The Curia

[/Bean\]

A middle aged Senator rises, a representative of Dux Cotta. He has a foreign look, perhaps he derives from Celtic or Greek stock. He has a bushy beard, with a single streak of grey running through it.

Greetings, Sextvs Cornelivs Svlla. I am Dextvs Horatia Barbatvs. I represent Dux Caivs Avrelivs Cotta in his absense abroad. I would like to formally welcome you to the Senate house.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

thank you Dextvs Horatia Barbatvs, I am sure your lord is proud to have such a fine man represent him in the Curia.

[SwissBarbar]

Lvcvllvs rised and started to speak as effusive as always


O Sextvs Cornelivs Svlla, welcome, welcome to the curia. May the gods lead you on higher paths in order to serve Roma, splendid city of Ivpiter and Mars, mother to heroes ..... His enthusiastic speech continues until some senators start roll their eyes. Lvcvllvs composed himself. Well, in the name of my good friend, Avlvs Aemilivs Mamercvs, whose representative I am, and who is on the great campaign, together with our brave and heroic Dux to subjugate those filthy, unworthy, smelly ..... The senator at his side coughed slightly, some others began to grin. Well.... I bid you welcome. With that he sat himself down

Good old Lvcvllvs. A loyal roman but, different to his fellow senator Avlvs, he never could control his mouth and tended to hold exalting speeches at every occasion.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

thank you for the warm greeting Lvcvllvs, I hope to be of some use to great Roma in my time.

[Mooks]

Legio III has not left for the shores of Illyria yet, so im happy to greet you.


(OOC im a huge Salvatore fan too. Though Bruenor is my favorite character)

[everyone]

A messneger arrives.
"Senatores, I bring word from Consul Cicero:"

he unrolls a piece of parchment

"Fellow Senatores,

I have been informed by our allies at Massilia that a sizable Punic force has been at their borders for a few seasons now and may threaten our allies with an invasion; though they may be merely scouting, it may also lead to an invasion of our allies and eventually war.
some action must be taken in the case that the Poeni attempt an invasion of our allies

Consul Cicero"

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

And I happy to greet you


[ooc: I love pretty much anything to do with R.A. Salvatore books, but yeah Drizzt does have the lead by just a hair, for me at least]

[Mooks]

A messneger arrives.
"Senatores, I bring word from Consul Cicero:"

he unrolls a piece of parchment

"Fellow Senatores,

I have been informed by our allies at Massilia that a sizable Punic force has been at their borders for a few seasons now and may threaten our allies with an invasion; though they may be merely scouting, it may also lead to an invasion of our allies and eventually war.
some action must be taken in the case that the Poeni attempt an invasion of our allies

Consul Cicero"

Maybe increase the nearby garrison? If the Poeni were attempting to invade they wouldve already, they are not mindless gauls that are plaqued by indecision.

(OOC Drizzt is nice. But Salvatore makes him out to be too emotional or sympathetic sometimes. Though I understand completely why, I prefer bruenor's "Kill and eat em" attitude)

[everyone]

Cicero's representative rises to respond to Scipio

"Our treasury is now nearly empty, if we continue to raise troops, we wouldn't have enough money to pay them, and it takes a year for troops to march from northern Italia to Massilia.
however I believe the consular Legio IV Roma is stationed in the Northern frontier, and perhaps Princeps Blasio wishes to move it to make camp at a place which could easily access Segesta and Massilia, so that whenever either cities are directly threatened, the legion may move quickly to relieve those cities"

[Mooks]

Cicero's representative rises to respond to Scipio

"Our treasury is now nearly empty, if we continue to raise troops, we wouldn't have enough money to pay them, and it takes a year for troops to march from northern Italia to Massilia.
however I believe the consular Legio IV Roma is stationed in the Northern frontier, and perhaps Princeps Blasio wishes to move it to make camp at a place which could easily access Segesta and Massilia, so that whenever either cities are directly threatened, the legion may move quickly to relieve those cities"

I completely agree and praise you for your foresight into this area.

[/Bean\]

Dextvs Horatia Barbatvs rises.

Another delegation should be sent to the Cathaginians. If they refuse to withdraw their army or at least fail to give a reasonable explanation for their growing presence on the edge of our sphere of influence, we may have to take more direct action.

Dux Cotta is anxious to avoid war with Carthage for as long as is possible. We may need to resort to other areas of influence, maybe a new treaty, or a show of coins, may be enough to divert their attention away from war.

[Tiberius Claudius Marcellus]

A messenger enters the Curia and briefly speaks to a soldier standing guard over the hall. He does not boast the colorful livery of most professional couriers, but instead the light leather armor of a cavalry scout. He is covered head to toe in dust and stinks of horse to the point that those Senators closest to him actually get up and move away. The rider walks quickly, with purpose in the direction the guard had pointed.

