Celtica

[Warluster]

Celtica

Celtica... 60 BC. Celtica is a land cut to pieces, with tribes warring over patches of land. War is constant, with squabbles of nothing erupting, grudges made centuries before still being encacted. The men of the tribes are always warriors, ready to defend against the certian possibilty of war. Celtica has suffered from Germani invasions, it has defended against Thracian invaders. They are united only in one sense, their culture keeps them together. Some stay peaceful, like those down south, but they are merely scared of their neighbour... Rome.

Suddenly this warlike land has its attention focused on one thing, as Roman legions march into Southern Celtica just before 100 BC. THe tribes fall after bitter fighting, and suddenly, Celtica finds themselves facing a enemy greater then the Germani.

Of the decades the Romans settle, warring with the Celts and forging aliances. Some of the Celts recognise potential and ally, while others swear vengance and backstab the Romans now.. or later. But they always find themselves facing many Roman legions, led by talented Quaestor's. These man use the most skilled Legions Rome, or the world, has ever seen.

And they are now led by a even greater led, Gaius Julius Caeser. With these man, who those in Rome fear, leading, a series of offensives open up against many enemies. Can you take control of a Legion, and defeat these brutal Gallic tribes?

_

After a very long break from the Chapter House, I have returned. This is my new IH. I have learnt from my very foolish mistakes from my horrible attempts before, and tried to improve with this new one. I hope this does not conflict with Caius's new IH, as I have set this one several centuries later, and in a diffrent style.

When I say a diffrent style I am keeping to the old IH style, but instead of countries you shall control Legions. THe game will operate in the same way as before, between players. You are a Quaestor, and control one of Caeser's legions attacking Gaul. The Legion is given one specific area is should stick to (Note the should). Instead of backstabbing each other, a splayers would normally do, players must work together. THe Celt tribes will be attacking and betraying, and the Legions must work together to make sure the Roman Province is not overun.

Rules:

1) Players may not betray or war with each other, but should work together. Of course, if one Legion is in trouble, and you are angry with that Quaestor, you may choose to not help them. (E.G: 10th Legion is besieged in Tolosa by Averni warriors, and the 9th Legion is free and nearby. But the two Quaestor's had a disagreement recently, so the 9th instead races away, dooming the 10th and its Quaestor.)

2) You may receive orders from Caeser occasionally, I advise you listen, doing so makes him angry and he might replace you and send you back to Roma.

3) You can talk with Celtic tribes, and if you must be evil you can betray and massacre them. of course, you might also ally with them and ask for mercanary troops. Doing so would be handy but they might be planning to kill you.

4) This thread is used to communicate between Quaestors. THis is NEEDED. If one Legon allys with a tribe, and another attacks it, this will cause them to lose trust in ALL of Rome and stir trouble with others. I also suggest you talk about stratergy and plans. A Legion has a home, and a supply depot. THe supply line ensures food and weapons get to you. if thats cut you can last several month's. A Legion has adirect control over a certian area, meaning that if another legion wants to go there they need permission from the other's Quaestor.

5) If you're killed in battle then its game over, someone else takes over and you're put in line for next Legion. THere's also a chance you will be assasinated or the Senate takes a disliking to you, and thus pull away your command. If the Legion you control rebels you also lose control again. Them rebelling may be because of long travel and no rest, battle weary or else.

The Senate many also ask some things of you which Caeser shouldn't hear of. You can follow the Senate's will and do what they ask, or stay with Caeser and inform him. Civil war is a possibilty. War is a constant thing, but there will be other tasks you have to tend too. The Senate will not sit idly, and your Legion might even be shipped out of Gaul, in that case a whole new campaign opens. The land the Legion's occupy is Rome's. To expand your Legion's direct control you must conquer the other tribes or make sure they have Friend and Ally of Rome status.

