Rome

[Ace]

This thread takes place at the beginning of Rome's legacy. The great Roman empire has not been formed yet. There is only the Senate, three noble families, and the barbarians and Greeks trying to eliminate them before they become a serious threat. Each of these families must maintain their territory, and eventually choose to turn on the others, all 3 families struggling to take control of Rome once it comes to the point of civil war. Until then, Gauls, Carthagians, Greeks, etc. are all you have to worry about.

The 3 families are the Julii, Brutii, and Scipii (the names are in plural form, so the individual family members names be the last name Julius, Brutus, and Scipio) There are several positions you may have in a faction. They are:
Slave: the lowest of the low, most likely will end up dead sooner than later, it would be a miracle if you lived to see your late 20s

Plebians (plebs): these are the average citizens in the towns and cities. Better than being a slave, but you get taxed and your opinion doesn't really matter at all. In times of war you may be simply handed a sword and shield and told to fight for Rome

Soldier: You have been enlisted into the Roman legions. It can be dangerous, but at least you get paid, and you are trained in the skills needed in combat (ability in combat will depend on training recieved. Ex: A spearman would not do well shoting a bow and arrow from a horse, thats what cavalry archers are for)

Captain: You have risen a bit in the ranks, and have been given a small group of soldiers to command. You have better armor and weapons than standard troops

General: You have brought much honor and glory to Rome in the past. That, or you are an ally to one of the noble families. You command a large group of soldiers into battle. Your equiptment is vastly supierior to your troops, and you have recieved extensive lessons in strategy

Governor: You are in charge of one of the cities that Rome takes over as the families spread their territory, taking land for Rome. You are rich, you tell the generals what to do, and you get to sit in a palace all day and go to gladiator games at the arena

Family member: You are a member of the ruling family of your faction. Your family is in charge of all your faction's dealing and who they attack, who are allies, and how much the plebs are taxed. If you wish, you may take up arms and lead your troops into battle. You have recieved the best training and equiptment money can buy

Faction leader: All land controlled by your faction is ruled by you. Your word is law in the land controlled by your faction. You have the best training, equiptment, luxuries, etc. You may lead troops into battle, go to the arena, order people who annoy you executed. Pretty much you can do whatever you want in the lands you control.

[Ace]

EDIT: added map

[Vashio]

I'll create a character soon! Bagsy Scippio.

[Codaian]

Can I be the faction leader of the Brutus Family?

-- thank you

[Ace]

yes.

we need three faction leaders and a senate to get started, i will take julii(unless someone else wants it) so i think we have three leaders know, and some greeks to if im not mistaken

[Vashio]

A hoof smashed into a dark, muddy puddle, splashing water around in a 360 degree arc. Around it, the withered strands of pale, green grass sprouted and drooped down in all directions. It swayed violently as something snorted loudly, a trail of transparent, cold white hair descending from two large nostrils.

The horse was large and chestnut brown, beautiful in every possible manner. It was draped in long, crimson sheets of Roman material, designed only for the ‘soon to be Emperor’, as his followers commented freely.

Gripping the reins of this marvellous horse, was none other than Vito (Meaning Conquer and Victor in Latin) Brutus. He who had just conquered the entire southern landscape of modern day Italy. He was a man of around 6 foot 2, with broad shoulders and a physique designed for that of a warrior. With short brown hair, thin eyebrows and blue eyes, the title ‘Emperor’, though not officially claimed, suited him perfectly.

Vito Brutus was equipped in none other than the ordinary Roman generals armour. His cassis (helmet) had a side ward horse hair crest, though it was a fine golden material. Over his chest was a shirt of the finest and strongest mail armour, deadly and efficient to defend ones body in battle, over a leather arming doublet. Hanging over his back, and indeed over his horse, was a mightily fine, pleasurable, purple cloak.

The faction heir and leader of the Brutii family was gazing out proudly at the three thousand, battle worn men marching past the hill of which he and all commanding officers rested their steeds and guards. They had just fought a hard battle to conquer the last remaining, rebellious city in the southern borders of Italy, and he had lost three hundred men during it. The city was called Tarrentum, and was now firmly within his grasp.

“Sir,” A man spoke out, disrupting the silence only slightly invaded by that of the marching and shouts of orders. Vito didn’t even turn his head, just motioning to speak on with his left hand.

“Scipii and Julii both maintain a strong grip upon their respective territory. I would expect both would be aiming for control of Rome within Latinum, but that would mean direct war upon the Senate. Julii and Scipii both control the strands of territory leading towards Rome, so if a direct attack is necessary, we can expect confrontation an-”

Vito glanced over.

“Mm? Confrontation? Are negotiations still bad?”

“Yes, sir. The excuse of the conquering of Latinum would be a disastrous one, seeing as they both seek it as well, inevitably. Although Julii is under a pressure threat from the vile barbarians, I do not see any reason for they declaring war. Scipii is a very prideful family, and I do not doubt they wouldn’t declare it, either.”

Vito bit his lip, apprehensively. He gazed out upon the three thousand men again, more were to be joining soon, from Bruttium.

