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Post by Gandalf on Sept 22, 2021 13:26:03 GMT -5
”It is too late for such quibbles. I will not hand my fate over to a bunch of puffed up aristocrats.”
Sertorius waved a hand in dismissal of the complaints.
”That their loyalty is doubtful is enough. Our friends in Rome have but one legion they can rely on at their disposal. I would call that an even match. If we present the Senate with a strong hand then they will be forced to come to terms favourable to ourselves.”
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Sept 23, 2021 6:50:50 GMT -5
9(+1 dignities makes 10), 16, 7.
The Samnites and Marsii answer the call that Sertorius made for them. They begin arming their forces and sending them to the Sertorian hold out at Brundisium. They eventually muster and send a respectable 4800 troops and 1100 to aid Sertorius. The Lucani are not persuaded to join at this moment, feeling aligned to Sertorius cause but having too little garanties to commit at this moment in time.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 23, 2021 10:42:09 GMT -5
Leaving a garrison of 400 in Brundisium, Sertorius takes his army northwards into Apulia, seeking to rally the Italic cities there to his cause.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 23, 2021 14:54:15 GMT -5
A delegation from the Roman Senate arrives, led by Senator Quintus Fabius Buteo, a kinsman of the Consul Atellus and Patre Familia of the gens Fabii Buteones. The Senator requests a meeting with Pro-Consul Sertorius under a flag of truce and with terms that the Senate of Rome offers.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 23, 2021 15:21:07 GMT -5
Sertorius rides out from his military encampment accompanied by his son, several officers, and a few notable dignitaries of the Samnites and Marsians. The former Pro-Consul was in his military garb, not overly comfortable in a toga.
"Salve, Buteo." Quintus raised an arm in greeting. "I pray that the Senate has come to its senses. My veterans have all but implored me to take up arms to defend my rights. I have kept them restrained, thank Jupiter, but they wish for clarity. As do I."
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Post by sforza on Sept 24, 2021 15:02:05 GMT -5
Gaius Appuleius Decianus arrives with a small host of allied cavalry arrives to the camp of Sertorius, all riders looked as if they were exhausted and covered in dirt, for they had travelled as if Jupiter's thunder drove them forward. The main part of the cavalry force would soon arrive at the camp.
Exhausted and aching with all kind of pains, Decianus seeked Sertorius out in the camp.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 25, 2021 15:57:18 GMT -5
Decianus is admitted to the tent of the former Pro-Consul somewhat reluctantly, the man being somewhat of an unknown quantity to him.
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Post by sforza on Sept 26, 2021 12:12:40 GMT -5
"Salve Sertorius"
Decianus greeted the pro-consul, the most powerful ally of his deceased uncle. To Sertorius, Decianus appeared much like Saturninus. only age could really set them apart.
"I rode as fast as possible once i received your commands, my force will soon arrive to your camp."
Decianus said, nearly collapsing from the long ride south. Still, his hatred for his uncle's enemies made him determined to keep his limbs together.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 26, 2021 13:59:46 GMT -5
The former Pro-Consul stood before him in military dress, preparing once more to march. Within his near palatial tent were a few notable Italic dignitaries, citizens from Samnium and Marsia that had pledged their support to Sertorius' campaign to achieve their citizenship. It added a respectable air to what was otherwise an armed camp in the midst of Italy.
"I heard of your efforts in Etruria."
He did not sound impressed.
"What was your goal, I wonder, in burning the farms of Roman and Etruscan alike? Were you pretending to be a brigand?"
Sertorius sounded tired, exasperated. And he looked it too, dark circles having emerged under his wearied eyes.
"If you are trying to ape Hannibal, you are proving a poor imitation. But nonetheless, you are here, and in one piece. More than can be said of your uncle."
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Post by sforza on Sept 27, 2021 10:10:53 GMT -5
"I intended to target the estates of hostile senators to reprieve them of their incomes"
Decianus said, trying to defend himself the best he could.
