Play@YSDC

Theater of Pompey - Rome, Italia
Morning - March 14, 44 BC

Aricus wandered into the theater. He saw that he had already missed the beginning of the play, but he hadn't missed too much. The chorus was giving the exposition, and it was clear that they were performing Oedipus Rex. He recognized Caeasar, Germanicus, and other prominent Senators sitting in the best seats, but there was nowhere to sit near them. Then he spotted the cavalryman Decius Lupus, who had a vacant seat next to him.

The chorus pleaded with the gods to aid their plague-stricken city of Thebes. When they had finished Oedipus returned to the stage from the "palace." which was a mere (though highly decorative) backdrop. He addressed the crowd, asking anyone who knew the identities of the murderers of Laius, the previous king of Thebes, to come forward with the information, though the leader of the chorus said he knew nothing but suggested that he consult Teiresias the seer. Oedipus said that he had already sent messengers for him at the urging of Creon and was wondering why he had not already come. The chorus leader mentioned old rumors of travelers having killed Laius, which he had already heard. Then a boy led in an old man with a white band around his head that covered his eyes, signifying that he was blind, which the leader of the chorus identified as Teiresias.

Aricus Callidus Gladio, ex-gladiator



"Greetings," says Aricus to Decius Lupus as he sits down next to him. Aricus does not know the cavalryman, but recognizes him from earlier when the ex-gladiator had words with Adelphus the seer. Aricus still wonders if others around him at the time had seen the serpentine visage of the seer flash before him.

These seers - whether in real life or in plays such as Oedipus Rex, they always seem embroiled in trouble. Aricus' mind wanders to the chase he gave to Adelphus. No old man could be as swift and sure-footed as Adelphus. All the more reason to be suspicious, and trusting of his instincts.

During a break in the play's action, Aricus speaks to Lupus: "In the Forum, did you see anything suspicious of Adelphus the seer?"

Germanicus is still conversing with Scaevola.

"Indeed, Athens never changes. It is reassuring to know her Grace will withstand the centuries, just like the Republic will."

He takes another sip of his wine.

"Hark! There comes Teiresias!"

"Hail, Aricus Callidus Gladio," said Decius Lupus. "I'm afraid I could not see much at all through the crowds. Did you see aught?"

"I'll drink to that," said Scaevola to Germanicus, hoisting his own wine and taking a sip. "Now let us hear what the seer has to say." He then stopped speaking as Teiresias finally reached Oedipus.

Oedpius besought Teiresias to help his city him and the city by sharing his prophecies, but Teiresias refused to speak, causing Oedipus to grow angry, accusing the seer of being complicit in Laius's murder, even going so far as to say that he would have thought Teiresias had done the deed himself had he been sighted. The blind seer then threw the accusation back in Oedipus's face, saying that Oedipus himself was in fact the murderer, causing him great confusion and consternation.

Germanicus is enjoying the play immensely and it almost has him forget about the circumstances on the Forum or the veiled threats to Caesar for a while. Almost. He just couldn't shake that encroaching feeling of something being amiss.

"Claudius, make sure to send an amphora of our Nemean wine to the actors after the play, they are doing a very good job."


He smiles at Scaevola.

"Good thespians should not go dry in the throat, I hear it is murderous for their muse."

"As you wish, Marth'ter" bowed Claudius deeply, making a mental note. For himself, he paid little attention to the actors or play, thinking the theatre a ridiculous beast and despising the fools who jollied around on stage. He bit his tongue.

Aricus, ex-gladiator

"Hail, Aricus Callidus Gladio," said Decius Lupus. "I'm afraid I could not see much at all through the crowds. Did you see aught?"

Aricus hesitates giving voice to thoughts. Then decides there is no real harm in it.

"My eyes saw what mind struggles to conceive. Adelphus took form of a snake-man. It lasted but a few heartbeats. When I attempted to question him, he ran. I gave chase but the old man was possessed by Mercury, such was his speed."

