AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
THE BATTLE OF THE SAVUS RIVER
Vithericus and Ammius versus Attila
Golden Roman Helmet from Sirmium- from Vojvodina Museum in Novi Sad.
'The glorious mother of cities.'- Ammianus Marcellinus on the city of Sirmium, one of the four capitals of the Roman empire, declared in 297 A.D. after the tetrarchy.
Sirmium was a very populous city, initially founded by Syrmus of the Triballi, and conquered in 27 A.D, and a religious and governmental center in the 5th century, notable for a number of coucils. and by allowing it to be devastated, Vithericus only urged on his unpopularity. People fled the city in droves, all vengeful over Vithericus' stalling, while he goaded his authority over Italy. He would observe this battle, with his wife, Goiswintha, expecting victory from Sigeric and the soundness of his son's battle plan. He had come to personally assure the people that their king had not abandoned them.
He meant to make an example of the Huns in a crushing defeat for Attila, one that would set the trend of pushing them back to the cold steppe. Instead it would only serve to enrage choleric Attila into pushing all of his forces on Sirmium and Salona.
The pieces are set.
A premature celebration by the Taifali riders.
The Goths and their Roman troops marched divided and fought concentrated against the four legions of the Huns that were putting a barrage of battering rams and fire from the skies upon Sirmum, under the command of Attila, Tuldila, Mugel, and Ernac, the Hun commanders. They met in the wetlands near the Savus river. The siege had left crumbled rubble where walls once stood, and the city itself was not the ideal place to meet with Attila. The palace of the former emperor Maximian Herculius itself was damaged in the Hunnic barrage, and the Huns were wary of taking the city, pillaging its outskirts instead, because if they entered, they would lose much of the mobility they possessed on the open moor.
Ammius' army approached from the high ground upon the marshes, while the Emperor ordered Sigeric to move his army into a wide double sorted line in front of the heir and the giant onagers that had been commissioned to wreak havoc among the Hunnic horses. They towered on the ridge where Ammius took his position.
In Ammius' eyes, they would hold them with the left flank, while crushing and walking them down with the high poised right.
Sigeric breathed in the cold wetland air and breathed out a sigh of relief: the Huns refused to march on the high ground held by Ammius the Amali, as his gigantic onagers came into range, and his attack, and plan, could commence, without the infantry being drawn into the full strength of the Hunnic armies.
First the Taifali cavalry, loyal to Theoderic began scouting the capacity and assortment of the Hunnic armies, and found that they were heavy in horses, with only five regiments of Uar and Scirii, with the horses being led by the Avars who had joined Attila.
One of the very lucky men on his way to becoming very unlucky.
What Ammius and Sigeric had ordered in camp, the night before, was for the heavy horses they Romans and Goths had brought with them, that nearly rivaled the Huns in number, and were concealed in the pine forest in the lowlands, to meet in one formation meant for riding together in a swarm, and keeping the Hunnic horses occupied on open ground, directly to the west of their position.
The charge of the cavalry from the lowland marsh is met.
The scene of the battle unfolds.
To aid in the advance of the cavalry charge, Sigeric had hired Hunnic defectors to aid the Ostrogoths in the fight.
They would need a compliment of Taifali horse archers and foot archers, in order to lure the Huns near the lowlands, from their concentrated position.
The Huns would be drawn out into an attacking spear-head with their Avar riders, while the Gothic archers and onagers peppered them from the bulk of the Gothic army to the south west on the high ground. The artillery battered the Hun formations that tried to gain higher ground against the infantry.
The pain, as unexpected as undeserved, cleared out the cob-webs.
Without the horses to the east, the only Huns that could counter the Mounted Germanic horses, with their hoods, spears and javelins, the infantry would be vulnerable to a forward march that would overwhelm the Carpathian Scirii and Uar, before the horn would blow from the west once balance had been drawn out between the fighting masses of heavy horse, and the infantry, falxes among them, would turn from the infantry and Ernac's guard, to flank the horses. The Gothic shafts rained down on the distracted Hunnic horses.
The Carpathian Scirii are of the same stock as the Goths themselves and have settled in the Carpathian mountains, joining the Hunnic horde
Expert archers are no more immune to a hail of arrows.
Only one sure way to bring the giant down.
The killing grounds
Backslash delete.
The Uar fought fiercely, and even the slingers which had been called in to slow their riposte were forced to charge with the archers to overwhelm the infantry of the Huns. The core, the bedrock of the Hunnic army was lost, and it was a spinning broken blade, with the Goths breaking off the cavalry, and setting the Hunnic onagers alight.
The Roman soldiers partake in the battle, while the Hunnic horses are wary of the lances involved in the fighting, staying on the periphery. The captains fighting rally the men around them as they try to take Tuldila's position.
Casualties are not unexpected and the spearmen's will is tested by the barbarity of the acts that take place on the fields of the Savus.
War is sweet to those who have never experienced it.
The tapestry of blood
The Saiones draw the lines over the pitched battle
The Hunnic and Gothic Infantry vie mightily. It is cold for a swamp.
The Emperor watched this brutal and vast fight, sometimes more organized in places than others, transpire from his high hill in the east, and was pleased with his son. Riders reported that amongst the battlefield, Attila could be seen madly laughing, which was troublesome to Vithericus. Like the beast Theoderic had called him, this one seemed to grow enfevered by pain, but would not yield. Attila had ordered his devilish cavalry, with their ritualistically deformed skulls and chainmail helms, almost cataphracts in their heavy armor, to charge on the Emperor's bodyguard of Roman and Gothic nobles that were watching from the hill. Vithericus was forced to fight in his own son's battle. He descended with his men into the farmlands, and unseated a mighty rider with a stroke of his sword, and called the order for Goiswintha to be given a bow from the farmers who owned the land to help in the fight. Eventually they fled through the Pannonian farmlands once horses had been sent back to protect the emperor.
The steppe practice of binding skulls was eventually adopted by some of the eastern eurasian vassals of the Huns, indeed, ever the characteristic maker's mark of property....ah nevermind, he gets brained and knocked off his horse.
Emperor Vithericus gets his imperial hands dirty.
The Emperor is swept up in his own war
The Emperor kept a low profile as he fought through the circling heavy horse, and was never knocked to the ground. Goiswintha was an awful shot with a bow, but he urged her to fire a few shots in the view of the Pannonian farmers so their legend would grow among the farmers, provided that they survived. The Gothic horses that arrived scattered the harassing Huns, and Vithericus and other notables were given horses, to ride even higher into the Pannonian hills, to overlook the aftermath of the battle. Vithericus was at first distressed to see Huns riding with the Gothic cavalry, but then relieved as one of Sigeric's men informed him that many of the Huns had joined them in the attack.
The Emperor and Queen of the Goths, Goiswintha.
Vithericus jumping fences.
Sirmium was saved. Ernac was injured and Tuldila was killed in the battle and it was a great victory for Pannonia, the Romans and Goths, as well as Ammius Redbeard, and he had many more battles to come: the Huns poured down from the Danube in seemingly limitless numbers, with the Scirii cousins of the Ostrogoths from Scandzra joining them in great numbers.
Victory at the Savus and Sirmium....for now!
Last edited by Lugotorix; August 14, 2017 at 05:56 PM.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
What a battle! Simply Inspired!!!
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By the way, one of the fine ideas that were put by Rad and Skantrios was that the best way to edit screens was to edit them into strips. That way, the readers cannot be distracted from the main tale.
Great chapters, with dramatic scenes and commentary.
This looks like a great TW:A AAR, can't wait to read.
Can I be picky and request left-aligned text?
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THE WRITERS' STUDY | THE TRIBUNAL | THE CURIA | GUIDE FOR NEW MEMBERS
PROUD PATRON OF JUNAIDI83, VETERAAN & CAILLAGH
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF MEGA TORTAS DE BODEMLOZE
Thanks for everyone's comments, they really mean a lot to me. My professor would want it left aligned and I think I'll do that tomorrow after GoT. I've been using the center justified for all of my AAR's for a sense of a scrolling reel, but I'll have a look at it.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
Also, if possible, images toned down a bit in size. I cannot read this AAR from my smartphone without crashing the browser due to not so fast data service.
Here Begins the Account of Trapstilicus Vandalarius
The Marriage of Ennia Domatiana Hunila
Aquileia in Venetia
Winter 422 A.D.
