"Ambrones: People of the Water"---An Epic Ligurian AAR

[Ghaust the Moor]

When Mandubracious was twenty-four, he was faced with a problem. A huge problem…one that would shape the fate of the world. A young age for such an undertaking, yet he saw it through towards the bitter end. His reign as king was to be measured from this very moment. The future of his people was to be decided from his very stratagem…He is Mandubracious the first…the first of his line…the first of his people…The first great king of Liguria.




The sky was setting in the west when the news came…

Sir, stated the councilman, we can’t sit idle while our allies are being attacked. The Etruscans are begging for our support. They say they not be able to hold onto the provinces without us. They are a major asset to our strength, and the rebellion of the Romani dogs is threatening our strength by thus threatening the Etruscans. We must act!! The council was getting agitated. Less and less their words were affecting the young king, Mandubracious.

My lord, Stood the eldest and wisest of the council, You are in the wrong. We can’t hope to survive without the Etruscans support, The king rolled his eyes with exaggeration. In response, the old man jabbed his finger at the king, Your attitude of late is beginning to irritate the council. While you are king you still have to answer to us! You are nothing without the council! Nothing!

DON’T you dare talk about me being nothing!! Mandubracious jumped down from his throne with anger, You old fool!! Don’t you realize that the military answers to me!! He pointed his finger back towards himself. I could have you killed at a whim. The ONLY thing that keeps you here is your value to the people and the occasional wisdom that you impart.

The council was taken aback by the kings’ outburst. Many of the old men clutched their robes in fear. Not a sound could be heard in the great hall, save the deep breathing of Mandubracious. He strode abruptly back towards his throne in anger. He sat down with a loud huff. His hand reached for the folds of his forehead. While massaging them, he thought.

No, He spoke finally; We will not march for the Etruscans. If they are such a great nation, why do they need our help? Their territory more than triples our own, yet they can’t keep their inhabitants under control. If thus is the case, they are a weak people, and thus are not worth existing. Let the Romani gobble them up. We’ll put them in their place when we need to. Send word to the Etruscans that we are unable to send reinforcements.

The council was still. The king went back to massaging his forehead. Children were playing outside and birds played their songs, yet the great room did not echo with sound. The stone walls were silent.

The king looked up, Why are you still here!? Go, Go, get out. The council began to rise slowly, NOW!!! Go, I want you out of my sight before I have you all killed! The old men dashed out of the magnificent wooden door that was the entrance to the great hall. The royal guard closed the door behind the last councilman and resumed their stoned faced position.

The royal guard was some of the most richly adorned group of soldiers in the Ambrones’ army. They typically wore a royal blue tunic that was made with most top quality linothrax and was practically armor in itself. In addition they wore a very tough padded leather breastplate that had iron studs imbedded into the pads for added strength .A shirt of mail was worn under this. A large belt spreads across their waste with which their Kopi’s scabbard hung and was also made with tough bulls hide. Bronze greaves were standard and were often richly adorned with the personal exploits of the wearer. In addition to their armor they wore a small bronze skull cap that had a bronze face mask attached by a hinge. The face mask was mostly for a fear factor, but was very sacred amongst the soldiers. Often handmade, it was their most prized possessions. A Light wooden buckler finished of the equipment. The shield was more often than not hand painted with and intricate battle scene and served to tell tales of the individual’s bravery. A small brass knob was fixated on the center that was itself engraved too. It was fitted with a spike.


Mandubracious stood up. He was getting severely annoyed with council of late. Time for some new elections, he thought sinisterly. The wood of the stone of the hall began to reverberate with the closing of the door. Guards, fetch me my diplomat, Morbhe, The king ordered his men. Yes, My lord, was their semi autonomous reply

The king was about to sit down when one of the other guards opened the door and stepped in. My lord, we have three boys that wish to speak to you. He stated soldierly. He seemed ill at easw. The man kept shifting his weight as if he was nervous. He shuffled his feet as he walked in. Should I let them in?

Well my old friend Meriadoc, Is it important? Mandubracious asked quizzically. He furrowed his brow as he waited for his warrior’s response. Well, umm, I think. You might…Well, Stammered the kings friend. I will make this easy on you my good friend…Do you think it is? The king responded coolly.

The guardsman flushed of all color and looked at his king straight in the face.

