Romaioktonoi: The mighty Group AAR

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Chapter Alpha/Omega - The Vergina Sons.

Chapter Lord(s):[Kyrios Megas Maion Maroneios, Theos Basileus ton Basileon, Nikator, Hetrogenes, Romaioktonos, Nikesas Barbaropolis. ], [Kyrios Megas Satalextos Zairon Airetikos, Basileus ton
Basileon, Soter, Euergetos Dikaios Epiphanous Philillenoi Seron Nikesas Barbaros]

Founding Region: All of Hellenistic World.

Chapter Home: None, Chapter travels on a massive Naval Armada.

Main Colours/Patterns: Blue and Brazen gold/bronze, adorned with patterns of the Vergina Sun.

Battle Cry: "The Basileus Protects! All Hail Romaioktonoi/Makedonia!"


History

The Early forces of the Romaioktonoi were nothing like as they were now. Any member with the rank
of Hetairos or above were free to govern, tax and raise troops from their respective satrapies in a
feudalistic manner. These troops formed the first incarnation of the Pezoi Romaioktonon (usually just refered as Pezoi). From the locally raised Pezoi, the best were tithed by the Basileus and their
respective Strategos Autokrator to form the Romaioktonon Agema. The Agema are the direct
ancestors to the Chapter forces that exists today.

It all began when Antigonus, a secret operative of the Romaioktonoi (he refused the seat of the
Basileus thrice for reasons unknown) predicted the inevitable of his failure. After 'winning over' the
Agryaspides, he held a secret council with their leading officers. Nobody knows the details of the
meeting, other than that the previously fickle verterans and their descendants swore oaths of eternal loyalty in the name of Alexandros towards Romaioktonoi. Antigonos then sent them (along with their baggage train n etc) to Sibyrtios, the Macedonian satrap of Arachosia, with the official order to 'despatch' them by small groups of two or three to dangerous missions, to 'dwindle their numbers' rapidly. One by one, the veterans were 'killed in action', their families, property, friends, servants and slaves vanished along with them. They boarded great fleets of ships, covered completely in pitch and tar to remain hidden, and sailed for the atolls of Bartix.

After the Heinous Aimilios-Paullos Heresy, The Romaioktonon Agema split into 3 seperate forces. The core and elite remained with the lone Symbasileus as the "Rays of the Vergina Sun", conmemorating the Alexandreian heritage. They formed the Vergina Sons as we all know. The non-hellenes and those that took no part during Alexander's Great Crusade were doled off to kick start the new Codex
Chapters and as officers of the reformed Pezoi. The remainder, Makedonians and Hellenes, vengeful
against The Horrible Traitor, joined Centurio the Germanaios and his Germanaio-Somatophylake as
the eternally crusading Sons of Makedonia. Their crusade continues to this day.

Culture

Many reputations of the heroicness of the Chapters of Romaioktonoi originated from the cultic rituals
and celebrations of The Vergia Sons. Once a year, the bravest 100 men of the Chapter would climb
(all the while armed) a sheer cliff, with only tent pegs, some rope and basic dry rations. Many would
perish, but these brave men would aid one other along the way. Their objective is not to compete,
but to emulate the bravery of the Agrianikoi of Alexandros during the Great Crusade. Once at the top, they would set a linen cloth at the tip of their dory and wave towards the observing masses below.

Upon seeing the waving cloths above, the crowd would sing a great war hymn in unison, marking the
begining of the celebrations. Unwatered wine would be drunk, roasts and other cuisines be feasted upon. Occasionally a few Romaioi captives would be given a sword (even full panalopy) and set free to roam the premise. These gibbering, gladius-swinging, pila-throwing mad wrentches never live long,
they're usually punched to death on the spot.


The Initiates

Unlike all other chapters, the Vergina Sons do not utilize their initiates as scouts, psiloi or light
cavalry. Instead, they're organised into corps of marines called Leukaspides or 'White Shields'.
They are assigned to a ship, where they will learn the harsh ways of fighting, sailing, and winning.
Should the need arise, they may armed themselves in the manner of heavy peltasts and perform
some land operations near the coast-like their counterparts in other chapters. However, the lack of
horses impeads their deployment range. If in a pinch though, they may even take up the sarrisae
and hold a battleline. Although they may be initiates, but their valour are not to be underestimated. If it weren't for low attrition rates, many are already more than qualified to become a full Brother himself!


The Somatophylax

Another noticable trait of the Vergina Sons, are their Honour Guards. 512 strong, many of their
chaplains and captains are Chapter Lords themselves. Should the need be, they may be called
upon along with their Chapter's Honour Guard. Such a force would be completely unstoppable.


Chapter Fleet Location

The Vergina Sons do not maintain a Fortress as their home. The Fleet is their home. Many secret
Fortress-ports, however, are manned (with Initiates and dependants). The main fleet usually loiters
around Syria, as with half of the chapter. The rest, along with the Basileus himself are constantly in
places unknown.....watching, guiding, fighting.


