342546
>Military action: Create some better equipment for the skirmishers. If we expect them to be more than meatshields, they need to be armed to do their jobs.

>Economic action: Further improve dockyards. It's looking like our navy will be a significant drain on our funds going forward. We should further invest into expanding and improving our dockyards to reduce that burden as much as possible.

>>4342552
It seems I can only roll low

>>4342546
By the way, don't forget to update our Spearmen's Atk and Tactics

>>4342580
Sure

Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d6)

>>4342552
I support this.

>>4342546
Why didn't our treasury increase from last year?

>>4342552
>>4342553
2+5 / 2 = 3.5(3)

Having created a large navy to protect Laconia from those Tulunid Pirates, you decided to begin working on improving the quality and training of it's crew, since the Despotate it's still largely unused to naval warfare.

>Dromon Dicipline goes from 4 to 5
>War galley Discipline goes from 3 to 4

4+2 / 2 = 3

As the navy grows, so does the costs of mantaining and supplying it. For that reason, you decided to order the expansion of all local dockyards using 6 solidus, in order to maintanaince reduce costs.

>Docks go from Improved dockyards, (Navy upkeep reduction -1), to Expanded Dockyards, ( upkeep reduction -1.5)

File: Byzantines_repel_the_Russ(...).jpg (87 KB, 758x370)

87 KB JPG

>>4342707
YEAR 1010

At last though, after years preparing for the invation, the Tulunids have returned, and this time, it looks like it will not be a simple raid, but rather, an invation from the sea, as a large navy has been spotting sailing towards our lands.


Gathering yourself alongside Ben and the Despotate's generals in the Palace of the Despots, you began and discuss what should be the course of action.

>Option A) Meet their navy head on in the sea before they arrive. The more conventional option, this would involve sending our entire fleet to skin theirs before they can even reach our lands.

>Option B) Fortify and let them come to us. In this option we would play defensively, building various sea forts around our costal settlements, and save our navy for when we need it.

>Option C) Raid them back. The most daring option, this would involve sending our fleet towards the Tulunid Lands to raid them and give them a taste of their own medicine. Of course, this would put ourselves more vulnerable, but we may end the war quicker that way.

>>4342743
>Option B) Fortify and let them come to us. In this option we would play defensively, building various sea forts around our costal settlements, and save our navy for when we need it.

>>4342743
B

>>4342743
>Option B) Fortify and let them come to us. In this option we would play defensively, building various sea forts around our costal settlements, and save our navy for when we need it.

I'd love to sink them before they land, but we don't know how big/good their fleet is yet, we need more information.

>>4342766
According to recent developments, we have learned that the Tulunid Fleet in question outnumbers us, with the ratio being 3/4. However aditional information has revealed that they have a bigger Galley to Light ship ratio than us.

>>4342776
Then I don't know enough about naval combat mechanics to know if we have a stronger fleet or not, but it sounds even enough to be too risky for a head on engagement. We should look for engagements in our favor and/or to defeat them in detail.

>>4342776
Do we know anything about their army?

>>4342743
>Option B) Fortify and let them come to us. In this option we would play defensively, building various sea forts around our costal settlements, and save our navy for when we need it.

File: Byzaia.png (6 KB, 209x147)

6 KB PNG

>>4342747
>>4342753
>>4342766
>>4342963
Either way, after talking about it for hours, you and the assembly came to the conclution that it would be for the best to fortify and wait for them to come to us.

That said, in order to do that, we would have to build many coastal forts though the despotate as well as station our soldiers in key points, ready to respond no matter where the enemy lands.

This will be a challenging task, and given the little time we have avaiable, we must prioritize some provinces over the rest, but what should be it.

> A) Prioritize Krita, the island to our north, and a key naval base.

> B ) Prioritize Mystras, our capital, and the most suculent target for Tulunids.

> C) Prioritize Achaeia, where we grow most of our food, and relatively less defended than the other two.

>>4343005
> A) Prioritize Krita, the island to our north, and a key naval base.

If we're going to counterattack we're going to need the island. Also I think our land troops are strong enough to hold capital as it is, we more have to worry about their navy running amok.

