Andronicus23

War Never Changes

Lucius, Caesar of The Legion

Lucius stared at Kimball Jr. following the President's response and then nodded slowly, before he stood up out of his chair and reached for his helmet that was lying on the table. Vulpes followed suit.

“Very well, Mr. President,” Lucius said calmly, “Then our business here is concluded, and I now go to fight the war that you’ve started. I cannot eat and drink whilst my men are out fighting and dying even as we sit here. I was never a good politician anyway, war at least, I know.”

“In my place,” He continued, “I am appointing Quaestor Titus Crassus to serve as representative in my stead before you all.” At these words, one of the praetorians stepped forward and removed his helmet. He was quite obviously not a Praetorian however, and bore the looks of someone who was more at home in a library than serving in an honor guard, with rimmed glasses and a bookish physique, “He will speak with my authority and my blessing.”

“I will do my best Caesar,” Titus said, with a bow.

“I know you will Titus,” Lucius said clapping him on the back. Lucius then pointed to one of his other Praetorians, a man who was distinctly the opposite of Titus, with large muscled arms and a broad chest, “Attius, guard him with your life...”

Attius saluted Caesar, and took his place behind Titus.

“With that I thank House for his invitation, his hospitality and his offer of refreshment,” Lucius said, now addressing the rest of the delegates, and indicating the lone half-empty cup of water he’d ordered that still sat on the table, “And I bid vale to the rest of you. It's a pity we could not speak more. Praetorians! On me!”

Lucius strapped on his helmet and began walking out of the gourmand, followed swiftly by the Praetorians and Vulpes, leaving Titus to take his seat along with the now lone Attius. As they were leaving, Vulpes leaned in and half-whispered to Caesar,

“You were right. I’m glad I didn’t order anything.”

“I told you we wouldn’t stay long,” Lucius replied with a sly grin.

Swiftly, Caesar and his retinue left the Ultra Luxe and the strip behind and mounted their horses. With a determined vigor, they began galloping at full stride down the main street of Freeside, and one of the Praetorians blew a fierce war horn that sent squatters, bums, and gamblers ducking for cover in fright. All of them wondering what the hell had just happened.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Sometime Later, East Bank of the Colorado

Once Lucius and his men had crossed the Colorado secretly, they met up with a waiting force of several hundred horsemen, who’d been standing watch on the eastern bank near an overlooking cliff. The horsemen were heavily armored head to toe and each of them carried a carbine slung over their backs and a heavy knife-spear crafted by the Ghost People of the Sierra Madre was clasped in their hands.

“Well the NCR won’t surrender…” Lucius joked loudly as he and Vulpes rode up to them. A series of deep laughs emanated from the horsemen.

Trotting up and down the line of horsemen, Lucius spoke to them personally as he’d done a hundred times before,

“The NCR has declared open war on The Legion and begun their invasion. The moment we’ve waited for, feared, and planned for all these years has arrived. I won’t lie to any of you. This will be a hard fought campaign. It will be bloody, brutal, terrible in all the ways a war can be and countless will likely die. On both sides. Perhaps even myself.”

“But,” Lucius continued, “I will promise you this. That I will be fighting right alongside each and every one of you as I always have. Whatever the outcome. I will share your hardships, your losses, and your glories. I will bleed with you, and I will die with you if it comes to it.”

“After all, was I not with you in Denver? When the Dog tribes rose against us?”

“Caesar!” The men yelled in response.

“Was I not with you in Utah as we battled the fierce raider tribes of the Colorado plateau?”

“Caesar!” The cry came again.

“Was I not with you in New Mexico? As the NCR tore through our lands and we made them pay for every inch they took?”

“Caesar!”

“And so I will be with you again. Legio invicta!” Lucius yelled, holding his gladius aloft.

“Legio invicta!” The horsemen cheered, returning the cry.

“Legio invicta!”

“Legio invicta!”

“We ride hard and fast. The Legatus awaits!” Lucius shouted finally, he then turned his horse and rode up to Vulpes, “You know what to do Vulpes. Mars be with you.”

“In hoc signo taurus vinces. ,” Vulpes replied with a nod, and he began riding away alone. While Lucius and his horsemen wheeled east at full speed, leaving the lights of Vegas behind them.

OOC: [Wild Wasteland] “Ride now, ride now, ride for ruin. And the world's ending!”

War Never Changes

Lucius, Caesar of The Legion

Lucius stayed silent as the NCR President made his speech, and said nothing when the offer of giving up part of Arizona was put on the table. It was never a serious offer of peace, that much he knew. The NCR President had never had any intention of making peace or renewing the treaty. In all likely hood, his attendance here was nothing more than grandstanding. Predictably, the announcement then came that the NCR had begun their invasion already. Supposedly having already shattered his Legion, and evidently already planning victory marches. Lucius couldn't tell if the President was making an official announcement, or trying to film a propaganda piece for his people. Knowing the NCR: probably both.

He stayed silent for a few moments after President Kimball Jr. had finished his speech, before calming turning to the man who'd spoken directly after him, a polite smile on his face,

"You were saying?" Inwardly, and perhaps outwardly, he was pleased that he'd stuck to his intention. The Legion had in fact not fired the first shot.