There are several things you can only do by ask Caeser or the Senate. You can:
1) Request Friend and Ally status for one of the Celtic tribes. This means it is basiclly a protected tribe of Rome, and you HAVE to help them and supply them.
2)Request a Expedition. This means that Caeser will send out orders to several Legion's, ordering them to attack a certian place. THis does not have to be in Gaul. You can request a Expedition to Brittania or Germania.
3)Request transportation elsewhere if requested. (E.G: Pompey's legions are troubled by Iberian guerilla activity, so the Senate asks for your Legion to help them.)

That is all, but if you have questions ask. Also I will try and find some good maps, but if you have a source of maps please PM it to me.

The Legions:
6th Legion: Quaestor Tiberius
8th Legion: Quaestor Winter
9th Legion: Quaestor Jan
10th Legion: Quaestor Jolt
12th Legion: Quaestor Demon
13th Legion: Quaestor AntiWarman



6th Legion's home is Tolosa, and that is there supply depot. They have direct control are shaded yellow on the map.

8th legion's home is Narbo, and that its supply depot. It is deep red.

9th's home is Arelate and thats its supply depot. It is light red.

10th's home is Aquae Sextae, and thats its supply depot. It is deep gray.

12th's home is Vienne and thats its supply depot. It is green.

13th's home is Geneva and thats its supply depot. It is blue.

On the map is all the tribes in Gaul/Celtica. So pick a Legion, ask questions or voice queries, and then I shall post Chapter 1.

If it looks complicated don't worry. If you've played a IH before, then it should be faimilar but if you're new PM me and I will explain it to you. Good luck! (And sorry if you get 13th Legion)

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

I take the 13th Legion

[Tiberius of the Drake]

Ill take the 6th Legion

[DemonArchangel]

I'll take the 12th Legion.

[Lord Winter]

I'll take the 8th

[Warluster]

Welcome all new Quaestor's! Blessings of Jupiter upon you

Two more spots and I'll have Chapter I up. Would everyone like to have the Quaestor's names like they are? Or have would everyone like to adopt Roman names for this IH?

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

I like username as Quaestor

[Jolt]

I'll take the 10th Legion. First IH for me. :)

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I'll take the 9th, methinks...

[King Jan III Sobieski]

You can just call me Caesar!

[Warluster]

Okay, we're all ready to start. Nobody has questions before the game begins?

Also, any other people interested you may still put your name down. As when a Quaestor dies they lose their position in game ('cause your dead) and the person next in queue is next up. So live Quaestor's, be careful!

I like username as Quaestor

Jupiter might decide to strike Quaestor AntiWarman with lightening for that

[Jolt]

Can we eventually rebel against Caesar and become King of Galia? :P

[Warluster]

Well, if you want you can try. But the Senate won't be too happy with you, and can easily send more Legions to help Caeser. Unless there's a Civil War of course... You can rebel but judge the right timing is what I advise or Rome will smash you.

[Warluster]

Chapter I

“All of Gaul is divided into three parts…” Gaius Julius Caesar

60 BC, Kalends of Martius – Kalends of Maius

War. That is the word best used to describe Gaul. It is chopped into several cultural parts. There is Celtica in the centre, where large tribes such as the Aedui and Arverni skirmish or ally with the Romans down south, or the smaller tribes of the Venti and Parisii constantly battle up north.

There is Belgica to the east. They host massive numbers of people, and fearsome warriors. They are always ready to fight, and are brutal so as to deal with the Germani which raid across from Germania.

There is Aquitania to the south west. They are a peaceful people, who have allied with the Romans, who also corner them into southern Gaul, in that one region. It is regarded as a no threat.

And then there is the Roman Province. For 50 years the Romans have lived there, Romanized the people, made the region as much a part of Italia as southern Italia. But there stand 6 legions. And they are not raw recruits, they are veterans. They are engineers, they can travel hundreds of miles and beat the fastest Gauls in a march. They can withstand sieges for months and then fight there way out, and they work together to eliminate their enemies.
They are Romans.