The dialogue became increasingly heated, the actors doing an excellent job at expressing their emotions. Teiresias told Oedipus that he had not wanted to speak, but the king had incited him. When Oedipus insisted that he explain, he went on to repeat his accusation that Oedipus himself was the murderer. Further enraged, Oedipus threatened the seer, mocked his blindness, and accused him of conspiring with Creon to overthrow him and seize the throne. Teiresias kept insisting that he spoke the truth, and said that Creon had nothing to do with it; Oedipus was the cause of his own problems. The townsfolk said that both men had spoken in anger, and that this wasn't helping to solve the underlying problem of the plague. Teiresias told Oedipus that he was making his next statement because the king had insulted his blindness, then went on to say that though Oedipus had his eyesight, he could not see how bad his situation was or who his family was. Then he said that because of the double-edged curse of his parents, Oedipus would be driven into exile and his eyes would go dark.

"Sophocles cleverly hints at things to come here," said Scaevola. "I of course know the full story, but those who have never seen the play before will be in awe when the truth is finally revealed. Alas, one can only see a play for the first time once. Still, it is quite enjoyable and thought-provoking."

Germanicus nods and smiles dryly at Scaevola's remark. He was starting to enjoy this encounter less and less. Everyone knew the story of Oedipus, who had become king through patricide, and his eventual and very unpleasant fate.

"Indeed, those in the know have the upper hand, but only at first glance, Scaevola, foresight can be a doublebladed knife. Remember well the tale of Cassandra."


Germanicus leans back in his seat and beckons Claudius to come closer and whispers to him.

"I see down below in the crowd that former legionarius, Gladio, who greeted me in the forum. Tell him I would like to make use of his services tonight to guard my house while our honoured guest resides with us. And tell him to bring some more friends. Men of the sword, who are to be trusted."

Claudius bowed as deeply as he could, which was very deep indeed given he was almost always looking at the floor in a hunched over position.

"Yes, Math'ter. As you will, Math'ter" he answered through split and scarred lips.

He bustled through the crowd, whispering obscene words as he did so. It was not without a few disgusted looks, laughs, and taunts from the crowd who caught full sight of him. He fantasised about slipping his knife 'tween the ribs of them all.

He stumbled forward through the crowd, and came, in a rather ungainly manner, to the side of Gladio.

"My math'ter, Germanico, bids greetings and good fortune on you, Sir" he said, head down. "He humbly asks if you and your friends would consider employment for the night, as his guest" he added, hopefully of a less scornful reply. Plenty of swordsmen and Gladiators ended up with faces nearly as bad as his own.

"Too true, too true," replied Scaevola. "There is knowledge that we would be better off not having, as Oedipus will learn to his detriment. Having knowledge of the future and being powerless to prevent it like Cassandra is a terrible thing. Fate cannot be changed, yet so many people fight in vain against it."

On the stage, Oedipus deamnded that Teiresias leave his presence, at which the seer said that he would not have come had the king not summoned him. Oedipus retorted that if he had known Teiresias was such a fool, the seer would have waited a long time before being called. Teiresias turned to leave, saying that though the king thought him a fool, his parents had thought him wise. At that Oedipus told him to stop and demanded to know the identity of his father. Teiresias told him that today that would be revealed, and that it would destroy Oedipus. Oedipus told him that everything he said was like a riddle, at which Teiresias told him that Oedipus was best at solving riddles.

"Ah, the riddle of the Sphinx," said Scaevola, the hint of a smile breaking through his usually dour countenance.

Aricus, ex-gladiator

Aricus considers the words of Claudius. It has been some time since he served as bodyguard, since taking his position at the Ludus, but Germanicus is a valuable employer and acquantance to keep.

"Aye, tell your master I will again bring sword and skill to protect the Senator," Aricus answers. "I do have commitment tomorrow in the sands of the arena. I am due back in the Ludus in four days time. These obligations aside, I am Germanicus'. What say you Lupus?"

Lupus blinks slightly at the turn of event, but shrugs.

"Well, why not? I had promised my centurion I would take in some culture, which I have. Now something more fun. And with good company!" Lupus drains the last of his wine, quaffs his nuts and olives, and dusts off his hands. "I should be right honoured to serve the General the night, in company with Aricus."

Germanicus kept half an eye on his disfigured servant as he made his way through the masses. He had the less than comfortable feeling he'd be needing those men's swords before the night was through.


He turns again to look at Scaevola.

"A riddle all too easily pierced, do you not find, my esteemed colleague? A hindrance placed there by malicious Fates, no more than a few lines in the greater narrative. But a necessary hurdle to overcome on the way to greatness, nonetheless. "

"You are correct about the Fates," said Scaevola, "but the riddle only appears easy to us because we know the answer. Before Oedipus solved it, none else could, for it was his destiny. The Sphinx is not so easily bested that just any man can do it."