He then turned to Kimball Jr., and scratched the side of his head slightly while giving a heavy sigh of annoyance,

"What Legion lines, President Kimball?" He asked in a tone of voice that sounded like he was speaking to a child, "I know you haven't broken the Legion's lines, because there's no such thing. By all means, march your armies into Arizona. See how far you get." Lucius spoke these last words with a coldness. A cold, calculating voice which could only come from a man who'd watched his own capital burn to the ground. A man who'd go to any lengths to defeat his enemy.

"But there's still a chance to turn away from this path, President Kimball," Lucius offered, "One last opportunity to save your soldiers lives, and those of your people. To spare them the experience of the utter horror of total war. Renew the treaty, keep the borders as they are. And my Legion will take no action against you. Otherwise continue down this path, and I will rain hell down on you. That is all I have to say."

War Never Changes

Lucius- Caesar of The Legion

"Are there any important matters that anyone wishes to bring to the forefront before we move forward?"

The man known as 'The King' had given the first official word in this little meeting, and had opened the floor. Lucius didn't think the man looked much like a 'King', and he knew very well that Mr. House, not this man, ran New Vegas. The significance of his name, if it had one, was lost on Lucius.

When no other delegates spoke up, the Caesar of The Legion slowly rose to his feet, and set his finger tips lightly on the table in front of him. He spoke sternly, but calmly, and his tone indicated a deeper understanding of just what was about to happen. Perhaps the delegates of the West would understand, but those of the north, east, and south...they had no idea.

"If you've all had your wine and whiskey," He began, looking around him, "Then maybe we might discuss the fact that the Treaty of Goodsprings has reached its end. Mars alone knows exactly what that means, but I can take a fair guess. The treaty must either be renewed, or the Southwest will likely be awash with blood soon enough. And I can assure you, that whatever horrors the first war brought, the second will unleash even more."

War Never Changes

Lucius, Caesar of The Legion/ Vulpes Inculta

Lucius and Vulpes both watched as new arrivals continued to enter the restaurant. Strange men from the east came first, religious figures it seemed, and from the looks they were giving one another, not cordial ones. Lucius was particularly perturbed by the young girl that appeared to be giving orders to those around her, as if she had some sort of unnatural power of them. Young leaders was nothing new to Lucius, he'd seen a tribe in Colorado which had worshiped a young boy as a deity, but there was something...off about this young lady, and the entire group in general. Could this be the representatives of the cult that Barnaky's order had been fighting so fiercely against?

His suspicions were confirmed once the representatives of The Midwest arrived, and Lucius observed Brother Martin giving a brief, but visible, flash of disgust across his face when he saw the cultists. He would have to have a word with Brother Martin about these people and about the young girl. For the moment however, he simply returned Martin's respectful nod. A signal that they both understood.

More groups continued to enter, one from the north, and then a strange group covered in cloaks and rags that Lucius and Vulpes immediately recognized. When one of their number revealed himself to be Joshua Graham, the members of Lucius's Praetorian guard were immediately set on edge,

"Qui succendit..." one of them said, "The fire..."

Lucius turned and calmed them,

"At ease Praetorians," He ordered, "Joshua and I have come to an....understanding." Caesar then looked towards Joshua and gave him a nod, "Its good to see you again Joshua. My wife sends her good will, and wishes you to know that her people....your people....flourish in Zion."

Vulpes did not say a word, but gave a nod of his own. His frumentarii had been training with the 'Burned Man' now for some time. It had not been easy to accept the man that Edward Sallow had tried to erase from history. But Vulpes had a new Caesar now. Vulpes instead turned his attention to the next group to arrive, a man who announced himself as the Vice-President of The United States. Vulpes turned a smile when the man put the NCR President in his place after the foolish President had made some outlandish boast that he could never hope to back up. Many in the Legion knew of the 'Enclave' for one reason only: they'd arrived with a fury at Hoover Dam, and slaughtered many NCR profligates even while The Legion was being pushed back. The NCR blood they'd spilled that day had earned them The Legion's begrudging approval at least.

"Hmm. I like this man already," Vulpes whispered with slight chuckle to one of the nearby Praetorians, "Anyone who speaks like that to the NCR President...well, they'll be someone to speak to."

War Never Changes

Caesar's Legion

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Caesar's Legion

Name: Caesar’s Legion

Flag (picture or description): The Legion standard (golden bull against a crimson background)

Territory (picture or description) and Geography: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and of most southern Utah. The Legion's territory is mostly arid and dry, especially in the areas of New Mexico and Arizona. Much of the Legion's agricultural capacity comes from its eastern-most lands. The overall hostility of the regions geography and the ruggedness of the terrain has led to a lower overall population than, say, The NCR or The Midwest. However, those who are able to carve out a life here have become exceptionally rugged and resilient.

History (if using a pre-existing faction, recent history will due): Following the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, the Legion was left in disarray. With Caesar and the Legatus both now dead, they’d lost their commanders and their purpose, and the survivors from the battle fled back to Legion territory piecemeal. Many deserted, some committed ritual suicide out of despair for their failure, and many others split off to reform tribal groups or communities that the Legion had previously smashed and assimilated.

