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.

Postumus march to see the Emperor with the air of one not summoned to see the
Emperor but as a conqueror of Rome. In the past few weeks he felt that
the gods themselves where smiling on him. He had been made prima Legatus and
Drusilla had agreed to marry him thus adding huge prestige to the Maxus family,
but intense power to the Varro. He felt he had the Emperor and the Empire almost
in the palm of his hand, but he dared not abuse the situation. There was no
doubt Postumus was underhanded and devious, but he was very loyal to his
principals. Betrayal was not in his nature. The palace was empty of all sound
but that of the hollow echo of his footsteps and those of the Praetorians which
escorted him. The normal areas of the palace that had been full of life under
Pertinax Servo now stood empty and stark. The Emperor was renowned for his
frugal nature. He worked constantly, and was only surrounded by advisors and
scribes and servants. No such orgies and decadence existed in the Palace. It was
clear the Emperor needed a wife.



As Postumus entered the part of the Palace that had been Pertinax Servo
pleasure palace he noticed that much changed. It looked totally removed from
the quarters where the rest of the imperial family stayed. Two large doors now
stood where the open archway had welcomed the many visitors of Pertinax.
Praetorian Guards stood out side with a relaxed look of guards of the watch. As
he walked up to them they nodded and open the doors, as Postumus were well
known to them. But in the highest of Roman tradition, they spoke not a word to
him. Nobody save the Emperor and friends would address the Prima Legatus
directly.



Inside Postumus stop in his tracks as the doors shut behind him. He
looked at the floors, the ceiling and walls. It was like no room he had ever
seen in Rome. It was no longer a normal huge open room leading to the
Emperors private meeting room and throne. It was redone with the best Rome
had to offer but not in any way Postumus would have thought of. The riches
of Rome and the Trappings of the past Emperor were gone. The walls repainted
countlessly with frescos depicting calm and inviting landscapes and family
oriented pictures. The detail was Roman craftsmanship at its finest. The white
and pink marble floors were untouched but heavily waxed to a shine. Officers of
the 1st and 2nd cohort of Rome oversaw the painting as it was still in session.
Servants and craftsmen were reading details and others moving symbols about the
pictures. A huge table was holding hundreds scrolls. The room flowed to and
from the table as craftsmen moved with new scrolls from the table to the walls
then to small rooms with the instructions for the work. As he was peered in the
side rooms that at one time held fountains, garden rooms, and all manner of
room. The care the men took placing the scrolls showed that there was an
orderly and great importance in where they were placed and how.



It came to Postumus that this was a war room of a general but not of a
battlefield. Only a general could have such rigid organization.



"The Emperor is down the hall Postumus in the meeting room", one of the
overseeing Praetorians stated.



As Postumus reached a smaller room he saw the Emperor talking with a servant
of the house Varro. 2 guards blocked Postumus's path. They were not
Praetorians but harden veterans of the Antoninus's 1st or 2nd cohort.



"Wait till the Emperor signals for you to come in" stated the guard.



"Of course." Postumus spoke with great respect in the house of the Emperor.



"And the Emperor said he would speak with that man in private. Only Mars
walks in without the Emperor permission."



Postumus waited quietly for the man finish talking and leave. The Emperor
motioned for Postumus to come in.



"This is Postumus, my son. Close the door and let us speak in private. I will
call you when Postumus is ready to leave," Antoninus commanded.



As the door closed Antoninus motioned Postumus to a soft lounge.



"Postumus you are to be my adopted son. Your family was once my family.
Now you be a member my family. I know you hunger for power but at the same
time you try hard to see that Rome blossoms into a great Empire. I will
teach you as a father teaches his son. Now that you are my son you have the
position and the power to start making Rome great. In doing this remember
what is mine will be yours. If you weaken my throne, you will weaken your
throne. If you under cut me, you under cut that which will someday be yours.
If you take part in making my reign great you only insure that Rome will
welcome your reign with open arms as a great empire. Listen to Rome Postumus
and she will tell you what it takes to make her great. These rooms you have
seen are how I listen and track all of Rome. They are beautiful with good
images of Rome. Not the decadence which once existed. From my central office I
receive and personally read every last drop of information there is to be read.
I trust nobody to do it properly except myself. I listen to Rome from the many
reports that come to me. This is not the only source of information I have
but it is always a good start to dealing with Rome's problems. I tire of work
let us go check in on Drusilla".



With that all said Antoninus walked Postumus to Drusilla apartments in the
Palace.

------

MEANWHILE

------

It grew dark as the Emperor sent for his adopted brother Aelianus
Maxus. Aelianus entered the chamber knelt and asked the Emperor the cause for
his appearance. The Emperor sighed and said "Dear brother... I am promotingyou to General. You will command the second Legion.
No other soldiers in
Rome are better trained or equipped, lead them well. I need you to move out
immediately. Marius Aelius seems to have his hands, and his 6 Legions full
invading Macedonia. Go, be decisive, be quick, represent our family... but
most of all represent Rome."