Quotes

* A good soldier obeys without question. A good officer commands without doubt.
* To admit defeat is to blaspheme against the Basileus.
* Success is measured in blood; yours or your enemy’s.
* The man who has nothing can still have faith in Romaioktonoi.
* Burn the Fallen. Kill the Roman. Purge the Barbaroi.
* It is better to die for the Basileus than to live for yourself.
* Life is the Basileos' currency, spend it well.
* A suspicious mind is a healthy mind.
* The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Romaioktonoi.
* Heresy grows from idleness.
* There is only the Romaioktonoi, and they are our shield and protectors.
* Know the Roman; Kill the Roman.
* Only the Basileus is all.
* Hatred is the Romaioktonos' greatest gift to humanity.

[Amyntor Parthenias Panton]

Chapter: Agema Soteros Hellenon

Leader: Megas Strategos Hellenon (and his retinue)

Situated on: Kroton (Main base of Operation), Syrakousai

Deeds:
Megas Strategos Hellenon, the founder of the Agema Soteros Hellenon, was a Hellen and formerly Misthophoros Strategos, serving for pay for Syrakousai (before its fall to the Romaioi) and Taras (before its fall to the Romaioi). He took a risk of minimalizing the number of Somatophylakes so that he can save up for a business so that he can raise funds for his chapter of the Romaioktonoi. He succeeded, risking his life countless times while he was a Misthophoros. This had 2 ramifications: it made him wily and closer to his less elite soldiers, but it also allowed him to save up for his own trading fleet. Initially, pirates have victimized his fleet, but later as he saved up for his convoy fleets of Trieres, Megas Strategos started to make a profit. His trading fleet allowed him to establish relations with many merchants (some ended up joining his retinue). Megas Strategos now was able to be independent, just before the fall of those two patron cities one time or another. Megas Strategos Hellenon went to hiding, secretly raising fund out of Romaioi watch. Then he raised his own army (didn't have the name yet) and liberated Kroton from the Romaioi. Romaioi sent armies to take back Kroton, which were repulsed as the Strategos gained experiences from his countless wars. Megas Strategos, now having a retinue of engineers, strategists, merchants, and blacksmiths, established the Megale Schole in Kroton (mentioned more at the Social segment) whose tuitions were much lower than a standard Schole (allowing for a massive increase in human capital for the Romaioktonoi cause). After the liberation of Kroton, The Megas Strategos declared that the Agema Soteros Hellenon is here and hopefully a part of Romaioktonoi. Later on, Megas Strategos liberates Syrakousai and fortifies it (along with a larger port).

Economics:
Agema Soteros Hellenon derives most of its income from taxes from trade, as the Megas Strategos Hellenon encourages trade with his public trading fleet. He takes a revolutionary stand: a government-maintained trading fleet that a merchant can rent a portion of for a price much lower than the cost to buy a ship. Merchants still can choose a private choice, which was often cheaper to compete, but merchants choosing the government choice often were better protected as government knew when the ships leave (it negotiated with the renters when to set sail), making the navy better informed of the rented fleets' locations. This allowed for a rise in entrepreneurship (and successful businesses too). Agema Soteros Hellenon has its own fleet of trading fleet specifically for its use, and 6 fleets of 8 pentereis to guard the water between Syrakousai and Kroton. It saves up for a fleet of Poliremes. It also wants to establish official trading relations with other Romaioktonoi and the Karchedoi.

Social:
Socially Agema Soteros Hellenon makes the government involved in the average life of a citizen. Although it leaves citizens alone generally, it expects them to pay taxes and contribute to the public works (free volunteers are paid, although most are rented slaves from private slaveowners). It also established the Megale Schole of Kroton (something very reminiscent of a public school) that charges a low tuition (affordable by most middle-class) to encourage a more educated body of people. In fact, the retinue of Megas Strategos often teach in the Megale Schole of Kroton (which can house up to 1500 people with its 20 rooms and a main hallway)

Military:
Agema Soteros Hellenon burrows heavily from the Maks, having its own body of elite phalangitai named Choreutai Theou 2000 men strong. Agema Soteros Hellenon alsofields a talantiaios lithobolos and 48 pentereis (and 96 tetrereis). It however lacks a strong cavalry arm, as there is a dearth of horses, as well as a lack of trained men suited to cavalry. It has a strong defense, having a large port on both cities that it holds, along with large walls (Megale Teichea) to protect them.

Quotes:
"Romaioktonoi! 'Clap 5 times'"
"Κυνες Ρομαικοι προσβαλλεσιν!" - Roman dogs are attacking!
"φορετε θανατον πολεμιοις!" - Lit. carry deaths to the enemy!
"You will be like the Karchedoi: Barbaropolis will be showered with salt."