Oedipus replied that Teiresias could mock him, but that he was truly great, at which the seer retorted that his success would be his ruin. Oedipus said that he did not care so long as he saved the city. Teiresias took his leave and told the boy to guide him away. Oedipus told him that he should go, so as not to annoy him further. At that, Teiresias made one last prophecy about the murderer of Laius: that he was a native of Thebes and not a stranger, that he will be blind though he can see now, that he will be poor though he is now rich, and that he will set off for another country with a stick to feel the ground. Then he proclaimed that the killer was a brother to those in the palace, but at the same time their father, that he was both husband and son to the woman who bore him, that he had sowed the same womb as his father and murdered him. Then the boy led the seer away, and Oedipus returned to the palace.

"That riddle proved more difficult for Oedipus to solve," said Scaevola. "When he does finally solve it, he will wish he had not."

Cladius bowed as deeply as he could.

"My marth'ter will be most pleased to hear it!" he mumbled.

A few moments later, by his masters side.

"Marth'ter" he whispered in his masters ear. "The swords are yours for the night!" he muttered.

Claudius did not like swords men, but then, he barely liked anybody. And at least, he hoped, the swords would be pointed the right direction.

"Indeed, he proved ill-prepared for that revelation. A lesson to be learned indeed."


Germanicus leaned over to listen to Claudius and gave a curt nod in recognition.


"Will you be attending the event tomorrow, Scaevola?"

"Absolutely," said Scaevola. "I would not miss it for anything. That ex-gladiator you hired for this evening is due to fight here in the games tomorrow. It has been a long time since he has set foot in the arena, and seeing that is not an opportunity to be missed. Caesar favors Aricus Calldius Gladio as well, but of course you knew that. Very clever of you to have hired him to appear when Caesar will be your guest."

The chorus of Thebans debated what the seer's prophecy meant, but they could not bring themselves to believe that Oedipus was the murderer no matter what he had said. He was their beloved king, the hero who had saved them once from the Sphinx and would do so again. Then Creon strode back onto the stage, looking upset.

Aricus, ex-gladiator

After the mishapen Claudius departs, Aricus says to Lupus, "Tonight should be entertainment of another sort. We will move in high circles, guarding Germanicus. If only we could slay sychophants and fawners."

Lupus snorts. "I couldn't keep my sword sharp enough to kill all the sycophants in Rome."

Lupus pauses for thought. "Tell me Aricus, how did you come by all those old scars? Am I right in saying you were once a gladiator?"

"Not that I can talk mind, my face is more scar than skin these days. Dodged when I should have weaved, as they say."

On the stage, Creon told the people that he had just heard that Oedipus had accused him of plotting with Teiresias to remove him from the throne. The leader of the chorus told him that Oedipus had probably done so out of anger rather than rational judgment. Shortly thereafter, Oedipus returned from the palace to confront his brother-in-law. Creon tried to reason with him, but the king would have none of it. Oedipus began to question him about Teiresias, and he learned that the seer had skill in prophecy even many years ago, when Laius had been murdered, but that he had never mentioned Oedipus back then while Creon was with him. Creon had found nothing in his investigation into Laius's death, and Oedipus asked why the seer had not named Oedipus at the time. Creon said he did not know, and that when he doesn't know something, he holds his tongue. Oedipus accused him once more of conspiring with Teiresias, at which Creon began to interrogate him.

"Aye, I was slave to the sword. Fate and skill did conspire to bring many victories. After a time I won my freedom," Aricus answers Lupus. "Now I work for the ludus."

Germanicus smiled away the remark and continued to follow the play. His eyes wandered to the men he'd just hired and he almost let out a sigh of relief.
Oh what a joy it would be to ride with Caesar and the Legions again. Things would be lot simpler on campaign. At least the enemy had the decency of showing himself in a proper war, not like these scheming senators grown fat on the wealth and stability of Rome without ever raising the sword to uphold her glory..

