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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 4:46:23 GMT -5
The camp of the fifth legion, located north of Capua. Under the command of their senatorial legate, Lucius Dolabella, they await orders to respond to the current constitutional crisis.
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 15, 2021 5:07:51 GMT -5
Tribune Vitulus arrived at the camp of the V Legion, covered in dirt and exhausted. He and his companions had ridden hard to reach the army before anyone else, and he prayed that they had succeeded. Despite being ready to collapse, he was fueled by purpose to keep him going for a bit longer. Making his way through camp, he requested an audience with Legate Dolabella.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 8:04:02 GMT -5
Fortunately for Vitulus, he indeed would arrive shortly before Appius Claudius or any other party wishing to negotiate the legion. Immediately, the Tribune is escorted to the tent of Dolabella, a middle-aged man that Vitulus would recognise from the Senate. Dolabella was an aristocrat by birth, albeit impoverished and of limited aptitude, and had earned this posting as a favour from a kinsman. Middle aged, portly and balding, the Legate and his tribunes look decidedly uneasy. Hawkish centurions watched from outside the command tent, along with a small crowd of their subordinates.
"Tribune Vitulus. What news from Rome? I have heard that the city has been lost to factionalism and violence." Doleballa was no man of great ambition or genius. The notion that violence might occur within the city had turned his entire world upside down.
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 15, 2021 13:23:47 GMT -5
"Greetings, Legate Dolabella. I am sad to say that I cannot refute these rumors. Roman blood flows in the streets and sectarian violence has split the city in twain. Attempts have been made on the lift of Tribune Saturninus and myself, as we rallied the people to end the factional divide in Rome. Consul Mugillanus has fled the city and in his absence, Lucius Valerius Flaccus has been elected consul suffectus."
Half-truths and white lies, Vitulus told himself as he mentally prepared himself for the negotiations ahead.
"On the consul's orders, the Fifth Legion is to march on Rome and return the rule of law of the city. Once the Senate and the People of Rome has been restored, the workings of proper government can return to normal."
Having lost control of the situation in Rome, the tribune knew that the support of the military would be the difference between life and death.
"No doubt the Senate will be forever grateful to the heroes of the Fifth when this nasty episode in Roman history is past. Honors and rewards, future prospects on the cursus honorum, my dear Dolabella. Are your legionnaires ready to march and save Rome?"
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 13:47:50 GMT -5
"Alas, my men are near mutinous. They suspect that their pay will be soon cut off. I should not expect them to follow orders so readily. You know what these Plebeian types are like."
Dolabella replied, wiping a bead of sweat from his knotted brow.
"To march on Rome is.. well, ahem, drastic. An intense sacrilege."
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 15, 2021 13:58:42 GMT -5
"It is certainly drastic, but the fate of Rome lies in your hands, legate. When the history books are written, do they speak of the men who cautioned at the crossroads, or do they speak of the men who charged forward, rolling the dice? If there are concerns regarding the laws of weapons, for the time being weapons are temporarily voided until order has returned. If there's concern regarding your pay... that can certainly be arranged. 25,000 denarii should cover your expenses and wages for now?"
Vitulus did not have the money with him sadly, but Saturninus and himself had pooled their resources together. Hopefully it would be enough to sway an army.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 14:18:59 GMT -5
"I shall address the men promptly. May Jupiter have mercy on us."
The Tribune had purchased the loyalty of the legion, for now, but Appius Claudius was arriving from the north just as word came of the legion of Atellus marching from the south. In the distance, a multitude of men moving in formation were coming towards the Roman camp, undoubtedly the soldiers of the Legio Sicilia.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 15, 2021 14:51:17 GMT -5
Atellus, along with Metellus, having departed from the port of Napoli, arrived within the vicinity of the Cremona legion's encampment. Seeing them move into formation from a distance gave some worry to the Roman. He relays orders to his Legate and Centurions to array in formation as well. His allied cavalry veered off, seeking to remain hidden as an asset in case battle commenced. Once in position, a rider goes forth, bearing the flag of truce.
=Rider=
The honorable Gaius Fabius Maximus Atellus, Governor of Silicia, wishes to speak with the Legate of the Fifth!
The rider goes up and down the line, repeating this and another message.
=Rider=
The Propraetor seeks a meeting with the commander of the Fifth!
After doing so, a few times, the rider returns back to their lines. Atellus looks ahead of them before glancing at Metellus.
The one obstacle.. or hopefully boon we need.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 15:00:26 GMT -5
The Legio Sicilia appeared uneasy. The prospect of fighting other Romans was a daunting one, and that they had been arrayed for battle seemed to augur poorly in their eyes.
