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Post by Gandalf on Jul 7, 2022 15:34:21 GMT -5
 Rome:
Allies: Capua
Samnites:
Allies: Frentani, Neapolis
major victory points: Capua, Neapolis
minor victory points: Cumae, Puteoli, Nola, Casinum
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 9, 2022 10:46:34 GMT -5
Forces of Consul Marcellus:
Officers:
Consul Marcellus
Tribune Ahala Minor
Tribune Marcellus Minor
Troops:
Legio I Romanum - 3800 infantry, 200 Cavalry
Legio Volsci - 2000 infantry, 200 cavalry
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 9, 2022 11:03:07 GMT -5
Forces of Consul Mugillanus
Officers
Consul Lucius Papirius Mugillanus
Tribune Quintus Fabius Minor
Tribune Marcus Furius Camillus Minor
Troops
Legio II Romanum - 3,800 infantry, 200 Cavalry
Legio Latium - 2,000 infantry, 200 cavalry
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 10, 2022 7:37:29 GMT -5
{Samnite Forces}
Commanders: Gaius Pontius, Herennius Pontius, Lars Saticulus
Legio I
Legio II
Legio III
Legio Neapolitana
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 10, 2022 7:56:42 GMT -5
It would take the better part of several days for the forces to reach the Liris, which lay right in the midst of the lands that belonged to the Volsci allies of the Republic. An armed encampment was swiftly erected so that the Samnites would not take the Romans unawares should they somehow sneak around Capua without notice, which Marcus considered unlikely, but not impossible. The Samnites were renowned for their cunning, and made a habit of skulking away from an enemy into their hills only to emerge again at an unexpected and unlooked for juncture. While Marcus was no coward, he had no intention of running into the jaws of a Samnite trap.
An older tribune led a number of cavalry into Campania itself to gain some sense of the enemy position and numbers; an older man that Marcus could trust not to chase glory or give battle needlessly. While Marcellus awaited his return, he dispatched Servilius and his son on the rather mundane and routine job of procuring supplies from their Volsci allies. It would not be long before they would be in hostile territory, so it was time now to take stock and ensure that all was in place before fording the two rivers into the fertile plains of Campania.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 11, 2022 11:41:09 GMT -5
Lucius Papirius Mugillanus idly rode along the marching columns of Roman soldiers and Latin allies, closely followed by his entourage of tribunes and staff officers. So far the campaign south had met no obstacles or faced any hostile army. To be frank it was terribly boring.
The consul suppressed a yawn while his eyes wandered across the lands of the Volsci. By Mars and Minerva did he wish for something to happen. Even a minor skirmish would be enough to wake his blood. Yet despite his wishes and prayers, the Samnites were nowhere to be seen.
A rather annoyed Mugillanus would ride up to his co-consul, saluting his senior colleague as tradition dictated.
"Any news, Claudius Marcellus? I grow bored of these peaceful days."
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 11, 2022 12:49:28 GMT -5
”The Samnites have driven off our scouts with every attempt.”
Came the gloomy reply of Marcellus, who barely turned in the saddle to look at his patrician colleague. Like Papirius, he was keeping a sharp eye on the plains arrayed before them, as if the Samnites might burst onto the fields at any moment.
”I wager they know where we are, and our numbers. Which can work in our favour, if you will hear me out.”
Replies Marcellus, who now turned his head to look at his colleague. Soon the army would reach the Volternus, the traditional border from Latium into Campania.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 11, 2022 13:58:34 GMT -5
"Cowards, then. Skulking about the peripheries, trying to find the perfect opportunity to cut our throats in the night. I tell you, we should make haste to Capua and break the siege. It'll give us a base in the south that directly threatens Neapolis. Maybe we can even find some towns in Campania that would be willing to switch sides, if given the right incentives?"
Mugillanus spit on the ground before glaring somewhere off into the distance, as if trying to will the Samnite army into existence. He fell silent for a moment before turning back to Marcellus.
"What do you have in mind?"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 11, 2022 14:40:43 GMT -5
”They undoubtedly will expect us to charge to Capua’s rescue.”
