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Thread: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

  1. #21
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    That looks like a decisive battle. I like your idea of having characters discuss how the battle went afterwards and whether it could have been fought differently.

  2. #22
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Like Alwyn said a decisive battle and victory over the Frankish invaders. A bold move to try and fight them in their own territory, it's one thing defending against an invading force. Trying to invade them is another thing entirely especially now with a huge horde of Goths in your realm. Intrigued to see what happens next, if the Goths will attack or just pass by and if Constantinus will be victorious in Germania.

    All in all a good update!

  3. #23

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    While on the march, Constantinus and a scouting group come across a small war band lead by a man in extravagant clothes.

    Constantinus: Who is he?

    Edobichus: probably just a local lord or something. We should get him alive, maybe he knows something useful.

    Constantinus: sure, I think that would be wise.


    The next night a handful of picked men were assembled to storm the camp.

    Saboteurs opened the gates but unfortunately made too loud a noise which warned the Franks.
    The romans moved in anyway and easily defeated the defenders, and as planned captured the lord alive.



    The captured man in chains is presented before the two generals.

    Constantinus: very well, barbarian, who are you, exactly.

    Lord: My name is Hesa, and I am, well, I was a vassal to king Faramund of the Franks, until a few days ago.

    Edobichus: why, what happened.

    Hesa: Chlodio, son of Faramund, spread lies about me, lies that the king could not tolerate to hear, next thing I know two men entered my home, while I was away hunting and set it ablaze, my family was inside. Now I seek only vengeance on Chlodio.

    Edobichus: Why did Chlodio propagate such lies?

    Heas: because he was afraid, he suspected, and so did I, that the king would elect me as his hair instead of Him.

    Constantinus walks back a little in order to speak to Edobichus alone.

    Constantinus: He could be very useful against the Franks.

    Edobichus: assuming what he says is true, and not just lies to assure his survival.

    Constantius: I am willing to gamble.

    Edobichus: it is your choice, I won´t object.

    Constantinus: good, we will carry him around until the campaign is over and then we´ll see.

  4. #24
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    A nice read so far and with many good screens.
    Keep it up, I like this scenario and the way you're doing this!

    Curious to see what you plan to do when the Barbarians are defeated. Create a second Rome in their land or unite the Empire again?

  5. #25

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    A nice read so far and with many good screens.
    Keep it up, I like this scenario and the way you're doing this!

    Curious to see what you plan to do when the Barbarians are defeated. Create a second Rome in their land or unite the Empire again?
    Thanks!, I am glad everyone is enjoing this, I realy did not thought it would get as much attention as it did.

    All the positive criticism is really a big motivation, but I would also like to know what you guys didn´t like to that I can make improvements.

  6. #26

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    As the army approaches colonia Agrippina the Frankish king himself decides to attack it, but grossly underestimates it´s strength.

    In the following battle the franks are crushed, victims of a partial encirclement, seeing this, their king decides to escape behind the city walls, leaving his army to die or be captured and sold as slaves.


    Edobichus: The coward, not much of a king you had there hesa.

    Hesa: He had great plans, to unite all of Gaul, He recruited a great army but his poor leadership on the field together with his bad luck may have cost him his dreams.

    Edobichus: He could be the greatest general in the world, he could not have beaten us, his great army, nothing but peasants looking for a new opportunity in life and a few warriors, just wasted lives thrown against the unstoppable force that is Roma.

    Hesa: How can you call yourselves romans if Roma is ruled by a foreign king.
    Edobichus lets out a quick laugh and responds

    Edobichus: not foreign, he is roman, we may have our divergences and interests but we are all romans, Roma is not a place anymore, it is a spirit, our spirit.

    In the middle of July 412 at avaricum Constans is dealing with the burocratic business of the Empire, and a lot of burocracy it needs for the financial situation is looking worst and worst every day. But this day a man approaches the city, he is not particularly well dressed with the exception of the golden rings and various jewelry on his person. He is stopped by the guards at the gate that ask him what his business there was, to what he answered that he wanted to speak with the “man responsible for all this” spreading is arms as to encompass the entire city. He would have been ignored if it wasn´t for the riches this man carries around making him look important.

