GM NOTE: This scenario reflects the game style, ranks, and practices of the "Old Roman Legion" and may not accurately represent the history of the current game's storyline. Consult with a GM before referencing any component of this scenario.

Pertinax Veno receded into Rome with his army determined to tighten his grip
on Rome. The senate was now devastated. Cicero Pius was an uneasy Proconsulus.
Rome twitched and shook in the throws of death.



---------------

The Cybil, and she was a brilliant prophet, spoke with clarity from the divine

---------------



News of Maximus Carus' defection to Braeus Sabaco was not wholly unexpected.
Defenses and recruiting in Rome were being thrown together. News of Antoninus
Maxus' landing in Italia had sent shockwaves through the Empire.



Antoninus had refused promotion and had refused to accept the destruction of a
lawful system of Roman government.



Antoninus came with 16,000 men to Latium and was now camped directly in Braeus
Sabaco's path. News from his informants in Rome had clearly spelled out what was
going on in Rome and how exactly Antoninus, Verius, and the senators had died.
Pertinax hardly even tried to pretend he was innocent. The same could be said
for Braeus.



---------------

The Cybil leaned to the 23 year old man, beckoning him to draw closer...

---------------



Braeus Sabaco's long march from Neopolis was tedious. Maximus had been left in
Campania to keep the peace when Rome was sacked. The mere notion that an army
was marching on Rome sent the Empire into shock. Braeus learned when he was two
days journey from Rome that Antoninus Maxus was in his path.



Braeus remembered deeply what Antoninus Varro had told him. "And he whom shall
destroy Rome, shall save Rome from destruction"



---------------

The Cybil sat with all her glory about her and began to speak....

---------------



Balbonus Thrax was still unable to hold ground against the Gauls. They continued
to bring vicious waves of attacks and forced him ever further back and into
Narboneses. The unified Gallic army was too much. Even for a general of
Balbonus' stature and capability.



---------------

"He will be an unknown. Never will he be compelled other than by duty"

---------------



"Commander Sabaco!"



Braeus raised an eyebrow from his tent where he sat comfortably "This had better
be word back from Antoninus Maxus for your sake"



The Centurion saluted "General Antoninus Maxus is here and is waiting to be
received"



Braeus stood "His messenger... Antoninus himself!?"



Antoninus Maxus walked into the tent. Marius Aelius who was sitting across from
Braeus Sabaco spat his water onto the floor "By the gods such an outrage!"



Braeus was shocked.



Marius Aelius stood and screamed "Seize this worthless traitor and put him to
death!"



Braeus Sabaco motioned and the soldiers stopped.



Marius Aelius slammed his fist onto the table and through clenched teeth he
spurted forth "There is no peace, no pity, and there should be no mercy!
Antoninus Maxus raised a hand against Rome by initially allowing its downfall
with that treacherous leech Pertinax! My adopted father and..." Marius began to
slow and calm "...and even my real father...may the gods bless him with eternal
grace...both saw something in this man Antoninus Maxus...but I never have..."



------------

"He will have a way with people of honor. He will make friends where enemies
stood before him ready to strike him down. His influence will be legendary"

------------



Braeus put his hand in front of Marius signaling him to cease. "Marius, the gods
work in their own methods and those are never known to us."



Braeus looked into the eyes of Antoninus which were full of stern honor, and
endless rage. A vengeance stood in Antoninus' eyes. Revenge for the dishonor of
the senate and the republic.



Marius scowled "Hah. I know who you are A-n-t-o-n-i-n-u-s! You took that name
from Antoninus VARRO and do not think I know not why! Who was your real father?
Duvius Aetus! You are Julius Aetus and a simple plebian! Your manner doesn't
suit that of a patrician. It is obvious who and what you are! Fiend I say!"



Braeus Sabaco was a most deliberate man. "Antoninus, Marius, sit down". They
did. "Antoninus Varro do you hear me? Wherever you are...you were right...you
were right! The Cybil was truthful!"



An amusing look fell upon Marius Aelius "Braeus you haven't even had any wine
yet..." (Marius amusingly poking fun at Braeus' renowned stomach for drink).



"Antoninus told me what the Cybil said. This has already happened in her head."
Braeus spoke sharply.



Antoninus shook his head and finally spoke "I do not understand"



Braeus continued "You. Your the one. You are the one...And he whom shall destroy
Rome, shall save Rome from destruction....You will save Rome Antoninus Maxus. I
am your blade and you may wield me how you see fit."



