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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 6:51:57 GMT -5
Cinna is to take command of the siege of Sitia and bring the city under Roman control. Both the Legio Fulminata and the Legio Felix are already surrounding the city.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 10, 2021 12:27:42 GMT -5
The two Roman legions, much more heavily armoured and of veteran status, sweep through the comparatively lightly armoured Greeks with ease. Against Caesar's cavalry, the engagement was more even, with one of the flanking groups pushing back the horsemen and moving to encircle the Romans. Despite this success, the destruction that Caesar had wrought with the Cimbrian and Gallic veterans ensured that he could simply roll up the pirate line and put them to flight. Thousands were killed in the ensuing massacre, as the Roman cavalry relentlessly ran down their fleeing enemies. Roman victory.Casualties: Romans:410 Legionaries - 150 of the Legio I, 260 from the Legio XII66 CavalryPirates:5900 Light Infantry1075 Heavy Infantry12,000 is looted in supplies and cash from the enemy baggage train.
The Legio Cornelia gains a veteran point from the one sided engagement ---
A missive from Sulla comes following the battle, congratulating Caesar and ordering he press his advantage on the west of the island. Leaving the siege of Sitia in the command of Lepidus, Sulla takes the Legio III Victrix westward to Knossos, intending to assume sole command of the situation now that much of the east of Crete was under his sway.Caesar follows up the victory by marching straight for Rethymno and demands its immediate surrender. If successful, He will leave a token garrison and immediately march on Kydonia to do the same. Otherwise, he'll put Rethymno under siege with Legio XII, leaving a deputy in charge, while he takes the Legio I to besiege Kydonia.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 12:44:47 GMT -5
Roll: 0/20
+5 blockaded
+5 overwhelming odds
Requires over 10
Roll: 14
Seeing the futility of resistance, the pirates at Rethymno submit to the Romans, marching out of the city and submitting their arms and armour to Caesar.
---
Meanwhile, Sulla arrives at Knossos at the head of the Victrix. Perhaps recognising the inevitable, Knossos had surrendered, and thus it was in the nature of Sulla to show clemency. None of the populace was to be attacked and no home was to be looted, and the garrison were to be disarmed and settled inland in the surrounding towns. Nonetheless, the trouble the city had caused him warranted some form of punishment. To take his revenge, he ordered the men of the Victrix to loot the treasury and bring the spoils before him. Sulla himself would ascend into palatial complex of the tyrant for choice pickings of the plunder. Ancient statues, artworks, and treasures of long lost civilisations would be taken back to Roma either to Sulla's own manse or to be appraised on the markets. As he promised Valerius back in Rome, some fine ancient depictions of the fabled Minotaur and Theseus would be set aside for Flaccus' own perusing. The Imperator walked the supposed remaining steps of the fabulous underground Labyrinth of King Minos, supposedly built by Daedalus himself to hide the King's cursed step-son. Symbolically, Sulla arranged for a bull to be sacrificed amidst the ruins in commemoration of his victory, immersing himself in the rites of the local cults and rituals to champion himself as a patron of the Hellenes. Auspices were taken on sanctified ground, not for this campaign, but the upcoming one against the King of Pontus. When an eagle was sighted soaring over the palace, all took it for the blessed omen that it was. Buoyed by this divine approval, Sulla Felix would prepare his ships to make for Cilicia even as the campaign in Crete came to its inevitable conclusion.
But, one step at a time. First, the Pro-Consul would begin establishing a proper government on the island. There would be no allied republic or client kingdom here. Knossos was annexed to Roma itself, the city and the attached ports serving as the future capital for a province in its own right. The friendly cities, such as Gortyna, were to be given tax exemptions and the traditional guarantee of autonomy given to all Hellenic poleis, while those that resisted would all be fixed with indemnities, taxes, and a garrison that would be beholden to a Roman governor. For the present, that was Sulla himself, albeit his actual authority as Pro-Consul was vested in the distant province of Cilicia.
When the fate of Knossos had been settled, missives were dispatched to Caesar commending his swift and decisive action, as well as allowing him to keep the plunder won in battle against the Cretans. With the bulk of the hard conquering finished, the Pro-Consul would enjoy his rest in the new provincial capital and allow his underlings to clean up the mess as he took stock of the political situation.