    Constans is accompanied by Avitus, and both are extremely suspicious of the situation, but still, curious and so they let him into the palace, always escorted by an armed guard of course.

    Constans: Be welcome, what brings you here.

    Avitus: If you wish to sell that gold I would recommend the market.

    Constans: silence

    Foreigner: I come to seek agreement between the romans and the visigoths, our families stand hungry on the lands south from here, we seek only a home to settle.

    Constans: And what do you give in return.

    Visigoth diplomat: peace.

    Constans: I see, we must consult with the Emperor before anything can be decided, anything else.

    Visigoth diplomat: only the prosperity of all our peoples.

    Constans: very well, safe travels.

    The foreigner left both men to think.

    Avitus: just when you thought the finances were in the sh…

    Constans: silence! I need to think, go, send word to Constantinus about this, with haste, and get as much information about these people as possible.

    The messanger sent by Avitus took several weeks on horseback, only stopping when his body demanded it. Day and night, through the forest flanked roads he traveled and finally reached Constantinus´s camp, the news hit hard and discussion quickly began.

    Edobichus: nonsense, they will stay in Narbo, yes, underneath the ground, that is.

    Constantinus: How many are they?

    Messenger: Constans estimated around eight thousand.

    Constantinus: We can´t fight that, not now, the legions are too far away, and we don´t have the necessary forces in the area, not do we have the funds. Hold on.

    Constantinus writes a letter, his hand shaking from the shock.

    Constantinus: here, deliver this to constans as fast as you can.

    Messenger: yes, Dominus.

    Yet again the messenger is sent with an important message that could dictate the fate of the empire.

    When he arrives at Avaricum, he is awaited by Constans that quickly reads the letter.

    A meeting is arranged with the Visigoth diplomat.

    Visigoth diplomat: I trust you have consulted with your Empreror

    Constans: Indeed, Roma will offer your people the city of Narbo and its surrounding farms and fields, in exchange of non-aggression of course, a good friendship can come from this.

    Visigoth diplomat: let it be known that this deal is the beginning of a great friendship between our peoples.

  7. #27
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Good update! I'll be interested to see whether giving up this city will lead to friendship or more demands from those whohave been given the city.

    As I see it, this update represents well a dilemma which the late Roman Empire had when dealing with the Visigoths and similar tribes. The legions were thinly stretched and were no longer feared by Rome's enemies as they once had been. Rome could allow the Visigoths to settle inside what had been Roman territory, or fight them - either way, it seemed liklely that the Visigoths would grow stronger.

  8. #28

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    The current state of affairs forced Constantinus´s hand to act quickly, the franks must be crushed and colonia Agrippina must be brought back to the empire, so the roman emperor besieges the city.

    As the siege carries on, the Visigoths make a daring move. They march one of their armies into roman lands. Constans sends a diplomat to warn the Visigoths of the consequences of such actions, fortunately they realized the foolishness of their actions and pulled back.

    But only to return one year later.

    They didn´t raid or made attacks of any sort, but the population and especially the merchants were very disturbed by this and even begun to question Constantinus´s legitimacy and manliness.

    Seasons passed, years passed, and the siege was still ongoing, but clearly time as taken its toll on the Franks, they start expelling their own people from the city walls to preserve food, yet this wasn´t enough and many of the defenders starved to death. Faramund and Chlodio probably wished they would starve themselves, for now they are forced to look at their people dying just like their dreams of conquest.

    Although it was not only the Franks that suffered, Constantinus had an almost undisturbed supply line, so the problem was not empty stomachs but empty minds, the romans were bored for they had nothing to do besides the opportunistic skirmish or when a group of “entertainers” where paid.

    That was the situation for almost two years until Costantinus felt confident enough to attack, Edobichus would have taken the chance within the first six months, but he trusted his leader who was starting to be viewed as a military genius by some.

