The Long Road Home

The Gallic trading ship is packed to bursting with gold, silver and amber and escorted by 20 Kembroz war boats containing 500 warriors hand picked, trained and led by Háriáwulf himself against the Rugii and here. Agelastus stays in Cimbrii Chersonesos though, having found a second love and life with Háriáwulf's mother. Who seems to very much reciprocate the feeling. Lvcivs is not too happy leaving a Roman centiruion to help train the Kembroz warriors, but they are his friends and allies, he might need those warriors trained later and he certainly wants to keep on good footing with Háriáwulf and Hrothulf... and with him travels Hárjáborká the Priestess and his two slavegirls, and the ships hold enough treasure to ensure a start of his Cursus Honorum, just, who could be unhappy on a calm sea in early autumn with such a shipload?

Nor does he have any reason to, a Kembroz boat a day ahead advertise their coming to Frisii, Batavians and Menapii and ensures a journey from feast to feast and much exchange of gifts. Virodomarus of the Menapii hosts the grandest of all, celebrating his daughter's wedding to Caivs Caecilivs Rvfvs and becoming a client of Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio. Through Gaul, the journey passes uneventfully, few dares interfere with 500 German warriors and those Roman garrisons and auxilia encountered all acknowledge a Roman patrician's right to travel with whatever retinue he likes; very few in the Republic will interfere with the Conelii.

More Gauls flock to follow this warlord though, and though he sends all but the best home, 200 Gallic horsemen has joined the caravan as they cross the Mediterranean Alps into Italy in late November, just as the first snows fall and with most Germans amazed at the height of these mountains. Here they are beset by 2000 or more local tribesmen, but they are no match for the skilled followers of Lvcivs Cornelivs, and he feels positively jubilant and triumphant as he enters Italy despite Caivs Caecilivs Rvfvs unearthing hints that a Roman was behind the attack; nothing can stop his Cursus Honorum now.

Most of the Barbarian warriors are quartered in 6 Villa Rustici of both heroes, and only 50- changing every 8 days- are brought into a Rome in chaos. Obviously Marcvs Antonivs' skills as a general was not matched by equal administrative skills. And while anarchy rules in Rome, he has sunken into the vilest of debauchery...

Lessons Learned

Experiences/Lessons learned:

Campaign.
The Campaign was supposed to be a historical campaign running the course of 10- 12 sessions and drawing on my knowledge of Roman and Danish history. Hopefully being both amusing and letting players see new aspects of these. In order to facilitate this I provided short literature and link lists and used books about the prehistory of Denmark as sourcebooks.
It is questionable to which extent I succeeded, we laughed a lot and it is my impression that some players did in fact read a bit more of Rome. The many similar prehistoric Germanic names and places confused players to some extent, I hope the list of NPCs helped.
Most NPCs also seemed a bit hollow and stereotypical, but with so few sessions, it was hard to build the details of more than a few NPCs in the players' minds, and easier to rely on stereotypes and/or only a few NPCs.
One problem was that the campaign stretched out to 16? 17? games instead, one session was added because I planned badly. But four or five others were because we spent much time eating and having fun, or by dealing with other issues, and only got through half a session as planned; often playing effectively only two hours. This is a balance, for do we emphasise gameplay or fun? Ideally both. But I guess I will have to enforce some more focus in the future, not as much as the last Rocketman games, but more than this time.
I should probably also be less lazy and better prepared, but the lack of planning also allows me to change things underway if players wish to drop in or out, etc., but with better planning, it might have been easy to keep focus.
In any case, I had fun, so if the players did as well, I will run Chapter Two at a later date, this will take place back in Rome and entail political intrigues, lawcourts, mercantile competition and foul murder.

Figures and Buildings.
I am too poor and too lazy. Ideally I would have bought many more figures (though it is very hard to find proper Germanic figures that are not stereotypical). I could not afford that.
Ideally I would also have had those I bought, painted and the building finished in detail well ahead. I did have time, but I was lazy; I am that. I need to either focus more or take it into account. My lack of funds I can do little about.

The Players.
The usual core crew. As usual Jan took a leading role, and had the lead character. There was less of the brain-teasing challenges with intrigues and details than Oleg likes, but with campaigns planned for 10- 12 sessions to travel most of Europe, there was little I could do to include this, only in Gaul/Belgae was there some, but Lvcivs behaved like Alexander and cut the Gordian Knot instead of unravelling it.
Feedback on your various (gaming) wishes is welcome, gaming should please all.

The last battle.
See figures and buildings above.
The special rain rule was also messy, especially as it was not really implemented as intended.
Two other problems arose, one was our late start; Gøeg having forgotten that it was Thursday and showing up pretty late (welcome to the “wonderful world of unemployment where all days are the same) and my slow preparation of forces added up to a start somehere after 20.00. Both these conditions are easily remedied. Gøeg will get used to unemployment and if I am smart, I turn up earlier to prep forces.
The other was that we fought two separate battles on each side of the Longhouse. In itself not a problem (except for the sequence of play that tends to get warped) and a recurring event, as long as there is at least one experienced player in each seperate battle and the sequence is followed; it is no prioblem. This time, however, Jan had forgotten the very important fact that Warriors vs Soldiers has a special rule; having run lots and lots of games involving soldiers and warriors I had thought he would remember, but those games are a long time ago, and we have had a long break with Real Life thrusting much on him these days. S**t happens. However, to avoid such, I will probably function merely as umpire in the future.