I am Trapstila the Goth, hero of the quelling of the rebellion of Seneca, and an older general still, known for able defense in the direst of times. However, there are things, I cannot defend, and among them, the actions of our king at the wedding of his niece, Hunila.
A loyal man, of Gepid descent, ever ready for war, I wear a chlamys around my neck, having seen too many throats slit by Achilius, and to ward to the cold of the Balkans where I have spent my life at war. In battle, I carry the francisca, a throwing axe, a hatchet of the Ripurian Franks, who have since ceased to exist as a Kingdom in Gaul, replaced by Gallica, and their more powerful Germanic neighbors. My appearance is Frankish as well, and I wear a long ragged mustache, not disimilar to Scipuar, may the heavens hold him kindly. I am now known as Trapstila of the black arrow, the black tuft, but that is for a different telling.
In my pocket, I keep a crucifixion nail, a reminder of what happened on that winter night. Known as a lover, I have never married, and my children are spread across the Gothic Empire, never knowing me, or the mothers I have loved dear enough to disavow in these times of turmoil. I have one daughter, the Countess Valdamerca.
In 422, after the destruction of the rebels Alaric and Widimir, the King instructed his son to join his men, the Wooden Thracians, with the Germanic forces, most among them the Thuringians and Langobards under the command of Lethuc himself, still in Dardania, and crush the three brothers Rugila, Bleda, and Attila, once and for all. He rode with his army home for festive affairs. There were two notable weddings of this year, starting with that of noble Argebaud to his un-named suiterette.
A crisis remained within the military hierarchy of the empire, Theoderic, and his son Theodoric's devotion to the war effort was in question, along with that of their lieutennant Trapstila and even Sigeric, with his whores was declaring an end to the war with the crushing defeat dealt to the Huns at the Savus River.
Vithericus insisted on calling his brother Egica his squire, although whenever he was in the court, it was as if in the presence of a three headed hound Cerberus, with the Queen of Goths leaning Vithericus' council. The generals often spoke in private with Egica trying to have him persuade his brother to sue for peace with Bleda, King of the Huns. Perhaps with their misadventure already costing so many noble Hunnic lives, they would be content to turn north.
The old rivalry emerged once more, even with Egica bringing the king his sword and armor, that a governor's wisdom was best in dealing with the Huns. I believed there was a hope for peace then. In truth, not only had I underestimated the Emperor, but I had underestimated Attila as well.
New allies were made as well. With the vacancy left by the Agorian line, a powerful new Roman ally was found in Domatianus' successor, the general and newly proclaimed Emperor of Dacia, Vindonius Ennius Natta. He was a keen man, not as haughty as his predecessor, with the eyes of an eagle, and those eyes were set on the the daughter of Egica, Hunila, with Vithericus having only a young grandaughter, Chlotuinsintha.
He was good friends with both thriftful Gesalec, son of Egica, and Liuva, the Rhomphaia wielding disciple of Theoderic, and they arranged a marriage at Aquileia, the ninth greatest city in the world at this time, favored by the Emperor Constantine.
The history of the city was rich, prior to conquest by the Goths. Situated on the Natiso river, it's grandeur was the perfect salty air for an imperial wedding.
Fighting the Marcomanni in 167, the town was almost taken. In 168 Marcus Aurelius made Aquileia the principal fortress of the empire against the Germanic tribes of what were Noricum, it rose to the pinnacle of its greatness and soon had a population of one hundred thousand. In 238 A.D., when the city took the side of the Senate against the Emperor Maximinus Thrax, the fortifications were restored from their duties against the Germanic hordes, and held off for several months, until Maximinus himself was killed and order restored.
During the 4th century, Aquileia maintained its importance. Constantine traveled there on numerous occasions. It became a naval station and the seat of the Corrector Venetiarum et Histriae, the office of Filimer the Goth; a mint was established, of which the coins were very numerous, and the bishop obtained the rank of metropolitan archbishop, now held by Sister Guitifrida. A council held in the city in 381 was only the first of a series of Councils of Aquileia that have been convened over the centuries.
An imperial palace was constructed here, in which the emperors after the time of Diocletian frequently resided; and the city often played a part in the struggles between the rulers of the 4th century. And it was at this palace that the wedding was held by the river Natiso.
All was mist, the cold meeting with the warm waters of the salty river. And ghostly flames illuminated the blue of cobble meeting the icy fog.
The three nights of festivities started with chaos. The captain guarding the city, Argebaud, was drinking prematurely, and was caught when the royal guard of Vithericus entered Aquileia without any fanfare.
Naturally, Vithericus had Argebaud flogged in public, while still hungover, on the second day. Stark naked and held to the elements, his back was nearly broken, before the wife of Egica who was forced to watch, and the mother of the bride, the bright Scarilo, interceded and ran through the snow to stop the whipping. She cursed at Vithericus for his cruelty to the young Argebaud, to which Vithericus replied that she would be hers to tend to, very soon.
This transpired in the Palatina courtyard of fair Roman Aquileia, and Egica was fully trusting to his sons and their new friend Vindonius Natta. He disciplined Scarilo for intefering with the King's justice, as was expected of a retainer.
On the second day of revelry, after this, word came from the east that Ammius and the Wooden Thracians, son of Vithericus had slain Attila with his Germanic allies, near Sopianae, which was being rebuilt under Marcomanni control. It was a fierce battle, but a heroic victory for the young heir. Attila's body had not yet been recovered, but there were all of six survivors to the battle, and they had all been executed. The letter stated that Attila, waiting on reinforcements, had fell into the trap laid by Theoderic, Sigeric, and Savva, and had been beaten to the willows, his guard surrounded and destroyed.
This night was marked with much celebration. The city was that of a bay, and canals leading through the Roman quarters, altogether, winding rivers and a marsh. The war was surely over, and whatever divisions had brought the morale of the three leading generals faded into a raucious party. There was jousting throughout the day among the Saiones and those appointed to be companions, and Theoderic, whose leg had been injured in the fighting, was appointed to the Elder council.
Theoderic did return, for the day of the wedding, hobbling along a crutch, but with the spy called Achila. He brought word that the Hunnic King was dead, but not the one Ammius had intended. There had been a power struggle after Attila's defeat, and deciding to press on in a rage against the Goths, rather than Bleda's decision to end to the war, Attila, who had miraculously survived the battle, had Bleda poisoned, and came to the position as King of the Huns. He had ordered a double of the advance, with his troops already losing faith in him, with all the reserves from subjugated Hyperborea forced into the breach of Dardania.
So, with the hope of peace fading, Vithericus came to a speech, as Emperor, at the wedding of Vindonius Natta to Hunila, daughter of Egica and Scarilo. The wind howled, and the candles and torches flickered.
' The Huns have brought death, as sure as this icy winter to the east, to our Roman allies. Achila has told me of this Attila's character, as sure as I have witnessed it at the Savus. He is no dove, sent by the heaven, but a scourge of all good Latins and Goths, a scourge of God. He will not have peace, nor will I ask it of Attila as long, and short, as he lives. When spring comes, a child shall be conceived into this world, one of blessed union by I, Emperor of Romans and Goths, in the sight of Sister Guitifrida, to our Roman brother Ennius Domatianus and Hunila. But this child shall not be born into a world of peace, and him or her, like any other child, I declare to be free from the Huns for all generations. To do this, I send my best men to send this Attila back to the hell from which he has come, so that the light of God may shine on Gaul and Italy. We will cross swords, this I swear!'
Egica, who by now, was quite imbibed, rose with his cane, incensed by Vithericus' the pretender Emperor, and made the sign of the cross above the sitting king on his throne, with his cane. He then touched the shoulder of the King with his cane. 'My blessing to the Emperor. Indeed, we will have war, should dear brother, and Attila, wish to cross phalluses.'
This brought applause from the attendents in wintery Aquileia. It is God's truth, that I, Trapstila, clapped the loudest, for I supported Egica in giving peace a chance. But the Emperor, once brought to wrath, would unleash it early.
'Save that we shall meet on equal terms.' Vithericus answered to those we were still listening, which brought a few laughs. I was listening, and watched Theoderic being guarded more closely. 'That little stub monster.' The Emperor muttered.
Goiswintha, then my queen, brought cheeses for Egica, and smiled and bow to him, as he plucked a nugget into his mouth. Guitifrida, the Archbishop of Venetia, began commencing the marriage between the Roman and Hunila, but not before Egica would have his dance with his daughter.
