Carthago !

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Carthago! is a game by G.M., louisxiv just made a site for it.

From Sammus’s Boast:

172: E52 – A Surprise Attack and a Failed Ambush

After Amphius’s warning about the Shedim, Baal-Shaq spoke to Barsoom, and we paused. No attack ensued, so after a few minutes we pressed on. As we got closer to our break at the halfway point of the night, Amphius saw one of the Shedim slightly ahead of the caravan circling. The horizon was brightening slightly, presaging the rising of the moon and both Mago and Amphius spotted a large shape blocking a couple of stars in the improving light. Mago loosed a sling shot but missed the distant target. Amphius saw it swoop down ahead narrowly missing Barsoom. Several camels began braying and Si'aspiqo descended from his camel. Some of the camels spat out something dark and glowing and Agripinus cast remove fear on his camel, which brayed even more loudly and spat out another dark, glowing pebble.

Mago spotted a blur from behind and above and dropped flat as it whistled past. I was looking in the wrong direction and just felt the draft as it flew past. Si'aspiqo worked up and then cast protection from evil on Toxoanassa, while Agripinus summoned an arcane weapon and looked around for a target. Hannibal was praying to Baal to protect him from the creatures of the night. Si'aspiqo announced that there was a protected zone around Toxoanassa.

Mago loosed again and struck a Shedim with a stone, which glanced off the target and Toxoanassa narrowly missed with an arrow. Mago was disappointed with the impact as it seemed like bouncing off a tree and there was no reaction from the Shedim, but the two dark shapes did seem to retreat to the east with one heading further north and the other further south. The moon was now rising in the west, although still hidden by folds in the land and Barsoom said this was a good time for a break. The guides calmed the camels and fed them more dark treats.

After the rest we resumed our journey by moonlight. Si'aspiqo checked used various fetishes and his cantrips to feel out for bats, Jabba worms, dark spiders, ghouls and the Shedim but felt no nearby contacts. We marched on until about 4am and nothing had interfered with our progress, but at this point clusters of bones rose out of the sand just behind me at the rear of the caravan. They lurched towards me, and I drew my sword, enarmed a bucker and gave a shout of warning. Baal-Shaq drew a blade and headed towards the rear, while Si'aspiqo began to descend carefully from his camel. As Agripinus summoned an arcane weapon, he saw Hannibal and his camel rushing to the rear. Mago retreated to give himself room to use his sling. I was faced with three of the ghouls and more were appearing from the sand.

Mago missed with a slingshot, but I struck a ghoul on the head, it collapsed, and I shielded off a blow from a club. Hannibal arrived on my right and I could hear Si'aspiqo chanting as he prepared a spell. Mezian, armed with a spear, joined Mago, who struck one of the ghouls with a slingshot. I hit another ghoul in the head, and it went down. Hannibal arrived and struck one of his opponents, but I took two blows from clubs.

Si'aspiqo cast protection against evil on me. Agripinus came in range of his arcane weapon and struck at one of the ghouls to my left, which was also struck by another slingshot, which did check it, but then it closed in on Mezian. Agripinus hit the same ghoul again and it dropped its spear. I missed again and took another blow from a club. Hannibal struck again, but the ghoul fought on as Baal-Shaq joined the fray.

More blows were exchanged and Agripinus’s arcane weapon knocked a ghoul to its knees. I could hear Barsoom cantering up on his camel to my right. I sheared the leg off a ghoul with my sword, but it was still moving, and I took another blow from a club. Hannibal hit a ghoul in the chest, and it collapsed. Baal-Shaq and Agripinus both landed blows, as Barsoom joined the combat from our right. I struck the upright ghoul and took off its left arm and Agripinus struck the one with one leg on the head and Hannibal hit another in the torso and spine and Hannibal hit a third in the head and all collapsed. I severed the right leg of the remaining ghoul and Barsoom impaled it with his spear.

We found three bone clubs, two usable spears, a gold bangle and a gold finger ring set with a piece of jet. Si'aspiqo felt no tingle of magic and thought both gold items looked Mediterranean rather than African. He thought the ring might be Punic. I was bruised, so Mago gave me a massage and Agripinus carried out three rites for cure serious and I felt much better.

We travelled on until a little after dawn to make up for lost time, then set up camp for the day, which passed quietly. Our guides told us that we had about two more nights travel to reach the halfway cave.

