Sulla's Castrum

[Pontifex Maximus]

The camp of Consul Sulla. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd are present along with 500 cavalry.

[The Mad Skylord]

Octavius Julius Iulus arrives to meet the Consul.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Gaius Atilius Regulus comes to see his father-in-law, Consul Sulla.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The two are escorted into the command tent together.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Gaius would step forth, speaking first. He salutes the Consul in the traditional fashion before speaking.

Consul Sulla, I have come to offer my services, as a noble son of Rome, to serve as one of your officers during your southern campaign.

[Gandalfus]

Lucius' son, Gaius Aurelius Cotta, arrives hoping to speak with the Consul.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gaius would step forth, speaking first. He salutes the Consul in the traditional fashion before speaking.

Consul Sulla, I have come to offer my services, as a noble son of Rome, to serve as one of your officers during your southern campaign.

"Regulus, it is good to see you. I am sure a place can be found for you. I am in need of military quaestors and other positions that must be filled with men I can trust. Do you have a preference?" Publius asked

Lucius' son, Gaius Aurelius Cotta, arrives hoping to speak with the Consul.

He is led into the praetorium

[Gandalfus]

Gaius performs a salute, then addresses the Consul; "Consul, I have come humbly to offer my services as a junior officer for your campaign against the Italic rebels."

[Lucius Malfoy]

I shall leave the decision entirely to you, Consul. I trust your judgment and know you would place me where I may serve the Republic best.

Although Gaius would like to be a high-ranking official, this was war and he could not let the connection they had, bound by marriage, get in the way of better judgment or allow favoritism.

[The Mad Skylord]

"I would like to offer my services as well, Consul. Father felt it would be better for me to serve under you, lest any accusations of favouritism be levelled."

[Okmin]

The quaestor Gaius Marius Aquila arrives to see Sulla.

"Salve, consul. First, I thank you for your patronage and support this election, and congratulate you on your command. As for my business here, I have come to offer my services and see our agreement fulfilled."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I have three legions under my command and a force of cavalry." The Consul began. Aquila shall serve as Legate of the 1st legion, Regulus as the legate of the 2nd, and Gaius shall be legate of the 3rd. Iulus shall assume the rank of command for the cavalry. I expect you shall all serve well and faithfully." With the commands divided up, Sulla began his discussion of strategy. "We face the largest number of the rebels here in the south. We must bring them to battle as soon as possible, but not rashly. We will proceed down the spine of Italy on the western edge of the Appenines. We shall cut off Capua from the Samnites and bring them to battle while keeping the river to our eastern flank. Any Samnites trying to aid the Capuans shall have to ford the river, giving us ample time to prepare for an attack."

Sulla looked at the men gathered about him. "Remember at all times that for all intents and purposes, we are fighting Romans here. they will use our strategies and tactics. We will have to be inventive in order to keep them off balance."

[Okmin]

Aquila studied a map, considering the consul's words.

"Our scouts reported that the rebel forces may be divided between Beneventum and Volcei. We will probably find out as we approach the area you wish to hold, consul. If they are not divided, so be it, but in case they are, we would outnumber the rebels at Beneventum, so they would be... disinclined to give battle. So I would like to make suggestion: hold back two legions -- or better, convince the rebels those two march south toward Volcei -- in the hills nearby, while a single legion advances to draw out the rebels. After battle is joined, the two reserve legions advance to surround the enemy."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sulla considered the proposal. "The hilly country is too treacherous to navigate quickly. I will not divide my forces as you suggest because I am not convinced they will arrive in time to save the bait legion."

[Lucius Malfoy]

"Then our best bet is to find suitable terrain to defend and lure them to us. The terrain suits the defender after all. At least then we can minimize our casualties and have our troops fresh for battle if we can taunt the Italians to attack."

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Okmin]

"As you say, consul, legatus. Then we should make camp on a hill, but try to conceal our numbers somehow, perhaps using the trees, or the back slope. There is also the via Appia -- from Capua to Beneventum, it passes through a valley just a few miles wide, flanked by steep hills. Taking Capua may draw the rebels to march through this pass."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"First, Capua must fall. I will not leave such an important city to our rear held by enemies. Besides, it will cut us off from our supply lines, and that might prove fatal. Once Capua falls, we can continue south."

[Rhapture]

Capua has shut its gates and manned the walls. The Romans couldn't lay siege for long with 3 Italian legions roaming close by.

[Pontifex Maximus]

It was disappointing news, that Capua remained obstinate. They could not conduct a long siege, but Sulla would not forget this. The people of Capua would be punished in time. Sulla summoned his officers to a final strategy meeting. Soon they must depart immediately to face down the enemy legions.

"Aquila, your proposal had merit. I like the idea of trapping the Italians in a trap along the road. We may be able to box them in and destroy a large number of them. Perhaps we can feign a siege in the hopes of drawing the rebels up the Via Appia, and then ambush them on the road."

[Lucius Malfoy]

"If I may, Consul, I would like to volunteer as leading a bait legion that will keep the siege on Capua to draw the Italians towards us. You and Aquila can march off before turning course and trapping the Italians between our two forces."

It was a bold request, but Gaius knew that Fortuna favored the bold. He would do anything in the service of Rome.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk