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

"Why won't you come to my domus, and we could drink some wine and discuss
some issues?" asked Proconsulus Quintillius Marcus Agrippa as he and Senator
Flavius Tiberius Daia walked out of the Senate building at a late time of the
evening.

Tiberius thought a little, sighed, and then agreed. As they walked, they saw
that the Praetorians that followed them looked worried. "It is troubled times in
Rome, my friend" said Marcus. Flavius only nodded for agreement, without saying
a word. When they came to Marcus' domus, they were warmly greeted by the
servants and sat themselves down upon the comfortable lounging sofas in one of
the eating rooms. Marcus clapped, and wine was soon poured as the two began to
relax. Food was soon brought which furthered their enjoyment.

"So how was your vacation?" asked Marcus.

Tiberius sighed and took a great drink from his goblet" much needed".

Marcus looked surprised, as he waited for something more then just 'much
needed'. "We seem to have a successful term, am I not right?" asked Marcus.

"Yes, indeed. There is much activity from the Tribunes, and the Senators are
better then last term" answered Tiberius, and drank a cup full of wine, without
even stopping for air. "I'm worried about the priests though. They haven't
showed much activity..." he continued, as he poured another glass of wine to
himself.

"I am working with some of the active younger priests... hopefully we will
begin to see progress." remarked Marcus.

Tiberius nodded, and quickly changed the subject- "I have asked the Emperor
to raise the Senate budget, but there is a..." he said, but was stopped by
Marcus-

"Please, let's not talk about Senate issues at this time...". Tiberius
agreed, and started wandering around the room, thinking about a few issues that
bothered him.

"Marcus, I..." he began, but once again was stopped by Marcus-

"Tiberius, I have some issues I would like to talk to you about." he said,
and poured another glass of wine to Tiberius.

"No, I do not wish to talk much at this time, Marcus. Excuse me" said

Tiberius as he crashed once again on the chair, almost half asleep now.

"It seems like you will have to talk soon enough..." suggested Marcus.

Tiberius opened one eye, and looked at Marcus. "What on earth are you talking
about?" he asked.

"I don't know if you've heard, but there is a growing demand for you to
become the leader of the Republican party" said Marcus.

"Yes, I heard... Forget about it" said Tiberius, as he waved his hand with
disapproval. "What chance have I got against Postumus?" asked Tiberius, without
expecting an answer.

Marcus said, "But Senator... there are also some who think I should be leader
of the Republican party. I'm going to talk to Postumus about this... you see,
the ranking member of a party isn't always the party leader. For example, Acedus
Daia is the leader of the Imperialists... although the emperor is both the party
founder and the highest ranking member."

Tiberius responded, "That's right... maybe it would be possible for you to be
party head. But..."

Marcus cut him off, "Senator, I suppose you would probably like to have the
job. And I think we could arrange it."

Tiberius was confused. "If you want to be leader of the party, then how could
I be leader as well?"

Marcus laughed. "Senator, this is the Republican party! We aren't the
Imperialists... so why would we need to run our party as an autocratic
organization? We could form a joint leadership. I think I could convince
Postumus to accept this offer..."

Tiberius nodded. "I see what you are saying... yes, I think I like it. We can
work out the details after you talk with Postumus. Of course, we'll also discuss
this with other ranking Republicans."

"It is late now, I will have to say good night to you now" said Tiberius a
couple of hours later.

"Good night then, I will talk to you tomorrow in the Senate, we have much
more to discuss" said Marcus.

Flavius nodded, and walked to the door, where he was blocked by one of his
Praetorians. "What is the meaning of this?!" he asked. "Sir, I must ask you to
stay here for the night. The streets are not safe on this time of night" said
the Praetorian.

"Don't worry... my new domus has a fine guest residence, thank the gods."

Marcus said. "My servant will show you your quarters."