Marcellus stiffly replied. The city was strong and well supplied. Likely it would last for some time yet, though to gamble upon that was to risk losing the entirety of Campania to the Samnites.
”We will reach the Volternus soon. We shall lure the Samnites into a battle on the near side, if we get their blood up enough. Attack them with all our cavalry and draw over the river to a ground of our choosing, where our infantry will do the bloody work.”
So far, the Samnite horsemen had gotten the better of the Romans. Marcellus was banking on this confidence to serve as sufficient bait for the trap.
”Those who do not die to the sword will be forced back into the river. Volturnus take them all to Hades.”
Even just wiping out their horse would give the Romans the advantage in the field. Everyone knew that, man for man, the Roman footmen were unmatched in a melee.
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Post by fairies wear boots 👢 on Jul 12, 2022 19:18:20 GMT -5
As the two consuls spoke, a handful of tribunes rode not far behind them - out of earshot, but close enough to see the looks on the two men's faces when they turned their heads in the saddle. Quintus Servilius Ahala the Younger rode upon a black warhorse which, over the course of the journey, he'd become more and more comfortable with. At the field of Mars, the unexperienced rider almost embarrassed himself, and now here in Campania he seemed to have negotiated some kind of understanding with the beast. The spoiled patrician's eye was mostly healed, the bruising reduced to some grayed splotches upon the brow and under the eye. For most of the journey so far, Servilius made no attempt to befriend his peers or engage with them outside of their tribunal duties. He clearly had a sunken attitude from the outset, scolded by his father "for the last time", and sent to man's true domain - war. Ahala figuratively kept his head down and obeyed the commands given to him to the best of his capabilities, which often meant copying his fellow tribunes or following them along on whatever errand had been assigned to them. He'd had a few experiences by this point with ordering and organizing small groups of men, entirely with logistical tasks such as the shaping and sufficient size of camp structures and a few drills. Now, riding alongside Claudius Minor, Servilius had himself wrapped slightly in his sagum, for though the man was well-built and an athlete if nothing else, the winter winds still blew in from the sea and from the mountains. Seeing the two consuls conversing ahead of them, Ahala finally now got over himself and, apprehensively, turned to glance at the younger tribune. "Claudius," he addressed the other tribune, breaking the winter air with the rare sound of his voice. "Do you expect the imperatores will be leading us to the enemy soon?" It was improper to call the commander "your father", but it was clear who Ahala was speaking of. ( Royal Joker and sforza , feel free to jump in with your tribunes as well) |
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 13, 2022 12:18:29 GMT -5
”They undoubtedly will expect us to charge to Capua’s rescue.”Marcellus stiffly replied. The city was strong and well supplied. Likely it would last for some time yet, though to gamble upon that was to risk losing the entirety of Campania to the Samnites. ”We will reach the Volternus soon. We shall lure the Samnites into a battle on the near side, if we get their blood up enough. Attack them with all our cavalry and draw over the river to a ground of our choosing, where our infantry will do the bloody work.”So far, the Samnite horsemen had gotten the better of the Romans. Marcellus was banking on this confidence to serve as sufficient bait for the trap. ”Those who do not die to the sword will be forced back into the river. Volturnus take them all to Hades.”Even just wiping out their horse would give the Romans the advantage in the field. Everyone knew that, man for man, the Roman footmen were unmatched in a melee. Mugillanus pondered for a moment, looking over the marching foot soldiers and the cavalry. Then he called over one of the Volsci commanders with knowledge of the area and spoke with him in private. After a little while, the consul returned to his colleague. "The lands around the Volternus are just flat plains, though the river banks are flooded from time to time, creating marshes. There's a village halfway between the mouth of the river and Capua, Gratianisium. I'll take the cavalry and draw their forces out into a melee around there, have our infantry ready to intercept them." He turned around and began balking orders around at his followers. The battle-hungry Mugillanus looked over at his junior tribunes and roared. "Fabius! Furius Camillus! Get the equites ready, we're moving out!"
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Post by fairies wear boots 👢 on Jul 13, 2022 12:46:00 GMT -5
Mugillanus finds the enemy prepared for him, Neapolitan hoplites and Samnite hillmen arrayed with wings of cavalry on both ends - offering battle on an equal plain. Capua is beyond, with smoke rising from the surrounding encampments.
