The fourteen-day journey from the south of Italy to the interior of Asia is not an easy affair. Romans are no great lovers of the sea, and the two-week long voyage gives you more than some idea why. Most of the legion spends half of it emptying their bellies over the side, and you yourself are wracked with dizzying headaches for the entire trip. While the Romans suffer however, your companion, the young Greek Theo, prospers. The fresh sea air and warm sun of his home seas seems to have made him even cheerier, and you had not thought such a thing possible. Even the salt-grizzled sailors who man the boats cannot help but take a liking to his perpetual cheer and good manner, and he soon becomes something of a favorite among the men.
It's a wonder how the Romans ever defeated the Carthaginians considering how poorly they fare at sea, with most seeming to not even have sea legs. Maybe this idea of becoming Rome's greatest admiral is a harder one than we thought...
Theo on the other hand is thankfully chipper, though the Greeks were always noted to be better at naval matters here so it's not too much of a surprise. At least his presence here seems to be making it easier to ingratiate ourselves with the rest of the people around us.
You, however, find it hard to get much done. It is only with Theo's slow coaching and insistent cheer that you eventually manage to find your way from your sweat-soaked bunk and stumble your way around the ship. Indeed, the Greek's help proves vital over the course of your long voyage; you had intended to gather support among the men, but your state makes the quick turns of phrase for which you are known nigh-impossible. Nonetheless, Theo persuades you to get up from your bed and walk abovedeck among your men, to make yourself seen even as sick as you are. Somehow, impossibly, it works. The men see you green-faced and ill, and it makes them happy to know that you suffer as they do, that you too detest the abominable rocking of the waves. You may not have given a rousing speech to rally their spirits, but they are closer to you now.
Nothing brings Romans together quite like misery.
Not exactly how many of us envisioned the "gather support" action to look like, I was personally expecting a lot more carousing and inspiring, but at the very least it seems like we've deepened our rapport and succeeded on this front, if only because of Theo, who's already providing us with dividends.
When you are not retching your stomach over the sides of the ship or mocking Rufus for doing the same, you sit with Theo and pace through your Greek. It was never your favorite language, and you have forgotten much of your lessons over the years. Words slip from your mind and you mix up your tenses more than a few times -- but you have a very good teacher, one who will not stop smiling, and eventually you can string together a couple sentences without much trouble. You will never pass as a Plato, or even as a native speaker, but you can hold a conversation and not be laughed at.
1,190 Intelligence XP Gained! (2059/15000 XP to Rank 16)
800 Education XP Gained! (1,500/10,000 XP to Rank 11)
Bonus to Speaking Greek for 11 turns/as long as you remain in Greek-speaking areas.
That's something at least. We don't appear to be all that good when it comes to speaking Greek, but at least we're semi-fluent enough to speak in an understandable manner. I don't think we'll be having any "Speech to the Elders of the Pentri" moment here in Greece, as we aren't eloquent to likely pull one off, and this campaign doesn't seem to be one that will necessitate us negotiating with anyone. To me this campaign is a rather straightforward military campaign where all we have to worry about is defeating our foes in Fimbria, Mithridates, and finally Sulla. The other Greek states and clients will likely bend the knee once we've achieved our military victories, so we won't have to worry about negotiating with them as we aren't trying to make them future citizens or something.
You had intended to speak with the Consul Asiaticus during the voyage, but your roiling stomach says otherwise. The few times you can inquire about making it over to his boat, you are informed that he, too, is wracked by seasickness. Neptune mocks the sons of Mars.
That's a shame, but them's the dice, and luckily it seems like this won't matter much for us later as none of us could've assumed the Consul would've been sidelined like he was.
The ground wavers again under your feet, and your knees shake. You have been on solid ground for a blissful hour, but it is still difficult to readjust to your footing not swaying and shaking underneath you. Around you, opulence gleams from every corner, with towering marble statues and great golden frescoes towering everywhere your eyes fall. This is the palace of the old Kings of Bithynia, where Marius has quartered his legions for the winter. A massive complex with dozens of buildings and many great halls, it is the jewel of the city of Nicomedia, and was the greatest treasure of the Bithynian kings before their realm fell to Mithridates some four years ago. Now, Nicomedia has been reclaimed from the Pontic king and serves as the ad-hoc headquarters of the Marian war effort.