"But once i left Etruria i was planning to start a rebellion against the senate in Picenum on the issue of Citizenship, which would have aided your right cause"
Decianus said, it seemed that many in the south had joined Sertorius on the issue of Citizenship.
"But here i am indeed, with my cavalry force at your disposal, ready to fulfill your orders.".
Decianus said, whose eyes resembled that of Saturninus closely.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 27, 2021 20:53:21 GMT -5
Sertorius rides out from his military encampment accompanied by his son, several officers, and a few notable dignitaries of the Samnites and Marsians. The former Pro-Consul was in his military garb, not overly comfortable in a toga. "Salve, Buteo." Quintus raised an arm in greeting. "I pray that the Senate has come to its senses. My veterans have all but implored me to take up arms to defend my rights. I have kept them restrained, thank Jupiter, but they wish for clarity. As do I."The Senator procures a scroll that had been signed by the Consuls and approved by the Senate. The Senate hopes that this offer will ensure peace instead of future conflict.The seal is broken by Buteo and he reads it before the Pro-Consul. On behalf of the Senate of Rome, we offer amnesty and peace to Sertorius. Romans need not bleed other Romans as the traitor Saturninus willingly did within the streets of Rome. His gladiators slew innocent lives while his fanatics ensured the streets were covered in the blood of their brothers and sisters. In exchange for this offer of peace, the Senate requests that his legions stand down and disarm themselves. Let them not shed the blood of their brothers. That those Saturnine confederates in his ranks be turned over to face trial in Rome for their bloodletting and sedition against the People and the State. The People demand justice for damages to their homes, deaths in their families, and all manner of injuries put upon them by the traitors of Saturninus. The Senate hopes that the honorable Sertorius accepts our offer so that peace may return to our Roman soil.Buteo rolls it back up and offers the letter to Sertorius. What answer shall I give the Senate?
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 28, 2021 6:01:40 GMT -5
It was a better offer than expected.
"If you can vouch a fair trial for those in my ranks rather than summary justice and execution, then I shall consider your request. As well as the respecting of the retirement arrangements of my legions that I previously set aside."
Sertorius conceded, after a lengthy silence. Could the rumours have been true? The general balked at standing for someone who had so sacrilegiously violated both the Republic and his own trust. He doubted his reputation would ever recover from their association. How foolish he had been to put his faith in such a man that would butcher his own citizens. Visibly, the general slumped.
"Let the Senate know that I shall except these terms with the added amendments. Once my veterans are settled and disarmed, I intend to settle on my estates in Sabinia and pursue a few years of peace and quiet."
Doubtless the Italians would not be happy at being strung along so easily.
"Another thing, Fabius. More of a recommendation. Let the Italians plead their suit before the Senate. That is my advice. Make of it what you will."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 30, 2021 8:52:00 GMT -5
Buteo listens to the words of Sertorius.
All who surrender to the Senate's authority will be granted a fair trial. Those who resist further will run risk of meeting the fate of Saturninus.
This was logical. Only fair trials were granted to those who saw the folly of future rebellion and sedition. Death awaited those who sought to continue the flames of division.
I will convey your word to the Senate on the matter of your legions retirement, your settlement in Sabinia, and the Italian situation.
Finally, the Senator asked.
The Senate is aware of a Saturnine culprit that raided the Etruscan countryside. Is that individual with you or still at large? And are the Romans, Regulus and Vitulus, with you? I would like to report to the Senate of where these individuals are and if they to be expected among those surrendering.
Trials would await these individuals if they surrendered.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 30, 2021 9:12:02 GMT -5
"I know not of such a bandit miscreant in my ranks. I would have him crucified if I did."
Sertorius lied, feeling safe in that the Senate had no idea who Decianus was. Sometimes, anonymity provided its perks.
"Regulus and Vitulus are indeed present. I believe them victims of circumstance rather than conspirators, but I shall nonetheless hand them over as the Senate commands."
But he would warn them first. If they escaped, well, there was nothing he could do about that.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 30, 2021 9:22:54 GMT -5
Buteo accepts the word of Sertorius and departs to report to the Senate.
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