The core of the Legion, Caesar’s most experienced and loyal veterans, remained loyal however and some 5,000 legionaries limped back to Flagstaff to regroup. It was there that a war-council of Caesar’s greatest remaining commanders met to decide who would take up their master’s legacy. After several days of debate, they reached a unanimous decision. Head of the Praetorian Guard Lucius was elevated to the crimson, and was hailed by all as ‘Caesar’. Lucius was the obvious choice to the men present, having been one of Caesar’s closest and most loyal advisors. He was also an adept military commander and veteran soldier, and no-one could doubt his skills as a fighter and leader.

The new Caesar immediately set to work rebuilding the shattered remains of The Legion, and the threat was dire indeed. The NCR began pushing into Legion territory intent on eliminating the remains of The Legion once and for all. Lucius gathered what remained of his military, not even a full strength legion, and marched to face them. Knowing full well he could never defeat the NCR in battle with what few troops he had, Lucius waged a brutal guerilla campaign and pursued a policy of scorched earth. Poisoning wells and desert water sources, burning crops in the path of the NCR, spreading disease, and harassing NCR supply lines whenever possible. Gradually more troops began to fill his ranks as former legionaries and groups that had been separated after the battle of Hoover Dam flocked to Caesar’s banner.

However, all of this wasn’t enough to turn the NCR tide, and eventually they pushed right to Flagstaff, where they captured the city. Lucius had left them little to toast their victory on however, as he’d already burned his own capital to the ground and fouled the vital water supply to the city so as to prevent its use by the thirsty NCR troopers. In addition he’d left a surprise for the NCR soldiery: hundreds of their fellows crucified around the perimeter of the city.

The war raged on following the fall of Flagstaff, and the NCR army chased Lucius from Flagstaff back east, almost to the border of Legion territory. It was there that Caesar Lucius received much needed help from a distinctly unexpected source. The Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel, weary of NCR expansion, mobilized its power armored knights and sent them westwards, plowing straight into the NCR’s expeditionary army with an unexpected violence. Not one to question Mars’ will, Lucius cooperated with his newfound temporary allies and together they pushed the NCR west until they threw them back across the Colorado. It was here that the NCR offered a peace agreement, and Lucius, seeing the tattered state of his army and the tenuous position of his alliance with The Brotherhood, agreed to sign a peace accord. Current borders were agreed to remain static, a ceasefire was declared, and the war ended.

Now Lucius has set his sights on rebuilding the Legion and it to this is the task he’s poured in all his effort for the past five years. He has waged a ceaseless campaign to reconquer Legion territory in Utah and Colorado and shore up the border along Arizona. He’s also ordered countless raids and incursions into nearby unincorporated territories for slaves and wealth and reintegrated errant tribes and splinter factions that had broken off following Hoover Dam.

Unlike his predecessor, the new Caesar prefers to lead from the front: often saddled astride a New Mexican mustang. During a battle he’s usually seen riding up and down the lines, extolling his men to greater acts of bravery and reassuring his men by placing himself where the fighting is thickest so that his men know that their leader is with them. It's a dangerous business, but Lucius is a soldier first and foremost, and Caesar of The Legion second.

After endless campaigns across the south west, The Legion has finally returned to something resembling its former state before Hoover Dam. And it's a good thing too, as the expiration date set on the armistice is coming due any day now, and no-one really knows what that might mean.


Population: Roughly 600,000.

Government/Domestic Politics: The Legion is led and commanded by ‘Caesar’, the mantle of which has now been taken up by Lucius, former head of the old Caesar’s Praetorian guard. He is considered a demi-god of sorts and his will is unquestioned, ruling from a position of absolute power as ‘dictator perpetuo’. The Legion is entirely militaristic and authoritarian, with virtually nothing in the way of representation or democratic ideals. It is, in some sense, an army with a state rather than a state with an army.

Notable People:

Caesar Lucius: Commander of The Legion and worshiped as a demi-god by the Cult of Mars. He's a veteran soldier and skilled tactician with years of experience under his belt, having previously served as Edward Sallow's Head of The Praetorian guard. He has spent much of his reign as Caesar fighting off the NCR following Hoover Dam and expanding Legion territory in Colorado and Utah, filling Legion coffers with new slaves, wealth, and fresh recruits from the north and east.

Vulpes Inculta: One of Lucius's most valued advisers and head of The Legion's Frumentarii, highly trained spies and assassins that work to undermine The Legion's foes. Vulpes, along with Aurelius of Phoenix is one of the few top Legion commanders left from Edward Sallow's rule. As such, he is an important member of Lucius's inner circle. He is tasked with feeding Lucius information about the Legion's adversaries and potential threats.

Legatus Aurelius of Phoenix: Lucius's right hand man and Legate of the Legion. Aurelius is perhaps the Legion's second most experienced commander after Lucius himself, and formerly commanded Legion troops stationed across the Colorado during the reign of Sallow. Aurelius has since been raised to the rank of Legatus, and commanded the legions that captured Denver during the reconquest of Colorado.

Hannah of New Canaan: Lucius's wife and beloved. She is formerly a New Canaanite missionary who was captured during The Legion's campaigns in Utah. Her intelligence and calm demeanor caught Lucius's attention and he was soon smitten with her. Despite her initial reservations about loving the Caesar of The Legion, she soon fell for him him as well, and agreed to be his wife. Hannah is continuously a source of sage advise, feminine wisdom, and mercy on her husband. For her sake, Lucius has outlawed actions against the New Canaanites and allowed them to practice their religion freely in Legion lands.

