The Pontic Invasion

[Magicman2051]

The forces of Mithradates VI have washed across Roman Asia scattering what meagre defences were arrayed against them. He now controls all of Lycia, Cilicia and most of Asia. There are two main enemy armies known the Romans however reports have it that several small bands continue to roam the countryside attacking Roman interests. There has been some word of a Pontic force moving towards Smyrna but it has yet to be sighted by any scouts and is thus likely to be small.

Pontic Forces

Sardis

2,139 Spear Infantry
1,335 Spear Infantry**
1,792 Skirmishers
719 *Archers
329 Melee Cavalry

Ephesus

5,812 Spear Infantry
1,793 Spear Infantry*
1,855 Archers*
3,104 Melee Infantry
1,177 Melee Cavalry
828 Melee Cavalry**** - Archelaus

Roman Forces

Smyrna

Legio IV Aduitrix - 6,000
Legio VI Ferreta - 6,000
Legio VII Achea - 6,000
Legio VIII Macedonia - 6,000
1,000 Archers
1,105 Cavalry

[Lanthe]

As Marcus Quintilius Rufus arrived to Athens his to be army was still en route to Greece where he had set his rallying point in Argolis near the city of Nauplia. There he would have quick ability to move which ever way the Pontii decided to invade if they did, was it through the canal held by Thracia or by sea straight to the large Greek cities. With only one Pro-Consul Legion he knew he could hold a city, but not a country so he made sure to put scouts along the shore to all key points of landing so that the Pontii would not have too much of a chance to surprise him. Marcus had inspected troops and saw that they knew what was to come, they've been more in wars than him and had no hesitation to follow orders as Marcus might have in giving them.

The camp was not ready yet, but the soldiers should have it all finished when the other forces arrive and after that he would be ready to attack and push back the Pontii army.

[Lanthe]

Frontier was almost quiet, no fleeing refugees searching sanctuary in the nearby cities, nor was there any sign of the Pontii on Roman side of the gulf Marcus grew restless and paranoid about the situation. He send three scout parties to take better statements of where was the enemy's army and how many of them there was. He also stated that every City and town in the area are to stay vigilant and gather resources for they might go under siege. Also he said that every town should form itself a militia least of hundred men in defense of the town. He himself was ready for war, but the troops haven't yet arrived and every moment that they took was giving Pontii the advantage over land.

[Dark Storm]

A letter arrives

Ave Consul,

I am soon too take back the slaves however i would like to inform you of a business offer, i would be able to loan you 100 cavalry and 200 archers for the price of 400 denarii, for the remainder of this war, providing you paid any casualties, this offer saves you 1600 on buying them as recruits.

Gnaeus Claudius Tranquillus

[Lanthe]

Marcus, read the letter and scratched it for he had much more pressing matters to attend to.

[Lanthe]

As Marcus knew it was only matter of days until the first host of his army would arrive he started to examine the maps and importing various enemy movements that the scouts had prevailed to obtain. He prepared his current host daily letting them know exactly their parts in the upcoming battles and made sure that the moral was high and full of vigor. "Soon we will get to slaughter the mongrol Pontii's who think they could just take our lands as from some vassal state of theirs. There will be no mercy for such betrayal and unholy thought of being superior to Rome. You fine soldiers, the standalone pilar of Rome, you are the most magnificent men in our era for it is you who gets to deliver gods justice to these heathen dogs of east. Not have you only held weight of Rome on your shoulders, but the rest of the world too, and how proud have you made me to see the valor and strength of Roman might. When we will go back home they will write songs of you, they will praise you, they will love you dear sons of Rome. When our reinforcements arrive we march forward with divine malice so that the Pontii will fear us even when they are other side of the gulf. Let them run scared as Rome goes to war, let them hide beneath the stones in ignorance that Jupiter Optimus Maximus sees all and will deliver them justice by our hand!". After the speech there was a roar that could be heard hundreds miles away to the city of Nauplia the soldiers were eager to start the killings as soon as possible and so was Marcus.

[Lanthe]

When the much awaited troops arrived Marcus immediately started to move them to safe location beyond the gulf. The scouts reports came most useful doing this since Marcus still wanted to avoid confrontation with the enemy until he had clear view of their position and numbers, He took a defensive station in a hill since around Asia there is always a water supply downhill. He had scouts run through the surrounding areas to be clear of any movement by the enemy.

[Magicman2051]

As Rufus departs troubling news emerges from the heart of Asia. Several Pontic armies have fortified their positions in captured territory and Ephesus has fallen to the enemy, Archelaus having taken the city and killed all the inhabitants seen to be of latin descent or origin.

