Antiquity Rises Rampant Battles (IC/Open)

[The Nation of Hay]

Mankind has started to build great civilizations, some eight thousand years ago. It spawned the Aegyptians, Sumerians, Minoans, and various other great civilizations. But, there are many more upstarts like you, trying to build a great civilization. Will you lead your people to victory? Will you write you and your people's name on the history books? Or will you just be the slave work force of another civilization?

Step forward dear leader, for your people need you!

This thread is for battles!

[The Grey Wolf]

Tadg and his armed men, about 32 in number, headed into the southern lands of England. With his nephew conquering Ireland, Tadg decided he would subjugate the savage Brythonic people. A tribe was nearby, and at his beckoning, his men attacked.

[The Nation of Hay]

The British villagers quickly noticed the band of soldiers heading their way. The men looked trained and well-armed, and the villagers were outmatched. The men of the village, numbering about 50 (this was a very small village, barely worth note), grabbed their stone spears and cudgels and ran to meet their attackers.

[Adurnak]

This Sicani veterans had been moving for 2 days before coming across the first town. Granted it was a large town, but it had no walls, so easy enough pickings for the rather large hardened Sicani army.
The reason that the army had not seen anyone was because all the farmers had gone to town for the harvest festival there. This meant more men, but that could be a hinderence rather than helpful in defending the settlement.
The Sicani raised their banners and advanced orderly, singing old war songs as they went; missiles in the front, round shield spearmen in the centre, falxmen on the left flank with the chariots on the right flank. 2,200 in total. Ratio of 2:12:1 for missiles to infantry to chrioteers

The towns folk had had only the days notice that the army was approaching and so not many defences had been put in place, the occasional overturned cart being the only obstacles.
Defending the town were the towns folk, farmers, guard and small militia of 300. Not much, and their shields appeared to be made of wicker too, strange concept... Around 1,000 men in total defend the town.

That attack was signalled and the Sicani advanced

[The Grey Wolf]

The British villagers quickly noticed the band of soldiers heading their way. The men looked trained and well-armed, and the villagers were outmatched. The men of the village, numbering about 50 (this was a very small village, barely worth note), grabbed their stone spears and cudgels and ran to meet their attackers.

The soldiers carried sharp bronze spears and shields, although the poorer members of the force carried wooden shields, draped in leather. They parried any spears and cudgels before stabbing into them with their spears. Tadg let out a war cry, a terrifying shriek.

[Sasutary Island]

This Sicani veterans had been moving for 2 days before coming across the first town. Granted it was a large town, but it had no walls, so easy enough pickings for the rather large hardened Sicani army.
The reason that the army had not seen anyone was because all the farmers had gone to town for the harvest festival there. This meant more men, but that could be a hinderence rather than helpful in defending the settlement.
The Sicani raised their banners and advanced orderly, singing old war songs as they went; missiles in the front, round shield spearmen in the centre, falxmen on the left flank with the chariots and cavalry on the right flank. 2,200 in total. Ratio of 2:6:1 for missiles to infantry to cavalry

The towns folk had had only the days notice that the army was approaching and so not many defences had been put in place, the occasional overturned cart being the only obstacles.
Defending the town were the towns folk, farmers, guard and small militia of 300. Not much, and their shields appeared to be made of wicker too, strange concept... Around 1,000 men in total defend the town.

That attack was signalled and the Sicani advanced

The towns folk readied the make-shift defences of their town. As the Sicani troops advanced, the villagers poured boiling water on them, threw stones and pots and even dead animal carcasses. The militia formed up in a primitive phalanx formation, though their lack of training made it almost impossible to organize themselves into a cohesive fighting force. Some brave villagers jumped from rooftops onto the advancing Sicani, biting and stabbing the Sicani, though they were quickly killed. The militia formed a square formation in the town center where they placed anything the could find to slow down the enemy. In the center of town, a small guard tower, which had been built a few years ago, fired upon the Sicani, killing a small number of men. But, alas, the militia were pushed back as they fought their best while their comrades fell around them.

[Adurnak]

The towns folk readied the make-shift defences of their town. As the Sicani troops advanced, the villagers poured boiling water on them, threw stones and pots and even dead animal carcasses. The militia formed up in a primitive phalanx formation, though their lack of training made it almost impossible to organize themselves into a cohesive fighting force. Some brave villagers jumped from rooftops onto the advancing Sicani, biting and stabbing the Sicani, though they were quickly killed. The militia formed a square formation in the town center where they placed anything the could find to slow down the enemy. In the center of town, a small guard tower, which had been built a few years ago, fired upon the Sicani, killing a small number of men. But, alas, the militia were pushed back as they fought their best while their comrades fell around them.