So...with Bithynia's King no longer apparently in control, what is Bithynia's formal status? Are they a client state or a formal province or some sort? As they seem to be occupying a middle ground right now.
Almost immediately upon your landing in Nicomedia, Scipio Asiaticus gathered the legion's officers and made for the palace complex and Marius. The elder general's position has been badly hammered in the last few months — aside from the loss of an entire legion to base treachery, many men were slain when Mithridates' forces pushed Marius out of Pontus proper, leaving his legions undermanned and outmatched by both Sulla and Marius. The arrival of the VI legion into the city was met with cheers and whooping from the Romans in the city — and a stony silence from the Greeks. It would seem you are not well loved here.
I wonder how bad Marius's losses were? Not too bad considering that victory still seems to be on the table, especially against a likely numerically superior foe. Considering the way this was phrased, and Marius's likely skill, I'm guessing the most likely setback has been one of geographic and strategic position rather than any decisive loss against Mithridates.
Now you pace behind Asiaticus as he marches with purpose through the gilded halls of the old palace. The old man is no warrior, that much is certain — for one thing, his wiry arms look too thin to have ever held a sword, and his gangly frame betrays nothing of a soldier's posture. At his side strides his adopted son, the staff tribune Scipio Cassianus, a well-built man with a wave of coal-black hair and sharp green eyes. Born Opiter Cassius, a novus homo, he apparently so impressed the childless consul with his skill and dedication that the orator decided to bestow upon him his own name. You have not yet had a chance to break words with him, but the general consensus among the men is that he is everything his new father is not — strong, capable, and a born fighter.
From his description Asiaticus does not sound like someone you'd trust to give co-Imperium over in order to help coordinate a campaign, so I'm somewhat curious why he was chosen and what role he was meant to play, because with his adopted son seeming to be the more martial of the two that doesn't say much for his military credentials.
As for Cassianus, I wonder how we stack up against up, both as a Commander and a fighter. The fact that Asiaticus was willing to adopt a novus homo also says something about him as I doubt he would do so if he was a die hard Optimate.
Clustered around you are several other officers, the most prominent men of the legion, including Rufus, Mercator, and the cavalry commander Dolabella, who is a distant cousin to Sulla himself. Most are some shade of green or pale, still recovering from the journey, but they do their best to look presentable, and so do you.
Dolabella seems like someone who we will have to watch carefully. Considering how most of the Equites seem to favor Sulla in general in the first place we're going to need to keep a close eye on them so that when the time comes any eventual backstab is mitigated.
After all, you are about to meet the most important man in Rome.
Your small group follows your Greek guide through a branching maze of gardens, hallways, and plazas to finally emerge into what was once the throne room of the kings of Bithynia. The great chair itself stands disused at the far end of a great amphitheater, which, you realize upon entering, has been converted into an improptu headquarters. Captains bark orders and legionnaires dart here and there, carrying messages and reports from across Asia.
At the center of it all stands an old man, at the least twenty years the elder of Asiaticus, himself forty years your own elder. His head is almost completely bald — his hair is a few greying strands that cling stubbornly to his head as if held there by sheer force of will. His face is a morass of wrinkles and crevices that look chiseled from stone, and his eyes are sunken pits in his head that glint like steel as he speaks. He wears a great carved breastplate of silver and a brilliant purple cloak, which should look foolish on a man as old as he. It does not. He should look out of place, but he does not. He looks at home, like war is second nature to him.
This, then, is Marius.
Impressive. Even in ripe old age it appears that Marius still has a formidable presence and charisma to him.
As you approach, he is dictating a message to a scribe. He moves and speaks with the air of a man who has breathed and lived command for longer than most Romans have been alive.
