Scordisci

The campaign brief

"Among the Celts, the tribe called Scordisci, though they refrain from importing gold into their own country, nevertheless do not pass silver by when they pillage and outrage other people's lands. This tribe is a remnant of the Celts who attacked the Delphic oracle under Brennus, but a leader named Bathanattus removed them to the regions round the Danube; from him also the road by which they retreated is called Bathanattia, and they call his descendants Bathanatti to this very day." – Athenaeus, Deipnosophists, 6.234B

Suavelos, weary travellers, come join us in our midst! You might have heard of the exploits of our people in the East, where under the leadership of Belgius and Brennus we have pillaged the rich lands of the Greeks, defeated their armies, and killed one of their kings in battle! Perhaps it is also the reason why you have come so far from your homeland … or perhaps you have travelled with your family – as many others do – in search of a new and better life?

When the great host split up in Greece, some of our kin followed Leogarius and Leonnorius into Asia, while others followed Belgius back west. I hear of a kingdom our people have created somewhere to the east, led by Komontorius. There are plenty of paths to take for a group of young warriors such as yourselves.

But here, on the banks of the mighty river Matoas, or Istros as the Greeks call it, some of our people have come to settle even before the Great Army gathered to leave for the south and its appetizing riches. For at least two generations, our people have lived by and with the local tribes, and after his return from the south, we have elected the wise Bathanattus as our leader. The land here is fertile beyond imagining. The forests are plentiful with an abundance of wild animals to hunt. Furthermore, the depths of the earth hold large amounts of silver and copper, materials that our people have used of old to mould into beautiful ornaments, which merchants from neighbouring tribes covet the moment their eyes rest on them.

You, however, are a warrior, and there is plenty of opportunities to be found here for those as well! To the north lie endless plains with scattered tribes, and beyond them our brethren, the Boii. To the west, strong Breuci and Segestani control the river Savus until you reach our Taurisci cousins. In the south, lands of the Celegeri, mighty Autariatae and Ardiaei, Dardanians and Paeonians are ripe for the taking. Beyond them, rich Greece is always wont of employing our warriors. You can earn hard coin in their service, observing them like a wolf among the sheep! And in the east, finally, lies an open land of weak peoples such as the Triballi and Moesi and the Timachi, all the way downstream the great river to the place where our brothers dwell, led by Komontorius.

By the will of Catubodua the battle-raveness, we will seize all their land and property – such is natural law! You will ride with us, and vanquished enemies’ heads will be hung from your horse’s neck – and such is natural law! Should you die gloriously on the battlefield, the war goddess Epona herself will appear to you in her equine form and accompany you onto the great beyond – for such is natural law!

Now tell me, young warrior: will you join our ravening host?