They danced well, especially on the part of a half cripple, courtsieing and bowing and whirling around the floor of the piazza on the Natiso river, and Egica soon got carried away, dancing in a fervor, clutching to his daughter. It was thought to be inappropriate, and Vindonius Natta said as much to me, in crude Latin, until Egica fell stricken on the dance floor of the wedding. The man had died of a heart attack, we were to believe. I examined his body, as cold as the slush that had melted by the torches, and saw foam around his lips and blonde beard. Hunila began screaming at the horror of it.
Vithericus did not scream, nor weep, and I came to his side, along with the limping Theoderic. Sigeric and Ammius were not present, ready to fight against those carrying the wounded Attila's retreat, Mugel the Hun.
Theoderic the Taifali giant knew immediately what had transpired, and rather than accuse, fell to a knee in supplicance. I, instead, bowed to the king, and held my head close to his lips.
'Bleda of peace and reason is dead. We will one up each-other indeed, sweet Egica.' He whispered undered his cold misty breath to I, Trapstila.
'Bring me young Argebaud, I'm sending him to the front with a promotion, and a new wife, my sister in-law. I've known of their tryst for some time.' He summoned to me.
I was cautious at this time, and begged with that caution 'And what of Saint Egica's men?' Vithericus replied thinly 'His men have known of the tryst as well. Quothe Pilate: What is truth?' He grinned.
THE BATTLE FOR DARDANIA
Erwig battles personally against the Uar Chosen
The Domatian Romans are pitted with the Scirii
The Devil Cavalry are embroiled in place against the pikes
The troops pledged on his wedding day by Vindonius Natta were out in the winter as well, though not under nearly favorable circumstances. With Attila believed dead, Ammius has pressed on against Mugel the Hun near Sirmium. With Attila gone, the situation was more manageable. Dardania remained firmly in the control of Natta, who although was Dacian in origin and titles, ruled from Dardania, not the burnt wreckage that was the Ostrogoth's former home in Dacia. He was Ammius primary ally in pushing the Huns north east, away from the Illyrian corridor into Venetia. It was with dread that Sigeric, Savva, Erwig, and Ammius Redbeard learned that the cursed warlord had not only survived, using body-doubles, but surplanted his brother and now ruled over all the remaining Hunnic hordes. The scene was a tundra, melting snow on sparse grass. The earth was as hard as an icen hammer.
Those that fell this day, would not rise. Winter had almost scourged the land of grass, just as the Huns had scourged the land of dwelling, save for torched towers and cloisters here and there, along the roads.
Now Mugel was confronted, along with the warlord Irrik by Ammius, his Germanic allies chasing Attila's main army north to the Danube.
The armies begin to wade through fear, towards one-another
Sigeric led the Taifali horses, with their draco shields, onto the field and they were the first to meet with the Hunnic horses. Victory was far from certain, but the numerical odds were in the Gothic and Roman forces advantage. The two reinforcing army first made the effort to join with each-other, under Ammius and Savva's command.
These distinctive shields mark the banners of Theoderic the Taifal
The Taifali, without Theoderic's command fall in short order
The onagers of the Huns began a barrage, splattering the hapless in their march on the Hunnic position. Entrails and brains were an unsettling sight to the Goths, most of whom had never fought against a heavy onager. The Gothic force had Steppe Lancers in their ranks as well, as it was the policy of Vithericus and all of his generals, to give the vanquished a chance to live and fight another day in the Gothic armies. This diminished their overall number of veterans and the quality of troops, but helped when the attrition of winter was high, such as days as these, in bolstered the forces back to fighting capacity.
What the onagers have wrought is not pretty. War is not pretty.
It soon became apparent where Attila was watching the battle from
A long line was drawn, with the Imperial forces hoping to ensnare the heavy horse, and encircle the Hunnic formation to fight at a stand-still as they had success with in the past.
The pikes snared on the brave outriders of the Huns while the central formation moved closer to the position of the main army. Gothic archers were brought into range and began raining upon Mugel's companions and guards to keep the pressure on the commander's tight formation.
Unleash!
Disarmed
Erwig's nobles entered the melee as soon as the Uar warriors were ordered forth to break the archers bearings just outside their position. They met with the Uar in a savage melee. The Scirii regiments were brought against the Palatina defectors and Roman army. 'Domatianus' They chanted, hewing through the Germanic allies of the Huns. The Romans with their discipline, fighting on familiar ground, made short work of them.
The Great charge of Erwig against the Uar Chosen of Mugel
Many of Erwig's nobles perished in the battle. His charge in this battle would be sung of for years to come.
Strength and Honor! FOR ROME!
Erwig is slain!
After breaking from the Taifaili and the Gothic lancers that had joined them in the north-west of the field, the Hunnic cavalry broke off and charged in a desperate attempt to stop the volleys of crossbows and arrows that were pickering their men for the course of the battle. These too were met just in time by the pikes who were relieved to the east, having destroyed the horses sent against them on the right flank and they pushed off the Hunnic, advance while the devil cavalry were encircled and dispatched. The great army rushed to bring Mugel and Irrik's head to Ammius. His accomplishments as a general were growing.
A final charge from the defeated subjugated tribes of the Huns. It will not last and the day is won, but many noble Gothic and Roman dead litter the field.
How Attila, barely spared of his life, and now King, would retaliate, would be a question in the near future.
Gesalec the monetary man and Liuva the warrior, loyal and respectful, believe their father's death is a sign from God that devotion to Vithericus must be proven. They have reservations, especially Liuva but have inherited his entire fortune, and are brothers to the Emperor west of Constantinople. Liuva, just coming of age, has warmed his relations with Theoderic, as they believe the Queen of Goths might have been involved. Theodoric, eldest son of Theoderic, is wary of the Emperor, as he puts down civil disputes in Italy.
Last edited by Lugotorix; August 14, 2017 at 06:09 PM.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
Just read through it all today, Lugo, and I must admit it's really mindblowing! Is Attila TW truly good as you depict it in this AAR?
Anyway, will keep following this! Where will our Osthrogothic Kingdom head to?
The Civil War of Spring, 424 A.D.
BATTLE OF REGGIO
The coming Spring was supposed to have been a happy year for the court of the Gothic Empire. The Domatians who lorded over Illyria, cousins of Vindonius Natta, had inherited the Imperial command of the Eastern Roman empire in Constantinople, and were becoming very powerful in Asia Minor. For the first time in over forty years, the empire looked almost intact as under Theodosius.
The civil revolt of the Spring of 424 A.D., also known as the first Italian Civil War, was started with the order for the arrest of Thorismund, High Judge, and Govenor of the city of Tarento, in the province of Magna Graecia. Italian rebels, according to Theodoric, son of Theoderic, were massing with the encouragement of Thorismund south of Tarento, and had laid claim to all of the south of Italy, a Roman rebellion joined by Seneca as well as their newly declared Emperor Gnaeus Cossus Aelius.
Thorismund denied the allegations, but nonetheless, Theodoric was sent from Rome to quell the rebellion, going into the Spring of 424 A.D. Gundemar, governor of Reggio, supported Thorismund's integrity, but it was too late, as the accusations were supported by Theoderic and the Taifali loyal to him, thus the Emperor ordered Thorismund's arrest.
In Pannonia, Attila had filled the ranks of his personal army with mercenaries, paid for with the loot of so many Roman cities, and emerged with eight legions, making gains against the Marcomanni, and laying much of Pannonia to waste in revenge for his earlier defeat. He used what remaining funds he had to purchase a valuable ally that remained unknown to us, until it was at our very shores.
I will not deny, I saw then an opportunity to overthrow Vithericus, and replace him with the kinder Ammius who could make peace with these Romans, but I never took the opportunity because soon a ruse was discovered.
The allegations were a lie, Theoderic the Taifali had been played for a fool by his son, and the unrest at home that was the Achilles heel of the war effort in Pannonia and Dardania, had become manifest, when Theodoric aided Gnaeus Aelius in siezing control of Tarento. Aelius marched south for Reggio, with Theodoric in control of Tarento, and the banners of the new Italian empire. Their aims were to throw off Vithericus and Ammius and persuade Attila that with his vendetta dead, he could have the ransom of Italy. Thorismund was slain after the seizure of Tarento, a powerful blow to Gothic morale in Italy. Although I agreed that Vithericus was growing more unpredictable and callously cruel by the day, I then viewed Ammius as the future, and the rebels were therefore doomed to death. I kept my army in the north as a warning against any further instability, while Ammius took to port at Salona to retake Tarento.
