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Post by Gandalf on Jun 25, 2022 6:37:18 GMT -5
 Roman Army
VII Gemina (Italia) X Gemina (Hispania Tarraconesis) XIII Gemina (Pannonia) III Gallica (Pannonia) I Germanica (Germania Inferior) IV Macedonica (Germania Superior) V Alaudae (Germania Inferior) XXI Rapax (Germania Superior)
The Rhine Frontier is in chaos. With the defeat of Vitellius, the legions that swore an oath of loyalty to him guarding the Rhine have turned to mutiny. They have taken up the cause of Gaius Julius Civilis, the Roman client chieftain of the Batavi, who now overruns Germania Inferior with the support of the Frisii and the Treveri tribe. Several Roman garrisons have already fallen to the rebels, who now threaten Colonia Agrippina, the centre of Roman power in the Germanic provinces.
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on Jun 25, 2022 10:39:02 GMT -5
Spread out across the open field, eight legions were assembled; all prepared for a long march. At their head an older man stood. Holding a military bearing and air of experience that can only come from a lifetime of service. He had an aquiline nose and sea green eyes that seemed to reflect the glowing sun. His hair once dark, was now intermixed with shades of grey. He wore plain but well made military garb. Across his back a crimson cloak was clasped showing his rank of office. Sweeping his gaze across the legions, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus spoke.
"Fellow citizens, a barbarian host awaits at our gates. We do not seek war, but it does not matter, for our foes do not seek peace. Peace seems to be contrary to the nature of these barbarians -- even when war is not to be found along the Rhine, they raid our homesteads and harry our soldiers.”
Seeing looks of anger and nods of agreement from many of the legionaries he continued
"Yet though these barbarians live for nothing but war and conquest, do not think that that means they are our superiors at it. They fight for nothing but rape, plunder, and slaughter -- things of no use to a dead man. We fight for the safety of our homes and families, the favor of the gods, and for the glory of all of Rome.”
Hearing a cheer rise up he paused for effect before placing the flat of his hand on the pommel of his sword.
“Their hearts will soon falter when they see that we are not easily beaten: our hearts are fortified for whatever lies ahead by the virtue of our cause. When we are inevitably victorious, it shall be you legionaries whom we must thank above all else."
More cheers and stamping of boots filled the air from the assembled men.
"Now, men, prepare to march! Let us give these barbarians a reason to flee back into the wilds, carrying with them only legends of our prowess, so that they might never return!"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 26, 2022 6:25:42 GMT -5
Cassius took his place alongside Suetonius in the Consul’s staff. A tribune’s job these days was as little more than a glorified messenger boy, but it was one he would fulfil to the best of his ability. At Bedriacum, he had killed his first man in the rout; putting his spear in the back of a fleeing legionnaire. Now he hoped to whet his blade against barbarians rather than Romans, but the fact that two whole legions had defected to the side of the enemy did not fill him with much hope that their enemy would be a band of unwashed savages.
”Sir. Colonia Agrippina has been given up to the enemy by defecting legions.”
Announced Cassius, much later, in the security of the officer’s tent that lay away from the prying ears of their mutinous soldiers. The German legions could not be fully trusted, at least not yet. Gaius was surprised that Otho had simply allowed them to continue service almost unmolested. And now they were being asked to fight their old comrades…
”The XVI Gallica and XXII Primigenia have both thrown their lot in with Civilis, Sir.”
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 26, 2022 11:39:54 GMT -5
Faithless sons of Rome...
Marcus Antonius remarks as he joins Suetonius and Paulinus. The newly made governor of the provinces Germania Inferior and Superior was hardly pleased with the state left by Vitellius. The legions taken away only stirred the Germanic tribes to be antagonistic and desired the plunder of Gaul and perhaps Gallia Cisalpina. Not since the days of Gaius Marius had there been such a chance of the Germans to breakthrough and wreck havoc to the lands of the homeland.
Paulinus, we should move to retake Colonia Agrippina. It is the capital of Germania Inferior. It's loss will risk threatening Augusta Treverorum.
Fellow Romans and Germans... just his luck. However, Antonius planned to do what was necessary and ensure that those traitors were taught a firm lesson in disloyalty while ensuring the Germans were dealt a significant blow to remind them of how powerful Rome still was.
We must not delay. We must strike at Colonia Agrippina and gain the momentum we need!
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on Jun 30, 2022 9:11:07 GMT -5
Augusta Treverorum
The fields east of the city were bustling with activity, where over 40,000 legionarii and Auxilia had encamped. The march over the Alps had been hard, and the army was now taking the time to rest and prepare for their push north toward Colonia Agrippina.
Scouts had been sent out to determine the location and disposition of the Batavi and mutinous legions, as well as if the city had been taken.
From his command tent Paulinus continued to plan the coming campaign, studying maps, and consulting with local administrators. This fight would be a tough one, and likely longer than the one he had just faced. For he was heading into hostile territory against a motivated enemy, even worse the loyalty of half of his army was questionable. He needed a victory, one that would cement their loyalty to him. The legions respected strength and abhorred weakness.
Taking a drink from a mug of watered wine, he stared down at a map of the region, his mind filled with possibilities of what was to come.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 1, 2022 5:47:48 GMT -5
Paulinus’ scouts discover that Cologne was taken and sacked by its own legionary garrison which is now looting the countryside. Around forty thousand Germans, led by Civilis of the Batavi, have joined them in looting Germania Inferior and are threatening to break into Gaul - they appear to be operating in bands of ten thousand strong. However, they are now aware of Paulinus’ advance and are believed to be mustering to confront the Roman force encamped at Trier.
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