    In June of 414, the decisive assault begun. Five battering rams made their way to the city walls and gate, with cover from the archers.

    The walls were almost abandoned and the few who were defending it were crushed by clever tactics and force of arms.

    When a bridgehead was established fierce urban combat begun, this favored the more disciplined romans.

    The Franks must have known it was all over for they decided to make their last stand on the city center.

    After the resistance was dealt with in the streets Constantinus regrouped his army for the final assault. He ordered a shieldwall to block off the road through the triumphal arc to allow for the bucelari, recently arrived for samarobriva, to shoot at the enemy.

    They were not having any of that and decided to charge the shieldwall, but it was too late and soon they found themselves surrounded, even Constantinus and Edobichus themselves got in on the action.

    After the battle Constantinus gave a great speech.

    Constantinus: …And so the Franks are crushed under the shadow of the triumphal arc, from now on, all who oppose us will have the same fate and be forever eclipsed from history by the power of Roma.

    Both Faramund and Chlodio made a heroic final stand, the latter being the last in the battle to fall, but that could not have prevented the fall of their kingdom.

    Yet the Franks are not done, they must still have some family member alive and Rome will not rest until all of the Franks are under her rule.

  9. #29
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    This sounds like a decisive victory, I liked the use of the triumphal arch as a reference point and a symbol. I was slightly confused about who were the 'they' who found themselves surrounded - was it the bucelari or the enemy? From context, it was presumablt the enemy. The reference to the heroic final stand is a nice touch (maybe you could say more about any similar heroic final stand in a future battle?).

  10. #30

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Sorry if the text is confusing sometimes, this is the first time I write something extensive in English. When I wrote "they" I was indeed refering to the franks.
    If there are any last stands worth mentioning then why not, or maybe I´ll take some creative liberties and make something up.

  11. #31

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Now that colonia aggripina is back in the empire, Constantinus had to decide what to do with it, and against Edobichus´s advice he decided to limit the looting of the city instead of taking possession of everything in sight.


    Edobichus: where you not the one who said that this would be a great opportunity to bring some money into the empire, think of the riches we left there.

    Constantinus: I know, but those people were not barbarians, not all at least, that territory belonged to us, those were our people.

    Edobichus: those people were ready to celebrate the conquest of Gaul by their king.

    Constantinus: Those people had no choice, do you think if they let out a bad word about their king, their heads would remain on their shoulders?


    The next step was the expel the Franks from Campus Frisii, which was easy enough, but not all Franks decided to admit defeat, and a large group begun a mass migration into Saxon lands, which is fine since rumors from Britannia tell of Saxon invaders pillaging everything in sight.




    The constant state of war was taking its toll on the people, the high taxes created poverty, many of the lower classes have had to resort to crime or prostitution to stay alive. In certain cities the recruitment rate was so high that it was significant the amount of population that knew someone who died in the wars.
    Sigisvultus Octavianus was a member of the proletarii from Samarobriva, he made enough money to live comfortably with the help of his brother and his wife´s family, the brother´s wife that is. All that changed when his brother, who was in the legions, died at the siege of Colonia Agrippina.
    After that it was all downhill for Sigi, as his brother called him, for he could not even sustain his existence anymore in the city were prices were so inflated. He was found stealing food from a merchant in the market and was quickly apprehended by two praetorian guards, then he proceeded to insult the higher classes accusing them of greediness and only caring about profits and not minding if people starved to death. The praetorians started laughing at him and jokingly talked about making him a slave to see who cares about him. Sigi run away without looking back shoving people out of his way out of fear of being caught, perhaps it was more than a joke and they really wanted to make him a slave, the city was so corrupted on all levels that no one could tell anymore.
    Sigi made up his mind to unite the poor oppressed people of the region against the state, perhaps that way their voices could be heard and their faces not laughed at.
    After a year this goal of his became something of an underground criminal organization, and in the summer of 415 a date and time was agreed to strike. On that night all of Sigi´s followers armed themselves, met outside the city and demanded to be heard by roman officials. Gaius Macrinus, never saw such insolence but lacked the forces to act, even against peasants and workers, so Decimus, the governor of Hatomagus, the province west of Samarobriva was called to help. The roman governors insisted in not using words but swords.



