The Northern League: Gaul, Illyricum, Germania

(This is the second part of the series begun here, continuing the Great History of the League of
Desmond.)

The League, having fled into scarcely-civilized Gallia, remained there for but a short time - they had no idea of how to live in wilderness, having been born and raised in the towns and cities. Instead, they ventured eastward, having some idea of reuniting with their long-estranged brethren - though so much time had passed since the split between the branches of the League that only the old among them had lived south of Trieste. Soon, they left southern Gallia and entered the wilderness of northern Illyricum - where Roman law held but little weight, and the members of the League of Desmond hoped to escape Roman vengeance.

In another time they might have been able to do so, but in the course of things it mattered little. Shortly after their arrival, in the spring of 12 BC, the Romans launched the Bellum Panonicum: wars against the Pannonians, inhabitants of northern Illyricum. For some time after, the League remained untouched and ignorant of the threat - settling near a stream and starting small farms - but soon the tread of Roman hobnails was heard across the face of Illyricum, and the League fled, once again terrified of Roman retribution - though it was rumored that their antagonist, Octavius Caesar, was dead - and moved north, towards still-barbarous Germania. By the winter of 9 BC, they had crossed the Rhine, and entered Germania.


They hoped to begin farming again, as they did during their stay in Germania - set up a peaceful, civilized Roman life for themselves and their families, safe from Roman persecution. At first the tribe in the region they had entered - the Marcomanni - were peaceful, and traded with the League of Desmond. When they saw the village that the League had established, however, they grew afraid. They feared a creeping presence - first a few Romans, then - at the slightest offence - a Roman army would march north to establish Roman law. It had happened before - they had heard the rumours.

In the dead of night, they struck - burning the village, paying especial attention to the temple, and slaughtering the men. Women and children were killed or enslaved. Nearly all the League of Desmond died that night - except for the priest, an amateur historian on the side, named Andromicus Desmondus. It is largely thanks to him that much of this is known. He intimidated them with his literacy, which the tribesmen superstitiously considered magic. They took him to their shaman to be judged. Fascinated by Andromicus's account of an ancient warrior society, the shaman ordered that Andromicus should be left to live, and initiate him into the ancient ways of the League of Desmond. Once again, the League of Desmond was reborn.