Oleg sent the following comment in an email Friday (thanks).


Firstly: thanks for a game.

Anyway...
We started a bit late. I'm not sure why, but setting up took ages. I tried to get the food ready in good time, and Geog coming a little late didn't really make much of a difference. We could have done with 30-45 minutes more at the end. Sorry I had to go, but Peter was passing out.

The fighting looked reasonably balanced, but.
(E-Off) Warriors are seriously shit hot.
The Romans were outclassed by *armoured* Warriors ((S) Romans with mail, shield, several pila (pl. ?), and those stake things (which make Difficult terrain in which Warriors cannot quick kill) will eat Warriors with shields. Ordinary Romans meeting Warriors with about the same equipment, in Rough terrain will get killed (although the Warriors will lose cohesion).
The 10" rule was... fuzzy.
We ended up fighting 2 battles. This was probably realistic. From my point of view it was great, but it meant that Palle wasn't thinking about the Geog / Jan fight. The 2 fights got out of sequence (or, they almost did, several times). More to the point, Geog is not experienced withh Warriors v Soldiers, so he didn't know / remember about the quick kills. I didn't notice. Unfortunately, neither did Palle.
A printout with the figure stats, but also relevant rules, special rules, and terrain definitions for that game is a must. We should *always* do this in future.

So, who won in the end, and how?

I liked the longhouse. The roof especially looked good (admittedly I would have weathered it (I know it was supposed to be newish), but that's me. I love weathering). It was, I bet, fairly quick as well; therefore efficient (also, not warped significantly).
What I didn't like is a mistake that we have all made to some extent, and learned quickly: models have to be designed for figures to move around in. This means:
Doorways / gaps ideally 25 mm wide (22-23 may be good enough), and outrageously tall. Jan and I use 50-55 mm per storey. There is a reason.
Avoid too many internal pillars and cross beams. Even door tops (lintels / arches) are optional.
Use a scale of around 15 mm : 1 m... and then make buildings wider than they should be.
Walls can be dead thin, though, so the overall buildings look as  well as possible.


Much is addressed above, but.
Háriáwulf is supposed to be sh*t hot, more so than even the other sh*t hot warriors. As you note, on the scale we do things, equal numbers of equally skilled Warriors will defeat Romans in the open or terrain. Fortunately for Rome there are not that many equally skilled and equipped Warriors even in the entire Sweboz tribe, and when it comes to field fortifications, logistics, etc., they are like children. Háriáwulf is about as skilled as it gets and his best men as disciplined as they go, and though he does organise logistics as well as possible with the means available, he does not build field fortifications (he would love to, but no chance his men will, they are warriors- not slaves) and he does not have Roman roads and ships. Nor do they have Pilae. And should it come to siegecraft...
A Printout is a very good idea, do you have the Skirmish Rules in writing? I asked for them online a long time ago, but if they were put there I forgot. I would appreciate a copy so I can cut and paste relevant sections and add any special rules and stats for individual games as handouts. Excellent idea.
Thanks, the Longhouse will be weathered in time, I was lazy, sorry. I also cannot decide what colour the woodwork should be, if any. I might also take it apart and put it together again in a less-correct-but-easier-for-gaming-purposes way. Though I doubt if we will ever use it again.

Veni, vidi, vici

Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio, scion of one of the great families of Rome, and hungry for power and glory; riches are but a means to attain this, revels as Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Protector of Rome and grandfather of Romulus and Remus, unleashes his lightning over the landscape. This must be a good omen, Jupiter will lead this true Roman to Victory. The barbarian warlord beside him smiles and says, “You look forwards to battle my friend Lvcivs Cornelivs? That is it should be, I lust for it and the revenge we have been denied for too long. The honour of the Kembroz will be restored. I look forwards to seeing you and your men in battle, the famous Roman legionaires. It will be a pleasure in many ways. Look at that huge hall; the greatest in all the Suebi lands, and built by the last Rugoz king with our gold. Now his miserly son rules there, and as he keeps a small retinue to save money, we should be able to take it with even as few troops as we have. But I would like to hear your opinion on how to proceed.”

Raurik the Tightfisted has sent most of his father's large retinue away. While his father was a cunning and prudent man who always kept 120 men at his farm. His surviving son is a miserly and self-indulgent coward, who values cooks, jugglers and bards more than warriors, and only keeps ~20 warriors on his manor. He has positioned some of his old Erloz and Hirdmen in villages nearby though, to save money on feeding and gifting them, while still getting some security form their presence. And though small groups have been sent to raid their manors or ambush them as they try to come to their King's rescue, some might still get through.

The manor has a solid fence/palisade around it, with one main opening and two small ones elsewhere in the fence. The guards, if any- none are discernible in the rain and dark- are less than vigilant and it is likely you can get very close before an alarm is raised.


It is your choice how to proceed.