    The farmers proved to be a match on the battlefield and their sheer anger and despair was enough to win the battle.



    But even after the wounded were treated very few of the rebels remained and the romans still refused negotiations, so Sigi decided to make a deal with Macrinus.


    Sigi walks up to the city gate with five armed men, saying that Gaius Macrinus would like what he had to say. The Governor comes out and stands about five paces away.

    Macrinus: So, what is it that I would like to hear?

    Sigi: I offer my surrender, but only if these men are allowed to return to their miserable lives without legal persecution. I tricked these people into following my mad cause, they don´t deserve to suffer anymore.

    Macrinus: I am glad you came to your senses, of course, I give you my word that these people may resume their lives peacefully.


    Sigi was made a slave by one of the praetorians who seemed to remember him from long ago but could not put his finger on were exactly. The rest of the rebels resumed their lives, but in the following months were either gradually enslaved by the city guards for debts and other “minor offences” or starved to death.

    That was the situation in some cities in the empire, but not all, Avaricum was prospering and the farms and markets got a much needed injection of capital from the campaign in belgica. The money was not enough to go around and the corruption of government officials only made the situation worst.

    Avitus: Glad the situation in Samarobriva is resolved.

    Constans: Not resolved, patched, somehow.

    Avitus: What do you mean?

    Constans: The taxes from the city may be safe for now as everyone is afraid of not paying. But fear is the weakest of ways to control the masses.

    Avitus: what difference does it make? Gold is Gold no matter how it is obtained.

    Constans: If you feed a dog he will be loyal to you, if you whip him, as soon as you turn your back he will bite you.

    Avitus: Then what do you suggest?

    Constans: We must feed them, not just with food but entertainment, if they are too busy watching gladiators kill each other they won´t try to kill us.

  12. #32
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    That looks like quite a nice challenge you have there.
    Let's hope the Franks won't return and your Romans get to build a nice arena in the streets of Paris or Köln. Maybe then your farmers will put their strength to good use.

  13. #33
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Good writing, I particularly like the lines about using "not words but swords" and the description of the "sheer anger and despair" which led to victory in the battle. It sounds like Constans has a plan, I hope it will be enough to achieve peace and security for Rome in these dangerous times.

  14. #34
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    I liked the peasant uprising! It's a shame the governors weren't prepared to talk - presumably they were involved in all the corruption and didn't want to change their behaviour. Like Alwyn, I liked the phrase "not words but swords". I wonder if giving people entertainment (rather than food) will be enough to placate them.






  15. #35

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Rebels were the least of Constantinus´s problems though. The great emperor is forced to march south to deal with a new WRE offensive.
    The WRE is also trying to take Argentoratun form the Alamanni. If successful, this will open up yet another gate from which the romans can come in to attack.


    But more importantly, another WRE army marches towards Lugdunum, this forces Constantinus to deal with them before anything else is done.



    The absence of the legions in the north means that the newly captured Campus Frisii is vulnerable, and the Franks go for it.



    They used a battering ram to bring down the gates and as soon as the way was clear a few of the more dedicated warriors living in the city met the enemy at the gate. They weren´t defending Rome as much as their homes and families.



    They fought with fury, but no amount of fury could bring down their numerous foes.
    In the end it was a rather costly victory for the Franks. But still it opens another front and threatens the stability of Constantinus´s Empire even more.


    With all of these wars Constantinus stood in the world without any allies, so, he sent a diplomat, Procopius to find a strong ally to protect them against the WRE.