Creon got Oedipus to confirm that he was married to Creon's sister, that the two of them ruled equally, and that Creon was equal to them both, though Oedipus said that that was what made Creon's friendship deceitful. At this, Creon denied it and said that anyone would prefer to live in peace sharing power equally rather than in fear, and that he had no wish to be king. If he were king, he would have to do many things he did not want, whereas in the current situation he gets the power without having to worry. He told Oedipus that if he wanted proof of Creon's intention, he should go to Delphi and consult the Oracle, then ask Teiresias exactly what was said. Then, if he discovered that Creon was plotting with Teiresias, he could put Creon to death. Creon advised Oedipus to take the time to determine the truth rather than rushing to judgment.

"A wise man, Creon," said Scaevola. "Indeed, what man in his right mind would want to be a king?"

The leader of the townspeople also praied Creon's wisdom; however, Oedipus insisted that he had to move quickly if someone conspired against him, for if he waited the plotter would prevail. Creon asked if Oedipus wanted to exile him, but Oedipus said he wanted him dead. Creon said that Oedipus had become unbalanced, but the king retorted that he was sane enough to defend his interests. The two argued until the palace doors swung open and the chorus leader said that Jocasta was approaching, and that she should be able to help resolve the situation.

Grognardsw wrote:"Aye, I was slave to the sword. Fate and skill did conspire to bring many victories. After a time I won my freedom," Aricus answers Lupus. "Now I work for the ludus."

"And what is your story?" asks Aricus of Lupus in return.

"I'm sure many men, who thought their minds were right, have without cause and often out of jealousy or backwardness, affixed such ambitions on greater men than they, Scaevola. But at least on this we can agree, that there is no greater form of governance than the Republic and no truer champions than those that defend her from the depredations and loathsome whispers of those who would bring her to her knees."

"Yes, we are both in complete agreement there," said Scaevola.

The palace doors opened once more, and from them emerged the woman at the center of it all. Jocasta was bedecked regally, as befit a queen, in a fancy dress of ancient Greek style and plenty of jewelry that looked real enough from a distance but was no doubt merely stage finery. She looked to be in her early forties, though still attractive. She immediately berated Oedipus and Creon for arguing when their city was beset by a deadly plague, and she told them to return to their homes. At that, Creon told his sister that Oedipus intended to either exile or put him to death, and Oedipus accused Creon of treason. Creon insisted upon his innocence, swearing an oath that he should die accursed if he is guilty, and Jocasta begged her husband to trust him, and the leader of the people also begged the king to listen to her. They pled with Oedipus to not accuse Creon on the basis of a mere story that could be false, but to let him go in peace on account of his oath. Oedipus argued that to do so would mean his own death or exile, but he finally relented, and Creon departed.

andyw666 wrote:
"Which makes me think, I bet General Germanicus had some fine wine."

"We shall see tonight," replies Aricus.

The leader of the townsfolk asked Queen Jocasta to take her husband back inside the palace, which she said she'd do as soon as she learned what had happened. She soon got the story out of him and Oedipus, and he revealed that Creon claimed that he had murdered Laius, saying that the prophet Teiresias had conspired with him to make the accusation rather than it coming from Creon himself. Jocasta tried to comfort him, telling him that no human being had skill in prophecy, for Laius had once received an oracle from someone who assisted Apollo stating that Laius would be killed by a child of his with Jocasta, but that he had in fact been killed by foreign robbers at a crossroads where three roads met. They had only had one child, and Laius had ordered that his ankles be bound and that he be abandoned on a mountain rock where nobody ever went, out of fear of the prophecy which had apparently failed to come true. Oedipus began to look increasingly disturbed.

"Here it comes," said Scaevola.

Germanicus tried to not be too annoyed by Scaevola, but he was starting to fail miserably. A smile crossed his lips as he thought of the especially tormenting layer of the Underworld reserved for child molesters and people who talked at the theatre.