"Hail, Marius." Asiaticus says with a salute.
Almost instinctively, you and the other officers snap salutes as well. "Hail, Marius," the chorus rises from all your throats.
The old man turns, his purple cloak swirling. For a long moment, he regards your group, then nods stiffly.
"Ah, the new consul. You have arrived, then. I trust your journey was uneventful. You may garrison your legions within the left wing of the palace, and—"
"Legion." Asiaticus breaks in. "We have brought only the one."
Marius pauses. A vein in his leathery face twitches. "One? I sent for three."
Considering it was Marius who asked for three Legions and considers three additional Legions the necessary number he believes he will need to win this campaign and the Civil War, I am left to wonder how challenging our circumstances will be now that he only has the one Legion he was given. After all, it seems like both Sulla and Mithridates outnumber Marius's forces to a good degree. If that is the case, this makes me think that this campaign will be a very hard one to emerge victorious out of with such disadvantages stacked against us.
Asiaticus bows his head with an orator's practiced air of apology. "I must regret to tell you that Sertorius has taken two with him to Hispania, and Cinna holds back all others for the defense of Rome should the traitor Sulla make feared return to Italy."
Marius' face twists. "Hispania? Italy? Merciful Jove, Cinna sends you with mouth packed full of shit, and you spit it back up on me like a sewer." Asiaticus is stunned for a moment, struck dumb by the words, and Marius forges on, his wrinkled face tight with contempt. "The Senate -- vultures and carrion feeders, all of you. You think I do not know your master Cinna has sent you here to spy on me? He sends one legion as vile insult, and sends a silver-tongued snake to heap my ears with lies. The dog despises the day I did not die, him and that backstabber Sertorius."
The consul finds his voice, though it is thin: "Marius, we could not--"
Marius is irate now, his eyes flashing like knives as he speaks. "And you. A consul? I weep to the very gods that Rome has come to this, that men such as you bear the dignity of such a name. You, who fled the siege of Aesernia in woman's dress? You, who licked Sulla's heel when he took Rome, and voted to send me into exile? You, twice craven and twice-damned traitor?"
Scipio reels almost as if struck, his hands moving as if grasping vainly at words to ply against this onslaught. "You cannot just...I am a consul of the Republic...who...who has been vested with a legion by the Roman people. You cannot--"
"And no legion of Rome will ever be led by so witless and self-serving a worm as thee. In my old age, I had foolishly hoped you would have discovered your spine or your balls on the journey, and I see you have only further lost both. You will command nothing while Marius lives."
Asiaticus gapes. "You cannot take my command! I hold imperium here, an-and no one can simply disregard that!"
Marius' answer is final.
"I can."
It ends all argument. The consul stands tall another moment before the most powerful man in Rome, and then deflates.
Marius turns and beckons to one of his officers. "See the esteemed consul to his rooms. He will be serving the war in a purely advisory capacity from now on. Ensured that he is cared for during his stay. We would not want Cinna's lapdog to go hungry, after all."
Ouch, Marius is rather brutal isn't he? Though that's not too surprising.
It seems like the Marians aren't really united so much around Marius as they are united against the Optimates, what with how much politicking seems to go on and with how their goals and objectives seem to vary from figure to figure within the faction. At this rate their mutual distrust for each other and their self-serving goals will be the end of them. I just hope that we are able to defeat Sulla before that end is reached, at least for our own safety.
He turns back to your small group of officers, his face an impassioned mask. "And of you, who are his successors in the command?"
You and Scipio Cassianus both step forward. As broad-striped tribune and staff tribune, you are the highest-ranking, though not the most senior officers present.
A thick grey eyebrow rises. "And so young? What, were the babes of Rome not available? Am I to command my legions with children? Quickly, boys, name yourselves. You first.", he finishes with a gesture to Scipio Cassianus.
The young man seems quite confident for someone who has just seen his patron -- the source of his influence in Rome -- taken apart and disregarded in the space of minutes. "I am Scipio Cassianus, mighty Marius. I served under Rutilius in the Social War, and fought at the great Battle of Tolenus."