A stand for the Gothic Romans was made at Reggio, under my friend Gundemar, governor of Reggio and Syracuse. Seneca was no longer the pauper, and contributed cataphractii and other heavy cavalry of the old Roman order to the battle for the south, a point driven home, when Gundemar himself was slain within the city while reinforcements approached from their voyage from Sicily. The Governor was decapitated during the battle, and his head was displayed for the approaching Gothic reinforcements, cautiously entering the city, while under bombardment of both scorpions and ballista and onagers. He was known for being a fierce saione and warrior, so it had a grievous effect on morale to see the governor in that condition. The few survivors said he fought like a demigod, and suffered like Christ. The Gothic cavalry were first to overwhem the scorpions entering the city, and they pressed on, harrying the rear of the occupying force while the Sicilians, composed mostly of warriors of the Thracian descent and outfitting, entered the city.
Seneca lives! He leads the charge!
A cunning warrior, to have survived all these years.
The Nobles of Gundemar break into an even crush with the cataphracts.
Gundemar himself confronts Seneca and his heavy horses with a sword of all things.
His throat is cut, his head severed.
The Thracians rush to take bloody vengeance!
The Thracians fought bravely, and were expected to beat the odds, but despite their better outfitting, and javelin training for close quarters, being the new model of Gothic military might, but were overcome by the vast numbers of rebel spears loyal to Aelius and Seneca.
The Goths and Romans who fought for Reggio were made an example of and there was no ransom for the survivors, many of whom were Thracians representing the old pagan order that had risen up in the past. The Thracians also fought with the same weapons of Liuva, son of Egica, and had many common causes with him.
Aelius ordered an uprising of the twelfth legion Adiutrix under Anicius Duccius Lepidus, and Sardinia was lost to this new Western Roman Empire. A fleet was mustered in Sicily to take the island back, but the threat was more troubling. To deny the Goths any halfway point to retake Tarento, Reggio had been sacked and then burned to the ground by the very Romans who called it home. This policy of scorched earth by the Romans was revenge delivered by Seneca for the loss to Agrimund and yours truly, years before.
Before the rebellion became overly powerful, over the coming months, I marched south and met with the army of Ammius which had disembarked near Tarento. We were joined by Captain Favilac, who had been promised to be govenor of Tarento for the task of beheading Theodoric the traitor. This was personally ordered by Theoderic, who after his appointment was asked to sign the document to prove his loyalty to his new family, the Amali, being adopted by Liuva, son of Egica. To add to general's binding agreements, he was married to Gaatha, who could finally leave her sojourn at the tower.
With our victory over Theodoric, Seneca, and Gnaeus almost assured, Ammius needed a counterbalance to the forces in the south of Macedonia which had joined the Huns, to ensure the saftey of Salona. Peace was bartered with Widin, chieftain of the Bastarnians, with his marriage to a Princess of our house, Eliande.
It was fortunate timing. The Abasgians under the command of Shar-beli and Rimush, had joined the Huns, and taken to the sea and had begun harassing our interests. Their king Anaxarches had been driven mad with stories of the plunder promised to him by Attila. Whether this promise would have returns, time would tell. He was a strong tactician and would be a thorn in the Gothic side forever more. They took Syracuse in 425. This dark alliance bolstered the already terrifying numbers of the Hunnic horde. If the Huns were finding vassals to the far east of the caucauses, then their numbers perhaps extended past that of eight legions.
Aelius and Seneca were killed after a few seasons besieging Tarento, and Theodoric was captured and surrendered to his father out of wedlock, Theoderic. He beheaded his son and joined his second wife Gaatha at Ravenna. The generals Gundulf and Gunderic would need him in the fight to the east. Pannonia was a husk of it's former power under the Marcomanni and the Huns kept close to their other armies. Although Sirmium was safe, they were planning a massive assault on Dalmatia, one that would require reinforcements from the south, Roman and Goth alike, to stop them from crossing into Venetia itself.
The fleet sent to retake Caralis had failed, and the Romans there allied with Gallica and their King Tranquilus Insteibus. Vithericus, not wanting a fight on two fronts, allowed the Western Romans there to stew, while examining the Romans in Gaul and Spain's intentions. Tranquillius had turned a cold shoulder to the empire as of late, and it was rumored that he supported these true Roman overtures of insurrection.
Last edited by Lugotorix; May 15, 2015 at 05:45 PM.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
CHAPTER IV- THE INVASION OF ITALY BY THE HUNS
PART I- IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALPS
Raiders in winter!
VITHERICUS AND HIS MARCOMANNI ALLIES WIN THE BATTLE FOR THE NORTH AT THE EDGE OF THE ABYSS, FOR NOW
Fighting alongside the Marcomanni, Vithericus had successes against the Huns at Virunum. Irrik was beaten back, and his lieutennants slain. With Virunum and the north secured, Vithericus marched south to help rebuild Sirmium, ravaged by the siege. He ordered Achilius to poison Attila, and the man was successful, slipping a flake of dried hemlock into his wine. It was not enough to bring the monster to meet Tengri, the wrathful sky. Attila instead gathered a mighty horde in a wave reaching from Virunum to Savaria in Pannonia and marched on Venetia. Irrik remained behind to settle a score with the Emperor.
In the Summer of 428, taken unawares by the Golden Skull legion led by Ernac, the red-bearded heir to the empire, quite drunk from his gilded goblet, marches into battle and is killed near Sopianae, throwing the order of succession into turmoil. With both of his children dead, the Emperor must rely on distant relations, nephews and bastard children to keep his line intact. At twenty four, Ammius was adored by the nation, and viewed as a worthy and more gentle successor to his father.
The news hit I, Trapstila, hard, and I soon began to dread, that in time, even my infant daughter, the Countess Valdamerca would fall victim to this war. Ammius fought valiantly to his death, and has taken Ernac, commander of the Golden Skulls, to a grave with him. We searched the battlefield for hours, but found only what the clever ravens had left for us, and so Redbeard was denied an august funeral, the one he deserved.
Ammius Redbeard: the heir to the empire, must rest in peace
The nephew of Ammius, Eutharic, and I were heart-broken by the news, but for him, he saw it as a point of advancement and a restoration of the old order of trans-Danube empire. The boy worships Saphrax, though he never knew him, and finds semblance with the former religion of the Langobards, and the pagan Quadrians, who, deprived of their lands, have been allowed to march through Italy to counter the advances of the Abasgians.
A year has passed and the year is 429 A.D. A summer malaise falls on the decaying fruits of the land, and the unburied dead of the Balkan warzone. Disease stalks Salona in Dalmatia, the only open port on the condemned lands of Vindonius Natta, which will see no reinforcements, save from Italy. The unforgiving sun even falls in the shadows of the alps, near Milan, where the invaders will be met by Theoderic.
The Empire hung in the balance. The warlord Irrik has cornered Vithericus in Sirmium, and only the reinforcing army, deplenished from winter's attrition, marching north from Serdica can break the siege. Natta promises that the Emperor will be saved, in accordance with his marriage to his niece, Hunila.
Seizing upon the Emperor's absence, Attila the Hun pushes into Venetia and sacks Aquileia, taking over 1887 talents in plunder, and gravely damaging the city and it's monastic institutions. No priest of the convenes there is spared, and ghastly examples are made of them. With an uneasy peace with Gallica and Tranquilus established, Liuva, son of Egica rules over the rest of Gaul.
Egica and Filimer's worst fears are posthumously realized, the Hunnic horde has come to the Italian peninsula
On the Emperor's instructions, he marches south out of the city of Augusta Trevorum, surrendering it to the Picts, a Celtic people from the far north of Britain, past the Antonine wall who have settled in the north of Belgica. Colonia Agrippina had been the site on which the Empire allowed them to settle, and they were encouraged to have a walled bastion to fend off the other warlike Britannian invaders. With this, their new stronghold, their presence in Gaul is likely to be a permanent one, and they offer peace in exchange for the allowance to settle in Gothic lands. This allowed peace to settle with the Brythonic Romans, who have also crossed the channel and roam about northern Gaul looking for ripe prospects of expansion. The move infuriates Tranquilus Insteibus, and he demands that the Goths take the land back from the Picts, lest he intercede and annex their territory, with no promises to give Maxima Sequornum back.
Liuva and his Germanic Spear Masters trade the security of the walls of Augusta Trevorum to the Caledonians in exchange for one less enemy in the British Isles.
Liuva passes the Rhomphaia and his loyal fighting Thracians to the command of Theoderic, Senior Saiones within the Empire, and newly adopted into the royal family by Liuva.
