[IB AAR] Severus The God

[bomberboy]

Good update like the cliff hanger.

[Edward lV]

updating anytime soon...i hope

[Juvenal]

XI: BATTLE OF CONDATE

“A man who won't die for something is not fit to live”
Juvenal

Thanks to Talorc Morbet, the make-up of Badeloga's army was well-known. It was only the core of Frankeska Heriskara which posed a threat. Cirech needed a battle plan for destroying Badeloga rapidly, but without the heavy cost of a head-on fight with his elites.

The enemy were deployed in a column, perhaps with the intention of just running straight through the Pictish army with their superior melee troops. Cirech found their formation insulting and resolved to do his utmost to win decisively here for the honour of all Picts, not just his own reputation.

Cirech gave Finechta all of the spearmen and archers but told him to attack with the archers only, and to be prepared to about-face when Prince Hariulfus arrived in order to prevent him from interfering with the fight against Badeloga.

The rest of the army was going to perform a double-envelopment in the best tradition of the great Hannibal. Calgacus with the heavy infantry was entrusted with the right flank march, while Cirech took Gartnait's cavalry and the skirmishers on the left flank march.

The Pictish deployment was so fast that the Franks remained in their column, bemused by the the sight of Picts apparently running in all directions at random. The deadly Frankeska Heriskara in particular, remained in a tight block trying to decide which of the Pictish forces to attack.

Seeing that Badeloga was still at the rear of his army with his cavalry, Cirech ordered Gartnait to take all of the cavalry and kill him. They made a heartening sight as they streamed across the plain toward the stunned Franks, all semblance of order sacrificed for speed.

Cirech noted that his archers were doing satisfactory damage against the dense Frankish formations and saw Calgacus go into action on the far right.

Incredibly, the horsemen of Badeloga received Gartnait's charge standing, and a slaughter ensued. Meanwhile, the Frankish centre had turned left to face Calgacus just as Cirech's skirmishers came into range on their right. Javelins arced high into the air and came down in a deadly rain which left so many Frankish corpses strewn on the plain that a traveller might think they were merely bivouacked there, ready to rise at the sound of the horn calling men to morning reveille.

The rear of the Frankish column collapsed into rout, the survivors streaming away in panic, Badeloga amongst them. The elites at the front, faced with the best Pictish melee troops (Pedites Bucelari, Wildmen and Germanic mercenaries), and pounded in the backs by arrows and javelins, gave way also. It was a glorious rout.

Cirech almost lost his cavalry to the excitement of the pursuit, but the horns called them back just in time. They would be sorely needed now, because the Lord of Condate had arrived in force.

Hariulfus had two large groups of warriors. The leading group made straight for Finechta, while the other peeled off to the right to find Finechta's flank.

Even though the bulk of the warriors of Hariulfus were spearmen, they were still hard fighters, and the weak line of Finechta shuddered visibly as they struck it.

Luckily, Calgacus was on form that day, and his men arrived from their battle with Badeloga just in time to foil the Frankish manoeuvre.

Meanwhile, on the other flank, Frankish cavalry seeking Finchecta's archers had run into the Chodaoer skirmishers. Cirech ordered them to hold fast while he formed his own scattered cavalry for a counter-charge.

The Chodaoer held well, serving to pin down the enemy horsemen. When Gartnait's troopers piled into the fray, the over-matched Franks bolted, utterly defeated.

This victory came not a moment too soon. Finechta's spear line was almost completely worn away, even though those remaining stood firm, they were not enough to hold the line. Cirech was obliged to commit all of the Chodaoer in support while his cavalry headed for the Frankish rear.

Then, part of the line of Calgacus collapsed, Germanic mercenaries already exhausted and diminished from their earlier fight, had been struck by the bodyguard of Hariulfus and finally given way. Cirech had no further reserves, even the cavalry being now tied up with Frankish skirmishers.

But he needn't have worried. The fierce bodyguard of Antrostja-Scola were actually escorting their lord off the battlefield!

As they trotted away, Finechta's archers showered them with arrows, and although the Prince himself escaped, by the time he had gained the safety of the forest, he had only a single companion remaining.

It was late morning and Cirech finally looked up from the fighting with the enemy rear echelon to find that no Frank remained standing on the field. It was the most miraculous of victories, two Frankish armies destroyed, and the Picts still strong enough to finally claim Condate as their prize.

But the cost had been crippling. All the Wildmen were dead, half the Germanic mercenaries, all of the Pictish mailed spearmen and nearly all of the Pikemen. Calgacus himself fell where he had tried to hold back the bodyguard of Hariulfus. His spirit was so strong that he lived another day and half before the axe-wound that had cleft his thigh finally overcame him. The pyres for the dead burned brightly that night, and no man could feel joy in their victory with so few remaining to celebrate it.