16,000 looted from the treasury, as per LM’s roll
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 10, 2021 14:16:52 GMT -5
With the swift surrender of Rethymno, Caesar orders the XII Legio to garrison the city, collect the arms and armor of the defenders and extract tribute from the treasury. He personally takes command of the Legio I and rides for Kydonia, the last stronghold resisting Roman authority. There were no other option - surrender, or the full might of Rome would be brought down on the city.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 14:23:31 GMT -5
Same modifiers as last: 10/20 chance.
Roll: 11 (Caesar is one lucky SOB)
Kydonia surrenders to Caesar, leaving Sitia as the last stronghold resisting Rome on the island.
---
Caesar is able to procure 11,000 from the treasury of Rethymno.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 10, 2021 15:19:12 GMT -5
Once again, arms and armor are collected, and a tribute is demanded of the populace as the start of their new loyalty to Rome. A token garrison is left behind, while the local leaders are "invited" to join Caesar in his march back to Knossos. On the way back, they stop in Rethymno where the process is repeated: a token garrison is left behind while the local leaders are forced to join the army on their march east. Caesar also takes the time to have the "tribute" added to his personal coffers.
With much fanfare, Julius Caesar rides at the head of the I and XII legions, the political prisoners from Kydonia and Rethymno marching along with him. Trumpets are played to herald their arrival, while the legions carry their banners and standards high in the air. The large collection of armor and weapons are dragged along as well on pack mules.
Caesar, dressed in polished armor, red toga and a red cloak, unmounts and salutes the proconsul.
"Ave, Sulla. Western Crete has been liberated from the pirate menace, their arsenals emptied and their stolen goods appropriated. The leaders of the rebellious cities surrendered without a fight and have come to swear loyalty to Rome."
In a more silent tone, Caesar continues to speak so only Sulla can hear.
"Though from what I hear, our campaign in the east is not yet over, correct? Are we to take the fight to Pontus next?"
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 15:37:33 GMT -5
"Ave, Caesar."
Sulla came out to greet his legate with all his officers and a number of local officials behind him. The Pro-Consul had, for now, swapped his military garb for more civilian clothes. Thanks to the Cretan sun, Sulla Felix's hair had grown considerably lighter, and a number of freckles had made themselves at home along his nose. He clapped his victorious general on the shoulder.
"It seems for you the pirates proved far less stubborn. The force at Faistos fought to the death, and cost us many good Roman lives."
Despite the waste, the general seemed cheery. Crete had gone as smoothly as he had anticipated, and had enhanced his reputation at no great cost in manpower or money. In addition, he had begun cultivating a clientele amongst the local nobles, many of whom quickly came forward and pledged their fealty to Sulla in exchange for the usual privileges. Once this was done, the Pro-Consul continued his conversation with Caesar.
"Indeed, we shall sail for my province of Cilicia. Tidings brought from Asia indicate the war is not going well, and the Senate is flailing and flapping rather than assuming command of the situation. The initiative must be taken."
Privately, his allies at home had disappointed him. Their support for his command had not been anything more than tepid, in his mind. No matter. Five legions at his back meant he could do as he pleased, bureaucrats be damned.
"I would welcome your continued service, of course. An opportunity to test ourselves against a foe of real mettle.""
Sulla looked at his subordinate expectantly.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 10, 2021 15:49:09 GMT -5
Caesar grinned. His personal career had been a slow one, just recently being elected Praetor in his absence at the behest of his allies in Rome. A successful campaign in Asia would do his reputation well.
"It would be my honor, Sulla. I've heard a few tales of the King of Pontus from these Cretans, I'd like to see how many of them are true. You have my sword, pro-consul, until the end of this campaign."
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Post by sforza on Oct 10, 2021 15:50:46 GMT -5
Cinna attacks the besieged city of Sitia. He uses the already build rams and siege towers to capture the city. The legions will use the Testudo formation until they reach the walls to prevents casualties from missiles.
+2 command
Legio VII Fulminata
Legio XIII Felix
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 16:00:57 GMT -5
"Excellent. I can always use subordinates that can command alone."
Sulla replied, pleased. With Caesar at his side, he began to walk back into his de facto headquarters at Knossos; the palatial residence of the previous tyrant of the city, so graciously lent to him by the new government.
"And loyal men, besides. It is a shame your career was so stifled by the late Marius. With my support, I shall see you climb the ladder of offices."
