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.

Lucius and his legion had continued to march onward, exercising extreme
caution and following the agreed upon plans, at times he wondered how well his
cousin faired in Gaul with his assignment, but these times were usually at
night, and during each time the legion stopped and a night watch was set up
Lucius always stayed up to make sure the soldiers stayed on their toes.



The marching and the fighting had been hard, and would continue to be hard, and
bloody, but the men were all fighting for the glory of Rome, and so they
pressed on, and in their fighting they performed wonderfully exerting a balance
between unleashing a fury upon their enemies in melee combat and keeping in
formations until melee combat was initiated.



Each man knew his part and had been told each of the different contingencies so
that each man could perform his task and know that the others were doing their
own tasks, and while at times it seemed pointless, everything intertwined in
battles gloriously.



It was another of those times though, the legion was moving forward, the
pounding of the drums becoming louder and louder as the standards were waived
with pride, they had received word that this was one of the largest militia
camps in the area, but their patrols were still sloppy and their formations un
organized.



The legion had taken great care to move with relative quiet as they approached
the enemy's camp, and only now that it was nearing archers range, and the fires
of the militia camp could be seen burning bright did the legion march with a
quicker step, intending to give themselves to the concept of a single legion,
moving as one, one arm of Rome, one arm of justice and retribution as the drums
pounded loudly and together the enemy could be seen more clearly now, their
patrols had informed the main camp and their was much activity as the legion
drew closer.



It was almost time to order the legion to attack the camp with the predefined
strategy, Lucius had dismounted long before and said to himself though before
giving the order to attack.



" A sword swung by my hand, is swung for the people of Rome so that justice may
be honored. "



And after a few footsteps Lucius gave the order to the officer to his right and
the entire mass of the Roman Legion yelled, no one knew quite what they were
yelling, but they were yelling at the same tone and with just enough strength
not to sap them of energy to fight, and the loud yelling infused energy to the
troops as the archers began to let fly their first volley and the forward
columns moved forward to engage the enemy...an enemy of Rome.



The skirmish lasted several hours, but it drove off the majority of the
Hispanians before the real battle could even begin. Rome suffered casualties
hardly worth mentioning. Rome now stormed after the bruised, confused, and ready
to be beaten forces in Hispania.

----------

meanwhile

----------

Turpillius planned through the night. His chief of staff, Darius Julius Maxus,
stood beside him, awaiting the orders to be relayed. Castus pored over the map.
He saw the enemy positions, German and Gallic, opposing his men stolidly. He
realized something special would be needed...Then it struck him...One of the
masterstrokes he was renowned for.



D.J. Maxus had suggested an ambush; Something Turpillius had been thinking of
himself. However, at the time it was suggested, it did not fit the
specification. Now it did.



Simply put: He would allow a supply column to come within ambush range of the
Gauls. He himself would accompany this column. It was risky, but it would allow
him to direct the defense. Tiberius Maxus, reinstated, would lead the ambush
column, consisting of V, XVI, XVIII and XX Legions. Turpillius hoped he could
lead the main enemy troops into an ambush to capture himself....And that that
ambition would be their downfall.



He would be accompanied by the shattered III and XI (much of which was reforming
to the rear, it's morale battered by it's failure) Legions, with his brother
Darius as wing commander. VIII, XVII, XIX, XXI, and XXIII Legions would guard
east Narbonesis under Antonius Pontus Varro, while XXII and XXIV would guard
Cisalpine Gaul. His recently arrived Sardinian marine unit, and rough levies of
Italians, Etruscans, Sicilians, and even a few Narbonessin would demonstrate
against the German flank of his opponent-The great Tocinederex. Thus, while the
Gauls would be smashed in an ambush, the Alamanni would be distracted by a mere
handful of auxiliary and marines. He instructed Fabius to command this
formation.



It would risky, but the dividends were high.



----------



The plan fooled the local Gallic commander into thinking the caravan virtually
unguarded. 15,000 Gallic soldiers advanced, hoping to force a gap in the area,
thus doubling their gain that cold, gloomy night. Little did they know what
awaited them. The men under Tiberius, Turpillius' most trusted commander,
awaited their opportunity to avenge themselves and their countrymen for the
terrible defeat they had suffered a month back. They marched through the
slightly dewy woods, heading towards the crossroads where their Praetor and his
escort rested.



