NationStates Jolt Archive

http://usera.imagecave.com/Daishi/Daishi3/BT.JPG

The mystical Alps loomed before General Marcus Percivus and his Legion. Their snow covered peaks and howling winds could not keep the Empire from bringing them into the fold. After weeks of deliberation the Council had decided that 1 full Legion should be sufficient enough to take control of the Wealthy lands beyond the mountains. They had spent the past to days packing supplies and marching slowly to the borders, and now they had reach the base of the Alps. Ahead of them lay a treacherous journy, but bountiful rewards. Marcus had decided that because there was little worth taking in the southern section as far as Cities go, he would split his Legion up into its 10 Cohorts all along the border. once they crossed the Alps, they would make a mad dash to gain territory quickly until they encountered the Local Population. Then they would begin to spread the influence of their might and the word of their gods. Marcus had received word that Another Faction, known as the Tanthans, had begun emigrating to the Eastern part of the country. Perhaps they could find some of the Tanthans and bring about a Trade agreement of some sorts...

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Meanwhile farther to the East, general Scipilus Armenial was rallying his own Legion who was to embark on the occupation of Slovenia. The unclaimed territoy would provide a stable launching ground for the Empire to expand farther east. The Council had agreed that a full Legion was more then enough to bring the entire Country into the Empire, as well as occupy it and garrison the Cities. Scipilus was more then eager to prove his worth to the Empire by doing this. Behind him his legion marched in unison as they crossed over the border...

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Word from vernturing merchants and people from the edge of Tanthan soon reached the leaders of the tribes. Word of the much larger state of Blacktower and its preparations for taking control of Switzerland and Slovenia, which were already in the late stages of planning.

"I, Julies Fagast, will attempt talk with the leaders of Blacktower. Julies Fagast wants the best for Tanthan. Julies Fagast will get the best for Tanthan. Julies Fagast now demands a horsed legion to quickly establish a border to prevent Blacktower expansion should they attack it will be war."

Julies Fagast leader of the southern tribe is very simplicistic and demanding, the population under his control is around 60% of the entire population of Tanthan. The southern tribe is extremely militaristic and economically driven, preferring to make a killing or an economic killing by any means possible. Though referring to himself in the third person he is not as unusual as the leader of the western tribe with his "spppech imperradment".

Word from vernturing merchants and people from the edge of Tanthan soon reached the leaders of the tribes. Word of the much larger state of Blacktower and its preparations for taking control of Switzerland and Slovenia, which were already in the late stages of planning.

"I, Julies Fagast, will attempt talk with the leaders of Blacktower. Julies Fagast wants the best for Tanthan. Julies Fagast will get the best for Tanthan. Julies Fagast now demands a horsed legion to quickly establish a border to prevent Blacktower expansion should they attack it will be war."

Julies Fagast leader of the southern tribe is very simplicistic and demanding, the population under his control is around 60% of the entire population of Tanthan. The southern tribe is extremely militaristic and economically driven, preferring to make a killing or an economic killing by any means possible. Though referring to himself in the third person he is not as unusual as the leader of the western tribe with his "spppech imperradment".


[ooc: let me know where abouts on the map you want to meet]

OOC: OK editting maps and posting them.

OOC: Tripod is against off-site linking so you have to put them in the browser to work.

http://vivisan.tripod.com/map1.gif
http://vivisan.tripod.com/map2.gif

The fastly dispatched group of 2 legions to control each side. 4800 horse riding soldiers rapidly set out in groups to patrol areas up to a mile apart. Each armed with a standard spear and a horn to signal if they spot Blacktower forces moving up. The mission was to not control the whole country by sweeping through it, but to make a line a very small one at that, to map out the terriority which they claimed.

Slovenia which had access to the Mediterrianean Sea was a priority and an entire legion was to protect that area first. Tanthan had no direct access to the sea and wished to grab the land to ensure it would be theirs.

OOC: Tripod is against off-site linking so you have to put them in the browser to work.

http://vivisan.tripod.com/map1.gif
http://vivisan.tripod.com/map2.gif

The fastly dispatched group of 2 legions to control each side. 4800 horse riding soldiers rapidly set out in groups to patrol areas up to a mile apart. Each armed with a standard spear and a horn to signal if they spot Blacktower forces moving up. The mission was to not control the whole country by sweeping through it, but to make a line a very small one at that, to map out the terriority which they claimed.

