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.

Turpillius returned to Rome during the winter and met with Postumus Varro. "I
know what you have come Turpillius, and I will not accept your resignation."



Turpillius smiled "It is a total loss in Narbonesis and will take any good
general a year to dislodge the Gallic defenders."



"At what cost?" Postumus smiled.



"A TERRIBLE cost!" Turpillius shouted and folded his arms.



"Yes a terrible cost for Rome indeed...what cost to Gaul?"



Turpillius mouth fell open. "By god you will bleed them out of Narbonesis on a
river of Roman blood?"



"Yes" Postumus paced. "Only by making war with Rome so horrific and terrible and
costly can we both persuade Hispania back in line, but persuade Macedonia to
ally with us rather than those bastards in the east."



Turpillius groaned "Again your strategy is always political. Many men will die!"



Postumus sighed "But Rome will finally win. Completely and utterly. Gaul will
cease."



Turpillius saluted and reluctantly agreed. "You know, Legati, that Rome has
changed so much since those beloved days of the Republic." Turpillius began to
test Postumus. "It is said that you could have merely nodded and Marius would
have gotten the support he needed in Rome."



"And be dictator of a hollow republic?" Postumus sighed and sat down.



Turpillius shook his head "A son of Antoninus our leader, it would have been
righteous...you knew Marius wanted you to do this."



"I cannot and will not dishonor my family and my father. I am sworn to uphold
Rome and Antoninus IS Rome. Should i throw him over as some peasant than someone
else would do it to me. The Roman republic was a total failure of corruption and
disunion. The endless civil wars and strife how could we hope to master the
world if we cannot master our own political machine? I know Antoninus is
non-creative, and of low birth, and is a lout. But he has within him many
qualities we do not get often. He is without corruption, he is fair and just,
and he stays the course. An Emperor is a dictator in disguise, its true, and the
Republic is just a memory...but he is our Emperor and our leader and we must
always always follow him. ALWAYS. Especially by we who must show the way for the
future generations."



Turpillius shook his head "I know you are sympathetic to the old ways...you are
a very complex man...you go against your own feelings."



"And so should you" Postumus eyes narrowed and Turpillius shook his head fully
knowing. "And bleed those bastards out of Narbonesis or the Senate will have us
BOTH strung up." Postumus yelled as Turpillius left.

-------

meanwhile

-------



Verius Pollio pleaded his case to Antoninus, but it fell upon deaf ears. "He is
a terrible choice for Military leadership. Postumus hasn't served a day in the
legions! Look at how Turpillius has been wracked with difficulty in Narbonesis!"



"Postumus and Turpillius are indispensable."



Verius was in shock "And how?!"



Antoninus smiled and drank his wine "They FIGHT...you wouldn't understand"



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Postumus Varro