Aelianus was shocked. His jaw dropped when he heard the news of his
promotion, and his eyes burned with a blaze when he heard he was being sent
to lead the Emperor's Legion against the Macedonians.. "I will sire, I will
help our dear friend Marius Aelius, I will represent the Maxus Family, but
most of all, I will represent Rome. The Macedonians will be sorry they chose
to face Rome. Is that all sire? I am eager to prepare for war."



Antoninus turned to Aelianus and with a small, but noticeable smirk
said "Yes, that is all, go, fight.... win."

-----

Several weeks later...

-----

"Emperor, a grave report!"



"How dare you barge into my receiving room at this hour! I have barely gotten
dressed!" Antoninus was enraged.



"You know this seal Emperor, it is from Marius Aelius, the news is urgent!"



Antoninus snatched the scroll and unfurled it. "Mighty Emperor, your forces
under my command have suffered a grave defeat in Macedonia. We are retreating
to reorganize in Dalmatia. Thrace and Dacia have seized this as an opportunity
to win territory in Dalmatia as a buffer. Tomidius must move and take down the


rebellion in Hispania and then the Gauls must be pacified. Without this, and
the reinforcements he could offer me at that time, we may not hold the east.
Your faithful and devoted disciple, Tetricus Augustus Marius Aelius."



Antoninus fell into his seat. "By the gods...take a dictation...this is for
Tomidius!"

-------

LEGION XV

-------

"This message comes from Tomidius." the officer handed Tacitus Calidus Disius the
scroll.



"Do your worst. Tomidius Flaccus Tomidius Servo." That's all it says? Calidus
Disius laughed. We shall do our worst then to Hispania, and they will learn
their lesson!"



The XV legions descended upon the citadel of Rumella where the heart of the
rebellion lay. Some five thousands Hispanian soldiers defended the location.
Rather than lay siege, Calidus decided to quickly end the rebellion with a
powerful show of Roman might. Though his army was green, he could think of no
other way to make men of them.



The attacks came early and often. Supported by massive catapulting and archery
fire, some 4,000 regulars made their way to the walls on the high hill of the
citadel. The siege equipment was excellent and in the dry weather the wheels
turned quickly and without much delay the Legionaries were pouring onto the
walls of the city.



By noon the Hispanians knew they seriously out-classed and out-trained. Though
the Romans suffered horrific losses, the city was taken on the first attempt.
Calidus Disius had a reputation of driving his men to the extreme... perhaps
that's why Tomidius saw fit to use him in such a fashion.



Seven hundred rebellious soldiers and their commanders were executed. The
entire population of the citadel was evacuated, and it would now be turned into
a city for colonization by Rome. A barracks was ordered constructed by the
several hundred men of the city kept behind as slaves.



Within a week word came from the leaders of the tribes, they would accept Roman
rule. Legion XV was once again firmly emplaced in the province...this time
perhaps for good.



ROME - 2,900 killed; 1,000 wounded

Hispania - 3,300 killed on field, 700 more executed.



results: Hispania has accepted Rome's might. Rome has shocked its provinces
with a display of might impossible for it to achieve only twenty years prior.
Rome's growing power militarily was undeniable. The provinces are awed and
frightened.

------

Gallic front, month Quintilus. "Lord Tomidius, Calidus Disius moves on
Hispania."



"Excellent news. We will begin the invasion of Gaul immediately."



Tomidius had ordered a direct frontal invasion with legions XIII, under his own
direction, and legion V under Brutus Vitellius, a renowned vicious and
merciless general. By the end of the week, the city of Caliso, in Lugdonesis
Gaul was under attack. Thirteen thousand Gallic soldiers of the five tribes
could be mustered, but it was no match for the Roman juggernaught now very
aware of Gallic tactics and how to defeat them.



Though Caliso is only the first battle of the war to end Gaul for good, it
clearly shows which direction the war will go. It is all but a foregone
conclusion now.



ROME - 1,000 killed; 1,200 wounded

GAUL - 4,300 killed, unknown wounded



Result: Rome's power is too much for Gaul. They are out-manned, out-trained,
out-equipped, and are inferior in quality and leadership to the well carved and
molded Roman military machine.

---------

Marius Aelius took the news of the victories in the west as a relief. With some
50,000 Macedonians and 40,000 Dacian and Thracian allies coming down upon him
in Dalmatia, Marius was in desperate need of good news.



Marius conferenced with his closest Generals on how to decide the course of the
war. Surprisingly, though, after years of friendship, Turpillius Castus refused
to see eye to eye with his commander, Marius. After heated arguments between
the two, Turpillius demanded a transfer back to Rome. It was granted.



Marius had no idea how he would defend against the Macedonians, his generals,
as Turpillius Castus, were greatly un-nerved and on the verge of mutiny. Marius
Aelius would have to play his hand carefully and control the strong willed
generals beneath him. Luckily, Aelianus Maxus' consular army had arrived, this
would give added confidence to the generals, and a good ally for Marius.

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

Antoninus Maxus, Marius Aelius, Postumus Varro, Turpillius Castus, Aelianus
Maxus, several others :)