Slovenia which had access to the Mediterrianean Sea was a priority and an entire legion was to protect that area first. Tanthan had no direct access to the sea and wished to grab the land to ensure it would be theirs.

(ooc: ok, so your men are spread along hundreds of miles in a straight line to intercept me? If Im wrong please correct me)

The bitterness of the Alps was behind him. They had spent weeks traveling through the rocky passes and Craigs, suffering a few casualties along the way to Frostbite and other Natural Dangers. Now in the foothills North of the Alps, The Cohorts began their Mad dash for land. The proceeded straight ahead in a Northernly direction, and would continue on until they reached Civilization.

about a day into their Journy, a scout returned from his tour and reported to Marcus that there were Tanthan troops beyond the horizon. Mounted barbarians who no doubt wanted to claim this land for their own. Marcus imediatley ordered a halt of all the Cohorts, sending messengers at full speed to the rest of them informing the Commanders of the stop. They were to regroup and form en-mass back into a full Legion. Should these barbarian hords want a fight over the territory, the Legions of Blacktower would be more then glad to give them one. According to the Scout, the ammount of Enemy forces was far to many to be on peaceful terms.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Daishi/Daishi3/sz-map1.bmp.jpg

farther East....

General Scipilus rode at the head of the Legion. The Great Standards of Blacktower flying proudly from the Flag bearers who followed him signaled to everyone within the Horizon that Behind him lay an Army of the Legendary Strength and Quality. His Scouts had spotted a few Tanthan Horsemen ahead, they appeared to be in some loose for of a line.

"It will be difficult to come to terms with these barbarians" He muttered under his breath as they rode on. His short White hair gave the illusion that he was much older, but it was premature. Scipilus was only 18, but for such a young man he commanded great respect from his People. Should anything arise in Conflict, his soldiers would fight to the death for him.

"Gods would tell tales of his Valor should he fall in battle" was one of the common sayings in his Legion.

"Send a rider forth to see if we can find out who runs this group of Riders. I wish to ovoid conflict if possible, but if need be we shall send their heads back to Blacktower in baskets.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Daishi/Daishi3/si-map1.bmp.jpg

OOC: Blacktower check the second map again, you over run my line and the entire legion that is trying to block your advancement around 80% of the shoreline.

The Switzerland line that Tanthan had put out moved towards Blacktower's forces when they saw a messganger coming towards them. 20 of the near-by forces moved forward to within 300 ft of Blacktowers forces. All at once they dropped the spears on the ground and got off their wild horses. Removing some of the armor plating to expose there human faces and show that they were peaceful.

One of the men was a leader of the group, a centurion if he was a Roman. He moved towards Blacktower's forces and spoke the same language, even though his accent was a little heavier because of the culture.

"Who art thou? Why does thou come from the south? Southern Tanthan have chosen the land of Switzerland for its expansion. Be you friendly or enemies of us?"
---------------------Mean while in Slovenia------------------------
Upon seeing the messenger and the forces down below them the call came and suddenly and a century of horse-riding pikemen and soldiers formed a closely grouped box and moved down towards the Blacktower forces. Also dropping weapons and removing armor to show they meant no harm the centurion from the group stepped forward. He began to speak clearly and proudly.

"Ah yes, thou comes from Blacktower. Twas expecting thou's arrival. Trust ye had a easy journey through thy Alps? They remind us of our home. However why doth ye come here?"

The legion from the area began to show. Since the distance they were apart every thirty minutes or so a few tent groups would arrive and further show that there was more them just a few soldiers protecting the lands. Horse riding forces however ran up and down the hillsides on the edge of view, sometimes a full century would run over a hill followed by another century. To the soldiers below it must have looked like entire legions where advancing in a straight line right over the hill and that these riders were only scouts mapping out the terrain and paths across in which they can travel in a foriegn land. When in reality it was just a century that was nearby that was going up and down over the hill, constantly switching positions of soldiers and formations to appear larger to the nearly sixty times larger force they would be up against. Also to give diplomatic strength because if entire legions were within sight and were on horseback their would be no escape from the fast moving pikemen which can charge and rundown soldiers on the ground trying to flee.

