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Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul

 
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Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/15/2014 3:28:18 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Salve. My name is Julianus. I have recently come onto a few good horses through inheritance, which also included enough money to buy a few quadrigas and hire a few brawling loudmouths off the street to go chariot racing. I have always had this vision of me winning the big Emperor’s race in Rome. Well, here we are in darkest corner of Gaul, and I am weak, fat, short-sighted and have am allergic to leather whips, so I will have to leave the actual driving to others, but I may be best at scheming anyway.

My team will be called the Procyones. Let’s make a name for ourselves and head for Rome in due time!

---

Those who know me around here will already know that I will fail horribly. In fact, this is the second (and first epic) campaign I start with this game. In my first attempt, I managed to get my three aurigas killed within the first seven races and managed only two wins in 20+ races. Any race team ever declared bankruptcy?

The settings for this game will be static turns, but epic difficulty (permadeath is a fascinating concept, humanity should try it at one point). We will be of the Praesinas faction, and I don’t have any clue about the deeper concepts of chariot racing, to be honest. Even our team name is anachronistic. There were no Proycones in Europe in Roman times. What is this thing I am talking about?

Raccoons! So cute.

Yeah.

---

We start out in Santonum in Gaul. These are the local leaders as we dabble into racing:

Piso (Gaul) of Albata, 5 V
Comargos (Gaul) of Purpura, 4 V
Sedullos (Gaul) of Praesina, 3 V
Voccio (Gaul) of Veneta, 3 V
Dumnocourios (Gaul) of Aurata, 2 V
Ivogenos (Gaul) of Russata, 2 V

Our three charioteers will be Cynan, Crotus, and Dunocratis. As we are just starting out, they are all of good constitution, our chariots are quite sizeable, and our horses are a bit more enduring than the average animal.

While Santonum is a tiny 4-lane Greek style arena, our first race will hold eight competitors, so carnage seems likely to break out sooner rather than later. I will have to try and drive for a finish in this one. It would suck to have to write off the first of our three teams right away…

It will probably take a few races to get a sizeable amount of gold in… entrants will be listed from the inside to the outside for all races.

---

Race I – Santonum, Cynan

Event: Craftsman Sympathizer
Entrants: Dumnocurious (AUR, 2 V), Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V), Voccio (VEN, 3 V), Cynan in row 1, Sedullos (PRA, 3 V), Piso (ALB, 5 V), Sucelogenos, Comargos (PUR, 4 V) in row 2

All the local champions took part in this event. We started on the outside of the first row, and Cynan did not get the best start, leaving the first corner in fourth place with Voccio leading. Piso passed Cynan on the second straight, dropping him to the fifth, but Piso’s chariot tumbled over as he took the second corner too tight. With Voccio leading Dumnocourios on the outside after one lap, Piso was third, but was dragged behind his horses, and to his death. The first five chariots were close together after two laps, all on the outside. Cynan ran right behind the red-clad Ivogenos, but could not get past. Ivogenos tried to get besides Dumnocourios on the fifth straight, but failed, yet slid back to the outside in front of Cynan in time. On the sixth straight, a dead horse from Sedullos’ team blocked the second-outmost lane, so overtaking was impossible there. Or was it? Cynan made a daring move two lanes across, but Ivogenos also moved out and blocked him. Cynan could not get back to the outside and was whipped for some nasty cuts by Comargos, as he fell to sixth place at the finish

I Voccio (VEN, 4 V)
II Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V)
III Dumnocourios (AUR, 2 V)
IV Sucelogenos - injured
V Comargos (PUR, 4 V)
VI Cynan - injured
VII Sedullos (PRA, 3 V) – injured
DNF Piso (ALB, 5 V) – killed

We come along and Gaul’s most prolific star is killed right away. Good grief, we bring bad luck!

Race II – Santonum, Crotus

Event: Medic Sympathizer
Entrants: Comargos (PUR, 4 V), Crotus, Teddilos, Dumnocourios (AUR, 2 V) in row 1, Comanos, Voccio (VEN, 4 V), Dagobitos (ALB, 2 V), Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V) in row 2

The unknown Comanos, of the Purpura faction, managed to take the lead out of the first corner, with Crotus in fourth place. Teddilos crashed right in the first corner. The Purpuran was dragged halfway up the second straight, and when he finally got free, was run over by Dumnocourios and killed. Crotus was in third place after one lap, right behind the Purpurans Comanos and Comargos, and with a sizeable gap to fourth place. That gap only got bigger when a crash claimed the chariots of Voccio and Dumnocourios in the third corner, and the latter was killed. The corner was strewn with debris now, but the inside was clear. Crotus pulled over as the leaders approached the fifth corner, but slowed down too much to pass Comanos. Comargos however was thrown from his quadriga running over the wreckage. Approaching the final corner, Crotus was still on the second-inmost lane, and Comanos pulled over to block him, but went too fast into the final corner and crashed as well! He was dragged along onto the final straight, but still in the lead! But he could not hold on and was dragged to his death. Crotus won a bloodbath!

I Crotus (1 V)
II Dagobitus (ALB, 2 V)
DNF Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V) – injured
DNF Comargos (PUR, 4 V) – injured
DNF Teddilos – killed
DNF Dumnocourios (AUR, 2 V) – killed
DNF Voccio (VEN, 4 V) – killed
DNF Comanos – killed

The public certainly got its day’s worth of games in this one.

Race III – Santonum, Dunocratis

Event: Unhealthy Stables
Entrants: Dunocratis, Dagobitos (ALB, 2 V), Drappes (AUR, 2 V), Ecritusiros

Wonder why there were only four entrants in this event… this one however did not go well for us. Dunocratis did not get a good start, then put the whip on Dagobitos to his outside in the first corner, lost balance and bit the dust. He got away, though.

I Drappes (AUR, 3 V)
II Ecritusiros
III Dagobitos (ALB, 2 V)
DNF Dunocratis – injured

Race IV – Santonum, Cynan

Event: Uncleaned Track
Entrants: Sedullos (PRA, 3 V), Dagobitos (ALB, 2 V), Rianorix, Ivorix in row 1; Cynan, Tincomius, Licnos, Cunovindos

While debris littered the track, we got a bad start. Cynan was pinned on the inside, while Dagobitos, Rianorix, and Ivorix raced ahead. Dagobitos however crashed in the first corner, as did Licnos. The track became more and more of a mess. Cynan was seventh exiting the final corner, but things were not bleak yet: Sedullos crashed in the second corner, and the field was getting pretty thin very quickly again. Because of the accidents, Cynan was up to fourth place after the third corner, albeit far behind Rianorix, Cunovindos, and Ivorix. Fourth place was actually last place once Tincomius toppled his chariot out of the third turn. Ivorix however, had some very bad damage to his quadriga, and Cynan caught up with and passed the Russata auriga after two laps. The first two however were uncatchable for Cynan, who had to settle for third place.