Visibility and hearing is reduced to 10, there are no fires outside, nor can any be lit in this downpour, perception rolls can be made to see if anyone notices anything just as a lightning flashes.
Thus, command range is 10 outside. Inside, the hall and longhouse are lit by a few torches and dying embers of fires, but the defenders may light oil lamps on the pillars; 1 element (including civilian) can light one 6'' R light every round.

Háriáwulf's objectives are to kill or capture Raurik and find the gold, if he can gain honour by winning personal combats and/or make enemy heroes change sides (especially if by defeating them), he will even be happy. There is an additional objective that will only be revealed at the proper time.

Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio's objective is to find the gold and defeat some barbarians.


Aslak broods in his High Seat as darkness falls and clouds gather; a night of thunder and downpour seems to be at hand. Bad for harvest, but something more worries him; he has a sense that danger is near, very near. All his warrior's senses, fine-tuned by 30 years of combat, screams alarm, and his shepherds have muttered amongst themselves about movement in the wilds at night and a very few tracks in places where they should not be. Two days it had gone on, but he had found nothing. Yet he was alarmed. He knew in his gut that something was wrong, and he knew as certain as day follows night that the Kembroz had not forgotten their slight; especially not now with the proud, powerful and ambitious High Chief and Warlord in power. He knew in his bones that they would want revenge. Gold won in war was one thing, but as he saw it, this treasure was won by treason by his old lord Ákiláz, and treasure won by treason often burned the owner; like Dragons' hoards they were cursed. Too bad Ákiláz' brave and honourable sons had all died like true men in the Kembroz first assault. With Raurik ruling the people and more focused on self-indulgence than on proper manly virtues, nothing good was going to come to the Rugoz of this whole affair...

Aslak held out his horn for his wife to pour more mead, and walked slowly to the door, looking out on the lightning flickering in the horizon as the first large drops began to fall, taking a huge swallow. Yes, He was certain in his bones, he had heard stories of the heroism and travels of Háriáwulf and the cunning and power of Hrothulf, he knew the lust for blood and revenge of the Kembroz. He knew they would not marshal a large army like last time and slowly march to a huge battle as Raurik believed; leaving the Rugoz and their powerful allies of the Svionoz and Langobardoz time to gather an army. No, much more likely the glimpses seen were small bands of their warriors getting in position to raid the unprepared and vulnerable Rugoz, as long as the Langobardoz threatened their flank, they would have to attack merely in small numbers. He would have to try and warn Raurik tomorrow, make him try and see sense...
As he arrived at this conclusion he spotted a rider flogging his horse through the downpour towards his farm, he knew that way of sitting a horse, Váliásoz, his foster brother who should be serving the Langobardoz King, Aslak's unease grew...

He listened in silence as the drenched Valiásoz told of the newest developments at the Langobardoz court; Áiláthêwáz, the King's heir, will marry Háriáwulf's sister, Godáhilthjo; the Langobardoz had decided to throw in their lot with the Kembroz instead of the miserly Raurik. Aslak almost wished he could do the same as he told his foster brother to get some dry clothing, and went himself to rouse his 60 warriors, deciding to leave 20 behind for defence of his own holdings...


Aslak's objective, despite his loathing for the self-indulgent and cowardly Raurik, is to defeat the enemy force by either killing both enemy generals or 2/3rds of the enemy force. Unfortunately, an ambush on the way cost him 23 men, so he has 17 at his disposal.

Visibility and hearing is reduced to 10, there are no fires outside, nor can any be lit in this downpour, perception rolls can be made to see if anyone notices anything just as a lightning flashes.
Thus, command range is 10 outside. Inside, the hall and longhouse are lit by a few torches and dying embers of fires, but the defenders may light oil lamps on the pillars; 1 element (including civilian) can light one 6'' R light every round. Aslak is not a defender, only Raurik's and Theudelindá's men are.

Being both men of action, Lvcivs and Háriáwulf decided to sneak as close as possible, then just rush the gate opening and longhouse behind it; one from N. East, the other from N. West, while Háriáwulf brought two pairs of men sneaking in the back openings. Due to the heavy downpour, they got as close to the gate without being noticed by the guard, who- like all the guards- had moved to shelter from the rain. Maion Maienos, the Cretan, took a surprise shot at him, but failed to kill him; instead the guard jumped back in, slammed the door and gave the alarm.

At this point everybody in front rushed forwards to try and batter down the door. As it was a solid one, it took Háriáwulf 20 seconds to do so and charge the single guard. This time was used well by Raurik, the Rugoz chief, who ran to his hird in the next house, wearing only his smallclothes. Thus a lone guard defended the largest hall in Sweboz lands.

He was quickly overwhelmed by Háriáwulf, but the combined delay from the door and him was sufficient that Raurik's hird was ready, some with armour, some without, to defend the exit of the longhouse; creating a bottleneck as Háriáwulf charged through. Their combined numbers were enough to force him back through the door; elated by the success, the hirdmen charged in after him and were quickly overwhelmed. While this happened, Raurik was putting on one of his hirdmen's armour, and the Romans formed up in lines on the other side of the house, both guarding against reinforcements and being ready to reinforce.