Marius gasped at Braeus Sabaco who knelt before Antoninus Maxus and begged his
treachery to Verius Flavus through inaction be forgiven. Marius looked up with
tears in his eyes..."I am not an emotional man...but if Braeus says you will
save Rome, then I will be your shield. I will crush those in your way and I will
bring glory to Rome through your name"



-----------

"He will have a way with people of honor. He will make friends where enemies
stood before him ready to strike him down. His influence will be legendary"

-----------



Rome fell under attack around six am, March 2nd, 88bc. Four eleven hours
Pertinax held the city until finally it was penetrated. Fires and looting
ensued. The city was in chaos. The Prefectures stole and robbed and cut down men
for the simplest of possessions. Women were raped and babies thrown into the
Tiber to appease the crowd. The houses of Veno and Lupidius were looted and
burned. The entire Senate was laid waste. It once sat proud on Esquitine hill,
but was now in ruin and the doors, the might doors of the Republic were fallen
from their hinge.



Antoninus strode in upon his horse with 20,000 men. He set up camp in the
garrison and fought to gain control of the city. The entire marketplace was
lost. Every business there destroyed beyond recognition.



-----------

"Those whom would foil him will be found out. Though they be smarter, wealthier,
and wiser, they will continue to try and fail in vain for fortune shall be his"

-----------



Cicero Pius would have nothing to do with it. The other Senators, driven by
their fear of another dictator were decided. Antoninus must be killed. An old
friend of Julius Nervae, the assassin Cadrio would be sent to kill Antoninus
Maxus in the Jupiter wing of the Garrison when he was in his room, and when he
was sleeping.



Cicero warned that even should it succeed, and there was high likelihood, that
dishonor and disgrace would befall all of the Republic. "Even you Gnaeus...I
never thought that even you could fall to the depths"



Gnaeus lowered his head "It is for the good of the republic"



----------

"Those whom would foil him will be found out. Though they be smarter, wealthier,
and wiser, they will continue to try and fail in vain for fortune shall be his"

----------



A man approached the garrison and was immediately put in chains. It was not
Cadrio, but a 17 year old boy just in his manly gown (just after a "boy" became
a man he put on his "manly gown"). This young man asked, politely, to see
Antoninus Maxus for he had information that would be vital.



Marius Aelius remembered the Centurion describing the encounter "Well if he was
polite...let him see Antoninus...make sure he is without weapon or chance. Keep
him at a distance"



The young man spoke in the presence of Antoninus Maxus who listened with great
care "I have been paid, because the Senate believes me loyal to them for my
father died at the hands of Pertinax"



Antoninus nodded "Many have died at the hands of Pertinax"



The young man continued "My father was of some importance. I have been paid, as
a result of this, by the Senate, to entrust to a man "Cadrio of Sardinia" the
task of killing you."



Antoninus Maxus sat back and folded his arms. He motioned with his eyes to
continue among a gasp from his wife who was with him.



The young man continued "He will kill you and a Republican triumvirate will be
emplaced to Rule Rome. You should act immediately. Consider an old debt, for
removing Pertinax, repaid."



The young man turned to leave and Antoninus shouted "Wait..."



The man turned around.



Antoninus smiled and stood his proud and strong arms outstretched "And who shall
i say saved me so that i might save myself...and Rome..."



The man replied plainly "My name is Postumus. Postumus Varro, son of Antoninus."



As the man left, Antoninus turned to a shocked Marius Aelius...first he motioned
to his wife to leave and return to her quarters as she was with child.



"Marius! That was Antoninus son..."



Braeus' eyes were full of glass..."The Cybil spoke of him too...though not as
well..."



----------

"Those whom would foil him will be found out. Though they be smarter, wealthier,
and wiser, they will continue to try and fail in vain for fortune shall be his"

----------



The city was returning to order, news that Pertinax and Commodus' suicides had
reached the masses. Slowly, things began to return to normal. Two days had
passed since Antoninus' meeting with Postumus. It would be the first of many
encounters. The Senate had taken up its function now in the destroyed temple to
Ceres on Palatine Hill. The building seemed a perfect replacement.



Antoninus made plans to descend upon the Senate in the morning. That night he
was nearly asleep. Marius Aelius remembered that death warrants for Lupidius'
wife and child needed signing. He went, reluctantly, to wake Antoninus.



Cadrio was there with dagger in hand descending into the room. Antoninus was
struck, but not by a good blow. Marius Aelius put himself in front of Antoninus
who rushed to his feet and grabbed his sword. Marius Aelius struggled with
Cadrio until Antoninus Maxus laid a fatal shot to Cadrio's head.



"We go to the Senate Marius...we go first thing in the morning!"



Marius nodded.

----------

"Those whom would foil him will be found out. Though they be smarter, wealthier,
and wiser, they will continue to try and fail in vain for fortune shall be his"

----------



The senate was in session when Antoninus Maxus and his men charged forth into
the building and blocked the exit ways. Many of the Senators did not realize
that Cadrio's plan had failed. They were in fact waiting for the news of his
success!



Antoninus Maxus stormed to the center of the great floor and held his sword to
the heavens "This is what you planned for me!"



The senators murmured and mumbled disapprovingly "Never.. Never!.. It isn't So!"



