Second Battle of Bedriacum
The Second Battle of Bedriacum reaches its climax as Otho's forces collapse under the relentless assault of Vitellian troops. The battlefield is a scene of torchlit chaos, with mud-churned fields litt
Setting
Mud-churned fields near the Po River, with scattered broken weapons and bodies. The distant silhouette of Cremona's walls is barely visible through the dawn mist. The battlefield is littered with abandoned shields, shattered spears, and the occasional smoldering campfire.
Characters
Fabius Valens
primary
A seasoned general in his early 50s, with a muscular build from years of military campaigns. His face is weathered, with deep-set dark eyes and a prominent Roman nose. His short-cropped hair is peppered with gray, and a jagged scar runs from his left temple to his jawline, a souvenir from past battles.
Vitellian Tribune
secondary
A middle-aged Roman officer with a muscular build, weathered face, and deep-set eyes. His dark hair is streaked with gray, tied back in a practical knot. A jagged scar runs from his left temple to jawline, a testament to past battles.
Vitellian Legionary
secondary
A battle-hardened soldier in his late 30s, with a muscular build from years of military training. His face is weathered and scarred from previous battles, and his short-cropped hair is matted with sweat and dirt. His arms bear the marks of old wounds, testament to his experience in combat.
Otho's Soldier
secondary
A mid-30s legionary with a wiry, battle-hardened frame. His face is streaked with mud and blood, and a fresh cut mars his left forearm. His eyes are bloodshot from fatigue and smoke.
Otho
primary
A man in his mid-thirties, with a lean but aristocratic build. His face is pale, his dark eyes sunken from sleepless nights. He wears a short, neatly-trimmed beard, and his hair is oiled and styled in the fashion of Roman nobility, though now disheveled from the chaos of battle.
Camp Medic
background
A middle-aged slave of slight build with wiry muscles from years of physical labor. His face is lined with exhaustion and streaked with dirt and blood. His hands are rough and calloused, yet surprisingly gentle when tending to wounds. Dark circles under his eyes speak of countless sleepless nights spent caring for the injured.
Dialog
Fabius Valens
Press the advantage! The Othonians break like rotten timber. Tribune, order the cavalry to cut off their retreat.
Vitellian Tribune
At once, General. The Fourth Cohort stands ready to sweep their right flank.
Otho's Soldier
Hold the line, brothers! For Otho and Rome!
Otho
Enough. The gods have spoken. Let no more Roman blood water this field.
Fabius Valens
Per Martis hastam! They rout like frightened hares. Sound the advance.
Otho's Soldier
Curse you, Vitellian dogs! We stood when better men fled!
Otho
Fortuna abandons us today. Let it be done with dignity.