Nespos's Macedonian Travels

[Rhapture]

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nespos gathers his servants and slaves and begins preparations to travel around Macedonia , gathering support for Iulus and his road plan and also visiting temples.


[This all takes place while Iulus is invading Crete]

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Temple of Aphrodite, in Thessalonica, is one of the oldest and richest temples in the city; and located within the provincial capital itself providing easy access.

[Rhapture]

As Iulus took the only legions with him to Crete, Nespos decides to raise 2 cohorts of auxilary for 5000 denarii under the name of the proconsul, to help guard the gold he expects to raise as he travels throughout Macedonia and Greece.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Thessalinicans look on with some alarm, disgust, and fear as the Romans close on the temple. The chief priest emerges from within "What is this?!" he exclaims

[Rhapture]

"Priest!! " Nespos welcomes him grabbing him around the shoulders and bringing him close.
"We are here to collect donations that all of Macedonia is making towards the new roads that Consul Iulus has planned to improve travel and trade throughout this wonderful county!" He smiles widely, those his teeth are yellowed, it is off putting as it does not appear devious.
"So what will your temple donate? As you must be the wealthiest temple around, people from all over must come make pilgrimage here and pray and give coins to the gods here." He continues, walking with the priest into the temple.
"Certainly you can offer something so that the pilgrims can arrive here easier, it is already a sacrifice that they make just to get here away from their crops."

Nespos motions to the auxiliary captain to begin the search for coins and artwork.

"What god is this temple for?" He asks the priest casually, missing the obvious signs it was to Aphrodite. " I must mark it down for the book I am writing about all the wonderful temples here..... Also, do you have dates here?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"This is the temple of the goddess Aphrodite, and you defile it by bringing in armed men!" The chief exclaimed, pushing the man away. "Are Romans here to loot our temples yet again?" It soon became obvious what must be done. "What will it take to get you to leave?"

[Rhapture]

"Oh just a few statues and gold or silver, or both" Nespos says off hand.
"Loot? Oh no priest, this is a reinvestment in Macedonia." He smiles.
"Give praise to Proconsul Iulus for his recognition of the problems of this area and how we will rectify it!"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Theft from the gods shall not be easily forgotten, or forgiven." The priest replied with a gruff tone. Nespos is able to make off with two medium sized marble statues and a small chest of silver.

[Rhapture]

Nespos wished the priest well and heads south to Pydna.

[Rhapture]

Nespos arrives at the Temple of Hercules Nike in Pydna

It was a smaller temple, but he figured temples to victory were always popular.

[Pontifex Maximus]

He is greeted by a fat priest, another Greek. THe man did not know what to make of the Roman's sudden appearance

[Rhapture]

"Greetings Priest of Nike," Nespos says. " We are here to collect your donation to Proconsul Iulus and his infrastructure program"
"This will greatly help the Greek peoples" He explains.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The man gave a terse laugh "Hah, temples receive donations, they do not give donations."

[Rhapture]

Nespos laughed with the priest. 'You are too funny," he says as he motions for the men to start searching. " The priest here says we can take whatever we want, captain. Anything with gold or silver plating comes with us. Coins and statues too."
"Now priest," he turns serious and menacing, " Those can be the last donations, or perhaps you believe Hercules himself is around to save you..."

[The Mad Skylord]

A messenger arrives to Nespos. He is to order both of his cohorts south to join the fleet as marines.

[Rhapture]

Quintus dismisses the messenger. Iulus would have no knowledge of his troops.
Then calls him back

"Tell the admiral to send his two fastest ships to evade the pirates and locate Iulus. Let him know we will hire Rhodisians to help deal with the pirate navy. Keep the troops busy and wipe out the pirate troops if possible. The pirate hideouts are most likely not on the maps we have."

[The Mad Skylord]

The messenger nods quickly and runs off.

[Rhapture]

Nespos sends a letter to Rome for his cousin Pius explaining the situation

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Curse you a thousand times." The man said through gritted teeth. News of this atrocity to the gods would spread.

The Romans haul off several bags of silver coins as well as several gold candelabra. A small bronze statue was afixed to the floor, but wouldn't budge

[Rhapture]

"You are wise beyond your years, Priest of Hercules." Nespos thanks the man on his way to the wagons.
Onwards to Mount Olympus , Captain." He orders the troops. They were getting paid and would be happy.