The Last Empire: Introduction & Turn One

HAVING played three four-handed games of Philip Sabin's Empire, with each of us leading a different people in each game, we have got together to finish the series.

As before the players are me and my regular wargaming opponent, who does not wish to be named, together with our mutual friends, security consultant Richard Johnson and Andy, a serving officer in Britain's armed forces.

Here are the standings (four points for a win, three for coming second, etc) after three games:

ANDY

Game One: 4pts (Macedonians)

Game Two: 3.5pts (Persians/Parthians)

Game Three: 3pts (Romans)

Total: 10.5pts

ME

Game One: 3pts (Carthaginians)

Game Two: 3.5pts (Romans)

Game Three: 4pts (Persians)

Total: 10.5pts

RICHARD JOHNSON

Game One: 2pts (Romans)

Game Two: 1pt (Macedonians)

Game Three: 2pts (Carthaginians)

Total: 5pts

REGULAR OPPONENT

Game One: 1pt (Persians/Parthians)

Game Two: 2pts (Carthaginians)

Game Three: 1pt (Macedonians)

Total: 4pts

SCORES BY PEOPLES

Persians/Parthians: 8.5pts

Romans: 8.5pts

Carthaginians: 7pts

Macedonians: 6pts

So it falls neatly that in this fourth game Andy will lead the Carthaginians, I will have the Macedonians, Richard the Persians/Parthians and my regular opponent will lead the Romans.

The situation in 350 BC

TURN ONE (350-340 BC)

The revolt dice (3-5) land on Pontus, which throws off Persian rule.

I am drawn first, and I attack Graecia, but roll 2.

The Romans are next, but they cannot do anything as they first have to consolidate their rule in ITALIA, and to do that must roll a die number lower than the turn number.

Richard's Persians attack AEGYPTUS, but roll 3.

Andy's Carthaginians sail for Sicilia, making the naval crossing with a 6 and conquering the island thanks to rolling 5, which is enough despite a -1 modifier for attacking outside of the original Carthaginian empire.

Carthage is off to a good start