>>4343005
> A) Prioritize Krita, the island to our north, and a key naval base.

>>4343011
Our capital has a castle anyways, right?

>>4343011
Support
>>4343005
Can we ask Illyria to look after our coasts near Achaeia? They are friendly to us and it won’t be too much of a hassle for them

>>4343017
Yes, but that's a land fort, we're talking about costal forts here

>>4343005
Krita

Do we know which of those provinces is the Tulunid capital?

>>4343035
Kidnap the Sultans children

>>4343045
Hostages are a thing, but I'd rather subdue them with mutually beneficial trade agreements and the wholesale of all their fighting men.

>>4343076
*wholesale slaughter

>>4343076
I think it'd be nice if we manage to disperse of a good portion of their fleet/army to counter attack and occupy/raid their coastal territories.

>>4343117
All but one of their territories seems to be coastal, and the one that isn't has a nice big river we can access. I don't want this to become a protracted conflict where our low numbers can hurt us. We should see off their attack and then go for the throat. The only worry I have is our lack of siege weaponry.

>>4343127
That's fair, then I say we occupy that territory to the right (>>4343005) with the farming that doesn't have a castle, then come to the table with peace talks.

>>4343128
That's the gamble. We can take an easy target like that and hope they give up when we dangle it in front of their faces, or we can try to take their capital straight away even though we don't have siege weapons. Either way, I want those brave enough to take up arms dead so that both the war and the piracy will stop.

>>4343134
I got an idea: we hire privateers. Can't raid us if your merchant vessels are being attacked by Jack Sparrow

>>4343141
Not all the pirates take their orders from the sultan, he just gives them let and hindrance. I doubt he can call them to arms or even stop them completely. I think we ought to create a situation where trade is more viable and profitable to those people than piracy, and the most lasting way to do that is to cull the men, especially the ones that are already armed.

>>4343011
>>4343017
Anyway, you decided to prioritize the defense of the island of Krita due to it's strategic importance as a naval base, building a couple of costal forts along it's shores, and transporting a good portion of the army there.

>Basic coastal forts built in Krita
>3000 spearmen and 5000 helotians available for the battle.

And it just so happens that your predictions were correct, for just a month after the preparations were ready, the Tulunids appeared on the horizon, with a fleet of about 10 galleys and 2 carrying about 12 000 soldiers.

With our navy close by, and our troops ready to defend, the question now is should at the moment, do we intercept the landing with our navy to sink their troops, or do we let them disermbark so that we can fight them and use the navy later to destroy their way of escape.

>Write in using a d100 roll

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>4343166
>We intercept the landing with our navy to sink their troops
Could ran them off before they even land. Also we could save our troops while they lose a good part of theirs.

>>4343166
Stats of the Tulinid navy

>War galley (galley) Atk 4/ Def 2/ Speed 7/ Tactics 4/ Discipline 4/ Carrying capacity 500 each) numbers 10
>Dhow (light ship) (Atk 3/ Def 6/ Speed 4/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 5/ Carrying capacity 1,000 each) Numbers: 2

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>4343168
support
>>4343170
Best of 3 or average for this one?

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>4343168
+1
dice gods answer my call

>>4343172
God damnit, every time

Pls stop with the bad rolls. Dice gods are hurting my soul

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>4343166
If most of what they've got are galleys, then we should intercept.

May the Sun's light guide these prows!

>>4343174
Oh no
>>4343177
Finally, a good roll

>>4343174
Have you read the premise for this quest? You're supposed to pray to the sun god, like >>4343177

>>4343168
Rolled 60 (1d100)
Let's take this one for now.

Deciding to intercept the Tulunid landing , you sent your entire navy towards theirs in a planned manouver.

As the enemie's navy is mostly consisted of wargalley, you didn't have trouble picking them off one by one with your own galleys, and with your relatively big dromons.

>Tulunid fleet loses 4 galleys, and 1000 troops, you lost 2 galleys, and got a dromon damaged.

That said, even with their loses, the evemy fleet still has plenty of ships, not to mention that they have their 2 dhows still intact, do we keep focusing on the galleys, or do we focus on getting rid of the dhow. If so, how ?.

