The Samnite War

[Rhapture]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Index

Captial of Samnium:Bovianum
Neapolis: Greek / Neutral

Moderator: Rhapture
Rome: Oznerol - Agrippa Menenius Lanatus
Samnite: Okmin

Overview

Samnite General: Gaius Pontius

The Samnites have come down from their mountain passes to increase their access to the Sea, currently only Salernum is their only port. But the fertile lands of Campaina are a rich target. The Campaignian League have sent for help for Rome, even though Rome had a treaty with Samnium. The latest news is that Capua has fortified the town and called their militia inside to defend itself. Nola has also fortified itself and no militia is expected from there either. The latest estimate puts the Samnite Force at 7500-8500 men of a mixture of heavy and light infantry.

Roman Forces
Naso's Forces: 5016 (Roma Legio I and Scoii Legio I)
1,421 Hoplites
2,078 Ala Milites
425 Roarii
315 Leves
475 Ala Accensi
121 Equites
181 Ala Equites

Regulus's Forces: 13,900 (Roma Legio II, Scoii Legio II and Greek Mercs)
Legio Roma II - 4,500
- 300 Equites
- 3,000 Hoplites
- 800 Roarii
- 400 Leves

Legio Socii II - 5,400
- 600 Ala Equites
- 4,200 Ala Milites
- 600 Ala Accensi

Greek Colonial Mercenaries - 4,000
- 300 Cavalry [M]
- 3,000 Hoplites [H]
- 700 Peltasts [M]


Samnite Forces
Pontius's Forces: To be Updated

[Oznerol]

Legio I marches from Rome to meet the Campanian forces defending Capua. Scouts are send before-hand, securing the roads and preventing ambushes. Messengers are sent in swift horses to warn the Campanians about the senior consul's coming.

[Oznerol]

On the road:

Agrippa Menenius Lanatus rides at the head of the cavalry, at the head of the Legio I, which marches at good order through the Latium to Campania. He wears his full armor, including an splendid helmet and a elaborate chest-plate, he is wrapped in a red-purple mantle, the paludamentum, that made him recognizable and symbolized his supreme imperium, because a consul was absolute on the field. His lictors and bodyguards surround him. Sun is high on the sky, few hours since the Legion left Rome, spirits and moral are high.

ooc: Everyone who is on-campaign, we can rp here.

[Oznerol]

I didn't know where to post this, I've wondered that if this thread would be fitting.

Messengers are sent to the Latin allies to request help.

[Rhapture]

I didn't know where to post this, I've wondered that if this thread would be fitting.

Messengers are sent to the Latin allies to request help.

The Latin League sends Socii Legio I to be used under the consul direction

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus would ride along next to Agrippa, his plumed horsehair helmet gleaming in the light.

"So, Consul, what plans do you have for the campaign? A decisive battle of some sort I presume?"

[Oznerol]

Aelianus would ride along next to Agrippa, his plumed horsehair helmet gleaming in the light.

"So, Consul, what plans do you have for the campaign? A decisive battle of some sort I presume?"

"Indeed, we have to find the expeditionary force as soon as possible and get rid of that menace, with our backs secured there won't be anything to stop us from attacking the Samnites' homes"

[Rhapture]

OOC: If anyone wants any movements not know to the Enemy, please PM me

[Rhapture]

Reports have come from people looking for refuge that the Samnites are raiding around Nola.

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus would frown as the messenger rode up,

"Consul, I propose we head for Nola with all haste, if we can catch them in the rear while they are besieging the town we may win a great victory, possibly decimating their force." He would ponder for a moment, before speaking again, "In fact, I could ride forwards at all haste with parts of the cavalry and attempt to discover their exact position and scout out the terrain in detail, if you would allow me to do such."

[Oznerol]

"Take our scouts and one hundred cavalrymen and do what you must tribune, try to eliminate enemy's scouts so they are blind and deaf when we arrive"

The consul turns to face his bodyguards:

"Send word to the infantry tribune, we are going to march steadily until we arrive Nola. We need to catch those Samnites by surprise"

[Oznerol]

100 cavalrymen are send ahead to Nola under Tribune Aelianus, they have to scout and locate the Samnites around Nola. They must eliminate any enemy scout so the Samnites won't notice the consul's arrival.

The Legion moves to Nola. Messengers are sent to Rome and Latin allies informing of the situation.

[Rhapture]

100 cavalrymen are send ahead to Nola under Tribune Aelianus, they have to scout and locate the Samnites around Nola. They must eliminate any enemy scout so the Samnites won't notice the consul's arrival.

The Legion moves to Nola. Messengers are sent to Rome and Latin allies informing of the situation.

ooc: Should I open up a second thread for the scouting?

Aelianus would nod at the command, before steering his horse to the side. giving the order for the cavalry to follow him.

The scouts head south, 30 miles north of Nola they come upon a Raiding party outside the village of Suessula.