When Jocasta asked Oedipus what was wrong, he asked her about the place where three roads met. She told him that the crossroads was in Phocis. One of the roads came from Delphi and the other from Daulia. When he asked when Laius had been killed, she told him it was shortly before Oedipus became king in Thebes. Oedipus looked heavenward and pleaded with Zeus to tell him what he had done and what his plans were for Oedipus. Jocasta asked him what was troubling him, but he told her not to ask him anything yet and kept pressing her for information. At his request, she described Laius, and at that his countenance fell. He proclaimed that he may have put himself under a terrible curse unknowningly. She began to tremble and asked him what he meant, at which he asked her one more thing before he revealed it: had Laius had an escort? She told him that there were five men with him, including a herald, and that he rode in a carriage. That seemed to confirm something for Oedipus, and he cried out, then asked her who had told her. She said it was a slave, the only survivor of Laius's retinue who had escaped. Oedipus asked if he were still there, but she told him that once Oedipus had become king, the slave had begged to be sent to the fields, and she had done so. Oedipus asked her to bring him back, which she said she could do, but she asked him why he wanted it. He told her he was afraid he had said too much, and that was why he wanted the slave before him. Jocasta said she would bring him, but that she deserved to know why he was so distressed.

Aricus watches the play, occasionally glancing around at the crowds for any recognizable faces.

Oedipus finally told Jocasta of his past, telling her that his father was Polybus of Corinth and his mother was a Dorian named Merope. Once at dinner a drunken man had accused Oedipus of not really being his father's son. When he eventually asked his parents, they were angry at the man, which eased Oedipus somewhat, but it still bothered him, as the rumors had spread. To resolve the issue, he went to Delphi to consult the Pythia without telling his parents. Apollo did not answer his question, but he had told him horrible things: that Oedipus was destined to defile his mother, to bring forth a human family unbearable to look at, and to slay his father. Terrified, he fled Corinth in an effort to avoid his fate. In his many travels, he came to the place where three roads met where Laius had been killed. Then he met a carriage preceded by a herald just as Jocasta had described. The carriage driver tried to force him out of the way, and then the old man helped him. Oedipus fought back against the driver, at which the old man struck him in the head with a whip. Furious, Oedipus hit him back with his staff, knocking him off of the carriage and onto the road. Then he killed them all. Oedipus berated himself, lamenting that he could never again return to his home in Corinth for fear of killing his father Polybus and marrying his mother Merope as the oracle had said. He begged the gods not to let him see that day.

OOC,[b]Aricus[/b], you may roll Republic to see who in the audience you might recognize.

Prompted by Aricus' scrutiny of the audience, Lupus also cranes his neck and has a good look for the rich and/or famous.

Republic Roll,Republic skill of50% [dice]0[/dice]

"I try looking for important people in the audience, but I'm afraid I just keep getting distracted by beautiful women instead. Some scout I am." Lupus sighs.

Lupus gives Aricus a quick glance, and asks (what he imagines is) one of the most standard questions across Rome and its holdings. "And what far flung land did you hail from originally, Aricus? I was from Tungria in Gaul myself."

Aricus and Lupus of course recognized Julius Caesar, who had the best seat in the theater. There were various Senators seated in the same section, but the only one they knew of by sight was Germanicus. whom they had just seen in the Forum earlier. His deformed slave Claudius was never far from his side, but they did not look at him longer than necessary. As Lupus had said, there were plenty of beautiful women in the audience, and even the plain ones were a preferable sight.

The leader of the Theban crowd begged the king not to give up hope, but to await the servant and see what he had to say. Oedipus told Jocasta that if the servant's tale matched her own, he would be relieved, for that would mean that a band of men had slain Laius and not Oedipus himself. However, if he said that one man had done it all, he would know he was guilty. Jocasta assured him that the man could not change his story now, having already said that several robbers had killed the former king, but that even if he did, the prophecy would still have failed. After all, how could Laius's dead son have killed him when he had perished long since? Oedipus agreed with her, but said that he still wanted to speak to the peasant. Then the two of them went back inside the palace.

"Nobody ever notices a slave unless he is needed," Scaevola mused, turning to look down at the hunchback. "Am I not right, Claudius?"

"Truly, it is so" mumbled Claudius, head bowed as far as he could manage.

And often, not even then... he added to himself. It was to a slaves advantage to not be seen, not be heard. And if Cladius could profess to one thing, it was that his beatings had forced on him a certain expertise in that.

"Ah, but you did not think to wonder how I noticed you," said Scaevola. "It is because you are needed now." He held out his empty goblet. "More wine."

The chorus lamented the disrespect shown by man towards the oracles of Apollo and his defiance of the will of the gods. Then Jocasta, escorted by a servant, returned from the palace and went to the altar of Apollo with an offering, praying that he would cleanse them of the corruption that was the cause of their curse. As she placed her offerings on the altar, an old messenger approached, seeking the home of Oedipus, or better still the man himself. The chorus leader pointed out the palace and told him that Oedipus was inside, and that Jocasta was the mother of his children. The messenger went up to her, saying that he had good news for her house and for her husband.

