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Res Publica: A Quest of Ancient Rome

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Hey @Telamon, when we were choosing a Tribune to join us in the Legion Metellus Celer was one of the options...
Telamon said:
[] Caesonius: A young populare from the patrician gens Calpurnia, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesonius is a man of an age with you. An aspiring politician, he sees the military tribunate as a stepping-stone to greater things. Though rather unskilled in the martial arts themselves, Piso seems to possess a singular talent for putting coin into the right hands -- namely, his own. An administrator of some small skill, he has already sorted out several discrepancies in the legion's pay, and shown remarkable honesty, besides.

[] Marc Antony: Marcus Antonius, an older man with a wide face and kind eyes. He comes from an especially martial bloodline, and as such, has been trained in his forefather's footsteps to be a commander and leader of men. He is genial and honest, but is trustworthy to almost a fault, believing and confiding in any man who wins his favor, whether or not he deserves such treatment. He is also something of a spendthrift, whiling away coin almost as fast as he can get his hands on it. It is this trait which has stunted his political growth, forcing him to assume the tribunate five years late. When his weaknesses are under control, however, he is an exceptional commander, and has quickly proved himself well-liked with the men.

[] Metellus Celer: The son of a former consul, Quintus Metellus Celer is a young man of about 20. Mostly known for his association with Pompey and his father in the last few years, Celer has opted to rise out of the shadow of his friend by striking out for his own tribunate, handily winning the position through his own merits as a speaker. He has had much skill in commanding and leading men, but is incredibly ambitious. Being both older than you and on the same level of military skill as yourself, he may well usurp you in the hearts of the men you are meant to lead, and if that happens, you may well find yourself with a knife in the back on the battlefield -- courtesy of Celer's childhood friend, Pompey.

[] Rufus: Servicus Sulpicus Rufus is a former student of Scaevola and a friend of Cicero, himself an aspiring lawyer. Strong of tongue and word, he is an orator on par with yourself, and his skill with the law outstrips your own. A lifelong optimate, Rufus would be a welcome friend amidst the bevy of Marians in the legions, but the sad fact of the matter is that his military skills are sorely lacking, having been neglected in favor of judicial pursuits. While he understands basic military strategy, he is certainly not as skilled at command as the other thin-striped tribunes. Indeed, he has only sought military tribunate to escape the worsening political climate of Rome -- it is unsafe to be a friend of Scaevola in such times, as you well know. However, his ability to speak and inspire men, as well as his extensive education, may more than make up for the deficit.
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...But when we met Catiline - and him - it says he lost to Rufus in the election.
Telamon said:
The young man dandling a slave on his lap is none other than Quintus Metellus Celer, a close friend of Catiline's who lost his run for the tribunate to your own friend Rufus.
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So did he lose to Rufus (fewer votes) but still get elected since multiple Tribunes are elected each year? Or did us not voting for him mean he retroactively didn't get elected? I thought the ones we didn't pick just went to other Legions. Or am I just misreading this?
 
HastyGaming said:
Hey @Telamon, when we were choosing a Tribune to join us in the Legion Metellus Celer was one of the options...

...But when we met Catiline - and him - it says he lost to Rufus in the election.

So did he lose to Rufus (fewer votes) but still get elected since multiple Tribunes are elected each year? Or did us not voting for him mean he retroactively didn't get elected? I thought the ones we didn't pick just went to other Legions. Or am I just misreading this?
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Yeah, he didn't get elected at all, and lost handily to Rufus. The ones you didn't pick were not elected as tribunes.
 
Telamon said:
Yeah, he didn't get elected at all, and lost handily to Rufus. The ones you didn't pick were not elected as tribunes.
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Ohhh that's really interesting. I assumed they had all been elected and we were just choosing the one who would be joining us. The fact that Caesonius and Metellus Celer, in particular, failed to get elected opens some interesting opportunities.

Actually, Marc Antony is quite interesting too. He had to delay seeking election by 5 years because of his financial situation, running for election is itself quite expensive and by failing he hasn't gained the income the position provides. He could be in a tight spot.
 
