Between a Rock and a Hard Place (an Averni Story)
Cocolitanos Oi Lugos trotted out to the front of the column and surveyed the landscape. His army had been retreating, no, his army had been “strategically withdrawing” for two days now. The summer sun was beginning to take its toll and he knew that he would have to pick a place to do battle soon or else he’d lose that advantage to the Sweboz commander.
There!!!! A large rock formation loomed tall over the mostly flat landscape. It stood 50 men abreast and just as many high. It would give him protection on his right flank but the Sweboz still had the numbers to engulf his whole force if they were so inclined. His scouts had reported the enemy host to number well over 2,000 including 400 of those thrice damned walking blacksmith shops they called nobles. That meant that he was outnumbered by nearly 2 to 1. Cocolitanos quickly tallied his forces in his head. He counted his own host of 25 noble cavalry, 100 mercenary light cavalry from near Vesontio, 100 Belgae spearmen, 80 of his own Germanic nobles who had decided to rebel against the Sweboz hegemony, 100 levy hooplotes or whatever they called themselves from Massilia, another 80 Massilians with better armour and shields. In addition they carried broadswords like Celts. The 80 short swordsmen from the Alps were lightly armored but they were brave warriors nonetheless, 400 Celtic spears would be placed in the front line, and 300 Celtic swordsmen would form the second line and throw javelins before they engaged in the melee. He also had 10 Germanic archers for what little good they would do.
Then there was the final and most fearsome part of his army. 50 Gaesatae from Gergovia. They towered over his other soldiers and fought completely naked aside from their boots, helmets, and large broadswords. In addition to their imposing figure they ingested drugs before battle to make them oblivious to pain. He would keep them back near himself and once the battle was started they would support whatever part of the line the Sweboz attacked hardest.
As captains drew his men into the desired formation at the foot of the boulder he spoke to the leader of the mercenary cavalry.
“I want you to take your soldiers and,…”
“We want more payment.” Cut in the mercenary captain.
“You were paid to fight and you better do it you unless,…”
“You are right. We were paid to fight, not to die. We’ve heard about the size of the Sweboz force and we expect to be well compensated for siding with you since it seems you’re going lose.”
“Scouts always exaggerate the numbers of the enemy. We will win and when we do you can have the armor of the Sweboz king as a reward. That should pay for you and your greedy friends for the rest of this little war.”
The mercenary’s eyes gleamed with delight. “Now what were you about to order, general?”
“Take your mercenaries and hide in the woods to the far left of our line. When our two lines engage you’ll be behind the Sweboz with plenty of open ground between. I’ll blow my horn to signal that you should charge them in the back and try to start a mass rout.”
“Aye, General” The Mercenary rode back to his soldiers and led them to the woods.
Cocolitanos returned to the main army while cursing mercenaries and every gold devouring coward who called himself a soldier. At least his captains knew what they were doing. The army had been set up exactly as he wanted it, spears in front with swords behind them and the Gaesatae and archers behind them near where he would place himself. The rock and Belgae spearmen protected the right flank while his own Germanic nobles and the broadsword wielding hooplotes guarded the left flank.
Cocolitanos and his bodyguard halted near the Gaesatae and began the wait for the enemy. They couldn’t be more then a few hours march away at this point. A bead of sweat formed under his heavily decorated helm and rolled down his cheek, disappearing into his beard. The constant campaigning in hostile territory had caused him to let his beard grow freely rather than adopting the more fashionable long mustache sported by his cousin and heir to be, Prasutagos. He had heard rumors floating around that Prasutagos had finally taken the Getic stronghold of Ak-Ink and would be marching on Germania as soon as next spring. Of course, rumors of that sort had been floating around for nearly two years but Prasutagos was still off fighting his own little war and becoming filthy rich in the process, while ‘Litanos was stuck fighting this never ending war for control of the Rhine river.
‘Litanos scanned the horizon once more and spotted dust being kicked up by the enemy army. They would see his army in a few minutes and begin to draw up their own battle plan. His own men were now starting to see the rising cloud of dust. A tense and nervous atmosphere had spread across his army and more then a few were looking back at him……
Why were they all looking at him??? What else did he have to do before the battle began? He had chosen a good place for the battle. He had arranged his army in the normal fashion of modern armies. He had given orders to his captains. He had even set up a surprise using the mercs. Wait,…. A SPEECH!!!! They expected a damn speech out of him. How could he forget such an obvious thing! Aneirin wouldn’t have forgotten. Then again, Aneirin died fighting the exact army he was now facing.
What was it that Brycham had said? Invoke warriors fallen, wealth, and women and your men will fight for you ‘till their last wind. Yes, the three w’s, that was it. It couldn’t hurt to talk about the favor of the Gods as well. That was always popular. ‘Litanos rode out in front of his army and cleared his throat.
To Be Continued….
-----------------------------
This is based off of events well into my EB Averni campaign.
232 BC
A brief overview of the situation. The Averni Confederation is in control of much of Gaul and all of Italia down to Rome. Prasatugos is the son of the former faction heir and has been campaigning against the Getai in the Balkans for three years now, becoming very wealthy in the process. After he conquers Ak-Ink he’ll march towards south east Germania and catch the Sweboz in a giant pincer. 9 years before the current battle the Sweboz invaded modern day Belgium which was controlled by the Averni. The Averni army, led by Aneirin Oi Lugos repelled the invaders and won a string of victories against the Sweboz until he was defeated and killed by the main Sweboz force which ‘Litanos is now about to face. The Sweboz reestablished a stalemate along the Rhine river. A second force was assembled and a general was hastily chosen. Cocolitanos was young and inexperienced but he was the only commander other than the aging faction leader, Brycham, with any military talent. He won several small victories and crossed the Rhine with the intent of besieging Gawjam-Habukoz until scouts informed him of the advance of the main Sweboz army. He ordered a strategic withdrawal to a better defensive position which is where this story begins.
I know that I’m not a great writer so feel free to criticize as much as you want. I plan to rewrite this part based on your comments and then work on writing the speech and at least part of the battle in the near future.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks