The plundering of Aquitania - Journal of Sergeant Brannith Marius, 8th Legion
Journal of Sergeant Brannith Marius, 8th Legion
Date: the 18th day of the month of Agonalia in the year of 8218
The stench of Aquitania still clings to my armor, a vile mix of salt, blood, and the sickly-sweet odor of decay. I write this entry not in the comfort of a proper barracks, but by the sputtering light of a guttering candle, the sounds of drunken Norsemen echoing in the distance. This campaign… this plundering… It was a challenge, but not without its triumphs.
From the outset, we were outnumbered, not just in steel, but in spirit. The lawless chaos of the pirates and the savage fury of the Norse raiders… it was like trying to hold back the tide with a broken shield. We saw good Reman blood spilled, but we also saw courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
I was involved in several skirmishes, each a desperate attempt to maintain order. We were forced to hire Norse mercenaries ourselves, a distasteful necessity. I thank Jupiter that Thordic Strongfellow proved a capable soldier. He is Auxilia, working towards citizenship, and married to Lucia Valeria Strongfellow. I have seen warriors in the Auxilia perform great deeds, and I have seen many that do not know what end of the sword to use, but Thordic held his own. Lucia Valeria Strongfellow is a true Reman citizen and soldier, a battle cleric with a fire in her eyes that rivals any warrior I have ever seen. She commanded her unit well, her first time leading Reman soldiers in battle.
That Elf, "Bunny of the Woods"... I almost had her. The forest witch slipped through my fingers like smoke. She's a slippery one, I'll grant her that. And Vixey Oakthorn, the escaped slave? I never even saw her. She moved in the shadows, a ghost leading a rebellion. One has to respect that kind of dedication, even if she fights against the Imperial Republic and the people of New Rome.
The city itself was a mire of corruption. I saw the Priestess of Neptune wield a fearsome power, a testament to the sea god's reach. Yet, witnessing such displays does little to restore my faith in the old Reman deities. They seem fickle, their blessings as unpredictable and treacherous as the tides themselves. My faith lies elsewhere now.
Valeria Domitia Aemiliana... She is a force of nature, a true Reman. Her methods are direct, and some might call them harsh. But she gets results. She's strong, but I wonder if her strength, like that of tempered steel, is not always the best tool. For every tax collected we made an enemy.
And Marcus Aemilius Severus... a seasoned commander. He carries the weight of command, yes, and he's seen more battles than any man should. But he's not broken. He's weary, but resolute. I feel that I understand him better now. A brother in this, both of us forced down a path that we cannot walk off of. My hope is that he can find peace now that he is gone. Then there was the theft. An Elf Paladin stole the Crown of Pluto from the temple. Sacrilege, they call it. I confess, I felt little. My faith in Jupiter and the old gods died a slow death years ago. I respect the traditions of New Rome, but my path now lies with the Morrigan. But the loss of that artifact... that does worry me. Not for its religious significance, but for its potential power.
That poor tax lady never did find her husband. I wish her, and him, and their family well. It is always heartbreaking to me to see a family torn apart by war and chaos.
To the Dock Master, I am truly sorry i could not protect you better. But the Pirates and Norse attack at the same time, it was just too much, even for me to fight off.
And, after all of that loss of blood and treasure, what did we gain? Nothing it seems, we have returned to the same state of affairs as before, but with just a little less of our souls intact. There were sparks of light: the bravery of our legionaries, the skill of the Auxilia, and the unyielding spirit of the Reman people. I know that we will endure, but sometimes I wonder if it is best to simply “not”.
From the outset, we were outnumbered, not just in steel, but in spirit. The lawless chaos of the pirates and the savage fury of the Norse raiders… it was like trying to hold back the tide with a broken shield. We saw good Reman blood spilled, but we also saw courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
I was involved in several skirmishes, each a desperate attempt to maintain order. We were forced to hire Norse mercenaries ourselves, a distasteful necessity. I thank Jupiter that Thordic Strongfellow proved a capable soldier. He is Auxilia, working towards citizenship, and married to Lucia Valeria Strongfellow. I have seen warriors in the Auxilia perform great deeds, and I have seen many that do not know what end of the sword to use, but Thordic held his own. Lucia Valeria Strongfellow is a true Reman citizen and soldier, a battle cleric with a fire in her eyes that rivals any warrior I have ever seen. She commanded her unit well, her first time leading Reman soldiers in battle.
That Elf, "Bunny of the Woods"... I almost had her. The forest witch slipped through my fingers like smoke. She's a slippery one, I'll grant her that. And Vixey Oakthorn, the escaped slave? I never even saw her. She moved in the shadows, a ghost leading a rebellion. One has to respect that kind of dedication, even if she fights against the Imperial Republic and the people of New Rome.
The city itself was a mire of corruption. I saw the Priestess of Neptune wield a fearsome power, a testament to the sea god's reach. Yet, witnessing such displays does little to restore my faith in the old Reman deities. They seem fickle, their blessings as unpredictable and treacherous as the tides themselves. My faith lies elsewhere now.
Valeria Domitia Aemiliana... She is a force of nature, a true Reman. Her methods are direct, and some might call them harsh. But she gets results. She's strong, but I wonder if her strength, like that of tempered steel, is not always the best tool. For every tax collected we made an enemy.
And Marcus Aemilius Severus... a seasoned commander. He carries the weight of command, yes, and he's seen more battles than any man should. But he's not broken. He's weary, but resolute. I feel that I understand him better now. A brother in this, both of us forced down a path that we cannot walk off of. My hope is that he can find peace now that he is gone. Then there was the theft. An Elf Paladin stole the Crown of Pluto from the temple. Sacrilege, they call it. I confess, I felt little. My faith in Jupiter and the old gods died a slow death years ago. I respect the traditions of New Rome, but my path now lies with the Morrigan. But the loss of that artifact... that does worry me. Not for its religious significance, but for its potential power.
That poor tax lady never did find her husband. I wish her, and him, and their family well. It is always heartbreaking to me to see a family torn apart by war and chaos.
To the Dock Master, I am truly sorry i could not protect you better. But the Pirates and Norse attack at the same time, it was just too much, even for me to fight off.
And, after all of that loss of blood and treasure, what did we gain? Nothing it seems, we have returned to the same state of affairs as before, but with just a little less of our souls intact. There were sparks of light: the bravery of our legionaries, the skill of the Auxilia, and the unyielding spirit of the Reman people. I know that we will endure, but sometimes I wonder if it is best to simply “not”.
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