Military: The Legion, being particularly militaristic and conquest-centric has an unusually high percentage of its population serving in its armies. With nearly 1 in 4 males serving as soldiers. Which means a total Legion strength of some 75,000 soldiers. With the ability to conscript roughly 25,000 more if the need is very dire. The Legion continues to follow the military traditions of Caesar, and by extension, a tradition loosely based on that of ancient Rome. The Legion’s military structure, organization, logistics, and tactics mirror those of Rome with some obvious adjustments and changes. One notable example includes using multiple lines of battle much like in the polybian system. With the youngest and least experienced recruits heading up the front line, more experienced soldiers following up in the second attack wave (legionary primes) and the hardened legionary veterans acting as a final wave if the first two waves have failed.

Due to the losses suffered at Hoover Dam and the recent campaigning by Lucius. Many of the legionaries are now fresh recruits or only have a few years experience at most. And many of The Legion’s officers lack the knowledge and experience of their predecessors. The days of Caesar’s numberless battle-hardened veterans are over, but those that have spent their years campaigning with Lucius are still a force to be reckoned with.

Economy: The Legion’s economy is still heavily based around slavery and forced labor, the majority of which work in agriculture and industry or in support roles for the Legion’s military. Each contubernia of 8 men in the Legion, for instance, is assigned exactly two support slaves as camp followers. Since Lucius’s changes to the system have come into effect, slavery tends to be less a division between men and women, and more a division of ‘Legion’ and ‘non-Legion’. Lucius’s recent conquests have brought in a glut of fresh slaves to Legion pens and has helped to repair their severely damaged economy, although much work still remains.

The Legion trades odd goods with neighboring peoples, although they’ve yet to establish any kind of official trade network with peoples west of the Colorado for obvious reasons. Although smugglers and independent caravaners do run between both, leading to a sort of ‘unofficial’ exchange of goods between West and East.

Culture and Technology (include views towards slavery and mutants): Slavery is openly practiced, tolerated, and a central part of The Legion’s economic system. Mutants are tolerated insofar as they are of service to the state as slaves. Mutants and ghouls are barred from service in the Legion itself however. Although certain exceptions could potentially be granted.

While much of The Legion’s culture has remained as Edward Sallow left it with Lucius now the new Caesar some important changes have occurred. With regards to technology, Lucius has lessened the strictness of Edward’s previous bans on medical and other such technology that he thought ‘weakened’ the humans that used them. Having been privy to Caesar’s hypocrisy when it came to his own medical needs, Lucius has opted to allow for some medical technology to work its way into Legion life: not seeing it as a betrayal of Caesar’s ideals (or rather justifying it with Caesar’s own example). While recreational chems are still banned and strictly controlled, the use of medical chems has been allowed with some restrictions to prevent overuse and dependence. In addition, The Legion has taken to scavenging medical equipment and items such as auto-docs to help keep their legionaries trim and in fit condition and to lessen the burden on Legion camp surgeons.

The Legion’s views on women have also changed drastically in one important respect, namely that of the “Legion woman”. Legionaries are now allowed to keep wives and have children of their own, a result of Lucius’s own conversion to this most basic idea when he met the woman who is now his wife and close confidant. Legion women, wives and daughters, are not treated or kept as slaves but instead enjoy a position of greater respect than they would have previously under Sallow. While their role is still restricted to that of mother, caretaker, and supporter of their Legionnaire and children, they cannot be touched by any other man and the harshest of punishments exists for those that assault or violate a Legion woman in any way. It is perhaps a small improvement when compared to nations like the NCR who extend full rights to their women, but an improvement never-the-less.

Female, and male as well, slaves are not given the same sort of respect however. And the life of a Legion slave has not changed much since the days of Edward Sallow. Female slaves at least can take some small comfort in knowing that they might now escape their bondage if they catch the eye of a Legionnaire and become his wife.

Religion: The primary religion of The Legion remains the Cult of Mars, the Legion God of War, and Caesar is venerated as a son-of-mars. Effectively making whoever holds the title a demi-god. The cult is organized around various Legion priestesses who tend to the necessary religious rituals of the cult. Each soldier dedicates himself and his kills on the field of battle to the God of War.

Other religions, especially those of tribal cultures, are outlawed and generally purged from The Legion, with one notable exception...

When Lucius was campaigning in Utah, he became quickly infatuated with a recently captured New Canaanite slave named Hannah. Having been unable to have a wife or female companion of any lasting status of his own while he’d been enslaved to Caesar’s will, Lucius found himself taking advantage of his new found authority when he’d declared his marriage to her. A previously unheard of function in The Legion and one which set an important precedent. Hannah, unlike many slaves before her, was not an unwilling partner in this relationship either and found herself smitten by the handsome and intelligent ‘Caesar’ as much as he was with her, and she’d soon agreed to the match despite her initial reservations about becoming what amounted to the Legion’s queen.

