Brutii Imperial Campaign RTW V1.5 No Mods

Edit: Difficulty is H/H

In winter of 252BC the senate unexpectedly demanded that the Brutii faction leader commits suicide. With no troops in southern Italy and the forces of Northern Italy engaged in Massilia the suicide request was accepted. But a vow was taken…never again. Amulus the new faction leader prepared. Forces marching east to campaign against Seleucid, Pontus, Armenia, Parthia and Egypt were turned around to retrace their steps west towards Italy. Brutii was preparing for war in Italy.

At end of the summer of 250BC the suicide request came again. This was despite achieving senate demands. Perhaps it was Brutii control of 42 regions dominating the map that made the other Romans nervous. Perhaps it was the lack of any officers in the senate. Perhaps it was deliberately allowing Massilia and Mediolanium to revolt back to Gaul hands for the second time. Maybe they had heard of the plague spy I had sent into Scipii lands in Sicily and Africa. Whatever the reason this time there was no bowing to senate demands. Brutii was prepared for war in Italy!

SPQR outlawed Brutii. SPQR, Julii and Scipii factions broke their alliances and went to war. Brutii was fighting five eastern factions and rebels all over the map. Nine enemies…this was truly Rome Total War.

Winter 250BC – Brutii capture Segesta from Julii

The Julii were the better men, man for man, not that the general told his troops that.

Barbarian Mercenary Cavalry in the rear of the the Julii army

Follow us doggies. We have a welcome lining up for you.

Equites are the 2nd charge into the Julii rear.

Welcome doggies. Equites in far distance are attacking the rear.

Killing dogs can be dusty business

We have all seen flying troops. But doing handstands ?

Mercenary Barbarians pumped up with war cries will win.

Mercenary Hoplites deal with this threat.

But not the Julii faction leader. Heavy cavalry jump over spears and break that phalanx. Archers went scrambling for cover as all my best mounted troops rushed into the ensuing fight.

Had faced 7 war-dog units in that battle and there were still dogs lurking in amongst the buildings at the end. Pity soldiers don’t gain experience killing dogs. Lost experience 2 Equites when they pursued a routing general into the plaza and got completely engulfed by the Julii waiting there. I will remember that battle for the Barbarian Cavalry out in the rear of the enemy and the set up to kill the hundreds of dogs.

Troops gather in southern Italy. More are arriving in Patavium and garrisons from unwanted Massilia and Mediolanium are moving to strike.

Summer of 249BC

Brutii capture Messana.
- Spies told of no serious defence force.
- A modest force was despatched to capture this now plague free city.
- Leader was able to hire mercenaries as soon as he stepped off the boat

Brutii capture Arrentium.

The Julii marched backwards and forwards tiring themselves out. When they got close enough my archers killed many. Mostly it was Equites charging worn out troops that won the battle. Roman towns have complex roads. I didn’t have much time left on the battle timer.

Brutii capture Ariminum

With Stone walls my tactics are to sneak in a side door and capture the walls and towers. Use them against the Julii. You can see lone infantry units on the map racing for the undefended open gates. Barbarian cavalry in the enemy rear. Artillery in reinforcement armies cannot pass through forests so is separated from its army. Easy kills.

The 8 star Julii commander going down. Things get easier from this point.

Julii died from shoots fired from their own walls.

Forces move up from Tarentum and Croton. Where the infantry can reach in one march from Tarentum a fort is established. Troops mass there ready to attack Capua next turn. Forces continue to stream into northern Italy.

The country is crawling with Brutii spies. Brutii command has great intelligence with which to plan the campaign of winter 249 BC

Winter 249BC

Fleets of both Scipii and Julii are beaten off in separate actions. They both contained troops.

Brutii capture Capua
You can see the now empty fort where the infantry slept safely over last turn.

Another dog to fight.

And the Scipii army is inexperienced…like us. Wooden walls so no using them against the enemy as you can with stone.

This is the initial deployment. Damm. All the gates are guarded.

Takings things slow. Two Equites meet up in a forest and discus tactics whilst hidden. They toss a coin for the honour of charging into the enemy rear. Hope the volcano doesn’t blow.

Force used to gain entry into the city. Now how do we get to the centre? Weird. Not using the road.

The cavalry attack into the rear of the Scipii army goes in. One cavalry unit stays hidden in the forest as I thought one Equite unit would be enough to kill both Ballistae.

Got one Ballista. But it’s getting hot. Roman General is good. Is reacting with two units rushing back to attack. That cavalry wedge shape is not one I ever use but I certainly don’t like one pointing at me.

Time to get out. Much use of the run command has the Equites heading back through the forest with the Scipii wedge in ever closer pursuit. But a surprise awaits the now winded Scipii horsemen.

They didn’t like that surprise

Interesting. This Equite is returning to the forest. It had unsuccessfully chased the routing Scipii horsemen all the way into the city through a now undefended gate. But it wasn’t gaining ground so went back out. Was thinking of supporting another rear attack on the Scipii reinforcements. But what’s this. The men in blue are all now streaming this way. Wonder why. Were they pissed at the last ambush from this area or was it use of the other city gate that has drawn them?