(OOC: Its a bluff to prevent you from attacking and breaking the line. Which is infact very thin and is being supplied through that line.)

(ooc: sorry about that, Ive edited them. I seen your map once, then when i tried to see it again it wouldn't load, so I just guessed where your line was. It should be ok now :D )

The Last two Cohorts of the Entire Legion were just coming up over the hills now, the rest had fallen into place near General Marcus. If things were going to get messy hear, then he wanted his entire Army at his back. he had heard tales of these barbarian Hords and there feral Rage. The Horsemen had begun moving closer to the troops at a slow pace, and appeared to be peaceful for the time being. When they were about 300 feet away they stopped and dismounted and began to remove their weapons and peices of armor.

"This is an odd practice" Marcus said to a member of his escort.

"Yes My General, it is indeed. These Savages need to learn the civilized ways of Blacktower." He replied through a full Helm.

"They woud make superb Gladiators, dont you think?" Joked Marcus as he began to ride out towards the group.

"Yes My General they would" replied the same man as he and the rest of the Escort rode out behind him.

one of the Barbarians had walked out ahead of the res of the group. No weapons and little armor remaining, his face was painted in Bright Greens and Reds, giving him a frightening appearance.

"Scare Tactics" Marcus Thought. He had heard that the barbarians would often paint their faces to inflict fear on there enemies and friends alike, and when in battle would often release Hellish screams that would send shivers down the spines of even the greatest men. "Face paint will not defeat Blacktower, and the Screaming shall come after we have overrun them, not before."

"Who art thou? Why does thou come from the south? Southern Tanthan have chosen the land of Switzerland for its expansion. Be you friendly or enemies of us?" pronounced the Blue and Red faced Hulk of a man as he walked towards Marcus and his Followers.

Marcus was suprised at the sophistication this man appeared to have. The fact that he could speak the language was astounding. perhaps he was an outcast form one of the Border provinces. He gave a small signal to his Translator and the man turned around returning to the Main body of the Army.

"I am Marcus Percivus, General of the Northern Legion of Blacktower. The Empire has deemed these lands to come under the control of the Empire. Wether we be friends or Enemies depends on your actions here today. We do not wish to wage a war against your small group, so order those coming over the hills to lay down your arms and we shall discuss this in a more civilized manner."

"Nay" replied the Man. "We shall not lay down our arms yet until we know of your intentions. And we shall conduct our business here on the Fields, not in one of your... Tents..." The Blue paint gave his face a Dragon like appearance.

"Very well then" replied Marcus. It was important when creating Diplomatic relations to make the Foe seem as if he has the upper hand. His scouts had told him that there were not many Horsemen in the area, maybe a few hundred at the most. His Archers would mow them down before they even reached his first lines of Spearmen. However If bloodshed could be avoided it would be for the best. "Our Empire is expanding at such a tremendous Rate. our population is booming and our need for expansion grows with every passing day. Tell me, are you the leader of this "Southern Tanthan" or is there someone above you whom I must discuss Treaty with?"

Meanwhile in Slovenia.....

The Messenger rode forth with the Standards of Blacktower flying high above him on a thin pole. The Large group of Barbarian Horsemen began to lower their weapons and armor as he approached.

"Ah yes, thou comes from Blacktower. Twas expecting thou's arrival. Trust ye had a easy journey through thy Alps? They remind us of our home. However why doth ye come here?" Asked a man who appeared to be the leader of the group.

"Aye" replied the messenger. "The Great General Scipilus Armenial wishes to have a meeting with whoever is in charge here in regards to the control of this land. Please follow me and I shall escort you to his Personal Tent. Your men shall be looked after and your horses Fed and Watered.

Meanwhile farther up the hill at the Awaiting Legionary encampment...

General Scipilus looked far down the hill to the meeting between the messenger and the Horsemen. Soon before he had arived they looked as though they were removing their Armor and Weapons.

