- Location
- Classified
Our command skill is already being increased by Tereceus and fighting battles. If we were on the verge of a new rank, I'd consider it, but we have other things that need doing.
Res Publica: A Quest of Ancient Rome
- Thread starter Telamon
- Start date
- Original Historic
Our command skill is already being increased by Tereceus and fighting battles. If we were on the verge of a new rank, I'd consider it, but we have other things that need doing.
- Location
- Texas
Yes. Both sub-votes are possible to apply to the same vote.
- Location
- Europe
So Hannibal at Cannae was just short of a catastrophic negative modifier? Not gonna lie, I now want to know what military stats you'd give him and Scipio Africanus.
Oh, and since we got logistics this round: What skill did Caesar have in that field? I can't imagine he conquered Gaul without knowing whether his men needed food or not, but his character sheet doesn't say anything about it.
(Also Augustus isn't bookmarked)
- Location
- Central Europe
Actually, I was asking since the -[] Eliminate the Bandits vote didn't have the personal oversight option.
Anyways for my vote:
[X] Plan Bandits & Gauls
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Defeat the Rebels
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
--[X] Tercerus.
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
--[X] You join this cohort yourself.
--[X] Use the Gauls
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
I'm also considering voting for @Caesar Plan. If, his reasoning to drop Defeat the Rebels convinces me. Personally, I'm willing to keep at it. Why?
The 2nd Cohort got +1 from training.
The rebels had some of their officers captured by us.
The 'Home Turf' modifier might get lowered by repeatedly sending the same cohort/commander after them.
I would rather occupy Gemino with our best cohort, than let him pick his target among our half-green ones.
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- Location
- Europe
Ok, even if the home turf bonus was lost and the loss of his officers means that for this round Gemino's bonuses get halfed, he would still have a +4 which is on par with our best officer. I feel like sending out a single cohort after him is a recipe for disaster. We narrowly averted our men being ambushed in this round.
It's already bad enough that we are sending out cohorts on their own as it is.
[] Plan Banket
-[] Castrum Aestiva
-[] Garrison
-[] Eliminate the Bandits
--[] Use the Gauls
--[] You join the hunt for the Bandits
-[] Establish Supply Lines
--[] Pompolussa
-[] Liberate the Towns
-[] Connect With Elders
-[] Study Logistics
That would be my tentative plan. Does anyone have objections or perhaps suggestions?
Obviously, if we don't send anything after Gemino he is free to strike at one of our cohorts, but I don't think we have any chance of catching him with a single cohort without Samnite scouts and although we went after him this round, he still managed to steal our supplies from Beneventum.
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- Location
- USA
While at the moment it's probably not the best option, training a militia for Aquilonia eventually may be the right play (perhaps within a turn or two, even).
The reason (at least by their own admission) that Aquilonia is not sending supplies is because they fear reprisal from Gemino and other rebellious elements. The possibility of an Aquilonian militia turning against Rome is correlated to those exact same fears. As the cohorts work to stabilize and clean up the region, those risks will diminish, and even in the worst case scenario a militia will not be a viable threat to a cohort. Basically, in their minds eventually (hopefully) their fears of being attacked by Gemino will be outweighed by their fears of another Aeclanum.
As for overall strategy, the big play unfortunately didn't work, partially because of bad rolls and partially because the Samnites wound up damn good (that Gemino roll, sheesh!). Rome won a lot of wars not through big battles but through steady pressure and superior fundamentals. We should shore up our supply lines and food situation first. Also, sturdy defense here is a viable form of offense against the rebels; repelling raids and strengthening the cohorts' position will shut off a stream of good morale to Gemino, perhaps even turn the morale trend in the other direction. Drying up their successes (which includes vindictive satisfaction at evading hunting parties) will hurt them.
I think Pompolussa should secure the route to Boventum. It's the most reliable source of supplies, and if we do take a more defensive posture we probably won't need the Second's expertise as badly.
The reason (at least by their own admission) that Aquilonia is not sending supplies is because they fear reprisal from Gemino and other rebellious elements. The possibility of an Aquilonian militia turning against Rome is correlated to those exact same fears. As the cohorts work to stabilize and clean up the region, those risks will diminish, and even in the worst case scenario a militia will not be a viable threat to a cohort. Basically, in their minds eventually (hopefully) their fears of being attacked by Gemino will be outweighed by their fears of another Aeclanum.
