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Post by Gandalf on Oct 11, 2021 15:05:42 GMT -5
Sulla likewise appeared almost like a simple sailor, save for the accompanying bodyguards. It was foolish to wear armour at sea, even moreso in this weather, and so the Pro-Consul was wearing a purple striped tunic, long and loose. A slave stood by with a fan, while a few more were on hand with water, wine, and food. All to make this cursed ocean more bearable. The Pro-Consul had set up a curule chair on the deck of his flagship, so that he might sit out amongst the men. A physician had given him a concoction of herbs and wine that, for the time being, had stymied his nausea.
"Asia is the land of Gods and Kings, and by Jove, are you right. It is hot." Felix agreed, one of his Greek body slaves dabbing at the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Caesar's question prompted a smile.
"Tumultuous is a word for it. All that such crises reveal to me is that the weakness of our leaders. Do you think in the days of Cato or Africanus, such calamities would have befallen us?"
Sulla gestured dismissively at the ocean.
"We had enemies, to be sure, but they were much greater. Hannibal and the Macedonian kings, and the King Antiochus who ruled all these lands and more, all the way to the Indus. What we face now is but an imitation. The Senate is so riddled with division that they cut off their noses to spite their faces. They almost let two Tribunes overthrow the entire Republic, by Pluto's balls!" All one could do was laugh. The mettle of their leading men had declined considerably. Marius' road to the pinnacle had only revealed how little men of quality there were left to contest him.
"So, no, no peace. Not in this Republic, with this Senate. They are old and decadent, born into power without effort. Look at this Crassus that we relieve. A fine speaker, yes, and he thinks it makes him a soldier. Likely he was weaned on tales of his ancestor's brilliance, groomed for command with an easy posting in Hispania or Macedonia. Likewise has this slave catcher Atellus twice been named Consul. And for what?"
He snorts derisively, slapping a slave's hand away in irritation as it ventured to dab once again at his sweating forehead.
"We need a strong hand of proven mettle. Not whatever we have now. Our old ways have been broken and must be remade."
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Post by sforza on Oct 11, 2021 15:37:03 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.The Cretan captives are sold into slavery wit Cinna hoping that their sale will bring more denarii in his pocket than the looting of this piss poor port city. ___________________________________________ The legions bring back Cinna on their shields to Sulla's position in Crete. When Sulla would find his distant cousin he'd notice a large face scar that maimed the left side of his face. They also inform that Cinna lost his sight from the left eye.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 11, 2021 15:57:53 GMT -5
Cinna gets a mere four thousand denarii for his slaves.
—
”Juno’s tits Cinna, you look terrible.”
The Pro-Consul hurried over to the side of his legate, wincing at the open wound. By Jove, it looked painful. He was hurriedly taken to see Sulla’s own physician, who would ensure that the wounds were treated with wine and wrapped properly in bandages.
”Inform me when he wakes. Ensure at least that he is comfortable.”
Sulla commanded of his men, with slaves given to watch him night and day for signs of recovery.
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Post by sforza on Oct 11, 2021 16:52:27 GMT -5
The Physicians inform that Cinna is awake and recovering.
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"By Jupiter, give me water!"
Cinna shouted still feverish to Sulla's slaves and doctors when he woke again. Apparently the gods favored him and let him live.
"Damn this piss poor island and their vagrants, they nearly killed me, pah!
Cinna tried to stood up, but only to be supported by a few soldiers as to not collapse on the ground again.
"The gods have sacrificed my face for this victory it seems, but so be it for the glory of Rome"
The blow in Cinna's face had made him look terrible, like a madman born from hell send from the underworld of ugly creatures.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 11, 2021 17:01:11 GMT -5
"Some like their men scarred."
Sulla offered by way of consolation as he entered, having been informed that his legate had awoken. Certainly it was not to his tastes, but he figured Cinna would rather have a few war stories to tell than be dead on the walls of some poor Cretan town.
"Please, stay seated. You fought bravely, Cinna. Survived by the skin of your balls, I see."
The Pro-Consul chuckled as he passed the man a cup of wine.
"You'll be able to rest and recover for a few weeks while all is in order. Then we set sail for Asia, as I promised."
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Post by sforza on Oct 11, 2021 17:11:22 GMT -5
"Aye, Asia, it is certainly more prosperous than this island i heard"
The legate chuckled, in Asia many riches were to be found. Asia made Megas Alexandros one of the riches men ever to live. Cinna gladly accepted the wine, drinking slowly from it.
"Are you sure you will still need me?, for the gods decided me to go half-blind it seems"
His left eye had lost sight. But still, Cinna longed for more battles and to make a name for himself in the east. Such adventures always appealed to men of the military.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 11, 2021 17:16:15 GMT -5
"You can be my Antigonos."
Sulla jovially retorted, amusing himself with the comparison.
"I will never turn down the services of a good legate, though if you wish to return to Rome at the end of the year to stand for office, you will have my blessing."
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Post by sforza on Oct 11, 2021 17:23:14 GMT -5
"Pah, i am a man of the military, i hold no love for bureaucrats"
Cinna replied, smiling at the comparison. Cinna found Rome's politics to be rather slow and outdated. At least military action could give him meaning and thrill in life.
"With a week of good rest i should recover my strength again and see the Roman army march to victory against the foreign tyrant."