The spearmen carried on; slowly pushing through the defenders in their own phalanx formation, with the ones further back having their shields raised to protect themselves and the men beside them. On the left the falxmen were mowing down people who didn't have shields left right and centre, the ones with slowly losing ground.
In the mean time slingers had scaled buildings to get clear shots but the chariots could do little in the town and so withdrew to a safe distance; making a display and guarding the baggage.

[The Nation of Hay]

The soldiers carried sharp bronze spears and shields, although the poorer members of the force carried wooden shields, draped in leather. They parried any spears and cudgels before stabbing into them with their spears. Tadg let out a war cry, a terrifying shriek.

Most of the men were either dead or fleeing. The rest, however, fought with ferocity and bravery. They numbered less than a dozen, and were no match for the Wolfian(?) warriors. This fact aside, the tribesmen still fought their hardest. By the day's end, seven of the attackers lay dead on the ground, and the village had been taken.

[The Grey Wolf]

The soldiers carried sharp bronze spears and shields, although the poorer members of the force carried wooden shields, draped in leather. They parried any spears and cudgels before stabbing into them with their spears. Tadg let out a war cry, a terrifying shriek.

Most of the men were either dead or fleeing. The rest, however, fought with ferocity and bravery. They numbered less than a dozen, and were no match for the Wolfian(?) warriors. This fact aside, the tribesmen still fought their hardest. By the day's end, seven of the attackers lay dead on the ground, and the village had been taken.

Tadg and his men looted the village, carrying off women and other plunder, before setting the corpses aflame. After resting for several days, they attacked another village, howling and shrieking like ghouls from the Otherworld.

[The Nation of Hay]

The towns folk readied the make-shift defences of their town. As the Sicani troops advanced, the villagers poured boiling water on them, threw stones and pots and even dead animal carcasses. The militia formed up in a primitive phalanx formation, though their lack of training made it almost impossible to organize themselves into a cohesive fighting force. Some brave villagers jumped from rooftops onto the advancing Sicani, biting and stabbing the Sicani, though they were quickly killed. The militia formed a square formation in the town center where they placed anything the could find to slow down the enemy. In the center of town, a small guard tower, which had been built a few years ago, fired upon the Sicani, killing a small number of men. But, alas, the militia were pushed back as they fought their best while their comrades fell around them.

The spearmen carried on; slowly pushing through the defenders in their own phalanx formation, with the ones further back having their shields raised to protect themselves and the men beside them. On the left the falxmen were mowing down people who didn't have shields left right and centre, the ones with slowly losing ground.
In the mean time slingers had scaled buildings to get clear shots but the chariots could do little in the town and so withdrew to a safe distance; making a display and guarding the baggage.

The defenders, now fighting in a circle around the town center, continued to be pushed back. The men in the tower continued to fire their arrows down upon the enemy, but five bows, against a thousand men, were not worth much. The rest of the militiamen poked and prodded at the advancing foe with their spears. The overturned carts and crates didn't help much, as the villagers were soon fighting face-to-face with their adversaries. It was nearly dark when, with the remaining three-quarters of their friends and neighbors scattered among the ground, the villagers surrendered.

[The Nation of Hay]

Tadg and his men looted the village, carrying off women and other plunder, before setting the corpses aflame. After resting for several days, they attacked another village, howling and shrieking like ghouls from the Otherworld.

The next British village was significantly larger. The thatched-rood houses were built in a circular pattern around a hill. Atop the hill, a tall wooden building stood. The men of the village were still poorly-trained, but they were equipped much better (many of them wielding bows and short copper daggers), and they still outnumbered the attackers. As Tadg's men approached the village, screaming and howling, the villagers were quick to take up their bows. They soon began firing on the men.

[The Grey Wolf]

Tadg and his men looted the village, carrying off women and other plunder, before setting the corpses aflame. After resting for several days, they attacked another village, howling and shrieking like ghouls from the Otherworld.

The next British village was significantly larger. The thatched-rood houses were built in a circular pattern around a hill. Atop the hill, a tall wooden building stood. The men of the village were still poorly-trained, but they were equipped much better (many of them wielding bows and short copper daggers), and they still outnumbered the attackers. As Tadg's men approached the village, screaming and howling, the villagers were quick to take up their bows. They soon began firing on the men.