"Hm. A flatterer, but I am old, and myself given to flattery. Mayhap you will make better use of the name Scipio than the lackwit who gave it to you."
He nods to you next.
You speak clearly, though you are surprised your voice does not waver in front of the great man. "I am Quintus Cingulatus Atellus. I served under Sertorius in the Samnite War, and took Nola."
Marius snorts. "War. As if that little scrap could be called a war. But Sertorius, snake though he is, is a good commander. I know that because I taught him, and I know you wouldn't be standing here if he didn't see value in you. Dear gods boy, but you're young. How old are you?"
"Nineteen since the third," you answer truthfully.
Marius simply snorts with disbelief. "And you, Cassianus?"
"Twenty-one."
The old general sucks his teeth for a moment. "I have no more men to spare, so perhaps the two of you together might equal one full-grown man. I will command the Sixth Legion myself then, but you two shall act in my stead, keep it organized and fed, and lead it where I command. If there is error or failure, it falls on your heads."
With that, he turns back to his scribe, as if you were never there at all. Your audience with the Third Founder of Rome is over.
It seems that if Cassianus is anything, he is the very least a survivor. Considering how quickly and easily he was able to adapt to his position, with his patron and adopted father being so verbally eviscerated moments ago, it says a lot how he was able to still make something of that moments later. Also his military record at least points to him being a survivor as I remember the Battle of Tolenus being one where Rutilius's forces were almost entirely obliterated, so to survive that must take some mental fortitude at the very least. Still, that doesn't suggest one way or the other if he's a better commander than us as we don't know his history of independent command.
"And so he just put you in charge?"
"Apparently so," you say as you roll the dice again. "And the consul's son, Cassianus."
The dice bounce across the table as ten pairs of eyes watch. You are gathered around a small table in the officer's tents with Rufus, Pompolussa, Mercator, Carcellus, and even the aristocratic Dolabella. One of your fellow tribunes, Gabinius, and three centurions round out the group.
"Not much of a consul, is he?" quips Pompolussa.
"Asiaticus has always been a more...defensive orator", Rufus says as he scoops up the dice.
"That wasn't like no oration I've ever seen," snorts Carcellus. "Marius took him apart and shat on the pieces."
"An accurate summation of what I'm about to do to you," Rufus says as he tosses the dice.
Carcellus watches the dice roll to a stop, checks them, then eyes Rufus. "You sure bout that one, boy?"
Mercator claps you on the back. "Nineteen years old, and commander of an entire legion."
"
Marius is in charge," you interject. "I just...take care of it for him."
"You'll be the one leading the Sixth on the battlefield, where it counts," retorts Gabinius, a lean man with a mop of brown hair and a sharp nose. "Marius has two others to deal with." He takes a deep swig from the amphora, then passes it to you. You drink deeply, the rich Greek wine pouring down your throat, then pass it in turn to Mercator.
"Don't think Marius was wrong. You do look like a babe out the cradle." Pompolussa jibes, his wrinkled face stretching into a grin. "All ruddy-nosed and pink-cheeked."
"Oh shut up, you old prune. Oh, that reminds me, Atellus -- do we have to call you
legatus now?" Rufus wonders aloud. "Is everyone going to have to salute you all the time?"
"Not
everyone, Rufus. Just you." you quip.
Mercator rolls a bad pair of dice, and curses loudly. Pompolussa says something vile in only the way that an old soldier says something vile, and passes a few coins to Rufus, who beams insufferably. You take another swig of the wine. Tomorrow, you have a legion to command. Tomorrow, you have a war to win.
But tonight...you're going to lose at dice.
Considering that Cassianus wasn't invited to this gathering of the important Officers, and also that many of them seemingly already consider us the de facto Commander of the Legion, I think this choice was a good one, not that we could've predicted this, as it looks like we already have all the important players necessary to make terms if need be from a position of strength.