But to elevate their need many tribes beg for help, tribes such as the Leuci and Aedui as they catch word of the coming horde from Germania and Thracia. The Helvetii. They are ravenous for Celtic land, have been dwelling on the edge of Roman borders for decades. And now they sense opportunity, and they swarm towards the 13th legion. As the soldiers curse their unlucky number, Gaius Julius Caesar sees an opportunity opportunity as well, as the Celts beg for Roman help.

So Caesar calls for the 6th and 8th, soldiers of Pompey’s army of Nearer and Further Spain. And they come to southern Gaul, and await like the rest the oncoming Germani horde of Helvetii, wondering what Caesar plans.

He plans conquest.

But for that, he requires Quaestor’s, loyal advisors to him. They command the legions he needs to fight of the Helvetii invasion, but he questions only one thing of them. Are they loyal to him, Caesar? Or the Senate? Or Pompey, the greedy man who rules Spain from Roma. He can only discover so in the heat of war which turns itself upon these six legions, as the Helvetii are not the only ones who plan an offensive…

A map of the mountains and rivers in Gaul

Legion VI

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Caesar recently asked for a new Legion, but with since he cannot cross into Italia he had to borrow two off Pompey. The Sixth is one of them. You are essentially part of Caesar’s legions now, but Pompey can recall the Sixth anytime. Being based down south in the calm region of Aquitaine, the Legion’s home is under no serious threat.

I) The Aquitaine is no ally of Rome, but they are on friendly terms. Recently the Tarbeili tribe of Southern Aquitaine has had raiders come across the Iberian border. They are angry, accusing that it is Romans though none live to tell the tale. Maybe you should investigate this disturbance with several cohorts of troops?

II) Caesar may ask for the legion to head north and help the 13th, but currently you have not threat to your borders. The governor of Tolosa is loudly crowing that there are problems with the river running through the town, and he wants several more bridges. He expects you to build and plan them yourself, as Quaestor, and he stubbornly insists you do it soon so trade can flow through Tolosa easier. This could benefit you with the trade which will make the 6th richer, but it will use up 4 Cohorts.

Legion VIII

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Caesar recently asked for a new Legion, but with since he cannot cross into Italia he had to borrow two off Pompey. The Eighth is one of them. Given a smaller zone further up north, you have to take the brunt of Averni aggression. Recently this aggression has disappeared slightly, instead the Averni turning their eyes up north to the Aedui who worry over the Helvetii horde.

I)The Averni are the closest tribe to Roman lands, and defiantly the largest. They present such a threat, that only the combined power of six Legions has stopped them before. Now, you must stealthily outmaneuver them, or face a head on battle. The Averni have been reported to sending several thousand of their warriors towards Aedui land, planning to invade. Though they have left numbers down south defending there border, it is much smaller then beforehand. Now would be a good time to strike, whether they realize or not.

Your advisors show you a map of Averni lands. There is only one major city in southern Averni, and that will fall depending on how fast you can bring up siege equipment and the skill of your siege. The Averni are slow movers, they have large numbers but move as one and do not use horses for supplies. It is suggested this could be used as well to cut off their supply line. There are two more cities, the largest being Gergovia which is a natural fortress, you will need to use everything you’ve got to take this on.

Diplomatically though the Averni will be stubborn but you could try, suggests an advisor, expect nothing though. Do what you see fit, just do it quick as Caesar is pushing you to act; he needs help soon up north.

II) If you plan to stage an offensive against the Averni, several things must be attended to. You have to determine a supply line route from the city of Narbo. You must plan an offensive and how to assault. You have 4 200 legionnaires, and 800 are skirmishers. There are 10 cohorts and two are skirmishers. Siege equipment will be brought up from Narbo and will take an estimated month to reach you in Averni. To reach the Averni border from Narbo will take 15 days, with the treacherous Massif Mountain Range possibly halting you.