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HastyGaming said:
Actually, Marc Antony is quite interesting too. He had to delay seeking election by 5 years because of his financial situation, running for election is itself quite expensive and by failing he hasn't gained the income the position provides. He could be in a tight spot.
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His father Antonius Orator was murdered by the Marians when they and Cinna first took Rome, and his brother Gaius is serving with Sulla. He is definitely in a tight spot.
 
I do wonder what Marius' stats are like, Marius has been the greatest commander of Rome for half a century, so they must be pretty high.
 
CGTM2002 said:
I do wonder what Marius' stats are like, Marius has been the greatest commander of Rome for half a century, so they must be pretty high.
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Res Publica: A Quest of Ancient Rome Original - Historic

To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late; And how can man die better than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods? For Romans in Rome's quarrel spared neither land nor gold, Nor son nor wife, nor limb nor life, in the brave days of old.
forums.sufficientvelocity.com

There was a Julius Caesar Character sheet as a rough example of what a really powerful character looks like.
 
Cetashwayo said:

Res Publica: A Quest of Ancient Rome Original - Historic

To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late; And how can man die better than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods? For Romans in Rome's quarrel spared neither land nor gold, Nor son nor wife, nor limb nor life, in the brave days of old.
forums.sufficientvelocity.com

There was a Julius Caesar Character sheet as a rough example of what a really powerful character looks like.
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Doing his uncle proud, isn't he?
 
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XXIV: The Battle of Sardis
  • Threadmarks

    • [X] Plan Mending the Rift
    -[X] I Will Make It Right: Suggest to Ptolemy that while Marius tends to take a dim view of promises purely aimed at the future, he values deeds in the present. Suggest that Ptolemy aid Marius by bankrolling a unit of mercenaries to support Marius' legions in the upcoming campaign, in exchange for future Marian support in his bid for the throne. If Ptolemy is agreeable, convey this offer to Marius.
    -[X] Wait: There are more important things at hand. You can deal with the prophecy later, or hope that Rufus does. (Gain an extra action for Para Bellum)
    -[X] Scaevola
    -[X] The Cult: You call together the cult of Mars, and attempt to invite Cassianus and his Scipian officers into it.
    -[X] 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.
    -[X] Mars Gradivus: You order the sacred bull bound, the officers prepared, and go through the cleansing rites. You shall perform the rite of Mars Gradivus, as Sertorius did before you.
    -[X] Red Glare of Mars: It is said that to Mars Gradivus, the patron god of your legion, all soldiers are the same. You try to mend the rift between soldiers by using your religious authority to impart that wisdom on them.



    ​
    February 15th, 84 BC
    670 Years After The Founding Of Rome
    The Year of Asiaticus and Cinna.

    The Mithridatic War (88 BC - Ongoing)
    Your second campaign, you were immediately reassigned along with the VI legion under the consul Scipio Asiaticus to reinforce the armies of Marius, who had experienced a crippling betrayal in his asiatic campaign against the Pontic King Mithridates.

    Legion(s): LEGIO VI GRADIVIUS (Sixth Legion, Blessed By Mars)
    Position: Tribunus Laticlavus (Broad-Striped Tribune)
    Commanding Officer: Gaius Marius
    Commanding Officer Reputation (Scipio): 6/10 -- Scipio Cassianus is bold, brave, and strong of arm. The men have taken a shine to him.
    Total Forces: 5,600 combined Roman legionnaires, equites, and auxilaries.
    Commanding Officer Reputation (Marius): 10/10 -- He is Marius. The Third Founder. The Hero of Rome. Nothing more need be said, for even his enemies would fill with pride to serve under him.
    Green/Veteran Split: 7 Average, 2 Skilled, 1 Elite
    Reputation With The Legion: 9/10 -- The legion loves you, and sees you as their master. You are their brother, their leader, their hero. They would die for you.
    Superstition: 4/10
    Location: Asia Minor
    Outcome: ???