We set out again at dusk on 30th March and the first half of the night passed without incident. As we neared the point to take a break, Amphius spotted figures just off the trail to the right and some movement. He thought the figures were in desert clothes but could see no camels. Initially he wasn’t sure whether they were camping or set up for ambush. The guides stopped the camels as Amphius explained to Barsoom what he could see. The moon was just starting to show above the horizon and Amphius decided it was an ambush line. He could see at least a couple of spears and some small round shields. Barsoom thought they must be Iwillmiden, from an outcast tribe and enemies of the Kel Ayr. There were at least 10, but probably more, and maybe 300 yards away.

They discussed avoiding them, but Barsoom thought it best to face off against them, keeping the camels behind us. Hannibal started to rummage in his pack and dragged out and started donning his armour. By now the Iwillmiden had noticed our delay and started moving forward in a skirmish line.

From Sammus’s Boast:

171: E51 – Well Met

As we set off along the trail after descending from our camp we adjusted our line of march with Amphius dropping back close to Baal-Shaq and Asmun at the front; Toxoanassa and Agripinus alongside Si'aspiqo and Buna in the centre; and Mago and I as the rearguard with Mezian. Barsoom still rode his camel ranging ahead and around the caravan. We headed north.

Si'aspiqo detected bats with his fetishes and cantrips, but no darklings. He also sensed the Shedim far above us. There was no trace of Jabba worms. There was a light, warm wind from the south and very low clouds. Si'aspiqo’s camel stumbled, and he almost fell out, but he clung on and regained his seat.

At midnight we paused for a break as the moon started to rise. Si'aspiqo cast more cantrips and had more traces of bats. As we marched on Amphius caught sight of a large shadow flying across the moon, but there were no more attacks. We made camp on the morning of the 27th March at dawn with dark clouds and very little wind.

We set off again at dusk after Si'aspiqo had cast more cantrips and found no trace of bats, darklings, Jabba worms or the Shedim. It was very dark under the low, threatening clouds and all of us apart from Amphius had to hold on to a camel and shuffle our way forward. Baal-Shaq and Toxoanassa both fell but suffered no harm. Si'aspiqo cast his cantrips once more and detected bats but no darklings. He caught a glimpse of a flicker off to the north and then heard a rumble. As we stopped at midnight there were more flickers and sounds of rumbling from the north. The camels were sniffing the air and the guides thought it might rain. As we marched on Barsoom checked we were not crossing a dried-up waterway. We made camp early a little way off the trail. We could all feel the wind cool and freshen from west of north and knew rain was on its way. Around dawn it started to rain quite heavily for a few minutes.

We set off again at sunset on 28th March. Si'aspiqo had cast his cantrips and found no traces of bats, darklings and Jabba worms. Once more it was very dark, and we had to shuffle through the sand following the camels. Si'aspiqo fell off his camel and we took an early break so Mago could give him a healing massage and Apgipinus carried out a healing rite.

As we waited, Amphius spotted something out in the darkness. The clouds were breaking up and there were a few stars as the wind turned to come from southwest. Soon Amphius made out three camels and then heard shuffling movement and saw a fourth camel. Barsoom called into the desert and Amphius could see four camels, three with riders and one carrying baggage. There were shouts back and forth in Berber and Si'aspiqo lit a torch. Three men in desert dress came into sight leading four camels. One of them called out: “Greetings! Who have we here?”, in Arma. Agripinus introduced himself and the man replied: “Well met, I am Hannibal of Uttica”. He knew that Agripinus was a priest from the Sacred Band.

Hannibal was a former cavalry officer. He had a grizzled beard and shaved head, and was stocky, medium height and hardy looking. He looked and sounded very Carthaginian. One guide was older than the other younger; one had a sword in his belt and the other held a spear. They were both quiet and were wrapped in desert garb. Hannibal explained that he was exploring, trying to cross the desert in search of ivory, and in particular elephants. There was a talk of war in Sicily and Carthage had put a new bounty on elephants for the war.

He had left Carthage in the late autumn and had headed south from Regane with guides. He and Baal-Shaq spoke in Punic. Baal-Shaq told Hannibal that he was from the most western Carthaginian settlements and was also a Carthaginian citizen. Hannibal knew the cavalry units I had served in and seemed genuine to me. As we introduced ourselves, he commented on how far Kush was, and was very surprised by Seeing Toxoanassa, calling Scythia the end of the world. We told him of our journey and when we told him there had been no elephants in Kuku, he thought he might be better to return to Regane, especially as the weather was getting hotter and hotter now. Baal-Shaq felt we would be stronger together. Hannibal vouched for his guides - Iken and his son Usidene. The Kel Ayr discussed and decided that they were not at war, and it was agreed we would travel north in convoy.

