[SCA AAR] Island Glory

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

Sicilia, land of Neighboring Greeks. The carthaginians
have gotten a hold of the western side of the island,
Tiberius Maxentius received these news, from his
trusted Legate in command of the Legio in Sicili, the
I Sicilian Legio.

Claudius, had revieved his orders to take the town
of Abakainon. We had already acquired a foothold
on Sicilia's northeastern shores, but if we were to
drive the Carthaginians out inland cities would be
necessary.

From the shores, Abakainon could be seen. On this
day, clouds had formed and covered the normal blue
skies of Sicilia. Just a stones throw north of the city,
flags could be seen the day had come. The Roman
Legio had reached the city and stood ready to take
the city.
Claudius sent word to the Towns governor, "If the town
surrenders, you shall all keep your possessions and we
shall allow you to continue with your normal lives. Resist
and youyour mothers, daughters, fathers, brothers, and
sons will suffer slavery and every other manner of mortal
torture known to man!"

The letter had not reached the governor, the enemy stood
at the city limits in battle formations. The messanger sent
to deliver the letter, was sent back. He rode up to Claudius
and gave the news. "The enemy advances!" This messangers
name was Captain Asinius.

Claudius said a silent prayer, and prepared for the battle to
come. He had done the traditional sacrifice to mars, still
He knew it all came down to the men. And he had inexperienced
men. Even these townfolk could be trouble for the Legio.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

The men stood ready in their places awaiting orders impatiently.
Claudius prepared to give the order of advance when from the city
he sees dust picking up.
Suddenly the Sicilian slingers lunge towards the Cavalry.



He had expected them to meet the Legio in battle, but
not so foolishly.
The cavalry captain Immediately charged the slingers.



The Sicilians were brought down, by the handful
as the cavalry trambled and impaled many as
they rode by.



Meanwhile the Sicilian swordsmen had charged
the lines of Hastatii, Caludius gave the order
to enclose the Sicilian scum.



By this time the Cavalry had finished off the
Slingers, and now moved to mow down
the Swordsmen. non would be allowed to
live. Claudius had given his terms and
he was a man of his word.



The Sicilian General sent his Sicilian spearmen to
relieve his swordsmen but to no avail. they were
met by a cohort of hastatii that had been rushed
behind the cavalry to ward off any advances whi-
le they persecuted the Swordsmen.



Granted the men were inexperienced,
they held the line and fought back
those dreaded spears of the Sicilians.



The sicilians were boxed in also. Asinius
was given orders to flank the Spears with
the principes.



The men were in a state of frenzy as they saw
their comrades slicing arms and heads off,
by the time they were given their orders they
were running around like rabble.
Asinius quickly began to rally them back into
formation.



Finally the Spears were decimated. Asinius now
gave the men orders. The hastatii would now move
into the city, along with the Roarii.



The most undisciplined unit, they looked more like a mob
than soldiers. But, they would be made prove their worth
inside the city narrow corridors.



It was heard that the Governor, had locked himself inside
his own home. There the Cries of his family were heard as
he slit his own throat. It was now up to the Sicilian general
to keep what little order there was in the town.



The Roarii where brave, we had to give them that.
they lunged through the ranks of skirmishers and
spearmen that met them in the long corridors of the
neighborhoods.



From the roof tops, women and children watched as
brothers and fathers, where slatughtered one by one.
the dust rose so high that their faces were black with
dirt as they watched.



By now the Sicilian General had dismounted and fought
with his men on foot. He hoped this would lift their spirits.



Claudius could see the groups of people up on the roofs
he could hear their cries but cared not. He charged his
gallic cavalry in the backs of the Spearmen.



Try as they might, the enemy General could not
change the outcome.
Under the shade of the Sicilians revered tree, all
the warrors fell. Now all that was left was to sweep
up the dead.



The men had made him proud, and Claudius allowed
them to pillage and rape to their hearts content.
Meanwhile he set on building walls and writting his
report for Maxentius back in Rome.

Over the Hills the smoke could be seen from the
destruction of the city, the cries were heard all
night as those who had been spared to be sent as
slaves cried incessantly.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

Chapter I: Trust



Two weeks after the first taking Abakainon, Asinius was called
into Claudius's tent.
Claudius, sat behind his table with a look of concern on his face.
"Captain Asinius, I must thank you for your leadership skills
during my absence in the middle of the battle." claudius
looks up at Asinius. "I see here you were born in this Island."
"Yes, commander I was born and raised in Messana." answered
Asinius.
"Hmm. I am in need of good men to help me. We are short on
good commanders here, and by the looks of it we will not be gett-
-ing any assigned for sometime it seems."
By this time Claudius had stood up and walked towards Asinius.
"If I were to give you command of a force of men, could I trust you
To remain loyal to Rome?" Asinius now placed his left hand on Asinius's shoulder.
"I was hoping you would be able to put down
any rebellions or conquer any towns and cities, without question.
But I am hesitant seeing as you could get sentimental."
Asinius looked up at Claudius and answered. "You command, I
obey Legate!"
"Very well, give him his orders." "Get a move on then and rem-
-member, I command you obey!"