[] Make Terms: You sit down with your new compatriot and hash out the details of your new positions -- who will do what, where, and when, and who will be command of what and where.
[] Overshadow: You are more loved by the men and more senior in the legion. You attempt to dominate the position, becoming the primary tribune of the legion. Cassianus himself will not sit idly and be eclipsed, however.
[] Connect: You make an attempt to connect with him. Cassianus' father was a farmer and his mother a tavern maid -- you come from different worlds, yet if you can form a friendship, or at least an understanding of sorts, it will make both your lives easier in the long run.
[] Undermine: This legion is yours. You will not let another man lead it. You work to undermine his authority and rob his words of weight. Marius may have given him position, but he will not command your men.
Of the options presented I prefer to Make Terms as it will set rough guidelines and boundaries for this situation early on, enough so that Legion will not have to worry about a power struggle between the two of us and so that a foundation of leadership can already be set up well before we head into battle, not having to worry about any instability within the power structure. The fact of the matter is if we make terms now we will be able to do so from a position of strength. We've already fought alongside most of these men, proving ourselves in battle with them, suffering alongside them at Nola, and having provided them law, order, and pay. While Cassianus and his background may be something that they admire I doubt that he will have the same foundation that we will with the men as he has just been thrust into this position and only had weeks to get to know many of them. So while he may have some supporters among the rest of the Staff Officers brought by Asiaticus, I doubt that will be enough to sway the most important Officers of the Legion like Carcellus, Mercator, Dollabella to his side over us. If we're able to clarify our positions early on and make clear delineations over who is responsible for what, we can at the very least avoid an overt power struggle within the Legion.
Overshadowing him seems like a rather confrontational option to take. While I have no doubt we could do it, if we take the primary position he could undermine us in a myriad of other ways that could have us taking the fall for some defeat down the line while he bides his time and builds his position. As the option says, he will not simply let us take over easily, he will bide his time and strike when the moment is right, and intrigue is not exactly our strongest stat at the moment.
To me the Connect option, while it seems like a good idea in principle I don't know how well it would work out in practice. First and foremost while Cassianus is currently the adopted son of a very distinguished line, I think his upbringing as a novus homo from a rather low class will make it so that there might be some friction between the two of us as he will likely see us as a pampered aristocrat who only got where they are due to their connections rather than actual ability. While that is not true at all, the impression will still be there, and it might be hard for us to connect with him if he thinks we're from two different worlds.
Finally, when it comes to the option of undermine this is the most hostile option and one that could backfire immensely if it goes wrong, making us an immediate enemy. We likely won't have much to go on when it comes to undermining him as nothing much has happened so far. The fact that we would be undermining him so early after Marius placed us both in charge is also a danger as well.
[] Training: Your men are well-trained enough, but the Samnite campaign did not offer many opportunities for the sort of combat they will soon be facing. It may be chilly, but you drill them in the fields outside Nicomedia.
Not a bad option all things considered. The Samnite campaign didn't really involved too many pitched battles against peer opponents, especially in an organized setting as for the most part the Samnites weren't really soldiers. Instead we mostly fought bandits and militia instead, which I don't think is comparable to fighting a Greek Army or another Roman Legion. So while the men may not be truly green and are somewhat blooded, I don't think they will trounce any foe we set them upon. While this may not earn us the loyalty from the Legion, it will at least help us do better in the long run.
[] Promote Centurions: A few centurions and lower-ranking officers left the legion in Rome, their service having ended. Several soldiers who served with distinction during the Samnite campaign may well stand to replace them. Men you raise up may be loyal to you in the future.
As was said in the option, anything we don't do, Cassianus likely will. This is something we need to do as it will help us build a power base within the Legion. Most of the men we will be promoting will likely know us and have fought alongside us. By promoting a number of them into leadership positions we will earn their loyalty in the future, something which could pay dividends down the line, whether it be against Cassianus now, or some other potential traitor who may wish to turn the Legion to Sulla for example.