    The first dews of spring have begun to push through the hard earth, but the cold still bites at your skin, especially in the thin white toga you currently wear. You are knelt on bended knee atop one of the hills surrounding Nicomedia. In ancient times, the marble ruins scattered on the hilltop had been a temple of Cybele, the great mother godddess of these lands. Now they are home to a foreign ritual from a foreign land, as you and over a dozen of your legion's officers kneel amid the stone and grass in the midmorning sun. Before you, strapped to a massive altar, is a great lowing bull, the size of a grown man across.

    You remember the first time you saw this ritual completed, in the temple of Mars just over a year ago. A year, you must remind yourself, though it seems lifetimes have passed since that first day you were reborn in the red glare of Mars. You are not the boy who knelt then. Indeed, you realize, somewhere along the way you have become a man -- and you are not the only one. Rufus, who stood pudgy and afraid in the temple all those months ago, now stands firm and proud among the officers, his back straight with the legion's pride. As the legionary priests flick the knife across the great aurochs' throat, you wonder how much more you will change in the years to come. Unbidden, the image of Marius pops into your mind. The man is all steel and iron and flint, more a force of nature than a mortal man.

    Was Marius young once, you wonder? Was there ever a sandy-haired bony-kneed boy named Gaius, and was he forged by Mars into the force that now rules the Republic?

    And what is more -- what will you be forged into? Will it still be you, in the end? Will some distant tribune in some distant day wonder if the great Atellus was ever young?

    The bulls' blood thunders out into the wooden bowl beneath the alter, a carmine flood of power and strength. When it slows to a trickle, the legionary priest steps forward to you. Chanting, he tips it slowly over your head. Once more, the warm flood of virility. Once more, the red glare. Once more, the breath of Mars. The blood runs over you, seeping into your clothing and your skin and your beating rushing heart. A sound like thunder fills your ears, and you know the truth of Mars:

    Whatever you are being forged into, it will be a thing of war, a thing of Mars.

    It will be Roman.

    Gain +2 The Red God modifier to all combats for the next three months/until your next augury.


    Rite of Mars Gradivus:     1d20 +4 (Renowned Augury (Legionary Augur)) = 14
    Needed: 12
    Result: Success
    The Cult:     1d20+2 (Accomplished Charisma)+1(Gift of Minerva)+4 (Made Connections)= 17
    Needed:     14
    Result: Success
    The Red Glare of Mars:     1d20 +2 (Accomplished Charisma)+1(Gift of Minerva) +2 (Accomplished Diplomacy) +2 (The Red God) = 18
    Needed:     17
    Result: Close Success
    Brotherhood:     1d20+2 (Accomplished Charisma) +1 (Gift of Minerva) +4 (Reputation with the Legion) = 23
    Needed:     8
    Legendary Success
    Convince Ptolemy:     1d20+1 (Gift of Minerva) +2 (Accomplished Charisma) = 18
    Needed:     14
    Result: Success
    Convince Marius:     1d20 +1(Gift of Minerva) +2 (Accomplished Charisma) +2 (Accomplished Diplomacy) = 25
    Neeeded: 18
    1d850 + 200 (Gift of Minerva) = 481 Diplomacy XP
    1d850 + 200 (Gift of Minerva) = 760 Charisma XP
    1d1500+200 (Gift of Minerva) = 1,065 Military XP
    1d2500+200 (Gift of Minerva) = 2,618 Command XP
    Critical Command Roll
    +100 extra XP for a total of 2,718

    ​
    February 20th, 84 BC
    670 Years After The Founding Of Rome
    The Year of Asiaticus and Cinna.

    Unlike most in the legions, your preparations for war do not involve drills or training. Your men are as ready as they will ever be in so short a time, and so you devote yourself instead to a new task -- making sure they don't kill each other before they kill the enemy. Tensions between the equites and the legionnaires have almost reached a breaking point, which is why you invited the officers of both the equites and the legionnaires to the great Rite of Mars Gradivus, a ritual which was three-pronged in it's purpose: firstly, it was to draw a connection between yourself and Sertorius in the hearts and minds of the men, their first beloved Quintus now succeeded by another.