The Grey Wolf warriors lifted their shields above their heads, although some took an arrow to the knee (sorry, couldn't resist.) they begin trying to surround the enemy soldiers. Tadg was interested in the bows. He could use them.

[The Nation of Hay]

The Grey Wolf warriors lifted their shields above their heads, although some took an arrow to the knee (sorry, couldn't resist.) they begin trying to surround the enemy soldiers. Tadg was interested in the bows. He could use them.

The villagers saw their chance. While the invaders were distracted protecting themselves from the arrow fire, the rest of the men would rush in, and attack them with their swords and spears.

[The Grey Wolf]

The Grey Wolf warriors lifted their shields above their heads, although some took an arrow to the knee (sorry, couldn't resist.) they begin trying to surround the enemy soldiers. Tadg was interested in the bows. He could use them.

The villagers saw their chance. While the invaders were distracted protecting themselves from the arrow fire, the rest of the men would rush in, and attack them with their swords and spears.

The villagers would be in danger of putting themselves in the line of fire, or rushing into the Grey Wolf spears. The Grey Wolf forces behind the front line made a pincer movement, going around their comrades on the front line, and attacking the enemy villagers.

[Sasutary Island]

The Battle of Digne-Les-Bains
As the Legion marched on, a band of barbarians, numbering 4600 men, lurked in the bushes. They were armed with small spears and axes, they surprisingly lack faith in a shield. The Leader of the Barbarians let out a terrifying shriek before charging.

Note
AJ=Auxiliary Jorraii
A=Archers
Y=Yastati
R=Rinpies
YA=Yarrii

[The Nation of Hay]

The villagers would be in danger of putting themselves in the line of fire, or rushing into the Grey Wolf spears. The Grey Wolf forces behind the front line made a pincer movement, going around their comrades on the front line, and attacking the enemy villagers.

Most of the attacking villagers reached the enemy's lines, though some were hit by their own arrows. The rush was met by two-dozen spears. The village men were lusting for blood and fought ferociously. They killed a handful of men, but the superior tactics of the attackers left them all dead. The archers, though disheartened at the loss of their friends, kept firing.

[The Nation of Hay]

The Battle of Digne-Les-Bains

The barbarians far outnumbered the Legion. With fierce battlecries, the whole tribe, men, women, and children, emerged from the woods and came down upon the marching army. The ambushing force charged from all sides. It seemed that the bowmen were arranged on the flanks of the host, so they charged there first. The barbarians knew that if they killed the archers, the surprised army would have no missile support. The barbarians rushed in, throwing spears and rocks and firing arrows. As soon as they gap was closed, they began hacking at their foes with their axes and spears.

[Sasutary Island]

The Battle of Digne-Les-Bains

The barbarians far outnumbered the Legion. With fierce battlecries, the whole tribe, men, women, and children, emerged from the woods and came down upon the marching army. The ambushing force charged from all sides. It seemed that the bowmen were arranged on the flanks of the host, so they charged there first. The barbarians knew that if they killed the archers, the surprised army would have no missile support. The barbarians rushed in, throwing spears and rocks and firing arrows. As soon as they gap was closed, they began hacking at their foes with their axes and spears.

Julius realised his stupid mistake and told his archers to retreat behind the Yarrii and Rinpies while they moved forward to attack the barbarians. Each cohort formed into a square formation in order to protect themselves from all sides. The archers hid in those squares as they continued to fire. The legionnaires gave all they could and began to push the barbarians back but a careless hole in the Latium lines allows the barbarians to burst behind the legionnaires. The legionnaires were on the brink of being broken, but they knew cowardice resulted in crucifiction or decimation so they gave it all they could, and they routed. The men at least. The women stayed and fought while the kids bit the legs of the legionnaires, kinda like dogs.

"C'mon you men, put your backs into it!" shouted Julius as he fended off a couple of women.

[Adurnak]

The spearmen carried on; slowly pushing through the defenders in their own phalanx formation, with the ones further back having their shields raised to protect themselves and the men beside them. On the left the falxmen were mowing down people who didn't have shields left right and centre, the ones with slowly losing ground.
In the mean time slingers had scaled buildings to get clear shots but the chariots could do little in the town and so withdrew to a safe distance; making a display and guarding the baggage.