I Rianorix (1 V)
II Cunovindos
III Cynan
IV Ivorix
DNF Licnos – injured
DNF Tincomius – injured
DNF Sedullos (PRA, 3 V) – injured
DNF Dagobitos (ALB, 2 V) – killed

After this place finish, we had some money together and I used it to get out of this miserable town. We moved on to Vienna, which had a bigger 8-laned Roman-style track. There, they had a few more prominent leaders, too, although some were still known to us from Santonum:

Gutuater (Gaul) for Purpura, 7 V
Maslorius (Gaul) for Aurata, 7 V
Pallu (Syrian) for Albata, 7 V
Sedullos (Gaul) for Praesina, 3 V
Adcovropatros (Gaul) for Veneta, 2 V
Ivogenos (Gaul) for Russata, 2 V

Cynan had damaged his chariot pretty good in this race, and that left Crotus with the only working chariot we had. We still had some money, though, so buying one would not be much of an issue in Vienna.

Race V – Vienna, Crotus

Event: Perfect Training
Entrants: Gerontios, Adcovropatros (VEN, 2 V) Maslorius (AUR, 7 V), Mabon, Gutuater (PUR, 7 V), Pallu (ALB, 7 V), Crotus (1 V), Diviciacos

Crotus was about the only starter not whipping excessively out of the boxes and paid for that with seventh place out of the first corner. However, Gerontios crashed out of there, throwing away the lead. But Crotus lost more time on the second straight, trying to ward off attacks by Diviciacos, and the first four were far away by the time he got to the third straight. Then, two of the local champions, Pallu and Maslorius, crashed in the third corner, and once more, one crash caused the next one, as there was much dying in the arena. The public was amused, though. Once Gutuater was killed in the fifth corner, Adcovropatros had a huge lead, while Crotus and Diviciacos were right on top of each other vying for now second place. Diviciacos kept blocking Crotus rather cunningly, and he could not pass him.

I Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V)
II Diviciacos
III Crotus (1 V)
DNF Mabon – injured
DNF Gerontios – injured
DNF Maslorius (AUR, 7 V) – killed
DNF Gutuater (PUR, 7 V) – killed
DNF Pallu (ALB, 7 V) – killed

What is that? The Procyones go someplace, and all the leaders die. Strange.

For the next race, I bought Dunocratis a new chariot. Things were slightly cheaper here than elsewhere, and we still had some money from Crotus’ victory in Santonum.

Race VI – Vienna, Dunocratis

Event: Perfect start
Entrants: Ariogaisos, Indutios, Camulacos, Cacumatos, Segovax, Epicatos, Dunocratis, Brennus (ALB, 5 V), Adgarios, Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V), Segusiavos, Cunittos (PUR, 2 V)

Segovax took an early lead with manic whipping, while Dunocratis got stuck in the pack and was all but tenth out of the first corner. Ahead of him, Ariogaisos whipped into Indutios, so trouble was brewing already. Indutios lost speed, stacked up other drivers and the chaos dropped Dunocratis to last place after one lap, and was pretty much out of contention for a place finish. Segovax crashed his chariot in the third turn, which left Brennus and Adcovropatros to duke out first place honors, while the main pack was whipping each other with great pleasure. Ariogaisos crashed in the third turn, and Segusiavos whipped Adgarios to death. Dunocratis was trying to whip himself into a better position on the fourth straight, when a stunned Epicatos pulled over in front of him for a hefty crash that left three of Dunocratis’ horses wounded. He limped home defeated.

I Brennus (ALB, 6 V) – injured
II Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V)
III Cunittos (PUR, 2 V)
IV Segusiavos
V Cacumatos
VI Indutios – injured
VII Camulacos
VIII Dunocratis
DNF Ariogaisos – injured
DNF Segovax – injured
DNF Adgarios – killed
DNF Epicatos – killed

Back to Crotus. Time to get ourselves our first 2-race winner!

Race VII – Vienna, Crotus

Event: Horse Fight
Entrants: Crotus (1 V), Gododin, Monturos, Ioincatios, Aiuccio, Litogenos, Cunopectos, Matuacos, Afulay (AUR, 5 V), Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V), Cunittos (PUR, 2 V), Garmanos

While Crotus got a good start, he was also on the very inside and thus was pressed against the island on the first straight, and while he whipped himself into second place, he had to get more to the outside, which cost him valuable time in the first corner, which he left in fifth place behind Aiuccio, Cunittos, Adcovropatros, and Gododin. Matuacos came on fast on his outside and he blocked him, but lost even more positions. As Matuacos aggressively tried to advance, both Crotus and Cunopectos whipped him to death. Crotus used some more whip to get up to fifth place on the third straight, and fourth-place Ioincatios crashed on the inside of the third turn. On the fifth straight, Crotus whipped excessively again to catch up with Adcovropatros, who was in third place, but instead Cunittos started to fall back with a badly wounded outside horse. A second place finish was still in reach! Aiuccio, a Venetan driver, came out of the last corner in first place, just ahead of Adcovropatros, who had run over some wreckage and was stunned, trapping a cursing Cunittos behind him. Mad whip usage got Crotus past the Purpuran, and past the Venetan champion, but Aiuccio had been too far ahead.

I Aiuccio (1 V)
II Crotus (1 V)
III Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V)
IV Cunittus (PUR, 2 V)
V Gododin
VI Garmanos
VII Monturos
DNF Afulay (AUR, 5 V) – injured
DNF Ioincatios – injured
DNF Cunopectos – injured
DNF Litogenos – injured
DNF Matuacos – killed

---

So, for a start, this was perhaps not so bad. We have 7,030 gold in the bank, and apart from two wounded horses are in solid condition so far. We are now certainly recognized on the local stage.

Total races: 7
First place: 1 (14%) - Crotus (1)
Second place: 1 (14%)
Third place: 2 (28%)
Finishes: 2 (28%)
Eliminated: 1 (14%)

Ave Procyones!

_____________________________

Don't be scared - I'm almost sure that I just want to play!
Post #: 1
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/16/2014 8:32:10 AM   
IainMcNeil


Posts: 2804
Joined: 10/26/2004
From: London
Status: offline 		Very interesting - have you thought about posting this to Steam. There are a lot of rabid price discussions over there and nobody is actually talking about the game which is sad.

_____________________________

Iain McNeil
Director
Matrix Games

(in reply to Westheim)
Post #: 2
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/16/2014 3:50:08 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		I would not be touching Steam, even if I had a 20-foot pole at my disposal, sorry. And hey, it's the internet. It is full of people who love to hate on things just for the sake of hating.

I will do what I can on here, and add an update sometime this evening.

_____________________________

Don't be scared - I'm almost sure that I just want to play!

(in reply to IainMcNeil)
Post #: 3
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/16/2014 5:04:27 PM   
IainMcNeil


Posts: 2804
Joined: 10/26/2004
From: London
Status: offline 		No problem that's still great. Some screenshots would really help bring it to life! :)

_____________________________

Iain McNeil
Director
Matrix Games

(in reply to Westheim)
Post #: 4
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/16/2014 9:51:05 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		One problem with screenshots with this game is that it is hard to make a good one of the actual action. During turn resolution, your own chariot is always centered on, and between turns, the action overlay somewhat kills the immersion. It is also a royal pain to get pics into the text on here. Always used attachments before. I will try my best. :p

I was really wondering whether coming here had been a smart move. The big race track gave my inexperienced guys problems, and it is tough to finish first in the huge fields. Have we tried to move forward too soon?

Regardless, I found a good quality chariot in the shop the other day, and bought it. It was assigned to Cynan for the next race.