(Hint: ask for an Intelligence check to "size them up")
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 13, 2022 13:23:08 GMT -5
As the two consuls spoke, a handful of tribunes rode not far behind them - out of earshot, but close enough to see the looks on the two men's faces when they turned their heads in the saddle. Quintus Servilius Ahala the Younger rode upon a black warhorse which, over the course of the journey, he'd become more and more comfortable with. At the field of Mars, the unexperienced rider almost embarrassed himself, and now here in Campania he seemed to have negotiated some kind of understanding with the beast. The spoiled patrician's eye was mostly healed, the bruising reduced to some grayed splotches upon the brow and under the eye. For most of the journey so far, Servilius made no attempt to befriend his peers or engage with them outside of their tribunal duties. He clearly had a sunken attitude from the outset, scolded by his father "for the last time", and sent to man's true domain - war. Ahala figuratively kept his head down and obeyed the commands given to him to the best of his capabilities, which often meant copying his fellow tribunes or following them along on whatever errand had been assigned to them. He'd had a few experiences by this point with ordering and organizing small groups of men, entirely with logistical tasks such as the shaping and sufficient size of camp structures and a few drills. Now, riding alongside Claudius Minor, Servilius had himself wrapped slightly in his sagum, for though the man was well-built and an athlete if nothing else, the winter winds still blew in from the sea and from the mountains. Seeing the two consuls conversing ahead of them, Ahala finally now got over himself and, apprehensively, turned to glance at the younger tribune. "Claudius," he addressed the other tribune, breaking the winter air with the rare sound of his voice. "Do you expect the imperatores will be leading us to the enemy soon?" It was improper to call the commander "your father", but it was clear who Ahala was speaking of. ( Royal Joker and sforza , feel free to jump in with your tribunes as well) Claudius turned his head slightly towards his older colleague. Like his father, Marcellus Minor was quiet and serious, which, along with the full beard and broad shoulders, leant the youth an air of seniority that belied the age difference between the two young nobles. “Consul Marcellus is a cautious man. I expect we shall not see battle without having properly looked for it.”
That meant a cautious approach, not a mad dash into Capua. Minor delivered his assessment flatly and dispassionately, the tone as ponderous as their rambling march towards the Volturnus.
“Though this will no doubt be tempered by the eagerness of his colleague.”
Papirius, the young and celebrated patrician, was more than eager for a quick victory and swift glory. But the auguries had spoken clearly enough - victory was a long stretch of time and blood away. ”They undoubtedly will expect us to charge to Capua’s rescue.”Marcellus stiffly replied. The city was strong and well supplied. Likely it would last for some time yet, though to gamble upon that was to risk losing the entirety of Campania to the Samnites. ”We will reach the Volternus soon. We shall lure the Samnites into a battle on the near side, if we get their blood up enough. Attack them with all our cavalry and draw over the river to a ground of our choosing, where our infantry will do the bloody work.”So far, the Samnite horsemen had gotten the better of the Romans. Marcellus was banking on this confidence to serve as sufficient bait for the trap. ”Those who do not die to the sword will be forced back into the river. Volturnus take them all to Hades.”Even just wiping out their horse would give the Romans the advantage in the field. Everyone knew that, man for man, the Roman footmen were unmatched in a melee. Mugillanus pondered for a moment, looking over the marching foot soldiers and the cavalry. Then he called over one of the Volsci commanders with knowledge of the area and spoke with him in private. After a little while, the consul returned to his colleague. "The lands around the Volternus are just flat plains, though the river banks are flooded from time to time, creating marshes. There's a village halfway between the mouth of the river and Capua, Gratianisium. I'll take the cavalry and draw their forces out into a melee around there, have our infantry ready to intercept them." He turned around and began balking orders around at his followers. The battle-hungry Mugillanus looked over at his junior tribunes and roared. "Fabius! Furius Camillus! Get the equites ready, we're moving out!" Fabius leapt into action, the young spindly boy quickly spurring his mount into a gallop as he followed the lead of the older officers. —- To his chagrin, Claudius the Elder seemed to have no choice but to follow this new plan of Papirius as the Roman horse disappeared off over the horizon. By Mars, he hoped his Consular colleague knew what he was about. Many good men would die saving him if this proved to be a blunder. “On the double.”
