The Ravaging of Umbria

[Rhapture]

The armies of Fulginium, Interanna, and Reate formed up in their hoplite formation early in the morning, rumors of a Gallic army moving south. It started as a brown haze on the horizon, but as the hours moved along it became larger and larger until it seemed a huge dusty cloud took up half the northern sky. Still the army waited in the cool spring day. They hoped the Gauls would be tired. Yet once men could be discerned from the mass of brown, they just kept coming. They didn't even stop before battle, to drink or pray or collect themselves. They just came and like a swarm of ants on a honeyed-cake, overwhelmed the hoplites, swallowing them whole. Few made it out back to their towns to try to evacuate before the swarm hit their homes.
The Gauls hit Fulginium later that afternoon and assaulted the walls, raping and pillaging all those who had stayed in the town. After that the rested, eating their way through the towns supplies. Waiting for the baggage train and women and children to catch up. If ever there was a time to attack a Gallic army it would have been then, drunk and content on their victory. But they would not stay that way, and few towns were left between them and Rome.

[Rhapture]

After gorging themselves on Fulginium, the Celts begin to gather themselves and move south to their next meal.

[tyboman]

OOC: Is there any way that a small regional map of Umbria with these cities being detailed could be made, so that the idea of positioning is less abstract?

[Rhapture]

MAP

[JamesTruwood]

The Celts slowly start to move towards the settlement of Spoletium, taking time to sack every settlement alongside the river they follow. Refugees travel south, bringing word of the Celt horde that slowly follows them. Word is that they will reach Spoletium in the next few days. They Celts have thus far refused to talk to anyone seeking to surrender, and continue their march with a steadfast determination.

[Rhapture]

The northern fields of Umbria now ransacked, the food and livestock taken, the Celts now enter the area around Interanna.

[tyboman]

Consul Titus Fabius Gurges moves north from Rome with his two legions, leaving Consul Aquila to finish raising his legions before joining him. Titus sends out scouts ahead of the legions to ascertain enemy forces and positioning.

LEGIO II & IV move north towards Interanna

[Okmin]

Aquila and his pair of Legiones I and III make good time in following Gurges. To make up for his delay, the consul keeps scouting to a minimum, trusting Gurges' scouts to do the bulk of the job for now.

[Rhapture]

Aquila and his pair of Legiones I and III make good time in following Gurges. To make up for his delay, the consul keeps scouting to a minimum, trusting Gurges' scouts to do the bulk of the job for now.

The scouts return to Gurges and inform him the road is clear to Interanna. But that estimates place the Celtc army in the range of 30,000 men with many wagons and women and children not taken into account. They appear to be slightly spread out at the time as they take what they want.

[tyboman]

Upon receiving the scouting reports, Titus commands his legions to align themselves between Interanna and the Celtic army, and to form in battle order, and prepare for an assault that might or might not be coming before Aquila's Legions reach Interanna.

Titus sends a message to the commander of Umbrian military operations at Interanna, informing him of the imminent arrival of his legions. Titus requests a meeting when He arrives.

[Okmin]

Aquila sends a messenger to ride ahead to Reate, asking for any information they have about the attacking Celts and if they could contribute troops to the effort to repel the invasion.

[Rhapture]

Upon receiving the scouting reports, Titus commands his legions to align themselves between Interanna and the Celtic army, and to form in battle order, and prepare for an assault that might or might not be coming before Aquila's Legions reach Interanna.

Titus sends a message to the commander of Umbrian military operations at Interanna, informing him of the imminent arrival of his legions. Titus requests a meeting when He arrives.

The commander of Interanns appears at Titus tent asking to speak with the consul

Aquila sends a messenger to ride ahead to Reate, asking for any information they have about the attacking Celts and if they could contribute troops to the effort to repel the invasion.

The messenger replies that so far the Celts are still north of Interanna, so they have had little trouble, but they have been moving there livestock and harvesting what they could, it still being too early to harvest the grains, if the Celts make it this far they hope the fields aren't completely destroyed. They send 800 Hoplites in support, the last of their young men in truth, as they lost many in the first battle.

[tyboman]

Titus welcomes the commander into the tent, which is situated just behind the Roman battles lines, located just a mile outside of the city.

Greetings, Commander. What is the situation here? How many men are under your command? Do you have any idea on the specific numbers for the Celtic Invaders?

[Rhapture]

Titus welcomes the commander into the tent, which is situated just behind the Roman battles lines, located just a mile outside of the city.

Greetings, Commander. What is the situation here? How many men are under your command? Do you have any idea on the specific numbers for the Celtic Invaders?

"We have 1000 troops available. The Celts are just across the river. So far they haven't tried to assault the town, but it is just a matter of time we believe. It appears they have about 30,000 men plus women and children and the wagon train, which is still aways north."

[Okmin]

Aquila's legions and the Reate hoplites continue north to Interanna. Upon arriving, he immediately orders his lictors to prepare a makeshift altar (for the bull he'd made them drag along) and goes to meet with Gurges and the Umbrian commander.

[tyboman]

Titus nods as the Umbrian Commander speaks, and greets Consul Aquila as he enters the tent

Thank you commander. I will be assuming command of your 1,000 men.

Ahh, Consul Aquila, I am pleased that you arrived before the Celts gathered up the gal to assault Interanna. My legions are drawn up in traditional battle order a mile out from the city walls. You have seniority here, what are your plans?

[Okmin]

I have not had time to inspect the battlefield yet, but we must use the river to our advantage. They outnumber us by nearly ten thousand men, and the gods only know if these barbarians are depraved enough to send their women and children to fight later. Of course, we must use the river to our advantage. Let us leave this tent. We should gain what knowledge of the terrain we can before battle.

The women and children would be a significant complication... But they were not yet here. He turned to the Umbrian.

You, commander, are familiar with this land. Tell me, how far from the walls is this river? And where can it be crossed? If there is but a narrow ford, that would be a blessing indeed.

[Rhapture]

I have not had time to inspect the battlefield yet, but we must use the river to our advantage. They outnumber us by nearly ten thousand men, and the gods only know if these barbarians are depraved enough to send their women and children to fight later. Of course, we must use the river to our advantage. Let us leave this tent. We should gain what knowledge of the terrain we can before battle.

The women and children would be a significant complication... But they were not yet here. He turned to the Umbrian.

You, commander, are familiar with this land. Tell me, how far from the walls is this river? And where can it be crossed? If there is but a narrow ford, that would be a blessing indeed.

The Celts appeared to be constructing some kind of fence or wall across the river.

[JamesTruwood]

The Senator Fortunas arrives at the border of the Legion's Camp, being directed down the main road towards the Consul Titus. He waits patiently outside, assembled in what little battle gear he posesses,and talks to the guards about the march up as he waits admittance to the Tent and Consul.

[tyboman]

Titus nods as Consul Aquila speaks, jotting down orders on a small piece of papyrus

Very Well Consul, I will have my best scouts attempt to gather every detail on the position of the enemy army on the other side of the river, and also to figure out the purpose of the wall.

You, Centurion! Give these orders to the head centurion of the Rorarii.

Titus then steps out of the tent to speak to Senator Fortunas, motioning for him to walk away from the tent with him

Ave, Senator Fortunas! It is good to see that you have arrived. However, I do have a task for you that will require you to leave immediately.

Titus then stops, a good ways from the tent

I wish for you to return to Rome on the fastest horse you can find here. Head for the Mercenary contractors in Ostia, and hire a Company of Bruttian mercenaries. Instruct the contractor you go to that the mercenaries will be paid for by myself, and that they should send the bill to my Domus, where my son will release the funds for it. I will send a note with my seal on it as proof for you.

We are very outnumbered here, and I believe we need more men. Make haste back here once you have have command of the mercenaries. Do you understand and can you precisely follow the instructions I have given you?