"Humour the Senator, Claudius, it seems his slaves have turned invisible by lack of discursive reference."

Germanicus turns to look at the scene again and smiles.

"A pity the play is nearly come to an end, I was just starting to enjoy it. I'm sure tomorrow's spectacle will be as amusing, though. Shall we be seated together again, Scaevola?"

Claudius dutifully poured some of the wine he had procured previously. He but glanced at the Senator, and took joy in imagining slitting the man's throat. Perhaps someday, he would. He cursed God and Man every day, and cared little for his own life. If the fates had rolled his life so unkindly, then spreading misery would be evening the balance.

"Yes Mart'ther" he mumbled at his master.

andyw666 wrote:Lupus gives Aricus a quick glance, and asks (what he imagines is) one of the most standard questions across Rome and its holdings. "And what far flung land did you hail from originally, Aricus? I was from Tungria in Gaul myself."

"We hail from the same region," Aricus says with a smile. "I am from north of Lemovices in Gallia Celtica. I was taken as a battle prisoner and sold in slavery. It seems the play is almost over."

"Indeed we shall, Germanicus, though there is still more to the play," said Scaevola, pausing to take a sip of his refilled cup. "It will be good to see Aricus Callidus Gladio fight again."

Jocasta greeted the messenger kindly, and he revealed that the people of Corinth would make Oedipus their king, for his father Polybus had died. Jocasta sent a servant into the palace to inform her husband, then mocked the oracles for their failed prediction, as Oedipus had not killed Polybus as they had apparently said he would. Then Oedipus returned from the palace and told him the news, which the messenger confirmed, saying when asked that he had died from illness and old age. Oedipus was relieved that the prophecy seemed to have been nullified, but he was still afraid that it was still possible for him to defile his mother's bed. Jocasta tried to reassure him, but he said that he would still be afraid of that fate as long as she lived. When the messenger asked him who his mother was and why he so feared her, he told him her name and about the prophecy, which was the reason he had fled Corinth - and the reason he could not return. The messenger told him that he had nothing to fear on that count because Polybus was not in fact his father.

He had no idea where it came from, but Germanicus could barely suppress the sudden wave of disgust he felt for Scaevola.
He took a deep breath, had a strong sip of wine and let his mind wander to the coming campaign. How good it would be to smell the smells of the road again, the dust on sweaty skin and the scent of oiled leather.

He sighed contently as the play unfolded somewhere far away.

When Oedipus further questioned him about how Polybus had ended up with him, the messenger revealed that he had given Oedipus to him after he had been found abandoned in the forest, where the messenger had been watching his sheep. The baby's ankles had been pierced and pinned together, which was how Oedipus had gotten his name. When Oedipus asked why his real parents would do this to him, the messenger said he did not know, for another shepherd had found the baby and given him to him. When Oedipus asked who had found him, the messenger said he believed it was one of Laius's servants. Oedipus asked if the man was still alive and if he could speak to him, and the messenger said the people of Thebes would be the ones to ask. When Oedipus asked if anyone knew of this man, the chorus leader said he was in fact the same man who was the sole survivor of Laius's escort, and that Jocasta would know more. He asked his wife, and she told him that he should forget about it, and that there was no point in trying to sort out what he had said. Oedipus insisted that he had to get to the bottom of the mystery of his birth, but Jocasta, no doubt realizing the horrible truth, begged him in the name of the gods not to delve any further into the matter, saying that she would suffer were the truth revealed, and that that should be enough to dissuade him. However, he tried to reassure her and would not budge from his quest for his origins. She finally said that she hoped he would never find out who he was. Oedipus told the people to bring the shepherd forth, at which Jocasta said there was nothing more she could say to him and that she would never speak again, then ran into the palace.

OOC,[b]Germanicus[/b], you may roll Tactics as you consider the upcoming campaign.

Aricus watches the play.