[] A Law Beyond The Sword: The men often have simple issues, complaints, or grievances which they wish to address. As broad-striped tribune, it is your duty to see to these. One afternoon, you set up a table in the middle of the worn palace and invite men to come air their grievances before you, and perhaps even raise a case against a fellow soldier.
While we could do this option again, I'm of the opinion that as we've already done this before that it would have rather diminishing returns. We are indeed likely better suited to carry out this option due to our background. Yet at the same time the men already have seen us perform this duty before so it won't exactly be novel if we do so again.
[] See To Repairs: The wing of the palace which Marius has dispensed to your legion is in need of repairs. Sacked when Mithridates first took this city, it has more than a few areas where the cold outside seeps in. Your men will not be half as effective if they freeze to death.
This option is a probably necessity, as I'd rather not have our Legion depleted further because our men froze to death. The thing is, I highly doubt we're the best person for this job as our Engineering skill is shit. Then again, if we did take this option we likely would win much acclaim from the Legion as we would literally be giving them warm shelter in the Winter. Looking back at the time we chose to build an encampment back at Bovianum it doesn't look like we had to personally use our own stats for the roll to erect the fort there, so I'm hopeful that if we took this choice we would be rolling using the stats of our generic officers/Legion engineers.
@Telamon If we took this option, would we be rolling using our own personal skills, like our abysmal Engineering, or would we delegate it as we know our personal skills are not up to the task?
[] Armor and Arms: Your men's equipment, though not shoddy by any means, is looking significantly less pristine after a year of traipsing through the Italian countryside. You seek out one of the publicani in Nicomedia to comission a new set of equipment for your men. You may have to pay out of pocket.
Not a bad option by any means as it would both help bolster our Legion's fighting strength while also boosting their loyalty. If we were to pay out of pocket for some of the armor and weapons we'd be requisitioning for the men, they'd no doubt appreciate us more as better arms and armors increases their chances of victory and survival.
[] Maintenance: Though it is the Camp Prefect's duty to ensure maintenance of equipment and materials, you begin to rigidly enforce the proper maintenance of personal weapons and armor. Through reduced rations and corporal punishment, you will force the men to ensure their equipment does not rust or rot.
Not really our duty, as we've already proven ourselves an able disciplinarian. Nor is it something that will win us further support as the Legion already respects us.
[] Brothers in Arms: You strive to mend the frayed relations between the patrician cavalry and the plebian legionnaires, which have grown worse over time.
This is another option that we're amply suited for compared to Cassianus. We've dealt with the cavalry and the legionaries in a similar capacity beforehand, appearing somewhat impartial while doing so. We have connections and history with these men that Cassianus doesn't. If we are able to amply mend the growing rift between two of the important formations within the Legion we would likely win further respect from the men, and hopefully prevent any betrayals from the Equites down the line. Though, it's also possible any fuck ups could severely hurt our position as well.
[] Justice Beyond The Walls: You begin cracking down on even minor offenses and crimes, making it more than clear that the rule of Rome applies even in her most distant provinces. The men respect a disciplinarian -- but they will never love him.
We already have the Legion's respect, and they already love us, so I don't see any point in pursuing this.
[] Portents and Signs: You contact the Camp Augur and hold a public augury. Auguries are necessary to determine the fate of any military venture, as men are often nervous marching into battle without a sign from the gods, but if the augury is unfavorable to the campaign, the morale of the legion will be lowered.
This is just a straight up roll of the die which could either immensely help our morale or hurt it, and I'd rather not risk it at this moment, especially when we have action economy to think about.
Correspondence: As part of your efforts to stay on top of events in Rome, you write to one of your contacts elsewhere in the Republic. With such long travel times, anything you write will take a long time to arrive. However, that does not mean you cannot write. You write to... (response will arrive in 2-3 turns)
--[] Scaevola
--[] Cicero
--[] Atticus
--[] Proserpina
--[] Catiline
--[] Volero
While corresponding with Scaevola would no doubt be useful due to his connections to the region, I'm not entirely sure how safe this option is as we can't truly ensure that our communications are secure and I'd rather not make enemies while we're in the heart of the Marians.