At this point the area between the two houses developed into the bloody slaughterhouse typical of warriors and while Háriáwulf cut his way through his enemies to reach Raurik, the latter ran out the back door, much to the dismay of his Hird. Unfaced, Háriáwulf made his way around the house to defeat Raurik. The latter, however, kept sending warriors and even archers (the archers in this game wore chain shirts), to intercept him despite Maion Maienos coming around the house to the west and shooting a few, while Háriáwulf's German archers flanked to the east, taking out a few others. At this point, Háriáwulf's men sneaking behind the palisade noticed that a group of 5- 7 warriors with distinct shields were holding back somewhat from the fighting and focusing more on defending the guesthouse. Though not enough that it was very obvious and when it appeared as if they could catch most of Háriáwulf's hird between the two houses and forces, they did move forwards.

While this happened and his friends in the Hird were being cut down by Háriáwulf, Aslak's remaining reinforcement forces sneaked closer, not risking another ambush and not being noticed by the attackers' lookouts until they fired on them, though with little success. The fight on this side of the house developed into a faceoff as neither side wished to engage through the gate. When Aslak charged, fed up with the rain of Pilae and arrows (Maion had turned that way) against his forces while his own javelins did little damage against the heavily armoured Romans, it was too late.

As Aslak led a charge through the gate a bloody melee developed there as well, and the battle neared a climax. Behind the Hall, Háriáwulf had cut his way through Raurik's hird and left his own behind to clean up while he searched for his enemy. As he turned the hird-house, a warrior and archer engaged him, and when his back was turned, Raurik took his chance to run up and attack him from behind.
Unfortunately, Háriáwulf sensed his approach and turned to face him, and his mere presence made Raurik's bowels go weak, drop his weapon and beg for mercy.

That ended the battle (and the evening was late). With their leader's cowardice exposed, most of his men either fled or threw down their weapons. Only two tried and make their way to join the melee between the Romans and Aslak, and the Svionoz were in full retreat, trying to protect their chief's daughter. But with most of his friends inside the palisade cut down by Háriáwulf, Aslak was surrounded and defeated; fighting to the last.


The aftermath:
Háriáwulf was happy, having defeated his hated enemy personally and himself cut down at least 6 of his warriors with only two men unrecoverably lost himself. Further, he held three prizes, the gold, silver and amber of the Rugoz (hidden in the barn), Raurik himself (who will be sacrificed by Lvcivs' favourite priestess), and the daughter of the Svionoz high chief with her maids (some high born), who were there with her brother to formalise an alliance and engagement. Her brother got away though, but Háriáwulf is pleased with that as well, as the message will reach the High Chief faster that way and the war stop.

The Rugoz are soundly defeated, after four days of raiding the Rugoz Rally under the few leaders surviving to try and drive out the invaders. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Háriáwulf offers battle after six days, Raurik's sacrifice had offered good portents. In a hard battle with heavy losses fought on a warm day of August, he rout the Rugoz levy. Though few, his warriors are much harder and better led, while the massacres of the surprise raids have taken out the head and spine of the Rugoz.
On day eight, the second wave of reinforcements come up and the harrying of the countryside continues unabated for another three days. Before he sends parts of the army to support against the Danoz while another part marches the captured cattle and prisoners home through Langobardi lands , leaving much cattle there “as a show of friendship”, and the survivors of the first wave sail home with key prisoners and the treasure.

The war against the Svionoz was mainly fought by the Heruloz and Gautoz with some Kembroz support and met with stunning success. The Svionoz were caught as unaware as the Rugoz, and took longer to rally, they are harder warriors though, but are eventually defeated. Leaving only the Danoz to resist the Kembroz. The Danoz were not caught as much by surprise as the Rugoz and Svionoz, and they too are hard warriors, the war against them is harder and they are only slowly defeated, but on day 15 as Háriáwulf's reinforcements arrive, they too are defeated. The war then dies down as both sides regroup; the Kembroz does not have the forces to hold what they have taken, merely pillage and destroy it.

Eventually, the Sweboz tribal chiefs (Hrothulf and his enemies included), meet and intervene in the war, but that is after the Romans go home. As summer draws to a close and the harvest that can be salvaged is, Hrothulf and Háriáwulf happily hosts a feast to celebrate that Kembroz honour is risen again, the victory and the loot.

Most of the loot is from Rugoz lands, and most of this is gifted to Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio and Rome in exchange for friendship, alliance, trade, reciprocal gifts and a promise that Rome will keep out of Kêmbroz; A third (app 400.000 Denarii) when Lvcivs departs, the rest as the reciprocal gifts and “treaties” arrive.
In total Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio will get 1.212.300 Denarii worth of amber, silver and gold, some is expected to be gifted to Rome from the Kembroz, the rest is a gift to Lvcivs and his friends, though most of Caivs Caecilivs Rvfvs' reward is in “trade concessions”.
With him to Rome, travels Háriáwulf and Hárjáboko the Priestess, and 500 warriors, more to follow with the rest of the treasure. It is up to you to house them there, probably best to keep the majority outside Rome, perhaps Caivs Caecilivs Rvfvs has a Villa Rustica somewhere...

Alea Iacta Est!

