NationStates Jolt Archive

“1st Cohort, March!” yelled a centurion. The XI Legion marched cohort by cohort out of their border fort barracks. General Varus sat on his horse next to the gate with his staff, watching as the soldiers marched out in a perfect cadence of pounding feet. Varus swelled with pride as he watched his men. The XI Legion had been given as Varus’s third from the Emperor, as reward of his own victories in Assyria.

And now he had yet another battle to fight, here on the border of Germania. One of the local German lords had risen up in arms against the tax levied on them by Rome. The lord had also killed the Imperial Praetor who had been sent to find out why the amount of food and gold had not been delivered as had been part of the peace treaty they had made 20 years before, when Thrashia had re-conquered what the Roman’s had once had.

“General, a messenger from Siscia,” said a voice behind Varus. The man turned and faced one of his officers. The senatorial tribune, Marcus Vilius, stood by Varus’s horse holding forth a scroll with the Imperial Legion seal upon it. Varus nodded and took it. He broke the seal and quickly read the message. Marcus moved forward slightly. “What does it say?” he asked.

Varus sniffed and looked up from the scroll and leaned back up in his saddle. “It is from Governor Liccinius, stressing the point that my career is on the line due if I loose this upcoming campaign,” said Varus. He thought back to when he had first reported to the provincial capital of Siscia, he had ‘accidentally’ insulted the fat governor at a dinner he had held for Varus’s appointment to command. As a provincial governor he had the power to strip any military commander in his province of command, including Varus, whether Emperor appointed or no.

Marcus laughed when he heard. “That is funny General, I can’t see him getting away with that if the Emperor appointed you,” the young man said with a smile. Varus simply smiled at the tribune. The man had been sent on order of the Senate, all military commanders had to have a senate representative in their staff. For whatever reasons the Senate had, Varus had taken the time to know nor taken much time to investigate the matter.

He crumpled the scroll and threw it to the ground. “See to it that the supply train is in good gear and keep it going Tribune. I will be leading the vanguard,” said Varus. The tribune stepped back and smacked his right fist into his left breast in salute. Varus nodded and road off down the road along the side of the column of marching legionnaires.


Five days later

Marcus sneezed again, some of the rain falling down his face as his head popped out of his cloak from the force of the sneeze. “Awful country,” he mumbled to himself. The young tribune walked his way down the lanes of tents and camp fires. Around him the men of the XI Legion were huddled in cloaks and blankets around their fires, trying to warm their meals as best as possible.

The army had managed to march the 30 miles in three days, heading for the German Lord’s capital but found it abandoned, then had learned from scouts the location of the enemy. The German Lord Arac had marshaled some 4,000 Germans and Gauls into his army, and then made his camp to the east. Varus had marched his legion to the site.

The site was a field, some two miles wide, with a forest on either side of the open area. A low hill sat at one side, then three miles north was another low hill. Between the hills, the field was soft and had a knee high glass on it. Perfect conditions for a commander like Varus. The army had made camp on the southern hill, the Germans on the northern hill.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Romans/battlefield.jpg

Marcus came up to a large leather tent at the end of a line of tents and entered it. He threw off his cloak and set it down in the entry room. He stepped threw the curtains separating the main tent from the door. Inside was Varus’s command table. On it were maps and scrolls, some concerning the supply train, others on discipline reports, and some from Siscia. Varus himself stood over a recently drawn map of the area. Marcus stepped forward and saluted, then stood at attention waiting for Varus. Varus looked up. “Report tribune.”

“Yes sir, our scouts have just returned from their mission,” Marcus began, he walked up next to Varus and pointed his finger on the map, onto the hill on the other side of the valley. “They have watched and some still watch to see if Arac will send troops into the forest. As yet, he has not, or will not attempt at all. I sent men into them and they reported that the forests were swampy and inhospitable to men. It will be a clean-cut battle it seems.”

Varus nodded. “Then it will make our job easier. We do not have the artillery catapults with us here, only the Auxiliary Archers; so my battle plan will be hindered. We will have to cut them down man by man, or break their fighting spirit. I remember how much trouble Rome had with these barbarians,” Varus said. He leaned back on the table and considered the map again.