[Edward lV]

Exelent, as usual.

[bomberboy]

That was a terrible cost to your army. Well we can only wait for Cirech's decision.

[Antiochos VII Sidetes]

Pyrrhus would be proud. Great update!

[ReD_OcToBeR]

love it - is all i have to say!

[Juvenal]

There are some reinforcements on their way, and Cirech will shortly get to see Condate again (and yet more Franks, they must have a factory somewhere churning them out).

I'm glad you enjoyed the epic battle, I certainly did. It was fantastic to be able to fight with a Pictish army that wasn't in danger of running away when it saw the first enemy horseman (not that Frankish cavalry are particularly scary).

I'll try to get a new episode done within the next day of two.

[Junius]

That was a very good update and battle. I am looking forward to more .

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

Excellent update, Juvenal. This a gripping and absorbing AAR which I always enjoy reading as it updates. Perhaps a Pictish online clash might be in order?!

[Legio]

Very nice, Juvenal!

[Giovi]

fantastic as always

[Juvenal]

XII: CLAIMING THE PRIZE

“Quid tam dextro pede concipis ut te conatus non poeniteat votique peracti?”
(What is there that you enter upon so favourably as not to repent of the undertaking and the accomplishment of your wish?)
Juvenal

Reinforcements for Cirech
Prydwyn had been quite excited when his Lord Drest gave him the mission to reinforce Cirech. But his ebullience was soon dampened when he discovered that he was not going to lead the expedition. Instead, Drest's dour chieftain of Wildmen, Gurthinmac, would command. As if that wasn't bad enough, Drest's mercenary Pedites Bucelarii were also going. Their commander, Lentulus Crispinus, who refused to speak anything but Latin, made it abundantly clear that he regarded Prydwyn as little more than a barbarian, despite his Romano-British pedigree and military rank of Tribune of Limitanae.

The tiny Legion of three ordines set off through the newly pacified lands to the west of Hatomagus. At every town, local leaders, often looking somewhat surprised, hastily gathered to renew their oaths of allegiance to the mighty High King Drest. Prydwyn got the distinct impression that they had not been expecting to see any more Picts after Cirech's march on Condate.

Progress was slow, especially with reports and rumours of Frankish forces increasing day-by-day. Contrary to reason, it wasn't the need to avoid the Franks which drove Gurthinmac, instead, he seemed to have a burning desire to confront them, and much time was wasted in side expeditions to follow up every tale at Frankish activity in the region. But when they reached the town of Abrancates, they found dozens of wounded Picts from Cirech's battle at nearby Aletum. When questioned, these men gave blood-curdling accounts of the ferocity of the Franks in battle. This seemed to shock Gurthinmac back to his senses and he called a halt, deciding to send out scouts to reconnoitre the way ahead

It was a miserable grey rain-sodden day in late autumn when the stranger arrived in the camp outside Abrancates. He immediately identified himself as an operative of Talorc Morbet, and said that he had news of a Frankish army coming up from the south. Gurthinmac, Crispinus and Prydwyn received the man and together they debated the best course of action. Crispinus was wary, suggesting the Picts wait to see what path the Franks might take, while Gurthinmac was eager to push on toward Cirech's army, confronting the Franks if necessary. Prydwyn, for once, finding himself with influence, suppressed his natural caution and supported Gurthinmac. He argued that Cirech desperately needed these troops for his assault on Condate, and that the safest place for them all was with Cirech's army. As they left the tent, Crispinus gave Prydwyn a look of such venom, it chilled him to the bone.

The First Advance
The following morning, the Legion struck camp and marched west through the mud. Prydwyn, who commanded the lightest troops (Miltes Stationarii), found himself posted in the vanguard. As they marched through the recent battlefield near Aletum, many (Frankish) bodies were still visible from the fighting there, now reduced to mere bundles of bones with tatters of cloth and the occasional rusty item of weaponry or armour that the locals had not bothered to collect. A dark mood descended over the column, and the Picts left that valley as quickly as possible, hoping that speed would help them to escape the notice of the gods of the Franks and the bad luck that might bring.

On the evening of the third day, they crested the last ridge before Cirech's siege camp. Prydwyn halted the column so that the three commanders could assess the situation before leaving the cover of the trees. Because the setting sun obscured his vision, Prydwyn failed to notice the column of smoke until after the others had ridden up. The plume clearly marked the position of Cirech's camp, and it quickly became apparent that a substantial force of Franks was engaged in destroying it.

The three of them considered the prospects for attacking the Franks, but before a solid plan had emerged, the banners of another large Frankish force appeared from the direction of Condate. Now even Gurthinmac had to concede that an attack would be foolhardy, and reluctantly, they agreed to return to the column and organise a retreat.

Abrancates now became the Pictish base for the winter. Once there, Gurthinmac seemed to withdraw somewhat into himself, no longer travelling and looking for Franks to attack, but instead keeping busy with improving the security of the town. He made so many proclamations in this regard that their accumulated effect eventually amounting to de-facto martial law and began to drive away traders (who were now required to camp outside the town walls).

Prywdyn cast his attention outwards, looking for news of how affairs were progressing with Drest at Hatomagus, and back home in Britannia. The Prince Hariulfus kept his large army concentrated near Condate, and Prydwyn suspected that the popularity of the Franks must be declining sharply as the burden of feeding them slowly denuded the land. There were also reports of a new army of Picts assembling to cross the Germanicus Mare. Prydwyn wondered what plans Drest had for it. He took to travelling incognito, looking for evidence of Cirech's whereabouts. He enjoyed the opportunity to play a role and to learn the local dialects, it gave him a greater sense of security than blindly hiding behind walls as Gurthinmac seemed to be doing.

The Second Advance
Then, one evening in a fishing village near Condate, a man approached Prydwyn while he was haggling over salt fish to sustain him on the ride back to Abrancate. Looking up, he recognised it was Talorc Morbet himself. Chagrined that he had been so easily discovered, he agreed to ride with Talorc out of the village. Once they were alone, Talorc urgently explained that Cirech was even now marching east along the coast to attack the Franks outside Condate. It was essential that Prydwyn's Legion march to join him before Prince Hariulfus concentrated his own forces. Talorc then took his leave and disappeared back into the winter gloom.

Prydwyn made good time back to Abrancate and had little difficulty convincing Gurthinmac that now was the time for action. The Legion struck camp at Abrancate for the second time the following dawn and marched again toward Condate.

This time, they kept to the coast, marching parallel to the road to avoid ambushes. The first evidence of the battle came in the form of Frankish stragglers. Seeing this as a chance for action, Gurthinmac immediately led his Wildmen down to the road and charged at the Franks. He killed a few, since many were wounded and could not run, but the rest scattered.

The remainder of the column now came down to join Gurthinmac on the road, and the whole Legion advanced cautiously in close order. Further Frankish fugitives were encountered, but they melted away into the trees long before coming within javelin throwing distance. Then a formed body of men came into view ahead and Gurthinmac stopped to deploy. But then Pictish banners were spotted amongst the mass, and the three commanders rode forward to greet their countrymen.

Prydwyn had seen Gartnait before, he was known as a man of elegance and refinement, always immaculately dressed. So it took him a while to convince himself that this gaunt ragged rider with a withered arm strapped to his side was really the same man. It wasn't long before the main body of Cirech's army came marching down the road. Clearly they were victorious since they were not taking any precautions. Gartnait had Gurthinmac fall in behind until Cirech decided what to do with them, and then galloped off.

The army continued marching until it reached the old siege camp outside Condate, where scouting duties again fell to Prydwyn's men since Cirech's army was exhausted from its endeavours. As far as he could tell, all the remaining Franks were now shut up inside the city.

The old siege lines were soon re-established, and new towers began to take shape under the trees. A small Frankish relief army observed the Picts from a safe distance, but Hariulfus showed no signs of sallying. Cirech appeared grimmer than Prydwyn remembered him. He spoke little and spent a lot of his time alone, patrolling the lines, observing the activity in Condate, or just sitting in his tent. Prydwyn was astonished at the small size of Cirech's army. Twenty three hundred men had marched out of Hatomagus the previous year. Only twelve hundred of these remained, and many of them were sick or wounded. Reinforcements from Gurthinmac and the mercenary Pedites that Cirech had picked up in Armorica added only another four hundred. Luckily the remaining Franks in the area were well outmatched.

The Final Battle for Condate
With the Spring, came also the time for the assault. Prydwyn and his Milites now reported to Finechta, while Gurthinmac had replaced lost Calgacus as head of the heavy infantry. The main difficulty with the assault was going to be catching the relief army who would be sure to intervene when they discovered that the assault had started. With this in mind, Cirech assigned just his Pedites Bucelarii to the two siege towers and ran the rest of his army around the walls of Condate to catch the Franks by surprise.

The manoeuvre was a success, and Gurthinmac got his infantry into a blocking position while the Franks were still making their way down from the hills. Prydwyn's men were with Finechta protecting the archers as they launched volley after volley into the Frankish flank while Gurthinmac lined up his infantry ready to administer the killing charge.