Dolabella replied to Atellus with a simple message - the Fifth had been ordered to restore law and governance to the Republic, by order of the Senate and Tribune Saturninus. Apparently, an attempt had been made on their lives by the Consuls themselves, and thus now the Republic was at war with itself.
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"I fear our foes have got there first. Do your men have the stomach to fight these traitors? Perhaps we should ensure their loyalty to the Senate and People of Rome."
Metellus squinted from horseback at the encampment of the Cremonan Legion in the distance. If Saturninus had won a legion to his cause, then this situation might escalate into something entirely unimaginable.
"Neither Saturninus or his cronies are any true general, nor do they hold any legal Imperium. A quick advance might frighten them into submission, if it can be managed."
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Post by sforza on Sept 15, 2021 15:05:27 GMT -5
Saturninus arrives to the fifth camp wishes to speak Vitulus immediately.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 15, 2021 15:12:00 GMT -5
"I fear our foes have got there first. Do your men have the stomach to fight these traitors? Perhaps we should ensure their loyalty to the Senate and People of Rome."Metellus squinted from horseback at the encampment of the Cremonan Legion in the distance. If Saturninus had won a legion to his cause, then this situation might escalate into something entirely unimaginable. "Neither Saturninus or his cronies are any true general, nor do they hold any legal Imperium. A quick advance might frighten them into submission, if it can be managed." Gaius glances back at his soldiers before looking at Metellus. We would likely be able to make a show of force. I fear my soldiers won't be willing to draw the first blood.Atellus thinks for a moment, then considers an option. Let's try a bluff. Give it a little time, then advance. Force their compliance by our readiness to ensure Rome's security. Maybe even make this Legate fall in line, least the Senate wonder why he did not do the same as we do with the Eighth.With that, a rider is sent forth to the Legate. Atellus gives word to the commander of the Fifth that he had been requested, as well, by the Senate, to come and secure the city and its people, to ensure the Senate was safe and that the violence was ended. The Roman reminds the Legate of how he had already restored order on Sicily, fighting tooth and nail against rebels for the Republic's internal peace, and that his heart and intentions are purely with that of their home and its people. Joining him would ensure a great reward for his legion, considering Cremona not only helped with ending the rebellion in Sicily, but restoring Rome's order, ending the bloodshed, and ensuring the security of the Senate. Furthermore, Atellus reminds the Legate that, just like him, is honor bound to aid Rome. He will march on and ensure the city's safety, leaving the Fifth behind and, with it, the suspicion of the Senate as to their inactivity. Atellus hoped his words would be enough. If a response did not come readily, his legion would form and begin their advance once more. Orders were given not to engage but to march on to Rome to ensure its safety. Perhaps it would be enough to persuade the Fifth to join in, least they risk being punished for their negligence during Rome's hour of need.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 15:17:40 GMT -5
No response comes from the Legate. Unfortunately for Atellus, the legionaries are uneasy as the prospect of marching on their fellow Romans. A group of Centurions come and confront him, stating point blank that the men will refuse to march on their countrymen at present, at least not without significant financial incentive.
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Post by sforza on Sept 15, 2021 15:20:08 GMT -5
Once Saturninus has spoken he arrives in front of Legio VIII on horse, he wishes to speak their legate.
+3 dignitas
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 15, 2021 15:23:39 GMT -5
Unfortunately for Atellus, the legionaries are uneasy as the prospect of marching on their fellow Romans. A group of Centurions come and confront him, stating point blank that the men will refuse to march on their countrymen at present, at least not without significant financial incentive. Atellus turns to the Centurions. We are bound, by oath, to aid Rome!He tells his commanders, looking at them. We march to ensure her security, the Senate's safety, and the peace of the citizens! If Fifth wish to attack us, then let it be so. But I will not let blood run through the streets of Rome as if we were under attack by Gauls! The violence was started by Romans and we will see to its end, centurions.The Roman points northward. Think of your children, your wives, your siblings, all of your family who are being forced to cower and flee from the wanton violence that we must end!Atellus looks upon the Centurions. Imagine the reward that awaits us for not only ensuring Sicily's peace, but the security of Rome! Great reward, immense wealth, and more awaits you for saving your home! As your commander, I will ensure that every soldier and officer here is doubly rewarded for their loyalty to the Senate and the People!Gold paid for them and double that would ensure their pockets flowed. Gold would see the way forward.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 15:30:12 GMT -5
The Centurions doubts seemingly disappear at the mention of pay. They salute the Praetor and immediately move out to spread word amongst the legionaries - Atellus would pay them from his own pocket for the foreseeable future. No longer would they need to hedge their bets on who would win. Trumpets sounded, horns blared, and the legion would soon march forward.
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