Marcellus commanded, the dictation being snapped down the columns by the eager centurions. They would soon arrive at Mugillanus’ field of choosing.
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Post by fairies wear boots 👢 on Jul 13, 2022 14:28:26 GMT -5
As the two consuls spoke, a handful of tribunes rode not far behind them - out of earshot, but close enough to see the looks on the two men's faces when they turned their heads in the saddle. Quintus Servilius Ahala the Younger rode upon a black warhorse which, over the course of the journey, he'd become more and more comfortable with. At the field of Mars, the unexperienced rider almost embarrassed himself, and now here in Campania he seemed to have negotiated some kind of understanding with the beast. The spoiled patrician's eye was mostly healed, the bruising reduced to some grayed splotches upon the brow and under the eye. For most of the journey so far, Servilius made no attempt to befriend his peers or engage with them outside of their tribunal duties. He clearly had a sunken attitude from the outset, scolded by his father "for the last time", and sent to man's true domain - war. Ahala figuratively kept his head down and obeyed the commands given to him to the best of his capabilities, which often meant copying his fellow tribunes or following them along on whatever errand had been assigned to them. He'd had a few experiences by this point with ordering and organizing small groups of men, entirely with logistical tasks such as the shaping and sufficient size of camp structures and a few drills. Now, riding alongside Claudius Minor, Servilius had himself wrapped slightly in his sagum, for though the man was well-built and an athlete if nothing else, the winter winds still blew in from the sea and from the mountains. Seeing the two consuls conversing ahead of them, Ahala finally now got over himself and, apprehensively, turned to glance at the younger tribune. "Claudius," he addressed the other tribune, breaking the winter air with the rare sound of his voice. "Do you expect the imperatores will be leading us to the enemy soon?" It was improper to call the commander "your father", but it was clear who Ahala was speaking of. ( Royal Joker and sforza , feel free to jump in with your tribunes as well) Claudius turned his head slightly towards his older colleague. Like his father, Marcellus Minor was quiet and serious, which, along with the full beard and broad shoulders, leant the youth an air of seniority that belied the age difference between the two young nobles. “Consul Marcellus is a cautious man. I expect we shall not see battle without having properly looked for it.”
That meant a cautious approach, not a mad dash into Capua. Minor delivered his assessment flatly and dispassionately, the tone as ponderous as their rambling march towards the Volturnus.
“Though this will no doubt be tempered by the eagerness of his colleague.”
Papirius, the young and celebrated patrician, was more than eager for a quick victory and swift glory. But the auguries had spoken clearly enough - victory was a long stretch of time and blood away. the older heir echoed, glancing over the fields to their left where a few indigines were struggling awkwardly with their sheep in view of the Romani column. "Consul Marcellus and my father must have much more in common; I've become convinced they've arranged some sort of deal." Servilius made it seem he was less aware than he really was, but in truth all his father had conveyed to him was how much he wished his sister Lucia was the son and that Quintus Minor hadn't been born. Instead, Lucia was a Vestal Virgin now.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 13, 2022 15:30:05 GMT -5
Mugillanus finds the enemy prepared for him, Neapolitan hoplites and Samnite hillmen arrayed with wings of cavalry on both ends - offering battle on an equal plain. Capua is beyond, with smoke rising from the surrounding encampments. (Hint: ask for an Intelligence check to "size them up") Consul Papirius Mugillanus rode at the head of the Roman cavalry, almost a thousand strong, as they approached Capua. The Samnite army were ready for them, much to the hot-headed consul's chagrin. No doubt their scouts had been aware of their movements ever since the legions arrived. It was truly a shame that such talented warriors would have to be slain - the fate awaiting all enemies of Rome. Despite his eagerness for battle, the consul was no fool to rush in head-first into battle without a plan. He needed to buy time for Claudius and the infantry to get into position, and more information on the Samnites. He turned back to his commanders. "Tribunes, tell the centurions to pick out our most eagle-eyed warriors. I want their best estimates on the size and composition of their army."
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