The Jugurthine War

[Okmin]

Armies

Rome

Proconsul Sextus Tuccius Alexander
Legio V Sicilia - 6,000*
Legio XIV Iupita - 6,000*
Legio XVll Tucci - 6,000*
Legio XI Victrix - 6,000
Legio XI Claudia Fidelus - 6,000
7,228 Cavalry
2,000 Archers

Numidia

King Jugurtha
480 Cavalry
1,685 Horse archers
6,000 Levy spearmen
3,800 Regular infantry
4,700 Elite spearmen
180 Archers
5,400 Slingers
2 War elephants

Setting

Noticing the lack of Roman forces in Sicily and relatively small garrison in Carthage, Numidian forces have invaded in an attempt to capitalize on Rome's stretched military. King Jugurtha has mobilized a force of 24,000 men and has his sights set on Carthage. If the city falls, effectively nothing would be in the way of an invasion of Sicily or Italia.

[Okmin]

The Numidian army continues its march towards Carthage, seeking supplies from nearby towns. While some minor conflicts between individual soldiers and residents spring up, no mass violence occurs and the country is left mostly untouched. Some people flee to the city, but most choose to remain in their homes.

Meanwhile, the newly-arrived proconsul has ordered his legions to set up defensive positions outside the city walls. Unbeknownst to the Numidians, reinforcements from Italia are mere weeks away.

((Numidians advance to Africa Proconsularis I and march east towards Carthage. There can be a battle tomorrow. Send orders.))

[ArkocentoArisen]

A single Numidian is sent under a flag of peace to speak with the Roman In charge.

[The Stig]

Sextus meets with him a fair way away from the Roman fortifications, accompanied by a large body of legionaires.

[ArkocentoArisen]

"Blessing of the Gods be upon you Roman filth"
The Numidian said, dripping with Sarcasm
"Jugurtha has sent me here with simple demands. hand over all the Land before Cathage, that is right fully ours."
His voice Gradually drifted from Matter a factly to being filled with Fervor.
Your People Shall live in peace if they already live there, they shall kneel before our Kings might, and peace shall be upon them. If you refuse however, than regardless of this battle we shall burn a path through all roman homes, from here to the Atlas Mountains, and Beyond.

[The Stig]

Sextus drew his sword and stared in what seemed like wonder, as it glinted in the sun. He abruptly whipped his head forward to the Numidian.

"Guards, draw your swords and surround this man."

[ArkocentoArisen]

The Numidian has no weapon and is for a moment taken aback at being surrounded, before regaining his composure.
My Liege offers to reject all claims to Carthage, and not to ever strike at it so long as he lives, We have left many Roman lands, and People at peace as we marched here, striking me down will not save them. Rather it shall make their suffering even worse. We offer a solution that allows you to retain your city, your army, and much of your Pride, Why would you wish to Inflict Death on your own people?

[The Stig]

Sextus resumes looking at his blade.

"Let me tell you something, friend. I was born in the city behind us. I grew up there, for the most part. My family owns half the Proconsulate. Before that, we came here both as settlers and conquerors. I am a descendant of the first Phoaecian settlers to make this land their home. When we first arrived, we were peaceable, we even paid a local tribe for the land. But then the cities of Sicily, our sister colonies, asked for our help. Within us awoke a great martial spirit, and we soon came to be rulers of an empire matched only by Rome, Alexander, and Persia. We crushed your people into the sand and built a great temple to sin and vice atop your unmarked graves. Then my forefathers fell to the armies of Rome, unmatched in all the world, the chosen sons of Mars. The great bloodlines were mixed, and a man was born with the strength of two empires. Me. This is my city, my proconsulate, my land. Understand that? I will never give up while there is a single gasp of air left within my lungs. You are doomed, for centuries you have fallen to the blades of my ancestors, and I refuse to change that. You will die. I will kill you."