Gauls swarmed forward into the night. They crashed into a hail of suddenly lamp-litten
Roman column-defenders. XI Legion, under Drusillus, held their ground staunchly,
wanting the two blots on their record to be erased by this action. Turpillius
himself had addressed the men of the Legion before the battle.



"I trust you, brave boys of my XI Legion...To stick with me. I'll lead you to
glory, and honor, and you'll be hailed by Rome as heroes. Just fight hard, watch
your back, and be soldiers. No killing of prisoners today, I feel!"



A great roar arose from the suddenly redeemed Legion. They hadn't loved their
Praetor back in Cisalpine, but now, here, he had forgiven them, and they cheered
him for it.



"But now...To be quiet, boys...Time to wait for the enemy."



And now their wait was over. The Gauls could make no headway. Turpillius
galloped to both areas of the battle for the wagons, accompanied by just two
soldiers, Darius Julius Maxus, and his son, Antoninus. He saw both Legions hold
their opponents. III Legion, under his brother, easily beat off the Gallic
attack, and XI even managed a small-scale counter-attack. He then knew he had to
play the waiting game again. His men would defend until midnight (it was just
9), and then Tiberius Maxus would strike, 40,000 angry Romans against battered
Gallic remnants.



----------

BATTLE OF CARTHANIS

----------



It went nearly perfectly. The Gauls, sensing a victory erroneously, assaulted
repeatedly. They failed every time. Roman arrows sprayed their ranks. Roman
swords cut them down in their tracks. Eventually, they retreated to their
temporary camp. Now Tiberius struck. With V Legion in the front, his men crushed
the Gauls; No enemy escaped. Turpillius stopped the victors from butchering the
prisoners, and sent them off to Rome with a guard of irregular cavalry led by a
brash young officer and a dour old engineer.



He rode to the head of his victorious Legions.



"Men, we have won a great victory today. The Gauls have been halved through your
efforts. Congratulations to Drusillus Thrax and Darius Castus for their staunch
defense! Congratulations to their Legions, XI...Shall we call you "Thrax"? And
III...Perhaps "Castus?" "



The soldiers roared with pleasure. The men, though they knew their ranks had
been shattered, were in soaring spirits. They had gained much respect for their
Praetor, and some felt devoted. He had pushed them hard at the start, but now
they were ready.



"And next...Tiberius Maxus and his Relief Corps. V, XVI, XVIII and XX Legions,
you have won a great victory. Gentlemen...Be proud. Those Legions that have
rarely seen action, you have proved equal to any Consular Legion, at least in my
eyes."



Another raucous cheer rose, deafening everyone for a half minute or so after it
receded. Turpillius trotted down the line.



"Now, let's get back to our fellow Romans, and prepare our plans."



He turned, and silently walked his horse off. The men followed, tens of
thousands of jubilant Roman soldiers marching behind their quiet, ageing leader.
Onlookers could not help but notice the marked difference; Yet somehow it all
made sense. At that small forest crossroads, known locally as Desson, an
unbreakable bond was formed between old Turpillius Castus and his brave Legions.



Turpillius heard good news from elsewhere. Fabius had held the Germanic forces'
attention, and little of interest had happened elsewhere on his front. Leaning
back in his camp chair, Turpillius felt quietly satisfied he had the initiative.
However, he had heard from the Emperor of many enemy reinforcements, and knew
there was still a long road to Fontaines and to Belgica. He set his men to
digging fortifications and securing his lines of communication and retreat to
prepare for a counter-attack.



ROMAN: 3,200 casualties of which 1,000 killed

GALLIC: Of all the Gauls, nearly half were killed or, more likely, taken into
slavery.



Rome had gained a qualified victory in this final campaign to crush Gaul. The
stakes are very obvious; And Rome is not about to lose what it had gambled. XI
Legion is particularly glorified, as is Tiberius Maxus. Darius Castus is
recognized to have fought a good battle by his peers, but not by many
politicians. Turpillius sighs in relief as he final has proof Gaul too can make
mistakes akin to Drusillus' the month before. However, the Gallic and German
armies are massing, and Turpillius is watching them warily, waiting for his
opportunity. The Emperor is awaiting final victory in the campaign as now it
seems the tide has gone to Rome.





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Antoninus Maxus, Postumus Varro, Lucius Nervae, Turpillius Castus,