The young cavalryman stops before Quintus Flavius and the two share a brief conversation and smiles. Letters are exchanged between the two and after a few brief comments the messenger turns and leaves the Curia, no doubt in search of a meal and a bath. Quintus breaks the seal of the letter and gives it a perfunctory glance and clears his voice to address the legislative body.

"Honored Senatores of Roma, this letter has just arrived from the Legio III Campania, penned by my master Tribunus Tiberius Claudius Marcellus shortly after their successful landing in Illyria Hellenike. With permission I shall read my master's words to you."

Ave Senatores, greetings from the Greek mainland!

The Legio III Campania has arrived ashore and sent scouting forces abroad to determine the amount of enemy resistance. I confidently state that our target city of Epidamnos is terribly undergarrisoned, and save a large relief force shall fall within the year. Both the Legatus and I have fallen terribly ill. Even as I write this to you I am bedridden. I pray the gods will spare us an untimely demise and keep the ravages of plague from decimating our men so far afield.

While our landing was successful, I regret to inform you that I have it on good word that two separate fleets of Leisterion pirates annihilated our supply fleet of merchant ships and drove them out into the Mediterranean itself. I fear that most men and vessels were lost to the deep. I assure you that my family shall not seek recompense for the ships donated to the Res Publica; but while we shall seek to allay the rage of the other merchants, I cannot speak for them. I trust the Senate will deal justly with those who risked their livelihoods to help this campaign.

In regards to pirates and other scofflaws, I hear told that two separate bands of rebellious Aphistamenoi are ravaging the country side of Italia. I am sure the Senate is aware of these trespasses; but I must state my abject horror that the citizens of Umbria, Latium, Apulia, and Campania should be threatened so. I suggest the Consular Legio IV Roma be dispatched immediately if not already sent northwards, and recalled if they have been.

I grow weary from this exertion and must rest for the upcoming battle if I am to be any good to my men or to the Legatus. Strength and Honor sons of Roma.

T. C. Marcellus

"That is all the word that my master sends."

Quintus returns to his usual spot and continues taking notes for his benefactor, preparing to pay special attention to any comments regarding this newest letter.

[navarro951]

Word from Princeps Blasio...

"If the senate demands it, Consular Legio IV will dispatch all rebels in Italia as it is their rightful duty."

[/Bean\]

Dextvs Horatia Barbatvs rises.

I second this motion. These scoundrals cannot be allowed to multiply and cause further unrest and damage. They must be dealt with the only way they know how; force and brutaility. I suggest a contingent of the Legio IV be dispatched, rather than the entire legion, and then once the rebels are dealt with, station themselves in the south of Italia. It will be a sign to the Cathaginians that although our armies are abroad, we can still defend ourselves, and more.

[SwissBarbar]

Yes, those bandits threaten the rural population with violence and murder. They have to be contained.
I second this too, with the addition that those trouble makers be crucified all the way from the Harbor of Brundisum to the strait between Italy and Sicilia!

[everyone]

Spurius Claudius Cicero, M.C. Cicero's cousin (OOC: and now Cicero's future representative and allied senator in the Curia) rises.

I don't think our legions would have to force to dispatch those bandits now. perhaps a tribunus skillful or brave enough, with the help of nearby garrison forces, could be sent to dispatch the bandits. right now the three main legions of Roma are on a campaign and the Consular legion is required in the north to protect our domains and allies from foreign threats, such as a distrustful ally.

[/Bean\]

Balbatus rises again

We also need forces in the south, Cicero. We need to show these Carthaginians that we are not afraid of them. It will do good to give at least some of the new legion a taste of combat.

[everyone]

I do not see how would defeating bandits show that we're not afraid of the Poeni. unless those bandits were incited by them to loot.
and what if our northern border is overrun while Legio IV is in the south? wouldn't that just show to other nations that we're incapable of managing threats even with military force?

(OOC: S.C. Cicero [new representative, refer to previous post] is not a consul)

[/Bean\]

As I said before, young Cicero, we need a force in the south. Moving half the IV legion will provide us with a force in the south. We also need to destroy these rebels. It just so happens we need both, and both can be achieved in one procedure. By destroying the rebels, we restore order to Italia, but also show the Poeni that we can deal with any threat at either end of our Republic.

[everyone]

would that not be too insignificant a way to show them? I don't think much would be achieved with almost half a consular legion crushing a small group of rebels numbering around 300; besides I doubt Punic intelligence is as informed as to know that there are bandits looting Campania; they are probably more concerned with their Iberian colonies or whatnot.

[/Bean\]

Barbatus looks down upon Cicero.

Ah, you are young, and naive, Senator. The Poeni have informants, spies and sympathises all over the Middle Sea. Not only that, but talk of the rebellions are all over Italia. Any half witted merchant could pick up upon their presence. Gossip spreads fast.

