Appendix: Handouts, Props, and Quick Reference

The DM-facing section. Everything in this appendix is designed to be printed, cut, and handed to players at the right moment. Each handout lists when to deploy it and what it reveals.

Handout 1: Legate’s Orders

  • When to give: Session 1, Scene 1, when Corvinus summons the party.
  • How to present: Copy onto a narrow strip of parchment or card. Latin and English appear together so players feel the immediacy of a real order.

MANDATUM LEGATI MARCI AURELII CORVINI
Ad milites electos:
Descendite in ruinas. Recuperate telum divinum.
Nemo tangat telum nisi ego permitto.

(To the chosen soldiers: Descend into the ruins. Recover the divine weapon. No one shall touch the weapon unless I permit it.)

In nomine Senatus Populique Romani.

What it reveals: The Legate has been informed about the spear. This is a military order, not a request. The final clause (“unless I permit it”) reveals his intentions.

Handout 2: The Vault Inscription

  • When to give: Session 1, when the party reaches the altar stone at the base of the shaft.
  • How to present: Draw the Elder Futhark rune row on textured cardstock, then script the inscription beneath it in a deliberately rougher hand.

TIWAZ — HAGALAZ — NAUDHIZ — ISA — OTHALAN
War — Disruption — Need — Stillness — Ancestral Land

Here lies the God-Killer, the Spear of Broken Oaths, sealed by the blood of heroes. May it never taste sunlight again.

Forged in vengeance. Quenched in divine blood. The son of Mars fell here. His father’s wrath lingers still.

(Scratched at the base, as if done in haste:)
DO NOT WAKE WHAT SLEEPS HERE.

What it reveals: The spear is an artifact of violence against a divine lineage. It was deliberately sealed here. Someone wanted it found by no one.

Handout 3: Omens Observed

  • When to give: Session 1 pre-session or opening scene, as a physical prop that establishes the world’s current state.
  • How to present: Index card or folded parchment in the haruspex’s precise handwriting. Stamp with a wax seal or smear for authenticity.

AUSPICIA ADVERSA — COHORTIS XIV LEGIO

The following signs have been observed in the seven days preceding this report:
- All camp dogs died at midnight on the third day. No visible cause.
- Sacrificial sheep presented black livers at both morning observations.
- Ravens observed flying reversed pattern over the principia on two occasions.
- Springs in the northeast sector run red (iron contamination suspected; source unknown).
- Night sentries report shadows without bodies moving along the east palisade.
- Legionaries on patrol report distant war-horns; no enemy force has been located.

The augury is not favorable. I advise against major operations until expiation is performed.

Haruspex Gaius Paterculus, in the consulship of Rufus and Quintillus

What it reveals: The professional religious officer of the fort has formally documented that something is wrong. This is not rumor; it is official record. The Legate has presumably seen this and proceeded anyway.

Handout 4: The Tribune’s Sealed Orders

  • When to give: Session 2, when Tribune Lucius produces his credentials or when the party investigates his authority.
  • How to present: Heavy parchment, bold heading, wide margins. Add a wax seal impression for immediate legitimacy.

SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS

By authority of the Senate and the consulship of Lucius Fulvius Rufus and Marcus Plautius Quintillus:

Tribune Lucius Valerius Maximus is hereby empowered to act in the Senate’s name in all matters pertaining to the artifact recovered at Fort Vindolanda.

All military personnel are ordered to render full assistance. The Legate’s command is suspended pending senatorial review.

In nomine Senatus Populique Romani

What it reveals: This document is real and legally binding. The Tribune has legitimate authority that supersedes the Legate’s command. The party faces a genuine conflict between their direct superior and the Senate.

Handout 5: The Encoded Letter

  • When to give: Session 2, when the party searches the Tribune’s quarters (DC 14 Investigation to locate).
  • How to present: Tea-stain the paper, fold twice, add “Caesar cipher, shift 3” on the back in faint ink for players who think to check.

Encoded text:
Cqn arcrxvpe expde: Aqr xqrjxbqe jcbq. Dkb jcbq xrrno Kbc. Dkb jcbq eba Kbe kbbi ecba kbi. Ebo jcbq. Ebo rea ebo. M.J.E.