    Second, you hoped it might tighten the religious bonds between the equites and the centurions. Poor or rich, knight or legionnaire, they are all the same in the red glare of Mars, in the eyes of the Marching God.

    Finally, it served as the initiation of Cassianus and several of his Scipian officers into the Cult of Mars, an institution which has grown to be a major force in your legion, with yourself at it's head. He kneels before you and you pour the red blood of Mars over his head.

    On all three counts, you have met with unequivocal and complete success. You walk among the men, you eat with them like a brother, and now you have beseeched the god in their name and emerged dripping and red with the blessing of the soldier-god. The only man they love more than you now is Marius. With such influence among them, it is more than easy enough to chide their officers as children -- Mars would not wish to see his children quabble over coin and petty things. The wrath of a soldier is for his foe, not his brother-in-arms. The troubles of Rome are for Rome -- the troubles of war are for a warrior. Though not all take your words to heart, enough do. The bickering in the legion quells overnight. There is still dissension and there are still old grudges, but they do not flare into open conflict. The hand of Mars lies upon the Sixth.

    And Cassianus, lastly, stands before you naked as the day he was born, and you pour the bull's blood over his head. He is one of you now, a child of Mars and one of the Sixth, for better or worse. He does not, of course, snap to obedience at your command, but he heeds your words with a certain respect now -- perhaps not the respect of subordinates, but the respect of an equal.

    Your last act in Nicomedia may well be your most important. Over the course of several weeks, you and Rufus slowly integrate yourselves with the Egyptian prince Ptolemy, attending his wild bacchanals and decadent feasts. He is more than eager enough to have any guests whom he can be certain are not spies for his murderous family members, and so allows you unfettered access to him. It is with this access that you begin the task of persuading him to use some of his mighty wealth to support the legions and the Marian war effort. Ptolemy has recieved gifts and treasure from across the near East, and his coffers are heavy indeed. If he hires one of the local mercenary companies for Marius' legions, he may well be able to sway the great general's mind on matters near and dear to his heart.

    It is almost too easy. He is nodding before you are finished speaking, and the sands of Egypt are swirling in his eyes as he speaks. The legion's cavalry forces are painfully small, some 500 or so, and the majority of the Gallic auxiliaries following Marius had been slain by Mithridates. Marius needed horse, and Ptolemy had coin, he said as if he had thought of it himself.

    Marius was harder. The old man responded with something like incredulity when two tribunes and an Egyptian prince marched into his throne room, and as you laid out your plans, his face remained inscrutable. More than once, you felt your voice dry up as a point you had previously thought brilliant was dashed against the stone silence of the Third Founder. Even Ptolemy, grinning and bold, seemed almost subdued before Marius, who seemed to grow to fill the very room with his presence. Eventually, you all ran out of words to dash against the cliff, and your voices all fell silent.

    And then Marius chuckled. It was a grim thing, the last sound many men had heard before they died. So, a kingdom for an army? Egypt for Asia? Ptolemy Alexander for Mithridates? It was a tall order, and a risky promise.

    And yet it was a promise he could make. In the name of the Senate and the People of Rome --who were, you noticed, conspicuously absent-- Marius swore to win Ptolemy his rightful place on the throne of the pharoahs, and named him a friend of Rome and an ally of the Republic. In return, Ptolemy would put some of his massive fortune towards hiring a mercenary by the name of Herakleo, commander of some five thousand horse and a further ten thousand infantry. These men are not the equal of Roman legionnaires, to be certain -- but they will tip the balance in a close battle.

    After Ptolemy leaves, Marius --in his own way-- praises you. He has only ever seen such initiative and drive and sheer luck in one other man to serve under him, who with naught but words, helped him win another war in another land against another king long ago:

    Lucius Cornelius Sulla.