As for a show of strength, I do not see how showing just how easily we can crush any rebellion is a bad point. If we want to show how strong we are, then we dont send a small force do we?

[everyone]

'talk of rebellion'? madness! however is that possible, our republic is prosperous, how could there possibly be many people speaking of rebellion?
but apart from that, I think you have convinced me that sending a few regiments (OOC: 3 or 4, yes?) to crush the rebels would be prudent. Initially I had interpreted your words as referring to sending half or more of the troops there.
But who would command them?

[/Bean\]

'talk of rebellion'? madness! however is that possible, our republic is prosperous, how could there possibly be many people speaking of rebellion?

Uh...beacause they are rebelling...? It is nothing more than a few Samnites that do not know when they are beaten. But it is rebellion. It should be put down as such.

And I think you are missing the point here. Yes, send half the legion. It is designed not as a military decision, but as a politic one. I have said everything I have needed to already; I wont repeat myself. You have a lot to learn about politics, young Cicero.

[everyone]

at this moment Cicero mumbles something unintelligible that sounded like "bloody political nonsense" and takes his seat.

(OOC: I have yet to decide S.C. Cicero's age, so for the moment I think he'll be 'young'; also I think most of the characters I RP would mumble unintelligibly often; just look at Asina)

[/Bean\]

Balbatus smiles slightly, but not cruely. True wisdom only came with age and experience, he knew, and he was satisfied that the discussion had blown into a fit of rage due to a lack of knowledge, that was so common with the youth of today.

(OOC: Balbatus is reasonably old anyway, so he would refer to this Cicero as young whatever.

[everyone]

After a long while of silence, Spurius Claudius Cicero decides to speak on the same matter as previously again.

"Senatores, I have received word that there is another group of bandits looting areas around Umbria; and I think many would think that we should probably send men from the consular legion south to deal with them. however may I be so bold as to suggest that what if we are to recruit some of our allies and peoples recently subjugated, to dispatch those rebels? It could also be seen as a political move; other nations would know that the Italian allies and subject peoples still support our Republic, making us lesser of a target for other nations to invade. what are your opinions?"
(OOC: I suddenly got that idea when I noticed we could recruit Samnite spearmen in Capua)

[/Bean\]

Recruiting those who rebel against us? It is a dangerous idea. If it is truely your wish, then I strongly suggest we do not use them for garrison duty.

[everyone]

well if they were recruited, they would not be likely to rebel against us anyway; and yes, I don't think they should be used for garrison duty; it's rather risky considering that they are better armed than our usual garrison forces.

[The Celtic Viking]

A messenger comes into the Curia.

"Senators, I have a message from Legatvs Regvlvs."

To the Senate and People of Rome,

I have assaulted Segestica and although we lost many men, we fought bravely and proudly as true Roman soldiers, giving more than we took. Thanks to the valour of Legio I Apvlia the city is now ours, and the region is secured. I have thus completed my objective in this campaign, and I will stay in Segestica until a garrisoned has been summoned forth or a congressional session is called, whichever comes first.

While I've been away though I've had people taking notes of all happenings in the Curia and that way keeping myself updated, and though I through this letter can only express my opinion on the matter and not enjoy any debate, I feel it is in my obligation as a Roman senator to let it be known. To be specific, it is about those rebels in Italia.

My stance is quite simple: they must be taken care of as soon as possible. Letting a rebellion go on unchecked and unchallenged would be dangerous indeed, because it would send a message to our enemies that we are weak, and ripe for plunder. However, it is also foolish to leave the northern gates unguarded, so to speak, so sending our whole northern forces south just to deal with this is a pointless risk. I am unfortunately not updated on our fiscal status right now, but if we have the money for it, I say we should levy a force to deal with them. So far I agree with young Cicero's proposal. However, I am a bit worried about the idea of recruiting our allies to do it. They're not reliable people, and how can we trust they won't just desert and join the rebels immediately, adding to the trouble?

That is why I say we levy Roman troops instead. Them we could trust.

Legatvs Pvblivs Atilivs Regvlvs
Commander of Legio I Apvlia

The messenger salutes.

[navarro951]

A magistrate, well known and well liked, rises and asks for the floor.

"The following advancements in title shall be made!

Pvblivs Atilivs Regvlvs is discharged of the rank of Legate, and hereby noted a Dux. An Applause Breaks Out!

Caivs Aemilivs Mamercvs is discharged of the rank of Tribune, and hereby noted a Legate. Another Congratulating Applause!

Decimvs Cornelivs Scipio is discharged of the rank of Tribune, and hereby noted a Legate. More short clapping...

Avlvs Aemilivs Mamercvs is discharged of the rank of Tribune, and hereby noted a Legate. A short mumbling begins...

Yes on the removal of our Tribune of Plebs, election will begin soon with all Tribunes as canidates."