Yes sir I do…

[Vasiliyi]

Good start Ghaust, im sorry your last aar died quickly. Ill be keeping my eye on this one.

[Dutchhoplite]

I'm gonna follow this one :)

[Ghaust the Moor]

Next update up either late today or tommorrow. Since school is out, updates will be out every few days, if not each day.

[Ariovistus Maximus]

Well done Ghuast!

Unfortunately I couldn't get to the internet 'till today.

And you even used Mandubracious!!!!! Very good; you definitely earned "Ikarus" on this one! :)

(haha I know what the title means...) :P

I accept bribes, however. Give me 5 balloons and you shall have the answer...

(J/K) }:P

Wishing luck to you and your evil hard drive! Hope it works the whole way through!

[the man with no name]

Had my concert tonight. Ww did well. My Graduation is this friday. Nice update.

[Ghaust the Moor]

Well, let them in, Mandubracious stated suspiciously. Yes, My lord, Meriadoc replied as he stepped nervously out of the large ornate doorway and went to retrieve the three boys. It shuddered ominously as he left. The shuffling of his feet lingered in the air for a moment. Mandubracious was beginning to worry. Such an experienced warrior, like Meriadoc, should not have acted so fearfully. It just was not like him to act so scared. This was definitely of the utmost importance.

The king fingered the gold ornate trim on his royal crimson tunic. The nervousness of the situation was beginning to get to him. He reached his shaking hand into his pocket and pulled out his kerchief. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he chuckled at himself. No need to get scared, he muttered to himself. Mandubracious stood weakly, and began to pace. What can this possible be, he mused quietly. The pacing continued for about seven minutes before Meriadoc returned with the boys.

Here are the children, My liege, Meriadoc bowed graciously. Be aware, as they are exhausted and scared, The guard added. Thank you, You have my leave. Take the other guards with you, He added, Come, he said as he motioned for the boys. They stepped closer submissively, and with their heads down. Now, now. No need to be shy, Sighed the king. The kids looked up slowly and gave the king a good overview.

The three boys varied in height. The tallest was approximately five foot ten inches while the shortest was four feet four inches. The two taller ones were almost men, for their height and build. Large muscles showed that they worked hard on a farm, or as blacksmiths maybe. The tallest boy wore a dark brown tunic fixed with buttons, and light gray trousers that were obviously too small. He had a light mustache and brown. The nest tallest was attired in an off-white shirt with the sleeves rolled up too his elbows. This boy had a blond mop of hair on his head. He wore brown pants that were cut off ant the shins. The smallest, no more than ten winters, was wearing a deep blue coat and black trousers that were way too big for him. His red hair offset the normality of the others. They all appeared as if they had been crying.

Come, Now don’t be scared, Said Mandubracious impatiently. The boys stepped closer to the throne and bowed. Well, what is it you children need to tell me? The king questioned. The eldest boy glanced at his brothers and stepped forward.

Some one attacked us, The boy said shakily. He began to quiver. Well, I’ll have him executed, who was it? The king said impatiently. Umm, No…Sir. I mean, an army…from the north attacked our village. There were a lot of them. The came with fire and weapons, and they burned our village towards the ground. They killed our father in the process. We barely escaped. Others seemed to have run, but they got caught by more of the barbarians…There were a lot of them… The eldest elaborated. The youngest had begun to cry and his brother was comforting him.

The king ran his fingers through his limed hair and sighed. This is bad, very, very bad. The king mused aloud. Alright, You boys have been very brave. I will ensure you get taken care for now. You’ll be safe here. No army of barbarians will get to you here. Mandubracious promised. What are your names? He asked as he stood and took the boys by the arms. I’m Laris, My younger is Arte, and the boy is Arnthur. He is our half brother, but we love him just as much. The eldest replied, pointing to each brother individually. Alright then, Why don’t you three go with Meriadoc and got get something to eat? You all look hungry. The king offered as they walked out of the main door to meet the guard.

Thank you, replied the boys as they left with the guard. As they left, he called aside another guard. Lugotorix, I need you to go to the town center and call for all able men to join the military. We will need all the men we can get for this next war. Also, I want our spies to go and find what sort of army we will be fighting. You got that? The guard responded quickly, Yes, My lord.

Mandubracious left the coolness of the great hall and stepped into the summer heat. He took a moment to look at the beauty of his place. It may be the last time he can…