[center][b][u]Chapter 2: The Eye of the Storm, Early November 219 BC[/u][/b][/center] [i]As the year of DXXXV anno urbis conditae grows ever nearer to its culmination, Rome finds its legions spread to the reaches of its influence. The blood and toil of Roman sons has strengthened the Republic’s station in many areas amidst the tempest of aggressors that seem to surround it at every point of the compass. Great victories were won in Sicily, Sardinia, Sparta, and Illyria, yet Rome finds itself far from a secure peace. The Carthaginian General, Hannibal, presses his campaign onward from Sangutum. By summer’s end, Hannibal has captured the region of Catalonia, and presses forward towards the Rhone River. Of the Gallic forces that dare confront him, Hannibal utterly destroys. The wiser Gallic chieftains, emboldened by Rome’s lack of a timely response to their advances in Liguria, pledge to join Hannibal in his campaign against Rome. With his army all but demolished in Sicily, the Carthaginian Hasdrubal manages to narrowly escape the combined might of the Legio V Almeria, the Legio XI Celeris Acuta, and the Legio Sexta Ferrata, and returns to Hispania. Once returned, Hasdrubal oversees the bolstering and securing of his brother’s gains, and prepares for any Roman campaign into the region. On the eastern front, the Illyrian King Demetrius regroups to stop the Roman invasion of his country. After leaving a sizable garrison in the city-fortress of Dimallum, Demetrius retreats the bulk of his army to his home island of Pharos. There, he awaits the Roman legions on the island stronghold, well-armed and well-provisioned. Also in the east, weary of the growing power of Rome, Philip V of Macedon masses the armies of the Hellenic League, and vies for the unification of all the Greek states. He moves his armies against Aetolia, Sparta, and Elis, hoping to drive out Roman influence before it can be firmly established. Already weakened by the efforts of the Legio XIII Sparta, the remnants of the Spartan army fall to Philip’s mighty fighting force, and Sparta is occupied by a foreign power for the first time in its history. Despite the great valor of its legions, Rome finds itself beset on all sides by hostile forces. If swift action is not taken, the Republic will find itself staring into the maw of destruction and subjugation at the hands of its enemies. The time for victory is now, or most assuredly the combined burden of Rome’s aggressors will snuff out the shining light of the Republic forever.[/i] --- [center][b][u]Orders from the Senate, November 219 BC[/u][/b][/center] [hider=Aelius Horatius Servius] The Legio X Germina failed to meet the advancing mob of Gallic barbarians into [url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Liguria_in_Italy.svg/250px-Liguria_in_Italy.svg.png]Liguria[/url]. You are to leave Sicily, and deploy the Legio V Almeria into the region to halt their advance, and if able, destroy the Gauls who threaten our northwestern border. In the months since the Gauls took Genua, they have reinforced their number, and we now estimate that they possess a force of very near [b]10,000[/b] barbarians. Of their armament, they still only possess the flesh on their backs, and the spears and swords in their hands. However, be ready for the chieftain, Eumann Mawr, to fight with desperation, as the Carthaginian Hannibal is not far from pressing at the Gaul’s back.[/hider] [hider=Titus Pomponius Philo] With Sicily now firmly under Roman control, it is time to face Rome’s most pressing threat. Hasdrubal’s brother, Hannibal, continues to move his army along the coast, and is even now dangerously near to crossing the Rhone River. Leave the Etruscan Alae behind to see to Sicily’s security, and take the Legio Sexta Ferrata to Massalia, a city on the eastern side of the Rhone. Once there, join with the other legions in halting Hannibal’s advance eastward.[/hider] [hider=Quintus “Sulpicius” Cursor] Following your conquest of Sardinia in the name of Rome, it is time to take the fight to the heart of the Punic vermin. Depart from Karalis, and make your way to the territory south of the Greek town of Tarraco, just north of the Ebro River. There Hannibal has left a Carthaginian by the name of Hanno garrisoned with [b]10,000 heavy infantry[/b] and [b]1,000 light cavalry[/b]. Destroy this garrison, and move to control the northernmost shore of the Ebro River so Rome may gain a foothold in Hispania.[/hider] [hider=Marcus Cornelius Imperiosus] After your successful repulsion of Demetrius’ army, the Illyrian king has regrouped and redeployed his forces. Just northeast of Appollonia, Demetrius has left a sizable garrison in the fortress-city of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimale]Dimallum[/url]. Our best estimation is that the force there numbers some [b]4,000[/b] hardened Illyrian soldiers that are well-provisioned. Depart from Apollonia, and with the assistance of the I Legio, lay siege to Dimallum, and destroy its Illyrian garrison.[/hider] [hider=Augustus Revlio] Your failure to bring the Legio X Germina to bear against the advancing Gauls has cost Rome dearly! The Gallic chieftain has strengthened his force to [b]10,000[/b] men, and is advancing ever further towards the heart of Rome. The Legio V Almeria has been dispatched to assist you in destroying the barbarian horde. March with your brother legionaries, and do not fail the Republic again. [/hider] [hider=Servius Ennius Livianus] The capture of Lilybaeum is complete, and Sicily lies firmly beneath the shadow of the Aquila. Yet, Rome’s victory in Sicily has done nothing to halt the advance of Hannibal’s army towards the heart of the Republic. Move with haste from Sicily, and join with the other Roman legions massing near Massalia. Together, with your Roman brothers, you are to stop Hannibal’s advance at the Rhone River.[/hider] [hider=Varren Aelius Timore] Your victory against the Spartans is to be a short lived one. The Macedonian king, Philip V, is sweeping down with a large force gathered from the unified Greek states. The Legio XIII Sparta, mighty though it is, cannot hope to withstand such an onslaught. Rome is stretched thin as it is, and we can spare no more legions to assist you in holding Sparta. As such, you are to retreat from Greece, and join with the Legio I on the island of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stari_Grad,_Croatia]Pharos[/url]. The Illyrian king Demetrius has holed himself up in the fortress upon the island with [b]6,000 infantry[/b], that are both well-provisioned and well-armed. They are equipped to handle a lengthy siege, and time is of the essence. Remove Demetrius from his hide, and end Illyria’s ability to harass the eastern flank of Rome.[/hider] [hider=Lanius Inculta] The Legio Tertio Turcicum shall continue its mission to assail the Gallic barbarians in the region of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padua]Patavium[/url]. Advance there with haste, as since the Legio X Germina has yet to engage the growing Gallic force in Liguria, it may only be a matter of time before the two join together into a most formidable threat to Rome.[/hider] [hider=Marcus Cornelius Cossus Argentus] With Hannibal’s army moving east, Rome must meet this mighty threat head on. Travel to Massalia, and rendezvous with the other Roman legions there. You and your brothers are to halt Hannibal’s advance at the Rhone River, and stop him from reinforcing with his Gallic allies.[/hider] [hider=Cassius Lepidus] Take the Legio II Victrix to the eastern shore of the Rhone River. There, near the city of Massalia, join forces with the other legions and hold the line against Hannibal’s march towards Rome.[/hider] --- [b]Battle Details[/b] [hider=Hannibal’s Army] Commander: Hannibal of Carthage Iberian and Carthaginian Infantry (Heavy armor, sword and shield): 30,000 Iberian Skirmishers (Light armor, shields and spears): 8,000 Carthaginian Cavalry (Light armor, spears): 8,000 War Elephants (Heavy armor): 38[/hider]