Cicero would no doubt offer us useful insight and allow us to grind our intelligence stat some more, though he wouldn't give us anything uniquely suited to help us right now.
We're already writing Atticus so I don't think we need to do so again.
Prosperina would probably be a good choice as she could likely keep us up to date on any of the news occurring and the rumors she has been able to gather.
Not sure how helpful Catiline or Volero would be.
[] Brotherhood: You begin eating your meals with the men, to show them that you stand as one of them, not some aloof aristocrat. They care for you already, but this may well cement it.
I think this option is a probable must take. The fact that this option seems to indicate that it would cement our position within the Legion as a loved figure, simply for eating with the men, is something that is invaluable for us as the support of the Legion is of immense value.
[] The Consul: You attempt to strike up a conversation with the disgraced consul, Scipio Asiaticus. Confined to his rooms by Marius and publicly humiliated in front of his own men, he sits and stews in silent rage in the halls of the Bithynian kings.
Not entirely sure how well this option would go, likely not well in my estimation. In the first place, I don't think this option is all too likely to be successful if we tried to take it as Asiaticus likely is still furious at this moment due to his disgrace, and I doubt he would take kindly to seeing an up-jumped Tribune who was appointed by Marius to replace him. Even if he does see us, what then? What would speaking to him help us with? We're already a great Orator, and his influence within the Legion is limited so that wouldn't help at all.
[] The General: Marius. Busy directing a war and writing furious missives back to Rome, the great general has little time for personal frivolities. Yet if you can get him to take a liking to you, your own position in Rome will surely soar. Both Sertorius and Sulla began their rise to power under his wing.
While I would love the chance to speak and learn under Marius, as every student of his seems to have become immensely successful due to his military genius, I highly doubt we will actually be granted an audience with him or tutelage from him as he is likely simply too busy right now. Assuming we even did pass the roll to see if he has enough free time, a roll which likely would have a modifier somewhere along the lines of "too busy dealing with idiots", unlike with Sertorius who we had a bonus with due to his relation to our father we will have no such bonus here. So even if we meet him, there is no guarantee that he will like us enough to take the time to help us. Personally I am of the opinion that we take this option later, after having proven ourselves to Marius in some way, like defeating Fimbria or something. That way we will already have something tangible we can present to him and use to elevate our position when it comes to his estimation of us.
[] The Scipians: Unlike Sertorius, who traveled with a single slave, Scipio has brought along a veritable entourage of slaves, clients, friends, and cronies. These Scipians are largely plebian men of all stripes, and you attempt to integrate yourselves with them in order to learn something more of their new master, Cassianus, who seems to have become a focal point for them -- a novus homo who has risen from their ranks to lead a legion.
Not entirely sure how well this option would work, because if we don't take the connect option we very likely won't learn much from them as they will see us as Cassianus's rival for the favor of the Legion.
[] The Marians: The soldiers and legions now serving under Marius are devoted in their loyalty to the great general. You seek to make connections with these men, and form relationships which may serve you well back in Rome. Perhaps the greatest of these Marians is the legatus Gnaeus Papirus Carbo, legatus of the Seventh Legion and Marius' second in command.
In terms of connections we could make, forming relationships with the other powerful Marians who will have the ear of Marius can't hurt us, especially if we hit it off with them and are able to use those relations to assist us in terms of understanding and dealing with Marius personally.
[] Seafaring: Rufus had some damned scroll about the sea and Hannibal and boats. In your spare time, you flick through it.
It doesn't seem likely that we'll be back on a ship anytime soon. But considering how horribly our seasickness hampered us last time, I think this option is one we should strongly considering as it would reduce the penalty we receive at sea and pave the way for us to at least become passable as an Admiral. Who knows, maybe somewhere down the line we'll be renowned for this due to a lack of challenge from other Romans.