Diplomatically you can reach them in Gergovia within a month. The Aedui are allies of Rome though so you must weigh your choices, discuss it with your fellow Quaestor’s as they also must make a move, and talk with the commander of the 9th as he might also plan an offensive against the Averni, if you work together it will help tremendously. Spies will help.

Legion IX

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The 9th Legion is one of Caesar’s best. They are veterans who have been stationed in Gaul in a time which is only bested by the 10th. The soldiers are elite; Celtic warriors yearn to face you so they can earn fame if they win.

I) You face the same problem as the Eighth Legion. The Averni are the closest tribe to Roman lands, and defiantly the largest. They present such a threat, that only the combined power of six Legions has stopped them before. Now, you must stealthily outmaneuver them, or face a head on battle. The Averni have been reported to sending several thousand of their warriors towards Aedui land, planning to invade. Though they have left numbers down south defending there border, it is much smaller then beforehand. Now would be a good time to strike, whether they realize or not.

A particular loud mouthed advisor says that the Averni are savages, and he becomes quite worked up. Fuelled by anger, he explains to you that they will stab Rome in the back quickly, and must be dealt with. He stabs his finger at a map and shows you the one town in southern Averni, claiming it will be mincemeat and should fall easily. He continues saying the 8th can reinforce the 9th after you’ve taken it and be a rearguard. The Averni are slow, so slow you can reach and siege Gergovia, a massive fotress and oppidum of the Averni, before they reach you, where they 8th can take them on. You must decide what to do, but talking with the 8th Legion Quaestor will clear things up, and you can sort it out, plan offensives, otherwise you may get in each others way.

II) Later on a separate advisor talks to you, warning you of the loud mouthed one. He says he exaggerates often, and overlooked the problem that the Massif mountains stand in the way. He also says that the 8th legion has better information at the moment for some reason, and that you should ask there Quaestor for more information.

Legion X

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Tenth Legion is the most elite legion in all of Roman lands, and the world. They have stood in Gaul for decades, they are considered Caesar’s legion, and he rides with them often, they are the elite of the elite.

I) Strangely enough they are currently posted in reserve, near Massilia, which is controlled by the Greeks. They are large enough to support themselves, but Massilia is one of the richest cities in Gaul. The riches they host could support the Tenth for many decades. Caeser encourages you, saying to take what measures yo can do drain their wealth. This can be done any way you want. Assasination of its leader, raiding parties or pirating. Whatever you choose, he just wants it to be detailed.

II) But opposite of Caeser’s will is the Senate’s. They are close to the 10th, so comnobly speak with you. Trouble brews and they have problems. One of them is pirates off Corsica. Corsica is a powerful mining province, and it supplies Roma with many riches. But these are being lost to pirates. With the Navy further east, they ask you to supply 3 cohorts (1200 soldiers out of 4 200) and 6 ships (out of 16) to battle them, and for you to be the naval commander. At the same time Caesar is telling you to prepare for the Helvetii invasion. What will you do?

Legion XII

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The 12th is a new Legion to Gaul, with it coming from Italian Gaul recently. Its men are learning, but are generally experienced. Now they face their worst days. The 13th is a completely new recruit Legion, and it is poised to defend against a barbarian invasion. The barbarians are most scared of Rome, but the Aedui are close allies of Rome. To abandon them sends a bad message to the other Celtic people.
I) So this leaves you in a difficult position. The 13th may need reinforcements, but some point out that maybe the 10th may help. (They also advise you speak with both Quaestor’s) but if the 13th collapses before help from them arrives a disaster faces you. A broken legion and hordes of barbarians. But you must also consider the Aedui. They face invasion against Germani people, the fiearcest warriors around. Their numbers cannot hold,them and intelligence from the 8th Legion points out that the Arverni are planning a offensive of their own. Who shall you help? (You have 10 cohorts, which includes 800 skirmishers.)