Race VIII – Vienna, Cynan

Event: Heavy Fog
Entrants: Cynan, Voteporix, Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V), Cunittos (PUR, 2 V), Diovicos (AUR, 2 V), Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V), Prasutagus, Sedullos (PRA, 3 V)

While Adcovropatros (and I can not type that name without cursing …!) took the lead right out of the boxes, Cynan got off well, but starting on the far inside had disadvantages. He had to move further out and that dropped him to seventh position of eight out of the first corner. But Cunittos crashed out of that corner, running fourth, but he got away with some bruises. Second-place Diovicos crashed in the second corner. There were chances here, and indeed the crashes continued, as Adcovropatros wrecked in the third corner and was almost run over. That put a lot of rampant horses on the track, and Cynan had one and a half laps to get past Prasutagus, who was now the leader. Cynan was right on his heel heading onto the fifth straight. Cynan stayed on the outer half of the track as Prasutagus moved to the inside, and Cynan used the whip to get ahead. He stayed ahead in the last corner, as Prasutagus was drifting back to the outside and ran over some debris at the exit of the turn. Cynan was a brawler after all, but failed to whip Prasutagus while he was shaken. He still managed to whip his engines well: both used the whip down the final straight, but our horses had more left in them, and Cynan won by about three lengths!

[image][/image]


I Cynan (1 V)
II Prasutagus – injured
III Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V)
IV Sedullos (PRA, 3 V)
DNF Cunittos (PUR, 2 V) – injured
DNF Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V) – injured
DNF Voteporix – injured
DNF Diovicos (AUR, 2 V) – injured

The sweet taste of victory! Let’s all bath in vinum! Also, Cynan had clearly shown some skill in this race, maybe he was our best rider?

After taking a 6,400 gold prize in this race, money was not an issue for the moment. Time to rack up some wins!

Race IX – Vienna, Crotus

Event: Damaged Chariot
Entrants: Camulacos, Crotus (1 V), Biriacos, Ecimios, Catusso, Sedullos (PRA, 3 V), Dumnogenos, Cogidubnus, Brennus (ALB, 6 V), Erbin, Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V), Diovicos (AUR, 2 V)

Crotus did not get a good start, falling to tenth place of twelve on the first straight, and was also pinned on the inside. Moving out before the first corner also got right behind a bulk of maniacs who started to whip each other and he ran over a dead horse exiting the first corner, while Brennus and Ecimios raced ahead of the pack. There was a crash in the second corner, claiming the Purpuran Camulacos, while Crotus managed to leave at least some of the combatants behind, but he was only ninth at half distance, and had no chance of a good finish. There were a few more accidents, foremost second-place Ecimios, but Crotus finished deep in the field.



I Brennus (ALB, 7 V)
II Cogidubnus
III Erbin
IV Biracos
V Sedullos (PRA, 3 V)
VI Diovicos (AUR, 2 V) – injured
VII Ivogenos (RUS, 2 V)
VIII Crotus (1 V)
IX Catusso
DNF Camulacos – injured
DNF Dumnogenos – injured
DNF Ecimios – injured

With that, we left Vienna for the time being and traveled up to Lugdunum, where they would allow us into their track, which was markedly smaller and perhaps more comfortable. Well, they also had races with 12 chariots, but the track was only six lanes wide, and of Greek style. They had a few different local leaders:

Teddilos (Gaul) for Russata, 7 V
Ichabod (Syrian) for Aurata, 6 V
Segestes (Gaul) for Albata, 4 V
Sedullos (Gaul) for Praesina, 3 V
Adcovropatros (Gaul) for Veneta, 3 V
Cunittos (Gaul) for Purpura, 2 V

On the local market, I spent lavishly, 8,000 gold for some speedy and enduring horses. They were also given to Cynan.

Race X – Lugdunum, Cynan

Event: New Star in Town
Entrants: Segovax, Ichabod (AUR, 6 V), Acaunos, Sedullos (PRA, 3 V), Adiegos, Nonnos in row 1; Teddilos (RUS, 7 V), Vindomolatos, Samogenos, Nemetos, Orcetirix, Cynan (1 V)

While Segovax, the Purpuran, made a daring move on the inside at the start and took the lead, Cynan got away so-so, and came out of the first corner in ninth place on the far outside. But he whipped his horses too hard on the first lap and soon started to fall back into one of the last positions. Up ahead, Segovax crashed on the second lap, leaving the lead to Teddilos. Cynan was already well beaten when major carnage ensued in the fifth corner, as he still battled four other racers for position at the back end of the field. Cynan crashed with Ishabod, which killed one of our new horses, and Nemetos crashed with Vindomolatos, and the latter was killed.

I Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)
II Nonnos
III Adiegos
IV Sedullos (PRA, 3 V)
V Acaunos
VI Samgenos – injured
VII Ichabod (AUR, 6 V)
VIII Cynan (1 V)
DNF Segovax – injured
DNF Nemetos – injured
DNF Orcetirix – injured
DNF Vindomolatos – killed

Well, that one was expensive. At this point we could not get a new horse of the better quality we had just bought for this race, so the three survivors would not be able to race for the moment. The next race was a smaller one, and maybe Crotus could get something done?

Race XI – Lugdunum, Crotus

Event: Perfect Start
Entrants: Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V), Sedullos (PRA, 3 V), Crotus (1 V), Rheged, Segestes (ALB, 4 V), Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)

In a very strong field, Crotus got the third-best start, but lost a position in the first corner. Segestes stormed into the lead, only to crash in the second corner. Behind Crotus, Rheged and Teddilos were whipping and crashing into each other, so a place finish was well in reach, and maybe more. Unfortunately, as he approached the third corner, Segestes had just freed himself of the reins, and then tumbled under Crotus’ chariot to end up a bloody mess. On the fourth straight, both Adcovropatros and Sedullos, the new leaders, moved to the inside, while Crotus, about four lengths behind, stayed further outside. The move did not pay off. While third place was never in danger, he also could not close up with the leaders anymore.



I Sedullos (PRA, 4 V)
II Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V)
III Crotus (1 V)
IV Rheged – injured
V Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)
DNF Segestes (ALB, 4 V) – killed

With the winnings from here, I was able to get a replacement horse for the decimated team, but the four rascals would not be available for the next event, which again had a full field. Dunocratis had not gotten a chance recently. He would enter with our usual equipment.

Race XII – Lugdunum, Dunocratis

Event: Bumpy Arena
Entrants: Timai (ALB, 2 V), Dunocratis, Cunittus (PUR, 2 V), Ichabod (AUR, 6 V), Sedullos (PRA, 4 V), Critognatos in row 1; Liscos, Diocros, Caburos, Bennacos, Brannogenos, Eporidos

Dunocratis thought he had learned something from his companions in the last races: don’t fall to the rear of the pack at the start. He whipped from the drop of the white handkerchief. But it didn’t help that Cunittus whipped into his horses right away and badly mangled one of them. Our race was basically over right there, we were just too slow. Ichabod and Timai stormed ahead out of the second corner, never to look back. The final corner ramped up the excitement after a rather dull race, as both Ichabod, in first place, and Eporedios, in third place, had their chariots brake apart. Both held on to the reins and were dragged to the finish line.

I Ichabod (AUR, 7 V) – injured
II Timai (ALB, 2 V)
III Bennacos – injured
IV Cunittus (PUR, 2 V)
V Eporedios – injured
VI Brannogenos
VII Caburos
VIII Liscos
IX Dunocratis
X Critognatos – injured
XI Diocaros
XII Sedullos (PRA, 4 V) – injured

The next race was a smaller one, but we rolled out our best suit for it: Cynan would get the best horses and the best chariot we had and try to win this one, no matter what.

