IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(All)

Story and his companions arrive in Rome in 44 BC, the day before the Ides of March. They encounter a very unusual soothsayer who delivers a warning to Julius Caesar and soon find themselves embroiled in intrigue.

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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

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Artemis Gauis Sylvius adjusted his tunic and toga, the former he was somewhat famliar with, the latter something that was still new to him. The tunic he choose to wear was one he had kept covered in his bed roll on his journey. In the sixty days or so it had taken him to travel the rather circious route from Mont Mart in the Triveri, he had purposely not used this tunic, nor removed it from the seperate space within his pack. It was a mix of linen and wool fabric that his daughter Aelia had fashioned with some help from Sallustia. The latter was more interested in Artemis owing her some future favor, she being a widow for two years, and the former wanting her father to look well in the Capital. It was a light brownish-yellow and he had over it a toga he had purchased upon his retirement ceremony now that he was an offical citizen of the Republic. He had worn it only a couple of times, but brought it with him on this trip.

With the weather being still a bit chilly, especially with it being morning, he wore his old service sagum that Aelia had mended at the edges. It hung down to his knees and brough a comfort that years of wearing such a cloak provided him. At his waist, he wore one of his most prized possessions, a finely crafted pugio in its embossed and silver gilted sheath. The SPQR clearly visible above the spread wing eagle stamped into the dark leather. He also had about his neck the leather covered, wood lined holder for his diploma, proof of both his citizenship and his service to the Republic. He knew each letter inscribed in the thin metal plaque and could recite the inscription by memory with its statement of his final position as an ala signifier in the service of the Auxilliary of Rome. He was proud of his service, his horsemanship abilities that he had used since a mere child in the Triveri region. He still used those skills now as a citizen, but more so in the raising of horses and caring for others at his small inn at that market at the Mont.

He flattened his dress and made sure that the coins he had were still in their concealed location behind his belt. The final payment owed to both him and Marcus would have to not only get him back home, but also be sufficient to pay what was owed to Marcus as his share. Hopefully, the six yearlings he had brought with him, at significant cost and effort, would be sold at the auction tomorrow to next year's chariot hopefuls after they had counted their winnings from the Equira celebrations. Well, time would tell, and if the auction only produced a few more coin, he would leave next year's sale to Marcus, assuming that Marcus had recovered from the illness that had taken his breath away during the heart of winter. Hopefully, he would also be able to speak with someone, be it at the Senate meeting or in the civil offices, about his community's want to have a some type of official recognition and a representative of the Republic in its midsts. The hope was such a designation would restore to the Mont the former prestige it had lost during the Roman conquest of the Triveri nearly a decade early.

Artemis was jostled out of his thoughts as he was pushed aside by a brawny Syrian man. "Make way, make way, you country oaf, make way for Senator Tiberius Germanicus, make way." Artemis moved quickly and turned to catch a glimpse of the Senator, a military figure that Artemis recognized from his service in the German territory although he had never met the former officer. He heard the Senator call out to someone, and then other faces and aspects of the Forum quickly captured his gaze as a cloaked figure followed in the wake of the Senator and his guards.

"Do you want to see what the gods hold in store for you, soldier?" The voice coming from a man younger than himself, but having the face of someone who knew more than his years should have allowed. Artemis waived the auger off with a simple nod indicating his lack of interest, and a smile, as he twisted the small fascinus between his left thumb and forefinger then let it drop back against his tunic. He hoped that his response would not result in the evil eye being applied against him by the auger and began to wander off into the crowd of people enjoying the start of the public holiday.
Mr. Handy wrote:"Make way!" shouted a man's deep booming voice from the edge of the Forum. "Make way for Gaius Julius Caesar, twice imperator, dictator in perpetua!" When people turned to look, they saw the entourage of Julius Caesar approach. Caesar himself was borne atop a litter carried by several slaves, wearing a white toga with a wide purple stripe. Though he was in his mid-fifties, he still retained a powerful demeanor and features that looked like they were sculpted. Surrounding him were heralds, servants, various hangers-on, and his lictors. While Germanicus had but two of them, Caesar had an even dozen.
Artemis turned about and focused on the noise of the crowd as all gasped seeing Julius Caesar. Artemis' position did not allow for a close up inspection of his former commander, but from a distance Artemis smiled as he recognized the strengh that was exhibited by Caesar's gait and presence. He noticed that the Senator had caught Caesar's attention and the two exchanged words then walked through the opening being created by Caesar's numerous guards. As he scanned the crowed, he tried to find any familiar face or some other senator that he might raise this community's needs. His eyes moved about the Forum as he leaned against a pillar.