    Gain 481 Diplomacy XP!

    Gain 760 Charisma XP!

    ​
    March 16th, 84 BC
    670 Years After The Founding Of Rome
    The Year of Asiaticus and Cinna.

    Sardis. A city situated at the foot of Mount Tmolus, in ancient times it had been a city of Asia, famed for it's wealth and the mighty gold mines which for a time made it the greatest of the cities of the East. It was the seat of Croesus, hailed in legend as the wealthiest of all the kings of the Greeks. Of old, its' coins had been the purest in the ancient world, and it was called by the Greeks the city of gold, matchless in splendor and wealth -- over four hundred years ago. Time has stripped Sardis' mines bare and robbed her of her primacy in Asia, but the city still holds great wealth, a wealth Mithridates has long desired. The patriarchs of Sardis have resisted the Pontic King since Asia first fell to him, and for the last four months, his general Lycidas has besieged the ancient city with twelve thousand men. Their defense has been staunch indeed, but without aid or allies, their fall has seemed almost certain.

    It is here that Marius has led your armies in tireless march over the last two weeks, following the thaw of spring across Asia. It is easy enough to see his intent, for Sardis is wealthy indeed, and it's coin might allow him to feed his men and pay the auxiliaries he so desperately needs. Your forces outnumber those of Lycidas, but as with all things in war, victory is not certain -- though the main bulk of Mithridates' force is a week or more away in Pontus, his generals Poleon and Cygenus command a host of thirty thousand freshly levied men in Caria, near Sardis. If they are warned and allowed to link up with Lycidas' force, the consequences might be disastrous.

    The mercenaries Ptolemy has hired do their jobs well, however. Crafty Herakleo and his men find an approach through the hills near Sardis where the Pontic scouts are thin. Marius gathers his troops there, and when he is certain the enemy are unawares, he strikes.

    The first charge is devastating. Clustered around the walls of the city, the Pontic army is slow to wheel around and respond, and a great number of their force are slain in the inital charge by the equites and the auxilia. When the Sixth, under both you and Cassianus, swoops from the right to shatter his remaining flanks, it is all Lycidas can do to hold them off. You and Cassianus work well together, and your men are eager and bloodthirsty, their hearts ablaze with the fury of Mars. Lycidas is a skilled and experienced commander, however, and manages to push the Sixth back and rally his forces into something resembling cohesion.

    It does not save him.

    Marius, with the bulk of your forces, slams into him from the left, an overwhelming charge that crushes thousands of men against the walls of the city and the swords of the legion. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide -- only death. Lycidas' own son, Diarchus, is commanding the left flank, and is slain in the rout. What happens afterwards you partly see with your own eyes, and partly hear of in tales and stories long after the fact.

    Lycidas, upon hearing of his son's death, supposedly wept, and, weeping, exhorted his men to stand, to stand for their fathers, for their wives, for their homes and their land -- and above all, for Mithridates. He gave a speech whose words will never be fully known, for all who heard them closely are no longer among the living. Whatever his words were, they inspired his remaining men, some nine thousand, beyond all belief. Marius, his victory assured, fell upon them like a hammer, and yet they did not break. Twenty-five thousand men against them, and still they did not break. For hours you pressed, swords rising and falling, staining the earth with blood, and yet the Lycideans, as they would be called afterward, stood. Their tall general rode among them, his voice hoarse with the certainty of death, crying alternately the name of his son and the name of his king.

    The last stand of Lycidas and his army was, you and Rufus would later agree, the stuff of legends. Their ferocity and determination in the face of certain death was almost Roman.

    They stood valiantly. They stood bravely. They stood heroically, like the Greeks in the stories of old.

    And, one by one, they died.

    You heard it said later that they stood to the last, and as far as you know, this is the truth. You heard it said also that Lycidas stood alone last of all, and, howling the name of his king and his son, flung himself onto the Roman blades.

    This, you do not know the truth of, but this is the truth that Rome will know: Sardis, the city of gold, has fallen to Marius, with nary half a hundred men lost.


