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.


PART 1

Tomidius had now been for a while clamping down the vice grips of imperial
authority in Rome. Imprisonment and torture were no longer uncommon. The masses
kept hush of such happenings in light of the desperate situations in Africa and
Rhaetia. Rome had become a fever of vice, propaganda, treachery, and gloom.
Radrius Septimus Varro, Quintillius Marcus Agrippa, and Aelianus Flaccus Maxus
were the first to be imprisoned under the suspicion of acting for the Black
Faction, or for other groups whom wished ill against the Emperor. Tomidius'
brutality was becoming renowned, and when one of the prisoners made his warning
somewhat public, the started Roman hierarchy said nothing:

"Three times a day for two months you will be beaten, raped and burned, and
given hard bread to eat once a day, until you give me three names of other black
faction members... Also each week your wife (if you have one) will be raped, the
same goes for any children. If you do not give any names after two months, you
die. If you only give 1 name you get another month to live, with the same
torture. If you name two names you just get to stay in prison for 8 years. If
you name 3 names you can leave, and my guards will protect you from any possible
retaliation of the black faction. I will know when you are lying or not. That is
all, enjoy your stay in Roman Prison! ~Tomidius"

Despite the brutal and harsh treatment, little came of it until the second
wave of arrests. Praetorian guards looted Pontus' shops, killed his gladiator
and painted slander upon the doors of his Villa. Despite efforts to protect the
identity of those committing the deeds, all were sure the orders came directly
from Tomidius. Pontus was pushed to near desperation.

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

The sky was darkening overhead as Radrius Septimus Varro was being carried by
an escort provided by Tomidius Servo to his prison cell. As they arrived at
their destination, the lead escort looked up to see the blackening sky. They
stopped some 30 feet from the prison, and threw Septimus out of the wagon. They
unbound him and ungagged him, and laughed as he choked. The dragged him to the
door of the prison, kicking and screaming. They took him to the door, and threw
him down on the ground. What these men forgot was that Septimus had military
training, and he was versed in many arts. Septimus reached up and grabbed the
mans dagger, and attempted to scurry away. Two guards grabbed him and threw him
backwards, but it was too late. They saw the dagger plunged into his neck, and
knew they had failed Rome. They searched his body, and found a small container
of sealing wax. Septimus wore no signet ring, so what could it be for? They
searched deeper, and found a scroll. It's seal had not been tarnished, and
looked unopened.

Puzzled, the men read it:

My Dearest of Friends, Radrius Septimus Varro-

Your interested for the Black Faction has been noted. It will probably be
days before you realize that you have this note on your body, but rest assured,
your task allows you time. You have made no move to contact us, but that is for
obvious reasons. Your task is this, if your interest for the Faction is true-
kill Flavius Tiberius Daia. This senator poses a threat to the Faction, and must
be dealt with. If I hear no news of his death in two months, it will be your
death that will come. Beware. Sincerely, "Imperium Ex" Throwing the scroll down
in disgust, they could only hope that Septimus had attempted to join the Faction
and they had cut him short. They gathered him, wrapped him in cloth, and began
the long ride back to Tomidius Servo to report their failure..

---------

:: A note scribbled on a piece of paper was found in the cell of Marcus
Probus. His bloody body was found and an item was lodged in his neck.. He choked
to death. ::

This is Tribune Marcus Probus.. IT seems that I have suffered the same fate
as my father.. Wrongfully punished. Tomidius is a sick sick man, he has me
rapped and beaten daily. I am glad my wife and child are away from this sick
place that Rome has become. My father spoke of Tomidius once as a fair man... I
of course had nothing to move that so I respected him also... I came to him to
try to get a friend of mine out of jail.. He assumed we were both involved in
the black faction... Pity eh? I have my death planned... The beatings will
become my end.. I will be with my father and the other innocent people of Rome.
Good Bye Rome.

---------

And so in Rome, the rage of the Emperor continued.

Radrius Septimus Varro, Tomidius Servo, Postumus Varro, Marcus Probus,

PART 2

Senator Q Marcus Agrippa was more than a little bit angry. He really wouldn't
have minded being placed under guard in prison if the authorities felt it was
necessary. After all, he hated and feared this "Black Faction" as much as anyone
and was willing to make the necessary sacrifices to see the group of murderers
destroyed. But the treatment he had been receiving had been absolutely horrid...
and despite being a prestigious Senator, he hadn’t had a single chance to speak
with the emperor. Worst of all, his wife and children had both been violated to
the most outrageous levels. Marcus frowned. Lady Fortune could be cruel at
times, but he prayed to the gods that he would eventually be released.

It was not before long that a letter from Postumus Varro, the Prima, had
reached him and comforted him in his time. "I know we have shared many a goblet
at my home when I lived in Rome. Keep still, Tomidius is doing the job the only
way he knows how. I have ordered the guard to keep you with fresh bread and a
double ration. Stay well my friend. Live. ~Postumus".

Marcus was nearly to tears and swore he would stay alive.

------

Maximus Nero Pollio, Actius Marcus Probus, Honorius Claudius Agrippa, among
many others were the next to be thrown into prison. However, within two months,
the calm words of Postumus, Tomidius' good friend, and perhaps his own
conscience and determination to catch the true criminals, led to a change of
heart. Tomidius ordered all of the prisoners released. Rome breathed a sigh of
relief, even if it was only in the immediate sense.

Though the troubled times were on pause, Decius Aelius sighed to himself as
he walked down a street. He could not get his head right. Marcus Probus died,
just like his father before him. Decius knew in his mind both of them were
innocent, but he wasn't about to speak against the Emperor's will especially
when backed up by such a powerful man such as Tomidius.

Decius glanced to his left and saw the temple, he walked in and nodded to a
few people praying. Decius took a knee and started praying himself. "Jove,
Neptune and the other Gods...Why have you done this to me? My best friend has
been taken from me. His family driven into exile. Why have you done this? Actius
was a Senator...Marcus wasn't but he was still very strong and more to the
point, loyal. Right now, the whole Probus family is cursed. Jove, I pray for you
to bless the Probus family and let them grow up, give them prestige. take away
our pain." Decius opened his eyes and looked around. A smile came over him as he
left the temple...re-determined in his actions.

-------

The Emperor passed the Tiber Bridge building, an idea of Quintillius Marcus
Agrippa. Neptune would like a bridge over the Tiber River with a statue of him
and his dolphins on each end. He would also like a feast of seafood. The total
cost would be in excess of 1,000,000 cestercies. Some came from the Temple
funds, but the majority from the Imperial treasury. Antoninus was shocked and
outraged when estimates of the project had been lied about and grossly
understated. Nonetheless, the bridge was under way and it would help commerce to
Ostia and other towns just outside of the city.

---------

Actius Marcus Probus, Q. Marcus Agrippa, Decius Aelius, Postumus Varro,
Tomidius Servo, Antoninus Maxus