“Don’t worry sir, we can break them easily enough,” said Marcus with a bright attitude. Varus just quietly huffed at the comment. “Very well tribune, leave me now and report back in the middle of the night. I want to be posted on anything new our scouts find out,” said Varus. Marcus saluted then left the tent.


By dawn, both armies were ready for a battle.

OOC: 4,000 Germans and Gauls huh? Alright, I think I can make this interesting.

IC:

Arac sat in front of a camp fire, the rain gently falling around him. His wolf skin cloak kept the cold from affecting him. He looked around the fire at his captains. Three minor German lords, and two Gallic cheiftens who he had hired to help fight.

Arac drew a line in the ground. "Daifur, you will be here on the right side with your 300 horsemen." The German nodded. Arac turned to the Gallic chieftens. "You can have your 1,300 men make a line here," Arac said, making a line next to his first line. Both men grunted in acknowledgement. Arac turned to the other two German lords. "The rest will be behind the Gauls, here," he said, drawing a line behind the line he had drawn for the Gallic cheiftens. Both men nodded.

"Now go, I must sleep," Arac said. The men all stood and left. Arac haucked and spit into the fire. 'Damn Thrashians, think they can take us over. The Roman's may have, but I wasn't there for that. I won't let it happen again,' he thought to himself. He stood up and stretched then layed down next to the fire and covered himself in his cloak, sleep came easily enough to him.

OOC: Ooh, can I RP one of the Germanic generals?

Rex, started sharpining his bloody sword

OOC: Go ahead Skycap, I'll let you be one of the rear generals (the last two that Arac talked to in my post) they each command something like 1250 soldiers.

OOC: Nice job on the Germans Oda, I took took what you posted and made a thing in Paint with my troop positions and yours. Hope you don't mind. Skycap, welcome, and have fun.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Romans/battlepositions.jpg

Varus sat with his horse on the northern slope of his camp's hill. The XI Legion was assembling in front of him, making ready for battle. The sun was just barely peaking over the horizon, shining off spears and helms as the Legion marched into their positions.

Varu's plan was simple. He would have his archers in front spray the enemy with arrows, then they would fall back and the Legion would advance. A first line with three cohorts, a second with two supporting the three, then the sixth spread more thin in the rear to support all and be a reserve.

Drums beat into crushendoes as the army marched forward. Varus had ordered Marcus to take command of the archers. It was the young man's first action so he wanted him to experiance it to the full.

Varus looked accross the field at the Germans. They had already assembled as well. And they had calvary facing Varus's left flank. He needed to do something about that. He motioned for his messanger. The rider rode up next to Varus.

"Have Marius, centurion of the 1st Cohort on the left, made aware that he will have to counter the German calvary," said Varus. The messenger repeated the order, then rode off quickly to the 1st Cohort position.


By the time the sun had risen to clearly light the day both armies were in position and waiting.

OOC: No problems Thrash, I'll start the battle, but I'm not sure how Skycap can help. Now this is a Legion Legion right? A roman-like one? So that means you have something around 6000+ men right? Ok...got you. I researched it just now, the Germans and Gauls in the period, so I will try to rp as close to that.

IC:

Arac stood infront of the line of Gauls, each of them were bare from the waist up, blue lines painted on their chests and their hair spiked and dyed orange. Some had shields and swords, some spears, some had large tree limbs. They were loud and talkative some were banging their weapons against their shields and chanting.

His German troops behind them were wearing an assortment of old Roman armor, chain mail, leather vests, and some where bare chested like the Gauls. Most of them had shields, but all of them had swords or spears. Arac glanced down the line to his right where Daifur sat on his horse with his horsemen. They were armed with long swords and had small round shields. They each were wearing chain mail and had iron helmets; they were made of minor princes and lords from around the area which Arac ruled.

Arac himself was wearing chainmail with his wolf cloak hitched to his shoulders. In his hand he held a large two headed axe. He also wore a silver helm he had captured from a roman 17 years earlier.

He lifted his axe into the air. "March forward!" he shouted. Not all heard, but when the Germans noticed the Gauls walking forward they started too. Same with the horsemen. The German line advanced foreward.