At this Sextus cut a deep gash in the Numdian's stomach, then pushed him over and stomped on his head, not once, but twice. He then kicked sand into his eyes, before leaning down and gripping him by the shirt. Sextus speaks in the language of the Numidians now, and the man can feel his hot breath on his face and witness his fierce eyes.

"Please inform your commander of my refusal."

[ArkocentoArisen]

The Numidian Winces, his noses obviously shattered by the double quick, blood draining from his nose, and the gaping wound in his stomach. but he only grins for a moment before Whistling into the Air, it flows across the land, the wind carrying it even to the ears of Romans beyond those surrounding him, and further still to his King and people, that had awaited his return. when the Whistling stopped he raggedly responds to Sextus
"Super filios Martis enses pascet"
With an abrupt moment of Force he plunges a dagger into Sextus's leg, pulling him closer for a final word as the Legion surrounding him draw in to end him, his voice nearly silent, he speaks in his own language
"Thus you are Dust in the Wind."
With that his grip abruptly is released, his breath abruptly silent, and yet his dagger remains stabbed deeply into the Leg of the Roman Commander

[The Stig]

Sextus withdraws the dagger with a wince. He favors his other leg as he they return to the city.

"You see men, when faced with Roman fury and power they can do but little compared to their own destruction."

[ArkocentoArisen]

Somewhere to the west

The Whistle flew through the camp, the meaning quite clear to all the men there, the moment of silence that followed after wards was quickly halted by Jugurtha

"Men...this is this decision of the Sons of Mars. they wish nothing more than a battle to the death, they wish for the end of all things good here in the land that was once mighty Carthage! they wish for war, they wish for death. we shall bring more than that, every women, every child, every dream that is roman Shall Burn on the bones of my father I promise, we shall only end this war With the death of every Roman from here to Rome itself!"
The Soldiers erupted with cheering, some raising their swords, other simply throwing their fists into the air, The Animals found themselves drawn into the jubilation, the trumpeting, and neighing were heard among the crowd. Until many looked to see a man covered in tan cloth, almost unrecognizable among the Sand
"My lord, his Name is Sextus."
Jugurtha went up to the man and removed the cloth from his head
"You shall bring me his head, Nautilus that is your only order, until death"
"and I shall follow it until Long after."
The two men locked eyes before Nodding, This man was the brother Jugurtha was never to have, but the one that he would always know as such.
"Long Live Jugurtha! Long Live the King of the Sand!"

"Long Live the King!"

[Okmin]

Battle of Carthage

Jugurtha immediately orders his army to march on the Roman lines. The entrenched Roman forces hold position as their cavalry ride across the front of their position, successfully creating a large dust cloud that hides them from the Numidians' view. Jugurtha, realizing that works both ways, takes advantage of the loss of visibility to mass his troops in a spearhead formation, while a fairly large force of spearmen and slingers jump into the ocean and begin swimming toward the peninsula by Carthage's southern wall. No one pays them any attention, as they simply sit there.

Soon the Numidian army emerges from the dust cloud, only barely disoriented; the mass of spears and infantry charge the waiting legions' center, while the horse and foot archers on the flanks fire volleys. The Roman center throws pila with incredible effect, killing almost two thousand attackers before the lines meet. Meanwhile, the flanks raise shields against oncoming fire and the Roman cavalry charges both groups of Numidian archers. The cavalry quickly decimate the foot archers, but the horsemen withdraw, allowing their spearman reserves to drive off the Roman attack. Numidian elephant riders are given the order to advance.

Meanwhile, the legions are holding the line against the Numidian infantry, who, despite holding a slight numerical advantage, are not having much luck against the well-disciplined Romans. On the flanks, the Numidian cavalry attempt a charge, but are driven back by Roman pila. On the Numidian right, the cavalry fail to notice Roman stakes in time and most of the unit is lost. The rest are more fortunate, and most survive.