They are definitely coming to the forest. Someone must have their ass sticking out in the sun like a white flag.

Let’s get outta here.

Both cavalry units would be chased by Scipii cavalry all the way to the far corner of the city where bad play gets one killed.

Meanwhile the goings on inside the maze of streets hadn’t been followed closely enough. 80 Hastati V.s 51 charging heavy cavalry. I have forces scrambling to assist.

Too late for the poor Hastati. Here is my faction leader. Faction leader V.s Faction leader. CHARGE !

Added some heavy infantry. Scipii general died moments later. No enemy survived that encounter. ALL the Hastati later healed. Elsewhere the encounters are going well.

The rest of the garrison was easy. Having taken and held the plaza for 3 minutes I could choose to continue or end the battle. I choose to end it as fighting the now advancing reinforcements with only one missile unit would mean lots of hand to hand casualties. So a rare ‘close victory’.

The Scipii reinforcements would withdraw and fall back on Rome.

Interlude from the same turn but in the east:

Most bloody street fighting I've ever witnessed. “Let me bathe in blood for a week” speech came to mind.

Unfortunately my commanding general lies dead in that pile of bodies. Important learning here is that command has not passed to the other general. One unit of Roman dogs killed 447 and were still biting at the end. Faction destroyed.

First Egyptian family member I have ever killed on the battlefield.

Dogs finish off what Artillery, velites and archers started.

Assault on Rome Part II

Let’s see if we have enough to take on the Romans now. Let’s review all the intelligence.

Ariminum forces have many archers and artillery. Good for taking out the enemy without losses. My kind of army. The main SPQR army in its failed ambush position. Not perfect knowledge but we can assume the pampered SPQR boys are all well trained even if they have never fought anyone in the flesh.

Arretium forces have my elite cavalry and archers under the command of faction heir. Veterans of much hard campaigning. The SPQR defend the gates of Rome with no less than 4 family members. Bet they are all senate office holders because they loiter right next to Rome. Excellent Brutii governors don’t get a look in at holding high office with these goal hangers.

And the blue Scipii dogs who fled after I captured Capua. My faction leader has this turn just captured Capua but has enough movement points to move on and reach Rome. But none of the infantry can. The Principles movement radius shows this. They could reach on the Scipii force but it’s not clear if they would have enough movement points to start a battle.

More troops arriving from the north. They are too far away to fight Rome this turn.

The Battle against SPQR’s field army

The Brutii generals stack is slowed by artillery and lacks the movement points to initiate the attack. So a lone cavalry unit comes out from town, avoids the generals stack so it doesn’t also get stuck, and launches the attack.

Come on then pretty boys. Come and get us if you can. There is nothing in the SPQR army as fast as the Equites. As the only Brutii unit on the battlefield the SPQR are drawn to it.

The plan is to draw the SPQR away from where my reinforcements are going to arrive. Make the SPQR march as far as possible.

Plan is working. Then Brutii start to arrive in the corner and as soon as they do the SPQR adjust their marching.

Equites race back through the reforming SPQR battle line. Meanwhile I wonder what the heck is going on with the artillery reinforcements.

Velites were killed. Quick all cavalry run for the trees. They all comply except the Barbarian mercenary cavalry who walk rather than run. The SPQR general catches them….and hurts them. All my cavalry are ordered to turn back and attack the enemy general.

Barbarian cavalry rout and are off the field of battle in a flash. Soon after…”This is no way for a leader to behave”. SPQR general routs. Was getting a bit close for comfort with SPQR Triarii closing on my engaged horsemen.

The other general is moving. Run away...run away…towards the forest. And dammit why is that archer not hidden. Artillery seems to be heading for the battlefield.

The routing general was caught and killed. It was the overall commander.

Chance of surprise now gone. Archers open fire on the general.

General could not catch the Equite so turned back to march after another unit. Into a hail of missiles.

I will need to turn my pursuing Equites out away or they will be hit. I can see my Ballista in the distance.

His unit of Principles has the right idea. It’s got into position on the flank and has a good shot at Equites engaged in killing routers. Was not in time to save the 2nd general.

I don’t want my archers pinned in the corner against those experienced Roman troops. So they start running. As cavalry and archers run along one edge of the battlefield the SPQR adjust their approach and do not threaten the hidden troops who remain. It seems those in hiding have not been seen.

Archery and dogs are enough to rout the velites. Elsewhere some archers have enough space to fire off some rounds. Yet someone has a shot at my archers…those Principles maybe or friendly fire? Artillery has arrived! Fire. Flagging SPQR morale will suffer some more.

I've had enough of those Principles. They were charging after one of my units so I charged them from behind.

They are fighting back. Well some of them are.

Last of the archers in the corner kicked up dust as they sprint for daylight between them and the four SPQR units that were closing on them. Dog handlers also ran for safety leaving their dogs to finish the velites.

