Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[filiusenox]

   The Arteral manor was large and well-built in the Hadrian style. The stone walls were smooth and white with fresh plaster, marked under the eaves with a pleasing wave pattern of blue glass. It had a slowly slanting roof of corrugated ceramic shingles, separated from the rest of the Villas on the street by a wide courtyard, with walls that were topped with spiky, sharp, ornamental bronze railings.
   The courtyard itself was filled with pleasant looking and smelling shrubs of varying sizes, but none of the sparse, carefully groomed bushes surpass the height of the thick wall. A narrow path lies heading towards a centermost door, but a servant instead directs the three to the grey stones that winded their way though the garden to behind the house.

   A wide and short table with gilded edges sat in a pavilion, surrounded by four chaise lounges. The pavilion itself, made solidly out of some naturally or painted red wood, had curtains of almost see-through, soft cloth. On the table was a few dishes of fruits, lightly seared sweetmeats and bread with crusts of goldish-brown. Beside them was a few wine bottles, a pitcher of honey and a few vessels filled with spice.
   In a small platter, beside the wine, beside a lightly smoke firebrand, was a number of thin papers, and fine grey, lengthwise shredded, leaves of Rtun. The heady, aromatic smell of mint wafted from the large pile of herb, into the air of the pavilion.
   Fae was dressed simply in a grayish tunic and flared leggings that came down to after the knee, plated with bits of bronze and iron, looking more like armor than a pair of pants. He pushed himself to his feet, shifting slightly in the ankle high boots before smiling in a lazy way. A blond woman, who was lounging with him, gave a small bow and left with slow strides.
   “Greetings, fellow senators. Have a safe walk, I hope? I was hoping to take a light appetizer out here, and then move inside once were finished; to let the servants finish up in the dining room. ”

[Azthor]

The Emperor leans on the war table, overviewing the map.

"Indeed, their only hope at matching us is to defend a single fortified position with all their forces, and even then, the odds are still in our favor. I agree that, as long as Legio I through III remain united, the campaign should ultimately prove successful. Which position shall we strike first? I suggest the we start from the North and slowly descend southeast, city by city, a longer, but guaranteed success"

[Terenos]

"I have no doubt we shall be successful. The only matter in question is the cost. But we shall ensure that no Hadrian life is wasted unnecessarily. I concur, sweeping North to South will be the ideal campaign path to take."

[Ardas]

Crassius arrived at the manor, and guided by the servants, he came into the pavilion.

"Thank you Fae, its a pleasure to be here. It looks good too."

Crassius slaid down and picked a grape which he promptly ate.

"What is it that you wish to discuss? The war is on, our power in the senate not that secure and overall, life moves on without us, or so it seems."

[Ardas]

redacted

[Dragor23]

Flavius nodded with a smile again and drew with his finger a line
"It's the best idea to sweep from North to South. Maybe the south will give up after they hear the glorious victories of our legions? "

[Azthor]

"That is a possibility, yes. If they spread their army thin, that is the likely case, though it is also possible that they will simply garrison a single city at the expense of the other three, if that is the case, we should prepare for a long siege. Is there anything else you'd like to add, Legates, or are we set for the Declaration of War?"

[Terenos]

"Nothing springs immediately to mind, Emperor. I am more than ready to begin this war."

Derahoc grinned. They just ate up his words and concerns like he was an old and trusted friend. He could go far, he was sure.

[Dragor23]

"Nothing to add... Except... Maybe..."
Flavius stroked his chin and pointed at the cities, one by one.
"We could offer each of the cities a private agreement... If they turn to our sides, we will spare them."

[Shootandrun]

Before evening dinner with Fae, talk to traders and try to get best wholesale price for slaves and inquire about best loans and buiness space for startup (+1 charisma). With that done, meet my populares colleague in his mansion, with few assisting servants.

[2+1] The traders are willing to buy any war slaves at the standard market price, and they promise to keep some space open to buy from you - but they do expect you to have something they can buy [3] before the next senatorial assembly.

[4] There are some open opportunities for businesses in the city, and plenty of rich merchants who would be willing to offer some loans. A particular one may be even willing to pay half the price to found a business, if he was paid back less than a year later. Otherwise, he might get... Angry.

----------------------------------

At the dinner

Kaeso arrived in the manor after Crassius, and followed him to the pavilion. He saluted the woman very politely, and, as he saw the other guests, started stroking his beard warily, although he kept his smile.

"My thanks to you too, Fae. I am glad that I was invited, although I fear it was not entirely an act of kindness and friendship.

I find myself invited to a dinner with three populares while I am the sole Homo Novus present. I suppose we're here at least in part for business, then?"

[Azthor]

"Nothing to add... Except... Maybe..."
Flavius stroked his chin and pointed at the cities, one by one.
"We could offer each of the cities a private agreement... If they turn to our sides, we will spare them."

They have stood against us for too long. While it is possible that they might surrender individually upon sightening our legion, that would warn their neighbours and we could never trust them not to backstab us in the future"

[Terenos]

"They moved already to defend themselves from our 'aggression'. They would likely require conditions that would weaken loyal Hadrian governors. Or simply block their placement. No, The time for diplomacy has passed. They chose their allies in fear, rather than come to us as friends. Hadrian banners shall fly over these cities. And in time they will see themselves as Hadrian citizens."

[Azthor]

The army and its three commanders assemble on the northern border with Whitepeak. A courier is dispatched to the northernmost city, inquiring their immediate surrender before the glorious Empire of Hadria so that they may be spared the bloodshed that will ensue if the legions are forced to invade their city.

[filiusenox]

At the dinner
"My thanks to you too, Fae. I am glad that I was invited, although I fear it was not entirely an act of kindness and friendship.

I find myself invited to a dinner with three populares while I am the sole Homo Novus present. I suppose we're here at least in part for business, then?"

”A Hadria, divided by political parties and venomous at their brethren for slights in the senate, is a weak Hadria, and a Hadria I do not long to be in, for long. In war, a man relies on the men standing next to him, I don’t see why our politics should be any different.” the man replied, quite calmly to the dwarf as he pushed himself up. “I am a popalure for as long as their party works for the people, for trade, and for the emperor. But yes, we're here for business, but that isn't as important to me now as you might think...I've spent all day in senate, on business I can afford to take some time off."

Fae idly strode over to the wine, pouring himself out a glass, which he poured out on the ground, muttering a small benediction, before refilling it and mixing in a lot of honey. He took a small sip, before working on a small rollup of Rtun.
    “Thank you for coming, Crassius…and pessimism never won the day, as an old book once said.”

[Caellath]

The Emperor and the legates discussed their plans as Durant silently heard and watched like an eagle perched atop its nest, always Septimus' faithful shadow. At that moment, the Praefectus made himself as scarce as a soldier in black and purple could while inside a room with few people, which meant he wasn't terribly successful but still worked as a remind of the Guard's power and presence.

Of course, it should be expected the Senators to be used to such matters already. The Emperor needed a bodyguard, and any complaints about his presence would most likely only raise doubts about the person's allegiance, for all knew or had heard that the head of the Guard was a honorable warrior and a staunch defender of his Emperor, not a lowly assassin.


After the war council and making use of his precious free time, Durant disappears into the streets of the capital, now wearing a simple brown cloak and nondescript armor but still taking his weapon with him, albeit hidden. He had some matters to take care of, and they would be better taken care of in silence and outside of the view of prying eyes.

Raise PG.

Try to search for poisons to coat a weapon with and antidotes. Use Charisma to barter the best ones.