Race XIII – Lugdunum, Cynan

Event: Perfect Training
Entrants: Caburos, Cynan (1 V), Timai (ALB, 2 V), Smertulitanos, Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V), Medsilos

In a field that was not quite as tough as the last few, Cynan got off to a good start, but Caburos was better and made a perfect turn on the inside of the first corner. Cynan came out second, but Timai whipped his chariot past him on the second straight. After Timai got a few lashes from Caburos, he fell back again on the third straight, and Cynan took second place. Out of the third turn, he was merely one chariot length behind Caburos, another Praesina driver. Caburos anticipated Cynan going to his inside on the fourth straight – but that was a mistake! Cynan stayed on the outside, and there whipped past Caburos’ quadriga to take the lead into the fourth corner. Cynan stayed on the outside in the fifth corner, but Caburos took a shorter lane and they got onto the fifth straight side by side! And Cynan’s horses had JUST a bit more speed in them. Cynan tried to whip Caburos, who defended himself. Cynan employed some more whip as they approached the final corner, while Caburos tried a shorter approach again – he came out juuu… glll… CLOSE!! And from behind came Adcovropatros!! All three were almost right on top of each other on the final straight!! WHIP IT, CYNAN!! WHIP IT!! Caburos pulled up, he pulled up, the finish line – aaaaaand……. CYNAN BY A NOSE LENGTH!!!





I Cynan (2 V)
II Caburos
III Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V)
IV Smertulitanos
V Medsilos
VI Timai (ALB, 2 V)

What a victory!! What joy!! Vinum per omnes!!

---

We have now some 11,000 denarii in the bank, which would give us an upgrade or two, if there were some. We have also gotten access to the remaining tracks in Gaul with this win and I will look into what we can get here in upgrades. Camulodunum has an iron forge for better chariots, so maybe that could be a destination?



It's hard to make screens and try to remember where they belonged in the text an hour later =)

Ave Procyones!

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Westheim -- 6/17/2014 4:54:34 PM >

_____________________________

Don't be scared - I'm almost sure that I just want to play!

(in reply to IainMcNeil)
Post #: 5
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/17/2014 8:28:13 AM   
IainMcNeil


Posts: 2804
Joined: 10/26/2004
From: London
Status: offline 		Thanks I think they're great or will be when I can see them a bit bigger :)

_____________________________

Iain McNeil
Director
Matrix Games

(in reply to Westheim)
Post #: 6
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/17/2014 3:56:26 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		I don't know what is wrong with the board software but it won't eat into the thumbnail codes from Photobucket and after another 30 minutes of cursing I am giving up on them. Back to attachments and spamming ten posts within an hour.

Here's the photo finish of Cynan's second win in huge. I am pretending the rest never happened.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Westheim -- 6/17/2014 4:57:30 PM >

_____________________________

Don't be scared - I'm almost sure that I just want to play!

(in reply to IainMcNeil)
Post #: 7
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/17/2014 8:33:20 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Race XIV – Lugdunum, Crotus

Event: Uncleaned Track (uh-oh…)
Entrants: Ichabod (AUR, 7 V), Crotus (1 V), Auntinos, Sedullos (PRA, 4 V), Cunittus (PUR, 2 V), Timai (ALB, 2 V) in row 1; Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V), Conconedunos, Adgennorix, Biatacos, Guidgen, Apotouros in row 2

While Crotus’ initial start was not good, he made use of an inside line in the first turn and came out with the leaders. Heading onto the third straight, he formed a loose lead group with Ichabod, Cunittus, and Timai, and stayed on a central lane. Cunittus was annoyed by Timai’s presence and killed him with a few nasty whip lashes, reducing the lead group to three. That was also when things started to go wrong. Crotus drifted to the outside in the third turn and collided with Cunittus, then ran over debris twice. Unable to control his chariot, he crashed in the fourth turn and was run over, and killed.

I Cunittus (PUR, 4 V)
II Ichabod (AUR, 7 V)
III Auntinos
IV Conconedunos
V Adgennorix
VI Guidgen
VII Biatacos
DNF Apotouros – injured
DNF Sedullos (PRA, 4 V) – injured
DNF Adcovropatros (VEN, 3 V) – injured
DNF Timai (ALB, 2 V) – killed
DNF Crotus (1 V) – killed

Sadness. All the crap lying around on the track got the better of Crotus, he was basically stunned for a half lap before crashing. I must insist on a track safety board ensuring cleanness of the track before the start of the race!

The next race was intended to be our last one in Lugdunum. I would try and head to Britain for some better chariots, and then over to Treverorum to subdue this province for good. Of course, that put pressure on Cynan.

Race XV – Lugdunum, Cynan

Event: Family Sponsorship
Entrants: Cunovindos (ALB, 2 V), Ichabod (AUR, 7 V), Cynan (2 V), Marobodunus, Argicios, Ebicatos

Cunovindos aggressively whipped himself into the lead at the start, but that did his horses no good. Cynan was third behind Argicios after the first turn, and both Cunovindos and Marobodunus crashed in the second corner, putting Cynan in second place, but a fair bit behind the Albatan Argicios. It quickly turned out that Argicios had the much faster horses. Cynan could whip his all he wanted, he was not making up any ground. Instead, Ebicatos was close behind him, trying to take second place and he had to defend himself. That he did successfully, whipping the poor beasts over the finish lane two quadriga lengths ahead.

I Argicios
II Cynan (2 V)
III Ebicatos
IV Ichabod (AUR, 7 V)
DNF Cunovindos (ALB 2 V) – injured
DNF Marobodunus – killed

And with that we packed up shop and moved to Britain. There, Cynan was actually the faction leader for the Praesina group! Overall, the leaders were:

Teddilos (Gaul) for Russata, 8 V
Ceanatis (Gaul) for Aurata, 5 V
Irariber (Hispanic) for Purpura, 4 V
Cynan (Gaul) for Praesina, 2 V
Maglocunos (Gaul) for Veneta, 2 V
Cunovindos (Gaul) for Albata, 2 V

I went shopping right away and found a medium-sized chariot of perfect quality, which came up at 4,800 denarii. This one was given to Cynan right away, but he would have to make do with our second-best horse team in our debut in Camulodunum. The track here was 6-laned Roman-style track. That type was so far really not to my liking, but Greek-style tracks were rare in Gaul…

Race XVI – Camulodunum, Cynan

Event: Corrupted Praetors
Entrants: Prasutagus, Matunos, Botovios, Doros, Mabon, Cynan (PRA, 2 V), Ceanatis (AUR, 5 V), Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V), Irariber (PUR, 4 V)

Cynan did not get a good start and came onto the first straight right in the middle of mayhem, which continued out onto the second straight. Prasutagus rammed into him several times, badly hurting Cynan’s outside horse, while the leaders were already running away. Cynan whipped at Prasutagus, but lost the crippled horse which got under the cart and was killed. And that was our race right there. Cynan could not go the speed of the competition anymore and a decidedly dull race would be one by the Purpuran Matunos with a lead of more than half a straight.