Becoming a turkey shoot now. The SPQR are tired and have nothing that can run down the archers.

Dogs and fire arrows will hurt Triarii morale. As will an odd artillery round or two.

The second artillery unit has finally arrived. A bit exposed though. Too close to the SPQR forces for comfort. Brutii cavalry have spotted an opportunity…

Love this shot. Equites charging on a hectic battlefield. Velites didn’t know what hit them.

No casualties for the Equites. Velites and remains of a Triarii unit rout. There are 6 small flags in white. Both the routing units were experience 3 units? (3 small flags each)

The cavalry charge and routing two units send a shiver through the SPQR forces. Two other full strength units rout. Yet all is not safe. Triarii turn and charge the just entered artillery. I order the crew to abandon their Ballista and run away.

I try some fire arrows on the high morale Triarii. It won’t hit the Ballista crew. They are fresh and have soon put distance between themselves and the exhausted pursuers.

It did the trick and the Ballista crew turned on the routing troops and killed them.

The two SPQR units that had routed have recovered despite the rain of arrows.

The second Ballista crew regained their weapons only to be chased off by another SPQR unit. For the second time the crew abandon their weapons and run for safety. In the distance horsemen are at work mopping up routers.

I need to stop the archers firing. All the enemy are routing. Artillery crew from both machines help kill routers. Routing troops don’t count for much experience but they do count for some and a small unit like artillery can use all the kills it can get.

Victory.

Dogs do well again. One of the archers didn’t do well.

One more surprise. As this battle was commanded by a captain it was eligible for Man of the Hour. The capture of two cities in the Far East must have tipped those invisible scales enough to say I was eligible for more leaders.

This is the best Man of the Hour I have seen since I started keeping records. Perhaps due to the quality of the victory?

The Battle for Rome itself

The final battle perhaps. None of the Brutii infantry can reach Rome this turn. No infantry means no wall capture and use against the enemy. Without such an advantage Rome would be too expensive, perhaps impossible, to capture with just cavalry. But my play style of rapid expansion makes me look for a way to capture this turn.

So Brutii forces attack the SPQR stack to the north of Rome. Infantry and archers can reach here, just, but cannot launch the attack themselves as they lack the movement points. Cavalry only armies can move further and approaching from either side assume me of greater chance of having sufficient MPs to attack. The greatest commander of our age, Amulius the Victor, takes command by launching the attack with his elite horsemen. The faction leader and his horsemen, south of Rome, play no part in the battle as they do not touch the square, north of Rome, which is under assault.

That’s Rome up there. Brutii forces running to attack the enemy before they have a chance to unite.

The first arrow is fired at the SPQR generals. The first charge is by Barbarian Mercenary cavalry against Roman archers.

Cavalry battle gets under way. Odds on the right as we look at the picture don’t look good. Rushing forces to support. Lots of arrows flying.

Fight I most need to win is in the top right. That’s where the overall commanders of the battle are engaged.

Excellent. SPQR routs in the lesser fight.

And the SPQR general falls. Morale sky high now. Onward men. Kill them all. A feat soon accomplished.

Four SPQR generals lie dead. Another one leads his forces forward. But this is no lightweight. This is the faction leader with a big bodyguard as befits his status and influence. He is the most powerful unit in this battle. The Barbarian Mercenaries have been given their orders…charge the SPQR general. They had a war cry first.

Off they go…to their glorious deaths.

This was to buy time. I won’t stop firing arrows at that General.

The big sacrifice is underway. Missiles continue to rain into them. My own cavalry will be ordered to charge in very soon. One unit is coming in from behind the lines to take out the skirmishers from behind and plough through to the General. Principles rushing across to assist. Archers to find new targets.

This is it. The big rumble.
Peltasts, 6 remain, are in there and still fighting…hold on they are firing. Jeeze..Fire at will. Heck maybe all fire at wills are firing into that fight rather than where I have been instructing. Impressed by the staying power of my troops. High morale factor of the general.

Grouping my archers and giving them new orders to neaten up the formation. The SPQR faction would lie dead in a few more seconds and the rest of his troops routed and killed.

Here comes the third wave. The Scipii who retreated from Capua. These are not experienced troops. Equites charged my line but broke before they made contact. Mowed down by archers.

The barbarian cavalry unit is in the back field to catch routers. My cavalry is a weakened mess all over the place. Too tired to move. Just catching breath waiting to see where the threat will come from.

The fight against the Roman general.

Cretans nearly out of ammo. Their longer range meant they have always had more targets so can fire more rounds. Barb Cav in pursuit of routers.

There was a lot of running about of archers as multiple units charged them. Cretans took some shots, indeed I took casualties to many units. But it came good as I always expected it would.

Victory. All six enemy generals lie dead on the battlefield.

It was important that no generals escaped the battlefield. It meant Rome was undefended after the battle.

It is only fitting that the faction leader should enter Rome first. He did so from the south.

It is a glorious day for Brutii.

So ended my second ever RTW campaign.

[This message has been edited by Severous (edited 02-24-2007 @ 03:00 AM).]