I, Trapstila, am sent south from Rome to deal with the Abgasian allies of the Huns in Sicily, who rule from the caucauses, in distant proximity to the Kidarites, the Red Huns. Vithericus leaves instructions for me, in the event of his death at Sirmium.
Eutharic, once entranced with the pagan militarists of Lugus, is to be named Emperor. By leaving everything to a pagan, Vithericus is ignoring the will of the Pope, and the best wishes of the Italians and Romans under his protection. Both Gesalec, although a money changer, and Liuva, a sanguine warrior, are good Christians respected by the Italians and Vindonius Natta. Eutharic, the illegitimate child of Widimir, first son of Vithericus despises and fears the Romans.
I tell no-one of the Emperor's designs for succession, even as he reaches the long years of his days. There must be someone else. Nephew Gesalec or Liuva, though the thought would kill Vithericus having just deposed their father. Or perhaps the man now known as Warchief and holding the highest rank within the empire, Theoderic, should he prevail in the battle for the north.
Still, after forcing the Abasgians out of Sicily, I am sent to meet young nineteen year old Eutharic, to alieve my fears. He has travelled from Rome, a city he loathes, to view my battle against the Asiatics in Sicily.
Upon arriving, there is no warm welcome for me. No pleasantries nor pomp. Eutharic has been hunting boar in the south of Italy and cannot meet with me. Instead I am met by a man in his retinue, a general known for fiercely fighting amidst the banners in my battles with the Abasgians. He is a giant Goth, young and strapping, and I recognize him immediately as Filimer the second, the son of Filimer, the Blind Lord. He has a strong jaw and strikingly strong Germanic features, and wears a gilded helm with the hair of a horse. Young, but he carried himself like a king upon first meeting. He wore his armor, even in the summer heat, and spoke somewhat out of breath.
'Saione Trapstila. Apologies for my liege not deeming an appearance. He can't detests the company of the people as much as he loves fresh air.' Said the tall Goth in a deep voice.
The man meant to bow, but I would not have it. I motioned for him to stand, there in the musty tavern, which was emptied of patrons for our visit.
'Then we must leave immediately Filimer, son of Filimer. I must bring my soldiers to the north for Theoderic's victory over Attila is not certain, there in the shadows of the alps.'
He frowned, looking down on me, and I felt a bit of fear, but also patronage.
'Theoderic is our warchief. If the giant can move mountains as they say, he should have no problem with a bleak eyed and stout centaur. And you must answer for refusing the public declaration of Eutharic being named heir after liege Ammius' death.' Filimer answered.
'I was told of your father's fate at the hands of the Huns. Words cannot express the vengeance you must feel a need for. I can give it to you. You will abandon young Eutharic's bannermen and serve under the Ursus of the north, in the battle against Attila: They are encamped not far from one another but there is cause for delay if it will bring us more men to face the defiler of Venetia.' I offered my hand in a salute.
Filimer was stunned at the offer, but had his own part to say. 'Eutharic can promise me many things. He can promise me a wife from a patrician's family. He can promise me a share of the crown jewels of Widimir, first son of Vithericus. And all of the riches left by son bereft Ammius.'
I continued. I would need many allies in the years to come, now that Ammius was dead.
'The Emperor who had your father blinded. Yes. And it is the Queen of the Goths who has warned me from naming Eutharic. He has a half sister, you know, pure-blooded Clotuinsintha, and she is favored by Goiswintha the Queen over her late sons, pardon my usage, but, indiscretion. And I can promise you a horse, a lance, and the promise to have a crack at the scourge of god himself, you can re-consider my offer after we participate in the battle.' I spoke, not waiting for a reply. I bowed my head and made for my exit from the tavern, knowing what I had secured.
This mighty warrior would take his opportunity for revenge. If he was not sated, I would have another distinguished warrior under my command, and if he was, he would be grateful, even in service of resentful Eutharic. Theoderic and his first wife Ereleuva had given birth to a son, Vandalarius, and he was favored already by the emperor, and his godfather Liuva, but also by me. If the emperor wished to squander his legacy by appointing a bastard pagan to the eves of the empire, we would begin building a new dynasty in it's place. As I left the tavern and walked down the alley, I heard him shouting for directions to the nearest caravan north. I turned and invited him to be in my personal transport.
THE BATTLE OF MILANO- Autumn 429 A.D.
THE SCOURGE OF GOD IS SEEN ON THE BATTLEFIELD
The battle in the shadow of the alps was led by the army of noble Savva, the only surviving son of Scipuar the Kingslayer. All of us wore long, haggard beards the day of the battle, and it was a chilly, clear day, with the great mountains on the horizon, a vista that looked a bit too clean for entrails and vomit to be spilled in such great quantity. The snows had just begun melting from the mid-day sun, and apparently not only the most treacherous of thunderstorms was agreeable for Attila to sow his grave, fore he met us in plain view, with ten onagers, while our ranks bolstered by all of the late contributors to the battle mustering in the forest to Attila's south, where Theoderic sat upon his mighty warhorse, towering over his men with his retinue. We had brought many Ostrogothic pikemen to the battle, and once the Huns were held to a line, we intended to skewer their horses on the heavily armored and slower pike armed elite. The Thracians had joined in regiments as well as Palatina guards of the gathering Roman nobles of Milan.
Filimer and I had enjoyed quite the journey, and had become friends. He was made merry by my black sense of humor and morose way of descibing events and battles, and he was impressed with my legend that had begun at the rebellion of Gratianus Seneca. Being under Eutharic's command for so long, he had a rough time accepting that I could have a bitter nemesis in a Roman such as Seneca, and accumulate so many Roman companions and friends. I explained to him that the blood mist was only for the battlefield and that one could not rule without being among and even equals with those they ruled alongside. I also explained that Vindonius would feel slighted by Eutharic's appointment, which was another reason Goiswintha had instructed me to remain silent as her husband fought, far to the east.
I was told that in the guard of Eutharic, Romans were not to be trusted, and that the future Emperor would have no need of convening with the Senate. Future 'crown prince.' I reminded him time and time again. He carried a two-handed longsword with a curved blade like that waves in a woman's hair. He wore it on his back and carried a heavy lance on his armor quilted horse, just as I had promised.
We would not wait long for the onagers to send us into chaos, and Theoderic would keep our formation tight to the forest until we made our larger encompassing numbers known, in a wide loop that would close and hold the Huns in place, while the pikes at last emerged, in a slow advance. This was meant to torture the council of Attila who would urge him to withdraw. The Huns would be forced to flee from the infantry and heavy horse, or fight to the death against the pikes. Either outcome was agreeable to Theoderic, and he suspected the warrior in Attila would stay for the carnage. Oh, the number of ugly, flat-nosed heads that had been promised to Filimer, son of Filimer.
Flames always terrified horses, so our archers were ordered to light their arrows to put Attila's army into dis-array. The plan worked as expected, though we lost many in the charge out of the forest to the onagers. The incendiaries of the onager's caused the trees that had sheltered us to catch fire, and soon the forest was burning and smoking and had to be abandoned. The Thracians let out a terrifying cry, howling Ammius' name as they ran to reach the enemy archers and Gothic and Bastarnian traitors who had joined Attila's army lured by gold.
Upon our horses, I sighted at the rear of the Hunnic army, Attila himself, with a fur trimmed cap meant for this climate, and not the crown he would adorn after the battle. I urged young Filimer to lead the charge for Attila, past the Nokkors and Devil cavalry, but he speculated he could kill more among the foot archers who defended the eastern flank of Attila's army. Boulders, and even diseased rotting cattle cascaded around us, and I knew we could not waste time. I ordered my lancers to charge, to charge to bloody death if need by, and raised my francisca, screaming vengeance, bloody vengeance for Ammius. The horses screamed and whistled at the sight of such hell raining down on us. Theoderic was already strafing with his heavy horse on the perimeter of the melee as behind him, the pike walls of Ostrogothic elite advanced in an orderly trudging pace on the crisp snow.
Trapstila raises a mighty charge with his companion rittern Filimer!
I slapped Filimers horse and off it took, joining the formation in the charge for Attila's steppe chieftains.
As we neared the Hunnic nobles, I brained a foot-soldier with more axe and suddenly I could not see, bathed in blood, my eyes stinging through the sweat and iron salt of it: My horse was stabbed in the confusion and threw me from it's back. Filimer roared, wheeling on his horse, hacking down those horse men who had offended me. We never reached Attila. He was turning, seeing so many of his men impaled on the sure march of the pikemen.