"Are they surrendering?" He wondered. These foreign peoples had such odd practices, he would have to be sure and hire a writer to tell tales of these men. He had heard the stories back in Rome of their Feircness in battle, their painted faces and their screaching warcries. This would be the first time he ahd ever seen one face to face. That is of course, if they would accept his offer to meet...

When he looked off in the distance he could see numerous groups of Horsemen forming. There appeared to be many more then his scouts had told him...

[EDIT: added last little paragraph for tension :p ]

In Switzerland...

The centurion paused for a moment and crossed his arms, he thought very deeply, for around 5 minutes. He seemed almost as a statue, deep in thought, unaware of the people before him ideas surged, his eyes began to move almost like they were twitching, it was odd, but it seemed as if he was doing a weird form of geographical and mathematical calculations in his head. When he finally spoke it was with the form of a speech though there was no sign memorization. His accent was completely gone and was suited to more that of Blacktower's soldiers speech.

"Our leader has deemed that this land be controlled by Tanthan for economic and militaristic stability within our tribe. He has dispatched 4 legions of horsed units. The legion is of the first of many to come through here, your unusual haste about moving in prompted his quick action. As we speak more then two hundred thousand farmers, soldiers and merchants make their way to expand across this land. Our rapidly growing population of over seventy thousand people a year has caused an economic boom and spurred the wheels of conquest and technology in solution to our current predictament.

Our leader in the Southern Tanthan, one of our five tribes is the most corrupt and fearless of the five. Though you may consider him a barbaric leader he is not infact the real one who trained us. The legions dispatched came from the East and West Tanthan, we came from the West Tanthan tribe. Few people in our tribes of over million people actually care for the leader of Southern Tanthan. I don't want to take orders from that pig anymore, the senior centurion wants to make a little offering of peace about Switzerland..."

He bent down to the ground and drew in the dirt a pretty accurate map of Switzerland from which the explorers had made. Drawing lines of the legions and the presumed expansion of the settlers. Showing the rate of presumed occupation of the land he showed that a portion of relatively one-forth of west Switzerland would come under Blacktower's control as they made new line.

"Here this is against orders, the legions were supposed to come in flank your forces and murder everyone if you attempted to get past us. I am no servant of that horrible leader of the tribe in the south. Let's make a line so that we don't get caught disobeying orders and you can maximize your control of Switzerland. Which is around a quarter of the land. Please don't consider attacking us, as of now the East, West, North and Central Tanthan tribes have prepared individual legions of around 20-30 of mixed units. Since our borders are touching attacking us would lead a drive of up to 30 legions into your heartland, if a messenger like me does not report to the leader every moon he will ralley and force the conquest of Blacktower. To avoid conflict we wish to open Switzerland as a spot for both nations to florish and have economic trading, I am sure you know of the rumors of our merchants, paying outlandish prices for things like olive oil, stone, and even sand. Either way you will have a nice new market for your goods and a nice chunk of land for expansion along with other Tanthan people to teach your people how to survive in the mountains, defend them and grow vast fields of food that stretch for miles and can all be harvested several times with no waste before the freezing winter. Are you interested in acquiring so much with no bloodshed or hassle? We are only barbarians in war, not in diplomatic concerns."

The messenger stood there waiting the reply of Blacktower's forces, noticing the lavish colors and style in which the soldiers were wearing. Such wealth and power along with pride must have lead them to believe they were supierior in everyway, appealing to the concerns of such an empire was easy and simple. Economic growth and the promise of higher productivity for farms with large amounts of land for no cost were easy to accept.

In Slovenia...

The centurion also suddenly switched to the style of speech of Blacktower's messenger.

"Consider me as leader of the forces, I speak for the leader of the legions to the west and north. Though I must refuse your kind offer, our men do not take such luxuries out of fear of becoming lazy or dependant on anyone, but themselves."

He looked to the south, and continued.

"May I speak with your general? I am unarmed as you see and pose no threat, I wish to discuss terms in which we can provide for a slightly unusual control system of this land."