>Write in using a d100 roll

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>4343187
Continue picking them apart with numbers, if we can avoid fighting the dhows while we have our full fighting strength all the better. Also retreat the damaged dromon.

>>4343187
Can I just support this >>4343190?

>>4343190
+1

>>4343190
+1

No one else roll please

>>4343190
+1
Praise Sol for this amazing roll

>>4343190
Rolled 95 (1d100)

In what can be only be described as an manouver worthy of legends, you continued beating up the Tulunid fleet with everything you got, sinking ship after ship, and not even letting the dhows get close to you. At the end of the day, though, most of the Tulunid fleet laid at the bottom of the sea.

>Tulunid fleet loses 6 galleys, 1 Dhow, and 5000 troops,
>You only lost 1 galley as well a getting another dromon damaged.

That said, despite the victory at sea, the remaining Dhow managed to escape from the scene alongside with whatever soldiers they could pick up.

Sneaking past way your ships, the lone managed to arrive barely scrapping by at the Kritan shore, disembarking 4000 tired and battered soldiers.

For once in their history, the Laconians now posess the numerical superiority, but that doens't mean that those soldier are going to give up now, to deal with them you have to options.

>A) send our mighty spearmen to crush them all at once.
>B) play it safe, and use the Helotians instead.

Roll 100 for either option

>>4343250
Tulunid raiding party.

>Misr spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 6/ Def 4/ Discipline 7/ Tactics 6/ Equip 4) Numbers: 2000
>Cyrene archers, (Arch) (Atk 5/ Def 3/ Discipline 6/ Tactics 6/ Equip 4) Numbers: 1000
>Desert horseman, (L.Cav) (Atk 6/ Def 3/ Discipline 4/ Tactics 7/ Equip 3) Numbers: 1000

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>4343250
>A) send our mighty spearmen to crush them all at once.
They are tired and weak, our footsoldiers are fresh and emboldened by our decisive victory at sea. Press the attack and give them no quarter!

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>4343250
>B) play it safe, and use the Helotians instead.
Let’s hope that training is put into good use.
Cmon Sol give me that good roll
>>4343262
These rolls

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>4343250
>Use the Helotians to form the center, the Spearmen forming the flanks so we can enclose on them

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>4343257
>B) play it safe, and use the Helotians instead.

They're skirmishers let's let them do their job and whittle down the enemy first

>>4343267
Praise Sol
QM bless us with this one

>>4343267
This

>>4343262
Rolled 33+69 /2 = 51(1d100)

Filled with battle euphoria, you sent the
Spearman charging head on towards the battered enemy, expecting a quick and easy victory. Unfortunately for you however, the Tulunid soldiers turned out to be more resistent than you expected, giving your spearman a good fight as they refused to give ground or retreat.

That said, despite this final act of bravery, at the end of the day though, all of them laid dead, maimed or captured, defeating the raiding party once an for all.

That said, during the struggle, one your spearman units collapsed during the human stampede.

>1 spearman unit lost.

>>4343267
>>4343279

Sorry, i didn't see that, by the way, i think that for the next battles, you should write him the options, and let me do the rollings, is that ok ?

>>4343279
How many are in a unit? I’m assuming 1000

>>4343283
No. How about we vote than roll

>>4343284
Yes

>>4343283
*Write in

>>4343257
We can win glory on their home soil. For now, let the slaves mop up these dregs. I support >>4343267

>>4343283
It would be quickest to vote on what we want to do, and then all roll. You could instate a minimum of three rolls and take the average instead of us all using one.

>>4343289
the fight is over I believe

>>4343295
Sounds good, i suppose

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984 KB JPG

>>4343279
>>4343279
Either way, with the battle won, and Krita secured, the Laconians are now in very different posititon than when the war started, as now, they are the lords of the sea, and the Tulunids have lost most of their tranports.

That said, the war continued, and surely enough, the Tulunids will build another fleet to invade us, and so, the question becomes now.

>A) Continue fortifying our lands, and prepare for the second fleet.

Or....

>B) Prepare our ships and soldiers to bring the war to them, and invade their lands.

or C) write him.