    Scouting (Herakleo): 1d20 +3 (Legacy of the Hetairoi) +2 (Accomplished Command) +2 (Asian Mercenaries) = 27
    versus
    Scouting (Lycidas' Lieutenants): 1d20 +1 (Skilled Troops) -2 (Siege) +2 (Accomplished Command) = 1
    Legendary Victory, Lycidas gets no warning roll.

    Manuvering    : (Marius) 1d20 +8 (Legendary Military) +8 (Legendary Command) +5 (Gift of Mars) +1 (Competent Subordinates) +2 (Numerical Advantage) +3 (Elite Troops) = 42
    versus
    Manuvering (Lycidas): 1d20 +4 (Renowned Military) +6 (Epic Command) +1 (Competent Subordinates) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) -5 (Siege) -2 (Slightly Outnumbered) -10 (No Warning) = -9
    Legendary Victory, Lycidas' forces are utterly surprised and in no way ready for an attack. Gain a +10 (Suprise) modifer for the first round, -10 to all enemy Morale Checks.

    Round 1: Marius' Cavalry charges
    First Charge     (Marius' Cavalry Officers): 1d20 +2 (Accomplished Military) +2 (Accomplished Command) +10 (Suprise) +4 (Tactical Advantage) = 31
    versus
    Rouse The Defense (Lycidas): 1d20 +4 (Renowned Military) +6 (Epic Command) -5 (Siege) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) = 24
    Significant Victory
    Pontic Morale Check    : 1d20 +6 (Renowned Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) -10 (Utterly Surprised) = 7
    Needed: 13
    Pontic Center Broken! Lycidas' right and left flanks are separated, granting a tactical advantage!

    Manage The Rout (Lycidas): 1d20 +6 (Renowned Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander): 25
    Needed: 15
    Under his command, Lycidas' shattered center manages to rout in a manner that does not leave his flanks utterly exposed, preventing him from being surrounded!

    Round 2: The Sixth Legion attacks Lycidas' flank
    Battle Compatibility:     1d20+2 (Accomplished Military) +1 (Gift of Minerva) +4 (Made Connections) +2 (The Red God) = 16
    Needed:     13
    Success!

    Sweep in From The Side     (Atellus and Cassianus): 1d20 +1 (Gift of Vica Pota) +4 (Accomplished Militaryx2) +2 (Accomplished Command(Cassianus)) +1 (Proficient Command(Atellus)) +2 (The Red God) +3 (Studied The Greeks) +4 (Tactical Advantage)= 19
    versus
    A Desperate Defense (Lycidas): 1d20 +4 (Renowned Military) +6 (Epic Command) + 5 (The Heirs of Alexander) -5 (Siege) -4 (Tactical Disadvantage) -2 (Outflanked) = 24
    Minor Defeat
    Roman Morale Check    : 1d20 +8 (Legendary Command (Marius)) +4 (Tactical Advantage) +2 (The Red God)= 34
    Needed: 13
    Against all odds, Lycidas rallies his left flank to repulse the Sixth, and deals a devastating counterattack that grants him a stable position. Undaunted, the Sixth surges forward.


    Round 3: Marius sweeps in on the right flank.
    Break The Right Flank     (Marius and Carbo): 1d20 +8 (Legendary Military) +8 (Legendary Command) +5 (Gift of Mars) +4 (Tactical Advantage) +4 (Exceptional Subordinate) +3 (Elite Troops) = 45
    versus
    Hold The Flanks (Lycidas' Son): 1d20 +2 (Accomplished Military) +1 (Proficient Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) -5 (Siege) -4 (Tactical Disadvantage) -2 (Outnumbered) = 6
    Legendary Victory
    Pontic Morale Check:     1d20 +6 (Renowned Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) -10 (Utterly Surprised) = 10
    Needed: 13