Asinius looked at the scroll and marched out without hesitation.



Asinius was given command of the new recruited Mamertine corps.
His orders were to arrange prepare the men for battle and be ready
for further instructions.
The men welcomed him as one of their own, but Asinius made it
known he would not tolerate any insubordination.


After a week of preparations and drills, Asinius received word.
He would march on the small town of Naxos. Without second
thought Asinius gave the order to pick up camp, they were to
reach Naxos, before the next month.
A spy had also been sent, his orders were to be the watchful
eye for Asinius. Asinius could see there were other reasons
for his assignment.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

As Captain Asinius and the Mamertines approached
the city, they passed a white marble temple now
in shambles. Asinius stopped for a second and
remembered his youth. He saw the shadows
of himself as a young boy running around the pilars.
"So it has come to this." spoke Asinius to himself.
"These petty local wars have defiled even temples!"
"It is time to bring Roman rule and order to this
land once and for all." and with that he continued
the march.



The town governor's name was Damon. Once he
had revieved news, that the acting commander
of the Mamertines was Captain Asinius he imme-
diately stormed out of his chambers and mounted
his horse.
The two had been good friends while young, this was
before Messana had become a Roman province, before
Asinius became a soldier of Roma.
Damon rode hard and fast, until reaching Asinius. There
he dismounted and walked towards his friend.
"Asinius, my brother it is good to see you!" said Damon
while embracing Asinius.
Asinius could not believe fate could be so cruel.
"As it is good to see you my friend." responded Asinius.
"Brother, I will come straight to the point. Why do you
attack our city?"
"I have been given orders to take this town, by force
or will. Either way it will be Roma's."
"Bah, listen to you pretending to be a real Roman. do
you forget whose mother nursed you as a child? Do you
forget which people's defended you and your family for
years." exclaimed Damon enraged. "I cannot allow you
or any delusional clown to take control of this city. I came
to you in brotherly embrace, I will leave you as an enemy."
"Forgive me brother. This is my duty I have given my word
and as always I shall keep it. Leave the town, or better yet
surrender it. Though I see your mind is made up, beg you
reconsider you stand."
Damon said nothing and rode towards the city. He turned and
spoke. "I am marking you face, today either you or I will not
stand. I assure you I will make sure it is you. You scum." after
saying those words he spit towards Asinius.



No longer had Asinius reached the city when the city Rabble
attacked. The Mamertines were given the order to stand their
grown and hold off the wave.
Asinius had divided the force in two. This would force the
enemy to split it's force.



Damon kept his word and charged his unit of bodyguards
towards Asinius's men, looking to end Asinius's life from
the beginning.



From all sides Asinius laid surrounded. At the same time
waves of javelins flew passed his head, as the sicilian
skirmishers deployed wave after wave.



Asinius's men began surrounding the sicilians.some broke
and fled others fought with rage, they would either stop the
Romans or die trying.



The Mamertines fought wave after wave of enemy spearmen,
but they did not give ground. They stood tired but they stood
against the enemy.



The whole of the enemy line broke. Like cowards they ran into
the city hoping to regroup in the city center.



Seeing this the Mamertines gave chase to the enemy. They were
looking for blood and glory.



Damon seeing this, followed suit. He ran behind the lines of
mamertines who had been chasing his men. He passed
blades as he ran which poked it him here and there. it looked
as if he would make it to his men and be able to regroup.



A Mamertine blade from the back fell him, the last thing he saw
was one his men sorrounded and striked down before being
trampled himself.



Without a commander the enemy quickly fell and died off
one by one, each either tried taking a Roman soldier with
him or slew himself before allowing the Romans to capture
them.



The battle was Asinius's, all he could do while the men
cheered for him and chanted his name, was look at his
friends house and remember all the times he had spent
there.
Asinius was sorry all he could now was pay respects to
his dear friend and hope he could forgive him for his
actions.

He allowed the men to loot, but no woman or child was
to be touched.



The city contained many riches, so the men were satisfied
with robing and burning the barracks and other military
buildings which were of no use to them.



A messenger arrived with news from Claudius.
"Captain Asinius,
I must again congratulate you in your commanding
skills. I must also mention that I am glad you kept
your word and did not allow foolishness such as
childhood frindships to blind you from your objective.
Seems we will be recieving a new young Legate.

Claudius."

"Is this it? Boy, where is the rest of the dispatch?"
Messanger "That is all sir. There is no more!"

[Legio]

Nice!

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

Thanks Legio, I have been busy with Exams but now I am done so I will be updating soon.

[Hesus de bodemloze]

nice story.