The two legions arrive at Capua. There is no sign of any Samnite movement in the surrounding area.

ooc: just keep everything about the Samnite War in this thread.

[removeduser_456328]

ooc: Should I open up a second thread for the scouting?

Aelianus would nod at the command, before steering his horse to the side. giving the order for the cavalry to follow him.

[Oznerol]

The Legio will march South along the Roman Legion which is currently on its way to Nola.

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus would watch the raiding party as they approached, before waving over one of the decurions (or their equivalent if that rank hasn't been introduced yet).

"Equites, move the men to surround this party, let none escape to bring word of our arrival. If you can, try to capture one alive, it is possible with some.. persuasion, he could reveal important information."

Aelianus would direct the soldiers to form a circle around the party as quickly as possible, before moving into annihilate them, if possible orders would be for the men to aim for non-lethal hits, but that is not a priority.

[Rhapture]

Aelianus would watch the raiding party as they approached, before waving over one of the decurions (or their equivalent if that rank hasn't been introduced yet).

"Equites, move the men to surround this party, let none escape to bring word of our arrival. If you can, try to capture one alive, it is possible with some.. persuasion, he could reveal important information."

Aelianus would direct the soldiers to form a circle around the party as quickly as possible, before moving into annihilate them, if possible orders would be for the men to aim for non-lethal hits, but that is not a priority.

Alerted of the Roman presence, the Samnites form a defensive circle and attempt to head south in formation.

[removeduser_456328]

Alerted of the Roman presence, the Samnites form a defensive circle and attempt to head south in formation.

Aelianus would frown as they set off, while moving in formation would slow them considerably, it would also make them a lot harder to take down, waving over his men he began to speak.

"Here's the plan, you're to split into four groups of an equal-sized and we're going to start harassing this formation. Two of the groups," he would point at two of them, "Are to simply harass, attack, retreat, but don't take stupid risks. Another, you," he would again point at the third group, "Are to head off from out of sight, and as soon as you can no longer see us move South on roughly the same route these Samnites are taking, try to get yourself in a position where you are between them and Nola." He would clear his throat before he spoke again, "And, finally, I will lead a group which will again harass the Samnites, but this time we're going to try to exploit a gap if the other two make one. The second there's a lapse in their circle we'll attack."

Aelianus would smile with a grim look as the men set off, he was sure he could win this - it was just at what cost of life. Raising his helmet on his head he would gallop off, ready to lead his men.

[Dirty Chai]

Camped under the walls of Capua, the legion is engaged on itself as hoplite and roarian alike are drilled.

Quintus Aurelius Orestes Minor stood apart from the hoplite blocks which were marching in opposite circular paths around the city's northern approach.
Himself sitting on a foldable chair, his staff stood around him, the flag of the legion above him.

The tribune (both civil and martial!) had learned how to drill the men from a retinue of veterans he had gathered on march.
Now, he put the knowledge and experience to work, killing two birds with one stone: Both readying the men for battle and intimidating the out of Capua.

[Rhapture]

The Samnites, seeing that they were given a chance at retreating started off back towards Nola, but the going would be slow in formation. They put most of their spear men in the rear, as they had not seen the contingent head off south and then east to try to get ahead of them. However, the ground was hilly to their North, so that protected one flank for them. Two miles south of the town the harassing started, but seeing the wall of spears the first two groups of horses smartly turned away before impaling themselves. Aelianus encouraged his men to start killing the Samnites and so more attacks were made. However, things did not go as bloodlessly this time, the Samnite skirmishers let loose there javelins into the oncoming horses and 8 men went down quickly. Another charge and 3 more cavalry men kissed dirt. So far they had not gotten close enough to inflict damage on the retreating infantry. Aelianus , regrouped and now sent groups from two different directions. Five more men died but finally they were able to get into the small squad and kill a few of the men. Yet the Romans were still too lightly armored to sustain fighting in such close quarters for long and they were forced away too try again. Aelianus was waiting for his ambush force now to charge from the east the next time he engaged, as the Samnites expected nothing from that direction.
The Romans charged yet again, the Samnites still in good spirits from successfully repulsing previous attacks. But just as the Samnites appeared to be ready to throw back the cavalry again, the attack from down the road came, and all confusion broke out. The Romans were finally among the enemy and using their height advantage to strike down on their opponents. But they were meeting resistance from a medium sword bearing infantry. Even so, they were having success when from the East, a squad of 10 Samnite cavalry hit the Romans in the rear and forced them to retreat.
The Romans were forced now to give up the chase, they were unsuccessful in stopping the Samnites retreat.

Samnite losses:
12 Spearman
8 javelin men
7 Swordsmen

Roman Losses:
53 Cavalry
Rolls for Aelianus Sempronius Longus:
Random 100; 1-10 death, 11-30 major injury, 31-70 minor injury, 71-100 uninjured
Roll 74
Longus is able to return to the consul unscathed. For now.