II) Whoever you help you must choose a place to fight, and a formation.

Legion XIII

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The 13th legion is a legion full of raw recruits. It sticks to its unlucky number, with these new recruits suddenly facing a massive barbarian invasion. With the mountains of the Alps providing cover, you must now coordinate the defense of the Roman Province and Rome’s allies.

I) The Helvetii are racing through into Gaul, massive numbers, the whole tribe. They provide the largest threat to the Aedui and Leuci, both having medium sized armies but can not provide a good defense, not Celtic army can. The Helvetii are rumored to be heading for barbarian lands, and are scared of Rome, but this is not guaranteed. With the legionairres of the 13th having never fought before, you need good defense.

Note: Sorry about the larg maps, I can downsize them or replace them but I thought you'd need them for your tactics, really detailed maps. They link on and count as one image, so plan your tactics using it as one picture.

With a map of the Alps, you must position your cohorts in the best way you can eliminate the Helvetii. But Caesar wishes not to press you, and says the 10th might provide reinforcements. But he also says that this is not ceritan, another worry and something you have to talk with its Quaestor about. He also worries over the situation, presenting the solution that you can retreat if you want to the heavier defended towns of surther south but a advisor points out you will lose the good defense of the Alps. If reinforced by the 10th and 12th or other Legions you might have a good chance, once again you must speak directly with. Coordanation is a requirement, if without their help victory has a low chance.

II) If they do not help, you might want to ask for support from the Senate. They have many Legions in Dacia, Greece and Asia Minor. If they provide you with einforcements this might help the current situation, and a future one.

III) Caesar also promises to contact you soon, saying he has several siege weapons you may want. He states though you must stop the Helvetii no matter what, using everything you’ve got. If you must, attack but think over it.

___

Now, to the OOC matters. You will receive messages from numerous people, the Senate, Caesar, etc, and in those messages are matters which require decisions, much like the ones here, but must be made immediatly. You will understand if you receive one. (E.G: The Senate may send you a Legion, so they will contact you.) There will also be smaller matters which don't make the CHapter, which also require such a thing. If you someone attempts to assasinate you, the duel will be made by PM with quick decisions, to emulate a duel. This gives a fair chance.

Any questions or map requests, please PM me. Same with diplomacy. And remember, just because its not listed here, doesn't mean you can't send through decisions on it.

And one last reminder: Talk about things! I don't care if its here or by PM, but if no one communicates, its going to be bloody impossible, and bloody hard. Good luck, your all going to need it!

[Lord Winter]

The section labeled for Legion VIII is the ninth Leigons write up.

[DemonArchangel]

It is my firm belief that the Helvetii are the main threat to Gaul at this moment, and should be the first problem to be dealt with.

I request that the Quaestors of the 13th and 10th legions assist me in dealing with the Helvetii threat.

[Jolt]

Well, I am thinking of doing the following things: I'll put the pirate problems on hold, and think of commiting the full X Legion to the Helvetii problem, and leave a cohort in Massilia to guard the region and take care of logstics, overview other plans I have for the region and provide an avenue of retreat in case the 13th Legion suffers grave defeats. I say the Quaestor divide his legion between supporting the 12th Legion offensive and staying behind to outflank the Helvetii incase the 13th Legion gives way.

As for the Helvetii themselves, I say that after we defeat them, instead of settling for the annihilation of their armies, I say we allow them to attempt to settle in Central Gaul, whereby they will create problems for the Gallic Tribes there and give us more breathing space and manuevering time to strike both Gauls and Helvetii and take control of the whole Central Gaul.

[Jolt]

It is my firm belief that the Helvetii are the main threat to Gaul at this moment, and should be the first problem to be dealt with.

I request that the Quaestors of the 13th and 10th legions assist me in dealing with the Helvetii threat.

In the words of the Great Guan Yu "Since things are so, let us pack and go,". :)

With the assistance of the 12th Legion, things might be a bit easier.