I fell to my back, which felt like it broke, and knocked all the breath from me, before I could leap to my feet, a horse had kicked my helm and and heard what could be a forever gong, then darkness, my consciouness falling into a hole, upon a hole, upon a hole.
I woke up, to a burning pain in my skull: I was being dragged by both arms, and the blood of horses and men made for easy going, like a sled on the ice and snow. I looked over my shoulder. My leg felt as if it had a heart, and that heart was about to explode. It was Filimer dragging me.
'Stop. Before my arms are torn from their sockets.' I groaned.
'Better than the rag-pickers or wolves to take you. This has been a slaughter Trapstila. Attila has retreated east, they saw him riding hard past Verona with very few survivors. Maybe the beast will be captured.' Filimer grunted. I could hear the wolves baying already.
'Apologies we didn't destroy him here and now.' I sighed.
'I got something better, Trapstila. I got to see him run with his tail between his legs.' Answered Filimer.
I shook my arms free and wobbled to my feet, walking as far as I could. I had taken an injury to the leg, which was bruised, who knew how badly. As I fell to my knees, I could hear chants of victory in the forest nearby. I limped into view, my feet on a bed of pine-needles, a relief. Theoderic was upon his horse, before a pile of Hunnic limbs and heads, and noble Hunnic captives were being put in manacles, some missing legs, others dying from their wounds already. A torch was thrown on this great human bonfire.
Three cheers for Theoderic. Then three cheers for Ammius. The giant had a stern, serious, and wrathful look on his face, It was as if Theoderic had lost another son with Ammius' death, and this battle had avenged it. With Vandalarius born, he now had a legacy to look after, and that legacy was growing, and it grew with the fire fueled by Hunnic nobles being dealt with after this affair. Payback for Aquileia, and Verona which had been torched.
Theodoric would march for Ancona, I later learned. He would relieve the second siege of Sirmium and hole up in Salona with Wulfila and his navy. His memory would be decided in the war for the east, alongside his Emperor.
I would be left with Sigeric, would had also survived the battled, watching from the forest, in any event Theoderic would fall, to rule Italy while the Warchief was away.
Last edited by Lugotorix; May 14, 2015 at 08:11 PM.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
Impressive writing with stunning cinematic images!
THE FALL OF THE EASTSummer 430 A.D. - 432 A.D.
Diocletians Palace, the site of the refugee gathering point and camp of the Emperor
After defeating Attila on the battlefield at Milano, the Hunnic King retreated to his main encampment on the other side of the Danube, leaving Abjars and a crease eyed stout gremlin named Janos in control of his two advance armies. With Sigeric fighting a rebel named Procopius in central Transalpina, Janos set fire to Verona in a flash raid. The city was vital to the buffer of the faltering east, which was vacant of the in-law Natta's authority, all the way to Constantinople and the southern Hellas, and was quickly rebuilt once Janos had backed his horses to a safer distance, and garrisoned heavily. Such a breach of security would not re-occur.
Near Sirmium, the unrest of Roman rebels siezing on the power vacuum was growing, and Roman brigands and rebels alike roamed the hillsides of Pannonia, eventually taking Sopianae from Marcomanni hands in the summer of 430.
Where the mint of Sirmium once flourished, now fat gulled vultures perch.
The state of the Gothic Empire in central Europe remained strong, Octoduron and the alps with it, were firmly in the control of the armies of Sigeric, who had joined me in the sentiment that the Emperor was becoming overly cruel and paranoid.
Of his two nephews, Gesalec was the eldest over Liuva, who had bolstered the eastern legion of Theoderic with Rhomphaia wielding Thracians, Theoderic who joined Vithericus in defense of Sirmium following it's sack in the Spring of 432. After the sacking of Sirmium, Vithericus resolved that he could bribe the Roman uprisings into line, and set his march back for Salona, and it's great aqueduct on the coast.
Sigeric's wavering disenfranchisement was brought back into Vithericus' favor when he was appointed as war-chief and govenor of Italia, following Egica's sudden drop in popularity and titles. Realizing I had no-one to back me in my fears of the aging Emperor losing focus on the war effort, consumed with sadism and manipulations of the court, I was brought to a task by the envoy of the Emperor. It had long been the assumption that either Gesalec or the young princess Clotuinsintha would be appointed the heir to Vithericus' empire should he fall in the defense of Salona, a port far too vital to trade with the east.
Recent developments had brought the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire under Illyrian dominion, all the way to Galatia, and the Eastern Roman Arcadian Flavian line was under duress from the Sassanid Persians, as well as the dreaded Abasgians who had joined Attila in his plunder , and these new Roman administrators of Constantinople were both cousins of Vindonius Natta, husband of Hunila, as well as long trusted allies of the Gothic throne.
The port of Salona, the Roman capital of Dalmatia brought the goods and wealth of the east into Italia, from a land route, and should it fall, it would devastate the Romano-Gothic economy, and luxuries that made these hard times more tolerable. It's well established mint was also connected to the mint of Sirmium, and that city, although sacked, still had trade lines stretching from it to the east.
All this, I explained to Gesalec at the Gothic palace in Ravenna. He wore a black satin cap with a feather in it, his plume, and his long blonde whiskers were an unpleasant reminder of Egica's death, which I had witnessed.
'Eutharic, Widimir's spawn, that might as well be the mirror of those Vanguards of Lugus in his contempt for the people of Rome?'
I held my peace for a moment. Eutharic was a poor choice. He despised the Roman people, as well as the Western Roman empire that remained, that of Marcus Insteibus Tranquillius. Morever, he feared the people, never appearing in public games or audiences, blaming them as a collective for his father's demise at Avaricum.
'He is fearful of those who have slain his noble father, and the grandson of the Emperor. Your father was born not to his first wife you'd remember. Vithericus knows this.' I stopped then, bracing my jowls for the lie that was to come.
'And Vithericus knows your father's unwavering commitment was not in vain before his tizzy fall. He promises you further estates, and the same titles as your father. Your brother is owed by Theoderic, and Theoderic is the greatest general this empire has known, and will follow Vithericus to the end.'
With Widimir and Ammius dead, the line of succession is in question, as the Emperor reaches his fifty ninth year.'Eutharic can't look them in the eye, Trapstilicus.' Gesalec answered narrowly. Eutharic was known not only for scorning the people, but making examples out of the rebels who rose up in the north. He superceded Theoderic's command, despite being a bastard, by having all of Theodoric's, son of Theoderic's Roman allies executed.
'I have been ordered to appoint you as ambassador to Vindonius Natta, and his goodwill among the Roman people. If the boy must wear a visor, let it be that of a trusted partner of the Italians, your father. And who knows. These times will bring war, and war brings reliance and the structure of character. He may become more accepting in time.'
Gesalec set his jaw.
'The emperor's will be done, Trapstilicus. But I assure you, the time will come when Rome, Milano, Ravenna, will need me. It is a poor shepherd who skins his sheep, and cousin Amalius Eutharic will want vengeance.' He took off his cap and bowed curtly with a nod of his head.
The appeals of the Pope against the scourge of God.
Sigeric engaged Janos outside of Verona in the fall of 431. This was after repeated gestures to mislead the Hunnic command to turn back from Sister Guitifrida. She insisted that without Attila's leadership, the Huns would be picked off by Sigeric's impressive numbers in Italy, in their march for Liguria.
Furthermore, she insisted that the Pope's divine advantage had been proven in this war at Milano. Christ preserve us, she was not lying, and I assisted Sigeric in his victory over the Huns alongside Savva, at the battle of Verona. It was stupid on the part of Janos, and our superior numbers obliterated the advance army, with the Marcomanni marching south across the alps to reinforce Venetia from the Hunnic advance.
Still, hope was fading in the east, and Vindonius Natta was forced into exile from his Balkan holdings which were razed by the Huns. The Roman lands in Macedonia and much of Illyria fell to unaccountable governors who held the Huns at bay with bribes and tribute, small independent villages that had all seen their share of war, between the massive husks of razed cities of Roman grandeur, gradually recolonized by these scheming independents.
The Domitians joined us in Italy to rule alongside Sigeric and Gesalec. This strengthened the bond between the Romans and Goths.