I Matunos
II Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V)
III Prasutagus – injured
IV Botovios
V Cenatis (AUR, 5 V)
VI Irariber (PUR, 4 V)
VII Cynan (PRA, 2 V)
VIII Mabon – injured
DNF Doros – injured

We could use a good result once again. I bought a very heavy chariot on the market, but I could not find a skilled driver to take the empty spot on the team. Dunocratis would compete in the next race.



Was bound to go wrong from the start: Cynan's first appearance in Camulodunum. First straight, right in the thick of things. Didn't end well, either.

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< Message edited by Westheim -- 6/17/2014 9:35:06 PM >

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RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/17/2014 9:03:28 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Race XVII – Camulodunum, Dunocratis

Event: Lucky Turn
Entrants: Andecamulos, Cunovindos (ALB, 2 V), Velocatus, Aesubilinos, Irariber (PUR, 4 V), Dunocratis

Dunocratis did not whip the horses excessively at the start and came onto the straight only fifth, but right next to Irariber, who already tried to shove Dunocratis’ quadriga into the masonry lining the track. Dunocratis had none of that and manically whipped Irariber to death with four quick lashes! Don’t mess with this guy! He ain’t smart, but he’s strong! Cunovindos got far ahead after the first corner, and Aesubilinos also used the whip against Andecamulos in person on the second straight to get into second place. Dunocratis was third, and his horses lacked speed to really catch up in that situation. Much the opposite, Velocatus passed him in the second turn. No matter how much he whipped, Dunocratis could not make up the distance, and not even keep the pace of the opposition.

I Cunovindos (ALB, 3 V)
II Aesubilinos – injured
III Velocatus
IV Dunocratis
V Andecamulos – injured
DNF Irariber (PUR, 4 V) – killed

Still looking for better horses, weaker opposition, or more luck. Or all three of those.

Race XVIII – Camulodunum, Cynan

Event: Let Us Help You
Entrants: Iantumaros, Suticos, Teddilos (RUS, 8 V), Tarvos, Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V), Cynan (PRA, 2 V), Dannicos, Cunovindos (ALB, 3 V), Diviciacos (PUR, 2 V)

While the two drivers on the inside, the Venetans Iantumaros and Suticos, got by far the best starts, the Procyones star Cynan was again caught up in early trouble as he rammed into Teddilos and Teddilos rammed back on the first straight. Cynan was in sixth out of the first corner and the place finishes were already far ahead. Even worse, the chariot – our best one too! – had taken damage in that early fracas, and Cynan found it hard to even run in a straight line. Was it wise to go on? Cynan tried to hold on, but in the third turn the wheel started to wobble dangerously. Cynan pulled the reins to slow down and roll home, but it was too late, the wheel came off and Cynan was thrown into the dust. Thankfully, he was on the far outside and was able to run to safety.

I Iantumaros
II Suticos
III Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V)
IV Tarvos
V Cunovindos (ALB, 3 V)
VI Dannicos
VII Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)
DNF Diviciacos (PUR, 2 V) – injured
DNF Cynan – injured

Well, this is making progress. Backwards.



When you can't even go straight...

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< Message edited by Westheim -- 6/18/2014 11:29:54 PM >

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RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/17/2014 9:06:43 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Total races: 18
First place: 3 (16%)
Second place: 2 (11%)
Third place: 3 (16%)
Finished: 7 (38%)
Eliminated: 3 (16%)





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RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/18/2014 9:28:34 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		I bought a huge good-quality chariot off the market to replace the one that got crushed between Cynan and Teddilos slamming into each other in the last race, which came at 4,800 denarii and thus half our money. We need results now!

It seems like after saving and reloading, the contents of the shops are different. Hm.

Race XIX – Camulodunum, Dunocratis

Event: Horse Fight
Entrants: Dumnogenos, Brigomagos, Iliomaros, Virduromaros, Adbogios, Cunovindos (ALB, 3 V), Teddilos (RUS, 8 V), Ceanatis (AUR, 5 V), Dunocratis

Dunocratis did not get a good start and was eighth on the first straight, where Cunovindos and Ceanatis already crashed into another. One of Cunovindos’ horses was killed and dropped right in front of Dunocratis’ quadriga, and he would run over another dead horse (off Iliomaros’ team) in the first turn. Things were not going well at all, and he had no business with the outcome of this race. At the front, Adbogios led the race, but crashed in the third turn, which put Briomagos ahead of Ceanatis. The latter had two badly wounded horses and fell behind. After two full laps, Dunocratis had gotten into fifth place and was about six lengths away from a place finish. Our man got out of the fourth corner well, but Dumnogenos, in fourth place, threw an aggressive block at him. Dunocratis moved further to the inside and made a fantastic move between Dumnogenos and Ceanatis in the fifth corner! That and the fact that second-place Virduromaros had crashed in the same corner, suddenly had Dunocratis in second place! Dumnogenos managed another charge down the final straight, but it was not enough to capture Dunocratis. Brigomagos however had won the race with a half straight’s lead.

I Brigomagos
II Dunocratis
III Dumnogenos
IV Ceanatis (AUR, 5 V)
V Iliomaros
VI Cunovindos (ALB, 3 V)
VII Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)
DNF Adbogios – injured
DNF Virduromaros – killed



Final corner: Dunocratis has just squeezed past Ceanatis (inside) and Dumnogenos (Albatan on the outside), and whips away to a second place finish.

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< Message edited by Westheim -- 6/18/2014 11:30:07 PM >

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RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/18/2014 10:31:06 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Race XX – Camulodunum, Cynan

Event: Perfect Training
Entrants: Cogitosos, Cossos, Cunovindos (ALB, 3 V), Indutiorix, Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V), Cynan (PRA, 2 V), Gododin, Ceanatis (AUR, 5 V), Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)

Cynan left the gates in last place and also pinned at the rear of the field, but the inside opened up before the first corner, and why not try? The move didn’t pay off, he came out sixth, but got pinned again, and Cogitosos rammed him repeatedly on the second straight. You don’t play Cynan like that: he whipped at Cogitosos in retaliation, knocked him unconscious and his horses went full speed into the second corner, which tumbled his chariot and crushed him underneath. Still. Indutiorix, Gododin, and Connos were a good bit ahead of Cynan’s middle group after one lap, and we had a loose wheel yet again! The chariot was messed up and Cynan would not finish in a respectable position again, if he finished at all. He rode slowly along the inside of the track. Teddilos and Cunovindos crashed independently of each other in the final corner, but both were dragged to the finish line.

I Indutiorix
II Connos
III Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V) – injured
IV Teddilos (RUS, 8 V) – injured
V Cynan (PRA, 2 V)
VI Cunovindos (ALB, 3 V)
VII Ceanatis (AUR, 5 V)
DNF Gododin
DNF Cogitosos – killed

Lately, everybody seems hot and eager to crash into Cynan. I wonder why that is …

I got another chariot, of good quality and strength, on the market. Cynan’s chariot was badly damaged and would be expensive to repair…

Race XXI – Camulodunum, Dunocratis

Event: New Star in Town
Entrants: Cavarinos, Ceanatis (AUR, 5 V), Ateboduos, Civiciacos (PUR, 2 V), Iontucaros, Dunocratis

Ceanatis and Diviciacos got the best starts, but the Auratan crashed in the first corner already. Dunocratis was lumped together with the rest of the field a good bit behind and already had trouble with another driver. Iontucaros whipped into Dunocratis’ horses, but lost his whip in the process. By the time Dunocratis had sorted his surroundings to his liking and had taken third place, the leaders Diviciacos and Cavarinos were already a fair bit ahead. No matter how hard Dunocratis whipped during the second half of the race, he could not make up the lost ground.

