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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ladybird" data-source="post: 6369593" data-attributes="member: 10689">Episode 2, Chapter 14: A Geneva ConventionSo now that we've dealt with Roach!Memmius, where do we go next? Apollonius? It's much farther forward than we are now (as Michel objects), but it's a definite person who's got a location that's easy to pin down. The other main source of Ezeru interference is Helvetii, and we think they'll be harder to find.But the logic that we should go as far back as we can is pretty convincing. So we check our copy of Caesar's Dacian Wars (which Edward has Preparedly brought along from our 113 CE library trip) to see what we can get about the Helvetii.What Caesar says is: In 61 BCE Helvetii chief named Orgetorix started agitating to leave Helvetia and invade another land. The other chiefs called a tribal council at which Orgetorix was brought up on charges of treason - in addition to his invasion plans, Orgetorix was also trying to declare himself king, which was Not Done among the Helvetii. But Orgetorix had a huge group of warriors with him; large enough that the other chiefs thought it would be a good idea to acquit him. So Orgetorix actually did become king, and led the Helvetii east to Dacia. Eventually, he died in glorious single combat with Marc Antony.We check that story against our tethers - which are still slow, which is still unsettling. The Gallic Wars follow the same story up to a certain point: Orgetorix tried to declare himself king, was charged with treason, and acquitted because he had a huge army. But before the council could meet again, Orgetorix mysteriously died. The rest of the council decided to move the Helvetii west, to Gaul.So our new questions are: was Orgetorix replaced by a roach? or just influenced by  one?We give Henry some Reality Anchor so that he's more stable, and then head to 61 BCE. We land in summer, a week before the council is set to convene, on the shore of Lake Geneva. This leap feels a little harder than the last - the same lag that's dragging on our tether communication is starting to affect our travel.Lake Geneva is very different from Rome. The lake is glittering blue, surrounded by reed-and-thatch huts. A few huts are even on the lake, supported by platforms. The one similarity that this place has to Rome is that it's noisy and smelly. But unlike Rome, the noise and smell mostly comes from farm animals. The people look different than the ones we saw in Rome: they're taller, with paler skin, and blond hair. At least, most have blond hair - some men (and a few women, too) have hair dyed bright blue or green. They're generally young and athletic, so we figure they're warriors. The clothes are bright, too. Most women are wearing tunics dyed in garish shades of red, blue, and orange, often all on the same garment. The men are wearing very little.Yves's first thought is to check his Geiger counter. Fortunately, there's nothing unusual there.Mace's first thought is to start chatting. He notices one particularly big tent being built, and heads over to strike up a conversation with the people building it.Random Helvetii: Well met, cousin! This is the hall for the council. And the trial.Mace: Trial?RH: There are some who say that Orgetorix thinks he's better than the rest of us. Thinks he wants to be a kingMichel [shocked] A king?RH: It's scandalous! We have never had kings! We are a free people! [spits]Edward: [scrunching awkwardly down] "Er. what made him think he was better?"RH: [shrug] He always has. He's just like that. But nobody can deny that he's impressive. And a brilliant war leader.Michel: What's so impressive about him?RH: See that man over there? [He points to a large burly man setting up a tent - easily six inches taller than most of the people we saw in Rome] Orgetorix would make three of him!Michel: He must be very youngRH: Not that young. His father died before last gathering of chieftains - so, 4 years ago? He has a son old enough to be a warrior and a daughter old enough to be married.Henry: I'd like to hear what he has to say for himself. Where can we find him?RH: He's not due to arrive himself until tomorrow. But his scouts have secured that area for themselves [points to a spot at lake's edge]It's pretty easy to tell that Orgetorix's camp has both the best access to water and the most defensible position of all of the Helvetii.That's where we go next. Orgetorix's particular branch of the Helvetii is a tribe called the Tigurini. The man himself isn't here yet, but his advance guard is, and they all love him. "Where he's taking us, everyone can have their own herd of cows!" one of them gushes."Where's he taking you?" Mace asks."Oh, I'm not important enough to know that," says the scout. "And we wouldn't want our enemies to know. Like the Romans! You can't trust them."While the others are talking to the scout, Edward is looking around at the other Tigurini. Nobody is acting like they've been mind-controlled; their love for Orgetorix seems to be sincere. Nobody is acting like they've been replaced, either - if Orgetorix is being influenced by the Ezeru, they're sticking pretty closely to him.Mace also Notices that some of the Tigurini are building a ditch around their camp. "Oh, that's for bringing water," the scout explains, when we ask. But Mace and Edward can tell that it is totally a fortification. The Tigurini are preparing for war.</blockquote>

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