Now, with Salona the last bastion, east of Italy, Vithericus sent secret word to Vindonius Natta to make peace with the Western Roman Sardinian rebels and their leader. A tribute was forced upon us of 1000 denarii for securing the central mediteranean for our trade armadas, and Sardinia was lost to us for an indefinite amount of time.
I ordered Wulfila to send ships to the port of Salona, and we waited for the hottest months of the crashing cliffs and shore of the Illyian coast, the summer of 432. Vithericus ordered Theoderic to wait outside the city with his half depleted legion, ravaged from prior battles, and set up watch posts to look for the coming Hunnic advance. Attila was returning to the front. Theoderic's Rhomphaia wielding bannermen waited outside Salona, while the Seekers of Glory, the personal army of Vithericus, holed up in the great city, sent all available troops to join his army outside of Salona. The pendulum was swaying for the apex of the Gothic empire. With the hot summer came a burning fever that lashed Theoderic's army, and the urge for battle reached a fever pitch as well. The Emperor awaited the fates and the will of God almighty at the Palace of Diocletian, not far from Salona. There, leading from a road of strung up Huns, Abgasians and Alans, he made peace with Christ. Such was the hypocrisy of Vithericus, Imperator of the West.
Last edited by Lugotorix; June 17, 2015 at 03:06 PM.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
A 'cruel and paranoid' Emperor sounds like a dangerous person to be around. I wonder what the consequences of the treaty with the Western Roman rebels of Sardinia will be - I imagine that an obligation to pay tribute would lead to resentment. (I wonder what the 'Strength ranking' in the final image means - I don't have Attila. Do rankings of 3 and 48 mean that these factions are the 3rd and 48th strongest in the game, or is a faction with a strength of 3 less powerful than a faction with a strength of 48?)
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
SEVEN BASTARDS
-The Siege of Salona and Diocletian's Palace 432-
The Palace Grounds- The last respite of the Emperor
In the Summer of 432, the fiercest, most bloody siege for control of the Gothic province of Dalmatia was at it's height. Hundreds of Elite Ostrogothic pikemen in scale mail, with Hunnic heads as banners stood in the rain of ash at the crumbling gates of the Palace of Diocletian. Fires had broken out across the palace quarters. The Bear Sons of Theoderic and his loyal Taifali horsemen had been entered the city by port, via Wulfila's fleet in the Adriatic. The boats were ready for flight.
The barbarian philosopher Theoderic the Giant mused to himself. 'They are here not to subjugate, but destroy. The salt of the fields has come from the east.' He ran his fingers through his ragged whiskers, that were black with soot, contusions and burns peppering his face like freckles.
They were in Diocletian's palace near Salona, and Salona was burning, acrid smoke that innundated the senses for miles. Horse's hair, wood, livestock, concrete, all smoldering, and the stench of bodies that rose above, that choking stink and the musty mold of dampness from the cellar kitchen where Imperator Vithericus made his plans for the coming siege with Theoderic the Taifal, his general. A thousand men were secluded within these walls, all starving and ready for the edge, the ending of their burning muscles that torn and shredded moving bricks and mortar, stones and explosives, diseased cattle to be hurled at the Hunnic brooding cloud that swirled outside the city. The besiegers were starving as well, and every bit of disease that had cut into the Gothic numbers would be spat onto the Huns, the army known as the Steppe Wolves, in contempt. The rot of summer only made matters worse, and the rank was ripe across the breath of the army.
'You disobeyed me. You were not to engage Abjars the Bulgar's steppe archers until they were closer to the city.' Vithericus said disapprovingly. 'You have given ground, range for their kick of their ass, ground we needed. You would make a handsome feast for the lions if I didn't need the loyalty of your Taifali buggerers and their heavy horse.' He broke into bread with a tear of his hands and chewed glumly.
Theoderic grimaced, and set his hands down. 'My emperor, we needed to check their position, before they assembled the battering ram, a clash was neccessary and I've lost few horses'
A load from an onager crashed somewhere near the ramparts on the edge of the palace. The siege had come to an escalation, with the onagers and catapults heaving fire upon all of the walls and bastions, still as the bastion onagers of the Goths held steady, manned by Vindonius Natta's Roman men.
Vithericus looked to the ceiling at the sound of clamoring men assembling yet more defenses. The city was ringed with caltrops and spikes, pits to make terrible going for the Hunnic horses, should they breach the walls of the palace. All was a mixture of mud and black ash, ash that rained from the destruction of Salona, and the Dalmatian mountains to the north.
'No matter, Captain Savva will make a strike into the outskirts of Salona and clear the first four blocks of Hunnic opposition. We will reappropriate some of our onagers into the city, where they can be escorted to the high ground, and begin striking the horses. The Huns mastery of beasts is unequaled, but their beasts cannot master fear of fire and smoke.' Vithericus gestured on his map of the city, motioning to Savva's envoy.
'My Emperor.' Theoderic edged a word in. 'My emperor, Savva's assault has already failed, Salona is a skeleton without cover and even now refugees surge for our fortifications here.'
'Verdammt Theoderic! You did not think to tell me!?' The ravages of the typhus plague that stalked Salona and Diocletians palace had hurt the old man at his sixty years of age. It was not a happy birthday. The squirming of lice, iced over him like frigid water and his hand trembled. He wore a long beard, and had not thought to have his moustache trimmed even for appearances to the troops. Germanic nobles of the Vandals and Goths sat outside, proudly on their horses, all gaunt as well. They would face this terror with dignity, although it didn't help them from wretching and shivering and coughing. The Taifali were next, in two columns by the breach of the north-eastern wall, waiting to pounce on any Bosphorans or Uar who made for the walls. They would wait for the horses to collapse over one another if they tried entry, and make a gruesome obstacle of themselves.
'Send a missive to Tranquilus Insteibus. Should I fall in battle, Eutharic is to be named co-emperor of the West alongside Vindonius Natta.' He said loudly to a messenger at the door to the kitchen, where they sat with bread, and candlelight. The candles flickered across Vithericus's face ghoulishly. Gaatha had begun weeping in the far corner of the room.
Vithericus seethed. 'Do not weep, Gaatha. It is only idle hands. I know your pain of uselessness. Bring a sweeted plum for the Queen. Sweeten it with her special spice, my dear.'
Theoderic interceded again. 'The siege is not yet lost, Imperator. Our fortifications are strong.'
'Yes, but I've wanted a new wife for some time.' Vithericus answered, smiling, as soon as Gaatha had bowed and left the room. The man was losing his nerve. Theoderic looked in fascinated terror at Vithericus. 'Everyone. Leave me to Theoderic.' One by one, the commanders ushered themselves out.
'Fetch the wine, Giant.' Vithericus said, once everyone but he and his general had left.
'It would inhibit my performance as a commander and in battle.' Theoderic answered, bowing his head.
'For me, fool, I shall drown myself in it like the pagans of old.' Vithericus coddled.
'Gluttony is contrary to the teachings of the Lord.' Theoderic said sternly.
'Yes, and we are no longer a Christian empire. The Christ god has forsaken us. The Popes omens were far too wrong.' Vithericus answered, beckoning for the chaplain, we had almost left to attend to the queen of Goths. Theoderic cursed to himself: Vithericus had never been a pious emperor, and he was savage.
'We must trust in the Lord.' The chaplain soothed. Vithericus drank heavily from the wine and plunged his knife into the bald frocked priest. 'Now would he allow that? Now for lust: fetch me seven seemly women who remain in the Palace grounds, I'll expect your defenses to last as long as me.' Vithericus said. A perverse man, thought Theoderic. He was expected of this task, and nothing less. Seven bastards should they make to the boats, or the Huns spare them. A boy abruptly entered through the doors and said:
' A fire has broken out in the palace, and the Huns see us burning, they're begining their assault. They are approaching'
Vithericus banged his fists down on the table as if waking from a nightmare, he groggily looked up at the boy. 'Finally!' He shouted. ' Raise the banners. Fetch me my steed instead, and the companions of the Royal Saiones. I shall lead in the defense. I will fight in the west of the palace, while you hold the east, Theoderic. To arms! Ready the men, boy! I want our pikes to stand as strong as steel! Tell the archers to fire when ready, and to ignite their arrows, fletch more, this will be a long breach: if the Huns make it to our doors they will be wincing not yipping. To arms!' He rose, throwing the wine flagon to the wall, stepping over the squirming priest, and made for the door. Theoderic's hand quivered on his sword hilt, but could not bring himself to unsheath it and bury it in the monster. He had lied about the defenses being sound. Abjars had summoned yet another army from the north, and they were tragically outnumbered- the scouts had only reported this once Savva's assault had failed.