Hannah’s presence has been both a calming and changing influence on Lucius’s rule as Caesar. Her words can often temper his rage and stay his brutality as none other can. In addition, she has kept her New Canaanite faith and as a result has influenced her husband into allowing her people’s religion to be tolerated in Legion territories, where it has been slowly, but quite steadily spreading. She has encouraged her husband on several occasions to convert, but Lucius remains unconvinced. He finds the New Canaanite faith intriguing, and indulges his beloved in her lengthy readings from scripture, but remains a steadfast follower of Mars. And provided his Legionaries continue to publicly venerate Mars, he has agreed to turn a blind eye to whatever private worship they or their wives might take up where the faith of New Canaan is concerned.

War Never Changes

Lucius, Caesar of The Legion

“Qui audet adipiscitur”

A grin spread across Lucius's face. A grin that only comes from an odd sort of mutual respect for ones hated adversary. The Legion and NCR had been fighting so long that well....they'd become the perfect anti-thesis of each other. Just as Sallow had always said during his long philosophical rants to his Praetorians. Thesis and anti-thesis would inevitably collide and wage war. Perhaps in some strange way, this was the NCR president's recognition of that.

"And to the victor belongs the spoils," Lucius said with a sly nod. Both men knew that in the coming days, a bloodbath would erupt. How much blood would be split to prove the issue....well neither of them could say, but there would be war either way. And they both understood that, even accepted it.

"The profligate speaks the Legion tongue as one would expect...boorish, provincial, and clumsily," Vulpes whispered. Which elicited a short chuckle from the Caesar.

Lucius then turned his attention to the new arrivals. Strange individuals from the far south had arrived shortly after the NCR President, and been declared representatives of the 'Most Serene Key Republic',

"A mercantile nation to the extreme south of us, or so I've been told," Vulpes explained, "They ply the southern sea with ships laden with various goods from all over the continent. Lucrative trading partners perhaps...they will be quite interesting to keep an eye on here."

"And I see The Brotherhood has arrived as well," Lucius remarked, as he saw the High-Elder enter and take his seat.

"Hmmmm yes. Profligates no doubt, but there was a time when they'd eagerly slaughter NCR soldiers by the droves. Far too reliant on their technology however." Vulpes replied.

Lucius nodded in agreement and stroked his lightly bearded chin in contemplative thought. So many representatives from nations across the wastes. Such a grand display of wealth, power, and military might in a Vegas restaurant. It was almost....auspicious.

War Never Changes

Legion War Camp: 30 Miles from the Colorado River, Legio I Arizona, Legio X Colorado, Legio IV Zion - Morning

Amid a peaceful valley in Arizona, war-drums filled the air emanating from a Legion war-camp at the center of the valley. Heavily guarded makeshift fortifications, the sounds of thousands of training men, and rows upon rows of hide tents was testament to the gathering strength of Caesar's Legion, with three full legions marshaled already at this single camp: some 15,000 soldiers. And many more camps to be found spread out among the lands that Caesar held.

At the center of this camp stood a large tent, adorned with hides, red bull banners, shields, and various accouterments of war. It was, in some respects, a deceivingly simple structure, especially when compared to those whom it gave shelter to. Inside the awning a small gathering of Legion commanders gathered around a simple wooden table on which was laid a great map of the American southwest and surrounding territories. The men huddled about the table, listening to a man wearing a a hood made from the skin of a coyote. Around them, the backdrop of the camp was filled with various treasures, armors, weapons, animals furs and skins, and other items that had been forcibly taken or presented as tribute during Caesar's conquests. Some of it was symbolic: a jar of salt from the salt flats of northern Utah, the hide of a chieftain's dog taken from Denver, a great vase containing water from the Rio-grande...symbols of triumph and the extent of Caesar's domain.

The soldiers huddled around the table however paid no mind to the splendors around them. Instead, they listened intently to the words of Caesar's chief Frumentarii as he gave his report. One which could alter the course of their history. One man, in particular wearing nothing but simple crimson garb of an off-duty Legionary, listened with an intensity and interest that was all-too common of him when dealing with matters of such gravitas,

"You are sure of this report Vulpes?" The man asked.

"There can be no doubt mighty Caesar," Vulpes's fingers drew imaginary lines on the worn map, down the length of California, "My frumentarii have reported that the NCR is mobilizing, and its impossible to completely conceal the movement of a nation of a million profligates. Troops are marshaling and supplies are being shipped daily to the east on a scale that can only mean an attack is imminent. I believe they intend to invade Legion territory within the next few days."

Silence followed from the gathered men for several seconds, before Lucius, Caesar of The Legion, gave his commands,

"Very well then. All of you know the plan. We have drilled it for years now in preparation for this very day. I have no doubt each and every one of you will give your utmost in service to The Legion and father Mars."

"Sir," one of the commanders reported, "I've already dispatched messengers to the east."

"Good. And send word immediately to Legatus Aurelius. Tell him to bring the third, eighth, and thirteenth legions west with all possible speed. With the combined might of the Legatus's armies, we will crush The NCR and send their army scattering to the desert sands. Legio invicta!"

At these words, the assembled officers stood up and at attention before their Caesar, and clasped a fist to their breasts.

"Legio invicta!" They shouted in reply.

"Dismissed." Caesar said finally, and the officers began filing out of the tent and dispersing about the camp. Vulpes, however, remained.

"I am not the one to question the mighty Caesar Lucius," Vulpes began, in his usual soft and almost sing-song tone, "But if war is your intention. Then why humor the profligates? Why attend this meeting at all?"