I Diviciacos (PUR, 3 V)
II Cavarinos
III Dunocratis
IV Ateboduos
V Iontucaros
DNF Ceanatis (AUR, 5 V) – killed

I don’t know. Maybe the boys need to employ more whip at the start and get into a better position right there. It is hard to pass at times.

We would try our luck here one more time and then head on to the biggest venues in Gaul; we only had two intact chariots right now. One was the one Dunocratis had just used, of good quality and size, and the other was the huge, sluggish one. Cynan got Dunocratis’ chariot, but his own horses for an event with nine quadrigas.

Race XXII – Camulodunum, Cynan

Event: Family Sponsorship
Entrants: Nannos, Eparchios, Diviciacos (PUR, 3 V), Dannicos, Concolitanos, Eribogios, Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V), Druteos, Cynan (PRA, 2 V)

Cynan used some more whip at the start, but to no avail, he still reached the first straight in last place and pinned against the outside of the track. People were madly crashing into each other on that first straight, with Eribogios and Concolitanos on one hand, and Dannicos and Diviciacos on the other being particularly aggressive against each other. Nannos made a run for it on the very inside of the track, almost crashed in the first corner, but made it through with the lead. Eribogios was second, while Cynan rode along the outside wall all along the first corner and came out in third place, but Druteos went to his inside in the second corner and passed him again on the third straight. From there, Cynan was simply outmaneuvered by Druteos, and then also Maglocunos who also closed up. In another disappointing race, Cynan came home merely fifth.

I Nannos
II Eribogios – injured
III Druteos
IV Maglocunos (VEN, 2 V) – injured
V Cynan (PRA, 2 V)
VI Diviciacos (PUR, 3 V) – injured
VII Concolitanos
VIII Eparchios
DNF Dannicos – injured

I picked up another chariot of the finest quality, selling that hulk thing that would not go fast if dropped from a cliff, and then we moved on, outta here and to Treverorum, which had a long, but narrow 4-laned Roman style track, and a few intimidating local champions:

Brennus (Gaul) for Albata, 9 V
Teres (Macedonian) for Aurata, 8 V
Teddilos (Gaul) for Russata, 8 V
Sedullos (Gaul) for Praesina, 5 V
Ultidikan (Hispanic) for Veneta, 5 V
Diviciacos (Gaul) for Purpura, 3 V

Race XXIII – Treverorum, Cynan

Event: Harvest Race
Entrants: Utidikan (VEN, 5 V), Cynan (2 V), Licnos, Sedullos (PRA, 5 V)

Everybody left the boxes pretty close together, but Ultidikan took a lead in the first corner with an aggressive move. Cynan was in second place as everybody hugged the outside wall, but Cynan made a move to the inside in the second corner, which didn’t pay off. He followed Ultidikan for another lap, then made another move in the fourth corner, pulling out side by side with Ultidikan, who then whipped into Cynan’s horses, and that slowed us down badly enough to make it look like we were going to lose the race. But it was not over yet: Cynan went to an inside line and actually pulled even and slightly ahead again in the final corner. He skillfully whipped his engines ahead, and Ultidikan didn’t do the same: he appeared to have lost his whip in his attack on us earlier! Cynan by two chariot lengths!!

I Cynan (3 V)
II Ultidikan (VEN, 5 V)
III Licnos
IV Sedullos (PRA, 5 V)





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Post #: 12
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/18/2014 10:36:00 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Total races: 23
First place: 4 (17%)
Second place: 3 (13%)
Third place: 4 (17%)
Finished: 9 (39%)
Eliminated: 3 (13%)






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RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/20/2014 1:53:31 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Race XXIV – Treverorum, Cynan

Event: Short Race
Entrants: Vindex, Cynan (3 V), Diviciacos (PUR, 3 V), Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)

Cynan stayed in his initial lane while coming slowest out of the gates. Diviciacos and Teddilos had an altercation on the first straight, in which Teddilos lost his whip and one of his horses was mangled. Vindex took the lead here, and Cynan came out second of the first corner. With the short race, speed was everything. Cynan knew, and whipped as much as was possible with the beasts in front of him. He took the second corner very tight, and almost got past Vindex, but fell back a bit as they left the corner. The final corner, Cynan moved out a bit into the second-outmost lane, but was still one chariot length behind Vindex, the Purpuran. As Cynan whipped, Vindex blocked him and that killed our momentum and we lost this one.

I Vindex
II Cynan (3 V)
III Diviciacos (PUR, 3 V)
IV Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)

I was a bit frustrated with this one. That one was too good a chance to botch, but we still did. Meh.

XXV – Treverorum, Dunocratis

Event: Blackmailed Auriga
Entrants: Bratronos, Diviciacos (PUR, 3 V), Teddilos (RUS, 8 V), Cunotamos, Dunocratis, Brennus (ALB, 9 V)

Somehow I got the impression, Dunocratis wasn’t giving his all in this race. He didn’t whip on the first straight at all, except for into Diviciacos, who came dangerously close after getting whipped from Bratronos. Diviciacos then lost control in the first corner and crashed. Cunotamos got a huge lead with all this, and the field was widely strung out even on the second straight, with Dunocratis in fourth, ahead of only Teddilos. This was a rather boring race. Nothing happened until the fourth corner, which Dunocratis took way too close and the outside horse stumbled, was run over, and killed. Brennus made a charge for Cunotamos on the final straight, but didn’t get him.

I Cunotamos
II Brennus (ALB, 9 V)
III Bratronos
IV Dunocratis
V Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)
DNF Diviciacos (PUR, 3 V) – injured

XXVI – Treverorum, Cynan

Event: Auriga Brawl
Entrants: Eporedios, Brennus (ALB, 9 V), Teddilos (RUS, 8 V), Iutumaros, Cynan (3 V), Ultidikan (VEN, 5 V)

Brennus and Teddilos had been brawling even before the race, and this carried over to the start, with the Russatan whipping manically had the Albatan. Cynan was unimpressed, but still had a bad start, running fourth on the first straight, ahead of the two hotheads. Ultidikan took the lead and Cynan struggled, falling behind Teddilos in the first corner. Eporedios had whipped his horses hard at the start and they had nothing left by the second lap. But he nicely blocked Teddilos, and Cynan was able to pass them both on the fourth straight to go into third place. He closed up to Iutumaros, but couldn’t get past before the fifth corner, also the last one, and Iutumaros blocked him on the final straight.

I Ultidikan (VEN, 6 V)
II Iutumaros – injured
III Cynan (3 V)
IV Teddilos (RUS, 8 V) – injured
V Eporedios
VI Brennus (ALB, 9 V) – injured

Should I just go to Italy and hope for better fortunes? Hum…

Total races: 26
First place: 4 (15%)
Second place: 4 (15%)
Third place: 5 (19%)
Finished: 10 (38%)
Eliminated: 3 (11%)



Cynan charges at Vindex in race XXIV, but the Purpuran is just about to throw a block on him to defeat him...