He would meet death, with his war helm and coat of mail, his black plume, and mighty spear. He would meet it with his loyal Taifali. He rushed out of the kitchen and trudged up the stairs quickly in his boots, where he found Gaatha in a bedroom tinkering with sugared plums from a jar. 'Gaatha.' Theoderic boomed.
He repeated her name softer, and said at an even voice. 'Would you be so kind to throw that vitriol in a bin, and escort the Queen of Goths to the ships, and depart for Ancona. The Emperor of Romans and Goths dies this day.'
Nobles of the Goths ready for the clash to come.
The opening salvos of the assault
The Huns had a siege tower, but intended no capture, just as Theoderic had said: They intended to storm the place and kill everyone inside. The archers were all nervous, and some fired early, some late, but all were keen, the the Huns fell on foot and horse by droves as they kept an even march. The bastions sent flaming burdens crashing down on the Hunnic formations that neared, and for a time, the exterior of the palace walls were as fiery as the interior. The fire spread from building to building, and smoke wafted across the streeets and palisades, embers even igniting the banners themselves.
The pikes met the infantry and then the crashing horses at the north-east breach, just as they were instructed. The Huns did not relent, and soon the closest of the pikemen were bathed in blood of horses and men. The Uar took to foot and began cleaving through the entrenched spears on the steep embankment of collapsed rubble.
'They took our homes!' Screamed Theoderic in his mighty voice, whirling on his horse in his giant helm. 'They pushed us here, to the cliffs of civilization itself, and now they push harder. To their dooms, I say. To their ashen graves. Make an example of every stout mare's afterbirth you kill, men, until this very breach, and it's crumbled marble and concrete is slick with their heathen blood. For the empire! For Rome! To the Draco and no further, scourges, harpies, centaurs! ' He wildly waved his hand for the Spear masters and Pikes to make their advance into the two walls of spears that already held the front. They marched on, disconcerted by the flaming city behind them.
The smoke almost obscured the distant mountains, but the archers still saw the beauty of the land they were fighting for on the buttresses. Some of the Nokkors and Devil Cavalry broke through as central breach and made for the main palace, no more than a crumbling building. Vithericus on his horse with the chosen Saiones, the knights of the Empire, took two regiments of Germanic Noble Horsemen and charged to meet them in the center. The crackling of the city and the gusts of embers were deafening, matched only by the clangs of steel meeting axes the crunch of split hide leather and plate.
They clashed, tooth and nail, and biting horses, men being knocked from their mounts by the heavy armor of the Emperor's guards, and the spears of each-other, until they met even by a burning tree, the remnants of a once proud orchard within the walls. Amidst the burning tree, the captains waved their banners, and a stream of Taifali answered the call of the horn, darting across the porticades of the walls, to the center of the city, flanking and ripping to shreds this brave ground of Hunnic horsemen.
The Bosphoran allies of the Huns, Gepids and Greuthungians among them are butchered by their Gothic countrymen.
More burst through the defunct gates and streaming into the city, but instead of making to flank the wall of pikes at the breach, they all carried torches and wildly circles through alleys of the palace, adding to the inferno. The men began to choke, and some sucumbed to the fumes, while Theoderic ordered his Taifaili to break off and hunt down the arsonists.
The earthen grounds and cobble of the fortified palace itself were burning, and it was there on flaming ground, that Theoderic made his last stand. He was said to have been knocked from his horse to a multitude of Devils, howling a death dirge plunging his great spear into as many as he could, while his Taifali urged him to retreat.
The main palace began to be consumed by the flames along with the rest of the stronghold, and the ships disembarked, with jugs and amphora being hurled overboard, along with slaves to quicken their sails.
The Emperor readies for battle
One of the few clashes outside the city leads to a Gothic victory, they charge onwards to meet the horse archers at the rear of the first Hunnic army. They can only hope that the second army doesn't arrive in time to crush them, in the space between.
Vithericus' heavily armored Saiones butcher the rear guard of Abjar's horde.
The Emperor called for a charge through the north gate of the palace, where his band of horses rallied: they then once in place, made to crush the assaulting force of Abjar and his infantry who were beginning to make gains and push the defending pikes back. They were soon joined by the Taifali, and their aging captains from the old world past the Danube, who fought to the death.
The Royal Saiones make their last bloody stand
The Emperor fights before his long last orgy with seven seemly women, on the second tier of the city, while it burns around him. He later commits suicide.
The emperor and his horses created a bloody summit upon the collapsed wall, as more and more waves of Huns approached from the east, creating a pitched battle. The amount of bloodshed was incalculable, but men slipped on the ichor and entrails of their common man, and the pikes began to break, after time, as more horsemen flooded the gate.
A hill of bodies
The Emperor has heirs to sow and wine to drink.
The archers contiued to rain down oil and arrows on the great host, but their perch would not remain inpregnable forever. Soon, steppe spears and Uar warrior climbed to the top of the walls and defeated the archers that had stripped their numbers for so long. Vithericus, seeing the unsurmountable odds, retreated back to the labyrinth beneath the main palace.
The Noble Gothic Lancers were quick and hunted down the arsonists, but the damage was too severe- the nobility of Salona and it's Roman inhabitants fled in masses screaming, some burnt, knowing death was near, onto the streets alive with pain, and slick with blood.
The Taifali fight to the last man. Here, Abjar is finally driven back by the Gothic and Roman defenders.
The Hunnic numbers would keep coming throughout the day, and at the end of it, the almost two thousand inhabitants of the palace of Diocletians were slain, raped, or enslaved. The ships departed to the Adriatic, with the Queen of Goths aboard, to instruct her grand-son Eutharic, but after the Emperor's body was recovered from his cellar bunker, his body was flayed and placed in a gibbet in the center of the ruins of the palace. His last dish was said to have been sugared plums, furious that his wife had left the bastion.
Theoderic, having fought so fiercely, was thankfully unrecognizable by the end of the assault, and could not be defiled. The Huns under Abjar had won their most important victory yet, in proving the mortality of the Emperor, and destroying the most vital eastern port of the Empire. Abjars himself was not killed in the breach of the city, but Attila soon moved in to consolidate on the victory, relieved that another warlord had not thrown him off after taking his greatest triumph from him.
Last edited by Lugotorix; October 24, 2015 at 10:50 PM.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR
SUCCESSION- EUTHARIC
, SECOND HIGH KING OF THE VESI AND OSTRO GOTHS, King of the Taifali- CO-EMPEROR OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE ALONGSIDE VINDONIUS NATTA
Eutharic quickly bartered a fortune for the remains of his grandfather and had them burned in Rome, capital of the Empire.
Going into the winter of 432, Eutharic, at the age of twenty, the illegitimate son of Widimir, was placed on the throne. As the days of his coronation neared, I feared for both his safety and the safety of the empire. Two riots had already occurred since Vithericus' death, both accusing Eutharic of despising the rightful occupiers of Italy.
A noble named Baduila had returned from the great expanse of the Adriatic with the survivors from Salona, and he spoke of untold numbers of Hunnic armies pillaging the burnt out husk of what was once Dalmatia and Pannonia. Attila had no plans of stopping his invasion. With Eutharic's vendetta against the Romans known to everyone, placating both the governor of Hispania and Insteibus might be a difficult task. So I embarked with Sigeric to persuade cousin Natta to begin giving speeches that the union had never been stronger. How misplaced that sentiment was.
Young Eutharic sets fire to his grand father's defiled remains to make them pure. Good riddance to evil some say.
His coronation was nearing, with the broken sword of Theoderic in his hand.
I saw in his crazed, all too eager and determined eyes, potential for violence, and I did not know on whom it would be unleashed. He was also a fledgling commander, known by the Christian name Gregory, with the aspects of his great-grandfather and no friend of the Huns. Him being at peace and friendship with Gesalec, I saw no reason to defy his coronation, even when news came that Liuva was in danger. It was known to many that Vindonius, Sigeric and I were the true power in Italy at the time.
Last edited by Lugotorix; June 23, 2015 at 06:46 PM.
AUTHOR OF TROY OF THE WESTERN SEA: LOVE AND CARNAGE UNDER THE RULE OF THE VANDAL KING, GENSERIC
THE BLACK-HEARTED LORDS OF THRACE: ODRYSIAN KINGDOM AAR
VANDALARIUS: A DARK AGES GOTHIC EMPIRE ATTILA AAR