    Procopius found a migrating horde near Vicus Alemanni.
    As he approaches the camp Procopius is perplexed by the amount of tents in the open field ahead. Not only that, but they even had a blacksmith and all sorts of social services ready to be dismantled and marched to their new homes. In a brief introduction Procopius learns about their society, how they do not rely on crops or agriculture but hunt and sometimes pillage to survive. The intricacies and primitiveness of their society fascinated Procopius and he thought that surely this way of life would come accompanied by a fierce fighting spirit. The Roman diplomat was wearing expensive eastern clothes that would much better fit a king, of course this was all part of his strategy to convince those people to an alliance. The romans hated this and he became quite unpopular in his home city of Lugdunum.
    After speaking with some of the people, he met with the king of the horde, Gundahar. The king himself wore modest clothing that you could see have had some use, this set a weird mood from the start for in terms of visuals the roles of king and foreign diplomat seemed to be inverted. The meeting itself wasn´t in any place in particular, just in the middle of the tents in the open for anyone to listen.


    Gundahar: Welcome, foreigner, to our humble homes, what business brings you here.

    Procopius: Ave mighty king of the Burgundians, I come in the name of my emperor, constantinus, and seek only to forge a friendship with your people, I heard of the great struggles you and your ancestors went through, so let us help each other overcome our difficulties and forge new lands for our people together, what say you?

    Gundahar: What nice words coming from a roman, your kind has never done anything good for anyone else, I have heard tales of the Vandals and the Visigoths do not think you can fool me.

    Procopius: I would never even try to fool you, ho mighty king. Those were the deeds of foolish emperors,and foolish kings, Constantinus seeks to embrace and befriend, not exploit, I am sure yours are the same. With our help your people could settle in the empire and be amazed by what it has to offer.

    Gundahar: Your words are wise, very well an alliance would be good for both our peoples, but do not betray us or else…

    Procopius: I give my word, Roma will forever be friends with you, most generous king.


    And so without the arrogance showed by the diplomats of old an alliance between Constantinus and the burgundii is formed.

  16. #36
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Good update, I like the descriptions of the contrasting clothes worn by the Roman diplomat and the king of the Burgundians. It sounds like Procopius is a skilled diplomat, I wonder what the consequences of the new relationship with the Burgundii will be.

  17. #37

    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    During the winter of 416, the siegeworks at lugdunum were being prepared and the citizens who could not escape readied themselves for the hardships of a siege. But before the roman invaders could set up anything substantial, constantinus arrived with his army.



    The battle begun with a cavalry skirmish on Constantinus´s right flank, but soon the garrison from the town, led by captain Luca, rushed to face the enemy in melee.



    This left Constantinus with little choice than to move his army forth. The WRE army found itself quickly surrounded, and in spite of great effort it was defeated, the survivors either running away through the frozen mountains or taken captive.



    But this was not to be the end, the WRE sent another army led by Valens probably to reinforce the first army.
    Constantinus decided so send a small force behind the enemy army from Lugdunum to strike the enemy from behind.

    The battlefield provided Constantinus a great advantage, for he had a small mountain covering his right flank.



    Constantinus sent orders to the reinforcing army to not show up until the battle had started but the message was intercepted, so now the WRE know about the existence of the reinforcing army and it´s early arrival.
    The WRE sent some troops to face the reinforcements but left most of its force is left skirmishing with the main army. This gave the opportunity for the cavalry on the right flank to go and support the reinforcing army.



    Valens´s reluctance to comit his army in the main fight doomed his army, for when the melee started his troops got surrounded and the cavalry was free to do as they please.



    It wasn´t an easy fight though, and many men died in that battle, but in the end it´s a heroic victory.


  18. #38
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    And such as that, Romans fight Romans.

    Nice part. Big battles. Have a +rep.

  19. #39
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    5000 Romans under Constantinus against 3000 under a WRE captain and the balance bar says it's even? The balance bar sometimes does funny things.

    Like Derc says, some big important battles. I liked the use of a intercepted message to explain the WRE into sending forces to battle your reinforcements. The WRE should think twice before trying to invade Constantinus' territory again.

    A good chapter Kaiser_ALex!

  20. #40
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IBFD AAR] Saviours of Roma

    Good battle! At first, I was surprised that you told us so quickly who won - but then the Valens got involved and things got even more interesting!

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