"Come now Vulpes, getting cold feet are we?" Lucius laughed, and gave the frumentarii a slap on the back.

"Hmm. You misunderstand me. I have no reservations with traveling into the profligates lands. I've done it many times and this..Vegas, well, I know it all too well. I only wish to know why you'd choose to even entertain the notion of discussion..."

"Because I don't intend to make the mistakes of Edward," Lucius replied sternly, "The Legion is not just the army of one man, it is a nation on the world stage. And so we must treat it as so."

As Lucius finished his sentence, he saw the tent flap open and a figure slip inside. A brown haired woman in a white and gold dress in the Legion style entered and gave him a smile. Lucius's eyes lit up.

"That's a very grand notion," Vulpes had started to say, forming his response to Lucius's statement, "But consider that...."

"Ssh sh," Lucius said mockingly to his old friend, "Later you may nag me Vulpes. Leave me be for the moment. Make yourself ready to travel."

Vulpes then noticed the woman standing at the front of the tent, sighed, and then saluted his Caesar before leaving the tent. Once alone, Lucius took the woman in his arms and stroked her hair lovingly as they stood in an embrace,

"Do you have to go?" Hannah asked, in a pleading tone, "Vegas seems so far away and..."

"Yes," Lucius interrupted, "I must," He tilted up Hannah's head and kissed her before continuing, "But I will return to you as quickly as I can. I promise you that."

"Unharmed?"

"Unharmed?" Lucius laughed, "My love I will have Vulpes with me. The man can sniff trouble from a league away, much to my annoyance sometimes. I am in no safer hands."

Hannah nodded anxiously and then placed something in her husbands hands. A small leather bound book, "I know you will not read it," she said softly, but please....carry it with you all the same."

Lucius grinned as he took his wife's own copy of scripture, and the kissed her on the forehead, "I will."

----------------------------

Exiting his tent, bedecked in his armor and helmet and followed out by Hannah, Lucius made his way towards a group of well armed Praetorians mounted atop fine New Mexican steeds with Vulpes at their head. He swiftly mounted his horse and took the reigns, giving one last look towards his beloved,

"Keep watch for me until I return," He said and turned his steed around and began riding out of the camp at a gallop followed closely by his retinue of bodyguards. The hoofs of the horses kicked up a cloud of dust as they went and Hannah followed the shrinking cloud until she couldn't see it anymore against the horizon.

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Sometime later- New Vegas

Caesar's entrance into New Vegas caused quite a stir as he rode down the streets of Freeside with his horses and men, and all the panoply of The Legion. Before the gates of the strip, they dismounted and some of the Praetorians were left to guard the horses while Lucius, Vulpes, and the others entered into the strip and towards the location that they'd been invited to: a place called 'The Ultra Luxe'. Lucius had to admit, that the building was splendid, and the tales of Vegas's famed wealth had not exaggerated the opulence on display here. Certainly, he could at least understand why Edward Sallow had expended so much effort trying to conquer it.

The Legion group made their way inside The Ultra Luxe and left their weapons with the door keeper, before entering The Gourmand and taking their seats. By Lucius's own orders, no announcement was made, and no big fanfare given to his arrival.

Lucius simply sat, declined the offer of a glass of wine offered to him by one of the servers, and asked for water instead. Vuples meanwhile, declined all food and drink, and simply brooded next to his Caesar. Watching the rest of the delegates intently as they began to arrive....

War Never Changes- A Fallout RP

I'll get the ball rolling with my sheet. Let me know if I need to change anything.

Caesar's Legion

Name: Caesar’s Legion

Flag (picture or description): The Legion standard (golden bull against a crimson background)

Territory (picture or description) and Geography: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and of most southern Utah. The Legion's territory is mostly arid and dry, especially in the areas of New Mexico and Arizona. Much of the Legion's agricultural capacity comes from its eastern-most lands. The overall hostility of the regions geography and the ruggedness of the terrain has led to a lower overall population than, say, The NCR or The Midwest. However, those who are able to carve out a life here have become exceptionally rugged and resilient.

History (if using a pre-existing faction, recent history will due): Following the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, the Legion was left in disarray. With Caesar and the Legatus both now dead, they’d lost their commanders and their purpose, and the survivors from the battle fled back to Legion territory piecemeal. Many deserted, some committed ritual suicide out of despair for their failure, and many others split off to reform tribal groups or communities that the Legion had previously smashed and assimilated.

The core of the Legion, Caesar’s most experienced and loyal veterans, remained loyal however and some 5,000 legionaries limped back to Flagstaff to regroup. It was there that a war-council of Caesar’s greatest remaining commanders met to decide who would take up their master’s legacy. After several days of debate, they reached a unanimous decision. Head of the Praetorian Guard Lucius was elevated to the crimson, and was hailed by all as ‘Caesar’. Lucius was the obvious choice to the men present, having been one of Caesar’s closest and most loyal advisors. He was also an adept military commander and veteran soldier, and no-one could doubt his skills as a fighter and leader.