The chorus leader asked why the queen had run off, and that he felt a disastrous storm was coming. Oedipus said the storm could break, but he had to know his true family origin. After some discussion, a very old man approached Oedipus, the shepherd that he had awaited. Oedipus guessed it must be him, and the chorus leader and the messenger confirmed it. Oedipus questioned him, asking if he had ever known the messenger, but he said he could not remember. However, the messenger did remember and reminded him, then asked about him having given the messenger a baby boy. When the servant asked him why he would ask that, the messenger pointed out Oedipus and said that he had been that baby. The old shepherd cursed him and said he should have kept quiet about it. Oedipus told the old man not to treat him so, and that his profanity was worse than anything the messenger had said. The servant tried to deflect Oedipus's questioning, but he would not be deterred and said that he would make him talk. The old man begged him not to torture him, and when Oedipus ordered his men to bind him, he finally said he'd tell what he knew. He admitted to having given the baby to the messenger, and that he'd wished he'd died that day. The king told him that he would die if he didn't tell the truth. The old servant said his death would be worse if he did. Oedipus accused him of stalling and pressed him to tell him whose baby it was. The shepherd begged him not to ask, but after further threats from Oedipus, he gradually led to the horrible truth: the baby was said to be Laius's son, but the woman who had gone into the palace (Jocasta) would be in a better position to tell him. He admitted that she had given him the baby and told him to kill it out of fear of dreadful prophecies. Oedipus asked about them, and he said that the baby had been destined to kill his father. Oedipus asked why he had given the baby to the messenger instead of killing it, and the old man said he felt pity for the boy and hoped the messenger would take him far away to his own land. However, he had only saved him for the worst possible grief, and that if Oedipus was indeed who the messenger had said, he knew about his terrible fate. A look of realization finally dawned on Oedipus's face, and he looked up at the bright sky, which he said would be for the last time. Lamenting his curse, he ran into the palace.

Germanicus,[b]Germanicus[/b] could not help thinking of Carrhae, less than ten years ago. In that prior campaign against the Parthians, [b]Crassus[/b] had met his ignominious end. He had gone in with superior forces, vastly outnumbering the enemy, but the Parthians had highly mobile heavy cavalry that had been able to run rings around the legions. The result could hardly have been more disastrous for Rome, mitigated only by [b]Gaius Cassius Longinus[/b] leading the surviving troops to safety in Syria. The mistakes of Carrhae would have to be avoided in this campaign, but [b]Germanicus[/b] had learned that lesson well, as no doubt had [b]Caesar[/b]. It had been [b]Crassus[/b]'s death that had led to the breakdown of the Triumvirate, of which he had been a member along with [b]Caesar[/b] and [b]Pompey[/b]. Like a three-legged stool when one leg is broken, it had not taken long to collapse, though the tension between [b]Caesar[/b] and [b]Pompey[/b] had ultimately caused its fall. [b]Pompey[/b] had ordered [b]Caesar[/b] to return to Rome, which he had done - at the head of his army. [b]Germanicus[/b] had been with him then. The defeat at Carrhae had led to the civil war in which [b]Caesar[/b] had emerged victorious. [b]Caesar[/b] no doubt intended to avenge Carrhae with the campaign he had planned. [b]Marcus Liicinius Crassus[/b], whose father had been slain there, would certainly wish to be part of this revenge too.

Germanicus barely took notice of the play any more, though the actors weren't half bad, an aroma of the wine had brought him back some years, to a crisp January day when they'd marched the army across the Rubicon. Things were different back then, they'd all been younger men. He smiled as he thought of Antony rejoining their ranks on the banks of the river, having fled the wrath of the outraged Senate.

A shiver ran down his spine and Germanicus washed it down with a sip of wine.

"Carrhae", he whispered the name into his cup. It had changed a lot, for Rome and for his family. The death of Crassus had permanently disrupted the balance of power in the Triumvirate, and the death of Crassus's son, Publius Licinius Crassus, had left his daughter a widow. Germanicus had been struck by the grief of his heart-broken daughter appear on his doorstep, but he'd also been happy to have her close again, together with his granddaughter.

Crassus had been foolish, though the richest man in Rome and of the three most powerful, he was never content to be in Caesar or Pompey's shadow. And what shadows those men cast! He felt the bitter-sweet sting of nostalgia. Caesar was the only one left alive of the Triumvirate. The times had indeed changed, the world was changing and somehow he felt that younger and more hungry men were waiting out there in the shadows to seize the reigns from them, just like Oedipus had when he'd struck down his father.