Marcus watched as the German line of troops marched closer. He could hear the chanting and clashing of swords on shields. He gulped visably then looked down the line of his troops. He had been given command of the 800 Auxiliary Archers. They were spread out in a double line two men deep.

Marcus licked his lips as he looked out into the field once again. He had had his men put a flag in the field marking the furthest extent of his archers range, he saw that the Germans were close.

"Should we ready sir?" asked a centurion who stood next to Marcus. Marcus swallowed and turned to the man. "Yes, make ready." The centurion nodded and saluted. The man turned to the line of men.

"Archers! Fit arrows!!" He yelled. The order was repeated all along the line. Each archer took an arrow from his quiver and set it in its place against the string, then held it at rest. The centurion looked out into the field and watched as the first of the Gauls walked past the signal flag set in the field. He waited until a Gaul walked up and cut the flag down.

"Archers! Aim!" He yelled. Once again the order was repeated down the line. The line of men raised their bows.

"Draw arrows!" he yelled. The line of archers drew back their strings, pulling the back of the arrow until it touched their cheeks. The centurion looked at Marcus who nodded.

"LOOSE!" He yelled. The sound of twanging strings echoed as 800 arrows roose into the air and flew at the Gauls. Marcus watched them fall. He could hear them wistle down, death on swift wings.

"Fit Arrows!" The centurion shouted again. The man repeated his previous orders. Marcus watched as the Gallic line stopped, the Gauls putting their shields up to block arrows. The arrows fell three more times before the Germans behind the pushed them forward.

"Fire two more volleys then we fall back," Marcus shouted at the centurion. The man nodded and had the archers loose another volley. He had them fire twice more then they quickly formed into two groups and fell back between the awaiting line of Legionairres.

Arac had slipped back to be in front of the German troops. He watched as large groups of Gauls were cut down by the damned Thrashian archers. He raised his axe and shouted to his Germans. "Stop! Let the Gauls go first!"

His group of men halted and the line of Gauls continued forward, getting peppered by arrows along the way. When they were about 30 meters away he raised his axe again and motioned forward. His Germans marched.


Daifur rode with his men quickly forward. He saw the archers cowardly retreat behind their other soldiers. He suddenly noticed a group of them on the right, in a line. He raised his sword high over his head and shouted a battle cry. His men shouted too and they cantered forward at top speed.


The Gauls, angered by the arrows, chanted even louder and then when they were 60 meters from the Legionairres, they charged forward yelling in a massive mob.

The centurion Marius smiled as he saw the German calvary charge forward ahead of the rest of the line. He shouted to his men. "Ready Pilums!" All 300 Legionairres of his command lifted their pilum javelins into position. Marius raised his gladius and watched as the horsemen drew nearer.

He waited until they were about 25 meters away. "Throw!" he shouted. A shower of spears fell into the charging Germans, stabbing into men and horse alike. His men drew their swords automatically as they were trained to after throwing their pilums. Marius stepped into the line and then shouted. "Advance!" They marched toward to the horsemen, some who were still charging.


Aurelius, centurion in command of the center cohort watched as the Gauls charged. He to lifted his sword and ordered his men to ready their pilum javelins. "Ready Pilums!" All 600 of his men followed suit. He waited until the Gauls were 25 meters away and running closer. "Throw!"

The spears showered down into the Gauls. Aurelius joined the line then raised his sword again. "Charge, swords!" With a great shout the Legionairres locked their shields and stuck their swords between them. "Advance!" The line marched forward and met the Gauls.

The right Cohort, commanded by Catria, had his men throw their spears into the Gauls just after Aurelius's own men did. Then because most of the Gauls had bunched into the center, wheeled his men into their left flank.

Most of the German horsemen went down either from being hit by spears themselves, or their horses being hit. Those in the back behind them fell over the bodies in front as well. About 230 or more of the men were left, Daifur among them. He took a piece of spear out of his leg and spit. "Get off yor horses!" he shouted at the men who were still mounted.

He turned to face the advancing Thrashians. He raised his sword, and charged. The other men charge forward as well.


The Gauls charged fearlessly, battle crazed, into the German line, even though hundreds had died already from the arrows and javelins. They slammed into the Thrashian line hard, almost making it buckle, but couldn't break through the 4 man deep line. They started hacking at the Legionairres, and the center became a massive meele.