The war elephants charge the Roman left, hoping to make up for the cavalry's failure. Several cohorts abandon their section of the trench, fill it with oil, and set it and the stakes on fire. The plan succeeds and most of the elephants die painfully.

Meanwhile in the city, a small group of disguised Numidians have been arrested after sneaking into the city, passing themselves off as traders, and attempting to burn the harbor down. In another section of the city, several more are arrested after setting fire to a few buildings. The fires spread and men rush to fight the flames. The smoke is visible from the battlefield, but the city is to the rear of the Roman forces and they do not notice, putting the burning smell off to the elephants frying nearby.

Jugurtha notices this and waits. The fighting continues as before with no movement on the frontlines. The Numidians (including those still waiting on the peninsula) are ordered to retreat in an orderly manner. The Romans do not pursue.

The fire in Carthage is finally put out after destroying a portion of the area around the forum. No massive losses have been incurred, but the people of the city are not happy that this has happened in addition to a battle just outside their gates.

Result: Slight Roman victory. Most elephants killed. Parts of Carthage burned, but the harbor remains intact; suspects may be interrogated. Roman reinforcements will arrive soon.

Armies

Rome

Proconsul Sextus Tuccius Alexander
Legio V Sicilia - 4,420*
Legio XIV Iupita - 4,870*
Legio XVll Tucci - 4,870*
1,675 Cavalry

Numidia

King Jugurtha
480 Cavalry
1,685 Horse archers
3,800 Regular infantry
4,700 Elite spearmen
180 Archers
5,400 Slingers
2 War elephants

[The Stig]

Sextus watched the battle unfold from the top of the wall nearest the trench. Although the dust cloud blocked his vision of anything beyond his defenses, he did not need to see the enemy movements to know that he was triumphing. The legions, one of his personal ones among them, were driving back every assault the Numidians could stomach. The pila made short work of the infantry, and their cavalry simply gored themselves on the stakes. His plan to disable the hostile elephants, though he grimaced at such a task, was working almost without error. As he pondered these things, a runner comes up to him.

"Sir, the Numidians tried to sabotage the harbor and some other buildings! We caught them before they torched anything important."

"Thank you, I'll see to them in just a moment."

What was this? Some new form of cowardice? No matter, this was an opportunity. Perhaps these men could hasten the inevitable end of their homeland.

[ArkocentoArisen]

One of the Captured Numdians laughed as he saw Sextus. through his bruised and bloddied body he still found a way to speak
"Well Imperator Sextus Was it worth it?"
he coughed blood on the ground, his breath quiet but obviously ragged
"All you have done is proven that Our king is Immortal, and this city isn't"
Astoundingly the prisoner spoke eloquent Latin, to almost all the ears that heard him, he sounded like the average roman citizen
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Jugurtha had a grim smile on his face, for all the Numdians that had died, the Army remained intact slowly moving away from Carthage. It was not all great news, for Nautilus had been captured in the city, the city that had Burned during the battle. They had not even noticed...what a sad thought that they would not notice there own people burning. Thinking to himself for a moment, He did not notice the army slowly starting to surround him, Hoping for answers.
"There are days of endless defeat, and days of Empty hope...Those Days are not now! The Romans linger in their City plotting, A city burnt by are people! They allowed us to march around them, and strike at that which they hold dear! that is why they shall fall, they know nothing but how to sit in their squalor and wait for us. We shall wait no longer! we shall send a message that all in Rome shall understand! "
Dismounting his horse Jugurtha Pointed towards a roman villa
"Rome abandons her people, in the cities, and and beyond! If they cannot protect their own people, we shall Protect them instead!"
The Army abruptly was in engulfed in murmur before The King silenced them
"Think my brothers! every man Rome abandons, is one that is no longer Roman! if they are no longer Roman...they no longer fight against us, rather they fight for us!"
Again the murmurs return, some outright shouting at the king "they are the enemy!"
Jugurtha quickly fired back
The Damned Imperator, Sextus is the enemy! his people follow blindly, we must open their eyes to a man who was so willing to abandon them! speak of our attempt for peace, Speak of his abandoning of the city Purely for war, and Speak of a city to the West, Spared from the chaos of these Warzones! Speak, my brothers of the City of Cirte!