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

The news had come of a tentative peace in Rhaetia. Rome would gain no
territory, and worse yet, no gold either. However, as a part of the peace,
Dacia, Thrace, and Rome agreed never to station troops in Rhaetia unless another
nation did so first. The Emperor was grievously upset with the news. Postumus
was rumored to have had the diplomat executed for his disgraceful failure and
daring to sign such a pact without first consulting him. Postumus, publicly,
took the blame. The Emperor was furious with Postumus. For his punishment,
Postumus was ordered to attack and destroy Macedonia within four years, or he
would be permanently retired as unfit for his position. Postumus knew that
Macedonia was no longer on friendly terms with Thrace, Dacia, and Moesia.
Postumus used the pact to his advantage. He got the three nations to agree to
aid Rome in return for a permanent neutrality between Rome and the European
East, and for 1/3 of gold and spoils taken as well as the northeastern province
in Macedonia. The other 3/4 of the country would be Rome's as well as 2/3 of all
the spoils. On January 30, 68bc, Rome launched a most thunderous attack in the
dead of winter.

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

It was about at this time that Aegyptus refused to leave Roman territory it
occupied on the African Continent without huge financial compensation. Rome
refused and threatened full scale war. Rome's commanders had been horrific as of
late as it was clear that Rome's system was no longer functioning properly and
purposefully. The Senate put no effort into encouraging the Generals to do more
than count their own money. Postumus was more a politician than soldier, and was
unable to motivate his Praetors. Now that Rome had invaded Macedonia, and had
peace on her northern borders, as well as new fortifications in Gaul and
Belgica, Aegyptus seemed willing to again negotiate....if only half heartedly.
Antoninus was enraged. The Emperor refused all negotiations with the Aegyptians
and declared that 'a state of war does exist and will continue to exist between
Rome and Aegyptus until our land is returned' to a cheering senate.

It seemed now that Rome was in for some great pitched climax...but nobody yet
could even foresee the huge and overwhelming changes that would soon engulf the
empire completely.

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

Flavius Tiberius Daia, Quintillius Marcus Agrippa, Postumus Varro, Antoninus
Maxus

PART 2

Postumus was wise enough to use Commodus Lucius Nervae and his allocated 10
legions to attack into Macedonia. The Macedonians had been praying for the
attack to come and again show Rome and the world that they were enough of a
match for Rome to rally the eastern world behind them. Postumus was not about to
go into battle with a blind hand. Before Commodus Lucius Nervae's army even
reached the outposts of Corba and Ilthroma in southern Dalmatia, Commodus had
already died quite mysteriously and very controversially. Postumus confided in
his officers "The army has become a bastion of weakness, the Emperor a
figurehead of unimaginable decay and disaster politically, and our senate the
very bed of vipers which continues to further the rift between the plebeians and
patricians."

Postumus didn't believe that all of Rome's immediate worries would be solved
by war with the east, but he was sure that most of Rome's terrible creeping
would be ended. The officers rallied behind Postumus. They were trapped beneath
the terrible weight of dead, and useless Romans who had ill gotten their title.
Postumus promised immense changes as the Emperor's heir. Antoninus was now so
fearful of Postumus, he had become afraid to remove him as heir. Before
Antoninus could make a firm decision on the matter, Tomidius decided to do the
most honorable thing for the Emperor and allow prisoners to gain access to his
food supply.

Antoninus had established Rome as a power and had ended the strife and
infighting of the Republic, but no tradition and style had yet come to the
government. Only desperate moves could not just save Rome, but forward it to the
supreme power of the world. Antoninus had done all he could do. Tomidius Servo
was renownedly loyal to his commanders, but he was also a realist. He knew that
Postumus Varro would never go against the Emperor while Antoninus was alive, but
with Antoninus' poor health, and the dire situation of the Empire, Tomidius
furthered the process.

However, before Antoninus death by only one week, he read the fabulous news:
"My Emperor, a huge victory has been scored over the combined Greek forces,
advancing south into the interior. Will report again shortly." Postumus spoke of
Perceples, a small frontier town south of Dalmatia. Rome had brought six legions
to the field and four more in reserve. Macedonia was overwhelmed from the start
by such an immense force. They were unable to react. The next dispatch Postumus
would receive would be from Tomidius:

"My friend Postumus, Antoninus has died. There is no need for civil war or
strife. The Senate is in the process of Elections, they will not block your
ascension. Pray, return home safely and continue the work of our departed friend
and Emperor." Postumus returned at once. Antoninus, after some twenty years of
reign, had finally succumbed to his many battles...would Postumus do his memory
justice?

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