The new Caesar immediately set to work rebuilding the shattered remains of The Legion, and the threat was dire indeed. The NCR began pushing into Legion territory intent on eliminating the remains of The Legion once and for all. Lucius gathered what remained of his military, not even a full strength legion, and marched to face them. Knowing full well he could never defeat the NCR in battle with what few troops he had, Lucius waged a brutal guerilla campaign and pursued a policy of scorched earth. Poisoning wells and desert water sources, burning crops in the path of the NCR, spreading disease, and harassing NCR supply lines whenever possible. Gradually more troops began to fill his ranks as former legionaries and groups that had been separated after the battle of Hoover Dam flocked to Caesar’s banner.

However, all of this wasn’t enough to turn the NCR tide, and eventually they pushed right to Flagstaff, where they captured the city. Lucius had left them little to toast their victory on however, as he’d already burned his own capital to the ground and fouled the vital water supply to the city so as to prevent its use by the thirsty NCR troopers. In addition he’d left a surprise for the NCR soldiery: hundreds of their fellows crucified around the perimeter of the city.

The war raged on following the fall of Flagstaff, and the NCR army chased Lucius from Flagstaff back east, almost to the border of Legion territory. It was there that Caesar Lucius received much needed help from a distinctly unexpected source. The Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel, weary of NCR expansion, mobilized its power armored knights and sent them westwards, plowing straight into the NCR’s expeditionary army with an unexpected violence. Not one to question Mars’ will, Lucius cooperated with his newfound temporary allies and together they pushed the NCR west until they threw them back across the Colorado. It was here that the NCR offered a peace agreement, and Lucius, seeing the tattered state of his army and the tenuous position of his alliance with The Brotherhood, agreed to sign a peace accord. Current borders were agreed to remain static, a ceasefire was declared, and the war ended.

Now Lucius has set his sights on rebuilding the Legion and it to this is the task he’s poured in all his effort for the past five years. He has waged a ceaseless campaign to reconquer Legion territory in Utah and Colorado and shore up the border along Arizona. He’s also ordered countless raids and incursions into nearby unincorporated territories for slaves and wealth and reintegrated errant tribes and splinter factions that had broken off following Hoover Dam.

Unlike his predecessor, the new Caesar prefers to lead from the front: often saddled astride a New Mexican mustang. During a battle he’s usually seen riding up and down the lines, extolling his men to greater acts of bravery and reassuring his men by placing himself where the fighting is thickest so that his men know that their leader is with them. It's a dangerous business, but Lucius is a soldier first and foremost, and Caesar of The Legion second.

After endless campaigns across the south west, The Legion has finally returned to something resembling its former state before Hoover Dam. And it's a good thing too, as the expiration date set on the armistice is coming due any day now, and no-one really knows what that might mean.


Population: Roughly 600,000.

Government/Domestic Politics: The Legion is led and commanded by ‘Caesar’, the mantle of which has now been taken up by Lucius, former head of the old Caesar’s Praetorian guard. He is considered a demi-god of sorts and his will is unquestioned, ruling from a position of absolute power as ‘dictator perpetuo’. The Legion is entirely militaristic and authoritarian, with virtually nothing in the way of representation or democratic ideals. It is, in some sense, an army with a state rather than a state with an army.

Notable People:

Caesar Lucius: Commander of The Legion and worshiped as a demi-god by the Cult of Mars. He's a veteran soldier and skilled tactician with years of experience under his belt, having previously served as Edward Sallow's Head of The Praetorian guard. He has spent much of his reign as Caesar fighting off the NCR following Hoover Dam and expanding Legion territory in Colorado and Utah, filling Legion coffers with new slaves, wealth, and fresh recruits from the north and east.

Vulpes Inculta: One of Lucius's most valued advisers and head of The Legion's Frumentarii, highly trained spies and assassins that work to undermine The Legion's foes. Vulpes, along with Aurelius of Phoenix is one of the few top Legion commanders left from Edward Sallow's rule. As such, he is an important member of Lucius's inner circle. He is tasked with feeding Lucius information about the Legion's adversaries and potential threats.

Legatus Aurelius of Phoenix: Lucius's right hand man and Legate of the Legion. Aurelius is perhaps the Legion's second most experienced commander after Lucius himself, and formerly commanded Legion troops stationed across the Colorado during the reign of Sallow. Aurelius has since been raised to the rank of Legatus, and commanded the legions that captured Denver during the reconquest of Colorado.

Hannah of New Canaan: Lucius's wife and beloved. She is formerly a New Canaanite missionary who was captured during The Legion's campaigns in Utah. Her intelligence and calm demeanor caught Lucius's attention and he was soon smitten with her. Despite her initial reservations about loving the Caesar of The Legion, she soon fell for him him as well, and agreed to be his wife. Hannah is continuously a source of sage advise, feminine wisdom, and mercy on her husband. For her sake, Lucius has outlawed actions against the New Canaanites and allowed them to practice their religion freely in Legion lands.

Military: The Legion, being particularly militaristic and conquest-centric has an unusually high percentage of its population serving in its armies. With nearly 1 in 4 males serving as soldiers. Which means a total Legion strength of some 75,000 soldiers. With the ability to conscript roughly 25,000 more if the need is very dire. The Legion continues to follow the military traditions of Caesar, and by extension, a tradition loosely based on that of ancient Rome. The Legion’s military structure, organization, logistics, and tactics mirror those of Rome with some obvious adjustments and changes. One notable example includes using multiple lines of battle much like in the polybian system. With the youngest and least experienced recruits heading up the front line, more experienced soldiers following up in the second attack wave (legionary primes) and the hardened legionary veterans acting as a final wave if the first two waves have failed.