[Halie Satanus]

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, the Mamertines can't be recruited anywhere!. So once that army is done that's it, no more Mamertines.

Historically the Mamertines were the catalyst that caused the Punic wars, but they were probably absorbed into the Roman legions or as they've ended up in my own campaign eventually wiped out. Either way they are not mentioned in the history books after the first Punic war. So enjoy them while you have them..

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

That's weird I was able to retrain them? But we will see where the AAR take us. Thanks for the heads up though.

[Halie Satanus]

You can only retrain them in terms of equipment/experience, they won't gain new recruits since they're not included anywhere in the EDB.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

huh, I'll have to check that out. I was sure they got new recruits.

[Lord Willy]

Great Story Julianus!

[Uranos]

Pretty cool AAR

[Kátz]

Good job.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

It had been 6 weeks since Asinius recieved that letter.
he was tormented by not knowing what this new
commander would bring into play.
Suddenly as Asinius finished dressing himself in his
governor quarters, a sentry came in with a scroll.
"Captain, our scout has brought reports! you had
better look them over quickly!"
"Well hand it here. What could be so important
that you saw it fit to disturb me without announcing
yourself!" Answered Asinius.
"See for yourself, sir!"

"What is this, I recieved no word he had been on the
move. When did this meeting take place?"
"It seems just yesterday afternoon, sir!" answered the sentry.
"And just now he has sent his report, Damn IT!"

At that moment, the hoof beats of horses was heard
just outside the House.

The riders burst into the Governors house.
"We demand to speak with Asinius!" demanded
a pompous man with the garbs of a commander.
"I am Remus! I have been sent here to take men to
the Legate Mancinus. Here are his orders."

Captain Asinius,

I am Mancinius new commander of the Sicilian forces.
I have been sent to put an end to the resistance from
the sicilian rebels. I need four units of your best men.
I trust you will comply, seeing you have no other option.
With this letter is Remus, he will had select which men will
come.

Mancinius.

"I have not recieved any orders to send troops. I was not
even aware he was now in command." spoke Asinius

"That is not of my concern. I am here for the men and as
soon as I have rounded them I will take my leave. Good day
Captain." and Remus stormed out with his bodyguards.

"Make sure Nero is along those men." Said Asinius to the sentry
"I don't trust this mancinius."
"As you wish, sir! oh, and sir, we are loyal to you."
"Yes. Now go along with your orders do not waste time."

Asinius walked towards the Governors seat and sat sulking
in thought.


Meanwhile Nero Laco had made it as one of the men to go
to Mancinius.
Mancinius's intentions were not know by any. This troubled
Asinius, why had he not recieved word from Claudius about
this? He had had not choice, Mancinius was of higher rank and
thus he had to comply.
Asinius dispatched a messenger straight to Caludius with a short
but important letter.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

No one has seen or heard of Mancinus and
the III Sicilian Legio for Three months.
Finally a spy from Abaikanon had sent word
Mancinius had turned westward and Tread
throught the Mountains to remain undetected.



Finally Mancinius reached Herbita, He quickly set
to entrapping the city and prepared his siege
equipment.
He did not lose any time in talking with the natives
he cared not for thier lives, he was only interested
in the expansion of Rome and it's hold on Sicily.



As a stern man he wasted no time with speeches and
even though he had already sent a trusted spy who
opened the doors for him he still set his Battling rams
to work.



With his Gallic spearmen enroute he prepared to make
the battle quick and effortless for his Legio. The
Mamertines, and Gallic infactry were set in the front lines
they would be the first to engage the Sicilians.

[Legio]

Great update.

[Hesus de bodemloze]

yes i agree whit that a nice update.

i was wondering if you could post a picture of the entire campaign map.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

yes i agree whit that a nice update.

i was wondering if you could post a picture of the entire campaign map.

Can do Hesus, When I get home tonight I shall post a Picture of Campaign map.

[Caesar Julianus Morelli]

Mancinius's spy did well, as the Legio approached the City walls
The gates were flung open. The enemy surely was suprised.

The Gallic spearmen waited patiently; they were most disciplined unit
in the Legio. Anyone of the Sicilians would have thought them to be
true Romans if it wasn't for their distinctive facial features, and the way
they wore their armor. Proud warriors all.

Though the Doors were flung open, Mancinius did not give the order to
attack. He waited patiently for the walls to be taken down and thus,
force his enemy to split making them easy pickings for the troops.
He kept his skirmishers by the walls so he could keep the enemy troops
in check and could not close the doors.

No sooner had the walls come down and the men left the battleing rams the
Gallic infantry charged the men who had been behind getting ready to defend
the openings. Mancinius could be seen, thinking about the punishment
men would recieve if they were to fail.

Mancinius sent the Mamertimes behind them. They moved quickly, they wanted to
make sure those Gallic men did not get all the glory for the battle, Nero would not allow
it.