Despite their political differences, Cinna respected his cousin at least as a man of the army. Rome's magistracies would have to wait until the war in the East was concluded.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 12, 2021 12:49:29 GMT -5
Sulla likewise appeared almost like a simple sailor, save for the accompanying bodyguards. It was foolish to wear armour at sea, even moreso in this weather, and so the Pro-Consul was wearing a purple striped tunic, long and loose. A slave stood by with a fan, while a few more were on hand with water, wine, and food. All to make this cursed ocean more bearable. The Pro-Consul had set up a curule chair on the deck of his flagship, so that he might sit out amongst the men. A physician had given him a concoction of herbs and wine that, for the time being, had stymied his nausea. "Asia is the land of Gods and Kings, and by Jove, are you right. It is hot." Felix agreed, one of his Greek body slaves dabbing at the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Caesar's question prompted a smile. "Tumultuous is a word for it. All that such crises reveal to me is that the weakness of our leaders. Do you think in the days of Cato or Africanus, such calamities would have befallen us?"Sulla gestured dismissively at the ocean. "We had enemies, to be sure, but they were much greater. Hannibal and the Macedonian kings, and the King Antiochus who ruled all these lands and more, all the way to the Indus. What we face now is but an imitation. The Senate is so riddled with division that they cut off their noses to spite their faces. They almost let two Tribunes overthrow the entire Republic, by Pluto's balls!" All one could do was laugh. The mettle of their leading men had declined considerably. Marius' road to the pinnacle had only revealed how little men of quality there were left to contest him. "So, no, no peace. Not in this Republic, with this Senate. They are old and decadent, born into power without effort. Look at this Crassus that we relieve. A fine speaker, yes, and he thinks it makes him a soldier. Likely he was weaned on tales of his ancestor's brilliance, groomed for command with an easy posting in Hispania or Macedonia. Likewise has this slave catcher Atellus twice been named Consul. And for what?" He snorts derisively, slapping a slave's hand away in irritation as it ventured to dab once again at his sweating forehead. "We need a strong hand of proven mettle. Not whatever we have now. Our old ways have been broken and must be remade."Caesar shook his head and looked out over the crashing sea, feeling the rolling waves shifting the ship beneath him. "Say what you will about Saturninus, may his soul be tormented in Hades, but his conspiracy was not built on nothing. There is discontent among the masses, but he wanted the mob to rule while he sat as king. Rome needs a leader to cleanse the corruption and guide the people, to guide us back to the right path. Some parts of the old ways may be too broken to fix. You and I carry the names of Cornelia and Julia, founders of the Republic, families that used to carry gravitas. What of the old patrician families now, how many of them have fallen to destitution, while new men have risen to the top on their merits? Yet they cling to their names, greedily guarding their last standing privileges. Some traditions are perhaps too superfluous and outdated to be worth preserving."
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 12, 2021 13:25:16 GMT -5
"All the power and will to change has fallen into the hands of the disenfranchised mob, though those old dogs have become too blind to see it. Saturninus showed that all a man has to do is sing the right song and they will line up behind him like a back alley whore on market day."
Sulla knew that better than anyone. Marius had courted them to deadly effect, and had been their great champion. It was a warning that the Senate had not heeded. Felix laughed bitterly.
"The rot is deep in the heart of our Senate. Men sit for years as governors, reaping the rewards of the provinces to line their own pockets. Marius held Consulship after Consulship, and this has now been mimicked by Fabius and Lepidus. What of old Cincinnatus now? I fear that none now would lay down ultimate power as he did. And now our people have become infected with the same sickness. Maybe you are right, Caesar. The Republic needs a man to cut out the rot, root and stem, like an infected wound. All those old bastards want throwing in the Tiber."
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 12, 2021 16:24:14 GMT -5
Lepidus the younger woke from slumber. This hadnt been his campaign. Having his command snatched by others time and time again all due to age. Had Sulla forgotten he was a fabled veteran? Lepidus grunted as he moved to a sitting position. His wound pulled him even though it had closed. The skin had to become elastic again the medicus told him but it was surely impacting him. He sighed. By Jupiter why did he have to get hurt during the siege. He did everything right, saving a fellow soldier but bled for it. Of course it could have been worse but nonetheless it bothered young Lepidus. Due this his relegation in duties, Lepidus as the Queastor this year had taken to making sure all Legions got paid during their campaign. It was boring, very boring work for a young man who had just spend multiple year fighting, winning and excelling at it. Nonetheless Lepidus had a keen eye for numbers and paid the legions on time, time and time again. Giving away tips to ensure his fellow soldiers could work away with decent earning after their retirement.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 13, 2021 14:57:02 GMT -5
"All the power and will to change has fallen into the hands of the disenfranchised mob, though those old dogs have become too blind to see it. Saturninus showed that all a man has to do is sing the right song and they will line up behind him like a back alley whore on market day."Sulla knew that better than anyone. Marius had courted them to deadly effect, and had been their great champion. It was a warning that the Senate had not heeded. Felix laughed bitterly. "The rot is deep in the heart of our Senate. Men sit for years as governors, reaping the rewards of the provinces to line their own pockets. Marius held Consulship after Consulship, and this has now been mimicked by Fabius and Lepidus. What of old Cincinnatus now? I fear that none now would lay down ultimate power as he did. And now our people have become infected with the same sickness. Maybe you are right, Caesar. The Republic needs a man to cut out the rot, root and stem, like an infected wound. All those old bastards want throwing in the Tiber." "We need some proper sanitation of the whole system, that's for sure. Respect for the foundations that this republic is built upon, yet respect for the plight of the citizens that live under it. Otherwise we'll end up with more corruption and even more men like Saturninus, eager to exploit loopholes and twist discontent to their own benefit. Term limits, for example, for the highest magisterial offices. Should a man be able to sit unopposed for years, like you said yourself? A leader is needed in these times to herd the Senate into order and push for what is necessary, not just what is popular with the people or what is beneficial to the purses of a select few." Caesar had leaned populist since his sister married Marius, yet saw in the otherwise conservative Sulla a man amenable to a few reforms if framed in the right way. "Once our business is done in Asia, I hope that our return to Rome will be a triumphant one, Sulla."
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