Caivs Cominvs Dolabra curses silently under his breath as brambles snag at him in the dark and rainy night. He had thought he was through with this business of war for now when he went with Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio, he had hoped to get rich, to cuddle up to a hot woman at night- or carouse with friends, instead he is sneaking around wet and sweaty in the darkness of Germany as a night of thunder offers ideal opportunity for their purpose. One would almost think that even the Gods themselves were on the side of those Cimbrii chiefs and their plan to launch several surprise attacks at their enemies all on the same night by small dispersed forces sneaking up at night and lying low during the day.

Oh well, war was his business just as commerce was Caivs Caecilivs Rvfvs' and ruling was Lvcivs', and his business he would ply where and when Lvcivs Cornelivs decided he was needed. Dolabra had long ago learned not to ask too many questions, but rather obey and try to survive; a simple soldier did not meddle in the affairs of the mighty of Rome. But he did wonder what brought them from being so close to the gold they could almost smell it, to this cold and dark place while he sneaked on, the large farm with a huge feasting hall they were to attack sometimes visible in the flashes of lightning and driving rain.

Yes how did they end there?

As Caivs Caecilivs returned to the village and farm/manor, no one seemed to notice his absence, except that Háriáwulf used the pretext of him catching nothing to tell a story of how a visit to the Gautoz up north of the northern sea had turned into a futile trollhunt. At the feast the Chief had related how local farmers claimed that a Troll in the mountains stole their sheep, so true to his warlike nature, Háriáwulf had vowed to find it and kill it. He had hunted across the mountains for days, lurked near sheep pastures and talked to local hunters and trappers, all in vain. However, the day after, he and Hrothulf, the high chieftain, had wanted to talk to Lvcivs alone. There was much ale, but no-one to serve it, no guards, only the three of them. And the two Cimbrii chiefs had told a story.

“Now friend Lvcivs, let me tell you a little story and see if you can guess the ending. As we skirmished with the Aedui and your people in Gaul, the Varinii caught a Roman noble. As he was a very bad slave, refusing to learn our language and working only reluctantly and badly even when beaten- and ever both scared and full of arrogance and hatred, convinced of his own superiority to us, they had no use for him. I purchased him and tried to learn your language and ways from him. But with a combination of stubbornness, fear, stupidity and arrogance, it was impossible to get any sense into or out of him. Eventually, not knowing that my nephew would soon return with knowledge of a language you speak, I tried to make him understand that I wished to send him as an envoy to your people with offers of peace and friendship. Even this he seemed not to understand, but as he had often been seen sneaking about near our holy bog, I decided that he had probably guessed at the sacrifices we make there and was trying to find out if we had sacrificed any riches he could make off with. At this point I could have killed him for his sacriledge.” Hrothulf looked meaningfully at Lvcivs while Háriáwulf smiled, before continuing; “And perhaps in retrospect I should, but instead I decided to arrange for him to escape, hoping that his knowledge of the treasure would draw men of ambition and intelligence I could use to create an alliance with Rome. You are such a man friend Lvcivs, you have proven that by saving my daughter and helped save my nephew from poison. And you have in general behaved honourably and as a warrior and a man of his word.”

He looked meaningfully at Lvcivs again.

“So let me tell you of a dishonour that it shames me to speak of.
We had the good fortune to take from the Aedui a good deal of gold. And as Háriáwulf's father and predecessor as Hárjánáz, Háriuhá, fought a successful rearguard action, the High Chief Háuház could lead the main part of the army away with the loot.
Some of it was sacrificed to placate and honour the Gods, but the rest Háuház gifted to the Dánoz tribe of Svionoz in exchange for a marriage alliance and a large shipment of Roman arms and armour from the Rugoz allies of the Svionoz. The bride never turned up, nor did the weapons, and war broke out. A hard war as the Danoz, Svionoz and Rugoz were prepared for the attack. Hard enough that eventually all the rest of the Suebi intervened as both sides started drawing in allies and it threatened to escalate and wreck the entire tribe. The war ended three years ago and I replaced Háuház by choice of the Ting and single combat. And since I have planned how to gain revenge. The time is now ripe, my various envoys have returned from our allies; the Gautoz and Heruloz will join in the attack on the Svionoz and the Langobardoz king's son, Háiláthêwáz, will marry Háriáwulf's sister, Godáhilthjo. Thus our enemy loose one of their strongest allies. The attack is well prepared; all the Erloz will attack the Suionoz, Danoz and Rugoz lands with their warbands. They will strike at night and wreak havoc for 10-15 days, burn the almost ripe crops, kill cattle and people, cut down trees and pillage what can be transported- destroying the rest, then return with the loot. Likely the enemy will be too weakened to respond in kind before winter and the Suebii will reconcile the warring parties again. Or if not, we will have won a huge advantage by a surprise attack on all our enemies, crippling them in one swift and fell blow. Only one thing lack now; Will you honour us, by joining us and make certain that in the future Rome will be our friend? You shall not go unrewarded; the ring was made round to roll, and a chief shares with friends”.