The centurion was going to push for a control of the shoreline to expand all of Tanthan's economy, even if it was against the Southern Tribe leader's orders. No nation should have to fight bitterly over unclaimed land and since the explorers returned with tales of far south and east unclaimed land there was possibly a way to make a strong encompassing empire around the entire Mediterranean Sea.

(ooc: How many people are in your Legions? are you modeling them after mine which have 5000 approx in each one?)

OOC: Mine are 4800 fighting men strong, not including non-combatant units. Same basis as your standard formations. Though 80 in a century unless otherwise noted and 6 together, and 10 of those = LEGION!

OOC: Mine are 4800 fighting men strong, not including non-combatant units. Same basis as your standard formations. Though 80 in a century unless otherwise noted and 6 together, and 10 of those = LEGION!

(ooc: well Im not one to be picky with logistics and what not, but you state that you have 30 Legions ready to drive into My heartland. Well thats about 144000 FIGHTING men, not including, as you say, non-combatants. With a population double your I have just created my 9th Legion. Blacktower has a peacetime percentage of 2% of our population in the military for Combatants. If your pop is hald of mine, that would mean that if your pop is about 1.2 Million, you have 12% military ratio. a tad bit exsesive, but again, Im not one to get wrapped up in semantics :P

Sorry I cant post tonight, Im going to bed ZZZZzzzz

Oh, and 4 legions of HORSEMEN??? well, Im not even going to go there lol. I have about 120 Cavalry supporting Each Legion. Oh, and a group of six Centuries is called a Cohort. 10 Cohorts in each Legion :p )

OOC: Uhhm, pardon the intrusion Blacktower but didn't you purchase the production rights for the M102 Dominance MBT? Wouldn't that mean you would be able to steamroll right over them? *small voice* Don't hurt me!

OOC: Uhhm, pardon the intrusion Blacktower but didn't you purchase the production rights for the M102 Dominance MBT? Wouldn't that mean you would be able to steamroll right over them? *small voice* Don't hurt me!

Different Earth, different Time period :p

This is an Earth BC roleplay, which is based in the Roman Empire Era. No tanks yet :D

Dang my other post didn't send.

But I had 17 legions in the south, 3 for each of the other 4 tribes. 29 in total. The horsed legions are a full legion, just on horses and consist of soldiers, lancers, archers and all other aspects of a legion, just with faster modes of transportation.

[even still, thats ALOT of military for a small population :( but whatever, Legions of horsemen die all the same when they run into a wall of pikes :)]

ooc: is this a closed RP? because Blacktower should know by know that I will support him if he needs it

ooc: is this a closed RP? because Blacktower should know by know that I will support him if he needs it

Its open to anyone in Earth BC, which I dont beleive you are lol.

You should check it out though.

Its open to anyone in Earth BC, which I dont beleive you are lol.

You should check it out though.
sounds interesting, but I'm happy being a Celt perhaps i'll send a puppet

OOC: After school I will post a map with the planned area and stuff for each of us to control....ok blacktower?

OOC: After school I will post a map with the planned area and stuff for each of us to control....ok blacktower?

Well I figured that you were having comp troubles like you said in your TG, so I just resolved this matter on my own, and we now both control Switzerland. You have about 65% of it, while I am left with about 35%. Stupid imagecave.com is down at the moment, so none of my pictures show up :headbang:

OOC: Well ok.....post the maps, shall I post the one for Slovenia? because I had an unusual way to make it non-land locked and we can continue to expand and I get my shoreline!

http://vivisan.tripod.com/si-map3.JPG

"Tanthan wishes to remove the line and bring it farther back. Also to have both nations in control of the area. The blue area is for both nations and will be a economic hub for traders of both nations, however we wish to have that Blacktower rules be adopted with in this are over our own for a sign of faith and prosperity." said the Centurion to the commander of the forces, as he displayed the map.

He looked over the proposes boundaries and scoffed.

"You call this acceptable? Even as we speak, the only thing that stands between us and completley overunning this land is a paper thin line of horsemen whould would flee once we began to march. Tommorow my army marches farther into this land, and should you oppose us we shall leave your bloodied corpses behind. Unless you can propose something more suitable then we are done here."

"Well....you draw your lines and we will see if we accept." said the Centurion.