    Routing Flank     (Lycidas' Son): 1d20+2 (Accomplished Military) +1 (Proficient Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) = 9
    Needed: 15
    Survive the Rout (    Lycidas' Son): 1d20 + 1 (Proficient Combat) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) -5 (Routing Flank) = 3
    Needed: 10
    Personal Morale Roll     (Lydicas): 1d20 = 20
    Needed: 12
    Legendary Success
    The Pontic right flank shatters without cohesion! In the chaos, Lycidas' son is cut down! At this news, Lycidas nearly loses heart, but finds the courage to keep battling. They will die standing, as the Spartans did at Thermopylae. All surviving enemy forces gain the Molon Labe modifer until the end of the battle, and do not recieve an outnumbered modifier to morale rolls.

    Round 4: Lycidas' Last Stand
    Last Stand     (Lycidas): 1d20 +4 (Renowned Military) +6 (Epic Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) +10 (Molon Labe) -10 (Greatly Outnumbered) -10 (Severe Tactical Disadvantage) -5(Siege) = 20
    versus
    Crush Lycidas (Marius): 1d20 +8 (Legendary Military) +8 (Legendary Command) +5 (Gift of Mars) +4 (Tactical Advantage) +6 (Numerical Advantage) +3 (Elite Troops) +2 (Asian Mercenaries) = 50
    Legendary Victory
    Pontic Morale Check:     1d20 +6 (Renowned Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) +15 (Molon Labe) -10 (Utterly Surprised) = 20
    Needed: 14
    Surrounding Lycidas' faltering left (and only remaining) flank wholly, Marius crushes down with overwhelming force. Many fall, but, impossibly, they do not break. Lycidas exhorts his men to die for Mithridates, and make the Romans bleed.


    Round 5: Lycidas' Last Stand
    Last Stand     (Lycidas): 1d20 +4 (Renowned Military) +6 (Epic Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) +10 (Molon Labe) -10 (Greatly Outnumbered) -10 (Severe Tactical Disadvantage) -5 (Siege) = 12
    versus
    Crush Lycidas (Marius): 1d20 +8 (Legendary Military) +8 (Legendary Command) +5 (Gift of Mars) +4 (Tactical Advantage) +6 (Numerical Advantage) +3 (Elite Troops) +2 (Asian Mercenaries) = 40
    Legendary Victory
    Pontic Morale Check:     1d20 +6 (Renowned Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) +10 (Molon Labe) -10 (Utterly Surprised) = 27
    Needed: 15
    Again, Marius pushes, and again Lycidas' force holds. There is fire in their hearts now, and death in their eyes. No man among them will see his family again. He goes to his death for the ashes of his fathers and the temples of his gods.


    Round 6: Lydicas' Last Stand
    Last Stand     (Lycidas): 1d20 +4 (Renowned Military) +6 (Epic Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) +10 (Molon Labe) -10 (Greatly Outnumbered) -10 (Severe Tactical Disadvantage) -5 (Siege) = 12
    versus
    Crush Lycidas (Marius): 1d20 +8 (Legendary Military) +8 (Legendary Command) +5 (Gift of Mars) +4 (Tactical Advantage) +6 (Numerical Advantage) +3 (Elite Troops) +2 (Asian Mercenaries) = 44
    Legendary Victory
    Pontic Morale Check:     1d20 +6 (Renowned Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) +10 (Molon Labe) -10 (Utterly Surprised) = 21
    Needed: 16
    The bloodshed begins to take it's toll. The Legions advance inexorably, inexhaustibly. The small ring of defiant Greeks grows smaller and smaller. Lycidas at it's center exhorts them still, his voice hoarse with the certainty of the dead. All enemy forces gain the (Vastly Ounumbered) modifier.