[DemonArchangel]

I want to obtain some cavalry first though. Would the Senate be able to help in that regard?

[Warluster]

Message from the Senate:
All Equite cohorts are currently needed elsewhere. Seeing as the Gallic Campaign presents no danger in the immediate time, we see no reason to withdraw the Equites and ship them to Gaul. Marcus Crassus is using them in the important campaign in Asia Minor. Once the Asian Campaign is finished, we will consider sending them.

[DemonArchangel]

We have zero cavalry and only a few foot skirmishers to take on a barbarian horde in hostile territory. The Aedui are beleaguered on all sides, the Arverni are hostile.

Oh joy.

To my fellow Quaestors of the 10th, 8th and 13th Legions: Do you think we should make a deal with the Arverni for some cavalrymen and troops that know the terrain?

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

I will argee with you, Quaestor Demon! We will need some cavalrymen who know the terrain well.


I will have my 13th Legion hold as best as we can .

[Jolt]

I say nay. Fighting in a mountainous terrain, that is the Alps, the uses of cavalry would be minimal, and the cost of hiring a regiment from a hostile confederation of barbarians would be counterproductive. At best, we should ask for the Celtiberian tribes already under Rome's to send us some cavalry. The Iberian tribes are expert in mountains combat, and their Northern horses are sturdy, small and mobile, as well as expert in moving through mountainous terrain. They could be of much use. I have little faith on Gallic Cavalry in such a terrain, however.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

I think cavarly should be uses for the plains, I argee with that, but also argee about the moutains. I can not afford to have a large cavarly force, escally barbarins, in my moutain lands to defend it. I need some, but mosty good footmen.

I am calling on my fellow Roman Quesators to assit me in anyway possible!

[DemonArchangel]

We need some horsemen at least, if only because there have to be some troops that can move faster than a column of legionaries.

However, this is not the most pressing issue. Since we are going to be fighting in the mountains, auxiliary foot skirmishers would be good.

How about we negotiate with the Gallic tribes to stall for time while more forces can be sent to deal with the Helvetii? Or better yet, try to pit the Helvetii against the Averni. Thinking about the situation some more, I think all of Roman Gaul needs to be involved in this campaign.

To Caesar: I wish to conduct diplomatic negotiations with the Helvetii to stall for time. Do you have any gold lying around I could use for bribery purposes? In the meantime, I want you to get all six of the legions in Gaul ready to attack the Helvetii. Any horde that can threaten the frontage of 3 legions is a major emergency.

To the Senate: Situation in Gaul critical. Large barbarian horde arriving. Send reinforcements please.

[Tiberius of the Drake]

OOC: are we to assume that all the legions are made up as described in the VII Legion's write up?
that is 10 cohorts (* legionairre and 2 skirmishers)

[Warluster]

Message from the Senate:
The Senate has received word of the incoming barbarian horde. We understand now the threat they might be but some doubt whether an attack will even happen. The matter of sending some Legion's in reinforcement is under debate in the Senate as of now. We will inform the Legion's defending Gaul of the resolution when it has been made.

Several Senator's are also willing to send you some funds for the campaign. They do not know how much or when it will arrive, but are sure it will, hopefully, come before the supposed invasion.


_
OOC:Yes that is right. A Legion also has siege equipment at its home base, but they may bring it along on marches if a Quaestor wants, it slows a Legion down though.

[Caius]

May I join?

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I think cavarly should be uses for the plains, I argee with that, but also argee about the moutains. I can not afford to have a large cavarly force, escally barbarins, in my moutain lands to defend it. I need some, but mosty good footmen.

I am calling on my fellow Roman Quesators to assit me in anyway possible!

Build a trebuchet?

[Jolt]

Caesar demands and Caesar gets. I shall send 3 Cohorts. One shall remain in Aquae Sextae and Massilia keeping up the losgistics flowing.