Antoninus Maxus wore a smirk on his face "Oh I see. Cadrio the Sardinian was in
the employee of this Senate. But he has done a likewise job. A useless job in
preventing a tyrant!"



The senate fell silent. They knew he referred to their inaction against
Pertinax.



"In an honorable world, those without honor are destroyed by those who will not
tolerate their existence. They are a curse and a pestilence against their
society and their nation. They like all who will poison must be destroyed so
those who are not of like mind might be allowed to progress unimpeded. You are
that pestilence!" the booing and disapproval of the senate could be clearly
heard. "YOU are lower than a dog in the street. Worse than a thief. Lowest of
the low. You are traitors. You have betrayed the people and their faith. In your
wake a new senate shall appear. A new era will appear. A new leader will take
charge. Until a week ago I was perfectly willing to allow YOU to choose this
destiny for Rome. But now...I think your power is at an end. Your penalty is
death. All of you."



Gasps were heard from the Senators as masses of Legionnaires marched into the
Senate and began arresting them. Antoninus called out "Take them to the steps of
the old senate. The building they say is destroyed and dead. Let the senators
die there with it!"



As they all marched by, Cicero Pius looked up "Not all stood against you
Antoninus"



Antoninus sneered "None stood against Pertinax for Varro or Verius Flavus!"



Cicero nodded and honorably accepted his fate.



A messenger ran into the room "Antoninus! Your wife is in labor!"



Antoninus was escorted with great haste back to the Maxus house on Avatine hill
where his wife was giving birth to their first child. Antoninus stormed into the
house to shrieks and screams. Antoninus ran to the room with Braeus behind him.
Braeus finally got to the room and saw the dead silence of it. Cassia Maxus was
dead and upon her, sobbing, lay Antoninus Maxus. The silence, finally was broken
as a maiden brought in a sobbing baby...Antoninus, with tears in his eyes and
the blood of his wife's womb, to which he kissed tenderly, upon his face and
hands, looked upon the baby...a son.



"My father, Duvius Aetus is dead. The man made me what i have become. My son
shall share his name." Antoninus raised young Duvius Maxus to the sky "I have
lost my wife, but i have gained a son!"



Antoninus walked out of the house. A crowd of the patricians was beginning to
gather upon the news of the slaughter of the senate. "There is
Antoninus...Imperator of ROME! Master of the Empire! Champion of the People!
Long live Emperor Antoninus Maxus!"



The cheers began softly and then rose to a climax. When Antoninus addressed a
gathering of some 100,000 Romans in the Palatine plazas, upon the end of his
speeches and promises to rebuild Rome to all her glory and more, the cheers
reigned down for all to hear "The Senate is dead! Long live the Emperor! The
Senate is dead! Long live the Emperor! The Senate is dead! Long live the
Emperor!"



Braeus Sabaco stood only eight feet from Antoninus as he received with a grin
the cheers of the people "The Cybil was right...she was right"



A month later Braeus Sabaco had died. His age, 60 was not so old, but it seemed
his duty was done, and the Gods called him back unto themselves for perhaps
another purpose.



------------

"And he whom shall destroy Rome, shall save Rome from destruction"

------------

-

-

-

WHAT DOES THIS SCENARIO MEAN?

Antoninus has done everything shy of corronating himself Emperor. Postumus Varro
has gambled with his fate and has become a friend of Antoninus. The entire
senate and all of its laws are destroyed. Rome no longer embraces or accepts a
ruling senate. The Republican era of role-play has ended, violently, which was
most likely the end result of any scenario. All Romans must now wait and see
what man has become their master, and what things may come. "History unlearned
is doomed repeated". on the page:
www.romanlegion.com , there is a LIBRARY section which gives the history of
the old Rome. This, after reading, is somewhat different, but in many ways the
same.



Many of you were not here in 1997 when Rome was founded. Dan Thompson, who
played the part of Antoninus Maxus died at the end of 1997. The men who played
the parts of the emperors in times before are some here and some gone, like all
who have come into Rome. It is through their struggle, failures, successes, and
enduring legacy that Rome has made its 4th full year. I am proud that Flaccus
Servo was lucky, and bold enough, to accept the incredibly difficult task of
playing Antoninus Maxus. How much longer he does, is up to him now.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



Ideas, Writings, inspirations:

Postumus Varro, Braeus Sabaco, Antoninus Maxus, Turpillius Castus, Julius
Nervae, Maximus Carus, Marius Aelius, Flavius Dio, Marcus Thrax, Acedus Daia,
Gnaeus Servo, Balbonus Manus, Verius Thrax, Verius Flavus, Bocchus Agrippa,
Bocchus Vitqellius, Tiberius Dio, Acedus Julianus, and the 100 some Romans who
have joined a political party, submitted scenarios, and participate in the
Marketplace.



Ave Roma!



"The Senate is dead, long live the Emperor"