    Round 7
    Last Stand     (Lycidas): 1d20 +4 (Renowned Military) +6 (Epic Command) +5 (Heirs of Alexander) +10 (Molon Labe) -20 (Vastly Outnumbered) -10 (Severe Tactical Disadvantage) -5 (Siege) = 0
    versus
    Crush Lycidas (Marius): 1d20 +8 (Legendary Military) +8 (Legendary Command) +5 (Gift of Mars) +4 (Tactical Advantage) +6 (Numerical Advantage) +3 (Elite Troops) +2 (Asian Mercenaries) = 44
    Final Victory
    There is no Morale Check for 0.
    Needed: N/A
    Lycidas himself is among the last to fall. When his men are cut down, he throws himself onto the legion's spears, howling his son's name.

    You have learned much in this battle. Commanding alongside Cassianus and Mairus has given you a new view on how to lead your men and how to operate in the field of war. Romans have not been your only teachers: Lycidas could exhort his men to face their deaths for him -- you hope to do the same someday.

    Gain 1,065 Military XP!
    Gain 2,618 Command XP!



    ​
    VOTING

    The City of Gold
    The City of Gold has fallen to Marius. As the great general readies himself to march on the Pontic army encamped by the Maeander River in the south of Asia, you find yourself with a brief respite between battles. You could see to your troops, or leave such matters to Cassianus and attempt to exploit personal opportunities here in Sardis.
    Pick four
    [] The Men of Gold: The publicani, the tax collectors of Asia, long hated and reviled, were murdered when Mithridates invaded. The surviving publicani have mostly fled to Sardis. Once Rome has retaken Asia, it will be their duty to levy the punishment taxes from the reconquered cities, a task they will take to with great aplomb. You attempt to make connections which could steer some of that gold your way in exchange for favors in the future.
    [] The Temple of Gold: The priests of Cybele in Sardis may well be capable of interpreting your prophecy. You pay a visit to their opulent golden temple.
    [] The Mountain of Gold: The gold mines of Mount Tmolus were wealthy indeed in ancient times. It is said they have run dry, but a few shrewd investments could possibly put that question tothe test.
    [] The City of Brotherly Love: The Sardisians claim that their rivals, the city of Philadelphia, induced Mithridates to sack Sardis, and indeed threw open their gates to the conquerors. Philadelphia is on Marius' route, and has no walls -- it would be an easy thing to sack it. You could make the request on behalf of the Sardisians. Philadelphia is wealthy enough, and sacking it might make you both friends and coin.
    [] See To Your Troops: Merely making yourself known among the tents will be good for morale.
    [] Dispense Awards: Your men were among the only to see serious combat against the enemy. Reward them for their bravery.
    [] The General: Marius. Fresh off of a victory and organizing yet another one, Marius has little time for inquisitive tribunes. 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.
    [] 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.
    [] The Mercenary: Herakleo is lean, gnarled, and brown like a nut from years of fighting and dyign in other people's wars. Remembering your good experience with Veniximaeus, you attempt to strike up a conversation with him and his men.
    [] Retrieve Letters: Send out a fast rider back to Nicomedia to retrieve any letters you may have recieved while on march. You should get them next turn. If not, you will have to wait for them to make their way to you through the fog of a land at war.
    [] Make Connections: The patriarchs of Sardis are always eager to make friends with young Roman tribunes, for young Roman tribunes often become young Roman governors, and it is always a pleasure to have a friend in high places.


    Author's Note: Res Publica now has a Discord! Come join in!
    Author's Note: I now have a     Patreon! Any donations would be greatly appreciated.


    ​
    There is now a TWENTY-FOUR HOUR MORATORIUM on all votes.​
    ​
    Use this time to discuss the choices available and create different Plans. As previously discussed, any votes not in plan form, or submitted before the moratorium is up, will not be counted.​
    ​
    As always, discussion is rewarded. (As are Omakes and Reaction posts.)​
     
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    • Telamon said:
    In the name of the Senate and the People of Rome --who were, you noticed, conspicuously absent
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    "I am the Senate."
    Telamon said:
    After Ptolemy leaves, Marius --in his own way-- praises you. He has only ever seen such initiative and drive and sheer luck in one other man to serve under him, who with naught but words, helped him win another war in another land against another king long ago:

    Lucius Cornelius Sulla.
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    Ahahahaha!
     
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