Plaintext:
The artifact must not reach Rome. By any means necessary. Our mutual friend’s ambitions depend on its permanent removal. You know what to do.

Signed: G.C.B.

What it reveals: Someone with the initials G.C.B. is directing the Tribune. The Tribune is not working for the Senate’s legitimate interest; he is working for a private patron who wants the spear destroyed before it complicates something larger.

Handout 6: Thusnelda’s Map

  • When to give: Session 3, when Thusnelda agrees to guide the party to the sacred grove.
  • How to present: Hand-draw on torn parchment. Smudge the fourth river with thumbprint charcoal. Do not use straight lines.

Features to sketch:
- Three rivers as wavering lines; mark the central ford with two short parallel dashes.
- Seven standing stones in a ring, each with a rune from Handout 2.
- A dark smudge suggesting a missing or hidden river.
- Crossed spears over the grove.
- Along the bottom edge, in Germanic script:
Mannaz raidho wunjo — Man. Journey. Joy. (“The man who makes this journey finds what he seeks.”)

What it reveals: The grove is real and can be found. The fourth river is either a mistake, a missing feature, or something Thusnelda knows but chose not to mark. The warning at the forest’s heart is not metaphorical.

Handout 7: The Bloody Message

  • When to give: Session 3, when the party finds the message carved into a tree at the edge of their camp.
  • How to present: Use a jagged strip of paper. Write the Latin line with steady strokes, then scratch the second line lightly with a dull blade.

MARS VIDET OMNIA
(Mars sees all)

I did not want to do this.

What it reveals: Someone in the party, whether PC or NPC under corruption’s influence, carved this message without full awareness or against their will. The Latin is too clean and deliberate to be the second line; the second line was added separately, by a hand that was barely in control.

Handout 8: Raven Order to the Saboteurs

  • When to give: Chapter 4, Scene 0 or 1, when the party searches the watchtower or intercepts the raven (DC 14 Perception to notice the message capsule).
  • How to present: Narrow strip of parchment bound with black thread. Ink should be hurried, letters sharp, as if written mid-crisis. Add a smear of soot.

ORDERS OF G. CASSIUS BRUTUS
To our friends within Vindolanda:

  • Burn the granary before dusk.
  • Kill the augur if opportunity presents.
  • If the spear moves, collapse the stair.
  • Leave no witnesses; the frontier must fall quiet.

Signed: G.C.B.

What it reveals: Brutus is actively directing sabotage inside the fort to prevent Mars from being appeased. He orders Cassia’s death and the destruction of supplies, proving the siege chaos is coordinated, not random misfortune.

Handout 9: Siege Day Order of Battle

  • When to give: Chapter 4, Scene 2, when the party plans the spear procession. This is their tactical board.
  • How to present: Folded sheet with diagrammatic layout: north gate, south gate, barracks, workshop row, vicus. Use bold ink for trumpet codes and rotations.

FORT VINDOLANDA — SIEGE DAY ORDERS
Issued by Centurion Varro, verified by Cassia.

Trumpet Codes
- Two short: fire in the vicus
- Long + short: gate breach
- Six rapid: shrine summons (Mars’ demand)

Watch Rotations
- North wall: Contubernia I–III (veterans)
- South gate: Auxiliaries under Optio Felicitus
- Workshop cordon: Faber squad, on alert for saboteurs

Escort Route
Principia → Hidden stair → Sunken armory → Choking hall → Elder stair

Resource Status
- Grain: 9 days if rations hold, 6 if granary burns
- Water: contaminated at north gate well (boil)
- Civilians sheltered in vicus shrine (Mercury)

Notes
- Three volunteers must kneel when the stair opens. Cassia requires witnesses.
- Vercingetorix’s runners offer diversion at south ditch at dusk.
- Tribune Lucius requests to accompany escort (motive unclear).

What it reveals: The fort is operating on knife-edge logistics. Every trumpet signal matters. The escort route is known to only a few, giving the party a concrete blueprint for planning and a sense of the stakes should any item on the sheet fail.