Then the Thrashians on the Gaul's left smashed into their side. Sweeping the Gauls into the center more. One of the Gallic cheiftens died under a sword stroke when they where hit in the left. The Gauls began to get worried and some started running back. Then the German line came up.

Arac marched in the center of his men, massive axe raised and ready. "Death to all Thrashian!" he yelled and charged forward into the meele. His men charged with him. The longer German line smashed into the side of the Thrashian cohort that had outflanked the Gauls and they themselves were flanked. The Entire line was now engaged in fighting.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Romans/battleupdate.jpg
OOC: Update positions of troops
IC:


Varus watched as his Legion met the Germans. The calvary on the left had been dealt with, the remnants of the group charging on foot. And that was where he saw Arac's weak point. He motioned his messenger forward.

"Tell the 4th Cohort to march and help push forward on the left flank. Marius is to break through the German right flank and then wheel right and charge into the German side," Varus ordered. The messenger nodded. He rode off to the lines to deliver the messege.

Varus watched as his 3rd Cohort on the right was out flanked as it outflanked the Gauls. He turned to his trumpetiers. "Signal the 3rd Cohort withdraw." The six men nodded. They each put their mouths to the great horns they held at their sides. Taking in great amounts of air, they blew a series of notes. The sound echoed above the din of battle. Varus watched as a small amount of the 3rd cohort disengaged and fell back to reform a line. Other bits of it formed into circles as the Germans swept over them, he watched these men fight to the death.



Marius cut down another German horseman as he drove forward with his men. He turned and shouted at his men. "Fight! Fight!" Then he noticed one of the General's messengers riding forward. The man wheeled his horse around as he came up next to Marius.

"The general says you are to break through these Germans and then wheel into their right flank," he shouted over the noise. Marius nodded and motioned him away. He turned and blocked a sword blow as a German jumped at him, he slid inside the mans guard and stabbed him in the chest. The German fell dieing to the ground. Marius watched as his men cut down the last of the German horseman. He saw how there were actually no more Germans behind him and smiled when he realized his General's brilliance. "Form up! 1st-4th Centuries, wheel right and plow into the Germans. 5th-6th March forward!" he yelled. His orderd were repeated down the line. The cohort reformed and the 300 surviving men of the 1st-4th centuries wheeled, as if on parade ground, into the german right flank. The other 160 or so men of the 5th-6th centuries marched forward, past the wheel.

The 4th Cohort marched right behind the 1st and pushed into the German flank as well, their commander also sent two centuries forward with the 1st Cohorts.


Aurelies cut down another Gaul as he hacked with his men in the meele. It was like a slaughter house. He yelled at his trumpetier. "Signal for reinforcements! We cannot hold the line!" He yelled. The man, who was being defended with other members of the cohorts flag bearers, blew heavily into his trumpet.


Varus heard the call. He looked to his trumpetiers again. "The 5th Cohort is to advance and reinforce the center." They quickly complied and blew hard into their trumpets and making a few short notes. The fresh 600 men marched forward to reinforce the 2nd and 3rd cohorts.

OOC: That pics kinda blocky...but I'll forgive since it is Paint your using.

IC:

Arac smashed in the head of yet another Thrashian. He and his men charged further into the center line of the Thrashians, they seemed to be getting weaker; and not only that, but Arac could see few men behind them. "Charge! They are weak!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. Several Gauls and Germans around him shouted in a joyful battle cry. Arac ran forward and crushed in the head of a centurion and cut down another Legionairre. With him a large group of men also did, they began formaing a wedge that was pounding into the Thrashian line.

The entire german line surged forward.


Daifur lay near death on the ground. The Thrashians had already marched over his broken body and gone on. 'I cannot move...Lord Arac must be warned,' he thought to himself. He slumped onto his side and saw a Thrashian trumphet on the ground near him. He struggled over to it, and with his dieing breathe, blew a long loud note.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Romans/battleupdate2.jpg
OOC: Another update, the main german line is now mixed with Gauls, they are not calvary just so you know

IC:

Varus watched as the Germans broke through the 2nd Cohort, only to be met by the fresh and battle-hungry 5th Cohort. He smiled as, even through they split the line temporarily, it was closing again. The 5th and 2nd cohorts began melding into one, pushing the Germans back.