Lvcivs had happily done so, reasoning that he had cast the die the moment he had set out on this sojourn. That now it was all or norhing, he would return with gold or he would die, and there was much benefit to gain by these two formidable barbarians as friends and allies, even when back in Rome, one never knew when one needed a barbarian army...
The Evocatii and Ingihárjáz had joined in the barbarian training for this war, and especially Agelastus had proven his worth, as an old centurion he could teach skills no barbarian had. A week later as harvest drew near, other chieftains and their followers starts turning up for a large feast until around 1500 warriors clutter the fields.
Only 150 picked men were at the actual feast in the hall. The others made do with a large one outside. As the first round of food and ale settled and people relaxed, Hrothulf moved outside and onto a small platform built for the purpose. Here he revealed the plan for a war of revenge and loot; to surprise and swiftly defeat the Danoz, Suionoz and Rugioz by a surprise attack just as harvest starts, when no one would expect it. To take out their rulers in one fell swoop, then ravage the lands by two weeks of swift/moving warbands burning and looting, only granting peace for tribute and hostages. The other chiefs dispatched messengers to their home and the warbands they had partly assembled, to form the second wave that will mostly deal with prisoners and loot and land as soon as they can.

Clash of Titans

In the evening priestesses of Nerthus will perform a ritual to bless the finished lawsuits so that they may last, and for the coming year; to grant the council wisdom in its deliberations and choose the best Dugunthiz.
As evening progresses everybody gathers near a wooden platform erected next to the lake for the ritual and omens.
Lvcivs, Caivs Caecilia, Aurelia, Ingihárjáz and two other Evocatii gather under some trees a bit away to watch from a distance, prudently keeping away from the throng of people and potential knives in the back that would inevitably be present in a Roman crowd. Dolabra is not so cautious and join the crowd to get a good view of the ghastly ritual.

20 Pristesses, mostly old, but two young, all dressed in nothing but white skirts and flaxen cloaks closed with a clasp at the neck, belted with bronze and with their face and hair smeared grey.

4 men who has been women to other men, 4 cowards and the two captured gladiators are dragged one by one to the platform and hoisted up, crowned with wreaths and their throats cut with bronze swords; the blood spilled into a massive cauldron of silver. Oddly enough it is a gladiator and three homos, who meet death the best, the rest resist, scream, wet their pants and generally confirm that they are unworthy. Those that die well, meet much acclaim.
A young and very buxom priestess is apparently more gripped than the rest, and for a while in her trance and after she looks directly at Lvcivs and as she starts making predictions, Lvcivs sends one of his Evocatii to have a look. Meanwhile Ingihárjáz translates roughly the following, “Dark days are coming, but we shall pull through the stronger while eagles shall circle and wolves tear our enemies. There is a man of the south here who shall bring us much glory. War is coming, with much blood and much booty for our glorious warriors”, the crowd cheers wildly at this. “Crops shall be somewhat scarce and a lean winter is ahead, but starvation will be averted by the Dugunthiz’ wise decisions, and in the south decisions shall be made the next three years involving our people that will shake the world. War shall engulf the world, and glory is coming!” Much more cheering from the crowd. Meanwhile the Evocatii has returned saying something along the lines of “Waaauv, she has huuuuuge knockers!”, but noticed little else. The other Evocatii is sent and being slightly more sophisticated notices more, the Priestess is young, around 20, but powerful amongst her peers, she is quite beautiful despite being a bit heavily built, very well proportioned and also quite charismatic.

The dead are then deposited in the lake, held down by stakes and boulders. Being intent on the priestess and ritual, Lvcivs and friends notice only too late that they are surrounded by a group of hostile Germans led by Hágárádáz; perhaps Lvcivs was so used to having Dolabra cover his back that he relaxed too much.
Hágárádáz opens hostility by groping Aurelia, then aggressively and loudly accuses Lvcivs of having killed his father in Gaul, or perhaps that Romans killed his father in Gaul, it was none too clear, what was clear was that Hágárádáz was picking a fight very aggressively. Lvcivs kept his cool and inquired who the father was before asserting that he did indeed remember killing him and that he squealed like a pig and whimpered like a woman. That incensed Hágárádáz even more and he challenged Lvcivs to a fight, an offer that Lvcivs gladly accepted while stating that he hoped that Hágárádáz would not cowardly run away like his father had. At this point, as Hágárádáz exploded, others were streaming to the scene, including Dolabra, priestesses, Háriáwulf with his followers and several other magnates, chiefs and warlords, and Háriáwulf is in his legendary rage, tossing anyone in his way aside (though most are all too eager to move) before confronting Hágárádáz with eyes like cold blue fire. Lvcivs grins smugly and retreats to talk to the buxom priestess and unearth why she was looking at him that way. Unfortunately it turns out that she speaks only German, and Ingi is intent on the clash of warlords, so it takes a while before he can do much but use sign language and the few German words he does know to communicate with her. And she too, is mostly intent on the confrontation, after all, if two of the prime figures of the tribes start fighting at a Ting and religious ritual it is a bad omen, not to mention quite dangerous.

Hariawulf accuses Hágárádáz of violating guest peace, the peace of the Ting and the ritual, declaring him without honour and a Nidding. He challenges Hágárádáz there and then; it is obvious that is a fight he wants, so let him fight if he dares, this is the best chance he will ever get as Háriáwulf is not wearing armour or shield; that he shall come on if he dares take Háriáwulf on or he shall be forever Nidding and coward to every man.

