Game 279: Month 21

Aquitania
Arthur overturned the tables in his tent after hearing the news. Our astronomers reported that a comet streaked across the night sky next to the constellation Capricorn; the sign of Alaric and his Visigoths. As we marched through the region of Aquitania, we heard more and more people declaring their allegiance to Alaric. This portent symbolized his growing influence in Rome – if we didn't do something soon, it would be too late.

“All this time in Aquitania, I have been focused on the Franks!” Arthur shouted. “No more!”

The next day, Titan encamped outside the Franks village of Vitnerx, only to be greeted by Alaric's colors flying from the village square. We have had no contact with the Visigoth king over these many months, and when I prepared to send our diplomats, Arthur stopped me.

“These are dire times, genome. The Gods have shown their favor to King Alaric, but I will not have our people bow to another Roman overlord. There is no time for diplomacy – there is only time for war!”

Turn 21 Planning
While we have to keep the Teuton contained, the priority now is to ensure the Visigoth cannot claim victory. The focus is on Aquitania. My nobles in the area are now next to useless. Even though they successfully took the fortress of Augusto, the Visigoths have an army camped outside the walls led by King Alaric and two Warlords. They will take the fortress this turn, beheading the nobles or sending them back to the capital.

Political Plans:
- Ambassador Danu will relocate to Chard Orin in northern Aquitania
governor Krassis will incite rebellion in Prexi, taking it back from the Franks
- Governor Ajax the Weak will relocate to Christinhalm – he will help Count Connacht take back the village
- Prince Mac Cekt will relocate to the village of Vantage in central Armorica – this will place him in striking distance of Aquitania, hopefully not too late to be effective
- Governor Malcor will move to Fire Helm to keep an eye on it, in case Baron Gorgatha arrives once more
- Arthur continues improving his influence

Military Plans:
- Titan will storm the village of Vitnerx
- Split Titan into three legions – two brigades will go with King Arthur to assault the village of Semillion (he is the only leader with the ability to enable our troops to march that distance). Two brigades will go with Centurion Scripio to the village of Coral Springs in southern Aquitania, and the remaining four brigades will go with Centurion Theorek to the town of Tours. This is a very risky move – any one of these potential assaults could fail as the groups will be much weaker divided than they are together, however this is the only chance we have to take enough Visigoth pop centers for them to lose the region. Thanks be to the speed of the Celts.
- Our reinforcements at the capital will be transferred into legion Pegasus and march straight to Aquitania. Centurion Bax the White will hire a brigade of Burgundians to fortify the ranks
Phoenix moves back to Koln, to keep the Teutons in check
- Centurion Fravitas recruits another brigade of Heruli from Agrippina and marches his division to Koln to meet with Phoenix


Covert Plans:
- Horisian the Fox will create a diversion in Poiters, the Frank capital, and Garga the Sublime will attempt to assassinate the Frank high priestess, Auron, who is located there. If successful, this will complete the last of our covert requirements for Mastermind victory.
- Max the Black will stay on counter espionage within Phoenix. The Teuton agents are getting bolder every month – we must protect our artifacts.

Additional Plans:
- Priestess Maximini will heal Phoenix. This should bring them close to full health