(well guys, it has been fun for today, but now i have to get some sleep, see ya in 12 hours )

>>4343335
>B) Prepare our ships and soldiers to bring the war to them, and invade their lands.
Operation kidnap the Sultans kids is soon

>>4343343
+1, they just suffered a crushing defeat and we lost very little relatively

>>4343335
>B) Prepare our ships and soldiers to bring the war to them, and invade their lands.

>>4343335
>B) Prepare our ships and soldiers to bring the war to them, and invade their lands.

Thank you qm. I knew building that fleet was a good idea.

To anyone that's left, where do we want to hit? Do you want to strike the middle province and split his territory in half? It doesn't seem to have a major fortification.

>>4343384
I say we go for the little island near the farm province, it can serve as our attack point and base of operations for the invasion.

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>>4343384
Actually it does have a castle in the middle province, I vote capture the right province without a fort and bring them to the negotiating table

>>4343393
>>4343395
I don't think the islands are separate from the mainland province, and it seems you'd both rather go there anyway. I'll agree to that, although there may be merit in taking their sea port now that I think of it. It won't be as well defended as their capital, hopefully, but is still valuable enough to pressure the sultan in negotiations.

>>4343395
Support
Yoink the farm land and bring him to the negotiation table. After the war let’s take that small island near the farming province to secure our sea supremacy.

>>4343335
>>B) Prepare our ships and soldiers to bring the war to them, and invade their lands.

Do we know anything of the Tulanid's own alliances? Who would support them, who would be willing to look the other way or help us jump them?

I agree that the island near the farm province (and the farm province itself, perhaps) would be a good permanent seizure, but perhaps before that we should use our victorious forces and sack their port - we don't want them quickly rebuilding their fleet, after all.

>>4343343
>>4343351
>>4343357

YEAR 1011

After defending yourself from the Tulunid raiders, you decided that it was time to bring the war to them, and so, you began to prepare the invation effort.

That said, before we go, we should give a review of our current situation, so that we can make the proper preparations.

REVIEW
--MILITARY STATUS

>Laconian Citizen spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 7/ Def 9/ Discipline 9/ Tactics 5/ Equip 9) Numbers: 6000, upkeep 5◘
>Helotian Skirmirshers (Skir) (Atk 3/Def 4/Discipline 3/Tactics 6/ Equip 1) Numbers 7500, upkeep 2◘
>Dromon, (Light ship) (Atk 4/ Def 5/ Speed 5/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 4/ Carrying capacity 1,000 each) Numbers: 8 complete, 2 damaged, upkeep 0.5 each, 5◘ total
>War galleys, (galley) Atk 3/ Def 2/ Speed 8/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 3/ Carrying capacity 500 each) numbers 5, upkeep 0.25 each, 1.25◘ total.
>Yearly upkeep 13.25◘

--ECONOMIC STATUS
---Industries
>Agriculture, Size: 7/10, type: Improved plantations, profit :10.5◘/y
>Fishing, Size 2/8, type: Basic, profit: 2◘/y
>Woodcutting, Size 3/10. type: Basic. profit: 3◘/y

---Buildings
> Improved roads ( +1 ◘/y from trade)
> Palace of the despots (yearly upkeep 1 ◘/y)
> Improved dockyards, (Navy upkeep reduction -2◘)
>Kritan costal forts (Yearly upkeep 0.25◘/y)

--POLITICAL STATUS

>Stability: High
>The Assembly: Content
>Your Co-despot: Satisfied
>Corruption: Medium-small (Eats 1 ◘/y)
>Piracy & Banditry: Small (Eats 0.5 ◘/y)

--DIPLOMACY - STATUS

>Salonika: Cold
>Trakians: Ambivalent
>Pontus: Neutral
>Illyria: Friendly, trading (1.5◘/y)
>Boeotia: Warm, trading (1.5◘/y)
>Tulunids: Hostile, at war

--OVERALL--
>Income 17.5◘
>Expenses 12.5◘
>Yearly profit 5◘
>Treasury 30◘

Having review the situation for the current year, it's time for you to chose TWO actions to take during the year, rolling a dice of 6 for each.