From body language, Caivs Caecilvs and Dolabra suspect that the brave and boisterous Hágárádáz secretly tries to avoid direct confrontation by calling on his men, “See men, he comes like a king, commanding everyone. Dare you not stand up to him?” His most powerful subchief; Bergáwuláz calmly replies that Hágárádáz has breached the laws of honour and that no one will interfere on his behalf in a one-on-one fight. Hágárádáz then asserts that it should be done properly and with Hariawulf not protected by his magic shirt; that he will fight Háriáwulf tomorrow in a Holmgang. Observing the right rituals and the old way; naked and with Framea till they break, then with swords. In his anger and impatience with such superstition about his prowess; Hariawulf rips his shirt off to give him the chance now (and flex in the firelight). But his hirdmen hold him back him from committing Nid and Hrothulf steps in calmly to calm him and proclaim the time and place of the Holmgang; as the athletic contests are over tomorrow, before the final feast.

On the way back to their own camp, Lvcivs muscles in on Háriáwulf to get a proper translator and talk to the priestess and inquire whether they are allowed to participate in the contests tomorrow. They are, and he will gladly translate.

What she says is that she saw in her vision a great man of Lvcivs’ people, a warleader and great thinker; looking at a burning city, though she uses the expression “many houses and walls of stone” that he had ordered burned and looted. While another man from another people, and of great learning stood by his side. The warlord wept for what he had ordered and said to the learned man that he feared the day this would happen to his home.

She thinks this man is connected to Lvcivs somehow and that Lvcivs will be as great or more if he lives. But that his fate right now is tied to an even greater man, a warlord and learned man ruling all his people. She saw another vision, one of a future where this great man gave his love and trust to friends and kin who secretly plotted to kill him while others struggled to save him. That come the time when the sun thaws the snow in three winters time, these people would try to kill him and not stop till he or they were dead. Driven by envy and ambition or delusional they will never give up; his fate will with certainty come to rest in Lvcivs’ hands at some time soon or late.
She also saw Lvcivs with red painted face and in red and purple clothes drive on a wagon through many large stone houses in front of your army.

From then on, she stays with Háriáwulf while another priestess will join Hrothulf as they have foreseen those two as central figures in a war that is to come. Her name is Hárjáboko and she is the daughter of a Teuton magnate. She is somewhat heavily built, but charismatic, pretty and busty enough to warrant attention. Enough so that Lvcivs asks Háriáwulf to ask her whether she would be interested in learning Roman (and Greek) ways in bed, it is rare that these priestesses let anyone enjoy their favours, but surprisingly she agrees and while a thunderstorm rages her and Lvcivs have much fun.

Next day dawns clear and uncomfortably warm (according to the Germans, the Romans find it quite pleasant) and the cunning Caivs Caecilivs notices Hrothulf dispatch Okáz, the Thuliz and Guthmunth Mikla escorting Wiliswinthájo on a secret mission, with Merjákeruz the Skald dispatched on another.
In the athletic contests, Lvcivs, on Háriáwulf’s horse, only gets mid ranking; perhaps the night’s rigours had sapped his energy. While Dolabra achieves the same in wrestling (preferring to fight with a Gladius Hispanensis in hand), but Maion Maienos outshoots everyone as the distance is raised in the archery contest.

Meanwhile, as the contests ends, everybody assembles to watch two of the most famous warriors meet on an island and only one depart; two men who has done little but train with weapons and for war since they could walk. As honoured guests of Hrothulf, the Romans get prime places at a dry piece of beach with a good view, Caivs Caecilivs has to be woken by Lvcivs though, and torn from the embrace of his hot(blooded) young wife, though the young and pretty lass Dolabra found is no less keen than him to see the fight. Truthfully kianki is almost as eager herself, but as her Roman husband seems less so, she tries to please him as best as she can.

The two fighters are blessed by priests and rowed to the small island where they ditch their cloaks to fight naked.
They start with one-handed spears (Framea) and small shield, which they also use as weapons, but with swords as backup.
The fight is very even at start, but with Háriáwulf having the upper hand. They fight very mobile-ly; move around a lot and jumps/dodges rather than parry.

Both men are extremely skilled and the fight is both impressive and only to really be enjoyed by the trained eye. Hágárádáz fights much like a bull and both show and great force, while Háriáwulf fights more gracefully and precisely but of at least equal strength. He preserves his energy and every attack or parry he makes is exactly right and flows gracefully into the next. No showmanship there, but the connoisseur will enjoy it the more.
Blood soon flows from both combatants as many attacks almost score serious hits, but never really penetrate for the skill of the contestants. It is noticeable that Hágárádáz takes a lot take a lot of punishment without slowing down- probably drugged and high on adrenaline; which also means that some of his overly aggressive attacks do make more injury than those of a normal man. Both seem to shrug off the injuries though.

Then Hágárádáz’ spear breaks, and he succeeds in drawing his sword with little scathe and Háriáwulf starts to draw his, but Hágárádáz moves in to take advantage of the temporary disadvantage of his opponent. This pressure is averted with a headbut that closes Hágárádáz’ right eye from swelling.
However, after some more graceful fighting Háriáwulf begins to slow down noticeably and seems dizzy and unfocused; much less precise than before.

