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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 7, 2021 19:00:34 GMT -5
Lepidus eyeballed the king "What do you prpopose good king" Lepidus finally added, tired of negotiations.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 7, 2021 19:06:05 GMT -5
“We ask for passage through Roman lands to Gaul, where we would settle outside of Roman borders in lands won by the sword.”
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 7, 2021 19:15:53 GMT -5
Lepidus smiled politely. "We shall think on it, you are invited to join me for dinner later this week at our camp. You can bring as much security as you like if you think the need warrents it." Lepidus said, a man at his table was protected in his mind.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 8, 2021 3:58:34 GMT -5
The Boii chieftain duly arrived with a retinue of his nobles, as requested. Wary of the Roman military presence, scouts report the Boii camp is posting more guards than usual and is conducting rigorous patrols of the perimeter. The local tribe, the Dindari, have been conducting raids against them recently in an effort to force them from their territory.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 8, 2021 5:04:30 GMT -5
The German kind was received with much pomp. Marcus tried to show his skills at diplomacy, certainly because other senators were with him as well. The king and Lepidus were seated together. So they could talk while they broke bread. "I hear the local tribes are probing your defenses" Lepidus said before he ate a piece of meat. Marcus loved some good meat. "Perhaps I can be of assistance?" Lepidus added. "If I were to remove this threat to your safety. would you consider settling in the east?" Marcus wondered if he could perhaps try and ally the boii to fight Mithradites and then settle there.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 8, 2021 5:48:25 GMT -5
The King sat and joined the Consul, tucking in and eating with his hands, getting juices all over his facial hair. A few of the Roman senators looked askance at a foreign savage dining at the table of the Consul. At his own peril, the translator was forced to interrupt him to inform him that Lepidus was in fact addressing him personally.
"Where East?"
The king chewed thoughtfully as he considered the proposal.
---
Most of the Senators appear to favour peace, with only a small minority wanting to reckon with a massive tribe in combat for no good reason at present.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 8, 2021 5:52:57 GMT -5
"The far east" Lepidus said. "Mithraditic Pontus" Lepidus added. It was a long shot but not moving 150.000 soulds through Roman held lands was worth it. Beyond that. Why would the Boi move to Illyria to go to Gaul it was absurd and Lepidus figured something was off.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 8, 2021 5:55:56 GMT -5
The German scratched at his moustache, wiping away the juices before letting out a loud belch that would startle the surrounding Romans.
"Asian lands are rich."
Agreed the King, taking a sniff of the Roman wine and deciding it was not to his liking.
"But it is a long way through unsafe territory. If you gave us supply and passage, it would be better."
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 8, 2021 6:12:38 GMT -5
Lepidus smiled and politely asked "If I were to escort you there, would you fight with me if the need arises to provide you a home?" these negotiations were going rather well.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 8, 2021 6:17:27 GMT -5
The King chewed. And chewed. Once again, he had to be reminded that he was being directly addressed. He was unused to dealing with those who considered him an equal or an inferior.
"We would fight for our tribe. Not for yours."
He concluded, with another belch.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 8, 2021 6:49:56 GMT -5
Lepidus starred at the man, not touching his food anymore. He was done eating. With a raised voice he countered "I am willing to offer you italic citizenship in the East where vast lands can be yours in offer the Republic asks you to fight if we are provoked to fight on our way there. I will stand with you but I need assurances you will fight." the king got on Lepidus his nerve a little. He tried hiding it for now.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 8, 2021 7:06:59 GMT -5
"We have no wish to be roman. We are Boii. We ask only for passage into Gaul. If you will not give, then we have nothing else to talk about."
Concluded the King, looking hard at Lepidus.
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With the Romans watched all the way to the camp and even inside it, there is little opportunity for Publius to ascertain any possible weakness.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 8, 2021 7:31:22 GMT -5
Publius is sent to the enemy camp, with lavish gifts to curry favor. Unbeknownst to the boii, Publius will be on a secret mission to scout the camp from the inside for wweaknesses.
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Lepidus stood up and looked down on the man he called king. "Very well, I shall inform the senate and bring you my reply in a matter of days" the festive mail was now concluded and the biggest part of Lepidus his diplomacy had failed.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 10, 2021 7:49:05 GMT -5
After a week or two of no response, undoubtedly caused by the inaction of the Senate, Lepidus' scouts inform him that the Boii have begun moving. Rather than going west, through Roman lands, the Boii have begun marching east through the territory of Dindari, burning and pillaging as they go in revenge for the raids conducted on their lands.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 10, 2021 15:31:46 GMT -5
Lepidus orders his legions to follow the boii, albeit from friendly territory. Publius is sent out with a scouting party to follow more closely.
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