[] Si Vis Pacem: The Greek city-states in Asia and the Greek mainland have long maintained their independence and autonomy, even as nominal vassals of Rome. You read up on their histories, rivalries, and old friendships, that you might make use of these in your campaign.
This would probably be useful in terms of knowing the geopolitics of the region, giving us at least some background into the history and relationships between the different states here. Considering how outnumbered we are, it might be useful if we are able to gain allies in the region to assist us against Sulla and Mithridates. Then again, considering Mithridates' status among the other Greeks, who see him as a liberator, I highly doubt this knowledge will help us in swaying any to our side.
[] Para Bellum: You begin studying the campaigns against the Macedonians and the Greeks over a century ago, hoping to learn more about Greek tactics, that you might counter them better.
With Mithridates being our greatest and most immediate foe, it would do us well to know how to fight off the Greeks. Getting a bonus in combat against them that will last for more than a few turns certainly wouldn't hurt, especially as we have no idea where we're going to be deployed by Marius.
[] Res Publica: You study the formations of your own legions, the way Romans fight. After all, you may soon be doing war with Romans -- and what is more Roman than that?
Considering how Fimbria and his half Legion of traitors are still in the vicinity, I don't doubt that Marius will dispatch us to deal with him in order to prove ourselves. With Sulla and his Legions being likely foes in the future, it would do us well to know tactics that can counter our fellow Romans.
[] The Crone of Bithynia: On the hills outside the city lives a wrinkled old seer, a woman of incredible age whose eyes are blind with years. She is kissed by the sun god, they say, and speaks with tongues of prophecy. Mithridates himself visited her during his time in the city.
Prophecies have done us well so far, and while the Crone here doesn't seem to be an Oracle or a Sibyl, she seems credible enough. Considering the delicate situation we are in, smack dab in the middle of the Civil War, where anything could happen, some forewarning and cryptic prophecy really would be useful for us. And if Mithridates thought her credible enough, I see no reason not to see her in the same light.
[] The Cult: You call together the cult of Mars, hoping to influence the officers and tribunes within towards your viewpoint on the new tribune. (Need to pick either Undermine, Overshadow, or Make Terms above.)
Probably a must take option no matter the choice as it can only help us in terms of deciding the leadership of the Legion.
[] The City of the Kings of Asia: Bithynia, for a time, was the mightiest kingdom in Asia, and Nicomedia was it's crown jewel. By attempting to integrate yourself with the people here and getting to know figures of import, you might lay the ground for better things in the future.
Not entirely sure how useful this option is, what with the locals seeming to really not like us. Then again, it seems only the local Greeks seem to dislike us. If we can make allies among the local Romans, we may have useful allies we can call upon in the far future.
[] The King Without A Crown: Nicomedes, last client king of Bithynia, is actually here in the city his fathers ruled and Mithridates forced him from. He has several times brought up the idea of reinstalling him as king, but with Marius busy with other matters, the claimant king is forced to make himself a guest in his own city. You might call upon him.
As others have already stated, considering how association with him tainted even Julius Caesar, let's not tank our reputation so soon.
[] The Prince: Bithynia is not short on royalty. Ptolemy, one of the princes of Egypt, long exiled from his native land, made himself a guest of Mithridates and remained in Nicomedia after the city fell to Rome. Famed as a great partier and player of the flute, he has resided in a palatial estate here in the city with his family and retainers. You could pay the heir of the Pharaohs a visit.
Ptolemy is a rather important figure, even if he isn't important now. Considering how important Egypt will be in the far future, building ties now couldn't hurt, and it would at the very least expand our circle of acquaintances.
[] Study: You study the campaigns of Marius in Africa, hoping to learn something about defeating a hostile kingdom while protecting Roman clients. That Marius himself is here does not hurt matters either.
Studying is an action that will always pay dividends as this will likely give us military and intelligence XP. Plus if we intend to meet Marius in the future, it would only help us as if we're going to attempt to kiss his ass, the least we could do is be knowledgeable about him.
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), history, ways of war and politics, both local and in relation to Rome.