[Okmin]

Jugurtha had a grim smile on his face, for all the Numdians that had died, the Army remained intact slowly moving away from Carthage. It was not all great news, for Nautilus had been captured in the city, the city that had Burned during the battle. They had not even noticed...what a sad thought that they would not notice there own people burning. Thinking to himself for a moment, He did not notice the army slowly starting to surround him, Hoping for answers.
"There are days of endless defeat, and days of Empty hope...Those Days are not now! The Romans linger in their City plotting, A city burnt by are people! They allowed us to march around them, and strike at that which they hold dear! that is why they shall fall, they know nothing but how to sit in their squalor and wait for us. We shall wait no longer! we shall send a message that all in Rome shall understand! "
Dismounting his horse Jugurtha Pointed towards a roman villa
"Rome abandons her people, in the cities, and and beyond! If they cannot protect their own people, we shall Protect them instead!"
The Army abruptly was in engulfed in murmur before The King silenced them
"Think my brothers! every man Rome abandons, is one that is no longer Roman! if they are no longer Roman...they no longer fight against us, rather they fight for us!"
Again the murmurs return, some outright shouting at the king "they are the enemy!"
Jugurtha quickly fired back
The Damned Imperator, Sextus is the enemy! his people follow blindly, we must open their eyes to a man who was so willing to abandon them! speak of our attempt for peace, Speak of his abandoning of the city Purely for war, and Speak of a city to the West, Spared from the chaos of these Warzones! Speak, my brothers of the City of Cirte!

A somewhat substantial portion of the populace decides to go west to Cirta. Many, however, remain in Roman lands, trusting in the protection of the legions.

[The Stig]

"I have not met your king, but I know that this city has stood for centuries, and I know that it will stand for centuries more. I cannot say the same for you. Guards, these men tire me. Kill them all!"

[ArkocentoArisen]

The Numidian Smiles for a moment, before abruptly lifting his leg and ramming his knee into one of the Gathering romans, a awkwardly places slicing motion Allows him to position his hands with Masterful Dexterity, the sword cuts through the Rope, completely freeing him, acting more on Instinct then anything Else The Numidian Launches his fist at Sextus's face, while the Proconsul reals back, he continues to showoff an incredible Nimbleness, and Agility, Stepping on to, and leaping off of the Roman Leader. Passing the few would be executors. He turns, and looks at them. While he does this a foolish Roman soldier drops his sword while the others Hesitate. "I am Nautilus, the Blade of the Sand, And you are Sextus, with your Ass in the Sand!" with the last Quip his flight begins, the Romans moment of shock had quickly faded, and the guards all began to pursue him, Before Long he had vanished from Sextus's eyesight Fleeing south through the city.

There is a short time of Panic throughout the city as word of the Numidian freeing himself quickly spreads, but it has no worth to it, as Nautilus quickly launches himself Into the Harbor, the Romans following him only Observe a few ripples in the water before he is completely lost to them.

When he emerges from the water, outside the Port nautilus quietly chuckles, before floating away from Carthage, A slight Grin on his face.

[Okmin]

Legio XI Victrix, Legio XI Claudia Fidelus, and 2,553 cavalry arrive to reinforce the Roman army.

[The Stig]

Once the Roman force is at top strength, they move out to pursue the Numdians. The cavalry serve as scouts to screen the advance and guard the supply lines to Carthage.

[ArkocentoArisen]

The Numidans are Placed Under the Command of Nautilus, the Blade of the Sand.
Quickly Enacting a Fabian Strategy, the Romans are allowed in to Numidans lands, but are harassed at every turn

Meanwhile, Jugrutha Begins The Long Journey to Rome, in hope of salvaging something of his Kingdom