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< Message edited by Westheim -- 6/20/2014 2:54:44 PM >

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RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/22/2014 10:15:47 AM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Race XXVII – Treverorum, Dunocratis

Event: Rome Victorious Race
Entrants: Ivorix, Gabrannos, Dunocratis, Liscos

Dunocratis got off well, while Ivorix and Gabrannos meleed right on the first straight. Dunocratis was able to pass Liscos for the lead in the first corner, with Gabrannos close behind. Liscos launched another attack on the third straight and picked up a ton of speed to Dunocratis’ left, but once he was passing Gabrannos, the latter whipped him and he fell behind again. Liscos and Iverix were defeated in this race, and Gabrannos was all that was left to fight. He was very close out of the fourth corner, but could not keep up the pace when Dunocratis whipped some more. This time he did not disappoint, he came home the winner!

I Dunocratis (1 V)
II Gabrannos
III Liscos – injured
IV Iverix

Are we starting to get the hang of this track? Cynan will try to find out next! I also found a team of horses of better speed than what Dunocratis so far had on the market. With selling one of our current teams which were less quick, this came at 6,000 denarii, leaving some 13,000 in the bank.

Race XXVIII – Treverorum, Cynan

Event: Whips Removed
Entrants: Illanocos, Cynan (3 V), Ioincorix, Ultidikan (VEN, 6 V), Gabromagos, Brennus (ALB, 9 V)

With the whips confiscated by the praetors, Cynan got the second-best start after Brennus, but Illanocos also remained on the inside as an opponent. The Venetan Illanocos pulled to Cynan’s side in the first corner, and they raced three abreast down the second straight. Illanocos however had to slow down in the second corner so as not to crash and that left Cynan alone with Brennus at the front. Brennus used the outside line with Cynan right next to him. While Cynan always gained ground in the corners, Brennus was able to go a bit further ahead on the straights. Without whipping, Cynan could not make a pass and came in second.

I Brennus (ALB, 10 V)
II Cynan (3 V)
III Illanocos
IV Ultidikan (VEN, 6 V)
V Gabromagos
VI Ioincorix

After the race, a loose wheel was discovered on Brennus‘ chariot. One more lap and he might have crashed.

At this point I contemplated leaving for Hispania or Italy, but then I found that horse team on the market. Fairly quick and sturdy as hell! Too bad they sucked our bank almost dry. With only some 2,000 denarii left, leaving was not an option now, we needed some more money. Dunocratis would make another start here.

Race XXIX – Treverorum, Dunocratis

Event: Fair Play (what’s going on with those girly praetors!?)
Entrants: Cogidubnus, Dunocratis (1 V), Ultidikan (VEN, 6 V), Marcarios, Brennus (ALB, 10 V), Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)

Brennus initially got the best start with Dunocratis and Teddilos fighting for second place on the first straight. Cogidubnus dashed forward on the inside, but he was never going to make the first corner and bit the dust. Dunocratis whipped past Brennus on the second straight to take the lead! Brennus held on, though, sorting in behind Dunocratis on the outside on the third straight. He had the better horses, so Dunocratis had to be watching out. Brennus tried to make his move on the fourth straight, but Dunocratis whipped enough to stay ahead and even gain a little ground in the fourth corner. Nobody else was in the race for the win here. Brennus again closed up to Dunocratis in the final corner, but with our horses having something left to be whipped out of them on the final straight, Brennus was not getting his 11th here. Dunocratis held on!

I Dunocratis (2 V)
II Brennus (ALB, 10 V)
III Ultidikan (VEN, 6 V)
IV Marcarios
V Teddilos (RUS, 8 V)
DNF Cogidubnus – killed

That was our goodbye to Gaul, though. Time to conquer new arenas! We moved shop to Italy. Gotta conquer Rome. But first was a trip to Siena, the only Greek arena that we could enter right now. The local champions were not that well decorated, but I was sure surprised to find our old adversary Sedullos among the local leaders:

Sedullos (Gaul) for Praesina, 5 V
Thucydides (Italian) for Russata, 5 V
Adrastus (Italian) for Albata, 5 V
Nicon (Italian) for Veneta, 4 V
Junius (Italian) for Purpura, 3 V
Stephanus (Italian) for Aurata, 2 V



Dunocratis leaves the most decorated racer of Gaul in the dust as we left Gaul on a high note!

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< Message edited by Westheim -- 6/22/2014 11:16:34 AM >

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RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/22/2014 10:51:08 AM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Siena had nothing to do with the cozy Greek arenae in Gaul. It was an 8-laned track and confusion would certainly be a topic at times…

Race XXX – Siena, Cynan

Event: Star on Tour
Entrants: Apophis (ALB, 11 V), Vesper, Duilius, Griffinus, Cynan (3 V), Stephanus (AUR, 2 V), Nicon (VEN, 4 V), Thucydides (RUS, 5 V)

Cynan neither did get a good start, nor was he able to move further to the inside in the first turn and was left on the outside, falling behind. Apophis, despite starting on the very inside, came first out of the first turn. Thucydides crashed into Cynan in the second corner, mangling the inside horse of our best team, and our chances went out of the window right there. The only positions Cynan could gain as the race went on were those of the fallen, and there were a couple of crashes, as Duilius was whipped by a variety of guys and crashed in the third corner, and Nicon and Griffinus crashed in the fourth corner. Well, Cynan was able to pass Vesper, who had whipped his own horses to pulp, in the final corner, but the places finished far ahead.

I Stephanus (AUR, 3 V)
II Apophis (ALB, 11 V)
III Thucydides (RUS, 5 V)
IV Cynan (3 V)
V Vesper
DNF Griffinus – injured
DNF Nicon (VEN, 4 V) – injured
DNF Duilius – killed

Race XXXI – Siena, Dunocratis

Event: Muddy Terrain
Entrants: Stephanus (AUR, 3 V), Apophis (ALB, 11 V), Sedullos (PRA, 5 V), Junius (PUR, 3 V), Amlethus, Rabanus, Thucydides (RUS, 5 V), Adelfonsus in row 1; Catotigernus, Philocrates, Dunocratis (2 V), Argus, Vinicius, Pegasus, Maximinus, Secundus in row 2;

Everybody was expecting this one to become a mess…

We were hating Sedullos with every fibre of our body, but we were starting behind him, he got the best start of everybody in the first row, and Dunocratis was able to whip himself forward by piercing into that gap. Stephanus, the winner of the last race, this time crashed out first, and the littering of the track began. The next guy to crash was Apophis! He also had drawn himself out well of the early mess, but took the second turn too tight and got thrown. That left Dunocratis in third place behind Sedullos and Junius, while behind him all hell broke loose, as not one, but TWO aurigas ran over the mess left behind by Apophis in the second corner. The chariots of Catotigernus and Adelfonus added to the mess in the western turn, and Amlethus whipped Vinicius to death in a frantic battle for 12th place…

Unfortunately Dunocratis couldn’t keep up with the leaders. Rabanus and Philocrates caught up with him on the second straight and while Rabanus passed him, Philocrates tried to whip him.

But the race was not over jet. Junius crashed, and Sedullos crashed in the fifth corner. Suddenly Dunocratis was battling for a place finish again. That left Rabanus in the lead, and Dunocratis with Philocrates trying to wreck each other over second place, with Pegasus catching up, as the field rapidly thinned out.

