So, reaction time. We start off with the aftermath of the Battle of the Tabelline Gate. Gotta love Roman brevity on battlefield monuments. The proclamation is true, in that
part of Legio VI Gravidius fought here under the command of Quintus Cingulatus Atellus in the year 669 of Rome. That may have the archaeologists scratching their heads a bit, unless it is clarified in Atellus' or Sertorius' journals/correspondence. As an aside, classical sources (their English translations, at least) often refer to militarily useful passes interchangeably with the word gate. One way to translate Thermopylae literally is the "Hot Gates." Alexander fought Darius at Issus near the Cilician Gate, and later marched on Persepolis through the Persian Gate. The Sassanid Persians and Romans jointly paid upkeep for the Caspian Gate, guarding against steppe nomads raiding through Transcausasia. The Tabelline Gate is fine name, if a bit too epic, for this little scrap in the hills of Samnium. Atellus is totally welcome to playing it up back in Rome, though. Also, it is nice to get confirmation that Tercerian's "army" is coming apart at the seams.
Morale among the rebels of Vulturnus is wearing dreadfully thin, unlikely to last long into the harvest. How terrible /s. However, I am quite certain that if we had moved into the Valley of the Vulturnus, the Samnite rebels would have put up a decent fight. It seems that the Heart of Steel trait does not really come into effect until combat, where it gives a large bonus to combat and morale rolls. It makes sense, since this represents their stubborn, unyielding resistance to Rome. In Vulturnus, Rome has no presence, and hunger and harvest rule men's thoughts. It is pleasing that "cutting the head off the snake" worked here, regarding rebellion around Bovianum. With Gemino dead, and us spreading the word, the cities and towns of the north and northwest of Samnium have bent the knee.
Back in Bovianum, Rufus has been doing well for himself, and discontent with Rome has faded in Bovianum (7/10 rep! Not likely anyone will be scrawling "Romani ite domum" on the walls anytime soon). Himatus is in as temporary governor, and intends to leave with us. Good to see that we may have some say in who will become permanent governor. Also, we should inquire who Himatus might recommend for his replacement. Of the three potential clients we declined, Himatus would not approve of the populist as an old aristocrat, nor the kingpin, and the merchant probably wouldn't be interested in being tied down in one city. Something to consider as Atellus reflects on his time in Bovianum; here is a young man, 18-going-on-19, who has independently commanded half a legion for three months (held imperium), ruled on law cases in a city (more imperium), swayed the elders of the most intractable tribe of the Samnites with his oratory (the kid can talk), impress and keep command of a rowdy warband of Gauls (and get them to like him!), and killed a regionally legendary hero and enemy of Rome (suck it Sulla!). Not many people I know of or know personally could have done all of those things (plus being a successful lawyer) at that age. Atellus is honestly quite accomplished (there's no way future Chalkman measures up). And yet, among his peers are future legends. He stands among Pompey, Cicero, (soon to be) Caesar, and Cato the Younger. I suppose it is true that strife breeds ability. Speaking of ability, we should totally invest banked xp into Diplomacy, since I believe that will increase our bonus from a +2 to a +4.
Looking at the dates, Voice of Mars augury and Battle of the Tabelline Gate was August 3rd, Tabelline Gate Aftermath is August 4th, arrival at Nola is August 10th. Atellus would have marched east/southeast from the Tabelline Gate to Bovianum, south/southeast from there to Beneventum, then south/southwest from there to Nola. Wikipedia describes Nola as "[located] on the plains between Mt Vesuvius and the Apennines," and I would assume that Sertorius has encamped so that the road to Beneventum is as close to directly to his rear as possible to minimize logistical complications. That should place the camp to the north of the city, since the road to Beneventum would be winding through the Apennines, plus a few looks at satellite maps of the region. The winter camp (Pompalussa & Rufus) or the siege assault (Mercator) would require logging timber from the foothills of the Apennines, as would certain elements of Carcellus' plan (setting a winter camp for the token cohort/s).
Sertorius is pleased by Atellus' accomplishments, and Venixmaeus is singing our praises. Well, for a Gaul, at least. Also, Rufus has a sharp tongue; I hope it doesn't end up slitting his throat. He is also starting to get some visible muscle, from what Atellus describes. As for Gemino, he's going down in history as our first vanquished enemy. Unless his name ends up Romanized to Geminus by later writers (and confused as such by Sertorius). Hopefully he doesn't have a twin, as per his namesake (or a child/descendant, which is like a twin, but generationally removed) who will swear vengeance against us. We should abide by the Evil Overlord List, just as a precaution. To disgruntled Samnites, Atellus probably looks like the Dragon to Sertorius' conquering warlord, and if they manage to scrounge up a plucky young hero with a vengeance oath... Also, has anyone else noticed that Appius Medix' army has decreased from 6000 to 4500? Not sure if that is due to desertion, skirmishing, or our new allies and "allies" pulling some of their support and legitimacy away (or strategem).
Looking at our options, the Carcellan stratagem is logistically the safest, but it cedes initiative to Appius Medix. If we try to contest his army with a token force, we might as well write them off if Medix decides to sally in force. Even if we decide to employ both options to maintain a presence outside the city
and blockade the roads, those forces are unable to mutually support each other in fulfilling their assignments. The Pompalussan stratagem commits the legion to a winter siege, but leaves an exposed supply line and vulnerable rear. Ways to mitigate these weaknesses would be regular patrols to secure the roads and consistent scouting for roving Samnite warbands. Other options that might help would be to hunt down Samnites trying to smuggle food through the siege lines, or to go for contravallation before Caesar makes it cool at Alesia in 33 years. The Mercator stratagem is to focus on readying siege equipment for an assault. I would assume that means a ramp, gate ram, and siege towers and possibly ladders.
Question for
@Telamon: How tall are the walls around Nola? Are they 8 meters or 15 meters? Are they backfilled with earth or curtain walls? Also, does the legion have scorpions?
Backfilled walls are easier to reinforce but cannot be as high. Ramps, ladders and siege towers are easier to employ, since they do not have to be as tall. Once attackers have gained the walls, they have room to form up and advance into the city. Curtain walls are more difficult to reinforce, but can be much higher. Ramps must be massive (and harder to defend), and towers tall and precarious (harder to move, must defend better). Once attackers have gained the walls, they must fight through stairwells and through doorways, many more choke points, before they can have room to form up and advance into the city. Based on the city's legendary ability to resist sieges, I would assume Nola has 15 meter curtain walls. If we go for the assault, I would prefer to have scorpions (or at least some skirmishers, maybe see if any legionaries can use a sling) on siege towers to sweep defenders from the walls, with simultaneous attacks with a ram and up a ramp.
If Carcellus' plan is picked, I would prefer
[1 Outriders
[2 Blessed by Mars
[3 Law beyond the sword
[1 Write home
-[Cicero
-[Scaevola
[2 Old one eye
[3 Expand journal
If Pompalussa,
[1 Outriders
[2 An army marches on its stomach w/ legionaries
[3 Blessed by Mars
[1 Write home
-[Cicero
-[Scaevola
[2 Old one eye
[3 Expand journal
If Mercator,
[1 Outriders
[2
Engines of war
[3 Blessed by Mars
[4 A matter of allied officers
[5 Law beyond the sword
[1 Write home
-[Cicero
-[Scaevola
[2 Old one eye
[3 Speak with the architect
[4 Expand journal
[5 Study finance
Fake Edit: It's 3:30 am and I can't think anymore.