The defenders, now fighting in a circle around the town center, continued to be pushed back. The men in the tower continued to fire their arrows down upon the enemy, but five bows, against a thousand men, were not worth much. The rest of the militiamen poked and prodded at the advancing foe with their spears. The overturned carts and crates didn't help much, as the villagers were soon fighting face-to-face with their adversaries. It was nearly dark when, with the remaining three-quarters of their friends and neighbors scattered among the ground, the villagers surrendered.

The surrender was accepted and with the town taken the remaining people were spared their lives, (no use in an empty town as no settlers had come with the army). The army stayed in the town for now; convincing the towns people that being in the kingdom was good, building wooden walls, and even convincing the farmers to go back home to get things moving again. Soon the town would be back to normal again, maybe even better, serving as a great pit stop for further expeditions east which would probably take place soon.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Outside A Coruna, North-Western Iberia

Bandsman Vilkas finished sharpening the stake, and tossed it onto the growing pile of pointy tree trunks that his section was working on. The people of this part of Iberia had become uncommonly stubborn of late, and between that and great storms along the seas which inhibited the flow of supplies up from Bilbao progress had been slow. The Citylords of Eastern Iberia had sent spies to this land, and the men had come back telling of deep veins of tin as of yet unexploited by the locals, a veritable fountain of wealth just waiting to be tapped. They had tried negotiation, to have the Archfiend of A Coruna join with the men of Mara in their quest for legendary wealth and glory, but all emissaries had been turned away unheard. With heavy hearts the polises of Mara had marshaled their soldiers, many thousands marching to war with the Archfiend. He was a man who ruled by fear, and the sight of the corpses strung up over the gate of the city had been enough to put hate in the heart of even the most lily-lived Bandsman of the assembled cities. A man who did such terrible things to his own people was clearly unfit to rule, and would be put down like a feral dog. His rabble of warriors had chosen not to give battle, falling back to the walled town that was his capital; it would be difficult to breach, for the men of Mara had no experience in siegecraft, but they had more than enough men to encircle the city. An earthen wall had been piled about the inner siege line, and sharpened stakes were being placed along its top. The outer siege line too was nearing completion, and large escorts ensured that supplies from back east would be sufficient to hold for the duration of such a siege. Now it was just a matter of waiting until the barbarians either grew hungry enough to try to break out, or hungry enough to open their gates to the assembled Maran host.

Sivas, Eastern Anatyre

The barbarian coalition growing in the east was troubling, and so the Highprince had called up the men of eastern Anatyre to put down the growing confederation of savages. Many men of Anatolia marched under the silver and purple banner of Tyre, tribal allies as well as large marching companies of Bandsmen. To strike first, while the iron was still red-hot, was necessary in this case. The narrow defiles of the mountainous reaches of Anatolia were perfect for the heavy infantry of Tyre, their bronze shields and cuirasses glinting in the noon sun. Irzak Izmail, the most powerful of these wild chieftains, made his home at the city of Sivas, below the host of Tyre in a small river valley. From the slopes they descended in good order, their path clear across a meadow of short grass. Before them the small wooden pallisade of the city stood like an invitation, and already they could hear barbaric warhorns blowing from inside the walls. Outriders and scouts were spread out in all directions, and soon Sivas would fall.

[The Grey Wolf]

The villagers would be in danger of putting themselves in the line of fire, or rushing into the Grey Wolf spears. The Grey Wolf forces behind the front line made a pincer movement, going around their comrades on the front line, and attacking the enemy villagers.

Most of the attacking villagers reached the enemy's lines, though some were hit by their own arrows. The rush was met by two-dozen spears. The village men were lusting for blood and fought ferociously. They killed a handful of men, but the superior tactics of the attackers left them all dead. The archers, though disheartened at the loss of their friends, kept firing.

The Grey Wolf now advanced forward on the archers, surrounding them by all corners. They thrust forward, aiming for the bellies of their enemy. The ones behind lines had looted the corpses, in particular the swords, as well as other valuable things.
"Filthy Britons," Tadg said as he walked up to a slowly bleeding out Brythonic warrior. The warrior held up his hands for mercy, and Tadg was about to grant it to him, until he saw his uncle, Ith, lying dead from an arrow. He grabbed the man's sword and swung it into his head. "No mercy for you." he told the corpse.