Handout 10: The Mark of Mars

  • When to give: Session 5, at the very end, after the final confrontation. Give one card to each player.
  • How to present: A simple calling card; edge-highlight with red ink and keep a duplicate so players can tuck it into their character folios.

THE MARK OF MARS
This character has stood before a god of war and lived.

For the remainder of their days:
- Advantage on Intimidation checks. Other soldiers see something in them they cannot name.
- Once per long rest: ask the DM “What does Mars want from this situation?” and receive an honest answer.

In exchange: Mars may call on them. Once. At his choosing.

Continuity Audit

  • Complete after each session and before prepping the next. This ensures NPC motivations, corruption totals, and political consequences stay synchronized.
  • Copy or reference this table when writing recap emails or briefing the players.
Session NPC / Thread checkpoints Must be true before next session
1 — Blood and Omens Record who controls the spear, who touched it, corruption stages, and whether the Legate, Cassia, or Varro gained leverage. Note which NPCs witnessed the mad worker outcome. Decide where the spear resides (Legate, party, hidden). Flag any soldiers who sympathised with the corrupted worker. Update Cassia’s vision log and Varro’s loyalty ledger.
2 — Tribune’s Gambit Track Tribune Lucius’ status (ally, prisoner, hostile), Vercingetorix relationship level, Sextus murder clues found, Varro survival, and Praetorian casualties. Confirm whether the party controls the spear’s movements, whether Vercingetorix granted passage, and which NPCs now owe them favors. Set Corvinus’ response based on their choice.
3 — Through the Dark Forest Note each sacrifice offered to the grove, who was influenced by the spear, Thusnelda’s trust, and any Roman pursuers still active. Lock in what the grove granted or denied, update corruption reductions, and record whether Cassia, Lucius, or Varro accompanied the party into the grove.
4 — The God’s Demand Record siege status (gate integrity, food stores), who knelt in the antechamber, which factions supported the escort, and any sabotage that succeeded. Update fort morale, schedule consequences for promises made to Corvinus, Lucius, Cassia, and Vercingetorix, and note whether the spear was damaged or hidden.
5 — Wrath of Mars Track who bears the Mark of Mars, who owes the divine debt, which character (if any) became the Chosen, and final corruption totals. Update campaign epilogues, note future Call to War hooks, and archive any iron fragment locations Thusnelda shared.

Handout 11: Arena Weapon Cards

  • When to give: Session 5, Scene 2. Place them face-down on the table. Flip each face-up when the party can examine them. Players can claim a weapon as a bonus action.
  • How to present: One index card per weapon. Include the benefit and the cost so choices feel immediate.

GLADIUS OF ACHILLES
Taken from a hero who chose glory over survival.
Benefit: +2 weapon, advantage on attack rolls.
Cost: Vulnerability to piercing damage (the price of arrogance).

SHIELD OF HORATIUS
Carried at the Tiber bridge by a man who held alone.
Benefit: +3 AC. Reaction: impose disadvantage on one attack per round.
Cost: Cannot be used with a two-handed weapon.

SPEAR OF LEONIDAS
Three hundred held. None survived. The spear remembers.
Benefit: Reach 10 ft., +1d10 damage if you have not moved this turn.
Cost: At 0 HP, you stabilize automatically once per combat (Mars notices and tests you).

Player Tracking Sheet

  • Copy one per player per session. Print double-sided for campaign-long tracking.
  • Works as a foldable insert inside the player’s journal or character sheet.

Character name: _________________________________ Session: ________

Corruption stage: [ ]0 [ ]1 [ ]2 [ ]3 [ ]4 [ ]5  Divine standing: Favored [ ] Neutral [ ] Cursed [ ] God: __________________

NPCs met:

Name Role / faction Status or debt

Key decision + why:

One thing learned:

Corruption change: +   -

Fatum: ___________________________________________________

Is it closer to being tested? Yes [ ] No [ ] Notes: ___________________________

DM Quick Reference: Single Page

  • Print one double-sided sheet per session and keep near your DM screen.
  • Update the relationship and corruption tables in pencil between scenes.

Everything you need to run a session without flipping chapters.