The three new arrivals formed a parallel line to the left of us with Hannibal roughly alongside Baal-Shaq and Amphius and we resumed our march until we made a larger camp than usual at dawn on 29th March. When Hannibal put his kit aside, I noticed a small shield with a red and white galloping horse, which I recognised as a device from a Carthaginian cavalry unit. He had a short spear with a spike at one end and a ball at the other. The wood was burnt black and highly polished, with marks and sigils on it. I learnt that Hannibal had retired as a unit commander of about 500. He walked with a limp but was very solidly built.

Hannibal told us that his guides had been good and kept them from trouble. He commented on Agripinus being a priest of Tanit and then told us that he had a holy tablet to keep off evil and keep him safe. Baal-Shaq was interested in this and Hannibal told him that he was welcome to pray at it. He congratulated Agripinus on putting together such a stout and widely travelled group. He asked about our encounters, and we mentioned the Jabba worm, undead and a few other things and he took out a scroll and noted the answers to his questions. Agripinus noticed that he had tattoo very similar to the design on his shield. Baal-Shaq prayed with him at his tablet.

It was a fair day, and the clouds rolled away to leave clear skies. Before we set out Baal-Shaq told us that he thought Hannibal was genuine. He was a devout follower of Baal, and the holy tablet was genuine.

We set off at dusk on 29th March on a starlit night. Si'aspiqo cast a cantrip and did not find traces of darklings. Shortly before midnight Amphius caught sight of a dark shadow up in the sky ahead to the north, but no-one else could see it. Si'aspiqo cast cantrips and detected some bats to the north and south, but not very close. Amphius caught sight of the dark shadow a few more times to the north and then to the south. Si'aspiqo cast his cantrip to search for darklings but found no trace. Amphius thought there were two large shapes up high; one to the north and one to the south, He warned everyone to be ready. Hannibal prepared his shield and spear and muttered a prayer, and we all made ready for an attack.

From Sammus’s Boast:

170: E50 – Ambush from Above

Baal-Shaq called for an all-hands discussion, and invited our Kel Ayr guides, who sat in a tight group with Barsoom at the front. There was much translation and hand-waving by Baal-Shaq to keep communications going. Between Arma, Punic and Desert Berber he seemed to manage. The guides said that the three secret sites for water were the only way to fill all the camel water sacks, unless the heavens opened, and the great rains came. Apparently, a man might see that perhaps once or twice in his lifetime, so no-one was holding their breath. There were other water holes, but they were much smaller and unreliable. They would rather avoid the Erg altogether than try that, and we would have to change guides at least twice before we finally got to Carthage that way; and we would have to survive the heat of summer. Even he looked pained at the thought.

The Kel Ayr felt they would come at night, for they saw clearly then. A cunning attack would try and put arrows in the camel waterbags, shooting and evading and holding back our progress until we were out of water, or gave up the woman. Barsoom had heard of such things before, from the starwatchers in his tribe. He would not give them your woman in any case, as a life without honour was no life at all. They were our guides and kept their word. The safest way was to go back to Kuku. The longest way was to go to Carthage. The darkest way was to cross the Erg. They would not abandon us, whichever way we chose.

Baal-Shaq said that they were honourable men, and he was grateful. They shared in the danger, and so they would share in anything taken from the desert. He personally would also double the money they had been promised. Then Baal-Shaq asked if anyone had any other ideas, as he would hear from all before we set off.

The Kel-Ayr said that we could travel by day, and laager the camels at night, with the water in the middle: “But that was a very hard way to travel. Very hot, very thirsty. No margin of water on the longest leg; a sandstorm might be the end of everyone. But maybe the path of a Righteous Man, though beset on all sides, will not be blocked by evil. They would have to attack by night, while we defend”. He looked at Si'Aspiqo: “Even riding a camel, this is a hard way”.

From Moktar oasis it was three or four days travel to the ruined fort then six more to the halfway cave and then eight more days to the northern reach where there was just a camp and kraal with a tunnel to the water supply. We all agreed that we should water at the halfway cave in daylight and then move on while it was still daylight for a little way before resting. The Kel Ayr wrapped extra skins around the waterskins to protect them from darkling arrows. We also changed the march order to have Amphius and Mago skirmish out in front, while I swapped with Toxoanassa, so she was in the centre of the party, and I was rearguard. Si'aspiqo prepared fetishes for Darklings, bats and Jabba worms. He found no trace of Darklings or bats, before we set out. He thought there might have been a Jabba worm well off to the northwest, but he wasn’t sure as it was at the end of his range.

By the evening of 23rd March, the sandstorm had faded away and a light warm wind blew from the south as we left the oasis heading northwest. Each time we paused, Si'aspiqo checked again for Darklings, bats and Jabba worms, but felt nothing and our march was undisturbed. During the middle of the day as we rested, Buna noticed a restless camel and spotted something moving near the camp and we were all awoken. He found the tracks of a creature with feet and a long trail, which he told us was a big lizard, twice as long as a spear. We ignored it and rested quietly until dusk.

There were light winds from the northeast and when we stopped around midnight, Si'aspiqo felt there were several Darklings off a little way ahead in the desert. As we set off again with Barsoom riding ahead of us we heard him call a war cry and Mago shouted a warning to the rest as he and Amphius followed Barsoom.

At the back of the party, I saw motion above me out of the corner of my eye. I tried, unsuccessfully to dodge, and something with very large wings and claws bashed into me and then failed to grasp me with its claws as it flew back up. I heard unhappy bleats from the camels and the beating of large wings and then saw a humanoid shape flying off. I suspected it was a Shedim.

Si'aspiqo caught sight of it and agreed it was a Shedim. He cast protection from evil on Toxoanassa in case it returned. Barsoom rode back and reported that he had found a small number of Darklings and killed one, but the rest scattered and fled. Si'aspiqo got out the Shedim token that had been sealed in Agripinus’s box and had it ready to use to help detect the Shedim and then we resumed our march. Mago saw a few bats and then far off in the East the first light of dawn appeared as the moon set. Amphius caught sight of a man-sized figure with large wings high up in the darkening sky ahead to the north, but lost sight of it as it flew behind a dune. Barsoom rode off a little in that direction and then circled back, and we continued our march.

Agripinus and Amphius caught sight of something flying off to the West across the setting moon about 150 metres away and we stopped our march and prepared a defensive camp as it was almost dawn. Agripinus started singing a hymn which he continued singing until dawn arrived and it grew warmer and brighter. The wind was a little stronger from the southwest, and the day was clear and bright. Si'aspiqo cast a protection from evil around the camp centre and we spent a hot day resting undisturbed.

We resumed our march on the evening of 25th March. Twice during the night Si'aspiqo spotted large bats flying around but nothing attacked. As dawn approached the Kel Ayr thought we were near the next watering place, so we marched on. We broke off the trail and ascended to reach a collapsed, mud brick fort or ziggurat which might have been damaged by fire. Our guides found the concealed hole and tunnel in the corner and replenished our water.

Si'aspiqo sensed Darklings nearby and Agripinus thought he saw movement amongst the rocks. Toxoanassa spotted a figure and loosed an arrow, and it let out a squawk. She saw it crawling away but missed with a second arrow. Amphius and Mago went to investigate down the rocky slope and the Greek missed with an arrow but as he charged the Darkling, it ran and Toxoanassa slew it with another arrow. The Darkling was very hairy and had a bag of pebbles and a stone mace. One of the coloured pebbles might have been jet. The mace was made of dense wood, with a hard smooth basalt head. Si'aspiqo thought it was an Egyptian heavy infantry weapon. The rest of the day was hot, but the guides gave the camels extra water, and we all drank as much as we needed. As dusk approached on 26th March we descended back down to the trail. The wind had dropped, and the sky had clouded over. Although the moon was up, the night would be darker because of the cloud.

A Timeline

1. On Calendars

I set as the era the year of the accession of the Pharaoh Ptolemy II, son of Ptolemy, so we begin in the year 18 of that reign, and I use a simplified system of twelve months with no regard for the multiple systems of intercalary days, weeks, months or moons of our own various cultures nor those we have passed through. I shall use the month names used by the main story-teller, a Gaul, Sammus the Strong, but number them to disambiguate their order.

–Si'aspiqo

2. The Tale of Months