At this time Bergáwulfáz comes over, dragging a slave; Hágárádáz’ foster mother, rumoured to be skilled at magic. She cackles on about how The Wolf dies now for she has given her son weapons to fell it. No more fame for him and your plans shall all be ruined. She spits at the Romans and express hatred for them as well. Bergáwuláz relates how he believes she has applied poison to her son’s speartip, poison that she has gained from a Roman according to several slaves and serfs.
A quick inquiry into the rules of Holmgang establishes to the Romans that poison is illegal, but that there is nothing they can do now. That the priestesses will take charge of the witch and that no matter the result of the fight Hágárádáz will be outlawed as Nidding and Bergáwulfáz impromptu elected to new chief of the Varinii. No amount of interrogation can make the crone reveal much, and she does not know what poison it is anyway, but as you have brought a skilled healer with a few doses of the extremely rare and expensive Mithridatum, you reckon you can counter the poison if you can get the antidote to Háriáwulf; Dolabra even considers coating an arrow in it and having Maion shoot him, but the Germans are not too keen on that idea.

Meanwhile the poison is visibly affecting Háriáwulf who can barely defend his life and has taken a vicious cut along the ribs, having a hard time controlling his limbs. As they look, a particularly violent blow from the now gloating Hágárádáz sends him reeling back, his shield flying from his hand, to kneel on the shore of the small island. And though Dolabra reckons he is overdoing it, the poison is definitely affecting him. Laughing, but bleeding and half-blinded Hágárádáz moves in for the kill, but suddenly Hariawulf stabs from the blinded side; a stab to the crotch that slices some important bits. Unfortunately the uncoordinated limbs of Háriáwulf cannot support a killing blow despite some feeble tries. So as Hágárádáz’ parries drop, Hariawulf moves in and rips out his throat with his teeth in a spray of blood. He then staggers towards the shore trying to say something epic, obviously unable to focus much now; then falls to the ground in a heap while his followers, friends and a few Romans rush to help him.

Last of all the election/confirmation of the new Dugunthiz is held. Hrothulf is re-elected with no opposition as Bergáwuláz is pro-Hrothulf. The council deliberates through the evening and at midnight the legal matters of the tribes is done. Tomorrow will be a time for athletic games and contests of skill.


Next day and evening a conciliatory feast is held in the spirit of friendship, respect and unity. And as all opponents of Hrothulf are now conveniently out of the way it is in fact felt by all. Lvcivs Cornelivs is introduced as “A mighty and powerful warlord of Rome, great scion of the greatest noble family in Rome, who has come to establish friendship between his people and ours. Great warrior and hero, he has lead victorious Roman warbands and is honoured by the Roman Ting, who look to for guidance”, and gives a long speech to much applause (when he stops). He also hands out gifts left and right (I lost track of who got what), and received in return two sacks of amber, a finely gold-inlaid Framea and a 2 l drinking horn inlaid with and full of gold jewelry (from Hrothulf). He swiftly improvises and asks the Thuliz’ “acolyte” to sacrifice the spear in the holiest of lakes to the god of war. The surprised acolyte stated that such a sacrifice must be performed by the Thuliz himself, but Lvcivs never heard as he was busy toasting war, plunder, honour, bravery, friendship and much else; quaffing horn after horn of mead with the cheering Germans.


Day Three:
Is indeed a day of games and contests, and of food and drink; music, singing and merriment, and it is open for all, so Caivs Cominvs can participate should he so wish.
The winners of the various contests are honoured with Torques, Framea, Swords, Armrings, Horses, etc. as well as honoured seats at the reconciliation banquet where many gifts are exchanged and much mead is quaffed. Finally the Romans get to see Hrothulf and the high-strung warriors unwind and drink themselves into oblivion as they now feel secure from all attacks. Háriáwulf is of course unable to join as he is still bedridden, and even his determination and overpowering presence must yield to women now as he can hardly stand.
Hrothulf gifts all and asks all Dugunthiz to join him at Arhros two weeks from now with their Erloz and Karloz, as well letting him keep some of those they brought here, so he can the better pick who to send to Rome with his honoured guest and friend; Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio when the latter goes home. They all willingly accept that, some of them obviously envious that their duties cannot let them join.

Europa Barbarorum II

As a sidenote I have joined the team behind the strictly historical Total War (EB I for RTW, EB II for MTW II) to help with the Germanic faction(s) and possibly do The Bosporan Kingdom (if I can get access to my Statsbiblioteket account).

It is an honour to me, and one with great opportunity, the standards EB sets are very high and games like this is an important part of propagating, teaching and telling history in the future. Wiki has a good article on EB here.

Upcoming chapters

Chapter 2 in Rome will entail a trial against Lucius Cornelius for killing Spurius. Caivs Caecilivs trying to track down their enemy from Chapter 1 and rebuild his business, and Dolabra dealing with the various murderous scum of Subura in various ways.

Chapter 3 a command against Burebista’s Getai (if he plays his cards right) as “he has experience of barbarians”.

I also want your opinion on whether you wish to roleplay the journey back to Rome or just me writing it up.