[Lanthe]

Marcus read the letter that the scouts had provided him. Soon as he was finished he gave it to nearest messenger on horse among marching soldiers. "Send this to the Senate." He said then stopping along side his men who continued marching to held a speech "Men! The cowards have killed all of our brothers in fear that they may aid us. Men! we have souls to avenge, we shall take ten of the Pontii as where they took one life of a citizen! Mark my words, there will be no murdering mongrol dog left to hold a spear in front of the Mithradates throne when we have done with them! There will be no more half-men to breed these wicked dog-like creatures when our army has marched over them. There will be no grain of sand on where could such vile and evil beings hide. Men! We will slaughter them!"

[Lanthe]

Marcus send scouts to check the defenses that the Ephesus hold after the massacre and how badly damaged the walls and towers were. He also sen another batch of scouts to make sure they weren't been flanked by the soldiers from Sardis.
Meanwhile he made sure that the siege equipment were constructed so that they would be able to start the siege soon as possible.

[Lanthe]

As soon as the Scouts report had come in that the enemy is still within the walls of Sardis Marcus saw a opportunity to engage into battle with Pontii within the city of Ephesus. He ordered everyone to start preparing for a night attack and the watchmen to keep extra vigilant eye so that the enemy would not have advantage of knowing about the coming siege. He inspected that the camp quarter by quarter and made sure that everyone were ready to move by heart and body. He also made a sacrifice to gods Mars and Lady Invidia in hope for them to grant him satisfactory vengeance. He made sure that the siege weapons he had ordered to be constructed were satisfactory and that they would not fail them. The battering rams were crude, but he had ordered their heads to be casked in metal so that the wood would be splintered instead of bending and their top was made high enough that the soldiers could carry their shields within the rams. The ladders were fine and instead of just being tied together they were carved so that the steps could not just be pushed away. There were total of twelve ladders and two battering rams. He knew he was ready, but he was bit worried about the gods, he didn't have time to visit the temple when he left Rome and even though he promised a grand sacrifice and honorary tribute to the gods when he would return, he was not still sure would they take him within their protection. He ordered his body-slaves to dye his hair more vividly red so that it would seem unnatural as it were on fire.

[Lanthe]

When the night arrived Marcus ordered the scouts to continue their usual activity for it would be suspicious if they would simply vanish for one night. When they started to be closer the city he gave orders for everyone to know their position in upcoming siege so that the deployment would not take too long. He also trusted his legate to keep them informed if the enemy tried to help by flanking them so that he could be ready.

Legio VIII Macedonia with six thousand men were to use the ladders from one side and to try capture the walls as they were ones that were acustomed to the warm climate. They would also have the assistance of the thousand archers helping them to isolate the parts of the walls they were going to take with first volley and then by firing at will.

Full Legio IV Aduitrix were to use the ram from the front gate as they too were from lands that are similiar by climate so they would not be exhausted by the heat. They were to carry their shields as barriers to block enemy projectiles while they were using the ram.

Legio VII Achea and Legio VI Ferreta were to be kept as reserves incase enemy would overpower one of the attacking Legions. They were not customed to hot climate as this so they would be used later to savor their strength and to keep them strong. The water supply of the camp was halved and brought along the forces to make sure that they would not be dehydrated by the heath. They would also have the secondary ram to use in case the first would be somehow destroyed or there would be a need to ram down second gate.

The cavalry forces were divided to two parts, their job was to make sure that the flanks would stay safe and that if the enemy would be attacking they would hinder their movement every way they can so that the reserves could be put to defensive positions. They were also ready to support Consuls legate if he would need them to engage the enemy.

Marcus himself would be staying with the Legio IV Aduitrixis men who were waiting for their turn within the ram. He would see that the men would do their best and would not hesitate to push trough the gates. He would be unmounted as the horse itself would give away his higher than usual position within the legion and make him and easy target.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus organised the Scouts to continually search the area surrounding the armies flanks, any suspicious movement would be immediately reported to him. Then he went too speak with the Consul,

"Ave Consul." He bowed his head, "The Scouts are continuing their work as ordered."

[Lanthe]

"That is good to hear, we cannot afford to get ourselves surprised by this point" Marcus said while following the troops march in the night.

"I believe you know your orders in the upcoming battle?"

[Dark Storm]

"Yes, i am too ensure the safety of our flank from any suprise attacks made by the enemy and am too resume command should you fall in battle."

[Lanthe]

"And if an attack would to happen you will take command of the cavalry to slow them down or to defeat them."

[Dark Storm]

"Yes" Gnaeus nodded, "If they were too run i would not pursue, merely hold the position, the flank needs its defence."

[Lanthe]

"Indeed, if we get close enough by the night that they have no other choice, but to defend the city, their renowned cavalry is useless within the walls. Rest of their men are inferior compared to Romans."

[Dark Storm]

"Exactly, may i take a look at the rest of our plans, on the extremely unlikely chance that something did happen too you?"

[Lanthe]

"The following is clear, when we breach their defenses the sieging Legions will force the enemy to back down from the entrance and station themselves there, after that the reserves will start to make forward and do rest of the fighting inside the walls. And if they face extreme resistance and are in chance of being repelled back the other legions will aid them. I will personally be inside the city when the siege is done."