The 3rd Cohort, which had reformed successfully, was even holding its own again. Of course, the attack on them was now much less, which helped. Varus looked down where the 6th Cohort sat in reserve. He could see some men shifting from foot to foot, each eager to get into the battle, to help fallen friends. 'Not yet,' he thought. He looked back up to teh left where about 4 centuries had marched past the German lines. They were about 40 meters past the last German. So far the Germans hadn't noticed.

He turned to his musician centurion. "Do you know the signals for those centuries there on the left?" he asked. The man put his hand to his forehead and looked out. "Yes....I yes General I do."

"Then signal them to wheel right, then to march straight into the rear of the Germans."

"Yes General." The notes called out over the battlefield. With parade ground precision Varus watched as the 400 or so men wheeled right and then marched strait accross for a moment then turned south facing the rear of the German forces. They stayed their for a moment, then charged forward, slamming hard into the rear.

"Now it is time," Varus said. He yelled down to the centurion of the 6th Cohort. "Charge forward and advance!"

"Yes general!" The long line of the 6th quick marched forward, reinforcing the Thrashian center and left. The entire Thrashian center pressed forward.

The 1st and 4th Cohorts continued to press in from the left.

And now some 400 of the Thrashian slammed in a wedge formation into the German rear.

OOC: Go ahead. I think though that your forces just got hit in the rear, so you might want to handle that.

OOC: Yea, go ahead Skycap, I want you to take over the army since I am going to have Arac die. A glorius death! But you will need to retreat. Thrash's army will be too beat up to run after you.


Arac fell backwards onto the ground as a new surge of Legionairres charged forward. A Gaul that was standing in front of Arac was cut down in moments. Quickly Arac got back up to his feet and brought up his axe to block the sword slash of another centurion. This one seemed different from the other he had killed. He had a grimmer and more experianced look in his eye. Arac smiled and swung down with his axe. The man blocked the blow but stepped backwards temporarily. It was all the opening that Arac needed.

With a mighty yell he swung his axe and heard the satisfying crunch as it slammed into the centurions side and literally cut the man in half.

Arac however, only short lived the enjoyment of his kill. Several romans came up from behind him and plundged their swords into him repeatedly. With a great cry he fell, his axe dropping to the ground.

The Germans around him, who saw him fall cried out. Soon the entire German line new of Arac's death. They panicked and fled back to the hill, running full tilt in fear. Their mass was so great that they even burst past the Thrashians that had gotten behind their line.


Within half an hour all the Germans and Gauls had fled up and over the northern hill.

Varus walked through the field, followed by a few of his officers. Around him were several thousand dead Gauls, Thrashians, and Germans. Marcus, a new red scar on his cheek stood nearby just looking out over the battlefield. Varus walked over to Marcus. "I see your still alive Tribune, how do you feel?" Varus asked quietly. Marcus's eyes were slightly wide and he was shaking slightly. The adrenaline that had coursed through his body and exilerated him in the battle was gone, and now he felt empty and drained.

"I feel...tired sir," Marcus replied in a wisper. Varus nodded. "Very well, go get some rest. When you wake you are to orginize a full check of the dead, and assemble the Legion for inspection and role call." Varus turned and walked away from the young man. "Yes...sir," Marcus said. Wearily he walked through the mass of dead bodies and stumbled up the hill and entered the camp.

The camp was quiet, the Legionairres were mostly all asleep or resting, with only the 6th Cohort, who had not fully participated in the battle standing watch. Marcus walked-blind into his tent then slumped onto his leather cot and immediately fell into a deep sleep.



Marcus woke with a start. He'd been having a dream about the battle. He sat up on his cot and held his head in his hands. He sighed heavily, then noticed the stench of dried blood and sweat all over him.

He stood up and removed his armor and tunic, then went to the back of the tent where a large barrel of water sat, a pitcher next to it. He poured water all over his body and used mint leaves to get rid of the smell. Finally when he had fully cleaned he went back to the main part of the tent and dried. He pulled a new tunic out of his private wooden chest and a piece of lighter armor. He hooked his white scabberd sword to his belt and then laved up his sandles. He cleared his throat then walked out of the tent.