Fortunately enough, Philocrates ended up in Pegasus’ way, as Dunocratis gained ground on those two, but trailed Rabanus by too many lengths to count them… He was also not catching up anymore and eventually settled for second once he could see that Rabanus took a slow but secure route through the final corner.

I Rabanus – injured
II Dunocratis (2 V)
III Secundus
IV Philocrates
V Pegasus – injured
VI Argus
VII Maximinus
VIII Thucydides (RUS, 5 V)
IX Amlethus
DNF Sedullos (PRA, 5 V) – injured
DNF Junius (PUR, 3 V) – injured
DNF Apophis (ALB, 11 V)
DNF Stephanus (AUR, 3 V)
DNF Adelphonsus – injured
DNF Catotigernus – injured
DNF Vinicius – killed

Wow, what a mess! We wiggled out nice enough, but wow, what a mess!




Attachment (1)

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Don't be scared - I'm almost sure that I just want to play!

(in reply to Westheim)
Post #: 16
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/22/2014 10:53:58 AM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Total races: 31
First place: 6 (19%)
Second place: 6 (19%)
Third place: 5 (16%)
Finished: 11 (35%)
Eliminated: 3 (9%)





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Don't be scared - I'm almost sure that I just want to play!

(in reply to Westheim)
Post #: 17
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/23/2014 8:38:08 AM   
IainMcNeil


Posts: 2804
Joined: 10/26/2004
From: London
Status: offline 		I love those 16 chariot races but i think you should get a lot more for winning them!

In my last race there were 4 chariots, 3 flipped at the first corner due to wreckage from a previous race. All I had to do was cruise home.... I hit a corner too fast and either had to go change lane to avoid the wreckage or go for stability. I tried changing out a lane but I was too fast and flipped. Nobody finished! Its the first time I saw that!

_____________________________

Iain McNeil
Director
Matrix Games

(in reply to Westheim)
Post #: 18
RE: Commoners first! – The Procyones racing team of Gaul - 6/29/2014 2:57:54 PM   
Westheim

 

Posts: 570
Joined: 7/9/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline 		I was occupied most of the week with stuff that didn’t even deserve my attention… anyway, here are a few more races.

By now, the move to Siena had turned out to be a not particularly smart idea. Races were frantic, profits were small, and my funds were short…

Race XXXII – Siena, Dunocratis

Event: Terrible Start
Entrants: Thucydides (RUS, 5 V), Quintus, Marcus, Efrem, Apophis (ALB, 11 V), Lysander, Damianus, Dunocratis (2 V)

Dunocratis didn’t get going at all. He was so far off in last place out of the first corner, I left my seat and went to the concession stands that had those delicious stuffed dove eyes to blow our last money there. Quintus, Efrem, and Damianus were running far ahead of the favorite champions, and Dunocratis’ only hope was a chain of major accidents, but he ended up becoming that major accident himself, crashing in the third corner as he tried to overtake stragglers, and was killed almost instantly.

I Apophis (ALB, 12 V)
II Quintus – injured
III Damianus
IV Efrem – injured
V Thucydides (RUS, 5 V)
VI Marcus – injured
DNF Lysander – killed
DNF Dunocratis (2 V) – killed

In all that agony, that left Cynan as the last man standing of our original three. We were also still short on funds and I was hesitant to sell any of our good equipment just to get out of here. I desperately needed a good finish from Cynan in the next race.

XXXIII – Siena, Cynan

Event: Auriga Brawl
Entrants: Georgius, Apophis (ALB, 12 V), Nicon (VEN, 4 V), Thucydides (RUS, 5 V), Julius, Theocritus, Alexis, Merinus in row 1; Severianus, Lucretius, Joannes, Vesper, Thiudoricus, Cynan (3 V), Zephyrus, Polycarp in row 2;

Expecting nothing less than mayhem with our terrible starting position, we did get exactly that. There was some whipping (and not into horses) at the start, and THREE accidents in the first corner, with Georgius, Joannes, and Thiudoricus all getting thrown from their chariots. Cynan left the first corner in a decent sixth position but became stuck behind Theocritus and Julius, who had different opinions about who was getting to race in which lane. As the field was thus bunched up, Vesper crashed in the second corner, which Cynan nevertheless managed to leave in fourth place behind Apophis, Nicon, and Theocritus. Then came the third corner, littered with debris. Cynan appeared to have a clear line picked, but then still lost control at the exit of the corner, and crashed. Another elimination, but at least Cynan managed to escape the hooves.

I Nicon (VEN, 5 V)
II Theocritus
III Polycarp
IV Lucretius
V Apophis (ALB, 12 V)
VI Zephyrus
VII Merinus
VIII Thucydides (RUS, 5 V)
DNF Alexis – injured
DNF Severianus – injured
DNF Julius – injured
DNF Cynan (3 V) – injured
DNF Vesper – injured
DNF Georgius – injured
DNF Joannes – injured
DNF Thiudoricus – killed

Things are going south at an alarming rate… With Cynan needing some patching up, our last money went into an unemployed Italian driver named Osvaldus, and he would need to compete the next race for us.

Race XXXIV – Siena, Osvaldus

Event: Auriga Brawl
Entrants: Nicon (VEN, 5 V), Thucydides (RUS, 5 V), Junius (PUR, 3 V), Crispinus, Apophis (ALB, 12 V), Caelius, Crispus, Dorotheus in row 1; Stephanus (AUR, 3 V), Alexus, Alcinder, Osvaldus, Atticus, Domitianus, Publius, Demetrius in row 2;

Another bad draw to start, and our rookie became stuck right in the middle of mayhem in the first corner. While Osvaldus came out of there unscathed, he was also well to the rear of the field, and dropped even further on the second straight, when Junius and Caelius had an altercation in front of him and one of Junius’ horses stumbled, was run over by Junius, and again by Osvaldus, who then dropped to second-to-last, and this race would not be about him. He would even manage to get one of his horses killed.

Champion Apophis wrecked in the second corner, and the visitors jumped to their feet. Would he get away? He was dragged all the way down the third straight, but managed to free himself in the third corner and was able to stumble to safety just barely.

At the front, Thucydides had to deal with Domitianus and Alexus, but neither challenger would last, and Domitianus would be killed in an accident. The field was thinning out rapidly, with corpses of all kinds of beasts strewn all over the sandy lot. Dorotheus managed to reach the finish with only one horse alive, f.e.

I Thucydides (RUS, 6 V)
II Alexus – injured
III Publius
IV Crispinus – injured
V Caelius
VI Stephanus (AUR, 3 V)
VII Demetrius
VIII Osvaldus
IX Dorotheus – injured
X Alcinder
DNF Nicon (VEN, 5 V) – injured
DNF Junius (PUR, 3 V) – injured
DNF Apophis (ALB, 12 V) – injured
DNF Atticus – injured
DNF Crispus – injured
DNF Domitianius – killed

What a terrible streak we are on!

The most important outcome of this race may be that I found a (really, really minor) bug: As Osvaldus came home with all the other crippled quadrigas, Thucydides almost lapped them. When Thucydides rounded the final corner again on his victory lap, another red flag went up, counting him in last place. I will report that where it is appropriate, too.

Oh the Gods are not favoring us. The calamity.




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Don't be scared - I'm almost sure that I just want to play!

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Post #: 19
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