"Claudius, would you fetch us some more wine, I fear I have run out. Memories are such thirsty places."

"Of course, Marth'ter" said Claudius, bowing even lower. He was pleased to scuttle off, the play disturbed him with unwanted feelings. He had the vaguest notion that his marth'ter was being manipulated somehow. A war of words?

He left the vicinity to purchase more wine with his marth'ters coin. He worried if this would lead to intoxication. A drunken man was a violent man, in his experience, and Cladius was not keen on any beatings, although such, in his experience, was his lot.

Watching the play, Aricus wonders if he should be sparring at the ludus to prepare for tomorrow's arena match.

Claudius found the same wine vendor, who was more than happy to take his master's coin in exchange for some libations.

The people of Thebes lamented the horrible fate of Oedipus. The man had conquered all and seemed to be on top of the world, yet he had fallen so suddenly. Then another messenger returned from the palace with more terrible news. The leader of the townsfolk expressed disbelief that anything could be worse than what they'd already heard, but the messenger said that Queen Jocasta was dead by her own hand, going on to describe in gruesome detail what he had personally observed and calling the people lucky that they had not seen it. Jocasta had run to her bedroom, slamming doors behind her and finally moaning beside the bed. Oedipus had come into the palace screaming, blocking the servants from seeing her. He ran back and forth, demanding a sword. In his state, nobody had dared approach him. Enraged, he had forced open the doors to the bedroom he had once shared with the woman who was at once both his wife and his mother, only to find her body hanging. Then he had taken her golden brooches and plunged them into both of his eyes repeatedly, blinding himself so that he would no longer see the consequences of his actions. He had been shouting to open the gates so that he could come out and reveal himself as Laius's killer so that the people would drive him into exile and the curse would be lifted. He warned the people about the sight they were about to see, and then the palace doors opened and Oedipus emerged. His eyes were black, with red liquid dripping from the sockets. Though the audience knew that the actor had not actually blinded himself, there was still a collective gasp.

Germanicus's revery ended as the play reached its climax. He watched and listened with great attention as the big reveal was made and Oedipus blinded himself.
He didn't approve of this sort of mutilation, having always preferred a swifter and cleaner form of punishment such as the lash or the sword, but it was well-performed and he applauded the actors.

Aricus claps dutifully and rubs his legs.

"This play is almost over, right?" he asks Lupus.

Having fallen lightly asleep in his seat with his chin on his chest, Lupus jerks up at Aricus' question.

"Are we there yet? Oops, I do apologise old son, I drifted off, late night. Shall we wander over closer to the Senator if it's all over?"

"Yes, let us stretch legs and free mind," answers Aricus. "I think the Senator is on the far side."

The ex-gladiator joins Lupus for a walk.

Oedipus stumbled forward as the townsfolk stared in shock. The man certainly acted as though he were genuinely blind, giving a very convincing performance. The leader of the Thebans looked away from the sight while speaking with Oedipus, asking him how he had come to this wretched state. Oedipus lamented his fate and confirmed the account of how he had blinded himself. When asked what god had driven him to it, Oedipus named Apollo, the god of the oracle, but said that putting out his eyes was his own choice, for he no longer wished to see anything. He said that he would rather have died when abandoned as a baby, cursing the man who had rescued him. The discussion continued until Creon returned, saying that he had not come to mock him and asking the servants to take him into the palace, for it would be kinder not to let anyone other than his family see him like this. Oedipus was stunned that Creon was treating him so decently and asked him a favor, to send him away from Thebes to a place where nobody would cross his path. Creon said that he could, but that he wished to consult with the the god first. Oedipus then asked Creon to bury Jocasta's corpse. Then two teenage girls, his daughters, emeged from the palace in tears. When Oedipus asked, Creon said that he had sent them out to comfort him, which they did. After some final words, they all went back inside the palace. Then the chorus concluded the play with one final short speech, telling the people to look upon Oedipus, who had solved the famed riddle of the Sphinx. He had been the most powerful of men and his wealth had made him the envy of all, but now the worst disaster had befallen him.

"So while we wait to see that final day," they said, "we cannot call a mortal being happy before he's passed beyond this life free from pain."

The audience applauded, rising to its feet as one.

OOC,Everyone is moving to the thread linked below:

Plans and Schemes