[­Spoiler-Button]Artemis Spot Hidden:25, [­dice]1d100[­/dice][­/Spoiler-Button]
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Ritterton »

[­Spoiler-Button]Artemis Spot Hidden 25, [­dice]1d100[­/dice][­/Spoiler-Button]
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Ritterton »

Ritterton wrote:[­Spoiler-Button]Artemis Spot Hidden 25, [­dice]1d100[­/dice][­/Spoiler-Button]
Ugh.. ok let's try it this way:Spot Hidden 25%: 1d100 86
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by yockenthwaite »

"Mmmm!" says Elizabeth, grinning in response to Story's comment. Then leaning over and whispering to him she continues: "So maybe our arriving here now was not pure chance?" She says no more on the subject for now, conscious that others could overhear them, and instead looks intently towards the soothsayer, to watch what he is doing, and if anything else untoward happens.
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Mr. Handy »

Decimus Brutus Albinus grinned broadly when Aricus accepted his offer. "I am pleased to hear it!" he called after him. "Be at the Theater of Pompey on the morrow at the third hour. My servants will get you situated and tell you who you'll be fighting first."

Adelphus, with a little help, recovered his feet and dusted himself off. He seemed a little disoriented, but no worse for the wear. "Thank you, I am all right," he said. "Offering sacrifices cannot hurt. Would that the fates were so easily appeased!" He looked Germanicus in the eye. "Caesar listens to you. You must convince him. Rome has need of him, and it would be a disaster were anything to happen to him."

Claudius Marcius gaped in shock. Though it disturbed him to see something more hideous than himself, fear of a public beating outweighed his fear of what he had seen, and he kept himself under control.
Claudius Marcius,[b]Claudius[/b] was shocked to see that when [b]Adelphus[/b] had been on the ground, he no longer had a man's face. His skin was covered in purple scales, and he had a look like that of a snake. This was visible only for a second, and then his features were suddenly those of a wrinkled old man. Even though it had been brief, he got a good look at the thing. It had had the shape of a man, with arms and legs, but the scaly skin and face of a serpent.
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Grognardsw »

Aricus, ex-gladiator

Image

Aricus steps to Adelphus and grasps the old man by the arm. "Good sir I would have word."

The ex-gladiator, barely able to believe his eyes at the flashing sight of a serpentine Adelphus, looks around at others to see if they look startled. Was it only in his head?

Adelphus, with a little help, recovers his feet and dusts himself off. He seems a little disoriented, but no worse for the wear. "Thank you, I am all right," he says. "Offering sacrifices cannot hurt. Would that the fates were so easily appeased!" He looks Germanicus in the eye. "Caesar listens to you. You must convince him. Rome has need of him, and it would be a disaster were anything to happen to him."

Aricus makes sure the old seer is steady on his feet, then squeezes his arm quickly to get attention, then lets go of his arm. "I would speak to you of visions of serpent people," he says, perhaps a bit too loudly.

A soldier (Lupus) quickly strides towards Aricus. "Whoa laddy, let him go, it's far too early in the day for stupidity."

"I but help put feet under the old man," answers Aricus, by now having let go of the old seer. "He may have oracle eyes, but I think he bears forked tongue."
Spoiler:
OOC:   - Can Aricus roll for observing any startled or surprised expression in the several around who were shocked at the flash of reptilian visage?
- The 'Callidus Gladio' in Aricus Callidus Gladio means "Clever Sword" in Latin. As a former slave he doesn't have a full Roman name, but he uses this in its place.  
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Mr. Handy »

"I know not of these things you speak, sir," said Adelphus to Aricus, looking away.
OOC,[b]Aricus[/b], please roll Insight to see what you can observe. Everyone else may also roll Insight (or Psychology, in the case of certain people from another time).
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by DrPeterson »

Image

Germanicus returns Adelphus stare.

"Caesar may listen to me, but he obeys only the Fates. Do not think I do not take your warning seriously, Soothsayer, I shall be at Caesar's side when the time comes."

He looks around at the pressing throng and notices the time.

"It is time we must away, I fear the Republic requires our attention."

Germanicus makes to walk away, he never cared much for when his Fate was seemingly out of his control, and adds as an afterthought, although it's unclear if he's addressing the seer or the interested crowds, or both.

"My doors are always open to those with high need, or high news."

Insight 25%,[dice]0[/dice]
"He said we were all cooked but we were all right as long as we did not know it. We were all cooked. The thing was not to recognize it."
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Grognardsw »

Aricus Insight Roll,[url=http://www.unseenservant.com/default.asp?do=showone&id=69503&macid=0]Aricus Insight (60%) [1d100] = 83[/url]
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Supercape »

Spoiler:
Cladius kept his head down and his ears open. He disliked the open. Somebody might see him, under his hood. His feet hurt, but he could endure that to avoid any beatings. He ground his teeth bitterly instead.

Cladius disliked everything. It was a matter of degree.