>Military action: (train troops/ improve tactics/ manufacture equip/ Drill the troops)
>Economic action: (Upscale production/ improve techonology/ develop other industries/ build something)
>Political action: (Improve relations/ make new policies/ fight corruption/ fight bandits)
>Diplomatic action: (offer an alliance, Threaten War, Improve relations, ect.)

Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d6)

>>4344164
>Military action (Build more Dromons)
>Military action (Construct siege equipment)

Sun god aid my rolls!

>>4344170
You got my support

>>4344170
Wasn't the plan to attack the right territory with no fortifications? Why would we need siege equipment?

>>4344180
The plan may be to attack the territory with no fortifications but I think it's important to have siege equipment anyways. We might need to siege Tulunid forts or atleast put pressure on Tulunid forts to get them to surrender. Also having siege equipment is just in general a good thing.

>>4344184
The city in that province might have some fortified points that would just be easier to take with the siege equipment

>>4344170
Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d6)
Alright then

As you prepared your troops and ships for what it was to be the first experience Laconians ever had with naval invations, you knew that to pull that off, you would have to construct more ships to transport your troops, and fight back any remaining Tulunid fleet.

>2 more Dromons built for a total of 10, unkeep changes duplicates from 5 to 6

In adition to that, you decided to build to some battering rams to take down any enemy fortifications along the way.

> 3 Battering rams (Atk 10/ Def 3/ Discipline 7/ Tactics 3/ Equip 5/ Speed 2) built. Upkeep 1◘

>>4344200
With all preparations set, now all that remained to do was to decide where should we make the invation effort, for there's a multitude of potential targets, each with their own benefits and risks.

> 1), Cyrene and it's surrounding islands, the granary of the Tulunid emirate with it's fertile soil, and the least defended province of the three, while capturing the place would be an easy task, the sheer size of the place would mean that our troop would have to spend more time securing it, potentially allowing the Tulunids some time to reorganize.

>2) Matras, a rich city thanks to their dye manufacturies, capturing the city not only would grant us the resource, but it would allow us to split the emirate in half, dividing their forces. That said, Matras has a fort, meaning that capturing it to begin with wouldn't be easy.

>3) Tuludia itself, the capital of the emirate, and another rich target due to it's position as an end node for the Spice belt, in adition to that, capturing the capital would allow us to end the war much quicker. That said, it should be expected that such important place will the most difficult to capture, as surely the Tulunids will pour everything they have into it's defense.

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>>4344215

>>4344215
> 1), Cyrene and it's surrounding islands, the granary of the Tulunid emirate with it's fertile soil, and the least defended province of the three, while capturing the place would be an easy task, the sheer size of the place would mean that our troop would have to spend more time securing it, potentially allowing the Tulunids some time to reorganize.
Can we attempt to trick the Sultanate into thinking we are attacking the Capital?

>>4344215
> 1), Cyrene and it's surrounding islands, the granary of the Tulunid emirate with it's fertile soil, and the least defended province of the three, while capturing the place would be an easy task, the sheer size of the place would mean that our troop would have to spend more time securing it, potentially allowing the Tulunids some time to reorganize.

>>4344215
> 1), Cyrene and it's surrounding islands, the granary of the Tulunid emirate with it's fertile soil, and the least defended province of the three, while capturing the place would be an easy task, the sheer size of the place would mean that our troop would have to spend more time securing it, potentially allowing the Tulunids some time to reorganize.

>>4344218
We are too proud for tricks at least while we're still winning.

>>4344218
>>4344224
>>4344232

Having thinking about it for a while, you eventually decided that Cyrene would the target for our naval invation. Gathering all posible troops for the effort, you amass quite the respectable force.

>3000 spearmen, 6000 helotians, and 3 battering rams available for the battle.
> 8 dromons and 5 galleys availble for the battle.

Either way, a few months of preparations late, you and your troops finally arrive at the desertic yet lush coasts of Cyrene. At first glance, there's no visible navy or army in the nearby, nor any sort of major fortifications beyond the city wall. That said, the climate has been quite cloudy today, and it looks like it' going to rain soon, do we press on with everything we have right now, or not.