As for overall strategy, the big play unfortunately didn't work, partially because of bad rolls and partially because the Samnites wound up damn good (that Gemino roll, sheesh!). Rome won a lot of wars not through big battles but through steady pressure and superior fundamentals. We should shore up our supply lines and food situation first. Also, sturdy defense here is a viable form of offense against the rebels; repelling raids and strengthening the cohorts' position will shut off a stream of good morale to Gemino, perhaps even turn the morale trend in the other direction. Drying up their successes (which includes vindictive satisfaction at evading hunting parties) will hurt them.
I think Pompolussa should secure the route to Boventum. It's the most reliable source of supplies, and if we do take a more defensive posture we probably won't need the Second's expertise as badly.
Essentially, we are playing the role of Pompey in Spain to Gemino's Sertorius - the materially and numerically superior force hamstrung by poor logistics facing a more mobile force specialising in ambush, with greater local knowledge and support, lead by a superior general. We could do considerably worse than follow Pompey's playbook. Get your logistics in order and play a cautious, methodical game - attrition favours you. Don't rush to a decision - avoiding defeat is more important, because the longer you do so, the more cracks appear in the other man's aura. The enemy commander can only be in one place at a time, so use your numbers to put him in a fork. Frustrate him, stress him out. Offer money and amnesty to traitors to ramp up the paranoia in the enemy camp.
To move from such generalities to the specificities of our situation, our first priority has to be food, both for the legion and Bovianum itself. Gemino knows this, and so his priority is to stop us feeding everyone. He can almost certainly counter any one attempt we make, so we need to make more than one. He doesn't have the strength to contest us everywhere. If he strikes at Aquilonia, it will be at a time and place we are expecting him, on ground we will have had a chance to prepare, and close enough to our base of operations that we can muster overwhelming force with relative ease. If he strikes at the hinterlands of Bovianum, he runs the risk of eroding his support base, and (in order to do so efficiently) he will have to disperse his men somewhat, allowing us to swallow up isolated groups. Finally, if he targets our supply convoys, he will be sacrificing the opportunity to interfere with our supplying Bovianum, which means that we can start sharing supplies next turn if absolutely necessary, and he will be facing our best troops under our best officer, quite possibly without the advantage of home ground.
Our second priority should be morale, both of our men and Bovianum. Securing supplies will help massively with this, but a nice string of victorious skirmishes and a sharp decrease in predation on the roads will help even more. Chasing Gemino is just playing his game and giving him oxygen, so we need a lesser calibre of opponent - the bandits. This has the additional benefit of cutting down on the number of men Gemino can potentially gather to his banner. As the Gauls are simultaneously our most restive and mobile, and least versatile troops, they are an excellent choice for this. Given their (lack of) discipline, however, I do not think that they should be trusted to operate independently of our oversight.
It is important to realise that Gemino cannot beat us conventionally without absurd luck or us conniving at our own destruction. He has to either a) break our will/ability to remain here (hence both the letter and striking at our supply lines), or b) cause a general uprising. So long as we keep Bovianum in hand and avoid any catastrophes, he is eventually going to lose, and he knows that. Sooner or later, he will have to take a chance. And that will be our opportunity, if we cannot engineer one before then.
[X] Plan Cunctator
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
--[X] Use the Gauls
--[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
--[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
To move from such generalities to the specificities of our situation, our first priority has to be food, both for the legion and Bovianum itself. Gemino knows this, and so his priority is to stop us feeding everyone. He can almost certainly counter any one attempt we make, so we need to make more than one. He doesn't have the strength to contest us everywhere. If he strikes at Aquilonia, it will be at a time and place we are expecting him, on ground we will have had a chance to prepare, and close enough to our base of operations that we can muster overwhelming force with relative ease. If he strikes at the hinterlands of Bovianum, he runs the risk of eroding his support base, and (in order to do so efficiently) he will have to disperse his men somewhat, allowing us to swallow up isolated groups. Finally, if he targets our supply convoys, he will be sacrificing the opportunity to interfere with our supplying Bovianum, which means that we can start sharing supplies next turn if absolutely necessary, and he will be facing our best troops under our best officer, quite possibly without the advantage of home ground.
Our second priority should be morale, both of our men and Bovianum. Securing supplies will help massively with this, but a nice string of victorious skirmishes and a sharp decrease in predation on the roads will help even more. Chasing Gemino is just playing his game and giving him oxygen, so we need a lesser calibre of opponent - the bandits. This has the additional benefit of cutting down on the number of men Gemino can potentially gather to his banner. As the Gauls are simultaneously our most restive and mobile, and least versatile troops, they are an excellent choice for this. Given their (lack of) discipline, however, I do not think that they should be trusted to operate independently of our oversight.