“Scipii,” Vito spoke loudly, “Has an extreme, lengthy border upon us. Our lands will, thus, be under threat until negotiations are made or war is declared and we be the victors. Seeing as negotiations would, as mentioned, be feeble considering we will end up seizing Rome, war would seem to be the only option. Oh well. Send Scipii an alliance pact, an ultimatum stating that war is to be declared until a safe passage to Latinum is granted, or unless they ally with us and jointly attack Rome, where it will be allowed to be rebuilt rightfully in our hands.”

Everyone muttered their agreement loudly.

“Lord Vito,” A general coughed, “The senate has well over 20,000 men. We have around about 11,000 when the reinforcements arrive. To get an army sufficiently sized to conquer Latinum, it will take four months to arrange the entire army, let alone those fighting the barbarous threat over sea.”

Vito smiled.

“Let us talk over it at dinner. Tell the army to set up camp until reinforcements arrive. Patrols are to be stationed in every direction as normal.”

“Your wish is my command, Lord.” Three men bowed, who had been at the side awaiting orders. They rushed off hastily.

((For help:

Tarrentum- City in southern Italy
Latinum- Senates land, of which Rome is within))

[Ace]

The senate was standing on the forts wall gazing out at his beautiful empire.

"mister senate sir, the roman super powers provide a massive threat to our empire, what shall we do."

"hmmm they have rebles and other factions to deal with first, the brutii have the greeks, scipii have the carthagens, and the julii have the gauls, we are safe but for now call a meeting to be held in rome, tell them they are allowed two guards to attend with them for protection on their way here. now go my friend and send the runners to their "empire" leave at once."

"uhhh yes.. yes sir right away."

The senate smiled to himself, he turn and went into his office, and started to read a book.

[Vashio]

Vito inhaled a small gust of the cool, Italian wind as his horse stirred on the spot, whining loudly and moving a bit to the side. The ’Emperor to be’ had been overlooking the preparation of the camp, it was a complicating procedure that took more effort than putting up tents. Once the tents were set up in neat rows, a huge ditch, in a square encircled the camp, where the soil was pressed up to form a sort of wall. It had took hours for over two hundred men to chop down trees and another 300 to sharpen them into stakes to secure a good defensive position. It had lasted well into the night and indeed the next day, but Vito had decided that a few days good rest would be well suited and deserved.

Dismounting his horse as a guard swiftly held the reins, Vito casually walked into his tent, separating the entrance curtains with his hand to walk into the warm, comfortable atmosphere where his top Generals awaited him.

“Ah, here he is!” One of them shouted, “Hail Vito! Conqueror of the southern lands!”

All of the men rose their glasses that were full of whine, and each shouted ’Vito!’ in union, silenced only by the man raising both his arms and laughing. As he stepped in, the entrance was blockaded by two guards who stepped into place just in front of the curtains, belting their square shields into the ground with their right hands resting on their sheaths.

Taking a position at the head of the newly erected table, Vito clapped and two slaves entered, filling his goblet and bringing in grapes. They left just as quickly as they entered. Slowly, he took a sip of his wine.

“As you all may know, I have called you here to discuss in detail our official options. We have conquered the southern lands of Italy with relative ease, as they have been separated for all of time. They are now, however, part of the lands of the Brutii,” He paused, sipping his wine in time to register and grin at the claps and cheers of his men.

“The Scipii and the Julii are currently our two most frontal enemies, and wedged in between them are the ever powerful senate, who as you know controls the undefeated, abnormally powerful fortress that is known only as Rome. However, to achieve this goal of controlling such a monstrosity, we need to gain the alliance or lands of those two families. Their army equals ours in size, yet I have no doubt that our experienced men are capable of more than theirs.

However, a relatively new problem has arisen. We have just been informed of a challenger to our power, one in the form of an entirely different country. Greeks, they are called. They bear round shields and lighter armour, but longer spears and effective tactics.”

Two grapes plopped into his mouth as he glanced around the table at the men who were chattering. As they were doing so, he took in the view of his tent. It was purple, with two flags situated outside each bearing the green flag of the Brutii family. Guarding each of these flags mounted on a golden pole was a soldier hand picked by Vito himself. The tent he was in also had a flag, though it was just beside the entrance on the left inside. It was a rather dull tent, with the usual luxuries to be brought in soon, such as his cushions. He adored them. They were comfortable.

One of his men spoke up.

“Ah, yes,” A wise, aged voice boomed across the table confidently, “The Greeks. Yes, yes, I have experienced them myself. A skirmish on one of the coasts. Perhaps that is how they know of us. We defeated a small force of them, but with heavy losses. They locked shields with a frontal barrier of spears, which proved hard to deal with. They rose their shields to our arrows, and it was only when we eventually outmanoeuvred them to surround that we won. Yes, indeed hard enemies.”

Slowly, their leader nodded. Then Marcus Eprondus, his right hand man eliminated the silence.

“Vito, perhaps, just perhaps the Greeks could ally with us. With an entire countries support, imagine what we could do to our enemies? Scipii and Julii will collapse in front of us and the Senate will flee Rome itself!”

A muttering of agreement filled the tent.

“Yes, Marcus, that is a brilliant idea. Dispatch a man this instant to alert our sailors in Tarrentum to ready a boat for a diplomat. The Greeks should accept. I shall write out a personal letter soon. Anyway, as for our enemies…”

[Cedric of trall]

(ooc um yeah back then it would take months for a letter from italy to reach greece so want me to time skip or just wait?)

[Ace]

(ooc, dont wait ages over stuff like that)