But something about this man...Adelphus, set his teeth on edge and his temples clammy. He disliked Adelphus particularly; an untrustworthy man, a man you should fear, fear more than most. He pondered telling his master. But not here, not in public.
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by jaysun81 »

SUCCESS,[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4873966/]Psychology - 90% (1d100=57)[/url]
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Ritterton »

Artemis watched his two former commanders, well they were everyone's commanders in those campaigns, but still he at least recognized who they were. There seemed to be some exchange between them, and when Caesar left, then an old man shared something with the Senator. His toga and outfit made it easy for him to be identified.

Artemis couldn't hear what was exchanged between the Senator and those about him, but he did hear the Senator proclaim rather loudly to the crowd at large.
Previously Germanicus said:   "My doors are always open to those with high need, or high news."  
Artemis started at the wording...his community's need was high, surely the Senator couldn't be talking to him, but maybe Fortuna would favor him and his if he was just bold enough. Fortes fortuna iuvat, and hopefully that would be the case. A senator supporting his community's request to be designated as a coloniae would be of tremendous help.

"Senator Germanicus, Senator a moment of your time please," Artemis used the voice he used when he road in the Auxiliary hoping that the tone and focus would catch the Senator's ears and attention. He moved away from the marble pillar he had been leaning against and towards the direction of the lean patrician. "Pardon me, Senator, a moment please."
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by yockenthwaite »

OOC,[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4873994/]Rolling Psychology (stat 47%) on watching Aricus challenging Adelphus (1d100=82)[/url]
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by hexelis »

Spoiler:
failed Insight roll
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by DrPeterson »

Image

Germanicus turns to face Artemis and looks him up and down for a moment.
KNOW to remember 80%,[dice]0[/dice]
He then smiles benignly and signals his lictores to let him approach.

"Come closer, soldier, that I may better look on your face. When last we met we were younger men and you definitely had more hair on top of your head than underneath your nose."

With a smile he waves his hand around magnanimously.

"Welcome to Rome, it would seem that all the peoples of Gaul are gathering here today. With what would you petition me?"
"He said we were all cooked but we were all right as long as we did not know it. We were all cooked. The thing was not to recognize it."
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by andyw666 »

Lupus Insight,Lupus has 5% Insight skill and rolls [dice]0[/dice]
(Lupus has spent a lot of his adult life scouting on horseback or hiding in bushes, and it would be fair to say this has not enhanced his understanding of the human condition.)

"You need to stop eating those Spanish mushrooms, old son," Lupus says to Aricus, "They're making you a bit crazed."
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Ritterton »

[spoiler-button]Results 4#1d100: 4 # 64 [1d100=64] 49 [1d100=49] 93 [1d100=93] 53 [1d100=53] [/spoiler-button]
Failed Republic,Failed Latin, Failed Treveri Failed Persuade
Artemis moved quickly to where the Senator was patiently standing. Suddenly, the air felt a lot warmer than it should have as his mind raced to organize his thoughts.

"Senator, truly I am honored," Artemis rendered a crisp salute and bowed his head in deference to the patrician. " I, um, well our community is wanting, I should say hoping to persuade, well you see sir there is about ten of us veterans out on the Rhenus at the fringes of the old Treveri territory of Gallia Belgiza, and we were hoping that we could become an outpost. Martin, my colleague he got very sick recently, he is a retired centurion in Legio Quinque Gallica. He would be a great voice for the Republic and the people in the region respect him."

Artemis realized was ws speaking much, much too quickly and had to pause to take a deep breath. In doing so, his mind quickly attempted to replay what he had said and at the same time sort out what he needed to say. Already, he regretted his opening words, as they were not what he had rehearsed in his head on the long trip here and he was pretty sure that he mixed up the two languages he knew. He was suppose to seek advice of some of Martin's former colleagues here in Rome, not just blurt out to the first official his community's hopes. He hadn't even introduced himself. With that realization he felt his cheeks flush and suspected they were as red as his old cloak was.
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Mr. Handy »

Titus Iunius Philo/Claudius Marcius,[b]Adelphus[/b] clearly knew he had been discovered for what he was, and he was terrified. His eyes were darting around, and he clearly wanted to get out of here. He was mainly looking in the direction of the Palatine Hill.
Story,[b]Adelphus[/b] seemed more afraid than anything. His eyes were darting around like he wanted to get out of here.
OOC,None of the rolls above were really necessary, but you should make an Insight roll. When you're talking to another player's character, social skills like Persuade and Fast Talk don't come into play. If you want to convince him of something, you should just roleplay it.
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Re: IC-Ep 1-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(A

Post by Ritterton »

OOC,ok, Keeper, wasn't sure so figured, well err on the side of rolling and um botched that lol so what I put was a bit of all of that.
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