Rule of the Arvern.

[Aenos]

Chapter 1: War with the Aedui; A vision that leads to victory.
Aneirin oi Lugos, Verrix of the Arverni, saw his capital Gergovia where fertile rain blessed the land. A moment later he stood before Bibracte, main city of the Aedui confederation (his enemies), burning in flames, a flash of lightning splitting the sky. Then he heard the screams of dieing men and women as he saw his sword rising high over the green lands of Gaul.

Aneirin sat upright in bed, sweating heavily. He quickly rose, put on a pair of trousers and paced out of his room.

‘A dream you say?’
Ulrigos, head-druid of the Arvern court, looked a bit surprised at Aneirin. Aneirin nodded and described the dream in detail. The druid frowned and silence fell as he pondered the information.
‘Very interesting.. Verrix, I believe Taranis, lord of thunder and storms, has granted you a vision.’
Aneirin frowned and seemed as pleased as surprised.
‘Taranis? I wouldn’t have expected that.. Why would the lord of storms send a vision of war?’
‘I sadly cannot answer that question. The signs are unmistakably clear though. Rain over Gergovia, lightning splitting the skies of Bibracte.’
A slight smile came to the Verrix’ face.
‘But what does it mean, Ulrigos?’
‘The civil war that has taken so many lives will in the end be won by you, great Verrix, and the lands of Gaul will be united under the mighty sword of the Arverni.’
The druid looked down at the ground and as he looked up again Aneirin saw his face had turned grim.
‘However.. Bibracte in flames, cries of death.. I fear many of our people will die as well before a final victory is achieved.’
Aneirin sighed, thinking of his people.
‘This news saddens my hearth.. I’m old, Ulrigos and I can feel the burden of time weighing heavily on my shoulders.. When I was younger I fought many a great battle and took many Aedui lives. Though it pleases me to know this war that takes such a great toll from my people will end in victory, the price asked is great.. And yet I do not think I have a choice, either we shall fight and win a costly victory, or we shall surrender and wither away slowly under our enemies rule..’
A fire was lit in the eyes of the old king and he felt some of his old vigour returning to him.
‘No! I shant be remembered as a coward, Ulrigos.’
With that he left the druid and went for a midnight stroll enjoying the cold, refreshing air.

In the following weeks the Verrix’ hall at Bibracte was bustling with activity as the great chieftains of the Arverni met with Aneirin to discuss war plans. It was decided that the armies would gather in the three largest Arvern cities. Gergovia in the south, Viennos in the east and Vesontio in the north. The Verrix himself would lead the army of Gergovia northward to strike at the main armies of the Aedui, whilst he was moving there Adcobrovatos, a skilled chieftain from the northern lands, would lead the forces of Vesontio in an assault of Gergovia. With luck, they would cripple the Aedui by destroying their military might and taking their main city. However, there was one weakness in this plan, for their enemies also controlled lands south of the Alps. All agreed it could not be afforded to leave the heartlands open for an attack. Therefore, Belenos, chief of Viennos, would take his warriors and hold the mountain passes. An offer to Taranis, bringer of the vision, was given and the plan slowly came into action. Within the coming years the fate of Gaul would be decided.

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Here you go, the intro. About 'defeating' the Romani? Well, I plot to quickly destroy the Aedui in 'mainland' Gaul and then let them keep their Italian province. With luck I can get them to become my protectorate and keep peace with Rome for a while.

Mori Gaesum? I heard of them, I'd prefer to take that town only after a while, are they truly that needed? Anyway, thank you both for the advice.