But here things did not go as planned. The light cavalry of the Frankish chieftain Alfuuihi, ranging far ahead of his infantry, had encountered Gartnait and skirmished back until they found themselves facing Gurthinmac's infantry line. Finally seeing an enemy they could punish, they threw their javelins exclusively at Gurthinmac's Wildmen who went down like wheat in the harvest.

Seeing that Gartnait was coming up with the Pictish cavalry, Gurthinmac stubbornly insisted that his men hold their position. The Pictish cavalry engaged, but the Franks continued to fling javelins at the Wildmen until none remained standing. Gurthinmac himself was the last to go down, still yelling his defiance at the Franks, who were by this time themselves disappearing under the hooves of Gartnait's horsemen.

Chief Alfuuihi did not have long to celebrate his success though. Distracted by Pictish riders to his rear, he failed to notice the Germanic Heriban mercenaries closing on him until one of them disembowelled him.
With their leader gone, the remaining Franks were quickly routed, those who staid to fight being dispatched by Cirech's infantry, and those that ran shot down by his archers or ridden over by his cavalry.

With this victory, the fate of Hariulfus and his garrison was sealed. Cirech's army made an unhurried march to a gatehouse that had been captured by the Pedites Bucelarii and began to advance on the Pro-Consul's Palace where the Franks were making their stand. Some small parties of Franks tried to stop the Picts in the narrow streets, but they were too few and were quickly defeated.

Finally, Cirech arrived at the great plaza facing the Palace. The last warriors of Hariulfus stood there. Somehow the Prince had assembled a new bodyguard of Antrostja-Scola, their distinctive red cloaks bright amid the faded clothing of his other warriors.

The Prince held his sword high and led his bodyguard into the approaching Picts. Although not in the front ranks, Prydwyn was able to get a glimpse of these famous fighters, but he noticed that despite their panoply, they were mostly boys and old men, and fared badly against Cirech's veterans.

It was only a matter of time before these last Franks were surrounded and brought down by the more agile Picts. The death of Prince Hariulfus was heroic, but futile, his new bodyguard sacrificed to no purpose. After the last man fell, Pedites were quick to strip his body, adding his armour and jewellery to the rest of their booty. The fight was over at last.

The fallen of both sides were gathered up during the next day and honoured that evening outside the walls in a funereal ceremony dedicated to the Morrigan, the raven goddess of battle and strife. When the locals who were collecting the bodies found Gurthinmac, he proved so intimidating even in death that they actually ran away, blessing themselves to assuage the wrath of the gods.

With Condate conquered, Cirech was hard put to stop his men from sacking the city. As a compromise, he made a levy on the populace, demanding they pay a large indemnity, which would be used to reward and placate his men, and nominate a third of the men of fighting age to be pressed into service in Greater Pictavia.

Cirech took up residence in the Pro-consul's palace. He had had enough of living in a tent, it was time to find out how the Roman nobility lived. He arranged for gifts of treasure and slaves to accompany the messengers taking news of the conquest to Drest, but he resolved to keep Condate under his personal control. He was vassal to Drest, but he would no longer be his slave.

[Selifator]

Lovely update!

[Legio]

Beautiful, and I like the new character portraits!

[Edward lV]

good update

[bomberboy]

Will there be a rebellion later on?

[Antiochos VII Sidetes]

Most excellent update.

Is Severus still around, or is he still floating around like a God?

[Juvenal]

Thank you everyone for taking the trouble to comment here.

@Mr. Cursed - Severus is based at the port of Juliobona (they have particularly fine mussels and oysters there).

@bomberboy - I don't know, but I expect there will be some kind of falling out between the Pictish leaders (Cirech is getting quite cynical after all the fighting around Condate), this distrust is certainly something Severus is trying to foster as part of his campaign to topple Drest. PS. I promise I will look in on your AAR.

@twking - Thanks, and thank you for your support.

@Legio Caesar - The portraits help me with characterisation. The more distinctive the characters, the easier it is for me to divine the story behind the events of the campaign.

@Selifator - Thanks, I think it closes off the Condate story quite nicely.

@Giovi - Flattery will get you everywhere.

@SeniorBatavianHorse - Your praise is especially treasured, given my admiration for your own writing (I really must take a look at your new IBII AAR). An online fight with Picts would be fun, but it needs to be money-restricted since I don't think I could actually spend the normal 10,000 denarii with a Pictish army!

@ReD_OcToBeR - I really pleased you like my story. I am sorry I haven't visited your AAR yet, I will do so.

This AAR is now completely up-to-date with my campaign, I am going to have to play some more so that there will be material for another episode over the week-end. There are fresh troops recently landed from Britannia, so a fresh advance may be in the offing.

[Selifator]

may be in the offering. I'll assume that that is what you meant. Unless you speak English that I don't know.