Due to the losses suffered at Hoover Dam and the recent campaigning by Lucius. Many of the legionaries are now fresh recruits or only have a few years experience at most. And many of The Legion’s officers lack the knowledge and experience of their predecessors. The days of Caesar’s numberless battle-hardened veterans are over, but those that have spent their years campaigning with Lucius are still a force to be reckoned with.

Economy: The Legion’s economy is still heavily based around slavery and forced labor, the majority of which work in agriculture and industry or in support roles for the Legion’s military. Each contubernia of 8 men in the Legion, for instance, is assigned exactly two support slaves as camp followers. Since Lucius’s changes to the system have come into effect, slavery tends to be less a division between men and women, and more a division of ‘Legion’ and ‘non-Legion’. Lucius’s recent conquests have brought in a glut of fresh slaves to Legion pens and has helped to repair their severely damaged economy, although much work still remains.

The Legion trades odd goods with neighboring peoples, although they’ve yet to establish any kind of official trade network with peoples west of the Colorado for obvious reasons. Although smugglers and independent caravaners do run between both, leading to a sort of ‘unofficial’ exchange of goods between West and East.

Culture and Technology (include views towards slavery and mutants): Slavery is openly practiced, tolerated, and a central part of The Legion’s economic system. Mutants are tolerated insofar as they are of service to the state as slaves. Mutants and ghouls are barred from service in the Legion itself however. Although certain exceptions could potentially be granted.

While much of The Legion’s culture has remained as Edward Sallow left it with Lucius now the new Caesar some important changes have occurred. With regards to technology, Lucius has lessened the strictness of Edward’s previous bans on medical and other such technology that he thought ‘weakened’ the humans that used them. Having been privy to Caesar’s hypocrisy when it came to his own medical needs, Lucius has opted to allow for some medical technology to work its way into Legion life: not seeing it as a betrayal of Caesar’s ideals (or rather justifying it with Caesar’s own example). While recreational chems are still banned and strictly controlled, the use of medical chems has been allowed with some restrictions to prevent overuse and dependence. In addition, The Legion has taken to scavenging medical equipment and items such as auto-docs to help keep their legionaries trim and in fit condition and to lessen the burden on Legion camp surgeons.

The Legion’s views on women have also changed drastically in one important respect, namely that of the “Legion woman”. Legionaries are now allowed to keep wives and have children of their own, a result of Lucius’s own conversion to this most basic idea when he met the woman who is now his wife and close confidant. Legion women, wives and daughters, are not treated or kept as slaves but instead enjoy a position of greater respect than they would have previously under Sallow. While their role is still restricted to that of mother, caretaker, and supporter of their Legionnaire and children, they cannot be touched by any other man and the harshest of punishments exists for those that assault or violate a Legion woman in any way. It is perhaps a small improvement when compared to nations like the NCR who extend full rights to their women, but an improvement never-the-less.

Female, and male as well, slaves are not given the same sort of respect however. And the life of a Legion slave has not changed much since the days of Edward Sallow. Female slaves at least can take some small comfort in knowing that they might now escape their bondage if they catch the eye of a Legionnaire and become his wife.

Religion: The primary religion of The Legion remains the Cult of Mars, the Legion God of War, and Caesar is venerated as a son-of-mars. Effectively making whoever holds the title a demi-god. The cult is organized around various Legion priestesses who tend to the necessary religious rituals of the cult. Each soldier dedicates himself and his kills on the field of battle to the God of War.

Other religions, especially those of tribal cultures, are outlawed and generally purged from The Legion, with one notable exception...

When Lucius was campaigning in Utah, he became quickly infatuated with a recently captured New Canaanite slave named Hannah. Having been unable to have a wife or female companion of any lasting status of his own while he’d been enslaved to Caesar’s will, Lucius found himself taking advantage of his new found authority when he’d declared his marriage to her. A previously unheard of function in The Legion and one which set an important precedent. Hannah, unlike many slaves before her, was not an unwilling partner in this relationship either and found herself smitten by the handsome and intelligent ‘Caesar’ as much as he was with her, and she’d soon agreed to the match despite her initial reservations about becoming what amounted to the Legion’s queen.

Hannah’s presence has been both a calming and changing influence on Lucius’s rule as Caesar. Her words can often temper his rage and stay his brutality as none other can. In addition, she has kept her New Canaanite faith and as a result has influenced her husband into allowing her people’s religion to be tolerated in Legion territories, where it has been slowly, but quite steadily spreading. She has encouraged her husband on several occasions to convert, but Lucius remains unconvinced. He finds the New Canaanite faith intriguing, and indulges his beloved in her lengthy readings from scripture, but remains a steadfast follower of Mars. And provided his Legionaries continue to publicly venerate Mars, he has agreed to turn a blind eye to whatever private worship they or their wives might take up where the faith of New Canaan is concerned.

War Never Changes- A Fallout RP

I'm mostly done with my Legion sheet, just working out some of the details. I should have it up by tomorrow I think.

Edit: Oh, here's my proposed territory as well.

Territory (picture or description): Arizona, New Mexico, most of Colorado, and southern Utah.