It is important to realise that Gemino cannot beat us conventionally without absurd luck or us conniving at our own destruction. He has to either a) break our will/ability to remain here (hence both the letter and striking at our supply lines), or b) cause a general uprising. So long as we keep Bovianum in hand and avoid any catastrophes, he is eventually going to lose, and he knows that. Sooner or later, he will have to take a chance. And that will be our opportunity, if we cannot engineer one before then.
[X] Plan Cunctator
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
--[X] Use the Gauls
--[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
--[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
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- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Plan Cunctator
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
-[X] Use the Gauls
-[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
-[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
I agree with the above reasoning. Hunting the rebels directly isn't likely to work out for us- Gemino won't commit to an open confrontation that disfavors him, and he's a better commander. Make him come to us, and react to our actions- gathering food.
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
-[X] Use the Gauls
-[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
-[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
I agree with the above reasoning. Hunting the rebels directly isn't likely to work out for us- Gemino won't commit to an open confrontation that disfavors him, and he's a better commander. Make him come to us, and react to our actions- gathering food.
Satar
Xetares, Third Redeemer; World Drinker
- Location
- Sesh
Slow and steady wins the race.
[X] Plan Cunctator
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
--[X] Use the Gauls
--[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
--[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
[X] Plan Cunctator
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
--[X] Use the Gauls
--[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
--[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
But what about the Greek Prophetess? I MUST HAVE MAH SHINIES!
Claytonimor
WE WILL TAKE JERUSALEM
- Location
- Loudon, TN
You guys are crazy. It can't be July in-story. Augustus hasn't added that month to the calendar yet!
But what about the Greek Prophetess? I MUST HAVE MAH SHINIES!
I will admit to being seriously tempted. It's an aspect of the quest I would really like to see more of. But needs must
- Location
- USA
I think there's an argument to be had over it. The Greek Prophetess is something that will personally benefit Atellus, if it goes well. The Elder option (presumably the disposable) is more reliable and directly contributory to the present situation.But what about the Greek Prophetess? I MUST HAVE MAH SHINIES!
Hmmm...
EDIT: I just realized that the "Join the Hunt" option only applies to hunting Gemino, not the bandits.
@Caesar Switch it to the Greek Sybil?
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Yeah, it's the swingy nature of it that makes me hesitate. (Well, that, and I would really like to get a rough idea of how much studying can improve our skills.)
Edit: I think Telamon said that we could personally supervise the bandit hunt as well, and I really don't want the Gauls haring off across Samnium unsupervised, but if it is otherwise then I'll add the Sybil action.
Edit: I think Telamon said that we could personally supervise the bandit hunt as well, and I really don't want the Gauls haring off across Samnium unsupervised, but if it is otherwise then I'll add the Sybil action.
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- Location
- Europe
Please, nothing to be sorry about. You gave a good explanation, and no one is counting who had the most victorious plans.Oh God, so it is. I hadn't realised. Sorry
- Location
- Southampton, Great Britain
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Plan Cunctator
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
--[X] Use the Gauls
--[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
--[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
-[X] Castrum Aestiva
-[X] Garrison
-[X] Eliminate the Bandits
--[X] Use the Gauls
--[X] Join the hunt
-[X] Establish Supply Lines
--[X] Pompolussa
-[X] Liberate the Towns
-[X] Connect With Elders
-[X] Study Logistics
- Location
- USA
Ah, I see the post you mean.
Still though, I think he might have just been making a point about being able to "join the hunt" and "Gauls" together in general on the options they were allowed; otherwise I don't see a reason why the Gemino and Protect the West options explicitly include the former option, whereas Bandits does not.
- Location
- Canada
[X] Plan Cunctator
- Location
- Classified
[X] Plan Cunctator
- Location
- Central Europe
A very good argument. If this vote was in anyway close, I would probably be convinced to switch. But as things stand I will just take over being the contrarian
.While I'm still a bit worried about what Gemino will do with the time & space this is gonna allow him. Your plan should reveal a lot of mechanical information I'm actually highly interested in.
For one how will not opposing the Rebels function mechanically? Will they attack one cohort during its task? Will all our cohorts out in the field gain a malus for higher rebel activity? Or will the rebels actually stick to gathering more forces for a turn?
Also how effective is 'self-training'? So far we have only taking mentor guided training options. Those (used to?) work like this:
We got really lucky on that Law roll back then. Even the great Scaevola can't teach us much more (If this system hasn't changed). Thus it is all the more interesting to find out at which XP-rates we should expect self-learning a stat/skill to procceed at.
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