[The Nation of Hay]

Julius realised his stupid mistake and told his archers to retreat behind the Yarrii and Rinpies while they moved forward to attack the barbarians. Each cohort formed into a square formation in order to protect themselves from all sides. The archers hid in those squares as they continued to fire. The legionnaires gave all they could and began to push the barbarians back but a careless hole in the Latium lines allows the barbarians to burst behind the legionnaires. The legionnaires were on the brink of being broken, but they knew cowardice resulted in crucifiction or decimation so they gave it all they could, and they routed. The men at least. The women stayed and fought while the kids bit the legs of the legionnaires, kinda like dogs.

"C'mon you men, put your backs into it!" shouted Julius as he fended off a couple of women.

The barbarians were now behind the Romans' lines. Woman and children screeched and swung their axes. They hacked and slashed at the Romans, and many men were killed. The men, now routing, realized that they could still win. They quickly turned around and plunged into their enemies; the ambush was now a full-scale battle.

[Zeinbrad]

Tullius unit marched on and when he saw the corpses of romans and barbarians strewn across the road, his Centurion told his men to march with haste. Soon after, he saw the mass of men fending off each other, desperately waving their short swords in an attempt to escape. Tullius centurion formed his men up and after a quick prayer, his centurion ordered his men to loose Pilum, and then charged his men into the back of the barbarians. The General of Tullius army began to send soldiers to guard the flanks.

Tullius bashed a barbarian with his shield,and then stabbed him, he turned to slash another in his throat, and then blocked another blow and stabbed him in the stomach.

[Sasutary Island]

Julius realised his stupid mistake and told his archers to retreat behind the Yarrii and Rinpies while they moved forward to attack the barbarians. Each cohort formed into a square formation in order to protect themselves from all sides. The archers hid in those squares as they continued to fire. The legionnaires gave all they could and began to push the barbarians back but a careless hole in the Latium lines allows the barbarians to burst behind the legionnaires. The legionnaires were on the brink of being broken, but they knew cowardice resulted in crucifiction or decimation so they gave it all they could, and they routed. The men at least. The women stayed and fought while the kids bit the legs of the legionnaires, kinda like dogs.

"C'mon you men, put your backs into it!" shouted Julius as he fended off a couple of women.

The barbarians were now behind the Romans' lines. Woman and children screeched and swung their axes. They hacked and slashed at the Romans, and many men were killed. The men, now routing, realized that they could still win. They quickly turned around and plunged into their enemies; the ambush was now a full-scale battle.

Julius dismounted his horse, and fought with the troops. The golden eagle was still high, and that raised the spirits of the men. They were pushed back into a circle, desperately flinging their swords. If they were to run away, the would certainly be crucified.

"Anyone who shows cowardice shall be crucified!" Shouted an elderly centurion.

The Legionnaires gave it their all and surprisingly, the barbarians began to thin out. It was their fellow Romans! Latium smiled upon them today. This raised their hopes for survival even higher, and they fought with great gusto and more barbarians than civilised Romans began to fall. The first befell their faces after what seemed like years of fighting. The Latiums finally broke through, allowing them some more breathing space to fight in. The fought alongside their Sydious brothers, safe in the knowledge that they could see their families again.

[The Nation of Hay]

Outside A Coruna, North-Western Iberia

Hundreds, if not thousands, of men had assembled outside the large stone walls of A Coruna. They bore the flags of Ameral, and were equipped with fine armor and weapons. They had been constructing a large earthen wall around the city, attempting to keep the barbarians in. The men of the city were unable to tend their farms or trade with their neighbors, and were relying on the fishers to add to their stockpile. They knew they would run out of food eventually, but hopefully this would not be the case. The men took up their bows, and fired down upon the working attackers, their copper-tipped arrows raining down upon their foes.

Sivas, Eastern Anatyre

The men of Sivas had noticed the large, organized force descending from the mountains before long. The barbarian warriors sounded their loud horns, signifying the start of a battle. The sound of horns continued throughout the hills, in a call-and-response fashion. They were calling for reinforcements. Soon enough, warbands from many neighboring tribes and towns would come to their aid. The men in the city prepared for the fight, donning their copper armor and grabbing their spears and bows.

The Battle of Digne-Les-Bains

The barbarian force, now completely surrounded by their foes, was breaking; many men and women were quickly being killed. They often tried to run away, but the tight Roman formation kept them in, waiting for their deaths. The men let out fierce cries and the women shrieked, and all fought for their lives. It was to no avail, however. Tyr had failed them.