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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 6, 2021 13:50:41 GMT -5
With the capital of the Roman Republic descending into chaos and anarchy at the hands of a few instigating plebeian tribunes, Consul Mugillanus has chosen the drastic step of abandoning the city for now, seeking refuge at Campus Martius, the Fields of Mars, where Roman soldiers gathered in times of yore before setting off on campaign against rival tribes. While no longer a rallying point for the legions, it is nowadays the base of operations of the censors at Villa publica and the spot for several smaller temples raised by victorious consuls. For Mugillanus, it was hopefully secure enough from the mob in the city and the place to rally any potential military forces in defense of the republic against the anarchy in the city. He only prayed that enough senators would be able to get out safely.
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Post by sforza on Sept 6, 2021 16:14:23 GMT -5
Appius Claudius Pulcher arrives after a hazardous trip from his villa.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 7, 2021 12:07:45 GMT -5
Lucius Atilius Regulus, after ensuring the security of his family, makes his way to the Fields of Mars. Given the state of things, he wasn't sure who to go to, but seeing as a Consul's message got to him, the Roman decided to see what was going on by listening to the words of one of their leaders. Especially since Rome seemed like a mad house now.
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 7, 2021 14:28:10 GMT -5
Once enough senators have arrived safely at Campus Martius, does Mugillanus stand to make a speech. Propelled on a makeshift platform surrounded by a few lictors and his bodyguard, he begins to speak.
"Senators. It is a dark day when brother turns against brother, when Roman blood is spilt on the sacred streets of our city. Yet we must face the facts, and act accordingly. As I'm sure you're aware, Rome has fallen into chaos and anarchy. Lawless mobs roam about, accosting any citizen that do not strike their fancy. I see that there are several faces among the conscript fathers that are missing... I pray that Jupiter will protect them."
With a brief pause, Mugillanus holds up the missive he received from Metellus not long ago.
"But who is responsible for this complete disregard for law and order? Senators... not long after the riots began, a messenger arrived at my doorstep, having barely escaped the angry mob. It is a message from Tribune and Augur Metellus. He sadly warns that his own fate may be in the hands of the gods, but he does say this - the one responsible is none other than Tribune Saturninus! Yes, the man who has caused more controversy and instability through his disrespect for Roman traditions and disregard for the augury than few before him."
Mugillanus could feel his pathos rising with every spoken word. He took another pause to calm himself, to focus.
"Senators... we stand at a precipice, with a power-hungry would-be tyrant wielding the mob like a bludgeon against those who oppose his ambitions. We must act now and save our city, our home, the very beating heart of our republic from ruin. I have thus called this emergency meeting of the Senate to do just that."
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 10, 2021 13:03:11 GMT -5
With most prominent senators having fled or otherwise absent, the vocal conservative faction roundly approve of Mugillanus being given emergency powers.
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Post by sforza on Sept 10, 2021 16:05:00 GMT -5
"if I may add consul"
Appius Claudius added after the bill had passed.
"somebody should warn the legions coming from Sicily"
Appius Claudius said, determined to put down this treason.
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 13, 2021 13:44:32 GMT -5
Mugillanus turned to Pulcher, contemplating the suggestion before nodding with approval.
"Indeed, we'll need the aid of the legion to put down this insurrection once and for all. I cannot, as consul I must rally those still loyal to our fair republic and bring justice and order to the city."
He looked around. He had his personal bodyguard, hopefully those fleeing the chaos could swell his numbers to a more favorable position.
"I hope that I can rely on you, Pulcher, to bring news of this rebellion to the legion? Send forth this message, a direct order from a consul of Rome."
---
Once business had been dealt with concerning the legions, did Mugillanus turn to the crowd. He hoped that enough people fleeing the madness of the city would rally to his cause.
"Citizens of Rome! We stand today on the Fields of Mars for one purpose, and one purpose only. Our city and our homes are being torn to shreds by the rampaging mobs led by treacherous tribunes, who seek to shower themselves with riches and power by sowing discord and lies. We cannot falter today, we cannot abandon Rome. We must fight to save what is ours, for our families and loved ones! I do not intend to stand idle, I have no intention of handing MY CITY over to those who would dare to ravage it!
