Completion of the Antonine Wall
The Antonine Wall is completed, marking the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain. Roman soldiers and laborers celebrate their achievement while keeping a wary eye on the unconquered la
Setting
The completed Antonine Wall stretches across the landscape near Old Kilpatrick, a massive turf and timber fortification with a deep ditch on its northern side. Roman soldiers and laborers stand atop the wall and along its base, surveying their work. The nearby River Clyde glistens in the distance.
Characters
Centurion Marcus
primary
A battle-hardened Roman officer in his late 30s with a muscular build from years of military service. His face bears a faded scar across the left cheekbone, and his short-cropped dark brown hair shows traces of gray. His piercing hazel eyes constantly scan the horizon with military precision.
Legionary Caius
primary
A grizzled Roman soldier in his late 30s, with a muscular build from years of military service. His face bears a prominent scar across the left cheekbone, and his sun-weathered skin suggests long campaigns in harsh conditions. Short-cropped dark brown hair shows traces of gray at the temples, and his piercing brown eyes scan the fortifications with practiced precision.
Local Guide
secondary
A wiry Briton man in his late 30s with sun-browned skin and a close-cropped beard. His dark hair is streaked with gray and tied back with a leather thong. A faded blue woad tattoo peeks above his tunic collar - the mark of his northern tribe.
Briton Hunter
secondary
A wiry Briton man in his early 30s with sun-darkened skin and a tangled mane of reddish-brown hair. His face bears faded blue warrior markings above his brows, and his keen grey eyes miss nothing. Calloused hands grip a hunting spear, his knuckles whitening intermittently.
Slave Laborer
background
A gaunt man in his early 30s, with sunken cheeks and a permanently hunched posture from years of hard labor. His dark, matted hair clings to his forehead with sweat, and his arms bear old whip scars beneath the dirt. Deep-set eyes show exhaustion beyond his years.
Dialog
Centurion Marcus
By Mars' spear, she stands complete. Sixty-three thousand paces of Roman might against the northern wilds.
Legionary Caius
In my experience, Centurion, she'll hold against anything short of an army with battering rams. The turf compaction is pilum straight.
Local Guide
The... the hunters beyond the ditch say their people call this 'the dragon's spine' now.
Centurion Marcus
Good. Let them name it in awe. The Emperor's dragon guards their frontier.
Legionary Caius
Sixteen months of wet british earth under our nails, and for what? Another frontier to man.
Local Guide
If it please the centurion... the elders ask when your soldiers will stop taking their sheep for provisions?
Centurion Marcus
When their sheep stop feeding Caledonian raiders. The wall protects Rome's subjects - remind them of that.