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.

Decenaeus sat at his study in his Apartment on the Avatine. He came across a
scroll he had previously not noticed. He sat looking at it when he noticed the
seal, that of Marius Aelius. He hurriedly broke the seal, unfurled the scroll
andread:



"Hail Decenaeus old friend. It has been some time since we last conversed. I
write to you because all is not right in Rome. The emperor grows weak and many
people rise against him. I fear that should an uprising happen my legions would
be without funds for some time. This is not acceptable. If the legionnaires lost
their pay, many may desert and leave the Dalmatian boarder undefended against
the Macedonian army. I write to you because you are my friend and you are an
oracle. You have access to the treasury under the Temple of Saturn. I ask that
you go there and retrieve no less than 6 million C in gold coin and come to the
east until this ordeal is over. Many will be willing to help you, among them
Acedus Julianus. Choose your people well. You will find a Galleon docked at
Ostia to provide you transport to Illyrica. There I will have an armed guard to
bring you the rest of the way. You must move swiftly after you first enter the
temple. You'll have approximately 25 minutes to get out of Rome before the
Praetorians show up. I write because I trust you old friend, I trust you to do
the right thing."



Decenaeus immediately rose, putting the scroll into his pocket and set off for
the home of Acedus.

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

"Acedus, Marius has asked for our help with something," Decenaeus said handing
Acedus the scroll. "I believe we should help him, Rome is not safe for us right
now anyways."



Acedus finished looking over the scroll, looked up, and smiled. Finally someone
with the guts and tact to challenge the emperor in the right way. All right, I'm
in. We should do this as soon as possible. I'll gather up a few men and we'll do
it tonight. The sooner the better."



"All right, we'll meet here at midnight. Good luck Acedus."



"Good luck Decenaeus."

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

At midnight the two men met again. This time Acedus had gathered 20 or so armed
men to accompany them. They traveled in small groups to the temple so as to not
raise suspicion. Fresh horses were waiting at the city gates to take them to
Ostia. As they reached the temple, the men quickly overpowered and killed two of
the three lictors guarding the temple and rushed in.



"We are borrowing 6 million in gold coin from the imperial treasuries. The
emperor has become TYRANNICAL so if you expect to keep your life, I suggest you
not tell him of what happened tonight and attempt to flee the city."

Decenaeus said addressing the remaining guard.



"Ha, do you think I am stupid? I know that you take these funds for Marius.
Though I support the man, and would like to ask you a favor. I have no where
outside the city to go. Could I join you?" asked the watchman.



"Of course, but how do you know such things?" Decenaeus demanded as the others
hurriedly gathered the gold coin.



"Marius is a true leader. Most in Rome support him, as well as many abroad. May
I suggest we take the southern gate out of the city. It's far less guarded and
they rarely stop anyone so late at night." The guard muttered rising to his
feat.



"Come on Decenaeus, we got it all, let's get out of here before the Praetorian
patrol comes by." yelled Acedus from across the vault. The men took off for the
southern gate as the guard had recommended.



A troop of Praetorians stood at the south gate and arrested both Acedus Julianus
and Decenaeus Dio. "You should take more care to realize which guards give you


instruction". The Praetorian who had been dressed as some simple gate guard
laughed.



Decenaeus Dio shook his head. "Spying everywhere. Spying and underhanded
tactics."



Acedus moaned "Regrettably so, it seems all that's keeping the emperor in power
is Claudius Servo and his Praetorian."



"This way gentlemen" smiled the Praetorians.



----

meanwhile

----



Postumus Cassius Julianus was found dead, many thought him to be another of the
conspirators. His note read:



"I am reaching, but I fall. And the night is closing in. As I stare into the
void through the whirlpool of my sin. I'll escape now from that world, from the
world of Postumus Cassius Julianus. There is no where I can turn, there is no
way to go on...."



----

meanwhile

----



Claudius Servo was called before the Emperor. Antoninus Maxus smiled. "Cassius
Julianus has killed himself, and Decenaeus Dio has taken his own life as well. I
will execute Acedus Julianus, Marcus Dio, and order an arrest warrant for Marius
Aelius, though it will do no good."



Claudius Servo nodded.



"Also" Antoninus continued "step up the guard. I don't trust anyone. Keep an
extra close watch on Verius Pollio, Postumus Varro, and Baerana Sabaco. Such
people have great influence, lets see who is to be trusted or not."



Claudius Servo nodded.



----

meanwhile

----



The news came in to Marius Aelius that the second legion was to be recalled back
to Rome. Later that day, Aelianus Maxus fell from his horse and died while the
horse struggled back to its feet.



Peculiar, many thought, but they thought no more of it. Marius Aelius, of
course, assumed command of the Legion.

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

Decenaeus Dio, Acedus Julianus, Marius Aelius, Claudius Servo