The Rise of the Alemanni - PBM write-ups thread

[econ21]

An icy wind swept in from the west and roused Suomar from his melancholy musing. It had been five years since he had seen his sons and while news of their victories had delighted him, fear for their future still gnawed at him in moments of solitude. The King looked at the snow covered scene around him. His “army” stood on top of a hill outside of Carnuntum, although in truth his force resembled more of a large warband. A small Roman relief force was marching up the hill to Suomar’s front. At the same time - having evidently learnt of the relief force - the Carnuntum garrison had sallied out of the town and was approaching Suomar’s rear.

Suomar watched the Comitanses march implaccably forward.

“Fire at the cavalry!” Suomar instructed.

There was little point targeting the legionnaires with their large shields and chain armour. Suomar had ordered his capital to develop the facilities to train and equip chosen warriors with chain mail and axes to counter the Comitatenses. But it would take many years before Alemanni warriors on foot would be able to match them.



In the meantime, the Alemanni would have to rely on the crazed bravery of the Lombard berserkers to counter the Roman comitatenses.



While the berserkers fight the Roman infantry, Suomar’s own escort charge the accompanying Samartian auxiliary cavalry



And together, the Alemanni elite troops rout the Roman relief force…



…before crushing the Roman foederati garrisoning Carnuntum, now drawn out of the safety of the town walls.

At the battle's close, Suomar entered Carnuntum, enslaving the Roman population there. He gave thanks to the god Thor for his victory, and more specifically for his berserkers.

But his offerings could give the King little comfort, as he faced a growing sense of unease about the fate of his sons to the west.