>Write in using a d100,

>>4344309
How does the terrain look? Are there ample spots for ambush (like with hills, tall grass, etc.)?

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>4344309
>Start the landings and set up a fortified position to outlast the rain
My bet is that they are gonna try to repel us back to the ocean

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>4344309
Strike up the camp, we're in no hurry.

>>4344324
supporting

>>4344324
Rolled 80 (1d100)

Deciding to make the landings before the rain began, you sent your fleet towards the cyrenian coast, just outside of the city, and luckily for you, it all went well, as your ship were able to disembark the soldiers and the siege equipment without much trouble.

Following the landings, you inmediately ordered your troops to build some camps to rest for the night, as well to prepare the rams for tomorrow's assault.

After a good night of rest, you began to plan with your comanders the how you should execute the siege. The city walls are everything that the city has for defense, and
they aren't too big to begin with. That said, the garrison inside isn't something you should ignore, for as small as it is.

Should you siege the city now, or should you starve them to death by capturing the fields and blocking the ports ?.

>Write in using a d100

>>4344357
Cyrene City Garrison
>Cyrene archers, (Arch) (Atk 5/ Def 3/ Discipline 6/ Tactics 6/ Equip 4) Numbers: 2000
>Tulunid City guard, (inf) (Atk 3/ Def 6/ Discipline 4/ Tactics 6/ Equip 5) Numbers: 2000

>>4344357
>Capture the fields and ports
>Ask for a complete surrender in exchange for good treatment and us not starving them

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>4344362
supporting with a +1 and a roll

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>4344362
Forgot to roll
Cmon Sol give me some luck

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>4344357
Surround them. We're in no hurry.

>>4344362
>>4344363
>>4344364
64 + 92 /2 = 77

Deciding that wasting the precious lives of your soldiers sieging a minor city, you decided to instead, send them to take the surrounding fields and farms around the city, as well sending your ship to block their ports in order to starve them into submission.

Surely enough, after some two months of siege, the city eventually ran out of food, and were forced to surrender to us peacefully.

>Tulunid City garrison surrenders without blooshed.
>Cyrene captured

Thats said, it appears that Tulunids weren't sitting idly during the time we spent securing the countryside of the province and sieging the city, for reports in the distance speak now of a large 15,000 men strong army moving in the distance towards us, making a battle with them inavoidable, the question being now, do we met them in the fields ?, or do we fortify inside the city and let them come to us.

>Write in using a d100

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>4344408
>fortify inside the city
Our boys are more defence based

>>4344410
+1
>>4344408
Since we needed to blockade the ports to prevent food from coming in, does this mean that we can resupply the city through the port?

>>4344408
Also, could you answer >>4344316?

If this is the case we might be able to harrass them on their way in.

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>4344408
Let them besiege their own city. May the Sun burn out their eyes.

>>4344421
>>4344374
>>4344328
In the future, could you please abstain from rolling in support of a roll that already has a decent roll?

>>4344416
>>4344419

Yes, but how sucessful is the suplying effort depends on the roll

>>4344427
Ok, did the reports include any cavalry, or is it exclusively infantry?

>>4344427
The terrain is mostly flat and semiarid with the ocassional lush green areas, not much cover though

>>4344430
Tulunid relief army

>Cyrene archers, (Arch) (Atk 5/ Def 3/ Discipline 6/ Tactics 6/ Equip 4) Numbers: 4000
>Misr spearmen, (Inf) (Atk 6/ Def 4/ Discipline 7/ Tactics 6/ Equip 4) Numbers: 3000
>Desert horseman, (L.Cav) (Atk 6/ Def 3/ Discipline 4/ Tactics 7/ Equip 3) Numbers: 3000
>Camel riders, (L.cav) ( Atk 5/ def 5/ discipline 3/ tactics 8/ equip 3) numbers 3000
>Amazigh skirmirshers, (skir) ( Atk 5/ def 4/ discipline 5/ tactics 6/ equip 3) numbers 3000

>>4344423
I was under the impression that we were going to start using minimum rolls and averages during battles.

>>4344453
I'm under the impression that we're using averages for everything. That's why when we roll high we have people saying "please no one else roll".