Going to each century of the XI Legion, Marcus was able to find the total number of dead. That evening Varus had the Legion assembled in a section of open ground above the battlefield. The battlefield itself had changed. Thrashian dead had already been removed and buried, while the Germans and Gauls had been piled then burned. The smell of burning meat wafted into the camo when a southern wind came up.

Varus sat on his horse, so as to be seen by the entire Legion. "Men! Men! XI Legion! You have won a victory that will be remebered in the annals of Thrashian history! I am proud of you and for your hard work. However our work here in Germania is not done. Though beaten the Germans will return. I will have us wait, and let you men rest, then we will once and for all crush these barbarians!" He called out over the mass. A cheer went up over the Legion, men raised their spears or swords in salute of Varus. He nodded then dismounted.

He walked into his command tent followed by Marcus. Varus looked closely at the young tribune. "Are you now rested Marcus?" he asked. Marcus nodded. "Yes General, I have the number of dead as you asked," Marcus replied.

Varus went over behind his large table and sat down in a chair. "Well then?"

Marcus took out a scroll, opened it, and began reading. "The number of dead by Cohort: 1st Cohort - 167 Dead, 79 wounded, 32 OOA; 2nd Cohort - 342 Dead, 123 wounded, 20 OOA; 3rd Cohort - 265 Dead, 341 wounded, 121 OOA; 4th Cohort - 64 Dead, 99 wounded, 23 OOA; 5th Cohort - 78 Dead, 45 wounded, 10 OOA; 6th Cohort - 17 Dead, 34 wounded, 7 OOA; Auxiliary - 20 Dead, 15 wounded, no OOAs," read Marcus.

"The total dead: 993 men, 736 wounded, and 213 of those wounded are no longer fit for combat," he ended. Varus nodded and steepled his fingers together.

"So I have lost just over 1/5th of my Legion," Varus said aloud. "And some 700 of those wounded will not be able to fight for some months." He looked up at Marcus. "How many men are currently fit for combat?"

"Roughly 4,850 men sir," said Marcus after looking down at his scroll.

"Very well, I will be sending for reinforcements from Siscia," said Varus. He took an ink quill and began writing a message on a piece of parchment. Marcus dismissed himself and left.

Bump

OOC: WTF, how did that happen. varus got hammered IRL, who forgot to hide in the trees?

Originally Posted by: No_State_At_All
OOC: WTF, how did that happen. varus got hammered IRL, who forgot to hide in the trees?

OOC: Sorry to butt-in. According to history, The loss of three entire legions under Publius Quinctilius Varus was one of the greatest military disasters in Roman history. Thinking he was marching to put down a minor insurrection,
Varus advanced into the forests of northern Germany in September 9 AD
and walked into a trap which resulted in the loss of up to 20,000 troops and
meant that the Empire never again attempted to annex the lands east
of the Rhine frontier. They called it the 'Clades Variana' - the Varus Disaster.

However you will notice that Thrashia recently posted a thread titled "Thrashian Army (Revitilized)" where he made his intentions to start rping using ancient roman tech. He made a short history where his empire was under the romans then when rome fell, the Thrashians rose again and basiclly slipped into Rome's empty shoes.

The fact that he is using roman sounding names, and that the fact that Varus was a common Roman name at the time, does not trouble me. Also you will notice (if you of course read the rp closely) that Thrash states that the forests had been checked by his scouts, and they reported that they were wet, swampy, and 'inhospitiable' to humans. Thus making the battlefield a clear head to head affair.

So, No_State, please read carefully before shouting 'WTF'. Being new I have made this mistake once and have not done so again. So I wish to impart my learned lesson. If you want to see more differences in how Thrash made this campaign and the RL one then follow this link, and see the full story and how it great differs from the RL one: http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Salon/2385/background.html

OOC: Harsh put-down, but his point is valid No_State_at_All. Also, please asks these kind of questions in the OOC thread I made, I will put a link to it in here.

OOC: damn, sorry, didnt spot the OOC thread or the other one. *Blushes*
*leaves thread looking embarrased*

OOC: Don't worry No_State, it happens to the best of us.

Bump