Citizens of Rome, hear me! I am Manius Papirius Mugillanus, your Consul. Loyal legions are returning home from Sicily to bring order, but we cannot wait any longer. We true Romans must take matters into our own hands and save our city. Rally to me! I shall lead you back from these Fields of Mars, these hallowed grounds of ancient Roman warriors, and together we shall do our duty and put down this anarchy.
You shall be the Vigiles Urbani, watchmen of the city, bringing the law to those who disrespect all that is true and Roman!"
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 13, 2021 16:28:10 GMT -5
Several hundred citizens and slaves rally to Consul Mugillanus’ side at the Campus Martius. A few prominent equestrians arm their slaves and clients to prepare themselves for the battle ahead - one that will likely take place against fellow citizens.
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 14, 2021 12:46:27 GMT -5
Mugillanus grabbed a club, holding it up as a call to arms, before leading the mob back into the city. Flanked by his lictors, followed by his gladiators and lastly the rest of his so-called 'Vigiles'. From time to time, he gripped the hidden dagger inside his toga, the cold metal assuring him to move forward. Roman blood would be spilled today, more than had already had been lost, and he would personally see to it that the traitors would know the wrath of a consul on the warpath.
The consul and his Vigiles marched straight towards the closest of Rome's seven hills - the Capitolium, the beating heart of the state.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 11:48:53 GMT -5
Mugillanus’ men were able to make their way up to the Capitoline from the rear, being guided up by some of Consul Crassus’ armed militia. Their help could not have come at a better time, for supplies and water were running dangerously low atop the capitol. With Mugillanus being the military man, Crassus cedes command of the situation to him. So far, Crassus had ably defended the hill by establishing a hefty barricade of the main path, one that Saturninus had so far failed to breach. Now with the element of surprise, the forces of the Consuls could perhaps launch their attack and retake the city.
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Post by sforza on Sept 15, 2021 13:07:16 GMT -5
With the siège of the capitoline Hill breached for now, Saturninus retreats to the Aventine hill with his ruffians, puppet senators, gladiators and roman supporters. They are simply to hold out until their cavalry reinforcements arrive.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 13:20:00 GMT -5
Seeing that battle is about to begin, even those that support Saturninus return to their homes - only a hundred citizens join the Tribune's army on the Aventine.
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 15, 2021 13:39:18 GMT -5
With his men gathered and ready together with Consul Crassus' mob on top of the Capitoline Hill, Mugillanus sent out his closest men to inform as many as possible of the current plan. At the right sound of Mugillanus' whistle from his campaign against the Cimbri, a great war cry rang out across Capitolium as the Vigiles charged down the hill towards Saturninus' men. Traitors' blood would flow this day, in the name of the Senate and the People of Rome.
Mugillanus, keeping himself back in the rear to watch the development of the coming battle, felt his bloodlust creep up on him. There would be no mercy on this day. If he caught any of the major players... well, he wielded a club for a reason.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 13:50:30 GMT -5
Saturninus had surrendered control of the city as readily as he had taken it. Soon, the Tribune's men had fled back to the Aventine, leaving many unwilling captives behind them. Among them were Servilius Vata and his cohorts, the moderate senators caught up in the coup by no desire of their own. Now it was Saturninus who was besieged in the much larger and less defensible Aventine, with its winding streets and multitude of paths.
Though their master had ordered a retreat, a few stubborn pockets of resistance were cut off by the speed of the Consul's advance. A hundred of the Tribune's men were captured or killed in street fighting.
Saturninus' mobsters are spread across the heights, guarding them and the road between them.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 14:26:34 GMT -5
After an intense and bloody battle, Mugillanus' militia seizes control of the city. Hundreds are killed in the fighting, and Saturninus' militants are captured or killed depending on their status as slaves/citizens. Fortunately for the errant Tribune and Praetor Regulus, they were spirited away before the fall of the Aventine and manage to leave the city from the south, slipping past Mugillanus' guardsmen. Consul Mugillanus is wounded in the battle (-1 resilience for 2 days) but otherwise everyone is unscathed.
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