>>4344410
Anyway
Rolled 59 d100

Since the Tulunid army was too big as to take them head on with our troops, you gave the order to strip the surrounding lands bare of food, and fortify inside the city.

As expected, the Tulunids began sieging the city, but thanks to our access to the sea, and the food we stockpiled, we shouldn't have problems lasting inside.

That said, one month later, after getting tired of sieging a city that will never run out of food, the Tulunids decided to send their new navy to blockade us.

Stats of the Tulinid navy

>War galley (galley) Atk 4/ Def 2/ Speed 7/ Tactics 4/ Discipline 4/ Carrying capacity 500 each) numbers 7
>Dhow (light ship) (Atk 3/ Def 6/ Speed 4/ Tactics 5/ Discipline 5/ Carrying capacity 1,000 each) Numbers: 5

We have equal numbers in ships and still the advantage of having the more bigger ships, but it looks like things wont go so
Easy as the last time.


>Write in using a d100 for the course of action

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>4344524
Double attack. Our army attacks theirs, our navy attacks theirs.

Also, are we using minimum rolls?

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>4344535
Why would we sally out of our defenses into greater numbers? Seems like a poor idea.
>>4344524
Maintain our position inside the walls with ground forces, make them come to us.
On the sea, focus on destroying the Galleys first while avoiding the Dhows using our superior speed. Once they are taken care of, the Dhows will be easy prey.

>>4344537
oh vey

>>4344537
Supporting this

>>4344537
Rolled 99 (1d100)

Feeling confident after your recent victories both at land and at sea, you ordered your fleet to intercept the Tulunid one with all of their strenght.

Just like the battle at Krita, you focused your efforts into using the superior velocity of your Galleys to divide the Tulunid fleet with great manouvers, and follow up by destroying each of their ships one by one using your dromons.

At the end of the day, almost all of the Tulunid ships laid at the bottom of the sea, with only an scant few managing to retreat away, all with minimal losses in your side.

>Tulunid fleet loses 6 galleys, 4 dhows
> you lost 1 galley.

Moreover, thanks to the recent victories at sea, the ability of the Laconians in the arts of naval warfare have increased, from an unknown field to them, they are now quite the experts at it.

>Dromon tactics goes from 5 to 6
>War galley tactics goes from 6 to 7

>>4344623
With another Tulunid fleet almost completely destroyed, their ability to project power at sea, has been seriously damaged, limiting them to only land operations for now.

With that said, following our victory at sea, our ability to supply our troops inside cyrene has been become unbroken, allowing us to stay indefinitely well fed inside the city for as long as we want.

Hearing news of the disaster at sea, the Tulunid comander of the sieging army, furious, gave the orders to prepare for a full assault of the city, set to tomorrow morning.

Having heard of this through our scouts, some comanders have suggested that we could raid them at night while they're sleeping, while others call this a risky move, given our inexperience with night combat, and prefer that we should prepare our defenses for the siege.

>Write in using a d100

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>4344630
No need to be making risky moves, they are desperate. Let them throw themselves upon their own walls.

>>4344633
LMAO ok or not, my rolls are something else today

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>4344630
Let’s do this raid to anger them even more

>>4344633
Rolled 1 (1d100)

While you and your commander were discussing about the plan of action, a troubling report comes in as one of your soldiers enter into your tent gasping for breath.

>"They are attacking us right now sir", the soldier says before collapsing in the floor.

Indeep it appears that the scout you sent was fed false information, and now, you find yourselves about to be attacked by the Tulunids with your pants down.

>"Don't worry my despot i'll take care of this", one of your comanders said, before leaving the tent and rallying up his unit.

Before you could even say anything, the man proceeds to lead 1000 brave laconians towards the city door and into the mass of enemy soldiers.

What follows is nothing but the stuff of true legends, as the man and his soldier bear the full front of the Tulunid attack with all of their couraage, teither taking an step back, nor breaking formation.

> 1000 Laconians are lost, but you gain some much needed time.

It was then that you realized that this man sacrificed himself and his unit to buy you time to reorganize the defense of the city, and sol itself you will.

>Write in using a d100 for the next course of action