The Pro-Consul considered men like clay, his to mould as he wished. Some made useful sculptures, others were tossed aside to make way for the new.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 16:24:13 GMT -5
Cinna attacks the besieged city of Sitia. He uses the already build rams and siege towers to capture the city. The legions will use the Testudo formation until they reach the walls to prevents casualties from missiles. +2 command Legio VII Fulminata Legio XIII Felix While the Romans were repeatedly repulsed from the gate, it did not matter in the end, as the Greeks were driven resoundingly from the walls with Cinna leading the assault atop the siege towers. Once the Romans were in the city, the Greeks gave up their position at the gates and fled into the interior, those who were not cut down in the rout holing up in the citadel to leave the populace at the mercy of the Romans. Unfortunately for Cinna, like Lepidus before him, he sustains a serious wound during the assault. (-1 resilience) Roman casualties: 285 legionaries - 200 from legio Felix, 85 from legio Fulminata. Remaining Greeks in the Citadel: 1200 (200 heavy infantry, 1000 light infantry) The Romans loot a mere two thousand denarii from the sacking of the city, the town's apparent poverty being the reason the locals turned to piracy as a source of income.
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Post by sforza on Oct 10, 2021 16:49:30 GMT -5
"For the Roman Republic and army!"
Cinna shouted to his soldiers atop one of the siege towers. When the siege towers entered the gates of the enemy city Cinna was one of the first to take the fight to the walls. He and his soldiers cut many pirates down as they pushed towards the enemy gates.
"To the gates"
Cinna inspired his soldiers. Cinna was always known to be an excessive risk taker and like usual he was the one leading the vanguard of the assault group. As more and more pirates were killed chaos began to take hold of Sitia's streets as the enemy was retreating towards their citadel. With the gate now opened Cinna attempted to cut down as many pirates as possible before they would retreat in the citadel.
"What, ARGHHHHHHH"
Cinna yelled before he collapsed on the ground. Suddenly he felt a pain that he had never felt before in his life, his face was bleeding badly and apparently had an open wound. A pirate had tried to assassinate Cinna, though a brave Roman soldier had prevented the worst. Quickly a few soldiers dragged Cinna to a safer place where roman physicians would try to save the Roman legate.
"By Jupiter, do something!"
Cinna screamed to the physicians feverish as he was bleeding. Suddenly he realized he could not see through his left eye anymore. Apparently the blow had caused him to go half blind.
"Get that citadel, by force or surrender!!!"
Cinna shouted before the physicians attented further to Cinna, trying to calm him down and heal the bleeding wounds.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 17:14:01 GMT -5
The Citadel, after a few days, realise they have no means to get food or water from the outside. They promptly surrender to the Romans.
+1 command to Cinna.
Legio Felix and Legio Fulminata gains a veteran point
Crete is annexed to Rome, with a base tax value of 3000 denarii.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 11, 2021 5:15:01 GMT -5
Fortuna favoured Sulla again. A fleet of ships, destined for Cilicia, arrived on Cretan shores. Supposedly, Mithridates had blockaded the hapless Crassus behind the mountains whilst he ravaged the province at will. The two legions on board were supposed to be reinforcements; the Legio V and the Legio XVIII, dispatched from Italia to the rapidly disintegrating province of Asia to help break the back of the King of Kings.
Legio V would be a fine addition to his own army. Veterans of the Cimbrian war, Sulla would remember them from their campaigns in Cisalpine Gaul, during which they both served under Consul Catulus. Good, reliable men, each coming to the end of their terms of service. It was only fitting they be rewarded with riches and glory before they retire. For the XVIII, it was a different tale. They were fresh recruits, raw and untested, and men that knew him not. For them, it would be garrison duty. Crete had to be properly policed as a newly won province, and it would not do for it to be left to mere militia when so many cities were of dubious loyalty. So, the legate and his legion would be stationed in Knossos while Sulla readied the grand war fleet to spring Crassus from the Cilician gates and march straight into Asia. The legions were to be gathered at the ports, the transporting fleet heralded by a vanguard of heavy warships. After the customary sacrifices to Neptune and Jupiter, the auspices were found favourable, the fleet ready to take to the sea.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 11, 2021 14:44:41 GMT -5
As they set sail for Cilicia, Caesar seeks out Sulla. He has stripped himself of his armor, preferring to wear a tunic and a sun hat that he bought from the Cretans. The legate is sweating profusely, looking forward toward the mainland.
"While I do enjoy the blessings of Sol, this heat will certainly kill me before the Greeks do. And here I thought the summers in Calabria were unbearable."
Caesar took a swig from his water jug, almost too warm to actually quench his thirst.
"These last few years have certainly been tumultuous, haven't they? Barbarians at the gates, a populist coup attempt and now our eastern provinces are threatened. To be Roman is to struggle to be sure, but will we ever know peace?"
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