NPC OGAS Summary

NPC Objective Goal Agenda Secret
Corvinus Consulship Possess the spear Control the escort and report success to Rome Brutus owns his gambling debts
Cassia Prevent divine catastrophe Destroy the spear Guide the party without forcing them She is Mars’ daughter; she can feel the spear
Varro Protect his soldiers Keep the party alive Quietly arm trusted men near the spear Knows more about Corvinus’s debts than he lets on
Tribune Lucius Complete Brutus’s commission Destroy the spear Look legitimate while doing it Still receiving raven orders to kill Cassia
Vercingetorix Protect his tribe Reclaim the sacred grove Ally with the party against Corvinus Thusnelda is his sister; he sent her to the fort deliberately
Brutus Overthrow Marcus Aurelius Prevent Mars from being appeased so Rome burns on his schedule Activate sleeper agents and order arson Plans to sacrifice Vindolanda if the fort defies him
Thusnelda Seal the spear permanently Return it to the grove Help the party reach the grove Carries the sealing rite in her memory; she is the key

Relationship Starting States

Party base at campaign start. Track individual character modifiers in the blank column as play develops. Use the debt/favor language from reputation.qmd to record changes.

NPC / Faction Starting statement Individual modifier (fill during play)
Legate Corvinus “You are his tools. He has not decided whether that makes you valuable or expendable.”
Cassia Liviana “She has seen something in you. She has not decided whether to tell you what.”
Centurion Varro “You are one of his soldiers. That means something to him.”
Tribune Lucius “He does not know you yet. He is watching.”
Vercingetorix “You are Romans. He is waiting to be proven wrong.”
Thusnelda “She is afraid of what you are carrying. She has not decided if you are different from the Romans who brought it.”
Senator Brutus “He does not know you exist. This is probably good.”
Legio XIV “You are part of it. For now, that is enough.”
Germanic Tribes (general) “You are the soldiers on the other side of the line. Nothing more yet.”
Mars “He is aware of you. This is not the same as favor.”
Jupiter “Neutral. He is watching the Emperor.”
The Senate “You are frontier soldiers. The Senate does not know frontier soldiers exist.”

Camp trader relationships: tracked separately in camp_economy.qmd. Starting state for all six traders: “Professional. They do not know you yet.”

Corruption Rules Summary

Stage Name Mechanical effect
0 Unmarked None
1 Touched Disturbing dreams; no mechanical penalty
2 Marked Disadvantage on Wisdom saves
3 Stained DC 12 Wisdom save to retreat from combat
4 Claimed DC 14 Wisdom save to avoid attacking the nearest creature when below half HP
5 Consumed Fully corrupted; becomes a Mars-driven NPC

Gaining corruption: Direct contact with the spear (1 stage), failing a Wisdom save when the spear’s influence is active (1 stage), sleeping with the spear nearby for three nights without Lemuria observance (1 stage).

Losing corruption: Full Lemuria observance before a rest (possible -1 stage, DC 14 Wisdom check), completing the grove ritual (reduces to 0), divine intervention (DM discretion).

Spear of Mars Properties

+2 weapon | 1d8 piercing + 1d8 necrotic damage

Attunement curse: Attuning the spear begins corruption at Stage 1. Each dawn while attuned: DC 12 Wisdom save or gain 1 stage.

Corruption aura: Any creature that touches the spear without attunement makes a DC 10 Wisdom save or is Frightened of Mars for 1 minute.

Destruction: Cannot be destroyed by mortal means. Can only be permanently sealed at the sacred grove via the Germanic ritual (Thusnelda knows the rite).

Three Clue Rule Checklist

Before each session, confirm each key revelation has at least three paths to discovery:

  • Session 1: The spear is corrupting — Omens (Handout 3) + Cassia’s warning + Thusnelda’s fear
  • Session 2: Tribune works for Brutus — Encoded letter (Handout 5) + Tribune’s behavior under pressure + Cassia’s reading
  • Session 3: Brutus plans assassination — Bloody message (Handout 7) + informant in Rome + archive records
  • Session 4: Spear is at Brutus’s villa — Informant note (Handout 9) + Tribune’s testimony + Cassia’s vision
  • Session 5: Sealing requires sacrifice — Thusnelda’s ritual + grove inscription + Mars’s direct communication

Session Structure Checklist

Each session should include: